Sound check. 1 2 3. Sound check. 1 2 3. Good morning everyone. Uh I am going to be uh calling the meeting to order uh because we are on time or perhaps a minute or so over. Um, so as uh we have quorum, we are now um going to get started. I want to welcome everybody to the council meeting that's able to join us in person. I'm not sure if we'll have anybody else joining us online. Uh but we have councelor Francis, councelor Tatison, uh councelor Bey, councelor Clark, councelor Cooper, we have councelor Casar, councelor Wang, councelor spataphora, councelor crutch, councelor McMakin who thank you councelor McMin for almost having to take over for me this morning but I was able to get here on time and uh councelor Moren Wilson. So on that note uh we will uh ask for everybody who is able welcome to staff and observers and media uh everybody who is able please stand for the uh national anthem. Oh, [singing] our [music] home and native land. True patient love in all [music] of us command. [singing] With glowing hearts [music] we see the rise. A [singing] true north strong and free. From [music] far and wide oh Canada we stand on guard for thee. Lord [music] [singing] keep our land glorious [music] and free. Oh can we stand on God [singing] for thee? Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee. The city of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the eerie neutral hiron wendot hodnoni and missagas. This land is covered by the dish with one spoon wamp belt covenant which was an agreement between the hodnon and anishnabek to share and care for the resources around the great lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the between the lakes purchase 1792 between the crown and the missagas of the credit first nation. Today, the city of Hamilton is home to many indigenous people from across Turtle Island, North America. And we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbors, partners, and caretakers. Uh members are reminded that all electronic devices are to be switched to a non-audible function during council meetings. Members are also reminded of the five minute time limit when asking questions and or making a statement. uh and that no member of council shall speak more than once on any matter at a council meeting without passing a motion to do so. Uh I do want to once again thank councelor McMaken as the deputy mayor this month for stepping up uh this morning I was a minute or two uh tardy because we had the uh Kusa games torch uh run this morning. our young athletes and our staff and lots of volunteers and families are heading down in almost six full bus loads, the most in a very long time uh to Flint, Michigan for the longest standing uh you know games in North America between uh uh two nations. And so that's really something that's uh something to celebrate. Uh 68 years of that tradition is fantastic. It really does a great deal for young people uh and for friendship uh across the border. So that's great. Uh so we'll get on with the uh the approval of the agenda. Can I get a mover and seconder to approve the agenda, please? Moved by councelor Wang, seconded by councelor Cretch. Uh uh show of hands, please. All in favor? Any oppose? That's carried. Thanks very much. Um members of council. Oh, sorry. I forgot to ask if there are any amendments. Any amendments to the the agenda? Seeing none, we'll keep going then. Members of council, are there any declarations of interest? Declarations of interest? No. Okay. Uh oh, I have a declaration of interest as a matter of fact uh to the uh VUT GIC item 8.7 FCS26055 vacant unit tax 2026 bylaw uh and also the the motion on the VUT item 9.8. So at that point I will stop uh participating and I'll hand the chair over to uh councelor McMin. Okay, councelor McMin, >> you good with that? Excellent. Uh so uh when it's time to vote, as you know, I'll abstain and uh we'll make sure we register that in the records. Uh we'll now go on to the ceremonial activities. Of course, there are none. So we're on to adoption of the minutes of previous minutes. May I have a motion to adopt the open minutes of the July 14th special council meeting and the open and closed minutes of the July 15th council meeting as presented? Moved by councelor Spataphora, seconded by uh councelor Cooper. Any errors or emissions in the minutes, folks? Seeing none, I will then go to the show of hands votes. All those in favor? Any opposed? That carries as well. Items for information. There is a resolution uh from the township of Pusl in support of the town of Halton Hills resolution respecting Ontario's invasive plants rules to protect taxpayers. Councelor Casar, I understand that you requested this item to be placed on the council agenda. Uh would you like to speak to it? Please go ahead. Oh, sorry. >> Thanks, Mayor. Yes, I did ask for it to be put on the agenda. I'd like to move uh that we endorse this and councelor Cretch has uh agreed to second it. If I could just speak to that and give a brief overview. It is from Puss Lynch about a Halton Hills resolution about evasive uh plant sales uh in Ontario. Uh there's a connection for Hamilton to both the biodiversity action plan which this council has supported and also it's relevant for controlling costs and maintaining municipal infrastructure. So for those that haven't read in the public who haven't read through the resolution, it speaks to invasive plant shrubs, vines, crown covers, and so on uh and seeds that are sold uh in nurseries and continue to this day to be sold and then when planted in the environment, they can escape and cause damage to municipal infrastructure, roadsides, storm water systems, parks, trails, and so on, natural heritage areas just in general. And it's estimated that nearly $51 million of cost is incurred by municipalities in Ontario to maintain um the work needs to be done to remove and and hold back invasive species. And most of those expenditures are about control rather than management and prevention. So knowing that invasive uh plants can cause significant damage to m municipal infrastructure, it's in our best interest to control costs as we are all trying to do. um and for conservation authorities and the like other organizations to ask the provincial government uh for some support and that support would be a review and modernization of Ontario's invasive plant regulatory framework looking at expanding and regularly updating the list of prohibited and restricted uh invasive plant species and specifically prohibiting the sale distribution propagation and trade of listed invasive plants through garden centers or nurseries online suppliers and so on and incorporated with that would be education of why this is important. So this is one step along that path and also having a transition plan for nurseries and others who sell uh because we don't obviously want to have a negative impact on businesses but to have education and options for them to sell different things that are net positive to the environment. So that's what this is about and just looking for council support to endorse what is before us. Thank you Mhor. >> Thank you councelor Casar. Are there any other speakers on this item? Uh, councelor Bey, please go ahead. >> Uh, thank you, mayor. I would have an obvious conflict of interest on this and not be able to participate. So, it would be uh disqualifying interest. I don't need to check with the IC. I think that's pretty clear. >> Okay. Uh, so any any further then? So, we'll record that. Councelor Beauty, thanks very much. And, uh, you'll abstain with the vote. Uh, okay. Okay. So then this is an electronic vote. So I'll ask uh members of council to please uh uh record your vote when um when our system is up. >> Welcome councelor uh Alex Wilson. Uh that carries 13 to zero. Thanks very much everyone with one abstension with councelor Bey. Uh we're on to the committee. Uh and congratulations councelor Casar. Thanks for bringing that forward. Uh committee recommendations. Councelor Nan, may I please have a motion to receive and approve the recommendations contained within the public works committee minutes of July 7th, 2026. Councelor Nan is not here. Uh councelor Counceler Casar, please. Thank you. Councelor Casar, please go ahead. >> Oh my god. >> Now I Now I screwed that up. Okay, go ahead. >> Thank you. Uh >> I'll get there. I promise. Moved by me, seconded by councelor Wang, that PWC26-010 being the minutes of the public works committee held on Monday, July 27th, 2026, item 7.1 be received and that recommendations contained therein be approved. >> Okay, thanks very much. Anybody wishing to speak to this one? No minutes to be pulled. Okay, thanks very much. We'll we'll call for the electronic vote, please then. And that carries 14 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh we're now on to planning committee. Uh, Councelor Tatison, may I please have a motion to receive and approve the recommendations contained within the planning committee's open and closed minutes of July 28th, 2026, and to receive the correspondence items. >> Oh, sorry. Moved by myself, second by councelor M. Wilson that PLC 26010 being the open session minutes of the planning committee meeting held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 uh be received and the recommendations contained there and be approved. That the closed session minutes of the planning committee held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, that's item 12.2 be approved as presented and remain confidential and that the following correspondence items be received. And there's a number of them, 13 to be exact. Thank you. Thanks, Councelor Tatterson. Uh, we have a speakers list. Uh, starting with uh, Councelor uh, Crretch. Is there something that you wanted to speak to? Councelor Crretch, >> please go ahead. >> Thanks. Just wanted to briefly to speak to item 8.2 in an attempt to try and save us some collective time. I know it's likely someone's going to want to raise the issue which was split at planning I think 54 and this is related to 7-Eleven Concession Street and the Mwing Heritage Building. So, I'm going to keep my vote the same. If anyone wants to raise it here, I just wanted to say if you raise it here, it gets defeated. I'm going to say the same thing I said at planning. I'll happily bring the alternative for a vote right afterwards. And the alternative is what the hospital's asking for. So, just to remind everyone, especially weren't planning, this is about designation, heritage designation. If this gets voted down, I'll just bring the alternative, which is the one the House Hospital's asking for right afterwards, just so we understand what's happening. I can save us all time from having to try to figure that out later. Thanks. >> Okay. Uh, thanks so much. Uh, Councelor Clark, please. >> Thank you. Just a couple of questions for clarification. Does any of our staff know whether or not um the Ministry of Health pays for the preservation of heritage structures in public hospitals? U I'm not sure counselor if there's Oh Brian Hollinger acting general manager of planning and economic development I have Ken quite here can who can speak to that matter >> oh I see go ahead director quite >> through the chair Ken quite director of heritage and urban design counselor um in speaking in my understanding in initial conversations with the hospital uh it does not unless it's a very special um circumstance but I can't speak definitively to their um their current standards and processes. >> Yeah, that was my recollection, Mayor. So, if anyone's trying to have that section designated, I'm not sure who's going to pay for it because the province will not pay for it. They have not ever paid for heritage features preservation in public hospitals or schools. So, um keep that in mind when we're making our vote here. um they they will likely end up going going to donors or coming back to the city saying, "Well, you did this, so you pay for it." So, keep it in mind. Thank you. >> Uh thanks, Councelor Clark. Uh Councelor Casar. >> Uh thank you, Mayor Horvath. Uh when this was first brought to committee, I did vote against the staff recommendation. I think the uh council directed salvage uh process is appropriate. Um but we did have some deliberations at committee and councelor Cretcher brought up some points about you know having a heritage designation does not mean the project cannot proceed. So I wanted to understand that a little more because procedurally I I accept that's true and that is true. Just wanted to understand the impact to the hospital's redevelopment process which I think is critical and I think we'd be hardressed to find colleagues that wouldn't say that the hospital's operations and and modernization is important. what it boils down to, what I got from the conversation was there's a degree of uh certainty and risk that they're dealing with. Um, as any business or economic development or large project, there needs to be a high degree, if not absolute certainty, that an investment and the funding that comes with it is necessary as outside funding. Uh, that the project is certain that it can go ahead, there's no guesswork, and that risk is removed. So, I I've been by this building several times. It is beautiful. Um it would be sad to see it come down, but on balance when we're looking at the opportunity to increase much needed services at the hospital there and I've had family members who have have been there. Um it's not a happy place to be given what they specialize in and knowing that there can be some council directed salvage process that we own the land. We will have input in it. uh it won't require them to come back through heritage committee, planning committee and then back to council again. But there will be staff uh um involvement in the process. I'm comfortable and I think having that alternative motion or alter alternative presented here to vote on is important that we do not frustrate the hospitals project here because it is so significant and like I said having a high degree of certainty and minimizing risk is important on balance. would love to see heritage in all cases preserved, but I think the balance here is we should in my opinion and I will vote accordingly to defeat the what's before us today as a planning committee recommendation and then as councelor Kresh offered to um then be able to vote on the alternative. Thank you, mayor. >> Uh thank you uh councelor Casar, councelor Tatison, please. I'm not sure if I heard this from councelor Casar, but I'm going to request a separate vote on HM HC2607, item 8.2. Is that what you just requested? Okay. Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you. I don't see any uh further uh speakers on the list. Uh I'm going to actually say a few words as well. So, if I can hand the chair over to councelor McMin, please. Uh not dissimilar from um councelor Casar. Uh I I'm very uh much passionate uh preserver sorry preservation of our built heritage. Um but this is a very unique situation and one that's uh that's quite um a difficult decision to make. uh because on the one hand we want to make sure that we uh uh maintain as much of our built heritage as possible so that we can uh see our history if you will and that our history will live into the years uh ahead. uh but at the same time the pressure around hospital uh renovation and expansion and uh uh meeting the needs of a growing city um particularly as we know the mountain continues to have a growth in population and so that is another uh piece that we have to consider and so I also will be uh voting uh against the original recommendation and I'm grateful to councelor Crutch for offering to put forward the alternative. Uh what I would hope uh is that um when this uh decision is made by council uh and then therefore the hospital uh does what it needs to do and I can't presuppose where we're going to end up uh but if it is the case uh that the uh that the demolition takes place I would hope that there would be some way not dissimilar to what councelor Clark's talking about some way to acknowledge and recognize in in the replacement facility what's happened in that space. It's a maternity ward if I'm not mistaken. How many Hamiltonians were born in that space? How many moms gir their first child in that space? How many doctors and nurses uh and uh orderlys and other staff in the hospital worked in that uh in that building over many many many years. And so I would hope uh that um if it is the fact that the demolition goes forward uh that we are able to work with the hospital and encourage them to put some kind of historic um not just you know plaque but some kind of uh display uh that pays homage to uh to all of the people that have uh uh that have been through that facility uh and that uh see it as a part of their history and a part of their family's uh uh growth. and uh as you suggested uh more difficult times as well. So uh on that note, thanks very much and uh council me I'll take the chair back. Okay. Uh and so now before us then we have uh item 8.2. Yes. And so we um I don't see any further speakers. So we will go to the electronic vote please on 8.2. >> So just through the mayor it's uh 8.2 2 to item 9.2 III. So 9.2 III is the item on the planning committee minutes and 8.2 is the med is the minute item within those heritage minutes. >> Thank you just for the clarification of the uh the record. So >> on a minute item 9.2 item 8.2 can we have the vote up please? This is >> this is item 8.2. This is item 8.2 in those minutes. >> So if you if you don't want the demolition, you vote yes. If you want the demolition, you vote no. >> Correct. >> The designation. Sorry, the designation. Not the demolition. The designation. Sorry, that's mine >> if I misspe. H respeak >> respeak it. >> Okay. So if we want the heritage full heritage designation, we vote in favor. >> If we do not want the heritage designation, we vote no. >> Is that correct? >> So through the mayor, uh yes, we're just going to cancel the vote and redo it just so that everyone has a chance uh to think about their vote. So, if you vote in favor, you're voting in favor of the staff recommendation, which is that it be designated. If you vote against, you're voting against that, and then the alternative can be put on the floor. Uh so it is def defeated uh 12 to three. Uh thanks very much everyone. Uh councelor Cretch I look to you now to put the alternative uh in front of uh council and we'll get it up on the screen for you. Please go ahead. >> Yeah. I'd like to avoid as many procedural gymnastics as possible here. I think we all know what the alternative is. It's clearly spelled out. >> Go ahead because I'll say the wrong thing, [laughter] >> but it's but I just want to make sure that we're putting the alternative on the table. I'm not going to speak to the whole thing technically. The clerk will know exactly which alternative we're speaking to and can say it and put it up on the screen so we're sure exactly. So the major difference just so everyone understands and I said this at planning committee and didn't want to repeat it for today's edification but we'll just say it now this agenda is up here. The major difference here is that this conversation now will happen between heritage staff in the hospital rather than going through the heritage committee and the heritage permit review committee. That's what would have happened. Now it's going to be happening in nonpublic way but likely a similar outcome. So this allows for there to be salvage documentation and a cultural heritage impact assessment which is cutely referred to as Chia to happen to save as much as possible. I don't know who my seconder is but maybe councelor Casar wants to second it. Okay. Thanks. >> Uh thanks Councelor Crutch. Uh councelor clerk please. >> Thank you. Um, when I'm looking at the first paragraph, it says submitted to the satisfaction of the director of planning and chief planner prior to the demolition of the property. So, can I just get some statements from staff? Sounds like the city has the final say and yet we just voted down the designation. I'll go to director quite for that one. Director quite please. >> Uh through the chair. >> I apologize. This isn't the wording that I had provided. So I'm trying to understand it. The >> Okay. Well, that's a problem. [snorts] >> Oh. >> Uh go ahead. Uh um >> so the the intent through the regular heritage planning processes. Yes, it would be delegated to staff. [sighs] Um, we do own the property. So, we would need to work with the hospital and the hospital need to work with us in terms of making any kind of application uh for demolition or planning act application. So the intent um that all that there is a reuse of heritage features of the new development interpretation of the history of the site would be reflected. So essentially we're implementing the council direction from the second which I believe was the second paragraph I saw there. So you're essentially directing staff to do that work and it's implied that demolition is a possibility. >> Well, in reading and listening to what the hospital is saying, demolition is likely because the building doesn't meet the co current standards for the the the ministry. So I'm I'm simply trying to understand we're going from the designation. We can we're not doing that. But now we're saying to the hospital board who are charged with the responsibility of developing the new hospital that the city can direct them to save certain heritage features whether the hospital wants to or not whether or not it's possible or not and whatever the costs are to do it. So can I clarify how much authority does the city have and secondly how much of is the money how much is the city paying to the hospital to do this work cuz the province is not >> through the chair that hasn't been the we have had ongoing discussions with the hospital they are in agreement with this process and way forward the hospital's already provided a heritage study identifying some of these issues the hospital's not in a position yet in terms of detailed design or detailed consideration of the documentation and salvage to speak to costs. Needless to say, the costs for this approach would be considerably less than the costs for um bringing the entire building up to current um hospital standards. >> Yes, [clears throat] but we don't know the costs and we're burdening the hospital with it. And if the hospital is saying we can live with the alternative, the statement there that's important is we can live with. But no one's going to pay for it. Province won't pay for it. The city's not stepping up to pay for it. So who pays for that work? Through the chair. um that would be uh determined through the the process and negotiations with the hospital and a reminder that the hospital is supportive of this approach. Uh they have they are on record saying they uh understand the importance and the heritage of the building and are willing to incorporate pieces of the existing building into the new one as they have in the past with the demolition of the nurse's wing. >> Yes, they have. and they did that on their own without direction from the city of Hamilton. This motion gives the authority to staff to tell the hospital what they have to save whether or not they can or cannot save it no matter what the cost is. So I can't support the alternative either. The hospital is very mature. They understand the process. They understand what history means to that hospital and they've been highlighting it for decades. They're going to continue to do that without the city having to stand over top of them and direct them in terms of what features will be saved and what features won't be saved. And too bad, so sad. Um, we're not providing any money. I can't support that. Thank you. >> Thanks, Councelor Clark. Councelor Jackson, please. >> Thanks, Mayor Horvath. Good morning. Um, the simpleton from W 6 is trying to follow this story. So since I'm not on planning, was it the heritage comm I just got to go back to get to where we we are at right now on the table. It was the her through you to director Kite I think all my questions. It was the heritage committee that originally recommended designation through you mayor please. >> Director Kite please. through the chair. Uh this building has been identified for a number of years on the her on the heritage watch list and was identified as a candidate for designation for some time and was on the registry. It was brought forward this year uh in part due to conversations with the hospital and in part due to the fact that um its registration will become null and void on December on January 1st due to provincial changes in the Heritage Act. Um and so it was brought forward to heritage committee for their review and they uh they did um they did then recommend to designate. >> Thank you director and thank you for that extra information and background through you. Did staff have an opinion on this please? Through you mayor Horvath to you director Kite. >> Director Kite >> through the chair [clears throat] the property does meet eight of the nine requirements for designation. So staff's primary recommendation is to designate uh you'll note in the text around the alternative if that is not possible then staff do recommend the alternative which is the documentation and salvage uh which we've had extensive conversations with the hospital around >> and in spite of councelor Clark's excellent cogent questions which I really appreciated through you mayor Horvath to director quite you're saying today for public record the management or board or both of the Hamilton Health Sciences and for the M-wing building. They are in support of