This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of May 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.
Poverty reduction initiative
Mayor Eisenberger’s motion that the city dedicate $50 million to poverty reduction and direct staff to develop a plan for the spending was approved 11-2. The funds are to come from the Horizon Utilities dividends ($3 million a year) and by delaying payback of city loans from the Future Fund by five years (total of $20 million). At City Council, the motion was amended to specifically say the initiative would extend “across all wards”.
At General Issues Committee, May 4 Minutes p3-4, 19-20 (11-2)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson, Skelly
Absent: Green, B Johnson, Partridge
At City Council, May 11 Minutes p3-4, 19-20 (11-2)
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, B Johnson, Skelly
Ban over non-adherence to fair wage policy
Staff reported that Bondfield Construction Company had been found non-compliant three times in three years with the city’s Fair Wage Policy and Fair Wage Schedule, and recommended that the city not do business with them before May 2026. Committee amended the date to May 2022 with two councillors opposed to the change, before approving the amended recommendation.
At Audit, Finance and Administration Committee, May 9 Minutes p7
Opposed to amendment: Collins, A Johnson
Acceptance of $1 billion LRT investment - deferral
After a proposal by Merulla that council reaffirm the acceptance of the $1 billion investment of the province in an LRT, Partridge moved to defer a decision to the May 18 meeting of the general issues committee, where it was agreed to defer it further until the June 15 meeting.
At City Council, May 11 Minutes p7-8 (9-6)
For deferral: Collins, Conley, Jackson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead
Against: Eisenberger, Ferguson, Farr, Green, A Johnson, Merulla
Absent: Vanderbeek
Composting facility contract
Staff recommended retaining Maple Reindeer Construction for capital improvements to the city’s composting facility, rather than going out to tender. The company is the operator of the facility.
At Public Works Committee, May 30 Minutes p10
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Auditor appointment
The annual meeting of Hamilton Utilities Corporation Board (composed of all city councillors) included approval of a motion to appoint KPMG as auditors for the Corporation.
At City Council, May 30 Minutes p2-3
Recorded opposed: Green
Heritage designation
The city’s municipal heritage committee recommended heritage designation of the former parsonage of St Thomas Anglican Church as 18 West Avenue South, but after hearing from two delegations, the committee voted to take no action “due to the need for affordable housing, the lack of support from the Stinson Neighbourhood Association for the designation, and the fact that the parsonage is located on an old native foot path.”
At Planning Committee, May 31 Minutes p18-19
Recorded opposed: Pearson