This is a regular CATCH summary of votes at committee and council meetings. This report covers the month of June 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.
Conversion to condos
Staff recommended denial of an application to convert 128 apartments at 115 Main Street East to condominiums on the basis it would reduce the availability of affordable rental housing. Committee decided to defer a decision after the owner’s representative promised no financial incentives would be offered to induce tenants to vacate.
At Planning Committee, June 5 Minutes p8-10 (7-1)
For deferral: Collins, Conley, Farr, A Johnson, B Johnson, Pasuta, Pearson
Against: Green
Absent: Partridge, Skelly
At City Council a motion by Green directing staff to include verification and certification of the 75% threshold and the average rent was approved.
At City Council, June 13 Minutes p6
Recorded opposed: Ferguson
Marijuana greenhouse
Staff recommended approval of an official plan amendment to permit a 13,000 square metre medical marijuana greenhouse operation at 1915, 1995 and 1997 Jerseyville Road West in Ancaster. Committee decided to defer a decision until after a general staff report on marijuana facilities.
At Planning Committee, June 5 Minutes p11-12
Recorded opposed to deferral: Conley, Pasuta, Pearson
Filling empty council seat
A vacancy in Ward seven as a result of the election of Skelly to the provincial legislature required council to fill the empty seat. A motion by Whitehead to refer the matter to the governance sub-committee for discussion was approved. At the subsequent city council meeting, a motion by Ferguson was approved to ask the province to exempt Hamilton from filling the seat before the municipal elections.
At City Council, June 13 Minutes p12-13 (12-3)
For: Collins, Conley, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Jackson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Pearson, Skelly, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Against: Farr, Green, A Johnson,
Absent: Partridge
At City Council, June 27 Minutes p12-13
Recorded opposed to the request for exemption: Green, A Johnson
Marijuana facilities
Staff presented a report on official plan changes to “modify the definition and associated regulations for a medical marihuana growing and harvesting facility” and recommended it be received. Committee heard from 16 citizen delegations and received three written submissions before agreeing to receive the report.
At Planning Committee, June 19 Minutes p6, 16-19
Recorded opposed: Pasuta
At City Council, June 27 Minutes p7-8
Recorded opposed: B Johnson, Pasuta, Vanderbeek
Transportation master plan
Staff presented and recommended approval of the review and update of the city’s Master Transportation Plan. A motion by Whitehead to refer this to a special meeting for consideration was defeated 2-9. Subsequently a motion to table it and direct staff to provide a supplementary report was approved.
At General Issues Committee, June 20 Minutes p19-20 (2-9)
For referral: Conley, Whitehead
Against: Collins, Farr, Green, Jackson, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Pearson
Absent: Eisenberger, Ferguson, Pasuta, Skelly, Vanderbeek
Recorded opposed to tabling: Farr, A Johnson
Litigation re Christian Heritage Party
In closed session committee received an offer to settle legal costs for litigation between the city and the Christian Heritage Party. Two votes were subsequently reported. A motion to receive the offer was defeated 3-6. A subsequent motion to approve the direction given to staff in closed session was approved by committee 6-3. At city council, however, this direction was defeated 3-10.
At General Issues Committee, June 20 Minutes p11, 22-23 (3-6) (6-3)
For receiving: Farr, Green, A Johnson
Against: Conley, Jackson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Absent: Collins, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Merulla, Pasuta, Skelly, Whitehead
For approving direction: Conley, Jackson, B Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Vanderbeek
Against: Farr, Green, A Johnson
Absent: Collins, Eisenberger, Ferguson, Merulla, Pasuta, Skelly, Whitehead
At City Council, June 27 Minutes p17-18 (3-10)
For: Conley, Jackson, Pearson,
Against: Collins, Eisenberger, Farr, Green, A Johnson, B Johnson, Merulla, Pasuta, Vanderbeek, Whitehead
Absent: Ferguson, Partridge
Taxi subsidy
Staff recommended and planning committee approved a one-year pilot to provide a $5 flat subsidized rate to all qualified accessible taxicab drivers for each accessible taxi trip dispatched with Hamilton Cab and Blue Line Taxi Brokers, at an estimated cost of $115,000.
At City Council, June 27 Minutes p8
Recorded opposed: Green