This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of January 2018. 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. Recent changes to the city’s website mean we can now provide direct links to motions and staff reports but have also greatly delayed the posting of meeting minutes.
Five minute speaking limit
A motion by Skelly was approved to impose a five minute speaking limit on members of council at both council and committee meetings.
At General Issues Committee, January 17 Report p18 (8-7)
For: Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Skelly, Vanderbeek
Against: Collins, Conley, Jackson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Whitehead
Absent: Pasuta
At City Council, January 24 Minutes p13 (9-7)
For: Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Pasuta, Skelly, Vanderbeek
Against: Collins, Conley, Jackson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Whitehead
Islamophobia
A motion by Green to recognize January 29 as the Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia and to ask the province and federal government to do the same was approved unanimously. It also reaffirms council’s “strong opposition to Islamophobia, like all forms of racism, hate, xenophobia and bigotry.
At City Council, January 24 Minutes p9-10 (16-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Tax deferrals for seniors and low-income persons with disabilities
Staff recommended a three-year pilot program was approved to allow seniors and disabled low-income persons to defer their taxes until their property is sold. It was approved at committee and then subject to a recorded vote at council where it was approved unanimously.
At City Council, January 24 Minutes p13 (16-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Waterfront Trust properties and management
A staff report was discussed in camera discussion at general issues committee and referred to council. At city council a ten part motion by Eisenberger was approved respecting the Discovery Centre and other relations between the city and the Hamilton Waterfront Trust. Part (d) of the motion recognized the worth of the HWT lands as over $3 million and ordered an annual payment to HWT of $230,000. Part (f) stated the city not bring current HWT operations in house.
At City Council, January 24 Minutes p21-22
Recorded opposed to sections (d) and (f): Skelly, Pasuta