This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of May 2018. 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. Posting of minutes remains quite delayed.
Purchase of former psychiatric hospital lands
The “potential acquisition of the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital lands” was discussed in closed session resulting in councillors approval of “direction provided to staff” (not revealed). The decision was ratified at a special council meeting the same day
At General Issues Committee, May 2 Minutes p11-12 (12-0)
For: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Conley, Green, B Johnson, Partridge
At City Council, May 2 Minutes p2 (11-0)
For: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek
Against: none
Absent: Conley, Green, B Johnson, Partridge, Whitehead
Sonoma Homes appeal
In closed session the planning committee discussed response to an offer by Sonoma Homes to settle their appeal respecting a proposed 9-storey, 82-unit building at 1117 Garner Road in Ancaster. Committee agreed to keep the matter confidential until approved by council. At council a resolution was approved directing staff to refuse Sonoma’s offer and continue to oppose the company’s appeal, while keeping the staff report confidential.
At City Council, May 9 Minutes p4
Recorded opposed: Conley, Green, Whitehead
Hearing from a citizen
The audit, finance and administration committee received a request from Shekar Chandrashekar seeking the opportunity to rebut information in a March 26 staff report that responded to his concerns about Hamilton Police Services. The committee chose to receive Mr Chandrashekar’s request. At council, on a motion by Vanderbeek, that decision was amended to read “be received and not approved”.
At City Council, May 9 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Pearson
Claremont bike lanes
A motion by Whitehead was approved unanimously to name the future bike lanes on the Claremont Access as the “Keddy Access Trail” in honour of Jay Keddy, the teacher and cyclist who was killed riding up the roadway.
At City Council, May 9 Minutes p8-9 (14-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, Partridge
Stadium litigation
In closed session, council discussed a report from legal services on the stadium litigation and decided that it should remain confidential.
At City Council, May 9 Minutes p14
Recorded opposed: Skelly, Whitehead
Healthy food and beverages
A staff recommendation to develop and implement a plan “that increases availability of healthy food and beverage options while also reducing reliance on bottled water at City recreation facilities” was approved.
At Board of Health, May 14 Minutes p5, 6-9 (6-3)
For: Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A Johnson, Pearson
Against: Collins, Merulla, Whitehead
Absent: Ferguson, Jackson, B Johnson, Pasuta, Partridge, Skelly, Vanderbeek
At City Council, May 23 Minutes p5 (9-6)
For: Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, A Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Conley, Jackson, Merulla, Pasuta, Skelly
Absent: B Johnson
Transit shelter at waterfront
A motion by Collins directing staff to install an enhanced transit shelter at the waterfront near Williams Coffee Pub at a cost of $50,000 was approved.
At General Issues Committee, May 16 Minutes p2, 12
Recorded opposed: Conley, Eisenberger, B Johnson, Whitehead
Transit shelters on mountain
A motion by Whitehead directing staff to install three conventional transit shelters on Upper James and Airport Road at a cost of $45,000 was approved.
At General Issues Committee, May 16 Minutes p2, 12
Recorded opposed: Collins
Bayfront Park beach
At Board of Health staff presented a report on the contamination challenges of the Bayfront Park beach. The Board voted to receive the report. At City Council, a motion by Ferguson was approved to ask staff for a report
“on permanently addressing the suitability of Hamilton’s beaches in consultation with Public Health.”
At City Council, May 23 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Jackson