This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of March 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.
Red Hill lawsuit
General issues committee met in secret session on March 4 respecting the 10-year-old city lawsuit against the federal government over alleged delays caused by the aborted federal environmental assessment of the project. The minutes show a decision to (a) “stay the course” with respect to the lawsuit and (b) publicly release all legal costs” to date which as of January 31 amounted to $3,092,531. No dissent is recorded in the GIC minutes but at council four councillors asked to be recorded opposed to section (a).
At City Council, March 11 Minutes p11
Recorded opposed: B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Whitehead
Cat licensing
A motion by Merulla directed staff to “examine the feasibility of implement a cat licensing program in the urban area was approved 15-1
At City Council, March 11 Minutes p12-13 (15-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson
HSR children’s fares
A motion by Merulla was approved to refer “the feasibility of providing free HSR transit for children 12 years of age or younger” to the Citizen’s Panel on Transit Options.
At City Council, March 11 Minutes p13
Recorded opposed: B Johnson, Partridge
HSR fares and strategy
A motion by Collins respecting the local transit strategy was approved at the March 6 General Issues Committee, supplemented by several modifications, and forwarded to council for ratification. Section (a) adds $6 million to the HSR budget over the next two years to be collected by (b) raising fares 15 cents in September 2015 and 15 cents in September 2016, and also approves 10 cent a year increases in 2017 and 2018, and an increase of $3 a year to the senior’s monthly pass until it reaches $50.50. Section (c) approves new service standards, and section (d) directs the city manager to modify the capital funding request to Metrolinx. All sections except (d) were approved unanimously.
At City Council, March 11 Minutes p16-19 (16-0) (12-4)
For all sections except (d): Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
For section (d): Collins, Conley, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson
Transit service standards
The new service standards presented by staff were referred to the transit community engagement process.
At General Issues Committee, March 6 Minutes p12 (12-2)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson, Pearson
Absent: Eisenberger, Pasuta
Citizen’s panel on transit options
Eisenberger’s motion to establish a Citizens’ Panel on Transit Options of 15 randomly selected individuals (one from each ward) to “establish a meaningful community dialogue” on “higher order transit” was approved with staff directed to report back by March 30 on terms of reference, cost and schedule.
At General Issues Committee, March 6 Minutes p11-12 (10-5)
For: Collins, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Whitehead
Against: Conley, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Absent: Pasuta
At City Council, March 11 Minutes p19-20
Recorded opposed: B Johnson, Partridge, Pearson
Transit area rating
A motion by Merulla to add a review of the transit area rating issue was approved 9-7.
At City Council, March 11 Minutes p20 (9-7)
For: Collins, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Whitehead
Against: Conley, Ferguson, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Budget decisions – referrals
At the March 10 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 24 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, March 10 Minutes p9-11
Animal Services to provide Flamborough Community with animal control services at par with the rest of the City. (p 37)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Youth Business Development Officer within Small Business Development Center partially funded by Ministry of Economic Development and savings built into the budget. (p 38)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Public Health Inspector Trainees – increased funding from Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. (NEW)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Replace external contractors for engineering services with City Staff. (p 39)
Recorded opposed: Collins
HVAC maintenance for new facility - Tim Horton’s field. (p 40)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Support increased demand for engineering services in the traffic corridor - to address inspection issues associated with road cut permit/restoration work; funding from permit revenues. (p 41)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Support work load increase for engineering services resulting from Special Infrastructure area rated project requirements. (p 42)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Additional Administrative Clerk due to increasing Provincial Offences Administration workload. (p 43)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Additional Court Reporter due to increasing Provincial Offences Administration workload. (p 44)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Media buyer to consolidate City wide media purchase - to be funded from efficiencies. (p 45)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Provide legal administrative support for Water & Waste Water environmental upgrades. (p46)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Support the technology infrastructure for the City’s new Tim Horton’s Field. (p 48)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Provide two new tax collection reminder notices immediately after the first due dates. (p 49)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Engineering approval staff increase to enhance the ability to respond to and process applications for Site Plans and Plans of Subdivisions. (p 53)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson
Open for Business Coordinator to ensure ongoing implementation of recommendations and coordinate high profile and Council initiated issues. (p 54 as amended)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson
Global Hamilton Office Project Lead to support the "Global Hamilton Office" and the "Immigrant Attraction Action Plan". (p 56 as amended)
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Business Facilitators in Planning Division to promote City strategy for attracting and retaining businesses, promote residential, commercial, rural and greenfield developments. (p 57 as amended)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson
Contract Lawyer position supporting Planning and Growth Management project. (p 67)
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Licensing and Permit Officers (Mobile Response). (p 80)
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Fund the Arts Program category created within the City Enrichment Fund for "Strategic Municipal Investment in the Arts" (p 105)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, Partridge
Budget decisions – approvals
At the March 24 meeting of the General Issues Committee councillors reviewed proposals for changes to the base budget and decided which ones should be approved. 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, March 24 Minutes p6-9
Compliance with changes in Provincial requirements for regulatory testing, monitoring, and repairing of well systems in the City's rural areas. (O. Reg. 319/08) (p 33)
Recorded opposed: Whitehead
Provide legal administrative support for Water & Waste Water environmental upgrades. (p 46)
Recorded opposed: Whitehead
Provide legal services for Water & Waste Water environmental upgrades. (p 47)
Recorded opposed: Whitehead
Support work load increase for engineering services resulting from Special Infrastructure area rated project requirements. (p 42)
Recorded opposed: Collins
Business Facilitators in Planning Division to promote City strategy for attracting and retaining businesses, promote residential, commercial, rural and greenfield developments. (p 57 as amended)
Recorded opposed: Eisenberger, Farr, A Johnson, Merulla, Vanderbeek
Engineering approval staff be increased to enhance the ability to respond to and process applications for Site Plans and Plans of Subdivisions. (p 53)
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Contract Lawyer position supporting Planning and Growth Management project. (p 67)
Recorded opposed: B Johnson, Whitehead
Air quality staff
A budget proposal (p 63) to add 3.5 staff to the half-time position to achieve the objectives of the Air Quality Task Force action plan, specifically to collect, analyze and communicate air quality data was reduced to two additional staff and approved.
At General Issues Committee, March 24 Minutes p7 (9-3)
For: Duvall, Eisenberger, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Conley, B. Johnson, Pearson
Absent: Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Partridge
Arts program funding
A budget proposal (p 105) to increase arts funding by $500,000 was unanimously approved.
At General Issues Committee, March 24 Minutes p7 (14-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, Pasuta
Engagement committee
Staff recommended endorsement of a city engagement committee, its policies and approaches to create a new 25-year vision for Hamilton and engage the public on infrastructure issues. It was unanimously approved in a standing recorded vote.
At General Issues Committee, March 30 Minutes p15-16 (15-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Partridge
Ward boundary review
Staff presented an update on the ward boundary review approved by the previous council. A motion to discontinue the review was defeated (6-9).
At General Issues Committee, March 30 Minutes p18 (6-9)
For: Conley, Ferguson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: Collins, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Whitehead
Absent: B. Johnson
Jimmy Thompson Pool
A motion by Green to incorporate the Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool into the design of the new Bernie Morelli Centre and preserve its heritage features was approved 14-2.
At General Issues Committee, March 30 Minutes p18-19 (14-2)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson, Partridge
Public works structure
A motion by Merulla was approved 10-1 directing the city manager to explore dividing the public works department into two departments “or other service delivery models”.
At City Council, March 30 Minutes p2 (10-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Green, Jackson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: Whitehead
Absent: Farr, Ferguson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Partridge
Hermitage ruins
The Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee recommended the disassembly, storage and reconstruction of the Hermitage ruins at 739 Sulphur Springs Road subject to a number of conditions. The planning committee approved the recommendation but deleted section (j) to have a qualified third party conduct a peer review.
At Planning Committee, March 31 Minutes p13 (6-3)
For: Collins, Conley, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Farr, Green, A Johnson