Council

That the agenda for the December 11, 2024 meeting of Council be approved, as amended. Result: Motion

That the Minutes of the November 27, 2024 and December 4, 2024 meetings of Council be approved, as presented. Result: Motion

That Council Communications 5.1 to 5.10 be approved, as presented, as follows: 5.1 Correspondence from the Township of Armour in support of the City of Hamilton's resolution opposing any proposed Provincial initiative that seeks to restrict or limit the autonomy of municipalities in implementing road safety measures. Recommendation: Be received. 5.2 Correspondence from the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing respecting the implementation of the province’s additional residential unit (ARU) framework. Recommendation: Be received and referred to the General Manager of Planning and Economic Development for appropriate action. 5.3 Correspondence from the City of Guelph requesting support for their resolution to enable Municipalities to charge fees for use of Municipal property by gas utilities. Recommendation: Be received. Council Minutes 24-023 December 11, 2024 Page 5 of 31 5.4 Correspondence from LJ Main, President, LJM Communities respecting an update on the occupancy of LJM Tower at 2782 Barton St. E. Recommendation: Be received. 5.5 Correspondence respecting Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): (a) Denise Hartford (b) Suzanne Sulikowski (c) Bianca Metz, The Giving Tree Consulting (d) Elizabeth Knight (e) Martha Howatt (f) Liam Keenan (g) Alex Adams (h) Louise Brownlee and Carole Holmes, GASP Co-Chairs (i) Lindsay Potts (j) Chris Heidebrecht (k) Erin Shacklette (l) Adam Clermont (m) Samantha Emmerson Maddison (n) Emma Cubbitt, Principal, Invizij Ar

That Council move into Committee of the Whole for consideration of the Committee Reports. Result: Motion

That the Hamilton Enterprises Holding Corporation Shareholder Report 24-002, being the meeting held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved. Council Minutes 24-023 December 11, 2024 Page 8 of 31 Result: Motion on the Hamilton Enterprises Holding Corporation Shareholder Report 24-002,

That the Hamilton Utilities Corporation Shareholder Annual General Meeting Report 24-002, being the meeting held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved. Result: Motion on the Hamilton Utilities Corporation Shareholder Annual General Meeting Report 24-002,

That General Issues Committee (Rate Budget) Report 24-019, being the meetings held from November 18, 2024 to November 28, 2024, be received. Item 3, was voted on separately, as follows: 3. Stormwater Residential Fee (Generated From Item 5.1) (November 28, 2024) (a) That staff report to General Issues Committee in Q1 2025 with an analysis summarizing the factors contributing to the 2026 forecast change in the stormwater fee to $270.10 per annum; and, (b) That staff identify any options that would further support the forecast stormwater management investments to realize a largely revenue neutral transition to a stormwater fee structure. Result: Motion on Item 3 of the General Issues Committee (Rate Budget) Report 24- 019,

That Public Works Committee Report 24-017, being the meeting held on Monday, December 3, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein, be approved. Result: Motion on the Public Works Committee Report 24-017,

That Planning Committee Report 24-018, being the meeting held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved. Result: Motion on the Planning Committee Report 24-018,

That the consideration of General Issues Committee Report 24-021, be deferred until after the closed session portion of the meeting. Result: Motion on the deferral of the General Issues Committee Report 24-021,

That Audit, Finance and Administration Committee Report 24-022, being the meeting held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein, be approved. Council Minutes 24-023 December 11, 2024 Page 12 of 31 Result: Motion on the Audit, Finance and Administration Committee Report 24-022,

That Emergency and Community Services Committee Report 24-010, being the meeting held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein, be approved. Result: Motion on the Emergency and Community Services Committee Report 24-010,

That Section 5.8(2) of the City’s Procedural By-law 21-021, as Amended, which provides that a minimum of 2 days shall pass before the Report of a Standing Committee, the Selection Committee, or other Committee that reports directly to Council is presented to Council to provide adequate opportunity for review, be suspended in order to consider the Selection Committee for Agencies, Boards and Sub-Committees Report 24-009 of December 10, 2024. Result: Motion

