November 10/04 Report – Part 2 of 4

(Continued from Part #1 that ended at Item 6.3 "Committee Reports - 6.3 Corporate Administration Committee, Report 04-016, November 3, 2003 [2004] )

6.4 Public Health and Community Services Committee, Report 04-006 November 9, 2004 (to be distributed) (Merulla / McHattie)

(http://www.hamilton.ca/Clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
public-health-com-serv/2004/Nov09/Report%2004-006.pdf)

Mayor DiIanni : "Members of Council, the Public Health and Community Services Committee presents its 6 th report and respectfully recommends #1" (hear councillors say carried) "#2 .#5" (hear a glass clink) "Councillor Jackson, before we take the vote."

Item #5. Final Report and Recommendations - "Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for

Hamilton" (HCS04037(a))/(PD04296) (City Wide)

Jackson : "Mr. Mayor, I just didn't want this to pass by. This Item 5 is about the 'Keys to the Home: A Housing Strategy for Hamilton' an outstanding document that our staff have put together led by people like Keith Extance and Vicki Woodcox and many others, including our community partners and the stakeholders that are all interested in providing greater affordable housing in our community as well as to address the homelessness problem in our community as well."

"And, Mr. Mayor, I'm very, very proud of this 24-point recommendation that's before us. It definitely is asking the Federal Government, and Provincial Governments to be a greater partner and player at the table. I think, given the current climate in Ottawa, right now, with the minority government, it's ripe for us to continue to push the Federal Government for greater dollars to get back in the business of helping our communities with affordable housing. It also talks about partnerships from a private sector standpoint."

"Mr. Mayor, I represented you and Council, recently, at a housing project and partnership with private industry and the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders Association on John Street North and their new program called H.O.A.P. It's an acronym for Home Ownership Affordability Program and partnership. And, as you know, we're also doing it with the public sector - with Habitat for Humanity, a wonderful new project in housing, affordable housing up in Upper Stoney Creek in Councillor Bruckler's area, the Bridgeport Project."

"So, Mr. Mayor, this document, if approved tonight, continues to put us, I believe, as a leader, towards addressing the problem of homelessness and affordable housing for those most marginalized in our community. And I would strongly recommend that we whole-heartedly support this. Thanks, Mr. Mayor."

Mayor DiIanni : "Thank you. Let me just make a comment on this. There are no other speakers. And, I'm going to ask Joe-Anne Priel to talk a little bit about a meeting we had this afternoon with the Minister Fontana," (Minister of Labour and Housing, http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/cs/comm/hrsd/about_us.shtml) "the minister responsible for housing projects, federally. But, before I turn it over to her, I can tell you that, at the Big City Mayor's meeting that we had in Toronto on the 4 th and the 5 th housing agenda is at the top of the list right across this country being promoted now with that particular group and I think we're going to make some good headway with the Federal Government because this group interacts, obviously, with the Federal initiatives. And, Joe-Anne, do you want to just summarize the meeting we had with Minister Fontana this afternoon."

Joe-Anne Priel - General Manager, Public Health and Community Services : "Through you, Mr. Mayor, I think what I heard from the Federal Minister was that they're open to a lot of flexibility. They want to see some - lots more support provided to communities to both enhance the stock of affordable housing and to help people that are having difficulty with accessibility in terms of income. He encouraged us to work with the community - put together some new ideas, look outside the box. And, that they'd be more than willing to hear from us in terms of those ideas. But, I got the sense that they are going to very soon, move forward with another phase of funding and he's looking forward to being able to provide some of that to this community."

Mayor DiIanni : "And, I think that augers well for our initiatives and those for other communities as well. The Minister was quite complimentary of the Hamilton initiatives; was very much aware of our report; spoke in some detail about it. So, he had been well-briefed. And, I think we're poised to get ahead of the wave in some of the things that we want to accomplish. So, well done."

"So, #5 then?" (hear councillors say carried)

"Councillor Merulla, may I have a Motion on the Report, please."

Merulla : "Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Moved by myself; seconded by Councillor McHattie that the 6 th report of the Public Health and Community Services Committee be adopted and the Information Section received."

Mayor DiIanni : "Thank you.

7. Motions

7.1 Investigation of Property Tax Alternatives

(McHattie / Merulla - CARRIED)

( http://www.hamilton.ca/Clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
council/2004/Nov10/Motion%207.1.pdf )

Mayor DiIanni : "We are now in Motions. Counicllor McHattie, may I have your Motion?

