This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of October 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.
Changes to the city’s website mean it is no longer possible to provide direct links to motions and staff reports. Links are instead provided to the agenda where the documents can be accessed.
Rural zoning
Staff recommended changes to zoning of multiple rural sites in July. Further changes were brought forward and these were approved by planning committee with one recorded opposition noted to exception 259 that back-approved un-zoned or unlicensed landscaping companies in Ancaster and Flamborough. An amendment by Partridge at city council added another property to exception 259.
At Planning Committee, Oct 6 Minutes p13-18
Recorded opposed to Special Exception 259: B Johnson
At City Council, Oct 14 Minutes p4 (14-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: B Johnson
Absent: Eisenberger
Parkland dedication fees
On the recommendation of staff a motion by Farr, committee approved an interim reduction in parkland dedication fees that places a cap on the fees where there are 300 or more units per hectare.
At Planning Committee, Oct 6 Minutes p24
Recorded opposed: Green, B Johnson
At City Council, Oct 14 Minutes p5 (11-4)
For: Collins, Conley, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: Duvall, Green, B Johnson, Whitehead
Absent: Eisenberger
Stormwater funding fee
A staff recommendation to conduct a study to evaluate the benefits of a stormwater fee was narrowly approved at committee, and subsequently defeated at full council.
At General Issues Committee, October 7 Minutes p3, 10 (6-5)
For: Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla
Against: Collins, Ferguson, Green, B Johnson, Vanderbeek
Absent: Duvall, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
At City Council, Oct 14 Minutes p6-7 (7-8)
For: Conley, Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Duvall, Green, Ferguson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Absent: Eisenberger
Citizens jury on transit options
This was created “to provide independent recommendations to Council on a variety of issues relating to transit in Hamilton such as how we build the LRT to take advantage of the opportunities, how we keep citizens informed and how it’s funded.” It is also charged with reviewing area rating for transit. The nineteen nominees for this group were reviewed in camera and approved. The full list is now posted on the agenda of the October 7 general issues committee.
At General Issues Committee, October 7 Minutes p13
Recorded opposed: Ferguson, Vanderbeek
Value for money audit
Staff reported the results of a pilot value for money audit and recommended the two staff positions become permanent. Committee revised all parts of the recommendation and instructed a continuation of the value for money audit for a further 15 months until June 2017 and report back on the results.
At Audit, Finance and Administration Committee, October 13 Minutes p6-7
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Blocking cell phone texting
A motion by Merulla to lobby the province and federal government to require cell phone data/texting blockers on all new vehicles but to continue to permit use of blue tooth technology was approved 11-4.
At City Council, Oct 14 Minutes p10 (11-4)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Ferguson, Green, B Johnson, Pasuta
Absent: Eisenberger
Committee of Adjustment appointee
The proposed appointment of David Serwatuk to the Committee of Adjustment was approved 13-2.
At City Council, Oct 14 Minutes p5 (11-4)
For: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Green, B Johnson
Absent: Eisenberger
Single source
A staff recommendation to select Trapeze Software Group as the single source provider for transit operating systems was approved.
At Public Works Committee, October 19 Minutes p3-4
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Upper James zoning
Staff recommended a zoning amendment to allow construction of a six-storey mixed use building at 624 Upper James (between Brucedale and Fennell) with 34 residential units and the first two storeys devoted to commercial uses. Committee approved the recommendation.
At Planning Committee, October 20 Minutes p10-11
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
LRT corridor development restrictions
Staff recommended an interim control bylaw to freeze development for one year on some lands along the LRT corridor to allow completion of planning studies. The committee heard from various delegations including John Ariens of IBI Group who sought exemption for 1500 Main Street East. A motion by Pearson was approved to exempt this property. A delegation by Sergio Manchia of Urban Solutions sought exemption for 925 Main Street West. at 1500 Main Street East (Columbia College). A motion by A Johnson was approved to exempt this property with one councillor registering opposition to this amendment. A further amendment by Whitehead was approved at city council to reimburse residents for the application fee if they successfully appeal to the Committee of Adjustment for a building period in this area.
At Planning Committee, October 20 Minutes p16-18
Recorded opposed to the 925 Main East amendment: Green, B Johnson
Recorded opposed to the amended recommendation: Collins, Conley, B Johnson
At City Council, October 28 Minutes p4-5
Recorded opposed to the amended recommendation: Collins, B Johnson, Partridge
Horizon Utilities merger
A special council meeting approved a Whitehead resolution to allow Horizon Utilities to merge with three other electricity providers by a vote of 10-4. Note that Duvall had already resigned from council.
At City Council, October 30 Minutes p2-4 (10-4)
For: Conley, Eisenberger Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Green, Merulla, Vanderbeek
Absent: Ferguson