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Hamilton Emergency & Community Services Committee for December 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 15, 2014
In the lightest agenda of any Council Committee this cycle, Councillors will vote on renewing the Social Navigation Program as the only debate item.
The annual Veteran’s Committee Presentation is also on the agenda. In consent items, Councillors are being asked to approve the minute of the Youth Advisory Committee which has been unable to make quorum since April, and nearly a year prior to that.
Live video Monday at 1:30pm.
Index: Youth Advisory Committee, Social Navigator Renewal, Veteran’s Annual Presentation, Housekeeping Items (Attendance Report), Media Coverage, Consent Items
(Agenda Page on City website)
Hamilton’s Youth Advisory Committee is in crisis. It hasn’t been able to make quorum since April, wasn’t able to make quorum of almost a year prior to that, is down to a half-dozen members, and some of them believe they should be paid an honorarium for sitting on a volunteer advisory committee.
To add to YAC’s challenges, it is unclear which youth group Council is listening to as it’s official advisory committee.
There is Economic Development’s child, the Hamilton Hive, which has presented to Council in the past year and is significantly better funded. Officially, it is the City endorsed umbrella for youth professionals, but with some age overlap with YAC, it has taken many of the McMaster and Mohawk students who may have sat on YAC.
Mayor Bratina had a separate youth advisory committee, which included the student trustees.
Then there is the matter of if YAC is at the “kiddie table”. They do not meet at City Hall, do not have a member of City Council attending the committee meetings, and there are no member of City management at their meetings.
Instead, they meet in the basement of The Lister Block, almost forgot by all at 71 Main Street West.
Council can vote to receive the minutes package stating YAC hasn’t met, which will have the effect of accepting this status quo. Or, Council create a motion to address the problem.
Councillors are being asked by staff to renew the Social Navigator project until June 30, 2017. The program’s annual budget cost from City coffers is $45,000.
The project uses a paramedic, Pat O’Neill, to navigate social service clients to the most appropriate social supports to assist them in overcoming health and social barriers that often result in contact with police.
The project is successfully decreasing the number of criminal offenses and mental health calls for clients of the project.
The Veteran’s Committee will make their annual delegation to Council during this meeting.
The committee will need to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair.
Membership: Duvall, Farr, Green, Jackson, A. Johnson, Merulla, Partridge, Whitehead
Here are links to stories by other journalists at the meeting:
The following items are on the consent agenda or expected to be passed with consent:


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Wrap-up: Hamilton General Issues Committee for December 10, 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 10, 2014
Contents: Uber in Hamilton,Police Forensics Building,Land Swap with Hamilton Conservation Authority Closed Session, Housekeeping Items (Attendance Report), Consented Items
Council voted to ask Uber to talk with them, asked police to get a further presentation on the proposed new police forensics building, held a closed session of two-and-a-half hours, and – surprisely didn’t debate bus lanes.
Here’s the full wrap-up.
Sam Merulla’s motion to have City staff reach out to Uber to discuss the City’s taxi licensing regiment passed unanimously.
Merulla told TPR that any discussion of relaxing the City’s taxi license plate regiment – meaning that if Uber is to comply with municipal regulations, they need to purchase taxi plate licenses on the private market for approximately $150,000 each.
As noted last month on TPR, this is the major disruption Uber is created – if Uber is able to take root without purchasing taxi plates, the plates will become worthless and the private investors who lease plates to taxi drivers will see the value of plates evaporate.
Uber’s currently in legal fights with some of the biggest cities in the world: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Toronto just to name a few. While cities have found settlements with other similar services such as Lyft, Uber is holding to its business model and disrupting the established regiment of the taxi market.
Once Uber enters a market, City’s find themselves powerless to respond to the disruption of the regulated economic system currently governing taxis. A hearing last week in Boston highlighted this well – no matter what Boston’s Council does, Uber owns the market. There is no turning back.
(And to make Uber’s eventual entry into Hamilton easier, the City endorsed Transit App is now integrating with Uber’s API)
Last week, Uber raised another $1.2-billion from private investors. The private markets are clearly betting on Uber in its battles against big cities.
All this points to Merulla’s Uber motion as posturing by the City of Hamilton on the chance the City joins Toronto’s legal case against Uber. Ottawa is presently issuing fines against Uber drivers.
Deferred to future meeting. Purchase of Downtown Mosque lands rejected.
The Hamilton Police Services Board asked City Council to approve $5-million in capital funds towards a new investigative services building on the downtown block bound by Rebecca Street, Catherine Street, Wilson Street, and Mary Street.
Hamilton Police are hopeful of receiving the $10-million for the project from the provincial and federal governments for the project, if Council approves the funding.
Councillors decided in closed session to ask police to make a presentation on the project as part of the 2015 Budget Process, and voted to “take no action” on a police request to purchase the Downtown Mosque lands. The mosque lands are the only portion of the block not owned by the police service.
John Neary of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association delegated on the proposed police forensics building. The BNA is asking the new building meet the design standards of the Downtown Secondary Plan and have public spaces that benefit the entire community.
Lloyd Ferguson, Chair of the Hamilton Police Services Board. arrived to the meeting after the delegation’s presentation. Ferguson stated he was on the Bill Kelly Show during the presentation.
He asked the delegate to repeat key points of the presentation.
Members of Council on the Police Services Board asked the BNA to make a delegation to the Police Services Board to offer the PSB an opportunity to incorporate the BNA’s requests into the design of the proposed building.
City planning staff state the proposed building will need to meet the standards of the Secondary Plan during the Site Plan stages of the development process – including a review by the City’s Design Review Panel.
The BNA delegation was received by Council.
Deferred to future meeting
The City is looking to swap land with the Hamilton Conservation Authority by taking ownership of Griffin House, a National Historic Site in Ancaster, and a surrounding 1.0 acre in exchange for 1.9 acres of land on Highland Road which connects with the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area.
Closed session lasted approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Present: Mayor Eisenberger, Collins, Conley, Duvall, Farr, Ferguson, Green, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pearson, Whitehead.
Notes: Ferguson arrived late, missing the public delegation presentation. He was on Bill Kelly’s show.
Media Present: Matthew Van Dongen, Donna Skelly, Ken Mann, Kevin Werner, Jeff Green, Joey Coleman
Note: Van Dongen and Coleman remained during closed session.
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The following were received or approved unanimously by Councillors:

source: news-thepublicrecord

created: December 10, 2014

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


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Wrap-up: Hamilton Planning Committee for December 9, 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 8, 2014
Contents: Video Sign Request – Eastport Drive,Bylaw Alternative Resolution – Mediation – Pilot, Special Noise Bylaw Unit, 250 Concession 4 West, Flamborough, 547 King West Conversion to Condo, 1100 Main West Rezoning, New Subdivision in Glanbrook: 126 Kellogg Avenue, Housekeeping Items (Attendance Report), Consented Items
The first Planning Committee of this term of Council saw Partridge named chair, Councillor table a controversial secondary use banquet centre in rural Flamborough, debate student housing parking on Main West, and the General Manager of Economic Development and Planning announce changes to his department.
Councillors deferred a decision on a sign variance at the request of the applicant, and referred a special joint bylaw and police noise enforcement proposal to the 2015 Budget debates.
TABLED until Feb 3/15
Pandora’s Box is open. As noted in June, the approval of the Ticats QEW/RHVP video sign opened the flood gates to similar requests, and challenges to the City’s Sign Bylaw.
Neufeld Signs Ltd wants to place two electronic signs on Eastport Drive alongside the QEW on Hamilton Port Authority controlled lands.
City staff rejected the signs as not keeping with the intent or tests of the Sign Bylaw, and that the Ministry of Transportation does not allow signs within 400 metres of the QEW.
Neufeld Signs is formally appealing the City’s rejection, which is required to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Of note, Neufeld Signs has changed their rendering image of the sign to include a City of Hamilton logo. Will they appeal on the ground they are offering the City the same deal as the Ticats sign?
This item will come back to Planning Committee on February 3, 2015.
Alternative Recommendation Approved – Mediation to continue
The paved road of good intentions and mediation are not enough to get feuding neighbours to try resolving their differences.
In September 2012, Council approved funding for a pilot mediation service to refer bylaw complaints with origins in unrelated neighbour disputes to a third-party mediation.
Two years later, the pilot is not success as only 4 cases had all parties agree to mediation.
Staff chalk up the failure of parties to agree to mediation:
by the time it was identified there was a neighbour dispute and mediation was offered, the relationship between neighbours was beyond repair
Due to the low participation, City staff have deemed the program to not be a cost-effective means of resolving the problem of neighbour-dispute related bylaw complaints.
Councillors voted to continue mediation services for neighbour disputes with the City paying mediator on a fee-for-service model with a cap of $2500 in 2015. Staff are to report back in one year’s time.
REFERRED TO 2015 BUDGET PROCESS for consideration
Council wants something done about late night violators of Hamilton’s noise bylaw, and staff are recommending hiring a Special Duty police officers to work in partnership with Bylaw to specifically address late night noise.
The one-year cost of the project will be $142,451. Police will provide the vehicle at no added charge. The break down is $65,600 for the bylaw officer, and $76,851.84 for a special duty officer 24 hours each week.
The police officer is required for the safety of the bylaw officer.
The proposed Specialized Bylaw Enforcement Unit will operate from 9pm to 5am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
At present, bylaw enforcement is until 1am, but many complains during Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings are such that bylaw must await police assistance prior to responding to noise complaints.
After 1am, enforcement is left to the Hamilton Police Service.
This specialized bylaw enforcement will enable immediate response to noise complaints.
Noise complaints peak from 1am – 4am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings – the times when Hamilton Police are at their busiest and unable to respond to noise complaints.
In 2012, police were unable to respond to approximately 1,000 noise complaints. “Virtually all” of these unresponded calls were between 1am and 4am, the report states.
This is the followup to a June 2013 Council motion directing staff to research a solutin.
Hamilton Police Superintendent Dave Calvert told Councillors that special duty assignments are voluntary and HPS cannot guarantee the special duty position will be filled for each shift.
This means even if Councillors approve the budget, there are no guarantees police officers will volunteer to fulfill the assignment.
DEFERRED for staff and developer to negotiate related to community concerns
Landmark Group wants to rezone agricultural lands at 250 Concession 4 West in Flamborough to allow a “Agricultural Promotion Centre” considering of a restaurant, cidery, and related parking as ‘secondary to the farming operation’.
Landmark Group – which operates the Ancaster Mill, Cambridge Mill, Earth to Table and other restaurants – purchased the property a couple years ago with the goal of operating the farm to support its “Earth to Table” philosophy of sourcing sustainable food for its restaurants.
Landmark is seeking to have a restaurant and hall at this farm location, but it cannot be a primary use – and this is the matter being debated by Councillors – is the use primary or secondary?
Farms are allowed to have secondary uses such as small restaurants or market stand that help promote the sustainability of the farming operation.
The City and Ward Councillor Judi Partridge both state the Landmark Group is operating a banquet centre on the property with hosting weddings as major part of the business.
This summer there were two weddings, among numerous events.
Three separate delegations from neighbours were heard, all of them opposed to the banquet centre due to impacts to their properties from road traffic dust, water run-off, and waste.
APPROVED
Councillors quickly approved the conversion of a 39-unit rental building on the southeast corner of King and Strathcona. The 1962 building contains 4 bachelor, 20 one-bedroom, and 5 two-bedroom units.
An interesting sidenote, one of the residents has lived in the building since 1965.
APPROVED
Councillors spent much time debating a rezoning of a commercial building on the northeast corner of Cline and Main to a multi-residential zoning.
The developer seeks to have the building used for student housing with the units have separate bedrooms sharing a common area.
It was supported by Brian McHattie and the support continued with Aidan Johnson.
Parking was the major concern with only 9 parking spaces. Councillors directed a warning clause be included in the lease agreements.
There were discussions about the nature of student housing, how to manage the units, and other matters outside the purview of zoning regulations.
Two nearby properties delegated to committee in opposition.
APPROVED
A routine residential sub-zoning change for a new subdivision in urban Glanbrook for 45 single detached homes close to Twenty Road and Glancaster Road.
The development was quickly approved with conditions related to construction to protect neighbouring homes from mud and noise.
As it is the first meeting of the Planning Committee, they will need to appoint a new chair and a number of vice-chairs. 1st vice-chair at the end of the last term of Council, Judi Partridge, is seeking the Chair and is expected to be confirmed.
Two items were removed from the agenda.
288 Glover Road, Stoney Creek – a proposed new subdivision of 72 townhouses and 20 maisonettes in the Fruitland-Winona area. Staff recommended denial of the subdivision for three primary reasons: the new secondary plan is under appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board. If approved by the OMB, the zoning for the sub-division is “Low Density Residential 3” and does not allow for maisonettes. Servicing methods for this area have not yet been determined, staff say there needs to be a “Block Servicing Study” prior to approving any developments in the area. The developer withdrew their applications
893,897,903 West 5th, Hamilton – this was a proposed rezoning to allow for three single family homes and two parcels for future development (which would require additional neighbouring property to be developed). The lands are subject of a series of complex land sales and OMB hearings related to a triangle wedge beside the squared main property. Staff were recommending conditional approval based upon the development paying outstanding fees to the City and transferring the triangle wedge to the City. The applicant appealed to the OMB for non-decision
Attendance:  Present: Collins, Conley, Farr, Green, A. Johnson, B. Johnson, Partridge, Pasuta, Pearson. Chris Cutler, of Mayor Eisenberger’s office, attended the full meeting.
Collins, Farr, and Green left at 12pm for a CityHousing Board meeting.
Ferguson attended the hearing on 250 Concession 4 West. Landmark Groups corporate headquarters is in Ancaster.
Media Present: Matthew Van Dongen, Sam Craggs, Joey Coleman

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Hamilton Police Services Board Meeting for December 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 15, 2014
The Police Services Board will discuss Chief of Police Glenn De Caire’s 2015 budget request.
Chief De Caire is requesting a 2.95% increase ($4.26-million) above the 2014 budget.
Live video Monday at 4:00pm.

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Hamilton Public Library Board for December 17, 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 14, 2014
Unveiling the new Hamilton Public Library cards (and key fobs), a staff presentation on “BIBFrame, Open and Linked Data”, adding hours at Waterdown and Turner Park, and increasing the budget for online book purchases are the highlights of December’s Library Board meeting.
The meeting starts Wednesday at 6pm on the 5th floor of the Central Branch. (It is at the same time as City Council meets, TPR will be covering Council)
The full agenda is on the Library website.
Staff will unveil the new library cards to the Board. They come with a new design, and offer the option of having a keychain fob.
HPL is asking the Board to approve $50,000 from the Collections Reserve Fund to purchase eBooks from Simon & Schuster.
Staff state “Simon & Schuster became the last of the big 5 publishers to allow libraries to purchase their titles in eBook”.
EBooks rights are purchased annually and this will need to be reflected in next year’s budget.
Staff are looking to expand hours at two locations: Waterdown and Turner Park.
With the new Waterdown location, it is proposed to add 4 hours each week, bringing the total weekly hours to 51. The new branch will be open Monday to Thursday to 10am to 9pm, and Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
Turner Park, which opened in 2009, is already the second busiest branch in the HPL system. Start wish to add 8 hours per week and open the branch on Friday’s from 10am to 6pm. Overall hours will be 59 per week.
Staff require $15,000 to complete digitizing archived Hamilton City Directories. This is the print phone book for those of us above the age of 30.
The HPL already submitted their 2015 Operating Budget request following their November meeting. They are requesting an increase of $431,290 or 1.5% for 2015.

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Hamilton Veteran's Committee for December 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 4, 2014
Hamilton’s Veteran’s Committee meets Tuesday to discuss their annual report and prepare for next year’s ceremonies.
The Veteran’s Committee will present to Councillors during the Emergency and Community Services Committee meeting on December 15 at 1:30pm.
Note: The Veteran’s Committee meeting is at the same time as Planning Committee. TPR will be coming Planning.
Full Agenda:
HVC Dec 9-2014 Agenda

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New HWDSB Board Takes Office – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 1, 2014

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Ombuds Rules July Closed Door Meeting with Transport Minister on LRT not in Violation of Municipal Act – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 12, 2014
Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin says Council’s “Government Relations Contact Team” is not a committee of council for the purpose of open meeting requirements and, as such, their closed door meeting with Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca on July 25, 2014 did not violate the Municipal Act.
Marin received a complaint from Hamilton Mountain MPP Monique Taylor about the meeting, of which she was not invited.
The full report is now available on the Ontario Ombudsman’s website.
Marin says his office was contact by City of Hamilton staff on July 14 for guidance about the open meeting requirements. Ombuds staff provided general feedback and examples of previous rulings related to similar meetings.
Marin’s office does not make rulings prior to meetings, and only investigates upon complaint.
The investigation began on August 13, 2014. Marin’s reports state they “received full co-operation in this matter” and were able to speak with City staff, Mayor Bratina, and the four councillors who attended the meeting.
Marin’s staff did encounter difficulty determining the membership of the Government Relations Contact Team and how many – if any – times it had met prior to the LRT meeting.
“There was significant confusion regarding who was on the team,” reads the report.
“There was also some confusion regarding when the Team met.”
Investigators says one Councillor stated the Team met once before, another said ‘once or twice’, and another said the Team had never met.
“We were unable to obtain consistent information regarding the details of previous Team meetings, if they did occur”, the investigators concluded.
The Ombudsman’s Investigation found the Team is not a committee of council, subject to Municipal Act open meeting requirements.
As such, the meeting on July 25 was not a violation of the Municipal Act.
Following the confusion about the Government Relations Contact Team, Marin is recommending Council “clarify the membership, role and authority of the Government Relations Contact Team, and consider having the Team report back to council publicly after a gathering.”

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Port Authority Seeks Severances for Pier 15, Including Energy from Waste Plant Site – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 3, 2014
The Port Authority is now on the record stating they believe the Energy from Waste Plant proposed by Port Fuels and Material Services Inc. is a permitted use on the Port Authority’s industrial lands at the foot of Sherman Avenue North.
This story results from tracking the Committee of Adjustment. Joey Coleman is the only journalist who reads every CoA document.
Why? Because he’s able to spend the time to read public documents in depth without the need to answer to advertisers for page views.
How? Because of patrons like you
Become a patron today, contribute to Joey’s crowdfunding campaign and keep him as our City’s City Hall watchdog
TPR asked the Port Authority a series of questions after the Port Authority applied for severances to their properties north of Burlington Street between Hillyard Road and Wilcox Street.
“The proposed facility is consistent with the uses contemplated in this industrial area, and is consistent with the vision outlined in the City’s Urban Official Plan, to “encourage public and private partnerships that will contribute to a sustainable waste management system… (including) the promotion of new methods of waste disposal, including energy from waste.””, wrote Port Authority Manager of Communications Larissa Fenn in response to questions from The Public Record.
They plan to move forward with the project if PFMSI is successful with the Ministry of Environment Screening Process.
This is the first decisive statement from the Port Authority stating they intent to approve the Plant as being allowed under the current “K” Industrial Zoning.
The City of Hamilton states it is not a permitted use.
Editors Note: The full question and answer with the Port Authority is at the end of this article
The Port Authority says the Energy from Waste Plant provides an opportunity for economic development and waste reduction.
“Hamilton is an ideal place to launch a clean-tech cluster in Ontario,” states Fenn. “This facility will position the port to offer a source of competitively-priced green energy, creating a cost advantage for companies locating in Hamilton.”
Fenn says the plant “will provide a cost-effective waste solution for port tenants, and will reduce the port’s overall environmental footprint by treating waste close to source, while creating clean energy.”
The plant proposal is attracting community opposition related to concerns about emissions and transportation of waste.
Community members are also concerned the plant may convert in the future to handle more profitable hazardous waste.
During a November 13, 2014 second public meeting, Lynda Lukasik expressed disappointment at a lack of answers from Port Fuels and Material Services Inc. regarding the exact levels of emissions, and other details about environmental impacts.
Local MPP Andrea Horwath rose in the Ontario Legislative Assembly early in November asking for a full environmental assessment, saying Hamilton’s airshed is already overburdened with pollution and the proposed plant technology is unproven.
New Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Green said, at the time, that the public meeting was lacking in science, instead displaying sale pitches and trademarked marketing names for the technology.
The Port Authority’s severance applications will be heard by Hamilton’s Committee of Adjustment next Thursday, December 11 at 1:30pm on the first floor of City Hall.
Severances are heard by the Committee of Adjustment when they do not involve changes to zoning.
[In cases where a change in zoning is requested alongside a severance, the CoA usually grants severance conditional on zoning change approval by Council.]
Severances, and other property line changes, are fairly routine for large commercial and industrial properties.
Severances can be denied if created lots are not in compliance with the official plan.
The Port Authority’s severances comply with official plans.
The public is able to speak in regards to any matter in front of Committee of Adjustment. In this case, speaking only to the severance and not to the proposed energy from waste plant.
The City of Hamilton’s position is not changed:
“A private energy from waste plant is not permitted in the J, JJ or K districts in by-law 6593,” wrote Steve Robichaud, the City’s Chief Planner, in response to TPR questions on the severance applications.
“Based on the information provided to date and staff’s understanding on the nature of the use, the use is not permitted under current zoning.”
The City and The Port are on a collision course regarding the proposed development.
As we noted in mid-November, this project appears to be heading for the Courts to settle the difference between the City and Ports positions.
The Port Authority states the severances are needed to create distinct parcels “where the uses are very dissimilar”.
The current lot includes a commercial strip mall that houses a restaurant, a kitchen for food trucks, and other shops; a rail transload warehouse, and the proposed Energy from Waste facility.
“The change will also allow HPA increased flexibility as a landholder with respect to future sale or development of the properties,” states Fenn.
“The proposed lot configuration formalizes a substantial, permanent buffer between each facility and the surrounding community.”
Councillor Green says the community is “watching this issue closely” and he is taking a closer look at the City’s official plan before making a direct statement on the severance applications.
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The severances will likely be approved next Thursday. At some point in the near future, the provincial Ministry of Environment will make its decision on the environment assessment.
If the province’s approves the Energy from Waste plant, the Port Authority will need to seek building permits before moving forward with construction and renovations.
To get a building permit from the City of Hamilton, the Port will need a “zoning verification” certificate from the Planning Department stating the building permit sought is a permitted use.
Councillor Chad Collins, who is outspoken in his opposition to the plant, says the City will then deny the building permit as a non-permitted use.
At this point, the Port Authority can either apply for a zoning change or take the City to court to get an order from a Superior Court judge for the building permits to be issued.
Full Committee of Adjustment Package:
Download CoA Severance Application Hearing Documents.
Below is the full email answers from the Hamilton Port Authority’s Communications Manager Larissa Fenn. Questions from TPR are in Bold.
Reason for this variance request?
To clarify, HPA is not seeking a variance to the zoning, but rather is applying for a series of severances.
The proposed severances, creating six new lots on Pier 15, will create distinct parcels where the uses are very dissimilar (e.g. a commercial strip-mall, a rail transload warehouse, and the proposed Port Fuels facility).
The proposed lot configuration formalizes a substantial, permanent buffer between each facility and the surrounding community.
The change will also allow HPA increased flexibility as a landholder with respect to future sale or development of the properties.
Does this variance formalize the position of the Port Authority on PFMSI’s proposal?
As an organization, HPA is supportive of innovation and environmental sustainability. Port Fuels’ proposal combines responsible waste management with the generation of green energy, and we see it as a very positive initiative.
· Part of HPA’s rationale in pursuing this development is the belief that Hamilton is an ideal place to launch a clean-tech cluster in Ontario.
· This facility will position the port to offer a source of competitively-priced green energy, creating a cost advantage for companies locating in Hamilton.
· It will provide a cost-effective waste solution for port tenants, and will reduce the port’s overall environmental footprint by treating waste close to source, while creating clean energy.
Specifically, what is the Port Authority position on permitted use on the lands as it relates to the City of Hamilton position that PFMSI proposal is not a permitted use?
The proposed facility is consistent with the uses contemplated in this industrial area, and is consistent with the vision outlined in the City’s Urban Official Plan, to “encourage public and private partnerships that will contribute to a sustainable waste management system… (including) the promotion of new methods of waste disposal, including energy from waste.” (5.1.14)
Port Fuels has been following a detailed public process, and there has been a healthy discussion about the project. In the event that Port Fuels is successful with its application through the MOE Environmental Screening process, this severance will help ensure the community has clarity about the boundaries of the Port Fuels property.
A verification of zoning is one of the steps the project proponent still must complete. Questions arising in that discussion are likely to focus on many of the same issues that are being addressed through the Environmental Screening (specifically, any potential impacts on neighbours). In the interest of sharing information that is as complete as possible, it made sense to focus on the Environmental Screening process first.
BACKGROUND:
You may be interested a recent survey of public opinion on energy-from-waste technology in Canada: http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/sustainability/public-opinion-energy-from-waste-high-canada-poll-142675/

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Wrap-up: Public Works Committee for December 8, 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 8, 2014
Index: Downtown Bus Lane, New Buses, LED Street Lights, Public Delegation: HHS on Lighting Near HGH, Housekeeping Items (Attendance Report), Consented Items
The new Council’s first Public Works meeting was a 2.5 hour meeting during which Councillors debated the downtown bus lane, asked about LRT, approved fast-tracking new LED lights to receive provincial incentives, and moved forward with new natural gas transit buses.
The downtown bus lane is expected to be killed at Wednesday’s General Issues Committee meeting, and Councillor Ferguson wishes to see more staff leadership on LRT and rapid transit.
It was a productive meeting which set the stage for the next four years, capturing almost all the major themes – including snow clearing – the committee will face. The meeting began with an overview presentation of the organization structure of Public Works.
Here are the highlights with video:
Vote on Wednesday
Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins to kill the downtown bus-only lane pilot to revert back to a “fully function lane though the downtown.”
“Is this something we can offer up as an early Christmas present to Downtown merchants?”, asked Collins as he opened up discussion on the bus lane.
The response from staff was that a staff report is forth coming in January.
Collins said the cost of the bus lane was budgeted at $300,000, but is over-budget.
“At least out of the account, we have spent nearly a half-a-million”, Collins said. Collins stated the numbers came from the City’s finance department told him.
Public Works General Manager Gerry Davis is confirming the costing numbers to Council on Tuesday.
He and his staff do not believe the project is over-budget and strongly refuted the numbers to media.
Collins is working on a motion to end the bus lane for Wednesday’s Council General Issues Committee.
The motion is expected to pass, and be ratified by Council on December 17th.
On December 18th, City crews can start “bagging” the bus only lanes – which will end enforcement.
This vote will occur prior to Council receiving a report measuring the effectiveness of the bus lane.
“Normally I like to hear reports before I make decisions,” said Terry Whitehead of the bus lane. “But I think my mind was made up a long time ago on that particular venture”.
Approved
The 12 new bus shelters for the A and B Line routes passed very quickly.
Councillors spent significant time debating the purchase of 24 new 40′ natural gas buses – which Council already approved in principal this spring when they voted to covert the fleet to natural gas due to raising diesel prices.
With the recent drop in diesel prices, some Councillors sought to review the decision to use natural gas.
The debate centred around the capital investment in a new natural gas compressor, the cost of maintaining natural gas buses, and natural gas fuel compared to the currently dropping price of oil.
The City is already committed to the construction of the new natural gas compressor – and has purchased 18 new 60′ articulated natural gas buses.
Staff expect that in the long term, natural gas fuel will be lower cost than diesel fuel.
The cost of maintaining natural gas buses is lower than diesel, staff said. They stated natural gas technology is more mature than when the City decided to discontinue its natural gas bus fleet in the 90s.
Lloyd Ferguson pushed for a tabling motion to have staff report back in January with a review of fuel pricing forecasts.
The tabling motion failed on a 4-4 tie vote.
In favour of tabling: Duvall, Ferguson, Merulla, Vanderbeek
Opposed: Collins, Conley, Jackson, Whitehead
Councillors then voted on the purchase, which was a 6-2 vote with Ferguson and VanderBeek opposed.
Councillors started the meeting with a delegation from Grant Sharp, a safety specialist with Hamilton Health Sciences, regarding street lighting in the area of General Hospital.
Sharp asked Councillors to fast-track LED lighting conversions in the area of HGH to improve safety at night. He cite four instances of staff slipping on ice not visible on sidewalks due to lighting conditions, and a mugging of a nurse behind the hospital near Birge Street.
Council voted to prioritize the lighting changes as part of the approval of fast-track conversions approved later in the meeting.
City staff noted the LED lighting conversion will no increase the amount of lighting in the area as LED lights provide the same output as high-pressure sodium lights, it is only changing the spectrum of visible light.
City staff state many of the lighting problems in the area of the hospital were on HGH property and HGH has made lighting changes which City staff believe address many of the concerns.
Approved
The City will accelerate plans to convert 10,000 high pressure sodium lights with LED lights prior to December 31, 2015 to qualify for $3-million in energy saving incentives from the province.
The cost of the installation is $5-million to $5.5-million.
It is expected the City will save $700,000 per year in electricity costs, which will be redirected first into the reserve account used to fund the conversion, then become operational savings.
The cost recovery, with incentives, is estimated to take 2.9 years. Without incentives, it will be 7.8 years.
With the City’s recent history of late and incomplete major projects, the deadline is noteworthy. If the City does not complete the installation of the majority of the 10,000 lights before the deadline, the incentive is completely lost.
In 2011, the City lost $5.7-million in federal funding for the Stoney Creek and Westmount recreation centres when the projects ran late and missed federal stimulus funding deadlines – despite deadline extensions.
The 10,000 lights being replaced are 200 and 250 Watt lights along primary and major corridors. There are 45,000 street lights across the City.
These lights represent 28% of the inventory, but consume 48% of the energy usage for street lighting.
2016’s capital budget plan included the replacement of these lights.
The City has already replaced 1600 lights with savings of $170,000 a year in energy costs.
Let’s start with the housekeeping. It was the first meeting of the PW committee meaning they needed to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair.
Clr Sam Merulla will chair until January 2016, with new Clr Arlene VanderDeek as vice-chair. Traditionally, the vice-chair becomes chair in the following year. If tradition holds, VanderBeek will lead the Public Works Cmte in 2016.
This was the first PW meeting for new Director of Transit David Dixon, who was previously with the TTC, and new Director of PW Operations Betty Matthews-Malone, who comes to Hamilton from Niagara Region.
Attendance: All Councillors attended the full meeting. They are: Collins, Conley, Duvall, Ferguson, Jackson, Merulla, VanderBeek, Whitehead.
Pasuta observed the full meeting, and will join Public Works in January after Council ratifies his request to join.
Green attended the public delegation related to Hamilton General Hospital and the Public Works overview presentation. Green is not a member of Public Works.
Media present for the entire meeting: Matthew Van Dongen, Sam Craggs, Kevin Werner, Ken Mann, Joey Coleman.
The following items were passed unanimously without debate:


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The Weekly Roundup Podcast for December 14 to 20, 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 23, 2014
Subscribe to Podcast in iTunes
In this week’s ThePublicRecord.ca weekly roundup podcast:

created: December 23, 2014


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Tivoli Condos (108-114 James Street North) Files Full Application Permit – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 22, 2014
The developer of the proposed 22-storey Tivoli Condos filed their complete planning application to the City of Hamilton last week, requesting zoning changes and approvals for their proposal.
Here are the full files as provided by the City.

created: December 22, 2014


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TPR's Conversation Series with Jesse Brown of CANADALAND on January 9th – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

December 26, 2014
ThePublicRecord.ca’s conversation series continues in January with Jesse Brown of CANADALAND on January 9th at the Central Branch of Hamilton Public Library.
Pre-registration tickets are exclusively available for patrons of TPR and CANADALAND. (Check your email for your exclusive registration invitation)
Jesse Brown will record his CANADALAND podcast live with a panel of Hamilton’s media thought leaders looking at the unique Hamilton media landscape.
One of Canada’s most popular podcasts with a focus on media criticism and the important stories that are not being covered anywhere else.
Following this, we’ll have TPR’s monthly conversation panel moderated by Hamilton’s Chief Librarian Paul Takala looking at the changes to media in the information age.
More details will follow as we unveil our panelists in the coming week.

