This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of March 2016. 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.
Strategic plan direction
As part of the development of a new strategic plan for the city, staff presented two options. On a motion by Green, the “cultural pillars” of “collective ownership, steadfast integrity, courageous change, sensational service [and] engaged empowered employees was endorsed.
At General Issues Committee, March 8 Minutes p1-6
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Operating budget
Council formally approved the 2016 operating budget after adding $1500 for a newly formed Food Advisory Committee.
At City Council, March 9 Minutes p4-5 (15-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Police board governance
On a motion by Merulla, Council reaffirmed its earlier request to the provincial government that legislation be amended “to enable the Hamilton Police Services Board to be governed directly by Hamilton City Council” or be entirely appointed by council.
At City Council, March 9 Minutes p9-12 (13-2)
For: Collins, Conley, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Eisenberger, Ferguson
LRT
Staff recommended an LRT office and administration budget of just over $2 million, all of which is funded by the provincial government. Councillors approved the recommendation.
At General Issues Committee March 23 Minutes p20
Recorded opposed: Collins
At City Council, March 30 Minutes p10
Record opposed: Collins