How they voted in March

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

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

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

Suburban bus service blocked

Preparing for extreme weather