created: December 26, 2014


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2015 City of Hamilton Budget Starts with Significant Tax Increase Projection – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 6, 2015
Editors Note: We asked the City to speak to the budget and provide clarification. Staff stated they will respond to media inquiries after the January 9th budget overview presentation.
The City of Hamilton finally released its 2015 budget package Monday, giving four days to review hundreds of pages of detailed documentation before making the final vote on users fees and water rates.
The preliminary tax increase is between 4.4% to 5.4% depending on choice of calculation.
– 3.8% represents a maintenance budget (one with no service changes or required enhances compared to 2014)
– 4.8% is the budget with required budget increases, but not including expected assessment growth.
– 5.4% is the 2014 budget with $4,480,723 in “recommended enhancements”
– 4.4% includes a .4% increase in tax assessment growth from an estimated increase property values
4.4% represents an increase of $136 for the average tax bill.
To get a 0% property tax increase, Council must cut $32,560,000 from the 2014 budget.
Each decrease of 1% equals approximately $7.4 million dollars in the City budget.
Council will vote on user fees and water rates during their first budget meeting on Friday.
Citing the election, the budget release was delayed from November to January – depriving everyone involved of time to carefully reviewing the over 1000 pages of budget documentation.
TPR plans to carefully review the entire budget package and provide comprehensive reviews of departmental requests during the budget process.
Council’s final vote on the budget is scheduled for Thursday, March 26. Public input will be heard on February 24 from 3 to 7pm.
Users fees, if passed on Friday, will take effect immediately – separate from the operating and capital budget processes. (Full budget process schedule on City website)
Most City of Hamilton user fees will increase by 2% in 2015, with some exceptions. Transit fares will be debated separately in the budget process.
Water rates will increase 4.2% for an annual increase of $24.10 for the average residential home in Hamilton in 2015.
Staff are not providing detailed descriptions or answers to budget proposal until after presentations are made to Council during January and February.
Compensation is, as always, the biggest single cost pressure for the City budget. The increase in compensation costs is 2.2%, below the consumer price index of 2.8%.
Paramedic Service is asking to increase its staffed transport ambulances by 15.8% adding 30 full-time paramedics, one supervisor, and purchasing five new transport ambulances.
The increase, if approved, will add four transports to day shift and two to night shifts.
The cost: $2,392,540. It is expected the province will cover 50% of the cost, leaving $1,267,230 to be covered by property taxes.
Hamilton’s paramedic service is stretched, with numerous Code Zero Ambulance Events – when one or zero transport ambulances are available to respond to 911 calls – each month. Hamilton often relies upon Halton, Brant, and Niagara to provide ambulances when none are available in our City.
Paramedics respond to an average of 180 calls per day, and the average call from dispatch to leaving hospital is 1 hour and 42 minutes.
HSR is proposing a “10 Year Local Transit Strategy” by adding 25,000 hours of bus service, requiring the purchase of an additional 10 buses per year to the HSR fleet.
The proposal includes no other details and is not priced in the budget package. Staff are not answering questions about the cost or plan until at least February 6 when HSR is tentatively scheduled to present to Council.
A rough calculation dividing the 25,000 hours into additional weekday-only service improvements gives approximately 11 extra shifts of service. (HSR shifts vary from 7 to 9.5 hours depending on route and time of shift)
TPR asked City staff what is the average cost per hour of HSR service. This is public information and we hope to receive it shortly. Once we have this, we’ll be able to calculate roughly what the costs of the improvements are.
DARTS must receive $1,750,000 in new funding to add 65,000 trips to meet provincial Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requirements.
Social Housing costs are increasing $2.5 million due to provincial benchmark requirements for operating costs of social housing and some program improvements.
Winter Control is a $2 million pressure as salt costs increase, and more roads and cycle lanes being cleared.
Closely related:
New Roads are adding an additional $680,000 to the budget (separate from winter control) to maintain 90km of new road built since 2009.
Police are expected to request an increase of $4.3 million, the Police Services Board deferred voting on their budget until January to find more cost savings.
Media Buyer is a new position proposed for the City Manager’s Office. The City spends well into the seven figures on advertising each year, mostly using old media platforms without much measurement of impact. The City is hoping the media buyer will decrease advertising costs and increase impact by transitioning the City to using new media platforms. (This should concern old media advertising platforms – the City is one of the biggest advertising spenders in the city.)
Website hosting costs for the City are estimated at $100,000 for 2015. The City is going to the cloud and have selected Acquia as the provider. Acquia specializes in hosting Drupal CMS sites, and the new City website will use Drupal as its CMS. There is no change in the status of web staff, who remain in contract positions. Council will debate in 2016 if the City will have permanent web staffing.
Cutting Red Tape is costly and the City is looking to spend $111,000 yearly for a new “Open for Business Coordinator”. TPR will take to calling the position the City’s “Red Tape Czar”.
Arts Funding will come near the end of the budget when Councillors are least likely to approve any new spending. Council approved a new Arts master plan in 2014, but deferred the $500,000 budget increase required to achieve the plan to the 2015 budget process.
Sidewalk Clearing is also in the end of budget improvement mix. This $5.5 million cost to have municipal sidewalk clearing will probably be decided based upon how much snow Hamilton sees this winter. Not much, it won’t be approved as a nearly 0.75% tax increase.
The budget overview presentation is this Friday at 9:30am. TPR will broadcast live on our homepage: www.thepublicrecord.ca

created: January 6, 2015


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290 Barton Street West Starts Planning Process with 34 Stacked Townhouses Proposal – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 26, 2015
The owner of 290 Barton Street West, who recently caused interest by moving a sales trailer onto the site in December, is starting the formal planning process with the City.
The developer requested a ‘formal consultation’ with city staff for a proposal to construct “34 stacked townhouses on the west side of the subject lands and a commercial/retail building on the east side of the subject lands”.
In short, the developer must make a proposal to get feedback from City staff (and CN rail in this case as well) about what City staff are prepared to endorse to Council for potential developments on the land.
Due to the unique nature of the site, immediately abutting a rail marshaling yard and containing an environmentally designated slope, it will take months to conduct noise and soil studies.
This means the current proposal is very preliminary, and will be subject to many changes before it returns to the staff-only Development Review Team.
The file for the development, with the current proposal, is available for public viewing on the 5th floor of City Hall.
I’ve reviewed the file and looked at the site plan map. I’m not posting the site plan map as I feel doing so would not serve readers well. The plan is very preliminary, is going to change, and has the potential to cause confusion when future plans are put forth reflecting the feedback of both City staff and CN rail.
I’ll continue to follow this file closely and as soon as there is something substantive to share, I’ll post it.

created: January 26, 2015


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A TPR "Offline" Notice – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 10, 2015
I’m going to be offline for most of Saturday and Sunday, and don’t expect to update the website until Sunday afternoon.
I’ll be returning gear used for Friday’s event, working on the front end of the patron monthly support system, and reading the couple thousand pages of City Hall agendas for the coming week.
Last night was a lot of fun, thank you to everyone who made it happen!
If you see me in a coffee shop reading agendas, please say hi!
Enjoy your weekend everyone.

created: January 10, 2015


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City Staff Wish to Keep Downtown Bus Lane, Strongly Urge Until At Least End of 2015 PanAm Games – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 7, 2015
Mayor Fred Eisenberger:
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City Staff have released their report into the Downtown Dedication Bus Lane.
The report says staff support maintaining the bus lane until at least after the 2015 PanAm Games citing that athletes will be travelling on dedicated shuttle buses between the Stadium and McMaster University where they will have accommodations.
Staff are recommending either keeping the dedicated bus lane in its current form or modified. They are recommending against removing the lane.
As the City of Hamilton does not allow linking to staff reports, and the report is split into eight separate PDFs, TPR merged them into one PDF that you can download and share the link:
http://thepublicrecord.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Jan_14_Bus_Lane_Report.pdf