this alternative. Correct. Through you, Mayor Horvath. >> Director Quite >> through the chair. I can only speak to the vice president's uh delegations and conversations with her and they are in support. >> Thank you, Director Kite. Um, I will support the alternative, but as discussions and negotiations may go along, Mayor Horvath, [clears throat] uh, and whether or not it is done before October 26, whether this council will deal with it or whoever's here for the future council may have to deal with it, I'm putting staff on notice, excuse me, that if anything changes, cuz the director just said, well, in discussions with a vice president, if anything changes, back to councelor Clark's concerns, I want that Brock talk back to this table, especially if it will impact local taxpayers. Thanks, Mayor Horvath. >> Uh, thanks, Councelor Jackson. Councelor Casar, please. >> Yeah, thank you, Mayor Horvath, and just wanted to build on that for those that aren't on planning committee. Uh, was we did receive correspondence from Hamilton Health Sciences signed by Aaron Levo, VP of people and culture and communications. And I think more pertinent for this conversation is Kelly Campbell, who is VP of corporate services and capital development. So basically leading this project on behalf of Hamilton Health Sciences and I'll just read the conclusion of the letter they had sent. Approving a council directed salvage and interpretation is a responsible approach to achieve their important outcomes listed earlier in the letter about their capital project aligning practical preservation with progress. So just confirming that they are in support and actually um delegated to planning committee recommending the alternative. So they were in full support of the alternative and that's why I think those of us who are on planning committee and supporting this uh would say it is in line with what Hamilton Health Sciences want. So I think it's appropriate for council to support their wishes and uh I will be voting to support this alternative on the floor. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor Casar. There are no further speakers on the list. Um I think we what we're going to do is put the motion u the alternative rather back up on the screen uh and make sure that director quite as uh uh comfortable with the language which there apparently was some perhaps some uh misunderstanding around what uh what's up there. So can you please uh go ahead? I I'll lead it over to you uh director quite please. uh through the chair. My apologies to the clerk. Uh it was originally a one paragraph motion. It's been broken up and with my relatively bad bif focals, I couldn't see it from here. So, um I believe we it is in order. Thank you. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Um thanks for your diligence. Uh so we have the uh uh the alternative now before us. Are there any further speakers on the alternative? Seeing none, uh we'll go to the electronic vote, please. >> And that carries 14 to1. Uh thank you very much. Um, so now we're back to the remainder of the planning committee report. Are there any further minutes that people want to bring forward or speak to separately? Seeing none, uh, then we'll go to the remainder of the of the U minutes of the planning committee for a final vote, please. Electronic, all those folks can record your vote. That carries 15 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh we're now on to GIC uh minutes. Councelor Spataphora, may I please have a motion to receive and approve the recommendations contained within the general issues committees opened and closed minutes of July 29th and 30th, 2026. I believe there's also going to be an amending motion from councelor Clark. So, please go ahead. >> Oh, sorry. Thank you, Mayor. It's moved by myself, seconded by uh deputy mayor for the month of August, councelor McMakin, that GIC 26-011 being open session minutes of the general issues committee meeting held on Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th, be received in the recommendations contained therein be approved and that the closed session minutes of the GIC meeting held on July 29th and July 30th be approved as presented and remain confidential. >> Uh thanks very much. Uh so now I'll call on uh uh councelor Jackson. Did you want something other than 8.3 which is being raised by councelor Clark? >> I have two other things. >> Okay. Is it before 8.3 or what? Well, we'll go with that one first. Okay. Uh, councelor Clark, uh, you have an amending motion to minute 8.3 PW26- sorry, 26, uh,081 respecting ERO-26 026-0419, invitation to municipalities to register potential interest in implementing a water and wastewater public corporation model citywide. Do you have a seconder? >> Uh, not at the moment. >> Councelor [snorts] Cooper has offered to second it, so I'll accept that offer. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Please go ahead. So just for everyone to bring everyone onto the same page, this is the city's response to the province when they're asking us our thoughts about registering potential interest in implementing a water wastewater public corporation model. And question number two is what are your municipality's current and future fiscal circumstances as it relates to water wastewater service delivery? uh we provided a response and I am asking that the following paragraph be included. In addition, Hamilton supports the principle that water and wastewater services should be continued to be delivered on a cost recovery not for profofit basis. Any future governance model should be structured to ensure that revenues generating from water and wastewater services are dedicated exclusively to the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, replacement, and improvement of the system for the benefit of the rate payers and without the inclusion of a profit margin or revenue generated from these services to be distributed for shareholder returns. Um, we've gone down this path before. Um, I believe the company was American Water. It was not a good experience for the city of Hamilton and I'm concerned that while the province's intentions are good, um there is potential that this could morph into a private public partnership or even uh private ownership of our water services. And we've seen that happen in the states. It's not good. It does not work. um profit comes before the well-being of the rateayers and I don't want us to be put in that position. So I think it's important that we red flag that now for the province um and this would become a part of our formal um response to the ministry's questions. Thank you mayor. >> Uh thank you councelor Clark. Are there further speakers on councelor Clark's uh uh motion? And I saw councelor McMaken and then councelor uh Wilson. Oh, you're going to Oh, it's seconded by councelor Cooper. Uh councelor Moren Wilson, please. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Horvath. I I just have a question on the second part of the amendment to make sure [clears throat] I fully understand it. Um and if I could through you to Hamilton Water andor GM Ziggger. um the earmarking of revenues generated from water and waste water specifically to only go back into um presumably the wastewater treatment plant. May I ask just for clarity, do we use any of the rate money generated for the purpose of um um what I call green infrastructure investment uh things of of that nature that are exclusive and outside of gray infrastructure through the chair to make sure I understand. >> I'm not sure who would uh respond to that. >> Okay. through the chair, Michael Wright, acting general manager public works. We have um the acting director of Hamilton Water here, Carrie Vanderp. Thank you. >> Oh, I sorry, I didn't even see you there, Carrie. Sorry. Please go ahead. [sighs] >> Through the chair, Carrie Vanderp, uh director of watershed management, acting for Nick Winters, while he's off on a very well-deserved vacation this week. Um so if I understand your question uh you're asking if the um money that's collected from the rate currently goes into operation maintenance of infrastructure that is more of the green variety such as uh low impact development type infrastructure. Is that is that the question? >> My question uh thank you uh director Vanderk. My question is just ensuring I understand the intent and I could go to the mover. I apologize of the second part of the amending motion in that if the intention is that any monies generated from rates solely and singularly is earmarked for gray infrastructure does that do we put any money presently into green infrastructure bio swells anything of that nature um w water watershed management etc through the chair >> through through the chair to answer your question yes that money currently goes through um green infrastructure as well as gray infrastructure. >> Thank you for that clarity. Therefore, my question uh through the mayor to perhaps yourself or GM Zerak, I apologize. I don't know if the reading of this motion, the second part is to therefore make it exclusive to the gray, we would be limiting the investment in the green. Would you interpret it that way as someone who has to affect this should the time come >> through the chair? I would interpret the system as uh the system as a whole. So both gray and green infrastructure as we uh build it and maintain it today >> as long as you interpret it that way. Thank you. >> Thanks Councelor Wilson. Um, councelor Clark. >> No, staff answered it. >> Oh, sorry. You have to uh Oh, I guess because you brought the motion forward. >> Yep. >> Go ahead. >> Um, I was deliberately silent on green or gray because the system right now um rateayers actually pay for storm water management ponds uh across the city, which is the green infrastructure that helps us in in minimizing the amount of water that goes into the system. So, in answer to councelor Wilson's question, I was deliberately silent because they are covered now. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, on that note, I don't see any further speakers on this amendment. I'm sorry. >> I think councelor Jackson's on something else. >> Thank you, though. >> That's okay. Uh, so we'll put the um the vote on the motion ahead of us, please. Um, for the final vote of the counselors. So sorry this is on the amendment. The amendment uh carries 15 to zero. And now we need to go to the uh main motion. So, can we uh have that one up too, please? Thank you. >> That carries 15 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh we're now on to Councelor Jackson. Councelor Jackson, please go ahead. Thanks, Mayor Horvath. Um 8.7. You've already asked that you're going to um um abstain. So that's a separate vote. So I'll get a chance then to actually have a recorded vote for myself against. Perfect. On the VUT 8.7 and 8.9 on the light rail transit report. I'd like to have a separate vote as well. And that's it for me. Thank you. >> Okay. Um that's great. So then uh we'll go on to any further speakers. Uh, seeing none, then we'll head to the votes. Um, so we I bet I believe 8.7 is the first one for us to do a separate vote on. Uh, so can we have that one up, please? 