This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of June 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.
Added agenda item
A motion by Pearson was approved to add the report of the selection committee to the agenda of a special council meeting which had been called to finalize the city’s requests for special federal infrastructure monies marking Canada’s 150th anniversary (Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program). Adding an agenda item to special council meeting requires a two-thirds majority
At City Council, June 3 Minutes p1 (13-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, B. Johnson, Vanderbeek
St Mark’s church
A motion by Farr was approved to seek $280,000 from the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program to partially fund rehabilitation of St Mark’s Church, and that $400,000 be allocated from the Ward 2 Area Rating Capital Reserve. The motion adopted 10-3 also dropped the $183,150 request for renovation of Central Memorial Recreation Centre to accommodate persons with disabilities. The main motion adopting the remainder of the staff recommended submission to Canada 150 Infrastructure Program with these changes was approved by the same 10-3 vote.
At City Council, June 3 Minutes p2-4 (13-3)
For: Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Merulla, Partridge
Absent: Ferguson, B. Johnson, Vanderbeek
CUPE collective agreement
The newly negotiated collective agreement between the city and Local 5167 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees was approved unanimously in a standing recorded vote.
At City Council, June 3 Minutes p1 (12-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, B. Johnson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Extend development charge credits
Staff recommended a two-year extension of development charge demolition credits be granted to Smart Centres for its Mountain Plaza Mall. Committee approved the recommendation with two members recording their opposition. They were joined by two others when the matter came before the full council.
At Audit, Finance and Administration Committee June 8 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson
At City Council, June 10 Minutes p7
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, Green, B Johnson, Partridge
Hydro One partial sale
Merulla moved that the city call on the province to stop the sale of any part of Hydro One, invest in strengthening it, and not force local distribution companies into mergers or sales. The motion was defeated 6-10.
At City Council, June 10 Minutes p7-8 (6-10)
For: Collins, Duvall, Farr, Green, Merulla, Partridge
Against: Conley, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Steel dumping exemption
Duvall moved that the city support a ruling of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal confirming that the import of rebar from China, South Korea and Turkey will hurt producers such as Arcelor Mittal Dofasco. The motion was approved unanimously in a standing recorded vote.
At City Council, June 10 Minutes p11 (15-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: A. Johnson
OMB appeal on hospital parking lot
Staff recommended hiring outside consultants to defend council’s position opposing the rezoning of 201 Robert Street and 166 Ferguson Avenue North for surface parking facilities. Planning staff had supported the rezoning and official plan amendment.
At Planning Committee, June 16 Minutes p8
Recorded opposed: Pearson
At City Council, June 24 Minutes
Recorded opposed: Pearson
Mailbox legal action
After meeting in secret session, committee approved an appeal of litigation with Canada Post over the rules affecting placement of community mailboxes. The resolution also directed the mayor to seek support from the province, other municipalities and associations representing them.
At General Issues Committee, June 17 Minutes p8
Recorded opposed: Collins, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Partridge
At City Council, June 24 Minutes p11 (10-5)
For: Conley, Duvall, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Merulla, Partridge
Absent: Jackson
Auchmar proposals
Whitehead moved reconsideration of a May 27 council decision directing staff to negotiate the sale of the historic Auchmar lands and buildings. Reconsideration requires a two-thirds majority and this was obtained by a vote of 13-3. Whitehead then moved a replacement motion that tabled sub-sections (b) through (f) for six months to allow council to consider a forthcoming staff report.
At City Council, June 24 Minutes p14-16 (12-3)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Eisenberger, Ferguson, Partridge
Absent: Jackson