This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of November 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.
Harbour housing
Staff recommended an evaluation process for Pier 8 housing development proposals “that may include a defined target of not less than five percent of affordable home-ownership units.” An amendment by Eisenberger that changed “may include” to “shall include” was approved 11-2 before the amended recommendations were approved unanimously.
At General Issues Committee, November 2 Minutes p1-2, 13-18
For the amendment: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Skelly, Whitehead
Absent: Ferguson, Partridge, Vanderbeek
For the amended motion: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, Partridge, Vanderbeek
Eastmount School fashion incubator
A motion by Skelly directing staff to investigate using Eastmount School as a fashion incubator in partnership with the private sector was approved by committee with four recorded opponents.
At General Issues Committee, November 2 Minutes p6, 19
Recorded opposed: Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A Johnson
Ward boundaries
A special meeting of the General Issues Committee on October 27 decided to just receive the consultant report on changes to ward boundaries and to allow councillors to submit their own suggestions to the consultants to consider for a further report. Councillor Green was absent from that meeting, but when the ratification of these decisions came to council he asked to be recorded as opposed.
At City Council, November 9 Minutes p4
Recorded opposed: Green
Standardization of water equipment
Staff recommended standardization of water equipment, parts, supplies and services and approving the original suppliers as the single source for parts, supplies and services. Committee approved the recommendation
At Public Works Committee, November 14 Minutes p1, 5
Recorded opposed: Conley, Jackson
Sewer lateral cross connection program
Staff recommended making permanent this pilot program which corrects illegal sewer flows to local streams. The recommendation includes making permanent the two temporary staff running the program which so far has redirected 112,000 litres per day of sewage to the city’s treatment facilities. Committee referred this to the November 18 meeting of the General Issues Committee on the water and sewer budget.
At Public Works Committee, November 14 Minutes p2, 6
Recorded opposed to the staff report: Jackson
Dundas condominium appeal
An application to allow development of six units at 231 York Road in Dundas was supported by city planning staff but rejected by the Committee of Adjustment and that rejection has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. Staff recommended taking no action, but committee decided to participate in the OMB appeal in support of the Committee of Adjustment decision.
At Planning Committee, November 15 Minutes p2, 8-9
Recorded opposed: Pearson
Cat licensing
Staff recommended a cat licensing bylaw with $45 annual fees for unaltered cats, and $20 for spayed or neutered ones. Committee decided 5-3 to just receive the staff report and take no action on licensing. Further extensive discussion took place at City Council where the staff recommendation was defeated on an 8-8 tie. A subsequent motions by Merulla to abolish dog licensing was defeated 2-14.
At Planning Committee, November 15 Minutes p3, 10-14 (5-3)
For just receiving: Collins, Farr, A Johnson, B Johnson, Skelly
Against: Conley, Partridge, Pearson
Absent: Green, Pasuta
At City Council, November 23 Minutes p5-6 (8-8) (2-14)
For the staff recommendation: Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Ferguson, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Pasuta, Skelly, Vanderbeek
For abolishing dog licencing: Merulla, Pearson
Against: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
CityLAB pilot
Staff recommended a three-year pilot partnership with McMaster, Mohawk and Redeemer in a CityLAB program to where “staff, post-secondary students and community members co-create, design and launch projects that make the city more liveable, joyful and sustainable.” Councillors amended the recommendations by adding a commitment of $288,000 of in-kind city services, and a cash contribution of $101,000.
At General Issues Committee, November 16 Report p2-3, 25 (13-1)
Recorded opposed to the amendment: Ferguson
For the amended motion: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson
Absent: Jackson, A Johnson
At City Council, November 23 Minutes p7
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, Skelly
Ranked balloting
Staff provided a report on ranked balloting which was discussed by committee. A motion was presented directing staff to report back (a) before the end of 2016 on the costs of implementation and (b) on concerns with the current municipal election process and how to resolve those issues. Part (a) was defeated 5-9; part (b) was approved 14-0. A further motion (d) directing staff to report on possible public meetings related to ranked balloting was also defeated 4-10.
At General Issues Committee, November 16 Report p26 (5-9) (14-0)
For part (a): Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Merulla, Skelly
Against: Collins, Conley, Ferguson, Jackson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Absent: A Johnson, Pasuta
For part (b): Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: A Johnson, Pasuta
For part (d): Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Merulla
Against: Collins, Conley, Ferguson, Jackson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly. Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Absent: A Johnson, Pasuta
Utilities corporation directors
A special meeting of council considered and approved a resolution naming Mayor Eisenberger and Mr Paul Benson as two directors of the proposed MergeCo resulting from the amalgamation of PowerStream Holdings Inc, Enersource Holdings Inc, and Horizon Holdings Inc.
At City Council, November 22 Minutes p2
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, Skelly
Study of increased runoff from Ancaster intensification
Staff recommended a pilot study assessment of the increase in lot coverage in rurally serviced neighbourhoods in Ancaster at a cost of $250,000. The recommendation originated with concerns raised in 2013 about redevelopment in Ancaster. Public Works committee approved the recommendation on November 16.
At City Council, November 23 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Green
Water, wastewater and stormwater budget for 2017
Staff recommended the 2017 water, wastewater and stormwater budget for 2017 at the November 18 General Issues Committee and it was approved without any noted opposition. However, at City Council, the vote was 13-3.
At City Council, November 23 Minutes p9
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek
Against: Jackson, Partridge, Whitehead
Standardization of Ambulance Fleet Purchases
A staff recommending that ambulance vehicles and repair parts be obtained solely from Demers Ambulance Manufacturer for the next six years was approved by the Emergency and Community Services Committee on November 21.
At City Council, November 23 Minutes p9
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Renaming road
A motion by Collins to honour retiring economic development director Neil Everson by establishing a commemorative designation for Cormorant Road as “Neil Everson Way” was approved unanimously in a standing recorded vote.
At City Council, November 23 Minutes p16-17
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek. Whitehead
Against: none