8.7 is the vacant unit tax 2026 bylaw. And this carries uh 8 to six with one abstension. Uh okay, now we're on to 8.9 on a separate vote. Uh LRC uh LRT 26 subcommittee 26002 um minutes on a separate vote. I don't see any requests on that one. So, we'll just put the vote straight up. >> Everybody else will hear it, too. Uh that carries 13 to2. Thanks very much everyone. Um there are no uh further speakers on any of the other items. Nothing else to do separately. So we'll go to the balance of the minutes. We electronic vote please up. and that carries 15 to zero. Thanks so much everyone. Uh councelor Spataphora, may I please have a motion to receive and approve the recommendations contained within the audit finance and administration committee's open and closed minutes of July 30th, 2026. Thank you, mayor. It's moved by myself, seconded by counselor, [clears throat] excuse me, Jeff Bey, that AFNA26-010 being the minutes of the AFNA committee meeting held on July 30th, be received and the recommendation contained therein be approved, and that the close session minutes of the autumn finance committee meeting held on the 30th of July, item 12.4 be approved as presented and remain confidential. >> Thanks very much, uh, Councelor Clark. Uh, thank you, mayor. Can I just get clarification from staff? Uh, maybe I'm just missing it here, but I thought we had delegates that day that spoke to Ontario Works. Which item is that? >> I'm I'm sorry I couldn't hear you, counselor. >> 62. >> 62 apparently. Thank you, counselor. So, councelor Clark, >> I only have 6.1 in the minutes that I have >> and it's from the east. to speak to. We've heard from Hafi Hussein, Michelle McDonald, and Rosemary from the small ownership landlords of Ontario. Um, they feel as though the council is not stepping up on this issue. And I can tell you on AFNA and at ECS, council has been asking the difficult questions to GM Mater and Stuart Boomer for Ontario Works about um the overpayments about the $58 million that's not being collected that uh from my research is historical back to the 1980s. Um, and ECS has determined that they're going to wait to see the auditor's report, the independent auditor general who's doing a review of that program. And from there, we'll get the actual recommendations in terms of what what needs to be done. And from there, AFNA and ECS can then direct staff to make the fixes in the system. until we get that report. Um, council really does not know except what we're getting hearing from the province which sometimes differs from the city and we're trying to figure this out ourselves. The province has changed the system so that more recent overp payments become debt of the crown and we've asked for that information from the province so that we can implement that uh so that we would literally transfer that debt to the province for them to collect it because they have more tools in their tool chest to collect that debt. Um, and so I just want to make it very clear uh to folks in the community. There's been some things written in the Bay Observer. Um, council is taking this seriously, but we have to wait until we get the actual information back from the auditor general, which would be the independent advice that we've asked for. And so that's what we're doing and and we'll go from there. Thank you, Mayor, for the opportunity to speak to that item. >> Uh, thank you, Councelor Clark. I see no other speakers on the list, so we'll go to the electronic vote, please. >> That carries 15 to zero. Thanks very much. Um there are no items for consideration. So we're now on to motions. Uh and the first one is the uh uh motion on the June 24th uh 2026 council meeting from councelor Francis. So councelor Francis, would you please present your motion to reconsider an advise of your seconder? >> Whoops. >> Please go ahead. >> Thanks, Mayor. It's moved by myself, seconded by councelor Tatterson, and uh just bear with me. The it's not published on the public agenda, but there will be a um forthcoming um amendment once the reconsideration is passed. It just basically changes direction of the $10,000 funding. Uh so with the reconsideration, therefore, be it resolved at item 9.2 two of the general issues committee meeting 260009 funding support for autism sensory friendly light up the creek which was approved by council on June 24, 2026 is as follows in this motion. Um just to speak to it very briefly, they had a change in um direction and a change in um and priority which is why they wanted to redirect this funding to a different um initiative. >> Okay, thanks very much. So this requires a twothirds vote for the reconsideration. So, we'll start there. I don't see any speakers in terms of clarification or questions. And so, we'll put that vote up right away, please, for reconsideration. That carries 13 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh, councelor uh, Francis, would you now then please um, present your amendment to the original motion uh, and advise of your second. >> Thank you, Mayor. This is moved by myself, seconded by councelor Tatison. And therefore, be it resolved a that funding for an autism communication first training video to support the foundation be funded from the GFL royalties reserve number 117036 at an upset limit including contingency and HSC not to exceed $10,000. So, as I had stated previously, this is to essentially change the direction of the uh original request um for this new pro project uh for the uh Canadian National Autism Foundation. Um just one interesting note, mayor, that we could have actually released this uh the $10,000 funding u to the Canadian National Autism Foundation. the city doesn't actually go and audit this type of uh uh they could have taken that money and just done this training video instead. So, I do appreciate that they've come to me, they've made this request, we've done it um transparently for the public. Um but I think there needs to be going forward some kind of safeguards where people can't just take funding that was given to them from taxpayers. in this case, GFL royalties, which isn't from the levy, but still tax uh taxpayers dollars and uh needs to be put in a very transparent way, which I'm I'm glad they came to me and I'm glad we did it this way transparently. Thank you. >> Uh thanks, councelor Francis. Uh councelor Cretch, please. >> If it helps councelor Francis to know, I put a motion forward at AFNA for that very reason about two months ago. So all the city's royalties, grants, and other kinds of programs that are administered are looked at holistically to determine exactly how they're being paid for, how we're accounting for them, do we have the proper receipts, and so on. So it's not an audit, but it's going to be a check in our finance staff to make sure that's happening because there are situations like this we know about. >> Thanks, Councelor Crutch. Uh, so I don't see any further speakers. So we all need need a vote on the amendment now, please. and that carries 14 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh and now the motion uh as amended please. Uh that carries 14 to zero as well. Thanks very much. Uh we're on to 9.2. Councelor Francis, uh you're up again. Uh would you please present your amending motion and advise of your seconder? >> Thank you, Mayor. Moved by myself, seconded by councelor Tatis. Therefore, be it resolved that item four of the audit, finance, and administration committee report 21-022 respecting investing in city roads and sidewalks infrastructure with the Canadian uh community building funds be amended as follows. Uh investing in roads and sidewalks infrastructure with Canada Community CCBF PW21073 citywide and with ABC listed here, which is essentially uh resurfacing Valley Drive. If I read that out, it'll confuse people. It is just a procedural >> um Gotcha. >> funny business here. So, >> not not funny business. >> Well, not funny business, but it's procedurally awkward. How's that? Procedurally awkward. >> Procedurally awkward. Yeah. Yeah. Appreciate that. And there it is before council. They they know it. They see it. And so, if there's any questions or comments, uh we'll look to the uh speakers list. >> Seeing none. Okay. Um, we'll go then to the vote. That carries 14 to zero. Uh, thanks very much all. And we're on to 9.3 now. Uh, councelor Nan, would you please present your motion and advise of your seconder? >> Certainly. It's moved by myself and seconded by councelor Crretch. And the therefore be it resolved is that the requirement for industry, which is a not for-profit arts organization that does programmings in ward 1, 2, 3, and 8. Um, be required to repay its arars before the release of 2026 grant be waved as a one-time exemption. and B that any outstanding arars due to the city of H due to the city of Hamilton by industry be recovered from its approved city enrichment fund until the debt is satisfied prior to the organization receiving the balance of the approved 18,254. And just to explain um the organization was a successful applicant. They graded really high in their application. They were put forward as a recommendation from staff and then subsequently approved by the grant subcommittee. However, their application for funding from a third body um was not approved to the full amount that they had anticipated. And so there was about a 6,000 plus uh gap fill that they now owe back to the city because they were overranted as a result of not receiving the full funding from another third body. So we're trying to support this organization who does really important work in the city. They've been consistently graded high, otherwise had no financial issues with the city of Hamilton previously, and like I mentioned, graded well uh in the application process and previously approved by committee. >> Uh thanks, councelor Nan. Uh councelor Clark, please go ahead. >> Thank you, Mayor. Just to to clarify so I have a good understanding as to what's going on. [sighs and gasps] So the $6,557 um is in a rears because they didn't receive the funding from a third-party grant that they had anticipated in their programming. And so the motion is asking that we wave the policy that uh any arars be paid off before they receive the next grant. And the motion, I believe, is saying that the $6,557 will be deducted from the $18,254. Is that correct, >> Councelor Nan? >> Yes, that's correct. >> Thank you. I'll support it. >> Thanks, Councelor Clark. I don't see any further speakers on the uh on the speakers list. So, um we'll go to the electronic vote now, please. Okay, thanks. >> Uh that carries 14 to zero. Uh thanks very much everyone. Uh to 9.4. Councelor Clark, would you please present your motion and advise of your seconder? Thank you, Mayor. It's moved by myself and seconded by councelor Robert Cooper. Portable toilet at Upper Red Hill Park, 435 First Road West, Stony Creek, and Ward 9. Whereas the Upper Red Hill Park is a neighborhood park that serves the local community in the First Road West area. Whereas there are no close by community centers or other public facilities that would provide open public access for washrooms. And whereas the portable toilets are typically removed from the parks in October of each year to align with the busier park use times of spring, summer, and fall and therefore will be removed in October of 2026. And whereas the users of the park would benefit from a portable toilet in the park to allow park users to stay longer at the park. Therefore, be it resolved that the provision of an accessible portable toilet to be placed at the Upper Red Hill val upper Red Hill Park 435 First Road West Stony Creek be approved to be funded from the Stony Creek Compensation Royalties Terrapier Landfill Reserve number 11706 at an upset limit including contingency not to exceed $8,500. and B that the general manager of public works or designate be authorized and directed to approve and execute any and all required agreements and incillary documents which with such terms and conditions in a form satisfactory to the city's solicitor. U mayor I'll speak to it very quickly. This park has become incredibly popular, not just um with the young people playing on in the playground. Uh but we have a basketball court up there. Um and it is well used and it's become a gathering place um for seniors and parents in the community. Uh we've added additional benches up there. Uh it's very inviting uh for the residents uh to enjoy it. and they've pointed out that there's nowhere to go, [clears throat] put it that way. Um so, um my hope is that council will support this so that we can get it for the rest of the season. Anyways, thank you. >> Uh thanks, Councelor Clark. Councelor Casar. >> Thank you, Maharvath. And I'll absolutely support the motion. Just a question of clarity uh in the wording of the motion so the public understands the duration or timing of when the additional service will be available. It sounds like it's through the winter and council Clark just alluded to it. So maybe just to speak to the timing of is this just to cover the gap between autumn and spring just so the public is aware. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Good clark. >> Thank Thank you, Mayor. Uh I know our staff could speak to it morely. Um my request was that we have a portable toilet there as soon as possible and that it be removed in October. or so in the late fall. Um, which typically it's spring, summer, fall, so you don't get any freeze and thaw on on the equipment, but our staff could speak to it more falsely in terms of timelines. Thank you. >> Acting GM, right, please. >> Thank you. Through the chair, we have Cynthia Graham, director of environmental services. >> Thanks, Acting GM. Please go ahead, Director Graham. >> Thank you through the chair. Um, Cynthia Graham, director of environmental services. So, this location isn't part of the wash winter washroom program. So, typically for portable washrooms that are provided in parks that aren't part of the winter washroom program, they're installed in the spring and removed in the fall. In this case, because we're partway through the year, um we'll put it in as soon as we can, as soon as uh this decision is ratified, and then it will be removed with all of the other non-winter washroom program locations in October. >> Thank you, councelor Casar. All good. Okay. Uh we'll go then to Thank you very much, director. Uh we'll go to the vote then on uh Councelor Clark's motion. Councelor Nan, did you uh >> got it? That carries 14 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh 9.5 uh speed cushions. Councelor Jackson, would you please present your motion and advise of your seconder? >> Thank you, Mayor Horvath. Yes, I will. I'll move by myself, second seconded by the diligent, hardworking ward 14 counselor Michael Spataphora. And before I read the motion, since I'm getting the eye from several of my colleagues with my thumbs up, I just want everyone to know my laptop is with specialists in it. Thank you, Mayor Horvath, for allowing me that >> installation of speed cushions as a traffic caling measure on Sunny Hill. Whereas the city of Hamilton has adopted vision zero approach which considers human air as part of the roadway safety equation. Whereas residents on Sunny Hill between upper gauge and green meadow and wakes have advocated for the installation of speed cushions to address roadway safety concerns as a result of speeding. Whereas the transportation division has completed a traffic calming warrant for Sunning Hill between upper gauge green meadow which has determined the speed cushions are not technically warranted but where signatures were collected from residents resulting in support by 21 of the 38 55% homes on Sunny Hill between upper gauge green metal for the installation of these speed cushions as a traffic calming measure. Whereas the transportation division conducted an initial review of Sunny Hill to identify suitable locations for the speed cushions and determine the approximate number of potential installations. Therefore be resolved. A that the transportation division be authorized directed to install up to three speed cushions on Sunny Hill between the said roads as a traffic calming measure and as part of transportation speed cushions installation program and it's rushed today uh Mayor Horvath because of getting it in for the 2026 program. B that all costs associated with the installation of traffic coming be approved to be funded from my wart 6 capital discretionary account number noted at an upset limit including contingency not to exceed 9,000 C that the general manager public works city clerk be authorized director to execute any required agreements documents with such terms conditions form satisfactory to solicitor shield as always I want to thank manager Mike Field for turning this around so quickly given that we're running out of public works meetings and council meetings before we we are all embarking upon the campaign's mayor Horvath this fall. And I want to also thank Elsie Macintosh for always her making sure that the language in my motions is correct and financial coordinator Tanvir and most importantly volunteer Mike Sabloski who lives on Sunning Hill with a young family and said things were getting dangerous and because we can't put police 247 in many of these streets and intersections as we would like to speed cushions has become a default uh me traffic calming measure and I'm fully supported. Seconded by councelor Spataphora. Thanks, Mayor Horvath. >> Uh, thanks, Councelor Jackson. Oh, [laughter] I don't see any speakers on the list, so we'll go to the vote. Please put the electronic vote up. [laughter] That carries 14 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh on to 9.6 which is Lancaster Road speed cushions implementation uh awards 11 and 12. Councelor Tatison, would you please present your motion and advise of your seconder? >> This is moved by myself and seconded by councelor Casar who's in W 12 and shares the road with me. This motion is about some supports for speed cushions that were already passed last year. This is about funding some extra additional measures that our staff support for extra safety that increase the project cost beyond the original approved funding. I'll skip the whereouses and go straight to a summary of the therefore. Therefore, be it resolved that the transportation division be authorized and be directed to install the following additional measures in conjunction with the speed cushions. Advanced warning signage. Partial widening of the road at the speed cushion locations. Installation of ballards adjacent to the speed cushions. Enhanced pavement markings in the vicinity of the speed cushion locations. Adjust the previously approved speed cushion location to staff staff suggested locations. that all costs associated with the additional measures required to complement the installation of the speed cushions be approved to be funded from the W 11 minor maintenance account at an upset limit including contingency not to exceed 15,000 that the general manager of public works and city clerk be authorized and directed to execute any required agreements and incillary documents with [snorts] such terms and conditions in a form satisfactory to the city solicitor. Again, [gasps] this road is actually a dead end. Um, children play on the road. Uh, people walk on the road, but the road is also used by car dealerships and they take their potential buyers to speed test the acceleration of the cars. Youthful drivers take their cars there. They squeal the tires. They lay rubber down on the road continuously. Um, in the past there about 10 years 10 to 15 years ago, there was a death on this road. Um it's there's an overwhelming majority of the residents live with that and they support the speed cushions and believe the installation will make this shared road much safer. So thanks for your consideration and support. >> Uh thanks councelor Tison. I don't see any speakers on this one. So we'll go straight to the vote please. That carries 14 to zero. Thanks everyone. On to 9.7. Councelor Moren Wilson, would you please present your motion and advise of your seconder? >> Thank you. It's moved by myself, seconded by councelor Wang. We both are your representatives on the BIA subcommittee. This is a request from the BIA for a change in the holiday parking program um November 24th through to December the 24th. Please note that it will have no net financial impact on the city of Hamilton. Thank you. Uh thanks Councelor Wilson. I don't see any further speakers. We'll go straight to the vote then on this one. And that carries 14 to zero. Thanks very much. Uh on to um 9.7A which is uh Oh no, this is Oh, this is the correspondence related to the motion that we just passed. Uh, may I have a motion to receive the correspondence for 9.7, please? Move. Moved by councelor Wilson and sec uh Morin Wilson and seconded by councelor Wang. Uh, can we I don't know there's any speakers. I don't see any. So, we'll just go to the vote on the receipt of the correspondence, please. A show of hands. All in favor? Any opposed? That's carried. Thanks very much. Amendment to bylaw uh number 25201 9.8. Councelor Francis, would you please present your motion uh and advise of your seconder on the motion? I'll be this is the one I believe that I'll be uh abstaining from. So, please uh please go ahead council. See if we can get that on the screen for you, Councelor Francis, and for the rest of the council to have a look at. Uh, okay. The the uh tech uh folks and the uh deputy clerk have asked for a 15minute recess. Uh so we'll re recess the council uh meeting for 15 minutes while we figure out what the tech problem is. Uh members of the public will be back in 15 minutes which will take us to 11:00. We'll see you then. Thank you. Sound check. 1 2 3. Sound check. 1 2 3. Okay folks, thanks very much. Uh we are back uh online uh with our tech and uh councelor Francis I believe was the person who was uh putting his motion forward and we were putting it on the screen and so let's uh continue where we left off. Um and please go ahead. Thank you, mayor. And that's moved by myself, seconded by councelor Tom Jackson. And uh amendment to bylaw number 25-201 being the vacant unit tax bylaw. Whereas council wishes to provide a fair and compassionate process for property owners who were unable to submit a vacant unit tax declaration by the required deadline due to circumstances beyond their control. And whereas report FCS26055 respecting vacant unit tax 2026 bylaw includes provisions that sets out to achieve these goals. However, similar consideration is not provided in bylaw number 25-201, a bylaw to establish a vacant unit tax. Therefore, be it resolved that amending bylaw attached here to to bylaw number 25-201 respecting a bylaw to establish a vacant unit tax incorporating amendments to part 9 to allow the director and/or program administrator to wave the late appeal fee where a property owner misses the first appeal deadline for the following reasons listed here below A through H. and that only late appeals that are pending as of August 5th, 2026 or late new late appeals received between August 5th and December 31st, 2026 that relate to a property owner's occupancy determination as prescribed in part one of bylaw number 25-201 will be considered and that should a resident submit a late appeal fee in 2027 for the 2024 occupancy year that these would be considered by the director and or program administrator on a case-by- case basis which may require such supporting documentation as deemed necessary and may impose such conditions as are appropriate. And mayor, this uh just to speak to this very briefly, this amendment does not eliminate the vacant unit tax or the appeals process. It simply provides administrative flexibility to address exceptional circumstances, improve fairness, reduce hardship for vulnerable residents who miss the appeal deadlines through no fault of their own. uh the the change balances compassion with the program integrity by requiring support supporting documentation and maintaining oversight through this administrative discretion uh by the program administrator or or director. And uh if I could just throw it to the um to to director Pereira for just a high level summary of what we're trying to achieve here, that would be appreciated. >> Thanks, councelor. Uh director Pereira, please go ahead. Oh, sorry. Um, general manager Zagaric, please go ahead. >> Through you, Madame Mayor. Uh, if I can, I'd just like to introduce this item and then I'll refer to Director Pere to speak uh to the motion. Uh, I do want to recognize our vacant unit tax team and uh all of their compassion as it relates to dealing with property owners who've had a series of circumstances or situations in administering the vacant unit tax. um what staff uh identified leading up to the 2026 bylaw. There are certain property owners who missed the late appeal deadlines. Uh and for reasons that the 2025 bylaw did not provide staff the authority to administer compassion to those staff proposed amendments in the 2026 bylaw. And so those amendments in the 2026 bylaw are before council today. What staff do not have the authority is to show the same flexibility and compassion to property owners as it relates to the 2025 bylaw administering the 2024 vacant unit tax. So, uh, I'll I'll now pass it on to Director Pereira, but just wanting to identify as councelor, uh, Francis spoke to, this motion allows for a mirroring of that same flexibility and compassion for 2024 as staff have built into the bylaw for 2025. Uh but also just wanting to recognize uh our vacant unit tax team for continuing to evolve the program and to show uh compassion and flexibility where property owners for extenduating circumstances uh were challenged as it relates to meeting deadlines and showing some further compassion through the motion that's before council today. >> Uh thanks Jim Garrick. Please go ahead. Director Pereira >> truth chair Clayton Pereira, director of revenue services. Uh I just also wanted to uh thank uh the vacant union tax team as well as uh council for uh quite a lot of support uh through some of the policy and program uh opportunities and continuous improvement. Uh this program has evolved uh from its uh initial inception and the motion as presented uh by council Francis. So just wanted to elaborate a little bit further on some of the parts that were not highlighted here. So this motion recommends a targeted amendment to the vacant unit tax bylaw to provide greater flexibility and fairness in the appeals process. Specifically, it would allow the director and or program administrator to sorry uh to wave the late appeal fee when a property owner misses the initial appeal deadline due to legitimate extenduating circumstances. The amendment identifies several specific situations where relief may be granted, including errors made by the city that prevented a declaration or appeal, long-term care admission, hospitalization, or incarceration, death of the property owner, military postings, educational commitments, or work assignments that require absence. natural or man-made disasters that disasters that disrupt services and [snorts] uh circumstances where an owner was abroad uh did not receive electronic notification and was unable to