McHattie : "Yes, Mr. Mayor. Moved by myself and seconded by Councillor Merulla:"

"(a) That staff investigate various property tax alternatives, including the feasibility of establishing a new tax class and/or special tax rate comparable to the multi-residential or business tax rate, that acknowledges the additional financial burden placed on communities by student rental housing properties.

(b) That staff report back to Corporate Administration Committee. "

"Mr. Mayor, this is an important issue in the West end of the City around McMaster University, as well as around Mohawk College, as well. Councillor Whitehead has some of the same concerns that I do, where we've got a family home that's right next door to an absentee landlord, in many cases, where they're making anywhere upwards of $2, 500 - $3, 000 a month coming into that property and they're paying the same taxes as the family next door, although, it's an income property."

"So, we want to see some fairness, some tax fairness brought to that issue. And, this is something that's, as I say, tremendously significant issue both around Mohawk and around McMaster University."

"So, this is a first step. This'll send us in the direction of talking to the Province; Ministry of Finance about some of the options we have here - the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. And, our Finance Department here at the City will help Councillor Whitehead and myself take a lead on this."

"But, it's something that's very important to the West end and something that we wanted to - we're under no illusions this'll happen quickly and any changes to tax rates are difficult and everybody should be aware of that. But, it's something we want to start now so we've got our oars in the water to make changes to this."

Mayor DiIanni : "Thank you. Councillor Whitehead."

Whitehead : "Thank you. I'd like to thank Councillor McHattie for making great representation in respect to the Motion that's been put forward. I concur that it's another tool in the toolbox. We are looking, we have barriers. We've identified a number of barriers at the Town and Gown. I've addressed this issue in the past as acute. And, it is and certainly from the perspective of the residents that have to deal with the behavioural issues in those neighbourhoods. I believe that this is not a panacea. This is not the overall solution. But, this is just one of the many tools that we'll utilize to hopefully get to the core of the problem in respect to the impacts and the negative impacts on the community."

"The - what also might come out of this, and this is in the long-time. But if, in fact, we're successful in having these types of student houses assessed as income houses, then I think that opens up another avenue in respect to licensing, access, looking at safety issues for students relative to their living environment. So I'm obviously strongly supportive of the resolution in front of us today. And, I'd like to thank Councillor McHattie for showing the leadership to bring this forward."

Mayor DiIanni : " Thank you. No other speakers then, on the Motion, all in favour?" (hear Councillors say carried) "That's carried. Thank you."

7.2 Request for removal of halfway house, York Boulevard, Hamilton

(Morelli / Bratina - CARRIED)

( http://www.hamilton.ca/Clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
council/2004/Nov10/Item%207.2.pdf )

Mayor DiIanni : "Councillor Morelli. May I have your Motion to request the removal of the halfway house on York Boulevard."

Morelli : "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Moved by myself and seconded by Councillor Bratina:"

"That the City of Hamilton petition the Federal Government and Corrections Canada to remove the halfway house for serious offenders currently located on York Boulevard from the City of Hamilton."

"Mr. Chairman, if I may speak to -"

Mayor DiIanni : "Yes you may."

Morelli : " - this item. First of all, let me thank you and your efforts in dealing with this matter, as well as the Chief of Police, Brian Mullan. And, as you know, I have been involved in this issue for some years, now. And, clearly, it's always been my posture that from my perspective, I've always wanted to rid this community of this facility and seek some equity in terms of where these facilities are located."

"Having said that, I think that one of the comments I did make is, is that shifting this facility is nothing new. We went through a long and extensive process in 1998 and 1999. And, quite frankly, I can't think of anybody in this room who represents an area or neighbourhood that would be prepared to openly accept this facility. So, it's quite clear, that what we really should be focused on, as well as getting rid of it, that we should make sure it doesn't divide and conquer. I don't think any of us really want to see this facility here in Hamilton."

"And so, this Motion is designed to make sure that we're all on the same page in terms of where we want to go with this. And so, this Motion stands tonight where we're asking the Federal Government and Corrections Canada to remove the Halfway House, completely from the City of Hamilton. Thank you." (hear glass clink)

Mayor DiIanni : "Councillor McHattie."

(Councillor McHattie had a question. But, I didn't get it, as tape stopped. Sorry. But, Mayor's response follows.)

