This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of February 2015. The first line of each entry identifies the issue, followed by a brief description. This is followed by the location of the vote. Multiple votes on the same issue are reported together. Absentees are only listed where reported in the minutes and where the missing councillors are members of that committee or decision-making body. Links are provided to source documents. Note that the vast majority of council decisions are unanimous and the votes are not officially recorded.
Community mailboxes
Staff recommended that the city oppose elimination of home mail delivery and call on the federal government to suspend implementation of community mailboxes to allow for full public consultation, and recognize the city’s jurisdiction over installation and maintenance of boxes on public roadways. The recommendation was approved unanimously.
At General Issues Committee, February 4 Minutes p15-16 (10-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, Merulla, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Ferguson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
At City Council, February 11 Minutes p6-7 (13-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: None
Absent: Duvall, Ferguson, Whitehead
Police capital budget
After three meetings in January, the general issues committee forwarded the 2015 capital budget to council for ratification. Clause (e) that had approved funding a police investigative services headquarters from debt was deleted and replaced with a multiple-clause amendment committing the city to one-third of the $15 million cost from various sources and directing the mayor to seek one-third each from the federal and provincial governments. The amendment, and the amended budget, were both approved by identical 13-1 votes.
At City Council, February 11 Minutes p5-6 (13-1)
For: Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: Collins
Absent: Duvall, Whitehead
Blue Dot declaration
A motion by Green to endorse and communicate to the federal government the Blue Dot declaration calling for a constitutional amendment to guarantee Canadians’ right to a healthy environment was approved unanimously.
At General Issues Committee, February 18 Minutes p11-13 (15-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: None
Absent: Eisenberger
At City Council, February 25 Minutes p5-6 (16-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: None
Integrity report on Ferguson
A report by Integrity Commissioner Basse on misconduct complaints against Ferguson was received.
At City Council, February 25 Minutes p4
Recorded opposed to receiving: Duvall, Green
Tobogganing
A motion by Whitehead directing staff to review options for tobogganing including designated areas was unanimously approved.
At City Council, February 25 Minutes p7 (16-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: None
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority budget
A motion by Collins, amended at the committee meeting, reiterated opposition of the city to the budget submitted by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, directed staff to prepare an appeal and councillor B Johnson to continue to seek a negotiated resolution, and asked for provincial intervention.
At General Issues Committee, February 27 Minutes p14-15 (15-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: None
Absent: Whitehead
Budget decisions – proposed enhancements
At the February 27 meeting of the General Issues Committee councillors reviewed proposals for changes to the base budget and decided which ones should be dropped and which referred to the March 10 meeting for further consideration and possible acceptance. On several items one or more councillors recorded their opposition to the majority decision as indicated below. No record was kept of who voted in favour. Page numbers refer to Book 1 of the Budget Summary Report FCS15010.
At General Issues Committee, February 27 Minutes p10-12
Business facilitators: Staff recommended adding three positions for attracting and retaining businesses and developments at a cost of $247,500. Committee agreed to refer this for further consideration. (p.57)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson
Long range planning: Staff recommended shifting funding for this work from the capital budget to the operating budget at a cost of $338,000. Committee agreed to refer this for further consideration. (p.59)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson, Whitehead
Climate change planning: Staff recommended adding two positions to prepare and implement climate change adaptation strategies at a cost of $192,410. Committee decided to drop this from further consideration. (p.61)
Recorded opposed: Eisenberger, Green, Merulla, Vanderbeek
Air quality surveillance: Staff recommended adding 3.5 positions to develop an airshed model and guidelines for land use planning as well as provide workshops for industry and revise existing air quality bylaws, at a cost of $335,310. Committee decided to drop this from further consideration. (p.63)
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Licence clerk: The addition of one clerk for counter locations at City Hall and the City Centre to deal with increased demands at a cost of $67,500 had been referred to the budget by council, but committee decided to drop it from consideration. (p.73)
Recorded opposed: Whitehead
Licence facilitator: A request from Planning and Economic Development for one additional licence facilitator at City Hall for businesses to deal with increased demands at a cost of $93,000 was dropped from further consideration by the committee. (p.79)
Recorded opposed: Farr, Green, Pearson
Cultural projects specialist: A request from Planning and Economic Development for a new cultural projects marketing position at a cost of $91,300 was dropped from further consideration by the committee. (p.85)
Recorded opposed: Farr, Jackson, B. Johnson
Grants program: Additional funding of $250,000 for the City Enrichment Fund for Communities, Culture & Heritage, Community Services, Sports & Active Lifestyles, and Agriculture & Environment had been referred to the budget process by council. Committee agreed to refer this for further consideration. (p.109)
Recorded opposed:Collins, Partridge