This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the months of September and October 2018, the last months of the former council before the elections. The only scheduled October meeting did not proceed because of a lack of quorum. 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 recorded.
Longwood and Main development
Staff recommended approval of official plan and zoning changes for the property on the south west corner of Longwood and Main to allow an 18-storey student residence including filling in part of the Chedoke Creek ravine. After hearing from several delegations, a motion to delay a decision until September 18 was defeated 3-7. Committee amended the recommendation to state that “the public submissions … did not affect the decision” and then approved the amended recommendations 7-3.
At Planning Committee, September 4 Minutes p2-3, 24-28 (3-7) (&-3)
For delaying the decision: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson
Against: Anderson, Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Partridge, Pearson
Absent: Pasuta
For the amended motion: Anderson, Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Partridge, Pearson
Against: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson
Absent: Pasuta
At City Council, September 12 Minutes p4, 6
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson, B Johnson
Procedural bylaw
A report on the city’s procedural bylaw from the governance review subcommittee was approved with a minor correction.
At Audit, Finance and Administration Committee, Minutes September 10 p7
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Cannabis correspondence
Staff recommended just receiving a letter from IBI group related to Cannabis growing and harvesting facilities, and councillors agreed.
At City Council, September 12 Minutes p4, 6
Recorded opposed: Conley
Self-evaluation results
Staff provided a report on the Board of Health’s staff self-evaluation results. A motion by Whitehead to receive the report and refer it to the governance sub-committee to consider appointment of a vice-chair for one year was approved.
At Board of Health, September 17 Minutes p2, 7
Recorded opposed: Green, B Johnson, Pearson
Safe injection sites
A presentation by McMaster medical students on safe injection sites led to a motion by Farr that council reaffirm its support for these sites and correspond with federal and provincial ministers. The motion was approved unanimously.
At Board of Health, September 17 Minutes p2, 7 (13-0)
For: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Anderson, Conley, A Johnson,
Zip line in conservation area
Staff recommended approval of a request by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority for the installation of an adventure park including a zip line and associated facilities in the Binbrook Conservation Area. An amendment was added requiring monitoring of impacts on habitat condition, and the amended motion was approved.
At Planning Committee, September 18 Minutes p4, 24-25
Recorded opposed: Conley, B Johnson
At City Council, September 26 Minutes p8
Recorded opposed: B Johnson, Partridge
Management of downtown city-owned entertainment facilities
General issues committee approved a six-month extension to the management contracts for Global Spectrum and Carmen’s Group and invited them to submit proposals to extend their management contracts. At city council, a motion by Eisenberger was approved to restrict applications to these two companies.
At City Council, September 26 Minutes p20-21
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, Green