return to Canada. The amendment also introduces a lowincome senior and disability based hardship provision. Eligible owners who are 65 or older, certain disability benefits, and who meet prescribed income and principal residence criteria may have the late appeal fee waved. Uh finally, the amendment includes a discretionary provision allowing the director and or program program administrator to wave the fee for other extenduating circumstances where warranted. >> Thanks Director Pereira for the explanation. Uh I think we're u councelor Francis is fine with all of that. So we're now to the speakers list. We have a couple of folks lining up. Councelor McMe please go ahead. >> Yeah, thanks. Thanks your worship. Uh I appreciate the work that's gone into this. Uh the phrase extenduating circumstances comes up frequently as we all have uh experienced and u and it's helpful to know that uh and for those we're privileged to represent to know that we're making efforts to be as uh compassionate and as fair as possible. a question I guess off the top uh in terms of the low income uh uh support what's what's the established level that that might kick in? What's is there an income based uh on that? >> Director Pereira. >> Uh true the chair. Uh good question. So the um the income threshold is very similar to the tax assistance uh program that we offer for property taxes and by virtue of that to um the utility rebate. So I believe um the income threshold is uh 45,000 uh is uh what was uh identified. So, we wanted to keep the administrative process fairly consistent uh as far as what we offer for taxation and uh utility billing. >> So, that would be a family income of 45,000 or less. >> Truth share that would be correct. >> Okay. Um I [clears throat] support this uh your worship for several several reasons. One of the extenduating circumstances that uh I as a counselor have experienced on a couple of occasions is uh billing and notices that go to a numbered company that handle the payments for uh particularly seniors who are residing, they never get a tax bill, it goes somewhere else and then if the uh firm that's handling that is not on top of what's going on, suddenly they got a $10,000 bill. And um the other part of that that uh has been particularly irritating. I mean some get irritated just having to fill out the form. Although that's pretty standard. I think my my wife would handles all of that stuff with my spouse. She did it in I think 38 seconds. So you know once you you sort of get into it is pretty simple. You just have to make sure you do it. But some some people who don't get the notice for whatever reason or combination of reasons including uh numbered companies may be handling their finances uh need a break. And the other part of that which u which has been an irritation um several times is when you go through the appeal process and uh like going to court I guess in a sense if I can push push an analogy and you're found innocent. You're you're going to be exempt from the fee but but you still had the privilege of paying $500 for the process. sort of like going to court, being found innocent, then sending sent being sent to jail. Anyways, so I I really like the the flavor of what's before us and compliment the uh uh the counselor from W five for quarterbacking this uh this this good initiative. Thank you. >> Uh thanks councelor McMin, councelor Jackson, please. [snorts] >> Thanks, Mayor Horvath. um really appreciate what councelor Francis has brought forward. I had several constituents uh seniors that um called me in distress and quite frankly were in tears because they missed a deadline and or they thought they had submitted on time and to have staff review it. Staff said, "Sorry, we have you have to pay $500 to go through the appeal process." and I found it very unfortunately punitive and I'm putting aside the debate on the V but it's done again today. So I hope that whatever side both of my colleagues are on that uh hopefully there'll be a good strong support for councelor Francis's motion. Um this um I I have always said Mayor Horvath that um the staff that are implementing this program led by Director Pereira and manager Andrew Wilks who's just been marvelous whenever my staff have needed him to assist with my constituents uh in the early first two years of this uh new program. He was always available and helped my team guide our my constituents through it. uh to ensure there weren't any um penalties on them. But this was a little bit of a sticky situation. This $500, I wish this had come forward sooner. And so, if I'm hearing correctly, my only question is to get this clarified if approved today. Is there any retroactivity on this? Mayor Horvath, can I just ask through you please? >> Uh thanks >> to Director Pereira, please. >> Thanks, Councelor Jackson. Director Pereira. >> And if he said it, then I just need to hear it one more time, please. >> Thank you. Please go ahead. >> Uh truth the chair. Uh the motion as presented is prospectively so as of today till December 31st. >> So there's no retroactivity then on this. [snorts] >> True the chair. It would be uh it would be only retroactive if if uh the appeal is still uh pending resolution. However, if the matter is closed i.e. uh there is no further uh steps in the appeals process uh there would not be any opportunity for that. So, director, if if a senior paid the 500 just to have the reconsideration in 2025 based on this motion and this hopeful decision, you would not go back to that individual and say in light of council's decision, we can reimburse you the 500 through you, Mayor Horvath. Please, >> director, the chair, that is correct. >> Okay. So, it's not really retroactive. All right. At least this is a first step and uh we'll see how things pan out after this. Mayor Horvath, thank you. >> Uh thanks Councelor Jackson. Uh councelor Nan, please go ahead. >> Thank you, Mayor staff. Uh thank you for the overview that was helpful. I'm just curious about the prevalence of the circumstances for appeal as outlined in the in the therefore be it resolved. Are we anticipating that there are many um or are these truly extenduating circumstances experienced by just a few people uh across the city? If I could get a sense of what staff are experiencing or hearing from those who are seeking these kinds of appeals. >> Thanks Councelor Nan. Director Praer, would you have a sense of the of that figure? Please go ahead. >> Uh to the chair, thank you for that question. Council Nan, um, as it stands, the number of appeals and and I do want to stress new appeals since since the report um was authored and uh in front of committee was about 35 uh brand new appeals. Over and above that, we have about 150 appeals that are pending. Mhm. >> So, uh the number of appeals is reducing and the number of appeals that are under the extenduating circumstances is much lower uh relative to that. But again, uh the the uh the proposal that's in front of uh council here is to deal with the situations where it is extenduating circumstances and therefore staff do have the ability to make that decision um to provide that compassion and show fairness in in the circumstances that are presented. So to answer your question specifically, I'd say that percentage is relatively low as what we're finding right now are the appeals that are pending and or new are essentially residents that are um have somehow just missed the deadline for declaration. Um so I would say it would be under maybe 10 or 15 at best as it stands. with the information we know that would qualify under this proposal right here. >> Thank you for that clarif clarity. I think it's important um to make sure that the public is aware that this is you know the scope of the extenduating circumstances that this isn't um wide reaching. Uh so it's helpful to know that also just in terms of our growth and learning as a municipality in implementing the VU. Uh, mayor, final question to staff is, so if I've heard this correctly, I know that councelor Francis worked closely with staff in making sure that the therefore be it resolved was in alignment with those extenduating circumstances. Could staff just comment on um their uh agreement or general um generally that this is these this motion is supported by staff in your ability to administer the VU fairly. Thank you. [snorts] >> Thanks, Councelor Nan. Uh James Garrick, please. >> Yeah. Uh through the mayor, I'll start and I'll invite director Pereira to to expand. Um to councelor Nan's question, uh our growth and learning um is reflected in the 2026 bylaw. Language similar to the motion that's before you is incorporated in the 2026 bylaw and staff saw the opportunity to amend the program going forward to show the flexibility and compassion to capture the the cases or rare situations as director Pereira has spoken to. Um staff have reviewed the bylaw and uh we understand the intent and would look to administer uh based on the motion that's before if before council today and if ratified by council today and I'll invite director Pereira if he has anything to expand or add on. >> Director Pereira. >> Uh tr nothing further. I think uh James Zarrick uh captured everything. Thanks very much. Okay, councelor N. Excellent. Thank you. Uh, councelor Clark, please. >> Sorry. Yes. Um, I heard councelor Jackson say that it's not retroactive. Why Why can't we make it retroactive? We surely know who paid the $500. Why couldn't the city given this policy change reimburse those individuals who happened to pay prior to the policy change? >> Uh thanks councelor Clark. Uh we'll send that over to GM Garrick please. >> Yeah through through the chair I'll start. Um as we understood the intent of the motion is as director prayer identified there's approximately 135 140 open uh appeals and uh I believe one of the delegates who delegated uh before committee last week uh represented one of those open appeals. So our understanding of the intent was to focus on open appeals and not the closed appeals. However, if it was the intent of council to go back, we would have to report back with respect to timing and efforts in terms of administering uh such an expansion of the attempt. Uh again, recognizing that it would require staff's effort to go back and open all the closed appeals and identify um the effort that would be required in the timelines if that was the intent of council. So may I inquire how significant is the number of these appeals that were closed? Director prayer >> just conferring on the bench. >> Thank you, mayor. director. >> Uh true to the chair. U total number of uh closed appeals where they have actually uh paid uh the 500 uh late fee is about 500. Um that totals to uh the amount that we are sharing in the report of the 500. Uh we would uh staff would have to look at how the 500 would meet the uh the motion and the extenduating circumstances that were listed to determine how many of those 500 uh would benefit from um reimbursement. [clears throat] >> Thank you. So, mayor, what I'm hearing is it is possible to do this. It would simply take direction from council for staff to do this. So, I'll leave it to the mover and the seconder to decide um if they want to go down that road with their motion as it stands today or a future motion after they get additional help. But it seems to me that it's terribly unfair that we have drawn an arbitrary line in the program. And so from this point forward, people don't pay the 500, but those that did pay in this case 500 minus the hund and some odd that are in appeal right now, they don't get reimbursed. So I just wanted to put that on the floor. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thanks, Councelor Clark. I don't see any further speakers. Uh councelor Jackson, please. >> Really appreciate the segue from councelor Clark. Uh thanks Director Pereira. Uh 500. So, Mayor Horvat, today I want to get this hopefully with council support up and running. Let's get this moving. Let's get rid of this punitive $500 for those that will be eligible and qualify. But I'll put council on notice that hopefully uh for the next meeting, I'll bring a further motion that will deal with retroactivity and working with staff. Thanks, Mayor Horvath. >> Uh thanks, Councelor Jackson. I didn't ask you to uh request a second time speaking, but that's okay. Apparently, I have been lax on that. there was another incident where that occurred. So, no problem. It's on me, not on you. Uh, okay. So, I don't see any further speakers on this. So, what's before us then is the motion as was presented by uh councelor Francis and seconded by councelor Jackson. Uh, please we'll go to the electronic vote. That carries uh 13 to zero with my abstension. Thanks very much everyone. There are no notices of motion. So, we're on to statements by members. And as is our um habit or our process, uh folks who want to make member statements, please populate the speaker queue and we'll uh start with Councelor Brad Clark. Please go ahead. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, last week I'm sure all of you heard there was a murder and attempted murder of teen boys at a townhouse complex in Upper Stony Creek. As a city councelor, we cannot speak to any matter that is under police investigation or before the courts. It is profoundly disappointing that some political candidates are being rather opportunistic in their public commentary without having a full understanding of exactly what transpired. And we won't know that until the police and the crown present their case. Let's be clear, many families have been destroyed by these crime crimes. Yesterday morning, Mayor Horvath attended the funerals and last night I attended the Hamilton Mountain Mosque prayers to offer our condolences to the families of Abdullah Shibili 18 years old and Aiza Benif 16 years old and to the broader communities including many many students who attended teachers and coaches. I am working with our staff. We are organizing meetings with the co-op board, the police, our housing staff, and myself, as well as another meeting with local residents to hear from them. I saw the pain. I felt the pain. It's challenging. when your family has experienced that violence yourself. It flashes back. It has to stop. This is a horrible tragedy. Vengeance is not justice. Parliament, the courts, the police, border services must stop the illegal smuggling of handguns and must stop the bail swinging doors and the probation doors. [snorts] Young people need to know that they're going to be held accountable for these crimes. And right now they're being induced to do these crimes by adults who are taking advantage of them knowing that they're only going to get out in a year or two from jail. The police are frustrated. The community is frustrated. And this is sending fear throughout our community, not just in downtown Hamilton, but across our community now. And we have to do something. Just before this happened, we had a arson at Christy Lake at the conservation authority. [snorts] Two large buildings were completely destroyed and one was attempted. Why? What's the point to destroying such public infrastructure? [snorts] I'm advised that the YMCA day camp was temporarily closed but is now resuming. Thank goodness. I [snorts and clears throat] thank the HCA staff and our fire departments and the police department and the fire marshall for the work that they're doing, but this is adding an additional burden onto the Hamilton Conservation Authority and our staff struggle with this because they take it very personally. And good news, um, Valley Park Pool is set to reopen on August 17th after the replacement, final replacement of the water slide. We have been waiting years for this, mayor, [snorts] and the replacement of the gymnasium floor, which looks fantastic. So, the city appreciates the patience of residents, parents, youth, and children. And the last one is about the flooding. And this one also is very uh frustrating. I thank the mayor for attending last night to two residents homes that were completely destroyed. The insurance companies have indicated they are no longer habitable. Um it was a flash flood. It wasn't a slow buildup of water in the basement. One of the ladies was in the basement when the windows broke in from all of the water that was just flooding into the house at a at a a torrent. She was able to get one of the windows open on the other side of the house and had to yell for help because she couldn't get out of the basement while the water was rising. [snorts] A hot water heater was blown right off its foundations. Um the windows were blown in. The water kept rising. When I attended that house the night of the first flood, the basement was filled to the top of the stairs with water lapping up onto the main floor. I visited the house next door and that one um the force of the water was so strong it blew in a bolted door, tore the door right off the frames, blew in the windows, continued to rise, and it not only wiped out the basement, but it wiped out the first floor of the home. Both of these homes were approved by previous counselors uh previous councils um on a flood plane. We approved it, not this council, but the city did. And if you go up there and the mayor went and saw this, you can see BMS all around different properties where the water has been redirected into these two lowlying areas. Both of these residents are now homeless. They're paying their mortgages. They don't have money to pay for rent. They don't have money to pay for a hotel space. Um, and it's incredibly frustrating when all of these site alterations and and BMS that were built up seemingly were approved by the city of Hamilton. So, I'm really concerned about that. And [snorts] the last thing, mayor, and I know I've taken up too much time, my apologies. Um, is re we have received a petition with 21 names from folks living on Mud Street um from Fifth Road back towards the city. They're asking that the speed limit be reduced to 60 kilometers an hour from Upper Centennial up to Fifth Road and conduct a traffic safety review of the intersection at Mud Street and Third Road East with the objective of installing traffic control lights. Um, this has become the favorite road for large trucks delivering stuff for the landfill and delivering aggregate and they're flying down that road and they're not obeying the 70 km an hour speed limit. So, they're asking that it be reduced and that a traffic signal be put in. I will share it with public works and we'll draft the motion accordingly. Thank you again, Mayor, for all of your support the last week. >> Thanks, Councelor Clark. Uh, councelor Jackson, please go ahead. >> Thanks, Mayor Horvath. I just want to thank two great sets of volunteers in leadership that will be uh stepping down over the next month in my ward. First of all, at the City Hamilton housing, uh, one of our flagship buildings, in my humble opinion, on the East Mountain, the Swansy Senior's apartment at 801 Upper Gage, the fabulous, fabulous four member executive of President Sue McTagert and Estelle Waldridge, Joan Turner, and Jackie Blazik will be stepping down after working together for about 10 years. Mayor Horvath and some of my colleagues may recall motions from me to support them financially, putting on Easter dinners, Thanksgiving Day dinners and Christmas dinners amongst bingos and many other activities they've done for the 240 seniors at 801 Upper Gage. Cannot thank them enough. Great group of volunteers and I salute them and I'll be giving them certificates from my office uh upon their retirement day. And similarly, the Trenhome Botchi executive that's been in place for nearly 30 years at Trenhome Park, Mayor Horvath, President Paula Valeri and her executive of Morris Marella, Alvaldo Tavanni, Sandra Maluso, and Manny Vetion. They have, if you recall me saying uh year after year, they have put on the largest botchi association dinner dance every Valentine's Day at Michelangelos's usually getting anywhere between 600 and 800 attendees. It's not only been a fabulous night for everybody to enjoy and celebrate and have a good time, but has provided wonderful funds for the upkeep of the courts by the volunteer group, the 100 membership group that helps to save uh city taxpayer money and from park staff to having to regularly have to groom the courts and provide grass cutting, what whatever other maintenance is required. So, I want to salute them as well. Thank both Trenhome and Swansea for their dedication to serving others all in a volunteer capacity. Thanks, Mayor Horvath. >> Uh thanks, Councelor Jackson. Uh councelor Nan, please. >> Thank you, Mayor. Two things. Uh, first off, I want to take this opportunity during my statements to unequivocally denounce the Dominion Society of Canada, which is a far-right anti-immigrant white nationalist organization that was founded last year in 2025 in July. And uh, they have announced and have been saying for quite some time that they uh, plan to host a conference here in Hamilton called the Dom Con on August 29th. And they are an organization that is hate-based in their ideology, hate-based in their action, explicitly targeting black and racialized immigrants, and organized around denying genocide and denying settler colonialism here in Canada. And so I've heard from many residents across W 3 and the city uh folks who are really concerned that the Dominion Society of Canada is seeking to host a conference uh where they're inviting people from across the country to join them in their hate-based organizing here in the Hamilton area. I know that a lot of work is going on in the community. I want to say thank you to those who are raising awareness around this. Thank you to folks in the chamber and other organizations that are helping spread the word so that any booking that is trying to take place to host this hatebased uh conference uh that they be denied and I know that the city is also um and and yourself mayor have said something about this in the past. Uh but nonetheless August 29th is fast approaching and I want to say very unequivocally that you are not welcome here at Dominion Society of Canada. you will not have a stronghold or continue to try and claim that you have a stronghold here in Hamilton. This is a city that is [laughter] yeah very clear that you don't belong here and neither neither does your racist rhetoric. Um the on a flip side in terms of a positive note I want to say thank you to public works staff and the teams both in roads and engineering who have um mobilized the much awaited repaving of Barton Street. Uh so we can say that it has been shaved and now paved from Kennallorth to Ottawa and from Ottawa westward is continuing this week. The work takes place from 7:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. So those who live adjacent or have businesses adjacent uh just to be aware of those hours. It does mean lane restrictions. It does mean uh things slow down quite a bit in order to facilitate safe implementation of the works by the crews that are out on the road. So soon enough, a matter of weeks, we'll be all done. and Barton Street can finally take itself off the list of being among the worst roads in Ontario. Thank you. >> Thanks, Councelor Nan. Councelor McMin, please. >> Yeah, thanks. Uh, thanks your worship. Uh, three things I'd like to mention. First of all, I want to offer a word of thanks to you, your worship, for joining me at the New Horizon's announcement in Waterdown. um award-winning builder who's concentrating very much on on building green buildings and uh doing so uh taking advantage of the tax relief that uh this council has been urging the senior levels of government to do coupled with the pending uh um development charge arrangements uh um the president chief executive officer Mr. Pagan was saying that that uh already without the development charge aspect is going to lower the price of the average house by about $90,000. And I think that's welcome welcome news for uh folks who've got kids living in their basement uh worried about whether they're ever going to be able to buy a house. So I want to flag that first. Um, I want to also uh celebrate the fact that uh three of the four major entrances to and from Waterdown uh have been congested with various uh road works. It's it's ironic actually people um uh understandably complaining about the condition of roads and and at the same time um being very concerned that we're fixing four of them at the same time. Um so uh we're uh we're at the point where that three of those have now been cleared and that's provided relief of a lot of frustration locally and I'm pleased uh with that and pleased with the staff working to uh expedite that as best they can. And finally, uh, and in response in part to the, uh, the very concerning comments that Council Clark was raising, um, and wanting to to provide a a bit of a hopeful, um, aspect uh, in in our community, we've been very intentional about developing what what's called the Healthy Youth Network. There's a program running out of the high school called heart, a healthy education about relationships and that and the team there. We're working very intentionally with Eagle's Nest and some of the mental health organizations to work specifically with young people and teenagers and do the kind of mentoring that uh leads to better citizens. And uh it's been uh it's not perfect, but there's been some some real growth in the community as a result. And that's something that our local community council is quite anxious to continue to support and is working well. Um by the way, it's stimulated the interest and engagement of six high school students to actually come out and sit