created: January 7, 2015


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Committee of Adjustment for February 5, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 25, 2015
As CoA is quasi-judicial and involves private residents making presentations about their private homes, I do not record or stream these meetings.
24 Hearings, five of them I’m watching. (I’ve added one to the end because I find it interesting)
Full Agenda: http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0C71F8C6-42DE-4250-9697-FF4F89E0BD6B/0/20150205Agenda.pdf
44 Flatt Ave(Kirkendall South – Ward 1)
This is an application to convert a single family home to two dwelling units. The applicants are seeking variances to allow the second dwelling unit to be in the cellar, sideyard variances, and parking variances. The Zoning By-Law does not allow for cellar dwellings.
I’m not familar with a similar application in Kirkendall South, and can’t predict a likely outcome or engagement on this hearing.  I’m watching due to unfamilarity with these type of applications in this neighbourhood.
76 Emerson St(Ainslie Wood – Ward 1)
The applicant, a numbered company, is seeking to build a “single family dwelling” with a larger than permitted gross floor area ratio.
This is one I’m watching due to promixity to McMaster University, and the ownership by a numbered company.
346 Dundurn St. S(Kirkendall North – Ward 1)
The owner of the vacant commerical storefront on the northwest corner of Aberdeen and Dundurn is seeking a parking exception for a proposed 30 seat restaurant. The requirement is five parking spaces.
This I’m watching as parking in the neighbourhood has become a concern with the success of The Aberdeen Tavern increasing demand for on-street parking in the area.
252 & 256 Victoria Ave. N. & 290 Barton St. E.(Landsdale – Ward 3)
The applicant, a numbered company, is looking to have this prime “community shopping and commercial” zoned property in the Barton Village BIA converted to a surface parking lot.
The application is for numerous variances to have smaller than required parking spaces, no landscaping, no visual barriers, and no wheel barriers or bumpers.
This is being watched because the applicant has not completed a City zoning verification to learn if this is a permitted use, the Barton Village BIA has recently intervened at Committee of Adjustment to protect commerical zonings, and there will be significant loss of property tax revenue for the City if properties on Barton are able to become vacant (this was previously a gas station), and eventually be turned into surface parking lots.
131 Welbourn Dr(Balfour – Ward 7)
This is an application to convert a single family home to two dwelling units. The applicants are seeking variances to allow the second dwelling unit to be in the cellar. The Zoning By-Law does not allow for cellar dwellings.
This address is southwest of Upper Wellington and Fennell, within walking distance of Mohawk College.
I’m not familar with a similar application in the Balfour neighbourhood, and can’t predict a likely outcome or engagement on this hearing. I’m watching due to unfamilarity and proximity to Mohawk College with the ongoing tensions over student housing.
100 King St. W, Stoney Creek(Battlefield – Ward 9)
This isn’t one I’m watching, but it is one that’s interesting. The proposal is for a 108 seat restaurant with a rooftop patio on the northeast corner of King and Centennial. Patios are not permitted on the site (the intersection is very busy and noisy), there’s a requirement for a parking waiver, and other variances.
As a former resident of the area (Quigley and King), I’ve always been surprised by the difficulty businesses have had on the site. It’s a highly visible location, and the Country Style Donuts across the street is extremely busy. I see great potential for a restaurant that offers a great evening and late night experience in this location. Traffic and noise decreases significantly after 8pm.

created: January 25, 2015


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Committee of Adjustment for January 29, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 24, 2015
As CoA is quasi-judicial and involves private residents making presentations about their private homes, I do not record or stream these meetings.
18 Hearings, three of them, I’m watching. (There’s a possible fourth, but I need more information before I officially watch it)
Full Agenda: http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/7F8E9675-F103-4BC8-BC42-438819410BDF/0/20150129Agenda.pdf
85 Paisley Ave. S(Ainslie Wood – Ward 1)
This is an application to convert a single family home to two dwelling units near McMaster University. The applicant, a numbered company, is seeking variances to allow the second dwelling unit to be in the cellar, a minimum floor area of 44.0 metres squared, a ceiling height of 1.8m, and parking variances. The Zoning By-Law does not allow for cellar dwellings, requires a minimum floor area of 65.0 metres squared, and a ceiling height of 2.1m.
These type of applications are always opposed by the neighbourhood association and draw neighbours to the meeting to oppose the variance.
93 Carrick Avenue(Stipley – Ward 3)
The owner of this “existing single family dwelling” is seeking to create a legal duplex. This requires a parking variance for one parking spot, instead of a required two spots, and variance for a 2.5m access driveway instead of 2.8m.
What makes this interesting is that the home is currently a multiple unit rental (Recent rental listing, and a check of the White Pages finds a landline resident listed as living in apartment “3”.
This is the first conversion application of this type since Ward Three councillor Matthew Green took office in December. Will he take a position on the conversion of a non-compliant rental home to a complaint duplex? Will Committee of Adjustment allow it, they’ve taken a hard line against non-complaint rental housing and are often concerned there is no method to ensure the owner converts to a duplex by removing the third or fourth apartment unit.
Residents of Stipley we have come out before the Committee of Adjustment regarding the conversion of single family homes into legal rentals. This one could be an interesting hearing.
187-189 Ottawa Street North(Ward 3 Side)
Erin Dunham, CEO of The Other Bird Inc. (Rapscallion Resto, Black Sheep, and more) is looking to open two restaurants north of Cannon on the east side at 187-189 Ottawa Street North. The 23-seat and 45-seat restaurants each require 12 parking spots under the zoning bylaw. The Other Bird is asking for no parking requirement. With municipal parking plentiful across the street, the parking variance should be granted.
Ward Councillors are not on the Committee of Adjustment (it’s a citizens quasi-judicial body independent of Council) and are not required to make comment to CoA. Councillor Green owns a fitness business on Ottawa Street North.

created: January 24, 2015


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Editorial: 2015 Budget Will Force Difficult Choices – Council Can't Defer Decisions – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 7, 2015
City Council will have to increase taxes this year or make drastic cuts to municipal services.
There are no other short-term options for them to avoid this reality, except selling Jackson Square.
The City’s discretionary reserve funds were heavily used during the past four years to fund capital and pilot projects – the reserves cannot be touched without impacting the City’s credit rate and interest charges.
Council can’t dip into the Future Fund for any more money. Actually, Council is suppose to start repaying “loans” it forced the Future Fund Board to issue the City. These repayments are not noted as separate items in the 2015 budget.
The official preliminary tax increase estimate is 4.4%. Usually, the number is in the 6% range, and drops closer to 2% during the budget process as new program enhancements are cut, reserves are used, and capital projects deferred.
The preliminary number is arbitrary and subjective – it can be any number the City chooses. The critical number, as noted in TPR’s budget overview story, is 3.8%.
3.8% is the “maintenance” increase – what it will cost the City to continue operating the same services as 2014. This alone represents an increase of $117 dollars for the average household property tax bill.
Any tax increase below 3.8% will need to be funded by dipping into reserves, deferring capital budgets and maintenance, budget cuts, or asset sales.
Which brings us to Jackson Square. Yale Properties approached the City asking to get a 50 year lease extension in addition to the 56 years currently remaining on their lease with the City. The City is exploring selling the land to Yale. There is presently no timeline for these negotiations to generate a report to Council.
There isn’t enough time for a comprehensive discussion of the City’s role and services before the approval of the 2015 budget.
Once people get their 2015 tax bill, the compliancy that lead to a record low municipal voter turnout of 34% last year will be challenged.
Is City Hall ready for a serious discussion of how we fund our City and tackle the $200 million/year infrastructure deficit?


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EDITORIAL: City Hall Needs "Compensation" for Making Downtown Street Vibrant? The Latest in Red Tape – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 11, 2015
City Hall can’t see beyond its own internal cubicle walls, resulting in red tape and absurd fees that frustrate, delay, and block new businesses, developments, and get in the way of Hamilton’s revival.
Absurd rules mean even the simplest of good ideas must deal with archaic regulations and costly unexpected fees to “compensate” City Hall for creating economic vitality in Hamilton.
The latest example?
The City’s parking department needs to be “compensated” for the “loss of on-street parking revenue” if a proposed 30-storey condominium is built on the former site of the James Baptist Church on the southwest corner of Jackson Street and James Street South.
The new condominium will have an outdoor cafe patio, main entrance, and a parking entrance along Jackson Street West.
These features – common to any urban core – will make Jackson vibrant, generating economic activity and associated positive spinoffs.
But.. but … but wait, City Hall says this will result in the loss of “three highly utilized parking metres” and the City must be compensated for this.
Why? The parking department doesn’t feel it necessary for the building to have an area for people to be picked up or dropped off on Jackson Street.
Sure, the parking department acknowledges that such a “layby” feature would have “several benefits for the building”, but it would cost the parking department some coins.
This is City Hall narrow-minded nickel and diming (quarters and loonies in this case, literally). Parking is losing something, and it must be compensated for an underutilized downtown street becoming vibrant – the overall benefit to the community be damned.
Forget the new development will generate hundreds of thousands per year in property tax, ignore 259 new units of housing downtown generating spin-off economic activities, ignore likely new condominium developments that will result from the Toronto-market media coverage when the 30-storey building sells out and is built. (Easily adding millions per year to the Core and City Hall coffers)
Forget all of the great things that will result, because City Hall must have “compensation” for their “loss”.
In the event that parking spaces [on Jackson Street] are removed to accommodate the layby, then the applicant will be required to prove the City with financial compensation for the loss of on-street parking revenue.
Overall, the 55-page city staff report is a comprehensive well researched recommendation in favour of the proposed development. The above statement, unfortunately, reveals that somewhere in City Hall, they didn’t read the interoffice fax saying Hamilton will be open for business.
This is not about this specific instance of red tape, it’s about red tape.
Without a doubt, the cost of “compensating” City Hall for improving our downtown can be split among 259 units and most condo buyers likely won’t notice the fee.
What happens when a small development proposes to build, let’s say six-storeys, on a vacant piece of land or parking lot downtown?
Does City Hall impose these “compensation” fees for making street vibrant on all developments in the core?
It’s enough to stop small business and smaller developers from being able to improve our Downtown Core.
It’s time for Council to send a strong message that cubicle thinking is no longer City Hall thinking, Council must immediately remove these absurd “compensation” fees, and while they are at it, get rid of the insane road widening requirements downtown!
(And yes, this development required a road-widening waiver because mass demolition of the downtown core is still officially on the books at City Hall)
Editors Note: The City of Hamilton prevents direct linking to public reports by expiring links. (More on that problem here.) Hence, there is no direct link to the 55-page report.

