Nov 01/04 Report
9:40 am - 12:17 pm

Attendence:

Members: Collins (Chair), Braden, Bruckler, Ferguson, Jackson, McCarthy, Merulla, Mitchel

Non-Members: Bratina, Morelli (in only 5 min), McHattie, Pearson, Whitehead

Staff: Scott Stewart (Public Works), Jim Harnum (Water and Waste Water), Don Hull (Transit), C. Murray, Beth Goodger (Waste Management), Pat Parker (Waste Management), Blair Smith (Waste Management), Mario Joanette (briefly), and other staff.

Press: CHML (Ken Mann), Spectator (Eric McGuinness), Brabant (Kevin Werner), Klite/CHAM (Doug Cameron), CFMU (Maggie Hughes),

CATCH: David Longo, Judy Snider, Don McLean

Public: Two recognizable as public, possibly 5 others.

1. No declarations of Interest

2.   Changes to the Agenda

4.1 Added regarding 8.2

9.3 Added

Motion passed to accept Changes

3.  Minutes approved from Oct 18, 04

4. Delegation Requests

4.1 David Hart Dyke chair of the Waste Reduction Task Force item 8.2.

5. Items Refered From Council and Other Committees
none

6. Consent Items
None

7.  Public Hearings/Delegation

7.1 Kathy Drewitt executive director of the Downtown BIA requested patio fees be waived. Conducts a power point presentation to council outlining the current fees, history and requirements for outdoor patios.

• 1999 a moratorium place on fees for patios
• 2001 24 patios cafes exempted from fees, loss of revenue $19,500. for the year
• 2002 moratorium ended however notification was not given to restaurant owners
• 2004 September invoices sent to restaurant owners for the two years, given only one month to pay
• 2004 told the fees would now be placed on 2004 tax bill.
• Hamilton's fee is on average $800 per patio. According to Ms. Drewitt many cities in North America have no fees; as away to attract people to downtown BIAs. Examples Sacramento, Minneapolis, Kelowna.

7.1.1 Letter to Councillor Collins from Councillor McHattie (chair of H.A.B.I.A.) Supporting waiving of fees for outdoor patios and retroactive to January of 2003 in all the area BIAs. Unanimously supported by all BIAs from their meeting Oct 12 2004. The fees to be waived for patios only within the existing BIA's boundary

8. Staff Presentations

8.1  GTA Fare System Info update(PW04117)

Don Hall (manager of transit) Introduces Dominic Belmonte of the Greater Toronto Area Fare

System Project. The proposed system would see a "common farecard" system for all transit from

Hamilton to Oshawa. This "would allow customers to ride any participating GTA transit, without pre-purchasing tickets or passes and without knowing in advance the fare policies or having the exact cash fare for each transit system."

Questions were asked by councillors and answered by Mr. Bellmonte

Councillor Whitehead : asked questions about accessibility.

Councillor Jackson : Q.) about funding. A.) 100% of capital costs for the central system would be covered by the Province. 1/3 the cost of municipal part of the system also covered by the Province. Implementation to begin O5 2-3 yrs to completion.

Coucillor Bruckler: Q.) types of payment accepted. A.) Farecard or cash only. Eliminate all others.

Councillor Ferguson and Jackson motion to move on to committee.

8.2)

David Hart Dyke chair of the Waste Reduction Task Force gave a 5 minute passionate speech. The speech, part plea part, anger attempted to sway or shame council into adopting the 1 bag limit for garbage (debated in camera at the Oct 18 committee). In his speech David said "If I understand correctly, you are primarily worried about three things: compliance, irate phone calls and the fact that some of the implementation would occur during a sensitive part of the election cycle." David's speech is accepted politely but with no reaction or questions from council.

8.2 and 8.3 are discussed at the same time

Waste Collection Services Strategy PW04114 Deferred from Oct 18 2004

Activity Based Costing/ Waste Collection Services PW 04113 Deferred from Oct 18

Beth Goodger gives a recap of a power point presentation, the same one given two weeks ago on Waste Management. The two main points of interest are the comparisons of Public vs Private cost of waste services and if a 1 garbage bag limit should be introduced. The Public sector is only a .4 cent per ton more expensive than the Private sector. Councillors discuss how this number was attained with much emphasis on work accommodation. This was part of a HR presentation from Oct 18 2004 with regards to work place injuries and the time off allowed. When work accommodation is taken out of the Public cost they are only 4 cents per tonne more expensive than the Private sector.

Whitehead: talks about fair wages, length of workday (10 hrs for Private 8 hr for Public) Seniors may not be physically able to take a green cart to the curb.

favouring a 50/50 split of waste management by public and private sectors. Is concerned about the time it will take citizens to sort their own garbage. Cites the difficulty the city will have in getting back into the waste management service if the entire service is given to the public sector.

Councillor Merulla: reminds other councilors that the current 50/50 split was a test to see which sector could be more efficient and the Private sector is. "winner takes all" should not be split 50/50. Uses stats from the presentation the 50/50 split would cost 860,00 more than currently stated plus $4.9 million in capital expenses to the city for garbage trucks.

Bruckler: Does not want it to be "punitive" on the citizens regarding sorting garbage and the limit of 1 bag. Brings forward his Amendment.

Jackson: reviews stats, 10 neighbourhoods currently using Green Carts, 4,400 houses participation rate of 62%. The MRF will be ready end of 2005 and the composting facility spring of 2006.

Ferguson: talks at length (20 minutes) before declaring his support of the 1 bag limit because it will prolong the use of the Glanbrook lanfill site and save a lot of money in years to come. Halton landfill was the last Provincial site approved 15 yrs ago and cost over $100 million.

McCarthy: makes a motion to end the discussion and move on to other business because this has already been discussed. Motion is voted down.

Bratina: favours a split in waste collection due to the difference being only 4 cents.

Mitchell: the cost of the Green Cart program is going to cost on average each household an additional $35 - 40. Many rural residents use backyard composters which they purchased from the city and now will have to pay again to use the Green Cart Composting. Asks about a pay as you throw out garbage system.

Mchattie: the 1 bag limit goes hand in hand with the Green Cart Program. Final Implementation of the Green Cart is June 2006. City Wide.

Bruckler Ammendment is carried.

• Continuation of voluntary 3 bag limit.
• 2006 is a transition year one bag limit is implemented at the same time as Green Cart
• enforcement of 1 bag limit in 2007

Jackson Ammendment to Bruckler is carried.

• Subject to a staff report in early 2007 with respect to the success of program.

8.3 Main motion is carried.

9) Discussion Items

9.1 Award of contract C11-94-04 Community Recycling centre (PW04119)
The city is to start a recycle and reuse centre. Citizens can drop off unwanted furniture, appliances, bikes, building material etc. and the city will resell it. This will prevent it from going into landfill. Two other centres are planned for Dundas and Kenora Transfer stations.

9.2  Freelton Rd, Watermain extension pw04118/Fcs04125
This will extend the watermain 255 meters for the Lions Club Freelton Villa.
Councillor McHattie seeks assurances that the main will not be used for future urban expansion.
Staff assure McHattie the pipe is not sized for residential expansion.
Motion carried.

9.3 Provincial Gas Tax Funding Letter of Agreement
The city enters into an agreement with the Province regarding the funding of Gas Tax towards Funding Hamilton Public Transportation. Funding formula is based upon 70% ridership and 30% population.
Motion carried.

10) Motions
None

11) Notices
none

12)  General Info

none

13)  Private and confidential

None

14)  Adjourn