This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of April 2017. 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.
Coliseum upgrade
In response to a privately funded study on the First Ontario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum) that offered renewal options of either $68 million or $252 million, staff recommended receiving the report and conduct further investigation. An amendment by Eisenberger directed staff to “prepare a terms of reference” for the further investigation and report back to the general issues committee.
At General Issues Committee, April 6 Minutes p17-18
Opposed to the amendments: Collins, Green, Merulla, Partridge
Poverty reduction plan
A motion by Collins to establish a ten-year $50 million poverty reduction reserve fund was unanimously approved after an amendment by Green. The amendment directed that $1 million a year be invested “toward Indigenous-led poverty reduction and affordable housing”. The funding will come from delaying payback of city loans from the Future Fund and using $3 million a year from utilities dividends. At city council a motion by Collins to table Green’s amendment was approved.
At General Issues Committee, April 6 Minutes p19-20 (14-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, VanderBeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: B Johnson, Pasuta
At City Council, April 12 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed to tabling: Green, A Johnson
Transitional living program
In response to a delegation from the YWCA on the Transitional Living Program, a motion by Green directed staff to meet with the YWCA and report back on “what meetings took place between staff and the YWCA during the last year, who attended those meetings, what was discussed at those meetings and what, if any, results came from those meetings”. A second part of the motion asked about available funds for the program.
At Emergency and Community Services Committee April 10 Minutes p3, 7-8
Recorded opposed to first part of the motion: Whitehead
Safe injection sites
Council received a letter from MP David Sweet raising concerns about a federal bill on safe injection sites that would allow placement “without consultation” with the city. A staff recommendation that the letter be referred to the Medical Officer of Health was approved.
At City Council, April 12 Minutes p5
Recorded opposed: Green
Budget approval
The 2017 operating budget was formally approved by council but the following items were opposed by individual councillors.
At City Council, April 12 Minutes p10-11
Police Services budget
Recorded opposed: Green
Living wage rejection
Recorded opposed: Green, A Johnson, Whitehead
Transit budget
Recorded opposed: Green
Tourism strategy funding of $100,000 annually
Recorded opposed: Green, B Johnson
Arts week implementation funding of $25,000
Recorded opposed: B Johnson
Music on patios
Staff recommended a temporary use by-law to permit live or recorded music on patios in downtown Hamilton and Dundas and some additional locations. Committee heard from several delegations and amended the recommendation respecting specific locations before approval. Further amendments were made at council.
At Planning and Economic Development Committee, April 18 Minutes p3-5, 10-13
Recorded opposed: Collins, B Johnson, Pearson
At City Council, April 26 Minutes p5-8
Recorded opposed: Pearson
LRT environmental project report
After hearing from 470 delegations and receiving 245 pieces of correspondence (187 for the LRT and 68 opposed), councillors referred a decision on the LRT environmental report to city council by a vote of 8-7. At council, the environmental report was approved for submission to the province by a vote of 10-5.
At General Issues Committee, April 19 Minutes p8-19 (8-7)
For referral: Collins, Conley, Jackson, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, VanderBeek, Whitehead
Against: Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla
Absent: Pasuta
At City Council, April 26 Minutes p5-8
For approval: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, VanderBeek, Whitehead
Against: Conley, B Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly
Absent: Pasuta