created: January 11, 2015


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Hamilton Audit, Finance, and Administration Committee for January 19, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 19, 2015
It’s a thick agenda of routine reports, but other than a discussion about having an external audit of the Hamilton Police Service budget, all of the reports are routine and should pass with consent.
Replay

created: January 19, 2015


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Hamilton City Council for January 21, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 20, 2015
Hamilton City Council voted down the downtown bus lane on a 9-7 vote.
The seven pro-bus lane votes were Mayor Eisenberger, Aidan Johnson, Farr, Green, Merulla, Pearson, and Brenda Johnson.
Full Replay Video

created: January 20, 2015


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Hamilton City Council GIC for January 14, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 14, 2015
Council spent the day debating the bus lane with four different motions voted down.
In short, they didn’t make any decision and lost six hours in the process.
Replay

created: January 14, 2015


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Hamilton Council Budget GIC for January 28, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 28, 2015
City Council meets to consider the budget requests of the Hamilton Police Service and the Hamilton Public Library.
Live at 9:30am.

created: January 28, 2015


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Hamilton Emergency and Community Services Committee for January 19, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 19, 2015
Councillors will debate $757,950 in one-time municipal funding for programs which address and prevent homelessness.
This will give Council an opportunity to call on the Provincial and Federal governments to better fund and create a strategy for helping municipalities to deal with poverty.
Replay.


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Hamilton Planning Committee for January 13, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 13, 2015
Council’s Planning Committee meets to vote on a 30-storey condo building on the site of the former James Baptist Church.
Live video at 9:30am

created: January 13, 2015


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Hamilton Police Services Board for January 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 22, 2015
The Hamilton Police Services Board’s meets to vote on the Chief of Police’s 2015 budget request and the 10-year capital budget plan.
Police are seeking a 2.95% increase for 2015. If approved by the Police Services Board today, Chief De Caire will present to City Council next Wednesday (Jan 28) at 9:30am for their thumbs up or thumbs down.
Live video of PSB starts at 2pm

created: January 22, 2015


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Hamilton Public Works Committee for Monday, January 12, 2014 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 12, 2015
Two business items, two consent items, and one public delegation – that’s the agenda for this cycle’s PW meeting.
Live video starts at 9:30am
The Brief
The saga of the alleyway at 14 James Street North (above the now closed Sirloin Cellar) is finally coming to an end.

created: January 12, 2015


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Hamilton Steel Committee for February 5, 2015 – Economic Impact Study on US Steel's Future – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 27, 2015
Council’s Steel Committee agenda is now public for the February 5, 2015 meeting. The agenda includes a 51 page staff Economic Impact Study and a presentation by the City’s Director of Economic Development.
Here’s a download of the full 51 page staff report: U.S. STEEL CANADA Economic Impact Study

created: January 27, 2015


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LIVE 4:30pm: Mayor Eisenberger Press Conference at City Hall – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 26, 2015
Mayor Eisenberger went to Toronto today, met with Premier Kathleen Wynne, and that’s the only fact we know for sure at this time.
Eisenberger says he has a commitment for 100% LRT funding, Wynne says different.
The Public Record will look to set the record straight with live video from City Hall at 4:30pm.


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Mayor Eisenberger Visits Queens Park on Monday: Don't Expect Answers, Expect Relationships – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 23, 2015
Mayor Fred Eisenberger is meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne on Monday at Queen’s Park.
Light Rail Transit, provincial downloading, the social services software fiasco, and affordable housing are all items this Council’s is asking the province for solutions to and clarity about.
The meeting is intended to build a closer relationship with the Province and together chart a way forward for investments in Hamilton’s future.
Among the items to be discussed are: the Province’s commitment to transit funding for Hamilton, US Steel pensioners, infrastructure and poverty
, via Wikimedia Commons”]Read the Mayor’s press release issued Friday afternoon.
Don’t expect too much from the meeting, it’s a short meeting expected to last approximately 30 minutes.
Mayor Eisenberger will be lucky to get past transit issues before his face time with the Premier is over.
City Manager Chris Murray will join Eisenberger and his staff to the meeting. No other members of City Council are part of the delegation.
LRT – What is 100%?
Obviously, one of the big outstanding items for the meeting is exactly what do the Liberals mean when they promised 100% funding for an Eastgate to McMaster Light Rail Transit line.
For six years, the Liberals have been dodging the question, don’t expect Premier Wynne to answer it Monday.
(This may be a blessing with Council voting down the bus lane, sending a clear signal to Queen’s Park that it’s easier to invest transit money in Mississauga or Burlington than it will be in Hamilton.)
The Other Issues on The Table
There’s been some progress on downloading by the Liberal government, but not even close to enough. They may want a participation ribbon for being better than the previous governing party. Hamilton shouldn’t give them one.
Affordable housing – that can dodge with a deflection to the federal government’s joint inaction with Queen’s Park.
Social Service Software – the province is at least consistent, they’ll keep ramming icebergs before they reverse course. Municipal cost and impact on social assistance recipients be damned.
US Steel Pensions – the province can point at the Federal government for failing to make US Steel live up to its federal commitments.
Infrastructure – see affordable housing above.
Poverty – the deficit, and the province will use its talking points about minor improvements and initiatives they’ve implemented in the past few years.
So What Will Come of The Meeting?
Better relationships.
This is an opportunity for Mayor Eisenberger to establish a positive tone with Premier Wynne, establish relationships with key staff in the Premier’s Office, and to set future meeting dates for substantive discussions.
Sure, it be great for Eisenberger to go “Sam Merulla” into the Premier’s office demanding a fair deal for Hamilton, 100 LRT funding, and to hold a press conference outside the Legislative Chamber with television friendly sound bites and print friendly quotes.
Queen’s Park deserves a good tongue lashing from Hamilton, but that won’t achieve the long-term goals of Council or advance Hamilton’s interests at Queen’s Park.
City Manager Murray recently hired Kwab Ado-Adjei as his government relations advisor. Mayor Eisenberger is looking for Council to approve previous funding – which was moved out of the Mayor’s Office last year – for a government relations position in the Mayor’s office.
Monday’s meeting will (hopefully) pave the way for staff level discussions and planning for near future meetings.
If Mayor Eisenberger can get things moving with Queen’s Park, it’s not a bad start in for his first 100 days in office.
(Aside: Mayor Eisenberger and company will be travelling to Queen’s Park by GO Train and the TTC, they’ll be travelling mid-day from Aldershot GO. Unlike his first term (2006-2010) as Mayor, it shouldn’t take long for someone to tweet a selfie with the Mayor on board.)

created: January 23, 2015


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Ready to Take The Plunge: The Next Steps For My Hamilton Journalism – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 20, 2015
Watch for this post in the morning. (I’m creating this placeholder so I can write and post from my tablet.)