Mayor DiIanni : "The - thank you for the question. What the Minister agreed to do was to look at the entire catchment area as a possible location for a facility such as this and the catchment area - and this is, I think, a something that gives some strength to our position - the catchment area's not just the City of Hamilton, it's beyond the City of Hamilton, as well. I'm not precisely sure exactly what it catches. There may be some people in this room who know better than I. But, it does capture communities, I understand, from Georgetown and around us perhaps towards the Niagara way and towards Brantford way, as well."

"So, the process would be to look at that entire catchment area to see where the best location for the facility might be given that I don't think any community would really welcome it. But, at the very least, there's an openness to review the situation and look at alternatives other than Hamilton. As you know, we've had this facility in Hamilton, now, for 13 years. We've done our share, I think. But, the review would surface not only a process and a timeline, but also a best possible location."

Whitehead : "Thank you. I fully support the intent of the Motion and I thank the leadership the Mayor showed to go to Ottawa and have that discussion with the Minister. And, I agree that it's 13 years that it's been located in a temporary location quite frankly. It was never intended to be a long-term location. I believe there's just over 20 beds currently there."

"And, I want to make it clear to the public and to my colleagues who may not know, that because it's Corrections Canada, they can't, and they do not reject high-risk offenders. There's many non-profit half-way houses across the Province, but they can just say 'no' to high-risk offenders. And so, therefore, it goes to 3 facilities: either Kingston, Toronto or Hamilton."

"My other concern, in fact, is maybe a fall back. I mean, I support the intent and the principle of the Motion. But, I think it's long enough that we've had 20 or 22 beds and I would also suggest, maybe as a fall-back, that if one has to be located in Hamilton, that no more than 5 beds are accepted, here and distribute that burden across the catchment area as opposed to expecting taxpayers of this community to continue to shoulder the unfair burden. Thank you."

Mayor DiIanni : "Councillor Jackson."

Jackson : "Thanks, Mr. Mayor. I'm supporting the Motion from Councillor Morelli, tonight. I think, Mr. Mayor, the concern amongst your Council is and your efforts have been greatly appreciated and I can say that both municipally, as well as many know federally, during the June election campaign, I raised the justice issue - especially pertaining to Hamilton - to get that more on the radar, as well, this past federal election. And so, municipally, I've been consistent in terms of very concerned about these type of high-risk offenders in our community."

"We know the incidents that sadly in the last 6 months alone have occurred. And, I think we've done our fair share. I think the nervousness, Mr. Mayor, amongst your Council is the fact that with Hamilton still in the catchment area, it could potentially pit Ward against Ward, neighbourhood against neighbourhood. I know that, that's not where you are, Mr. Mayor. I understand that fully. But, by keeping Hamilton in the catchment area, it allows for the possibility of just a migration of this facility within our own geographic borders."

"And, so, I think adding to the work you've done in Ottawa; I think Councillor Morelli's Motion, if anything, strengthens the resolve of this community to say we've done our fair share and now truly look beyond the borders - the geographic borders - of Hamilton to look into the neighbouring municipalities and ask them to, this time, take up consideration for the fact of doing their societal good in this regard. Thanks, Mr. Mayor."

Mayor DiIanni : "Thank you. Councillor Morelli.

Morelli : "Mr. Chairman, I want to be very clear that it was word-smithed exactly for that reason. It's the City of Hamilton that I'm referring to. The other thing that I think we want to be very careful of and you know the comments by Councillor Whitehead are exactly where I don't think we want to be drawn. I'm not even talking about a fall-back position, because quite frankly, it would lead me to say to Councillor Whitehead that that's fine, if you want to accept the 5 [beds] in Ward 8, then let's go with it. I don't think that's where we want to be. I want to get rid of this unit."

"I think we've done our share; I think we've been reasonable. This is not a new attempt. I thought I'd stay away from the impassioned appeal. But, I think we have to stay focused on getting rid of it. And so, I'm not here tonight to discuss fall-backs, because I really think that's the straw that will break this camel's back and will " (hear a glass clink) "cause us to lose momentum. So, quite frankly, this is to take it outside the City of Hamilton and say to them, that we've done our share."

Mayor DiIanni : "Thank you, and if I can just - seeing no other speakers - just to indicate that the way that it's worded, I think, does strengthen our position. We're going to be participating in the review. It essentially gives the same message that we've been giving consistently. So, we will participate in the review and see where that takes us. That's I think the best opportunity we have for getting accomplished what I think this community wants. Councillor Ferguson."

