This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of March 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. Posting of minutes remains quite delayed.
Zero tolerance of violence
A motion by Skelly in response to the Locke Street vandalism blamed “Anarchists” and resolved to publicly condemn “the recent acts of violence” including various locations “or anywhere else in the City of Hamilton”. It was approved unanimously in a recorded vote.
At City Council, March 8 Minutes p4 (14-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, Pasuta
Operating budget
The operating budget for 2018 was adopted by the general issues committee on March 2 and ratified unanimously in a recorded council vote.
At City Council, March 8 Minutes p4 (14-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: Ferguson, Pasuta
Auchmar business plan
Committee received a presentation from Brian Buckle of the 13th Battalion Auchmar Heritage Trust. Eisenberger moved to refer their business plan to staff for review and a report “to include options for loans that may be available” through the city. A subsequent motion by Green withdrew that referral, and then a motion by Whitehead modified the original one and referred to “options for loans, grants or any other funding sources”.
At General Issues Committee, March 21 Minutes p17
Recorded opposed to the withdrawal motion: Ferguson
Future fund applications
A report was received from the Hamilton Future Fund board of governors and Eisenberger moved approval of a grant to St Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation for $675,000, as well as the denial of grants to 28 other applicants.
At General Issues Committee, March 21 Minutes p19
Recorded opposed: Green
At City Council, March 28 Minutes p9
Recorded opposed: Green
Stadium event booking
Committee approved a pilot stadium booking licence agreement with Spectra Venue Management that had been tabled in January. The agreement was modified to start in April, instead of February. At City Council the name was amended to Global Spectrum Facility Management.
At General Issues Committee, March 21 Minutes p19-20 (10-1)
For: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Green
Absent: Conley, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Pasuta
At City Council, March 28 Minutes p9-10
Recorded opposed: Green
Walking charter
Farr moved that the city reconfirm its support for the International Charter for Walking originally endorsed in 2008. Council agreed unanimously.
At City Council, March 28 Minutes p12-14 (14-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, Merulla, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: A Johnson, B Johnson
Ward 3 community grants
A motion by Green to utilize cell tower monies to distribute funds from $1000 to $1500 each to ten groups was approved.
At City Council, March 28 Minutes p17-18
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Hamilton Specialty Bar
A motion by Green directing staff to explore all options to keep Hamilton Specialty Bar “a going concern” and to direct the mayor to do the same with provincial officials was approved unanimously.
At City Council, March 28 Minutes p12-14 (12-0)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Farr, Ferguson, Green, Jackson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Whitehead
Against: none
Absent: A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Vanderbeek