This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of January 2015. 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.
Red Hill Creek repairs
Staff recommended to sole-source R&M Construction to carry out repairs to 3 km of Red Hill Creek running through Kings Forest Golf Club at an upset cost of $1.1 million. They noted this company “has been the only contractor to work on creek relocation since it started in 2003. Committee approved the recommendation 8-1.
At Public Works Committee, January 12 Report p6 (8-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Jackson, Merulla, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson
Glanbrook secondary residence
Staff recommended legalizing a 2011 conversion of a detached garage as a temporary secondary dwelling unit at 228 Seneca Avenue in Glanbrook for three years with an option of a three year renewal. Committee heard from the agent of the owner and an opposing neighbour before turning down the recommendation because the owner wanted a permanent change.
At Planning Committee, January 13 Minutes p8-11
Opposed to the denial: Conley, Green
Bus-only lane
The General Issues Committee received a staff report on the King Street bus-only lane and then voted on several related motions. The first by Farr sought to table the report until February and lost on a 7-7 tie vote. The second motion by Collins sought to discontinue the lane and lost 6-8. The third motion by Whitehead sought to suspend enforcement of the lane and was defeated 6-8. The final motion by Aidan Johnson directed staff to reconfigure the lane to the second lane from the north curb with parking reinstated on the north side. It was defeated 7-8.
At General Issues Committee, January 14 Minutes p5-10 (7-7) (6-8) (6-8) (7-8)
For tabling: Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, Merulla, Pearson
Against: Collins, Conley, Ferguson, Jackson, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Absent: B. Johnson, Partridge
For discontinuing: Collins, Conley, Ferguson, Jackson, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Against: Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, Merulla, Pearson, Whitehead
Absent: B. Johnson, Partridge
For suspension: Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson
Absent: B. Johnson, Partridge
For reconfiguring: Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, Merulla, Pearson
Against: Collins, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Absent: B. Johnson
The matter was discussed again at City Council where A. Johnson moved to direct staff to review reconfiguring the lane. That was defeated 6-10 after a Merulla amendment was rejected 5-11. A subsequent Collins motion to discontinue the lane was approved 9-7.
At City Council, January 21 Minutes p7-9 (5-11) (6-10) (9-7)
For amending the reconfiguring motion: Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, Merulla
Against: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
For reconfiguring: Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, Merulla, Pearson
Against: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
For discontinuing: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Pearson
Lincoln Alexander Day
A motion by Green to declare January 21 to be Lincoln Alexander Day in Hamilton was approved unanimously.
At City Council, January 21 Minutes p3-4 (16-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: None
Stadium bookings
A motion by Green as amended by Farr to suspend new community bookings in the football stadium until council and community members “have had an opportunity to understand the scheduling process and available dates and times” was approved 15-1.
At General Issues Committee, January 23 Minutes p7-8 (15-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson