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A History of City Hall's Failure to Create a Meaningful Youth Advisory Committee – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 17, 2017
Did you know Hamilton City Council no longer has a youth advisory committee?
You probably didn’t, because City Council says it has one, only there is nobody on it.
The Youth Advisory Committee quietly ended at the beginning of this term of Council, for a number of reasons – not all of which rests on the shoulders of present City Council, some of the fault lies with Council’s relationship with former Mayor Bob Bratina, Bratina, and current Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
A disclosure, I sat on the pre-amalgamation Hamilton youth committee from 1998 to 2000.
We’ll start with Council’s priorities in 2000. Youth wasn’t one of them, while a series of advisory committees were created for the concerns of adults and seniors, the youth committees of the former Hamilton ended. Youth committees continued in Ancaster and Stoney Creek, but had no formal relationship with or advisory role to City Council, and slowly declined into irrelevance.
It wasn’t until mid-2006, in a staff report on youth demographics and outcomes, that the lack of a youth advisory committee was formally identified as area of concern.
A few months later in 2006, staff returned to Council with a report recommending the creation of a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Council approved the creation of the committee, and assigned it to Community Services.
A year later in November 2007, the committee held its first meeting with Mayor Eisenberger starting the meeting.
For the next year, YAC was regularly visited by councillors and staff, including two members of the City’s senior management team.
However, in late 2009 into 2010, the group was increasingly isolated from City Hall. Meetings were held away from City Hall, councillors rarely attended, and the City didn’t bring any relevant consultation to the Committee.
By mid-2010, the committee was struggling to retain members and its agendas turned into an endless exercise of asking youth to define their own role in the City and trying to get them to organize events.
It’s important to contrast how the Youth Advisory Committee was handled by City Hall compared to the Seniors Advisory Committee.
On the first Friday of each month, at 10am, the Seniors Advisory Committee meets in Room 192 of City Hall.
Whereas the monthly Seniors Advisory Committee meeting is held at City Hall, is attended by City Councillors, is frequented consulted by senior City management, and is allowed to request staff to attend on matters; by 2010, the Youth Advisory Committee was lucky to have two staff members present – a front line staff member assigned to youth, and a mid-level manager.
Nothing gets a higher priority at City Hall than the Seniors Advisory Committee. I dare you to organize an event at the same time as SAC at City Hall, you can’t.
In contrast, the YAC was rarely consulted on major matters, its reports buried in the Emergency and Community Services agenda, and with no direct connection to City Hall, whatever they asked for was not heard, and thus ignored.
By mid-2010, the Committee was effectively dead in the water, with only one YAC member attending the May meeting.
Bob Bratina became Mayor in December 2010, and one of his first priorities was addressing youth engagement.
He sought to have the Youth Advisory Committee made a Mayor’s Advisory Committee – similar to the very successful Burlington model – with a reporting relationship to Council.
Council being Council, they fought this idea due to the personality dynamics of the second floor of City Hall. Put more bluntly, Council fought Bratina over something they didn’t care for, just to spite Bratina.
Bratina stubbornly moved forward with his new Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, and Council officially kept the existing Youth Advisory Committee. (If you’re thinking about two parents in a divorce, so am I)
Bratina’s YAC met regularly supported by his office, but the meetings were not public and Bratina never brought forth any recommendation from the group to Council.
The City’s official YAC continued to meet in various locations outside of City Hall. It lost members to the Mayor’s YAC, and failed to make quorum for most of 2011. Eventually meeting were held in the the basement of Lister Block once it opened in 2012, and YAC was quietly forgotten about and neglected.
Around the same time, the City’s Economic Development Department and Council launched a new youth engagement group: the Hamilton Hive.
Well-funded and marketed, the group grew rapidly and many youth who may have joined YAC became engaged with Hive.
Hive was designed to advance the City’s economic priorities, and not an advisory group to Council; nonetheless, it had the appearance of being the City’s official youth group, and this further decreased the role of YAC. When politicians sought to engage with youth, they now went to Hive.
If you’re keeping track, there’s now the Mayor’s youth committee, YAC, and Hive.
There were other groups in the community attracting engaged youth – a notable example being the Hamilton Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee – with meaningful opportunities to enact change.
In 2012, new youth joined the committee. Two members of YAC stood out as, for a brief period of time, the Committee became lively and began to come into its own.
Jackson Virgin-Holland and Alex Ramirez came to the committee with clear articulate visions of what they sought to achieve, and the role of the committee.
Ramirez wanted YAC to take positions on big civic matters; more strongly than, but not dissimilar to, other Council advisory committees. Ramirez began to push YAC to take a stand against Aerotropolis. This died as YAC failed to make quorum for the coming months, and upon graduating from McMaster, Ramirez’s time on YAC ended.
Virgin-Holland wanted YAC to establish itself as a mandatory step of consultation for city staff on civic visioning, planning, and policy formation. He had strong vision, and became chair. The challenge he faced was that YAC was so disconnected from City Hall, that it was nearly impossible to make any headway on doing so.
Other youth came and went.
Virgin-Holland is a doer, but increasingly, YAC was getting filled by young people with ambitions elsewhere; many focused on gathering as many bullet points as their resume as possible to boost their university applications. (Which is a whole other issue of how we demand youth complete check-lists and then complain about them doing so.)
In 2013, the final spiral began. YAC couldn’t make quorum, and each meeting agenda was focused on creating a vision or mandate for YAC. Community Services staff weren’t equipped with the experience to create a political advisory committee, and the youth needed some guidance on what they could do, before determining their mandate would be.
Cam Galindo, who would run in 2014 for City Councillor in Ward 9, began pushing for YAC to be renamed the “Hamilton Youth City Council” with members getting the title of “Youth City Councillors”, and for one of them to be named the “Youth Mayor of Hamilton”.
Galindo argued new titles would attract youth seeking to more fully engage in City Hall governance, issues, and increase the profile of members enabling them to more effectively push for change.
Virgin-Holland argued that YAC should focus on gaining the same footing as the City’s other advisory committees, and that effective engagement would attract more youth members; that the issues facing YAC would not be remedied by changing the name plates.
As this debate about YAC continued, new youth who joined YAC discovered YAC wasn’t doing much more than talking about YAC.
After spring 2013, YAC failed to make quorum ever again. While Virgin-Holland faithfully attended and worked to more YAC forward, but he often found himself the only one in attendance.
By May 2014, it was clear to City Hall that YAC was in need of a serious reboot and stronger support. This would wait until after the Fall 2014 municipal election.
Shortly after the election, Councillor Tom Jackson and Senior Advisor to the Mayor Chris Cutler took on addressing how to fix YAC; they brought in Neighbourhood Development Office Director Paul Johnson to coordinate staff support.
They reached out to YAC past and present members of YAC for their feedback and advice.
DISCLOSURE: I was consulted as a former member of the old City Mayor’s youth advisory group. My suggestions were to move YAC to meeting at City Hall, and that if a matter was being referred to Seniors’ Advisory, it should also be sent to YAC.
In February 2015, after much effort and communications, the City held a meeting of YAC at City Hall.
Only three members showed up: Virgin-Holland, Galindo, and one other youth.
DISCLOSURE: I was present both as a journalist and invited to share how the previous City of Hamilton Mayor’s youth committee worked.
The City sent Councillor Tom Jackson, Paul Johnson, Chris Cutler, and other City staff to the meeting as resources for the youth.
In this meeting, YAC officially voted to rename itself to the Hamilton Youth City Council, and decided it would no longer be an official advisory committee.
The new title was incompatible with the role of an advisory committee. YAC had to officially ask Council to disband the advisory committee to allow for the creation of a “Youth City Council” that would be supported by the City’s Community Services Division.
These changes required Council approval, and it was decided at the February meeting to hold a meeting in March to finalize the request to Council.
The March meeting rolled around, and only Virgin-Holland was in attendance. That was the end of YAC. Virgin-Holland, after years of tireless effort, was onto his university studies, and the other members had failed to attend enough meetings to retain their seats.
Hamilton’s Youth Advisory Committee was left with no members, and the recommendations went to Council as a non-actionable information update.
Behind the scenes, discussions begin on the second floor of City Hall about what to do about the lack of youth engagement, and the failure of YAC.
Councillor Tom Jackson sat down with Chris Cutler, and they agree that Cutler will take the lead on the file on behalf of Mayor Eisenberger.
The goal is to launch a new youth advisory group with the Mayor’s office taking the lead, supported by City staff.
Cutler meets with numerous stakeholders, youth across Hamilton, and City staff. A report is promised for Spring 2016. This gets moved back to Fall 2016.
Today, Spring 2017, the status of the Mayor’s report is not publicly available.
And that’s the status of youth non-engagement at City Hall.
CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story stated YAC was supported by Recreation staff; the area of support reported to a Director of Recreation, but is more accurately described as Community Services within the City’s organizational structure.
Post-Script: additional reading on this topic can be found in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipal Youth Engagement Handbook.


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City Council Committee Unanimously Endorses New Transgender Policy – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 7, 2017
It was a milestone moment for both City Hall and Hamilton’s transgender and gender non-conforming community on Monday as Councillors on the Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee endorsed a new City policy and protocol.
Full Video

source: news-thepublicrecord

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


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Council to vote on new budget that cuts transit, increases recreation fees – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 23, 2017
Update: During this meeting, Council deferred decisions on fee increases, and transit cuts. The following day, Friday March 24, 2018, Council voted to increase recreations and parking fees, to “defer” the transit strategy until 2018, to freeze transit fares in 2017, and to defer a few line item enhancements.
In a series of budget changes released yesterday afternoon, Council will vote on proposals to cut transit, increase recreation user fees by 7% this year, possibly increase transit fares by five cents for a single fare, and defer items into the 2018 budget year.
If all the cuts and fee increases are approved by Council today, the tax increase for an average residential assessment of $315,000 for 2017 will be $76 – which equates to a $24 increase for every $100,000 in assessed property value.
This does not include any increases to education taxes.
Council will vote on “deferring” transit purchases and improvements until 2018 to decrease the 2017 City budget by $5,065,000.
Cuts to HSR service are proposed which will primarily target Mohawk and McMaster students by eliminate peak demand “extras”. One “extra” being removed will increase wait times and bypasses for people trying to get to jobs at the Ancaster Industrial Park, and another will eliminate one rush hour bus from Dundas.
Transit cuts are the largest item change in the new budget released yesterday.
Council is using the term “deferred” to describe the decision to not implement Year 3 of the HSR Ten-Year Transit Plan. The motion presented today calls for Council to continue the plan in the 2018 election year budget.
However, the staff 2018 budget outlook presentation slide does not show the continuation of the Transit Plan as a budget pressure in 2018 – only showing a 0.5% increase for DARTS in the forecast.
The third year of the Ten-Year Strategy is the first that required levy-funded operating budget increases. The first two years were intended to be funded entirely from fare increases. However, a decrease in ridership caused the HSR to be over-budget in 2016.
The official staff report says fares will be frozen as part of the “deferral”, however, in staff rough notes accidentally uploaded with the report, staff write “Is the idea of $0 fare increase OK or will council support $0.05 increase”.
Council will vote on a proposal to increase recreation fees by an additional 5% beyond the 2% increase implemented on January 1, 2017.
The fee increases are expected to raise $33,754 from increased admission fees, $86,499 from program fees, and $30,799 in rental fees. The increases will not apply to ice rentals.
Staff are recommending Council increase meter rates from $1.00 to $1.50 per hour, and that monthly parking passes at City lots increase by $5 per month. This is expected to raise $570,000 in 2017.
Council will vote on a staff recommendation to keep DARTS as a public non-profit operation funded by the City, extending its operating agreement with the City by another three years until June 30, 2020.
The privatization of DARTS was strongly opposed by the two City advisory committees – the Seniors’ Advisory and Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities.
DARTS will be granted a $235,000 budget increase for 2017.
The union representing DARTS employees ran a successful lobbying campaign to keep the service as a public non-profit.
Staff are proposing to implement free usage of the HSR for bicyclists going up and down the escarpment. They expect minimal budget impact as the buses are already operating. The launch date is planning for May 29 – Bike to Work Day.
Council will reconsider its decision to not increase funding to Public Health’s outreach efforts in the opiod crisis.
A motion calls for Council to fund “an additional 0.2 FTE (Van Outreach staff), at a total cost of $12,261, to increase the needle syringe van by four hours per week, with the addition of a new four hour shift on Sundays (8:00pm to midnight)” and to fund “an additional 0.5 FTE (Public Health Nurse), at a total cost of $56,813, to provide an increase of 17.5 hours per week for a Public Health Nurse to respond client calls respecting opioid overdose and the provision of Naloxone.”
Other costs are being deferred to 2018, Council is planning to use more gaping in vacancies, downgrading positions upon retirements, and to practice strong oversight of financing strategies.


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EDITOR'S STATEMENT: The Public Record and City Manager's Office Reach Understanding – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 13, 2017
The Public Record and the City of Hamilton City Manager’s Office have reached an understanding following last week’s incident involving the removal of TPR from a meeting of the Property Standards Committee.
Andrea McKinney, Director of Communications for the City of Hamilton, issued the following statement this morning:
First, on behalf of the City Manager’s Office and as Director of Communications, I’d like to acknowledge that I regret the events of last week and the confusion it caused more broadly. The relatively new Broadcasting Policy of the Property Standards Committee, was intended to bring more structure to decision making in a court like process, recognizing there are at times vulnerable participants in the process. In retrospect, there are parts of the policy that could have been clearer to enable that. I appreciate the feedback that has been received. Further to our discussion we are going to make proposed revisions to the Property Standards Committee for approval, and there will be an opportunity to participate further in that process. We are also going to look at creating a consistent policy between the City’s Administrative tribunals, and communicate that accordingly on the website, as we want to ensure there is a consistent experience for members of the public and the media. I also want to clarify this did not apply to Council, or its sub-committees, nor was it approved by Council.
I personally thank Ms. McKinney for her efforts in reaching this understanding over the weekend. I cannot understate the extent of her efforts, including many late night emails as we neared this understanding.
Ms. McKinney and I also resolved a wide-range of issues. Effective immediately, the relationship between TPR and the City’s civil service has returned to where it was in 2014.
I wish to thank all of you in the community who’ve supported my independent journalism, especially during this difficult past two years. You had my back, and I’ve never been prouder to be a Hamiltonian.
I thank all of you for allowing me to be the first crowd-funded local journalist in Canada.
I have one ask of you today, for those who communicated with Ms. McKinney last week, please take the time to respond to her with thanks for responding to our concerns.
Thank you,
Joey Coleman
Independent Journalist
Proud Hamiltonian


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Hamilton Airport Sub-Committee for March 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 4, 2017
Council’s airport committee meets to hear the 2015 and 2016 year in review presentations from the Hamilton Airport CEO. They’ll receive updates on airport rent payments to the City, City funding of airport facility improvements, and City funding of airport marketing.
On the discussion agenda: delays in installing new stormwater capturing technology to treat water runoff at the airport.
The meeting starts at 9:30am on Thursday, The Public Record will record the meeting.
Full Agenda PDF.


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Hamilton City Council for March 29, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 29, 2017
Full Video of Hamilton City Council’s March 29, 2017 meeting.
Video link to YouTube


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Hamilton City Council Special GIC on LRT for March 28, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 28, 2017
Hamilton City Council held a marathon 13-hour meeting on Wednesday. At the conclusion of the meeting, Council voted to defer making a critical decision on moving forward with the B-Line LRT Environmental Assessment, and voted 8-7 to not study adding a LRT stop at Bay Street.
The Public Record recorded the entire meeting, which is split into two videos due to the length of the meeting.
The first video is the public delegations during the meeting. The full video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoTS0AjYDbo
The second part, the staff presentations, Council debate, and votes, is available here: https://youtu.be/y8BBnHm2wpY


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Hamilton Cleanliness and Security in the Downtown Core Task Force for March 9 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 4, 2017
Graffiti on private utility boxes, the alley clean up Up Your Alley Project, discarded needles in alleys, litter, and marjiuana storefronts are the items on the agenda for the March meeting of the Hamilton Cleanliness and Security in the Downtown Core Task Force.
The Public Record will record this meeting.
Full agenda PDF


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Hamilton Committee of Adjustment for March 9, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 4, 2017
Hamilton’s Committee of Adjustment will conduct 23 hearings, here are the hearings that caught my attention. As always, CoA documents do not provide much detail and it’s very likely I’m no aware of why a file in your neighbourhood is interesting – email or comment to let me know.
This week sees many requests to convert single family homes within the old Hamilton boundaries to two unit dwellings. None of these stand out on their planning applications.
The full CoA agenda for this week can be found here: https://d3fpllf1m7bbt3.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/media/browser/2017-02-27/committee-of-adjustment-agenda-03-09-2017.pdf
The Committee of Adjustment agendas are listed here: https://www.hamilton.ca/council-committee/council-committee-meetings/committee-adjustment
The property owner is seeking to building a one storey addition to the legally existing home. The property, near the 403 on-and-off ramp, is zoned Airport Prestige Business and dwelling (homes) units are not allowed – thus expansions require a zoning variance.
The expansion requires a waiver of the current Holding Provision in the area for sanitary, water, and stormwater planning.
Ward 12 Councillor Lloyd Ferguson has recently blocked expansions of homes in Ancaster due to concerns that “monster homes” are harming the character of the area.
I expect CoA will approve the variance, unless Clr. Ferguson files an objection.
Disclosure: This is within the Beasley Neighbourhood, and I’m active in my neighbourhood. I haven’t received a request to speak on behalf of the BNA on this file, but I may.
Easily the ugliest stucco building in Downtown Hamilton, this two storey structure is across from the Ramada Hotel and previously housed the Canadian Institute of Dental Hygiene career college.
The owner is seeking variances to renovate the building, one of which is to allow aluminum composite panels as part of the facade – which is not permitted in the Downtown Heritage Character Zone.
Considering how ugly the building presently is, I’m going to lean towards the Committee of Adjustment allowing the variance.
Located in the north portion of the Westdale Neighbourhood, the owner is seeking permission to add a second storey to the existing single family home.
I’m flagging as of interest due to the neighbourhood and ongoing debates about larger homes being used for student rental housing.
Located northeast of Waterdown Memorial Park, the owner of this older Waterdown property is seeking a severance to allow for a future residential home development.
Ward 15 Councillor Judi Partridge has opposed similar variances in older parts of Waterdown on the grounds that Waterdown cannot handle additional population growth pressures at the present time.
Located at the intersection of Millgrove Sideroad, the property owner is requesting variances for a minimum setback of 10.2 metres from Provincial Highway 5 instead of the required 14 metres in the Zoning By-law.
The proposal is to build a gas station with convenience store and drive-thru coffee shop.
I emailed City staff asking about the Ministry of Transportation’s potential say in this matter.
I’m making note of this application for that purpose – I don’t know how local Zoning and Provincial Highways intersect.


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Hamilton Downtown Kresge Heritage Report Submitted, Demo Permit Nearing Issuance – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 17, 2017
A consultant’s Heritage Assessment for the Downtown Hamilton building which housed the Kresge department store is now being reviewed by City staff.
Steve Robichaud, Director of Planning, updated the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee on Thursday on 43-51 King Street East (Hamilton).
He says staff are reviewing the report, which they received late Friday, March 10. It is expected the staff report and recommendations to the Heritage Committee will be presented at the April 20 Heritage meeting.
Robichaud updated the Committee on the developer’s, LIUNA and Hi-Rise Group, application for a demolition permit.
Once the developer disconnects the natural gas utility, the City will issue the demolition permit for the site. The developer has maintained gas to the building for heating; in full compliance with the City’s vacant building bylaw requirements.
In January, the developer’s agent spoke to the Heritage Committee and committed to preserving the front facade pending the heritage review process.
Council can weight in on the development during Tuesday’s Council Planning Committee meeting, when they must vote on the minutes of the February Heritage Committee minutes.


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Hamilton Library Piloting Extending Rural Hours With Remote Video Librarian – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 16, 2017
This story is from March 2017. The Library launched this as a “soft pilot” on October 26, 2017.
Hamilton’s Public Library Board approved spending $35,000 to modify the rural Freelton library branch to operate extended hours without a librarian in the branch.
Presently, Freelton is open five days per week for a total of 17 hours. The pilot increases the staffed hours to 24 per week, and further hours in addition during which the branch will be remotely monitored by Central Library security staff, and Freelton library users will be able connect with a librarian via video conferencing.
Hamilton’s Chief Librarian Paul Takala says the pilot is planned to begin in September 2017 and is designed to enable the library to better serve residents of the rural hamlets of Hamilton by extending rural branch hours.
Takala says the current limited hours are challenging for residents to pick up hold materials, and limit the opportunity for youth to use the library for studying and study groups.
Library Board members expressed concerns that the project could be seen as a means to replacement staff; Takala explained the branch will have a staff member on site six days per week for a minimum of four hours each day, and there will always be a librarian available by video conference to provide service.
Freelton’s population is approximately 2,500, Takala told the Board. He says this makes it challenging to expand hours within the current budget and demands for service across the system.
Under the new model, which Takala says will be the first in Canada, users will access the branch with their library cards during extended hours, and be able to use all self-serve services such as wifi and checking out library items.
If successful, the Library hopes to expand the program to other rural library branches.
Takala says the project will not expand to Hamilton’s urban library branches. A separate review of urban library hours is underway, and a report will come forth to the Library Board at a future date.
The timing of extended hours will be brought to the Library Board later this spring for approval.
Here’s the PDF of the report presented to the Library Board last evening.


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HWDSB & City of Hamilton Liaison Committee for March 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 5, 2017
City Councillors and School Board Trustees will meet to discuss City parkland dedication fees charged on development of new schools, new joint facility and construction agreements, sidewalks around schools, and plans for affordable housing at the Riverdale Community Centre.
The meeting is Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 1:30pm in Room 264 at City Hall. The Public Record will record the meeting.
Full Agenda PDF


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Follow-up: Teen Engagement and the Hamilton Public Library – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 17, 2017
The Hamilton Public Library is getting much better at tracking its data and producing in-depth reports on library usage.
Last week, they released a report on physical circulation demographics across all the branches. The data shows teens are under-represented as borrowers of the library’s physical materials. This probably didn’t surprise anyone; however, at two branches – Kenilworth and Mount Hope – borrowing by those 14 to 24 was in line with their proportion of the catchment demographics.
I emailed Lita Barrie, Director, Collections & Youth Services for the HPL to discuss the report. We had a very healthy discussion during the past few days, both by email and at the Central branch prior to the Library Board meeting on Wednesday. Librarians have also taken the time to discuss the data with me.
The Library’s borrowing numbers don’t capture the wide range of teen activities offered. For a start, Teens have their own sub-site on HPL.ca which is linked at the top left of every HPL page. There is a Teen Advisory Group providing feedback, and a whole range of programming dedicated to teens across the system.
Barrie explained that teen borrowing increases during the release of popular titles, and the importance of this to physical circulation:
In the last number of years, we’ve seen some incredibly popular teen books such as the Twilight and Hunger Games series that have driven significant increases in teen readership.  We haven’t had a teen title with that kind of broad appeal in the last year or so and hope to see that trend reappears.  We also have teens choosing to access digital content and they can access content both from HPL and their school.
Teens are making use of the library, one only needs to walk into a branch and sit for an hour to see that.
Barrie:
This data doesn’t include a variety of activities such wireless access, programs and volunteer opportunities  that do not require use of a library card but that many teens access. As you noted, the Saltfleet Branch is a wonderful example of teens utilizing the Library for wireless access and study space. We offer a wide range of teen volunteer opportunities. In 2016, we had over 600 teen volunteers at the Library. We strive to provide opportunities for teens to contribute their skills and expertise in meaningful ways and they have made incredible contributions to our communities volunteering with our Homework Help Program, Reading Buddies, Tech Tutors, Teen Advisory Group, Knit for a Cause and Teen Review Board.  The Library’s programs are also free, open to all and don’t necessitate having a library card to participate. For over 20 years we’ve offered the Power of the Pen writing program which has supported countless young authors including current Ward 1 Councillor Aidan Johnson. We are seeing teens take great interest in our Makerspaces and technology programs and we are continually seeking new ways to reach out and engage with this important sector of our community.
Without a doubt, teens are making use of the library branches. Study groups are common at branches in the evening. During the day at Saltfleet, students from the adjoined high school use the library for study, and for small gatherings. Central Branch’s fourth floor gets very busy in the evening with students from Sir John A MacDonald, and Westmount students who need a central location for group study. Central branch hosts the popular Unfiltered Facts program each Monday.
The Library is having some of the same challenges of youth engagement, with programs canceled due to lack of interest, as other agencies.
In the coming months, the Library is hoping to present more data on teen usage; which will be very interesting to see.
The HPL is a member of YSAN (Youth Serving Agency Network), which is an umbrella organization of agencies serving youth. “The Network is engaged in excellent work mapping the existing opportunities for teens in the City and looking at next steps to increase access of and awareness of resources and programs,” says Barrie.
It will be very interesting to see what these forthcoming datasets show, and how agencies respond. With a city-wide footprint, the Library is in a position to further lead on youth engagement.


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The Public Record Joins the National NewsMedia Council – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 27, 2017
Editors Note
ThePublicRecord.ca is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.
Membership is part of The Public Record’s commitment to building a model of high-quality reader supported local journalism, this site is now a member of the National NewsMedia Council – a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.
Joining the Council reflects my commitment to the high standards of ethical journalism, accountability to you – the reader, and to society as a whole by participating in the building of a new model of sustainable journalism that provides the information you to be fully informed to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship.
ThePublicRecord.ca strives to produce accurate in-depth coverage, if you have a complaint or are concerned about the accuracy of our reporting; please contact us by email editor@thepublicrecord.ca.
If the matter is unresolved, you may file a complaint to the press council by visiting their website at web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163.


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The Public Record Kicked Out of City Hall Public Meeting for "Broadcasting" By Tweeting – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 6, 2017
Just another day at Hamilton City Hall…
The Public Record was ordered to leave a public meeting of the Property Standards Committee today after the City Hall objected to the use of Twitter in the public gallery.
The City says the use of a “electronic device” by a member of the public to post to Twitter constitutes “broadcasting” and is forbidden under new rules. The rules are not publicly available on the City website.
These are the tweets the City Manager’s Office says constitute “disruptive behaviour”:
Happening now – Property Standards Tribunal hearing on current state of Gore Bldgs. Robert Miles testifying #YHMgov pic.twitter.com/LHCrAX3hrU
— Joey Coleman (@JoeyColeman) March 6, 2017
At issue: City order for plywood installation and painting after a Nov 9/16 break-in of Gore Bldgs #YHMgov pic.twitter.com/dTLnD4qJOH
— Joey Coleman (@JoeyColeman) March 6, 2017
Robert Miles is a public figure in Hamilton, a Realtor and manager for one of largest property owners in the downtown. The Gore Buildings are located along the main downtown strip of the City, and are of significant public interest.
Coverage of this public meeting is clearly in the public interest, and protected journalistic activity under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Hamilton City Clerk Rose Caterini, who directly reports to City Manager Chris Murray, implemented new rules for various committees at City Hall to address Council concerns regarding “eavesdropping” during public meeting.
By “eavesdropping”, the City is referring to the recording of public proceedings and posting of full videos of those proceedings.
The new rules state “broadcasting” is only allowed for “the purposes of education or news dissemination”. The rules do not define “broadcasting” or what is “education or news dissemination”.
Read the draft policy for this committee (PDF) – . The City has now posted the policy on its website.
On February 25, 2015, City Council voted 13-2 to receive – and hence endorse – the Integrity Commissioner Earl Basse’s report on the incident involving Councillor Lloyd Ferguson [PDF], in which Basse repeated a claim by Ferguson that TPR engaged in “eavesdropping”. Since then, staff have engaged in a pattern of obstruction against TPR. On May 20, 2015, Council reportedly voted in camera to further sanction TPR for “RSS hacking” by linking to the City of Hamilton’s RSS feed of public agendas in violation of the City’s website terms of use that forbid linking to public documents without the written permission of Council.
City Councillors and the Mayor have taken to calling The Public Record a fake news site.
As I’m no longer media, City Council takes the position that my use of Twitter is “broadcasting” and not “education or news dissemination”.
Here’s the City’s statement on the new rules from August 2016 (and yes, the City Manager actually issues official statements with that font):
Response to Property Standards Committee, Policy respecting the Broadcasting and Recording of Hearings @JoeyColeman pic.twitter.com/NyxSG2MuUT
— City of Hamilton (@cityofhamilton) August 30, 2016
The City implemented the new rules shortly after the Ontario Ombudsman ruled a secret meeting of the Election Compliance Audit Committee to be illegal – after I caught the illegal meeting. (City Council is challenging Ombudsman oversight in court, the case will cost over $10,000, at a time of budget crisis, this is a spending priority for Council.)
It was also shortly after the Divisional Court ruled that The Public Record video of another Election Compliance Audit Committee could be entered as evidence in a court proceeding and may supercede Council’s version of events in the minutes where they conflict.
Property Standards Committee is an open meeting under the Municipal Act. The City takes the position that because the Property Standards Committee exists under both the Property Standards Act and Municipal Act, the City can ban non-media from recording/broadcasting these public meetings under the Property Standards Act. The City is not imposing any restrictions on City-approved media outlets, the ban only applies to members of the public.
The Committee met today debate property standards bylaw orders for 1 St. James Place, and the Gore buildings.
The meeting was scheduled at the same time as a Council meeting on the City’s proposed Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Policy.
I was in Council Chambers for the beginning of the Council meeting, and walked over to the public committee room for Property Standards around 10:25 a.m., to grab a copy of the agenda (the City does not post public committee agendas to its website).
As I entered, the developer’s agent was making good points about the absurdity of the City requesting he install plywood to cover upper level windows when Council has approved the demolition of the building.
As I was filming Council, my camera remained in the other room – Council Chambers. I came into the public meeting room without any gear, I was not even wearing a jacket to hide anything. I only had my cellphone in hand.
As I sat down in the public gallery, the Clerk assigned to the Committee by the City Manager’s Office took note of my arrival.
I began tweeting. The City Manager’s communications team keeps close tabs on my movements at City Hall, and within moments of my tweeting, the Clerk stopped the meeting.
The City Manager’s solicitor in the room demanded to know if I was engaged in “broadcasting” and “recording” with any devices not visible to the committee.
I refused to answer initial question. The demand was repeated.
I responded, while remaining seating “I’m engaged in journalistic activity which is protected by Section 2(b) of the Charter as Freedom of Expression” and that “I will not be entertaining your questions because City Council does not authority to stop my journalistic activities protected by the Charter”.
The Clerk informed me that I had to request permission at the beginning of the meeting, and I was in violation of City policy because I arrived late – disrupting the meeting.
Putting aside, two meetings starting at the same time, Council is particularly annoyed about recording votes and attendance at meetings, less than a third of City Hall meetings start on time due to a lack of quorum as Councillors usually arrive late. One Councillor recently spent hours ranting on Twitter after I noted his arrival times at meetings during one day.
The City Manager’s Office stopped the meeting due to my “disruptive behaviour”, emptied the room, and the Committee went into closed session to deal with the “disruption”.
I returned to the Council Chamber to grab my notebook, and to process two video clips of the important discussion occurring about the City’s Transgender Policy.
After about 20 minutes later, I returned to the meeting which had resumed in public session.
Upon my sitting down, the meeting immediately stopped, and the City Manager’s Office informed me that I was to power down my cellphone, and remove the battery, as the use of Twitter was “broadcasting” to the Internet.
I continued tweeting, ignoring the City Manager’s solicitor’s demands for me to turn off all electronic devices and to confirm I had done so.
The City Manager’s solicitor then advised the Committee they had the right to demand my removal, which the Committee did as suggested.
At which point, I was told that I was “disruptive” to the meeting and was ordered to leave the room, which is enacting The Trespass to Property Act.
I refused to move from the public gallery. At which point, the City’s solicitor advised the Committee to adjourn the meeting to be rescheduled for a future date.
I told the City’s solicitor that I would voluntarily comply provided the City issue a written notice of removal. The City Manager’s clerk stated they would, and I left. My decision was based upon not wishing to see the second hearing cancelled, and the individual incur further legal fees due to the City’s actions.
The City sent me the following statement this afternoon:
Mr. Coleman,
I have consulted with the new City Solicitor, Nicole Auty. She was advised by her staff that the Committee did hear from an appellant who objected to being broadcasted and the Committee accepted his argument as meeting the criteria in the Broadcast policy.  At which point I understand you were asked not to broadcast the meeting, but you were welcome to remain. I understand that staff explained the decision on the matter will reflect this – and will be shared with you. Staff also advised that you did not acknowledge the ruling of the Committee Chair on the Broadcast policy pursuant to powers under the Statutory Powers and Procedure Act, and as a result you were asked to leave the meeting. I was also advised there was no reference to issuing a Notice of Trespass nor are you banned from the Property Standards Committee.
I hope this helps clarify, if you have any questions or points of clarity, please do let us know.
Thank you,
Andrea
Andrea McKinney
Director, Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs
City of Hamilton
Andrea.mckinney@hamitlon.ca
The City Manager has not released its definition of broadcasting, beyond that members of the public using Twitter are in violation of whatever the definition is.
The Property Standards Committee does not publicly post its decisions. Whatever rulings they made today will remain secret until minutes are published after their next meeting which will likely be on the same time as the May Council LRT meeting.
The City’s new City Solicitor started last week, arriving in Hamilton after leaving St. Catharines three months ago: City lawyer exits after IceDogs flap.
Just another day at Hamilton City Hall.


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TPR Asks City to Release New "Broadcast Policy" Used to Boot TPR from Public Meeting for Tweeting – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 7, 2017
You can help, please email clerk@hamilton.ca and ask for a copy of the new public meetings “Broadcast Policy”
The City of Hamilton is ignoring repeated emails from The Public Record for the new “Broadcast Policy” invoked by the City Manager’s Office to remove TPR for tweeting during a public meeting on Monday.
UPDATE: 11am – The City just responded and pointed to an obscure area of their website where the policy was posted. The City has not explained its definition of broadcasting, nor explained how tweeting by members of the public violates the policy.
The following are the emails sent by The Public Record requesting the policy. (I’ve edited out the name of a front line staff member from the email thread)
I’ll update once the City provides a copy of this new policy.
Subject: Re: Removed from Public Meeting – Trespass to Property Act
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2017 09:58:00 -0500
From: Joey Coleman <joey@joeycoleman.ca>
To: McKinney, Andrea <Andrea.McKinney@hamilton.ca>
CC: Murray, Chris <Chris.Murray@hamilton.ca>, Tom Henheffer – CJFE, Caterini, Rose <Rose.Caterini@hamilton.ca>, Auty, Nicole <Nicole.Auty@hamilton.ca>, Noa Mendelshon CCLA
Ms. McKinney,
It is beginning to appear that your office does not have a definition of
“broadcasting” and may not even have the Broadcast Policy you refer to
as a written document.
If you did, yourself or one of the many administrative support staff who
are handling these emails on behalf of the three City of Hamilton senior
management team members on this email thread, would have it easily
accessible and would have been able to provide it already.
Does this policy and a definition of “broadcasting” actually exist?
Joey Coleman
Independent Journalist, www.thepublicrecord.ca
@JoeyColeman
On 2017-03-07 08:07, Joey Coleman wrote:
> Please let us know how long you expect before the City Manager can
> provide the definition of “broadcasting” that your office is now using.
>
> This seems a simple matter, because you should have already defined
> the term prior to authorizing your staff to remove members of the
> public from public meetings for violating this definition.
>
> Joey Coleman
>
> On 2017-03-06 06:07 PM, Joey Coleman wrote:
>> Thank you,
>>
>> You are confirming I was removed from a public meeting for the use of
>> a cellphone to post news reporting to Twitter.
>>
>> The appellant did not object until City staff stopped the meeting to
>> object to two tweets I posted. Neither of which was live video.
>>
>> The appellant objected to my reporting on the grounds that I’m not a
>> journalist, as staff told him I’m a “blogger”.
>>
>> There would have been no objection were it not for the decision of
>> [Frontline Staff Member] of the City Manager’s Office to stop the meeting in
>> progress to object to my presence in the public gallery of this
>> public meeting.
>>
>> Can you explain how posting information to Twitter of a public
>> meeting is an illegal activity that is in violation of Section 2(b)
>> of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
>>
>> Would you please provide me your new definition of “broadcasting”
>> which the City solicitor was citing today.
>>
>> Forwarding this definition should be easy, because you should have it
>> readily available – this can be done separately from explaining about
>> using a cellular device is not a Charter protected activity during
>> public meetings at Hamilton City Hall.
>>
>> Please note that Noa Mendelsohn of the Canadian Civil Liberties
>> Association is now cc’d in this discussion.
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Joey Coleman
>> Independent Journalist, www.thepublicrecord.ca
>> @JoeyColeman
>>
>>
>> On 2017-03-06 05:55 PM, McKinney, Andrea wrote:
>>> Mr. Coleman,
>>>
>>> I have consulted with the new City Solicitor, Nicole Auty. She was
>>> advised by her staff that the Committee did hear from an appellant
>>> who objected to being broadcasted and the Committee accepted his
>>> argument as meeting the criteria in the Broadcast policy. At which
>>> point I understand you were asked not to broadcast the meeting, but
>>> you were welcome to remain. I understand that staff explained the
>>> decision on the matter will reflect this – and will be shared with
>>> you. Staff also advised that you did not acknowledge the ruling of
>>> the Committee Chair on the Broadcast policy pursuant to powers under
>>> the Statutory Powers and Procedure Act, and as a result you were
>>> asked to leave the meeting. I was also advised there was no
>>> reference to issuing a Notice of Trespass nor are you banned from
>>> the Property Standards Committee.
>>>
>>> I hope this helps clarify, if you have any questions or points of
>>> clarity, please do let us know.
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>> Andrea
>>>
>>> Andrea McKinney
>>> Director, Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs
>>> City of Hamilton
>>> Andrea.mckinney@hamitlon.ca
>>>
>>> —–Original Message—–
>>> From: Joey Coleman
>>> Sent: March-06-17 1:03 PM
>>> To: McKinney, Andrea
>>> Cc: Murray, Chris; Tom Henheffer; Caterini, Rose
>>> Subject: Re: Removed from Public Meeting – Trespass to Property Act
>>>
>>> Ms. McKinney,
>>>
>>> I’m awaiting your office to issue the written notice as it committed
>>> to do.
>>>
>>> Please advise when I can expect the notice to be provided.
>>>
>>> Joey Coleman
>>> Independent Journalist, www.thepublicrecord.ca @JoeyColeman
>>>
>>>
>>> On 2017-03-06 11:35 AM, McKinney, Andrea wrote:
>>>> Joey,
>>>> I just spoke to the City Solicitor, who advised she is not aware of
>>>> what you are describing.  While I look into this further, I’m happy
>>>> to discuss any further information you have and am available to speak
>>>> at your convenience. Thank you, Andrea
>>>>
>>>> Original Message
>>>> From: Joey Coleman
>>>> Sent: Monday, March 6, 2017 11:12 AM
>>>> To: McKinney, Andrea
>>>> Cc: Murray, Chris; Tom Henheffer; Caterini, Rose
>>>> Subject: Removed from Public Meeting – Trespass to Property Act
>>>>
>>>> Andrea,
>>>>
>>>> I was just ordered to leave a public meeting for using a
>>>> “broadcasting”
>>>> device to post to Twitter.
>>>> Rather than force the City to arrest me under the Trespass to Property
>>>> Act, I accepted a promise from the City Solicitor in the room that you
>>>> will provide me a written Trespass to Property Act notice that I’m
>>>> banned from the Property Standards Committee.
>>>>
>>>> Please forward that notice immediately such that I can challenge the
>>>> City’s order.
>>>>
>>>> Please note that you are now required to issue the notice, as I have
>>>> been removed from the public meeting, even if you choose to
>>>> immediately revoke it.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you,
>>>>
>>>> Joey Coleman
>>>> Independent Journalist, www.thepublicrecord.ca @JoeyColeman
>>>>
>>
>


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UKSH Presents: Getting Ready for Intensification – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 5, 2017
The Public Record will record this event.
The Useful Knowledge Society of Hamilton is hosting a talk on, you guessed it by the title, getting ready for intensification.
The event will discuss how Hamilton should plan and prepare for an expected growth of 250,000 new residents during the next 35 years.
Speaking are Richard Harris of McMaster University providing “an historic overview of housing development along with a profile of Hamilton’s neighbourhoods” and architect/planner John van Nostrand who will “will invite the community to consider the possible impacts and opportunities of growth and intensification”.


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Useful Knowledge Society of Hamilton: Getting Ready for Intensification – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

March 29, 2017
Hamilton’s Useful Knowledge Society hosted two speakers on March 7, 2017 to discuss how our city can prepare for intensification and population growth forecast to occur during the next 35 years.
Hamilton’s population is forecast to grow by 250,000 people during that time.
Two speakers, Richard Harris and John Nostrand, brought their insight to the discussion. Each provided a presentation that was followed by a question and answer period.
Harris, a Professor in McMaster’s School of Geography & Earth Sciences, presented a historic overview of housing development in the Golden Horseshoe, with a focus on Hamilton’s neighbourhoods:
John van Nostrand, architect and planner at SvN, looked at the future and how to effectively plan for future development:


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212 King William Street Development Application Filed – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 6, 2017
A couple of interesting development applications will be reviewed by the staff Development Review Team in the coming weeks. Among them, an application for 212 King William Street. I took a look at the planning file today and here’s a brief summary of the early application.
The developer, Melrose Investments, is proposing a six-storey 108 residential unit building with six ground floor commercial units and 84 parking spots.
The building will front along the south side King William from Ferguson Avenue to Jarvis Street. The commercial is proposed for the western portion of the ground floor, with residential lobby and amenities taking the eastern portion of the ground floor.
Parking will be at the back and below grade, with the entrance off of Jarvis.
The development will be subject to Design Review. At this time, I do not have a high-resolution rendering. There are renderings in the file.
Architects KNYMH provided the following high resolution renderings of the proposal. A reminder that following design review, the proposal will likely change.


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Academic Study Finds Power Stretchers Significantly Decreases Paramedic Injuries – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 17, 2017
An academic study lead by a University of Waterloo graduate student shows powered stretcher and load systems significantly decrease stretcher-related musculoskeletal injuries among paramedics, and the increased capital costs of power stretchers can be expected to be fully recovered over a seven-year period.
The study, published in Applied Ergonomics, compared musculoskeletal injuries between Niagara Region paramedics and the Hamilton Paramedic Service over a five year period.
The study found a “significant” decrease in stretcher-related musculoskeletal injuries by 78% among Niagara paramedics in the first year of power stretcher deployment. Overall, in that first year, musculoskeletal injuries decreased 53%.
The researchers compared injury rates of Niagara paramedics to Hamilton’s paramedics. Hamilton paramedics did not get power stretchers until late 2015.  As shown in the figure above, the difference between injury rates in Niagara and Hamilton was stark. Hamilton’s injury rates continued to increase while Niagara’s decreased in 2015.
The researchers write:
The similarity of MSD and stretcher related MSD incidence between the two services and the significant differences observed post-intervention within the intervention group only strongly supports the effectiveness of the powered stretcher and load system as a viable intervention to reduce stretcher related MSD in a paramedic service.
Paramedics are increasingly challenged by increased rates of obesity among the population. In addition to patient weight, stretchers themselves add to the overall weight a team of two paramedics must lift when transporting a patient.
The researchers state:
Traditionally, stretchers have been manually operated by a team consisting of two paramedics. Stretchers are operated to: lower or raise the cot surface to facilitate patient transfer, transport, or repositioning; push or pull the stretcher while transporting a patient from the scene to the rear of the ambulance or from the ambulance into a hospital; and, to load and unload the stretcher into and out of the rear of the ambulance. The physical exposures to these activities, considering trunk strength and spine compression are high, in some cases described as exceeding well-established threshold limit values such as the NIOSH [CDC – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health] action limit for spine compression
On May 25, 2015, Hamilton City Council’s Emergency and Community Services Committee voted to approve the purchase of power stretchers for Hamilton’s fleet of ambulances. (VIDEO of discussion and vote)
The Public Record emailed City staff requesting an update on the implementation of power stretchers
Hamilton’s Chief Paramedic told Councillors the implementation of the systems would result in cost-savings from decreased injury costs among paramedics. During the May 2015 debate, Councillor Tom Jackson expressed some concerned that Council is often told there will be cost-savings, but the savings do not materialize.
The research paper states the Niagara experience shows the costs of purchasing more expensive power stretchers is recovered over a seven-year period from decreased injury costs.
Our cost-benefit analyses revealed that the added
costs associated with a powered stretcher and load system intervention would be completely recovered within the stated 7-year service life of the system. Perhaps, more importantly, when replacing powered stretcher and load systems after the 7-year service life cycle, the return on investment is likely to improve as employee training is no longer a requirement.
The study ends by noting the need for further monitoring of power stretcher use to watch for new injuries resulting from increased stretcher weight in non-powered use:
The power stretchers were over 25 kg heavier than the manual stretchers previously used within the service, which may result in increased forces when pushing or pulling the stretcher or when boosting it up and over a small obstruction, such as a curb. The reported injury data did not permit us to drill down on specific activities that may have led to a stretcher related MSD, but given the increased weight of the powered stretcher, this may be important to monitor in the future.


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City Data Shows Employee Absence Increase Near Retirement, Question is Why? – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 30, 2017
YouTube Video Link
A staff presentation on employee absences among City of Hamilton employees reveals that as staff approach retirement, they take more sick days. This was especially prevalent among firefighters.
Zachary Nicol, HR Metrics Analyst, Organizational Development, Office of the City Manager, presented the findings to City Councillors during the April 24, 2017 meeting of the Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee.
Nicol told Councillors that HR is looking into the reasons for the trend; stating they have to look more in depth before confirming causes.
Councillors peppered Nicol with questions such as if the trend is correlated to staff taking advantage of sick banks to effectively retire before their scheduled date. Councillor Lloyd Ferguson focused in on fire fighters who’ve banked more than six months of sick days – fire fighters can “cash out” up to six months of banked sick days.
After the meeting, I asked Nicol if fire fighter absences were related to the difficulties of the job and accumulated injuries from decades of working the difficult job. I also asked if the City is using the data to predict which employees are likely to retire in the near future.
To both questions, the answers were this is a new report they are watching. On cause of absences, they are working to determine what are the causes. On predictive use of the data, this is something the City is working on.
In the end, Council went into closed session under the Labour Relations exception to open meetings. In closed session, Council gave staff direction.


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City of Hamilton Issues Notice of Intent to Designate Four Heritage Properties – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 30, 2017
The City of Hamilton is moving to designate four properties under the Ontario Heritage Act, publishing notices last week as required under the Act.
The following are the notices on the City website:
No date for the final Council vote to designate these properties has yet been made public.


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City to Launch Public Consultation on "Functional" Complete Street Makeover for Kenilworth Avenue – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 23, 2017
Council’s Public Works Committee voted to move to public consultation on a proposal to make Kenilworth Avenue more pedestrian and community friendly, while maintaining the “functional” role of the street as link between the Kenilworth Access mountain access route and the QEW via Burlington Street.
Among the highlights of the proposal (from the staff report):
The staff report notes that no capital funds have yet been identified for the project.


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EDITORS NOTE: Photos Removed Under YCJA – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 18, 2017
Hamilton Police released low-resolution photos of a suspect in an Ancaster carjacking over the weekend.
Today, Hamilton Police announced the arrest of three individuals involved in a series of armed robberies, and the carjacking, over the weekend.
Two of the accused are under the age of 16, and are charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and any publication that could lead to their identification is a violation of Section 110 of the Act.
Therefore, The Public Record is removing all copies of the suspect photos from our servers, and deleting all social media posts which include the photo.


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From The Joey Coleman Archives: The Youth Criminal Justice Act and Twitter photos – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 18, 2017
This post was originally published on February 19, 2012, on JoeyColeman.ca
Thursday evening, one of the Hamilton police ACTION teams interrupted their dinner at The Baltimore House to break up what they thought was a drug deal in progress.
What looked like a drug deal turned out to be one youth tagging a building with two friends blocking them from view.
A citizen in The Baltimore House took a picture of the officer’s yellow jacket and posted it to Twitter.
The focus was that officers interrupted their dinner to stop a crime in progress. The suspects were simply people in the background.
I looked at the photo, found it interesting, briefly glanced to see if any suspects were clearly identifiable, confirmed they were not and retweeted.
(I’ve intentionally not republished the link to the photo)
The following day, the police daily news briefing note included this about the arrests:
On Thursday, February 16th, 2012, at approximately 5:30 p.m., HPS ACTION officers were in the area of King William St. at Hughson St. where they observed three youths, two males and a female, acting suspiciously. On further investigation police revealed the youths were engaged in a mischief. Police allege that one youth was tagging the building while two others stood by and blocked the act from public view. All three youths were arrested.
Yikes… did the photo violate the YCJA?
I paused, quickly returned to the photo, and breathed a sigh of relief.
The photo did not violate, in my opinion, the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
This photo serves as a good reminder to be mindful of the YCJA at all times.
The YCJA prevents the publication of details that could reveal the identity of a youth offender.
Something as simple as a school uniform could be an identifying feature that violates the Act.
If one of the youth wore a Cathedral High School uniform – not uncommon in the downtown core – a blurry photo with this detail could land the publisher (all tweeters are publishers) in hot water.
A distinctive jacket and cap could identify a youth to a community or neighbourhood – violating the YCJA.
A photo of a witness or victim of youth crime could lead people to identify the suspect youth – violating the YCJA.
It’s best to avoid publishing photos of police interacting with any individual who may be under the age of 18.
Media organizations only publish about youth crime after much debate and often the involvement of legal counsel.
The line for violating the YCJA moves based on circumstances and the alleged offence.
Those of us independent of large newsrooms do not have the benefits of corporate infrastructure and, more importantly, legal protection.
You know the saying, think before you tweet.


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Hamilton City Council Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee for April 24, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 24, 2017
Councillors received a report on their “Whistleblower Protection” policy, accounts payable procedures, the annual occupational health and safety report, and an update on employee absences.
The employee absence presentation went into depth on a trend of increasing sick days as employees near retirement, read more in-depth here: City Data Shows Employee Absence Increase Near Retirement, Question is Why?
Full Replay video on YouTube


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Hamilton City Council GIC for April 5, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 5, 2017
Council will debate the future of Copps Coliseum, a Poverty Reduction Plan, Urban Renewal Incentives, and Vacant Property Tax Breaks. This and more, live starting at 9:30am


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Hamilton City Council Planning Committee for April 4, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 4, 2017
Hamilton City Council’s Planning Committee quickly approved two zoning amendments in Glanbrook: 3079 Homestead Drive and 9890 & 9906 Twenty Road West.
They then turned down, in support of Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson’s opposition, an application for residential development at 125 Wilson Street East in Ancaster.
Councillors also voted down a recommendation from the Municipal Heritage Committee to create a Heritage Conservation District in Downtown Hamilton; instead choosing to ask for a staff report on adding the proposal to a future heritage workplan, which could be two terms of Council from now.
Full Video Replay


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Hamilton City Council Ratification Meeting for April 12, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 12, 2017
Hamilton City Council meets tonight to approve the 2017 City budget (which will then be made public after the meeting), ratification of poverty reduction strategy that plans to spend up to $5-million more per year on affordable housing capital,the concerning internal audit report on the use and mismanagement of consultants, ratification of the special LRT meeting decision to not study a Bay Street LRT stop, letters from the Ministry of Transportation saying Province will study expanding lanes on the 403 from Brantford to Burlington, Planning Committee denial of a staff recommended development application for 125 Wilson Street East in Ancaster, and
installation of a full traffic light at Dundurn S and Chatham in Ward 1.
The meeting starts at 5pm, I’ll do my best to stream it.


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Hamilton City Council (Ratification Meeting) for April 26, 2018 – Call It LRT Vote, Maybe – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 26, 2017
Hamilton City Council meets for their full Council meeting to ratify Standing Committee reports from the past two weeks, and vote (maybe) to submit the updated Environmental Assessment for the Light Rail Project to Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment.
Watch Live


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Hamilton City Council SPECIAL GIC ON LRT for April 19, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 18, 2017
Hamilton City Council meets to, once again maybe, decide on the amended Environmental Assessment for the Hamilton B-Line LRT project.
Live video starts at 9:30am


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Hamilton Heritage Committee Declines to Designate Kresge Building on a 6-5 vote – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 14, 2017
Hamilton’s Municipal Heritage Committee declined to designate the former Kresge department store at 43-51 King Street East in Downtown Hamilton.
A staff report stated the Committee could designate the building as culturally significant. However, the report stated the building did not meet designation criteria for design/physical value, nor did it qualify as a landmark.
The developers, LIUNA and Hi-Rise Group, presented at length revised plans for the two tall buildings – 25 and 34 storeys – development.
New plans include creating a two storey podium at the base of the towers that pays homage to the original design elements of the Kresge building, including ground level retail.
After a lengthy debate regarding the role of the Heritage Committee in municipal governance and approvals, the committee voted 6-5 to not designate the building.
Of the three City Councillors on the committee, Aidan Johnson voted to designated, both Partridge and Pearson voted to not designate.
The developer holds valid demolition permits, a date for demolition has not been publicly released.


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Hamilton Marks National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured in the Workplace – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 29, 2017
The Hamilton and District Labour Council held the annual National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured in the Workplace ceremony at City Hall on Friday evening.
Over 150 people participated in the ceremony; which ended with the laying of wreaths at the memorial at the corner of Bay and Main.


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Hamilton Police Warn Public After Daytime Carjacking in Ancaster Meadowlands – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

April 14, 2017
UPDATE: Hamilton Police have made a series of arrests in this case.
Suspect photos have been removed from The Public Record as required by Section 110 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act as the accused is 16 years of age.  See our editors note for our reasons for removal.
Hamilton Police are warning the public of an “armed and dangerous” suspect who robbed an Ancaster woman in her 80s and forced her to drive him at gunpoint Thursday afternoon.
Hamilton Police Staff Sergeant Chris Hasting says around 3:45pm, the victim entered her vehicle at the Best Buy on Golf Links Road in Ancaster. The suspect was seated in the back seat.
“He immediately pointed a gun into her side and demanded that she drive him around. He rummaged through her purse and made her withdrawal a quantity of cash from an ATM. At one point, he forced the victim into the passenger seat and drove her around the city while keeping her at gun point.”
S/Sgt Hasting says the suspect forced the victim to drive to the Kenilworth Access into the lower city before, after over an hour of holding the victim at gunpoint, the suspect exited the vehicle at the intersection of Rebecca Street and Mary Street in Downtown Hamilton. The Central Hamilton Police Station is located on the southeast block of Rebecca and Mary.
The suspect was next seen around 6:00pm in the area Eastgate Square in East Hamilton / Stoney Creek.
The suspect is described as: male, light coloured skin, 17 years old, soul patch on his chin, 5’7″, wearing white runners and a red and black two tone hoodie, slim fitting jogging pants.
Hamilton Police say he attempted an armed robbery of another individual 15 minutes prior to carjacking this victim, “but the suspect was unsuccessful”.
Hamilton Police released four photos of the suspect, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Mountain division detective office at 905-546-4930. To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com
Here’s the original Hamilton Police press release issued at 1:41am Friday morning:
https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/static/docs/MEDIA-RELEASE-Robbery-April-13.pdf


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Chris McLaughlin, Delegation to Hamilton City Council, April 17, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 10, 2017
The issue of swimming in the West Harbour sparks discussion every summer as the City’s Public Health Unit declares the two man-made artificial beaches unsafe for swimming.
Chris McLaughlin, Executive Director of the Bay Area Restoration Council, presented to City Council – sitting as Board of Health – on the Bayfront Park beach, the quality of water outside of the artificial beach, and how the City can succeed at its goal of people swimming in the West Harbour.
YouTube Video Link


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Hamilton City Council Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee for May 8, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 8, 2017
Council’s Audit, Finance, and Administration meeting started at 9:33am.
They voted down a request by Valery Homes, by way of their Agent Urban Solutions, seeking a new Development Charges credit extension for the Chedoke Browlands. An extension was granted in March 2013, until December 31, 2016. The normal expiry of credits is five years after demolition. The DC credits were worth $36,822. Staff opposed, and Council agreed with the staff position.
The City Manager will re-centralize internal city support services in Human Resources, Communications, Design, and Finance/Administration.
Presently, those functions are dispersed across various departments reporting to the six different general managers.
IT, Marketing, Procurement functions will be reviewed for centralization.
The City’s internal auditor reviewed the City’s reserve funds and will come back to Council with more detailed suggestions to merge various accounts.
Hamilton has 147 reserve fund accounts. By comparison, Toronto has 115 and Calgary 47.
The auditor notes the Tax Stabilization Reserve account – which is used by Council for all kinds of spending – was down to $12-million at end of 2015, and is expected to be even lower once the 2016 books are closed.
The fund is suppose to be $40-million.
The auditor identified other reserve funds that can be closed and merged into the Tax Stabilization reserve that would result in $88-million in the account.
The meeting adjourned at 10:26am


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Hamilton City Council Ratification Meeting for May 10, 2017 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 10, 2017
Hamilton City Council is meeting to ratify their standing committee work of the past two weeks, and to deal with motions including a request for staff to look at radial separation of marijuana dispensaries if and when legalized.
Watch Live (YouTube Link)


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How McMaster Students Growing Engagement in Civic Affairs Can Affect Change City-Wide – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 13, 2017
McMaster undergraduate students are getting engaged in Hamilton’s civic affairs more than ever before: making informed delegations to City Council, writing letters to City Hall, and getting being involved in neighbourhood associations across Hamilton.
It’s a nice change from undergraduates remaining within their University/Westdale bubble. There have been the traditional McMaster Students Union executives delegation once (and the odd time twice) a year. The MSU execs come in their best attire, make speeches about the importance of McMaster students, ask for better transit, and then only reappear for networking opportunities – buying tables with student union funds – at various functions. They’ll pop up on CHML for filler discussions about narrow student issues. If the MSU affects any change, it’s not measurable.
This year, a group of McMaster students made their voices heard during the City budget process and LRT debates; raising the question – is this about to change?
The most memorable of the delegations came during MSU VP Education Blake Oliver‘s excellent LRT delegation in mid-April. After delivering strong points on behalf of the undergraduate student body, Ward 8 Councillor Terry Whitehead attempted to use leading questions to undermine the credibility of her points, she beautifully countered in a mic-drop worthy response.
Sarah Jama, who is proving to be one of Hamilton’s strongest young leaders in her various activities including the McMaster Womanists, stood in front of City Council in December delivering a very personal address regarding the importance of the Housing Stability Benefit and to impress upon Council the importance of continuing the benefit. (Jama is now working part-time in the office of Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Green.)
During the April 17 LRT marathon meeting, Eric Gillis stood in front of Council expressing frustration at Council’s mishandling of the LRT file in a concise three minute delegation.
Natacha Ngo, and Stephanie Bertolo both delegated back-to-back during the 2017 budget public delegation meeting in February.
Ngo’s delegation was short – just under two-and-a-half minutes- but gave Councillors the chance to explore student concerns with the transit system along the Downtown to McMaster corridor.
Bertolo’s stood in front of Council introducing herself as a McMaster student, a leader of the Student Union’s off-campus outreach group – the Student Community Support Network, and a Ward 6 resident.  She told Council there is a vital need for strong transit to connect McMaster undergraduates to Hamilton, and strong transit service will support the City’s economic priorities of retaining educated young people to grow the local economic.
She told Council takes one hour each way using the HSR to travel from the East Mountain to McMaster University, closing her statement by calling on Council to keep its promise on the 10-year transit plan. As a Mountain resident, her delegation captured the interest of the Mountain Councillors who each asked her questions, and was referenced by Ward 7 Councillor Donna Skelly in later meetings.
While the new 2017/18 MSU President hasn’t addressed Council yet, he is no stranger to City Hall. Chukky Ibe worked in the office of Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Green during the past year.
The 2016/17 editor of McMaster’s student run newspaper The Silhouette Scott Hastie actively took an interest in covering City Hall matters that impacted students. The Silhouette regularly noted Council debates on transit LRT (multiple times), student housing, safe injection sites, development, bylaw enforcement, transgender protocol and even called out Ward 1 Councillor Aidan Johnson for what the paper saw as an indifferent approach to student issues.
If The Sil continues to cover City Hall, it will only serve to increase links between students and the wider civic fabric of Hamilton.
Are we seeing a change in how the McMaster Students Union interacts with City Hall, or is this just an unusual blip of activity in response to a short-lived interest focused on transit during the heated LRT debates?
No, the engagement is much broader than in the past. Change Camp is one of the more visible examples of McMaster moving east out of its bubble.
In the past, the MSU has proven to be ineffective at getting its priorities addressed by Council. Any discussion about the MSU’s lack of political influence and effectiveness must start with the fact that McMaster students don’t vote.
In 2006, at the MSU’s request, the City sent up a special multiple day advance polling station on campus for students living in residence. The MSU promised to run an awareness campaign, which they barely did. The City spent thousands of dollars on the polling station, and having a table in the student centre for a week prior for voter registration.
The result? 10 students voted. That’s it, 10. Ten votes are not worth the effort of any candidate.
But that was a decade ago, you say. There’s little to indicate the 2006 number is not reflect of student voter turnout in 2014.
Voter turnout at the three polling stations surrounding McMaster University is the lowest in the City. Last election, only 249 ballots were cast at Poll 103 Binkley United Church (Ward 1 – West of McMaster, North of Main). This was the lowest turnout of any regular poll in the City, and that includes all the non-student residents of that neighbourhood.
Until students vote, politicians will continue to focus on the interests of those who do vote. It’s no accident that the most common phrase used by Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson is “my seniors” – he really saying “my voters”.
Will McMaster students vote in October 2018? or will they repeat their past dismal turnout numbers and remain irrelevant to City Hall for another four years?
On the municipal affairs file, the current (still new) MSU leadership will determine if the leadership that takes over next May for 2018/19 will be able to mobilize undergraduates to vote on October 22, 2018.
By the time Frosh Week celebrations are done in mid-September 2018, there will only be a month until the election. Good luck mobilizing a success student vote and education campaign during four weeks.
The 2018 Mayoral campaign is already underway, with Fred Eisenberger actively campaigning for reelection. The time is now for any group wanting to see their issues included in 2018 candidate platforms.
If McMaster student voter turnout matched the record low 34% turnout of the general Hamilton population in 2014, the approximately 5000 student votes this would represent – with a strong concentration in West Hamilton – will decide the Ward 1 Council race. No candidate in Ward 1 could risk not fully addressing student concerns.
City-wide, if McMaster students are seen engaging, it will create the narrative of generational change, forcing candidates city-wide to pay attention to issues facing youth.
Change, in politics it is infectious and dangerous for incumbents. The MSU has the ability to affect change, the people are in place within the MSU to make this happen, and that’s why the McMaster Students Union should be on the radar of every politico in Hamilton this fall.


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McMaster Research Building Rejected by Niagara Escarpment Commission, After City Asked for More Information – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 6, 2017
The Niagara Escarpment Commission voted to refuse an application from McMaster University to build a 5,000 square foot institution building at 1105 Lower Lions Club Road (behind Harpers Garden Centre on Wilson) during their January hearings (page 44 of minutes).
The NEC staff report states City of Hamilton staff were not in favour of the proposal:
McMaster University is now in Formal Consultation with the City of Hamilton the proposal, which will be reviewed by the staff Development Review Team in the coming week.
NEC staff comments were generally supportive of the project, and given liberal interpretations to NEC policies.
It appears likely the proposal will be approved once the studies requested are completed, the plan refined to better fit NEC policies.
McMaster had previously sought to have the property removed from the Greenbelt and Niagara Escarpment Commission control – had McMaster been successful, the property’s value would have skyrocketed as it could eventually be subject to residential development if rezoned in a future application. In each case that McMaster made the request during the Greenbelt review, City Council voted to ask the Province to reject the request.


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Spallacci Proposes Three Tall Buildings at John Street South and St. Joseph's Drive – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 7, 2017
Following quickly on the successful redevelopment of the Royal Connaught and 101 Locke condominium developments, Spallacci Homes is in the early stages of applying to the City to build three tall buildings across from St. Joseph’s Hospital at 299-307 John Street S and 97 St. Joseph’s Drive.
City staff describe the proposal as:
Applicant proposes to construct 3 residential towers from 23-31 storeys with 948 units.
Urban Solutions has been retained as the planning consultants on the project. The firm has a track record of publicly releasing all its planning materials once they are available as submitted to the City. https://urbanshare.info/
The application is currently receiving its first staff reviews.
As a point of comparison, the nearby Olympia Condos at 150 Charlton Avenue East is 98 metres tall (322 ft) with 33 storeys.


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Summit Park Elementary School Proposal Now at Site Plan Stage – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

May 7, 2017
Good news for young families in Glanbrook; the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s proposal for a new two storey, 6291 square metre elementary school at 110 Bellagio Avenue in Glanbrook is now at Site Plan Submission in the City planning process.
The project is fully funded by the province.
City planning staff and public works engineers are reviewing the final plans for building the school. The staff review meeting is scheduled for next week, and the Board should have a clear timeline for final approvals in the coming weeks.
This will hopefully mean parents and kids will know when to expect the new school to open in the coming years.
Presently, public board elementary schools in the Upper Stoney Creek and Binbrook area are 15 percent overcapacity. The Board, in a recent letter to parents, states in addition to adding more portables to the Bellmoore Elementary School site, students will be bused to the École Élémentaire Michaëlle Jean school site where the HWDSB is installing six portables.
UPDATE – May 7, 2017
The HWDSB says they plan to open the new school for September 2018.


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16-Storey Residential Building Proposed for 154 Main Street East – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 25, 2017
The owner of 154 Main Street East (SE corner of Walnut Street) is proposing a 16-storey residential building with a six-storey rear structure consisting of ground-level retail and five levels of parking.
The plans are being reviewed by City staff, and the public meeting is yet to be scheduled. The owner’s planner and agent for the development is UrbanSolutions. UrbanSolutions regularly shares all project studies and documents on their website, UrbanShare.info, once the application is complete.
The initial proposal is for 132 one bedroom units (smaller than 50m2), 9 larger one bedroom units, 56 two bedroom units, and 3 three bedroom units.
The first version of this paragraph wasn’t clear, and has been updated to clarify parking calcuations. I apologize for the confusion.
206 parking spaces are proposed for the building. The requirement is 108 spaces using a formula of 0.3 parking spaces for each of the small one bedroom units, and one parking space for each larger unit. The building will include bicycle parking. (The City has approved as low as 0.3 parking spaces in the downtown for small units)
The developer will seek to take ownership of a public unassumed alleyway to connect the rear parking with the front residential building, and merge the two properties.
The maximum height permitted on Main Street is presently 12-stories with Council approval. City Council has no firm policies requiring any public benefits from height.
The City’s Public Health department, in written comments to the Planning department, requests staff request the developer to provide amenities to improve active transportation usage.
Among the suggestions from the Active Friendly Communities manager is that the building enhance transit stops on the Main Street front with weather-protection.
Separate from this application, Ward 2 neighbourhood associations have been discussing requesting that cash-in-lieu of parking paid to the City include a portion of funds to expand bike share.
Officially (and staff went out of their way to state Council can waive), the building will need to step back from Main Street to provide for the widening of Main Street from its present five lanes to six.
Council has waived road-widening elsewhere in the Downtown Core.
Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr says he expects Council will waive the requirement on this development. “This will be the sixth waiver we’ve approved as a Council”.
Regarding his views on the development proposal, Farr says he is awaiting the full staff review of the application and public consultation process before making his determination.


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"Affordable Housing" Pitch Proposes Rents 20% Above CMHC Market Rates – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 12, 2017
The owner of 210 Main Street East is requesting $5.5-million in tax incentives and fee exemptions to build a 15-storey 224-unit apartment building on the Downtown property currently occupied by the Day Inns Hotel.
Azim Kassam of Ekasa Hospitality, says to make the $36-million construction viable, his company needs municipal incentives.
Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr praised Kassam for offering to provide affordable housing, and expressed a desire to see the City provide the incentives as the development will address the City’s affordable housing “crisis”.
Farr says some of the over 7000 people on the City’s social housing wait list will be able to live in these affordable units.
Ekasa Hospitality is saying the units will be affordable using their own calculations.
They conducted its own analysis of the rental market, which found they could charge rates 33% above the official market rate published by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
By this measure of the maximum rent they could seek, Ekasa Hospitality says their proposed rates are 20 percent below this rate and therefore qualifies as “affordable housing”.
By CMHC’s market numbers, the proposed rents are 20 percent above the current market rate.
Here are the numbers in the following order:
“CMHC Downtown Market Average” – “Ekasa’s Proposed Rate” – “Ekasa’s Market Rent Assessment”
Padmapper.com, which aggregates rental listings from online classified sites such as Kijiji, publishes monthly reports on the average price of online listed units.
In May, they report an average price of $930 for one bedroom, and $1160 for two bedroom apartments in Hamilton.
Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla was the only member of Council to express skepticism about the developers’ numbers, noting that Hamilton needs to address affordability for renters who are looking to save money to eventually buy a house.
“In my opinion, these are more market rent than affordable”, Merulla said. “They are not affordable”
Council voted to have staff work with the developer, and to return with a report to Council on the merits of providing the requested $5.5-million in incentives.
The current project proposed by Ekasa Hospitality is a modification of a student housing proposal brought forth to the City’s Design Review Panel last year. The DRP strongly recommended against that project, with the Chair of DRP referring to the building as being “like Stalingrad”.


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Art Gallery's Main Street Facing Expansion Plan Cancelled – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 7, 2017
The Art Gallery of Hamilton presented their new strategic planning draft to City Council during today’s GIC meeting.
AGH Chair Luigi V. Celli laid out the draft vision to Council, asking for them to engage with the Gallery, and to assist the Gallery in reaching out to Hamiltonians so the new strategy plan can reflect a wider cross-section of the community.
Celli says the focus of the Board for the next 10 years is to make the AGH more sustainable. A much-touted 2013 plan to expand the gallery towards Main Street has been canceled. Celli said the project was not financially viable.
AGH President and CEO Shelley Falconer took questions from Councillors regarding the collection, and recent purchases.
Council received the delegation; the AGH will return at a future date to seek a funding increase.


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City Cancels Traffic Camera Recording After The Public Record Makes Privacy Inquiries – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 27, 2017
The City of Hamilton has pulled the plug on a plan to record the City’s network of traffic intersection cameras and transfer the video to Microsoft for analysis.
The City announced in early June that it would begin transferring video to Microsoft for analysis.
Microsoft is working to build software which recognizes cars, bus, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians. Using the video, and crowd sourced analysis, Microsoft hoped to improve its software for detecting near collisions.
The City hoped to use the software to gain insight into intersections which could use design improvements to decrease the number and severity of collisions as part of its “Vision Zero” efforts.
Immediately upon learning the City would be recording video from the intersection cameras, The Public Record looked into the privacy implications of the recording.
TPR contacted the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to ask if the City was meeting the requirements of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The City installed around 80 cameras across the City in the lead up to the 2015 Pan-Am Games. They were installed with the promise that no recording would be occurring – enabling the City to install the cameras without an onerous privacy review or public notice posting at intersections.
Since that time, the City has continued deploying cameras with the goal of having over 600 intersection cameras by 2020.
The cameras are connected in real-time to the City’s traffic operation centre, enabling the City to monitor traffic and manage unexpected events such as 400-series highway closures by remotely adjusting the timing of lights.
None of the video is recorded.
When asked about the change to Hamilton’s cameras, Jason Papadimos, a spokesperson for the privacy commissioner’s office, told The Public Record:
We do not have any correspondence with the City of Hamilton on this issue since they did not seek our guidance on this project. Public institutions in Ontario are not obligated to inform our office when developing and deploying video surveillance equipment or programs. However, since this has been brought to our attention we intend to contact the City and gather more information about this initiative and assess any potential impacts on privacy.
There are a number of important factors Ontario institutions should consider before implementing a video surveillance system. Most importantly, video surveillance should only be used in ways that protect individual privacy. To protect privacy, institutions should ensure that the video surveillance is necessary and conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment before implementing the program.  In addition, visible public notices explaining the legal authority for the collection of personal information, how it will be used, and how individuals can get more information about the program are key to ensuring that the program is transparent to the public.
We encourage institutions to consult our publication, Guidelines for the Use of Video Surveillance, and our Video Surveillance fact sheet, which outline important issues to consider when implementing video surveillance technologies and how to use them in ways that protect individual privacy. Since the City’s project also seems to include ‘analytics’ of video data, you may also be interested in our publication, Big Data Guidelines, which addresses the issue of data analytics and privacy.”
This morning, the City informed The Public Record they were no longer proceeding with their plan.
“Further to your previous emails with respect to Privacy concerns raised with the Vision Zero Analytics initiative, please note after reviewing the program with staff, we have decided to suspend the assignment of providing video recordings to Microsoft to partake in this road safety analytics initiative,” wrote David Ferguson, Hamilton’s Superintendent of Traffic Engineering. “We still support the initiative and residents can still partake in the crowd-sourcing initiative, however the video feeds will not include the City of Hamilton.”
TPR followed up asking if there were any recordings, and what would become of them if they existed.
“The City of Hamilton never provided any recordings to Microsoft as we were just in the process of setting it up.  The City of Hamilton through our TMC does not record any video, we were only doing the two locations as they were unique and to partner on this initiative.  No recordings were ever completed at these two locations”


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City Moves Forward with "Corporate" Smartphone App, No Local Firms Bidding to Build – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 26, 2017
The City of Hamilton is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to design a “corporate” app for smartphones that will enable residents to access City information on their smartphones.
City staff first announced the plan in January at the Seniors Advisory Committee, complete with the kinds of slides and buzzwords we’ve come to expect from the City’s IT department.
The City put out a tender for a development firms to build the application. The City’s requirements for the app included using deprecated standards, and methods that would cause incompatibility problems in the user experience.
The City’s requirements for the app closely mirror the City of Richmond app, which uses Bluetooth Beacons to monitor the users location and provide interactive content in tourism areas. Richmond says they do not retain any location data. Hamilton is requiring Bluetooth Beacons in its app.
No local companies are bidding for the contract.
Only three companies bid on the City contract; 14 Oranges (which built the Richmond app), eSolutionsGroup Limited, and Purple Forge Group (designers of the Oakville App)


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City Needs To Spend More Money to Shore Up Escarpment Accesses – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 19, 2017
Nature is winning against the City’s attempt to maintain open Mountain Accesses on a low budget.
A consultant’s report being presented to City Council’s Public Works Committee which recommends $10-million in new capital spending over the next few years, and to increase the rock scaling maintenance operations budget to $1-million from the present $450,000 annual budget.
The report states the metal retaining wall on the Claremont Access needs to be removed, and the escarpment face made safe for traffic below.
The consultants state more study will be needed upon the removal of the metal retaining wall to determine how to make the escarpment face safe.
Consultants warn that acquiring properties at the top of the escarpment may be necessary to create terraces.


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City's New Procurement System Will Decrease Bid System Fees – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

June 12, 2017
City Council’s Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee will vote Monday for a new procurement system which will decrease fees for bidders.
The City will partner with Hamilton’s two English language school boards, and six public agencies in Halton on the system being designed by eSolutionsGroup Limited.
Businesses looking to bid on City of Hamilton contracts will pay $165 per year for access to the bids, with additional fees each time they bid to access the City bid documents.
The City charges anywhere from $35 to hundreds of dollars for businesses to access bid documentation.
Small businesses in Hamilton have complained these fees are a barrier to them bidding on City contracts.
The fees also serve to discourage the public from viewing the documents and being informed how the City is procuring goods and services.
Despite the obvious fact that businesses charge back the fees to the City in the costs of their bids, Council classifies the fees as “revenue generation” and includes this in their annual non-tax revenue figures.