That the Selection Committee for Agencies, Boards and Sub-Committees Report 24-009, held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved. Result: Motion on the Selection Committee for Agencies, Boards and Sub- Committees Report 24-009,

That Committee of the Whole rise as Council to report and confirm the actions taken in Committee of the Whole. Result: Motion

That Council move into Board of Health for consideration of the Public Health Sub- Committee report. Result: Motion

That Public Health Sub-Committee Report 24-001, being the meeting held on Monday, December 3, 2024, be received and the recommendations contained therein, be approved. Result: Motion on the Public Health Sub-Committee Report 24-001,

That Board of Health rise as Council to report and confirm the actions taken in Board of Health. Result: Motion

WHEREAS Council recently declared an Affordability Crisis in the City of Hamilton; WHEREAS the City of Hamilton has approved two of the highest annual tax increases (a combined 11.2%) since the City’s amalgamation in the year 2000; WHEREAS the record tax increases passed in 2023 and 2024 added a historic level of new FTE positions, including 242.01 FTE in 2023 and 196.07 FTE in 2024; WHEREAS salaries, wages and benefits make up the bulk of the City’s operating budget; WHEREAS the continued addition of new staff and enhanced services are financially unsustainable for renters, homeowners, and small and medium sized businesses; WHEREAS, when factoring in the use of City reserves to offset larger property tax increases, overall budgeted increases in spending from 2020 through 2024 were 4.6%, 7.4%, 11.3%, 10.9%, and 11.2%, respectively; WHEREAS, since 2012, when factoring in compounded property tax increases, including the proposed 6.9% property tax increase in 2025, property taxes have increased by 50%, while inflation between 2012 and 2024 was 32.41%; WHEREAS City of Hamilton Finance Department staff project a 6.9% property tax increase in 2025, which will be yet again subsidized by reserves; WHEREAS, using the concept of reserves to subsidize in-year property tax increases does not accurately reflect the actual property tax increase and is neither financially sustainable nor fiscally responsible; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That staff be directed to report back through a Communi

WHEREAS, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) is the rural voice of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); and WHEREAS, ROMA is committed to promoting, supporting and enhancing strong and effective rural governments and socially and economically sustainable rural communities, today and into the future. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: (a) That Councillors T. Hwang, M. Tadeson, M. Wilson and J. Beattie be selected as the City of Hamilton’s representatives at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Annual Conference taking place in Toronto, Ontario in January 19 - 21, 2025; and, (b) That Council assumes all costs associated with Councillors T. Hwang, M. Tadeson, M. Wilson and J. Beattie’s attendance at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario from the General Legislative Budget (300100). Result: Motion

WHEREAS, it is the stated objective of Hamilton faith groups to promote love, diversity, and inclusion; WHEREAS, Hamilton wishes to celebrate its role in creating and maintaining an open dialogue among people from different faiths, beliefs, and creeds; WHEREAS, December is associated with the tradition of gift giving and the gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths; WHEREAS, Christian organizations and places of worship in Hamilton offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during December; WHEREAS, Christian faith groups in Hamilton embody the beautiful and diverse threads that mirror the Canadian social fabric; WHEREAS, throughout Canada, in each year, the month of December is to be known as “Christian Heritage Month” when Christians around the world prepare for their annual celebrations commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ; also known as Christmas. During this time, Christian faith groups utilize literature, art, music, gastronomy, and architecture to tell the stories of Jesus and his compassion, love, acceptance and the Good News of the Gospel he brought; WHEREAS, Christianity is the most followed religion in our country, with more than half of the Canadian population identifying as members of the Christian faith. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms even mentions God in its very first sentence; and WHEREAS, there are at least 35 Municipalities across Canada who have endorsed December as Chri

