How they voted in December

This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of December 2013. The first line of each entry identifies the issue, followed by a brief description. This is followed by the location of the vote in the third line. 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.

Cancer strategies

motion by McHattie directed public health staff, Cancer Care Ontario and the Juravinski Hospital to report back on actions the city can take to deal with issues raised in the Hamilton Spectator’s week-long series on the impact of cancer was approved.

At Board of Health, December 2 Minutes p5 (13-1)

For: Clark, Collins, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Bratina

Absent: Duvall, Morelli

 

Tax increment grant program

Staff recommended a $24,739.85 payment to the owners of 193-197 James Street North as approved in 2009 under the Tax Increment Grant Program which reimburses a portion of increased taxes after redevelopment of a property. Since that time one of the owners, Glen Norton, has become the head of the city’s downtown renewal office, which generated discussion about potential conflict of interest.

At General Issues Committee, December 4 & 6 Minutes p1-2, 16 (10-4)

For: Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Clark, Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson

Absent: Bratina, Morelli

At City Council, December 11 Minutes p7 (11-3)

For: Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Powers, Whitehead

Against: Clark, Johnson, Pearson

Absent: Bratina, Morelli

 

Farmers’ Market management

Committee met in camera and subsequently approved a six month extension of the service contract for management of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market by a vote of 3-2.

At Emergency and Community Services Committee, Dec 9 Report p4-5, 15

For: Duvall, McHattie, Merulla

Against: Jackson, Whitehead

Absent: Farr, Morelli, Partridge

At city council the motion was amended to read “up to” six months extension. Both the amendment and the amended motion were approved by identical 13-2 votes.

At City Council, December 11 Minutes p9 (13-2)

For: Bratina, Clark, Collins, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Johnson, McHattie, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Against: Jackson, Whitehead

Absent: Morelli

Heritage designation of Gore Park buildings

A surprise motion was introduced by Farr at city council that the city issue notice of its intent to designate 18-22 and 24-28 King Street East under the Ontario Heritage Act. Waiving the rules in order to introduce the motion was approved 8-7. The motion itself was approved unanimously.

At City Council, December 11 Minutes p12-13, 14-16 (8-7)

For waiving the rules: Bratina, Collins, Duvall, Farr, McHattie, Merulla, Jackson, Whitehead

Against: Clark, Ferguson, Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Powers

Absent: Morelli

Paying for growth

Lawsuit steeped in anger