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The $106,000 Road Salt Case: Are Municipalities Liable for Salt Damage to Farms? – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 27, 2015
Last week, headlines roared about a $106,000 ruling against the County of Lambton (County seat is Sarnia) for damages caused by road salt to the lands of a county farmer.
The City of Hamilton says its “Road Operations group is watching this case very closely because it has significant implications for all municipalities who use road salt as the most effective means of clearing ice and snow”.
The full ruling by Justice Thomas J. Carey of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice is now on CanLii: Steadman v. Corporation of the County of Lambton, 2015 ONSC 101
Would this, as the Ontario Good Roads Association – a lobby group representing municipalities – set a precedent for mass liability of municipalities across Ontario?
Is it a situation as expressed by OGRA Executive Director Joe Tiernay of
“basically a damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation for Ontario municipalities. The same judges that are ruling in favour of plaintiffs claiming that municipalities are not doing enough to keep the roads safe in winter are now ruling that we are doing to much.”
Does it even set a precedent or is it logical continuance of the 1987 Supreme Court of Canada decision on nuisance law in denying an appeal of Schenck v. Ontario; Rokeby v. Ontario which found the Ontario Government responsible for damages caused to peach and apple trees from road salt spray.
The judge agreed with the farmer Joseph Steadman that 15 percent of his 96 acre farm, with a maximum available planted tillage of 80 acres, was damaged and unproductive due to effects of road salt.
The case was a matter of nuisance law, which is distinct from negligence law. The County’s road salting was interfering with the private farm property.
Steadman presented expert evidence that he suffered crop loss due to a build up of salt in soil caused from runoff and salt blowing from the road onto his farm.
One of the experts found Lambton County’s salt management plan is using road salt 54 percent greater than the recommended rates from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
“[I]t is possible that the County of Lambton is over applying road salt,” the Justice quotes Michael Duchene, an environmental engineer with a master’s degree of applied science and civil engineering, as stating.
A key paragraph of the ruling is a citation of the 1980’s ruling by Justice Robins in Schenck v. Ontario; Rokeby v. Ontario.
Basically, that ruling found that road salt served the public interest, but the burden imposed upon the orchard farmers in that case greater than should be borne by the farmers individually – the cost of road safety included the public compensating for agricultural harm.
I do not agree that the plaintiffs’ property interests may be infringed with impunity. Giving full recognition to the importance of proper highway maintenance to the public at large, in my opinion the plaintiffs are entitled to vindication in damages against the continuing intrusion on their lands. The interference with the use and enjoyment in the present circumstances is sufficiently peculiar, sufficiently direct and of sufficient magnitude to support an action for nuisance. On a balancing of the conflicting interests appropriate to this department of the law, it would be unreasonable to compel these plaintiffs to continue to suffer this interference for an indeterminate time, as the government would have it, without compensation. In reality, their injury is a cost of highway maintenance and the harm suffered by them is greater than they should be required to bear in the circumstances, at least without compensation. Fairness between the citizen and the state demands that the burden imposed be borne by the public generally and not by the plaintiff fruit farmers alone.
While there may be huffing and puffing about the Lambton County ruling, the case law is already set – it has been the case for over 30 years in Ontario that government must mitigate and compensate for the harmful effects of road salt upon agriculture.
I spoke with Councillor Robert Pasuta, who runs a farm in Campbellville and represents the rural ward 14.
He says he’s not aware of any current hotspots in Hamilton, but that road salt’s impact on agriculture has been an issue of much discussion among the local chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
City staff state they are “not aware of any complaints or claims from local farmers related to road salt damage.”
Farmers are very aware of watershed issues as they rely upon a steady supply of water for their operations, Pasuta says.
Pasuta says issues with road salt are very specific to topography, drainage, crops, and other factors. He noted that soybeans are a particularly sensitive crop.
There is much discussion within the local agricultural community about the ruling, but he is not aware of any impact locally. Lambton County is part of a traditional snow belt and experiences more snow days than Hamilton.
Still with thousands of kilometres of rural roads, Pasuta says he and his Council colleagues are watching the response to this court ruling with interest.
Full City Response
Our Road Operations group is watching this case very closely because it has significant implications for all municipalities who use road salt as the most effective means of clearing ice and snow.  They always strive to balance the need to ensure the roads are clear for public safety with the environmental impacts of using road salt.  At this point they have not changed any of their road salt procedures as a result of this case.
Staff were not aware of any complaints or claims from local farmers related to road salt damage.
For your reference, the Ontario Good Roads Association, of which Hamilton is a member, recently posted a statement with next steps to address this matter. This may be helpful to you as well.
Thanks
Kelly
Kelly Anderson, APR | Communications Officer
Public Works Department | City of Hamilton


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TPR Notepad for January 12, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 12, 2015
I’m at Public Works Cmte for 9:30am with the alleyway at 14 James North being a story I’m watching.
Board of Health meets at 1:30pm, with the focus there being an overview of the Board’s role.
I’ll be finishing my preview of tomorrow’s Planning Committee meeting, reading Wednesday’s GIC agenda package, and hopefully get to the Capital Budget book which is up for debate on Thursday.
In between all of that, I’ll be publishing the newsletter and working on the front end of the new patron system.


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TPR Notepad for January 8, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 8, 2015
Welcome to the TPR Notepad, where Joey Coleman writes what he is covering in the day, posts draft notes, and uploads full audio interviews that will form the base for the next morning’s daily podcast.
Today: Following the Bus Lane story interviewing Terry Whitehead and Chad Collins. Getting ready for tomorrow night’s conversation event with Jesse Brown in Hamilton.
I’m following up on the bus lane report with Chad Collins who is moving a motion to end the bus lane, and will interview Terry Whitehead about his statement on CHCHNews last night that the staff report is bias “I’ve never believed for a moment that the individuals that have been involved in developing this report have been objective. I think they went with the mindset that this is the best thing to do and they try to justify it.”
1pm: Full Audio of my Interview with Chad Collins
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12noon: Full Audio of Interview with Terry Whitehead

created: January 8, 2015


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#TPRDaily for Wednesday, January 7, 2015 – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 7, 2015
Subscribe to Podcast in iTunes
A look at ahead at what TPR is watching today:


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Transcript of Premier Kathleen Wynne's Press Conference Remarks on Hamilton's "Rapid Transit" – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

January 26, 2015
Premier Kathleen Wynne held a regularly scheduled media presser Monday afternoon, after here meeting with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
Full video of the presser is available on the Premier’s Livestream.com page. (Hamilton questions and answers start at 9:52)
I’ve transcribed, to the best of my ability, the answers of Premier Wynne.
A reporter asks the Premier if the statements by Mayor Fred Eisenberger that she committed to 100% LRT funding are true.
Wynne: We have said all along that we were committed to building the rapid transit in Hamilton. That’s a commitment we’ve had in place for a number of years.
You will know there’s been a back and forth in Hamilton about exactly what that would look like, what the rapid transit would be.
The other conversation I had with the Mayor of Hamilton was about that discussion of the rapid transit in the context of the connectivity of Hamilton and by that I mean, the regional express rail, the full day two-way GO service that we know is necessary.
All of that is part of the discussion, we’ve committed 29-billion dollars, 15-billion dollars for the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Hamilton is part of that discussion and that has been our committment all along.
Follow up question asking how much money is earmarked for Hamilton.
Wynne: See this is just another way of you coming at what’s the specific number.
I can’t give you a specific number, because we haven’t landed on that. We’re still working with Hamilton and the Mayor and I discussed that this morning.
You know, the work has not been done. We haven’t had the discussion around the regional express rail and the Hamilton rapid transit.
That discussion has to happen now because there are people in Hamilton who are eagerly awaiting that as a priority – the regional express rail.
There are people in Hamilton who are awaiting the rapid transit with Hamilton as a priority.
That discussion has to happen now between our officials and the Hamilton officials.
Reporter asks whatever Hamilton comes back with, is the province committed to funding 100% whatever the cost
Wynne: Nothing has changed. We’ve been committed to working with Hamilton from the beginning.
I’ve been saying this since I was Minister of Transportation, which was in 2010 I was made the Minister of Transportation – we’ve had this conversation.
We’re committed to building rapid transit with Hamilton, but it will be in partnership with Hamilton.
You know, we can’t, I can’t tell you the number Hamilton comes forward with is the number we will go with.
Obviously, that has to be worked out officials to officials.
Donna Skelly, CHCH, asks what does 100% mean?
Wynne: We’ve committed to the capital costs for Hamilton, absolutely. But, I’m not going to put a number on that because we don’t know what the number will be.
Skelly says something that is inaudible.
Wynne: Well, that may be, that may be, that may be.
But the Mayor, well I would be very surprised if that’s what the Mayor said in terms of a number because we have a explicit conversation about that we can’t land on a number because the work hasn’t been done and this whole conversation has to take place in the context of the work we’re doing on a regional express rail.
Because that’s part of what Hamilton needs, Hamilton doesn’t just need the rapid transit within the City boundaries.
Hamilton residents also need that connectivity with the Greater Toronto Area.”
CHCH’s Donna Skelly follows up with a question on Rapid Ready funding, asking ‘will you commit to $200-million in first round of funding to increase HSR’
Wynne: The Mayor and I did not have a discussion about that part of their plan, we did not talk about that part of the plan.
We did not have a conversation about that part of their plan, the municipality will be working on that part and they’ll work with the province and I’m not going to commit to that at this point.”
Donna Skelly follow ups about first round of funding plan, it is mostly in inaudible.
Wynne: All of that is going to be discussed as part of the commitment for transit in the Greater Toronto – Hamilton Area