WHEREAS, Ward 3 receives non-property tax revenue arising from license agreements for cellular tower located at Tim Horton’s Field at an annual amount of approximately $35,000 and are required to be spent within the ward; WHEREAS, these funds are allocated at the discretion of the Ward 3 Councillor in a manner that conforms to the criteria outlined in Appendix “A” to Procedures for Ward- Specific Funding Initiatives (FCS18014(a)) under the section entitled “Scenario 3: Grants” and ultimately require Council approval; WHEREAS, over the past 6 years, direct investments through these funds have been used to invigorate public spaces, ensure access to programming for equity-deserving residents, beautify parks, increase food access, and provide support for cultural, arts, recreational and educational needs that have enhanced community well-being and improved community resilience in neighbourhoods across the ward; WHEREAS, providing a more structured opportunity for residents to apply to these funds and be scored in a manner that is rigorous and document is important for ensuring equity in their distribution and maintaining trust and confidence in the fund distribution; WHEREAS, the Ward 3 Office has implemented a new yearly grants process to allocate these funds twice annually, with the first intake having closed in November 2024; WHEREAS, the Ward 3 Office has built on the best practices informed by the Ward 2 Office from the City’s grant and finance staff; Council Minutes 24-023

That the Council meeting recess until 1:10 p.m. Result: Motion

That the Rules of Order be suspended to allow for the introduction of a motion respecting Financial Information Related to Overtime Budget Trends from 2019 to 2024. Result: Motion

WHEREAS, excessive overtime can lead to burnout and an unhealthy work- life balance; WHEREAS, the most recent municipal audits conducted across the country, such as Edmonton and Calgary, highlight a growing reliance on overtime; WHEREAS, a review of corporate overtime costs might yield savings without cutting services; WHEREAS, Council has not received a comprehensive report pertaining to overtime financials for the 2023 and 2024 budget processes; and WHEREAS, the new budget process provides less time for Councillors to receive and review financial information to present budget reduction motions for consideration. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That staff be directed to report back through a Communication Update on or before January 31, 2025 with information related to chronic overtime trends, exclusive of factors such as the pandemic and the cybersecurity incident, for the years 2019 to 2024. Council Minutes 24-023 December 11, 2024 Page 23 of 31 Result: Motion

That the Rules of Order be suspended to allow for the introduction of a motion respecting Matters Referred to the 2025 Tax Operating Budget. Result: Motion

WHEREAS, the General Issues Committee (Budget) on November 28, 2024, received a Memorandum respecting a Budget Process Update; WHEREAS, over the past several months, there have been several referrals to the 2025 Tax Operating Budget for deliberation and approval; and Council Minutes 24-023 December 11, 2024 Page 24 of 31 WHEREAS, those referrals to the 2025 Tax Operating Budget for deliberation and approval, should now be referred to the Mayor for consideration. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That all matters referred to the 2025 Tax Operating Budget for deliberation and approval, be referred to the Mayor for consideration. Result: Motion

That the listing of Council Communication Updates from November 22, 2024 to December 5, 2024, be received. Result: Motion on the Council Communication Updates from November 22, 2024 to December 5, 2024,

That the Closed Session Minutes dated November 27, 2024 be approved, as presented, and remain confidential. Council Minutes 24-023 December 11, 2024 Page 26 of 31 Result: Motion

That Council move into Closed Session at 2:10 p.m. to discuss Item 22 of the General Issues Committee Report 24-021 respecting General Litigation Update (LS23027(c)) (City Wide) pursuant to Section 9.3, Sub-sections (b), (e) and (f) of the City's Procedural By-law 21-021, as amended, and Section 239(2), Sub-sections (b), (e) and (f) of the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, as the subject matter pertains to personal matters about an identifiable individual, including City or local board employees; litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the City or a local board; and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose. Result: Motion

That Item 22 of the General Issues Committee Report 24-021, be amended to read as follows: 22. General Litigation Update (LS23027(c)) (City Wide) (Added Item 14.4) (a) That the directions provided to staff in Closed Session, as Amended, respecting Report LS23027(c), General Litigation Update, be approved and remain confidential; and, (b) That Report LS23027(c), respecting General Litigation Update and all Appendices remain confidential. Result: Amendment to Item 22 of the General Issues Committee Report 24-021,

That Schedule 8 (No Parking Zones) of Bill 223, To Amend By-law No. 01-218, as amended, Being a By-law to Regulate On-Street Parking, be amended to delete ‘Hatton Drive – West & South, Enmore Avenue to 102 m south-easterly’, in order to provide staff with an opportunity to consult with the nearby businesses. Result: Amendment

That, there being no further business, City Council be adjourned at 2:29 p.m. Result: Motion