This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of August 2017. 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.
LRT public operation
A motion by Green to advise Metrolinx that the operation and maintenance of the LRT and any future transit expansion should be by the HSR was addressed by several delegations. An amendment by Eisenberger to remove maintenance from the request was defeated 6-7 before the original motion was adopted 9-4.
At General Issues Committee, August 9 Minutes p1, 9-10 (6-7) (9-4)
For amendment to remove maintenance: Eisenberger, Ferguson, A Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Against: Farr, Green, Jackson, Merulla, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead
Absent: Collins, Conley, B Johnson
For the main motion: Farr, Green, Jackson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead, Vanderbeek
Against: Eisenberger, Ferguson, A Johnson, Pasuta
Absent: Collins, Conley, B Johnson
At City Council, August 18 Minutes p5-6 (11-2)
For: Collins, Farr, Green, Jackson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead, Vanderbeek
Against: A Johnson, Pasuta
Absent: Eisenberger, Conley, Ferguson,
Provincial planning legislation
Staff presented a report on provincially-legislated changes to the Growth Plan, the Greenbelt Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan. Committee voted to receive the report.
At General Issues Committee, August 14 Minutes p1, 10
Recorded opposed to receiving: Green
Budget guidelines
Staff presented a proposed process and a preliminary outlook on the 2018 budget and recommended a 2 percent inflationary increase to user fees (excluding golf, transit and ice surface fees); a 0.5% increase in capital financing plus a 0.41% increase for transit funding (to match federal monies); and a 4.5% increase in water rates. Committee modified the recommendations to set a 1.5% guideline for departments, boards and agencies, and approved the other recommendations.
At General Issues Committee, August 14 Minutes p2, 11
Recorded opposed water rate increase: Jackson, Partridge
Soccer at Tim Horton’s Field
After receiving a report from staff in closed session, committee directed staff “to abstain from any business with the Tiger-Cats related to soccer at Tim Horton’s Field until such time as the current litigation matter is resolved.”
At General Issues Committee, August 14 Minutes p8, 15
Recorded opposed: Green, Ferguson, Jackson, Pearson
Cannabis consultation
Staff provided an information report on its participation in consultations related to the pending legalization of Cannabis. Committee received the report.
At Board of Health, August 17 Minutes p1, 3
Recorded opposed “to the industry models currently proposed by the federal government for the sale and distribution of Cannabis”: Green
Waterfront Trust correspondence
Council received correspondence from the Waterfront Trust informing them of a motion to increase their Board of Trustees appointees from the city from four to five. Council referred the correspondence to its governance review subcommittee.
At City Council, August 18 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Skelly
Rental housing
The planning committee approved a recommendation from its rental housing sub-committee to hire a project manager for a six month period to update a report on regulation and compare other municipalities regulatory approaches. At council, Collins moved that the associated $60,000 expenditure be referred to the 2018 budget process. That was approved.
At City Council, August 18 Minutes p7
Recorded opposed: A Johnson, Whitehead
Referral of tree permit
The planning committee endorsed a staff recommendation that a retroactive permit to cut trees on Scenic Drive be denied. At council, Whitehead moved to refer this “to the development application process” and staff be directed to provide “a full chronological history”.
At City Council, August 18 Minutes p8
Recorded opposed to the referral: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson
Sulphur Springs well
A motion by Ferguson was approved at the public works committee to direct staff to report “on how the water at the Sulphur Springs artesian well can be brought into compliance with the new arsenic level limits and that the report include an estimate on the cost of doing this treatment.” Two councillors opposed ratification by city council.
At City Council, August 18 Minutes p14
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson
Naming of room
A motion by Merulla was approved unanimously to name the community room in the new Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre in honour of long-time city employee Coralee Secore who is credited with leading the city’s participation in the Pan-Am Games.
At City Council, August 18 Minutes p23-24 (13-0)
For: Collins, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek. Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Conley, Eisenberger, Ferguson