Ferguson : "Mr. Mayor, how will this Motion help - they know our position?"

Mayor DiIanni : "Well, it just strengthens it. It repeats it, essentially, because I think we forwarded a Motion from this Council, already in that regard, similar to this. It strengthens it. It doesn't detract from the fact that we're going to participate in a review and the Motion simply states," (hear glass clink) "officially, what Council position is."

Ferguson : "Another question is, if the catchment area for Hamilton is Haldimand-Brant-Niagara, what catchment area does B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba fall under?"

Mayor DiIanni : "I think they have their own facilities, as well."

Ferguson : "They only have 3 in Canada. Is that not correct?"

Mayor DiIanni : "No, they have 17, counting 3 in Ontario."

Ferguson : "Sorry. Thank you."

Mayor DiIanni : "Councillor Bratina."

Bratina : "Mr. Mayor, our community has a number of burdens upon it. We have, as we've been listening in Committee over the past few days, that the burdens of poverty, the burdens of illiteracy, childcare, environmental - and this is just one more burden on our community. And, I think it would be very easy to argue with the Federal Government that we're supporting an awful lot in our City and we're struggling with many, many issues. And, this doesn't help us."

"And surely, there are communities who have less burdens in terms of poverty and accepting refugees and immigration - which is not a burden in the sense that I don't want to deal with those people, and I don't want to be mistaken about this. We're glad to have these people come into our community. But, it costs and it creates stresses among us. And, it's just not fair."

"And, I hope this can be argued that if you look at all of the things that we as a Council and we as a City and a group of citizens are dealing with, that this is something that could be easily lifted from us. It may not seem that easy, now, as you go through these negotiations. But really, 20 beds of a half-way house could be accommodated somewhere else. And, that's why I think Councillor Morelli and I are so strongly dedicated to the Motion as it's presented. Thank you."

Mayor DiIanni : "Then again, I think the best forum for making those arguments is with the Committee that's going to be making the recommendations ultimately to the Minister. And, just to remind ourselves, on the task force are: Councillor Jackson, Councillor Whitehead, Councillor Morelli. I'm not sure if there is any other councillors on it, but at least those 3, as well as myself and that's the push that we're going to make. Councillor Collins."

Collins : "Mr. Mayor, very briefly, I would just hope that this recommendation, if it's supported, and I believe it will be, unanimously, that it sends the message to the Federal Government that no alternative, or suggestion should be made to this Council that entertains the relocation of the facility within our borders."

"And, I think that I would hope that our representatives, whoever they are from this time forward, would send that message forcefully and strongly to the Minister and the Ministry and the Government, because I don't want to end up in the situation that Councillor Morelli spoke of earlier and that is where we're pitting one neighbourhood within our own municipality against another."

"And, I think that if we're supporting this tonight, that we've come to the resolve and determination and we're supportive of Motions that will look at other communities but not our own. And, I would hope that nothing comes back - regardless of what kind of progress we think we might make in that regard, that we're not going to entertain such a Motion. And so, I would just hope that from this time forward that that's the case. And, I think this Motion would bolster that idea."

Mayor DiIanni : "Councillor Whitehead."

Whitehead : "I actually, in retrospect, I was trying to be somewhat realist. But, the first thing you need in negotiations is to take a tough position. And, I actually concur with Councillor Morelli that there is no fall-back. The reality is, is that we have served our time and that the burden has been shouldered by this community; the risk has been shared by this community; and, in fact, it is time to have this facility moved out of the boundaries of this city. Thank you."

Mayor DiIanni : "We have not heard the end of this, I know. No other speakers, all in favour?" (councillors say carried) "That's carried. Thank you. Councillor Mitchell, may I have your Motion respecting the naming of the New Highway 6." (hear a glass clink)

Mitchell : "Thank you Mr. Mayor, and this is a very - "

Mayor DiIanni : "Sorry, Councillor Mitchell, did I miss Councillor Samson on the last issue?

Samson : "I just wanted to say after that Motion was passed, I think it should be reflected that that it was unanimous. And, when we send that off that it was, just wasn't carried, it was unanimous - I believe that was the case."

Mayor DiIanni : "We will indicate that, won't we?" (discussion off microphone as to whether there should be a standing recorded vote. And it was noted that it could just be recorded as unanimous.) "Let's just say it's unanimous and that'll be captured."

See Part #3
Starting with Item #7.3 - "(Motions) - Naming of the New Highway 6"