This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of December 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.
Changes to the city’s website mean it is no longer possible to provide direct links to motions and staff reports.
Enbridge pipeline
Staff recommended they be authorized to submit a letter of comment to the National Energy Board about the Enbridge plans to construct 35 km of pipeline from Westover to Nebo Road, and to negotiate with and make agreements with the company on the “roles, responsibilities and obligations” where the pipe crosses city-owned right-of-ways.
At General Issues Committee, December 2 Minutes p3, 16
Recorded opposed: Green
Changes to the Greenbelt
Staff recommended advising the province to allow cities to make changes to the Greenbelt outside of the legislated ten-year review and to defer Greenbelt boundary change decisions until the city completed the required comprehensive reviews. “Notwithstanding” those requests, staff also recommended removal from the Greenbelt of two lower Stoney Creek fruitland parcels and one Waterdown block, and addition of lands between Airport Road and Twenty Mile Creek east and west of Nebo Road. Multiple delegations and submissions were received before a series of committee votes on these matters as detailed below.
At Planning Committee, December 3 Minutes p1-17
Motion by Green to add all identified areas to the Greenbelt including riverbeds – defeated 2-6:
For: Green, A Johnson
Against: Collins, Conley, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson
Absent: Farr
Motion by Collins to approve the staff recommendations defeated on a tie vote (not recorded)
Recorded opposed: Green
Motion to enlarge and approve the recommended additional lands – approved (not recorded)
Motion by Partridge to remove the Waterdown parcel approved.
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson
Motion to remove the Winona fruitland block approved.
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson
Motion to approve staff recommendations on changes to Greenbelt review rules approved.
Motion to remove the ED Smith fruitland block approved
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson
Motion to inform all property owners affected by proposals for addition or removal from Greenbelt approved.
At City Council, December 9 Minutes p14-22
An amendment by A Johnson was adopted to recommend inclusion of Coldwater Creek in the Greenbelt, and an amendment by Conley to review two Greenbelt blocks on the east side of Centennial Parkway for future addition to the urban boundary before council approved the amended motion.
Recorded opposed to and deletion of lands from the Greenbelt: Green
Recorded opposed to removal of lower Stoney Creek (Winona and ED Smith) lands and Waterdown lands from the Greenbelt: Eisenberger, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Vanderbeek
Backflow valve program
Audit, finance and administration committee approved capping the maximum grant under the protective plumbing program (installation of backflow valves) at $1500 and requiring at least one written quote per applicant. On a motion by Collins, council referred this back to staff for a report to the committee.
At City Council, December 9 Minutes p23
Recorded opposed to referral: Ferguson, B Johnson, Pearson
Capital budget
Staff made a presentation on the 2016 capital budget and recommended approval. Committee decided instead to table the recommendations to the January 19 meeting of general issues committee.
At General Issues Committee, December 4 Minutes p1-5
Recorded opposed to tabling: Eisenberger, Ferguson
Expressway safety
Staff presented a report and recommendations on improving safety on the Red Hill Parkway and the Linc. Committee approved the recommendations and also directed staff to investigate installation of rumble strips on the Linc, and more lighting on Red Hill.
At Public Works Committee, December 7 Minutes p6, 11-12
Recorded opposed to installation of permanent raised pavement markings from Greenhill Ave to the QEW: Ferguson
Photo radar
A motion by Merulla to ask the province to allow Hamilton to implement photo radar on the Linc and Red Hill expressways was approved.
At Public Works Committee, December 7 Minutes p6, 11-12
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Dundas apartment tower
A proposed apartment in Dundas at Main and Baldwin was approved by the planning committee. At city council Vanderbeek moved amendments to (a) limit the height to 8 storeys and (b) to require a traffic study, improvements to the abutting alleyway, and other community benefits – all of which were defeated in votes held on each sub-section of the amended and original motions.
At City Council, December 9 Minutes p5-10 (6-9) (6-9) (9-6)
For limiting height: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Against: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Merulla Pearson, Whitehead
For additional requirements: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Against: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Merulla Pearson, Whitehead
For the main motion: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Merulla Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek