This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of September 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.
Four storeys in Binbrook
Staff recommended approval of an official plan amendment by Losani Homes to allow two four-storey mixed use buildings on Regional Road 56 in Binbrook. On a motion by B Johnson, committee decided to deny the amendment application
At Planning Committee, September 5 Minutes p5, 11-12
Recorded opposed to denial: Pearson
Commonwealth Games application
Staff recommended that an expression of interest be filed in Hamilton hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and that a business proposal be prepared. Committee rejected the recommendation by a 7-6 vote. The matter was re-debated at city council and again defeated.
At General Issues Committee, September 6 Minutes p6 (6-7)
For: Conley, Farr, Ferguson, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson. Merulla, Partridge, Vanderbeek
Absent: Eisenberger, Jackson, Pasuta
At City Council, September 13 Minutes p5-6 (5-10)
For: Conley, Eisenberger, Pearson, Whitehead, Pasuta
Against: Collins, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson. Merulla, Partridge, Skelly, Vanderbeek
Absent: Ferguson
Ward boundary appeal at OMB
In closed session council discussed the appeals of the ward boundary by-law at the Ontario Municipal Board. They amended and then approved directions to staff as well as keeping secret the information about this.
At City Council, September 13 Minutes p16-17
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta
Extra for ward one
A motion was presented by A Johnson to add $21,000 to the ward one budget allocation for each of 2017 and 2018. This was amended by Johnson to reduce the amount to $10,000 and only for 2017, but it was still defeated by committee.
At Audit, Finance and Administration Committee, September 11 Minutes p6-7 (3-4)
For the amended motion: Collins, A Johnson, Vanderbeek
Against: Ferguson, B Johnson, Pearson, Skelly
Hess Village licensing
A motion by Farr to end the requirement of Hess Village bars to contribute to extra policing was presented. A motion by A Johnson to delay a decision until December to get more information from staff was defeated 1-8, and Farr’s motion was approved.
At Planning Committee, September 19 Minutes p4-5, 12 (1-8)
For delay: A Johnson
Against: Collins, Conley, Farr, Green, B Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly
Absent: Partridge
Recorded opposed to original motion: A Johnson, B Johnson
Legion exemption
A motion by Conley for public hall fee exemptions for Legion and Wing Associations was approved unanimously in a recorded vote.
At Planning Committee, September 19 Minutes p5, 13 (9-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Farr, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly
Against: none
Absent: Partridge
Poverty reduction plan
Staff recommended implementation details of the mayor’s $50 million poverty reduction investment plan including exemptions from development charges and parkland dedication fees for projects funded by the plan. Section E of the recommendations was to add two full-time staff positions to implement the plan. Committee approved the recommendations.
At General Issues Committee, September 20 Minutes p1-2, 9-11
Recorded opposed to section E: Whitehead
At City Council, September 27 Minutes p5
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Provincial labour reforms
A motion in July by Green to endorse the provincial government’s increase of the minimum wage to $15 and other labour standards reforms was delayed to receive a staff report on the financial and other implications for the City. An amendment by Jackson was approved to ask the province to cost-share the impact on municipalities, but the main motion as amended was defeated on a 6-6 tie.
At General Issues Committee, September 20 Minutes p11-12 (6-6)
For: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson
Against: Conley, Ferguson, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Absent: B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta
At City Council, September 27 Minutes p5
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Ward boundary appeal settlement
In closed session, councillors discussed proposed and approved “Minutes of Settlement” with one of the Ontario Municipal Board appellants. The settlement with Mark Richardson was subsequently released in late September after council ratification.
At General Issues Committee, September 20 Minutes p5, 15
Recorded opposed: A Johnson
Marijuana
A motion by Conley was approved to (A) ask Hamilton police to enforce existing marijuana legislation and “charge those selling non-medical marijuana” in the city, and (B) ask the federal government to expedite legalization legislation.
At City Council, September 27 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed to part A: Green