This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of November 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.
Marijuana regulation
In October council tabled a decision on regulating the marijuana industry. An amending motion by Ferguson to direct staff to report back on an interim control bylaw and delay other action until then was defeated 4-11. A subsequent amendment by Ferguson deleted reference to delay and was carried without opposition, and the amended motion was approved. Mayor Eisenberger declared a conflict of interest.
At City Council, November 8 Minutes p9-11 (4-11)
For delay amendment: Ferguson, Green, B Johnson, Partridge,
Against: Collins, Conley, Farr, Jackson, A Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead, Vanderbeek
Abstained: Eisenberger
HSR absenteeism
A staff recommendation to reduce HSR overtime expenses by increasing the number of bus drivers by up to 58 was approved 13-1. The change was in response to numerous bus cancellations and is expected to reduce HSR costs by nearly $800,000 a year.
At City Council, November 8 Minutes p17-18 (13-1)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Whitehead, Vanderbeek
Against Ferguson
Absent: Partridge, Skelly
Transit fare options
Merulla introduced a motion to direct staff to report on various transit fare options and their cost. These included (a) allowing community agencies to purchase passes at a 2-for-1 price; (b) continuing the trans-cab system; (c) fare-geared-to-income; (d) various options “to make transportation more affordable”; (e) the “feasibility of offering fare-free transit or reduced fares to all residents”; and (e) the elimination of area rating. This was replaced by a motion by Eisenberger asking for a staff report on the “workload required for the completion of a report” and eliminating item (f) on area rating which was approved.
At City Council, November 20 Minutes p14-17
Recorded opposed: Collins, Farr, Green, A Johnson, Merulla