on the community council. So, we're hearing from young people about the challenges they face and they're significant and very significant. So, I I just want to share that. I I uh I appreciate Council Clark's um articulation of the urgency on other sides and just want to make sure that as we uh we point to the crisis, we we also uh want to anticipate the hopeful things that we can do too and in response. Thanks. Thanks, Councelor McMakin. Councelor Cooper, please. >> Thank you, Chair. Um, just want to take this opportunity to recognize councelor Bey. Uh, during this meeting, he notified us all. He's on a leave, so he has a higher calling in life right now. But, uh, you know, I know when I came to council, he's one of the first people welcome me. And, uh, you know, I've really encou enjoyed just the relationship I've had with him. uh whether it be chairing meetings or just one-on-one conversations, I find he brings a sage, thoughtful, compassionate approach and I've thoroughly enjoyed that. I mean, he cared so much about his ward. He invited me to come to round and see it. So, we went around in his pickup truck, visit his ward, he showed me what the concerns were and uh it really helped bring it to life for me so that when we talked about issues here at council, uh had a better understanding with what was going on. So, I think councelor Bey uh had a great contribution to this chamber. Uh I wish him well. look forward to working with him in the future and uh I just want to uh take this opportunity to recognize him and thank him for all his contributions. >> Thanks, Councelor Cooper. I don't see anybody else. Uh oh, Councelor Tison, please. >> Thanks, Mayor. Just uh like Councelor Clark, I just wanted to uh talk about the flooding that happened in Ward 11. There was lots of flooding in Glamrookch. It wasn't good. I was in the midst of the storm. I've been in flooded basements, garages that have been taken out, out buildings destroyed, road shoulders are washed out. Um, culverts have been compromised with sink holes around them. I just wanted to say there's been a great response from neighbors. They've showed up with sump pumps and so forth to help others pump out their basements and so forth. Our volunteer firefighters were out there um supporting compromised houses. I just think it's um it it's it's a testament to the people. That's rural folk for you. They stick they stick up for one another. There was an interesting picture I just wanted to bring to light. I saw it on Facebook. It's a sign near Golf Club Road. It's in the area of the new proposed development for um I guess it's a private initiated development near Alfrada. The sign says coming soon and it's a it's a picture of the future development and and the plans for it. that sign is actually 3/4 underwater. And uh so that's something that we need to take into consideration when we're looking at renewing or or pushing some of these um developments into the rural areas that it's like when you have flat land that comes down at a slow pace on an angle, you're going to get that flooding. when we get these one in 100 year storms that are happening now twice in this summer basically and and before that we'd get them basically about two in every 3 years. So that's something we also have a a situation that I'm that I've raised with staff and they're quite receptive to the idea. I'm going to bring it forward to the uh climate change committee. We do have a a a situation in our rural areas where we replace culverts and we replace them like for lake. But with the increases in our storm uh happening more daily or more with the increase in the storms that are happening and the intensity of the storms, I think what we need to look at is probably replace probably upsizing culverts. There wasn't one road that's in the eastern section of Glamour that wasn't compromised by or breached by water flowing from the fields over it because the culverts couldn't handle it. So, I just bring that to light and and thanking staff for their responses in getting out there quickly to areas that were identified by our community as problems. Again, entireish shoulders of roads just washed right away and and and getting the teams out there. We had culverts that were blocked by straw that had been pushed off the fields and completely blocked which which you know and these are culverts that are you know I could stand inside some of these culverts and they were completely blocked by straw that had been cut and not removed by the farmer in time because the storm hit so quickly. So just situations like that we have to be aware of and and I can appreciate it and um and I would say that there's a lot of issues but it's hard for people to get insurance now. their their limits are like 20,000 $25,000. That basically gets the wet carpet out of their basement. So, I understand the difficulties with this and I'm hoping that again that we can look at um some timely measures that can help out because it seems like this is going to be part of our future. Thank you. >> Thanks, Councelor Tison. I don't see anybody else on the list. There are a couple of things I'd like to uh share and and speak to. I'll try to be brief. Uh, as folks know, uh, we had the Festival of Friends 50th anniversary on the weekend, and I just want to thank council once again for the additional funds. Unfortunately, the flooding, uh, well, not the flooding, but certainly the rain on Sunday impacted the event, but uh, it was really great. We had so many amazing local talented artists there. So to the board of uh 50th annivers rather uh Rob as well as Rob Boszi uh all the staff all the volunteers more than 120,000 people over three days apparently fee was quite amazing in terms of the uh impact that her uh session had. Uh the Sunday though it was uh the show did go on. As a matter of fact, it stopped for a while cuz there was some lightning, but uh Blackie and the Rodeo Kings with my friend Tom Wilson, uh Harrison Kennedy, uh we had people from uh the Forgotten Rebels. I don't know if anybody knows who that band is, but I certainly remember them. Teenage Head, Maestro, Fresh West, um it was it was and many many more. Andy Kim. People might know uh Andy, but uh it was both local and national in scope in terms of the artists as they had said to us and it really was uh fantastic and you know the Hamiltonians hung in there. Uh and I was quite surprised to see how many people stayed for the entire uh uh for the entire evening uh notwithstanding the rain. Um yesterday I had a chance to go to the uh Hamilton sorry the day before uh Hamilton Super King Sport Club uh which uh is a really amazing uh group that has a cricket uh tournament every year and this was their 2026 grand finale. Congratulations to the Hamilton Super King Sport Club uh for that. Again, it was I was reminded of the pressure uh for cricket uh fields or or cricket uh capacity here in the the city as we have a a growing community of folks that are uh wanting to um uh to engage in cricket and many many volunteers and uh folks who want to make that happen. And so it was really one piece that showed uh not only the diversity of our city but how sport brings people together. Uh and there were lots of uh young people involved as well. So it was quite fantastic. Um we did uh I did thank you councelor McMaken for talking about the new h uh new horizon development group uh and their housing initiatives. Um we're waiting to see what we end up with in terms of our conversations about uh DC's. Nothing to report there, but hopefully we'll hear something soon. Um it might be that councelor Bey during a campaign makes an announcement. Who knows [laughter] in terms of what councelor Cooper was talking about, but uh nonetheless, we're hopeful. Um Stanley Cup and Dundas uh Dundas Driving Park was again fantastic. Mark Djangowski was there. Uh it was amazing to see the amount of people who showed up, all ages, uh young right to the really young kids. so thrilled to see the Stanley Cup in person uh to c congratulate Mark uh on his uh his being part of the winning uh team. Um it just so happens that I have some connections from uh from Dundas as well. My family, my mom's side of the family used to own a bakery called Awesome's Specialty Cakes and Bakery. Uh and they sponsored the precursor to the Dundas uh Real McCoys, which was called the Merchants hockey team. And uh it was really great to to see people who are who are former merchants players and who uh know some of my relatives who actually up until very recently were playing for the real McCoys. And so not only was that a kind of a cool moment uh for me uh but also learning about my family's history in Dundas was a was something quite interesting which happened by surprise really at a visit to the Dundas Museum and Archives which was really a fun thing to learn about. Salsa on the waterfront. Uh again, yesterday, last night, there was a wonderful c, not a wonderful celebration. I think there's 17 salsas on the waterfront through the summer if I'm not mistaken. If you haven't seen it, you got to go. Uh it's fantastic. The diversity, the fun. So, it's the opposite of what we what we what councelor Nan was talking about. Something we're all very worried about, uh which is the the uh uh the the group that wants to come here, the Dominion Society. Um, this was the opposite of that. This was diverse. It was fun. It was positive. It was wonderful. Uh, and that's the real Hamilton. I would say that's what the real Hamilton is. So, it was great to go there with and be with Lisa Alano and her team uh to see what's happening uh uh on the waterfront in terms of the uh the Salsa um Salsa Soul and their team. I do want to say something about the Mud Street situation that was raised by councelor Clark. Um it was it was pretty devastating to see in person. I want to thank the coun uh the city manager for joining us there as well. And um I I know that uh we're you know we we were uh given a sight insight into how these people's lives have literally been ruined by by what happened. As councelor Clark described financially they are now ruined. Uh and they are both fairly new homeowners in that area. Uh 16 18 months I think is how long they've owned their home. So, it was quite devastating and uh really difficult to, you know, have them retra traumatized in telling their stories, particularly the woman that was stuck in the basement who literally could have lost her life that uh uh that day. It was uh it was quite awful. Uh so, we're taking that back. We uh we told them we're taking that back to see uh what is possible in terms of uh uh the city uh undertaking some um you know, something to to support these families. But it does speak to the the broader flooding issue that councelor Tatison raised and uh you know the the fact of the matter is we have storm water problems in uh in our city and they're everywhere. They're not just in the urban center, they're in the rural areas as well. Uh and uh and to be able to get a handle on on that uh we need to not only look at where development is happening uh and where we allow development to happen uh but how we fund our infrastructure. So, I just want to keep that uh on the top of the agenda there because it's it's something that we need to u really think carefully about. Um I did go attend the funeral uh yesterday of the two uh boys. That's what they were. They were two boys. Uh it was a scene of really difficult emotion and grief. And as a mother myself, I [gasps] I can't even imagine the pain of uh of what those uh moms were going through as well as the family's brothers and sisters and relatives. Uh so of course on behalf of all of us, I express my condolences uh to the families. Um and I think uh I think we should probably again have a a bit of a moment of silence. Um, as we as we lose people in our city to violence, we need to remember that the solutions aren't easy, but they they not only uh span what councelor Clark was talking about, but also what councelor McMaken was talking about, and that is we need to find ways to help young people who are struggling uh to to find different pathways to not be uh, you know, in a situation where they feel their only hope for the future uh is uh uh is the kind of um uh you know crime that they get um they get pulled into by adults who are who are um praying on them really. Uh and so that's something I wanted to say particularly because we talk about the youth wellness hub um and we talk about the hate. All of these things are not separate. They're all kind of melded together. And so on that I also wanted to mention the um the work that our city staff are doing on the uh the hate piece. uh and uh I'll be sending something out as well working with legal in terms of uh making it clear that there's no place for this uh uh this conference uh here in Hamilton. Uh and so I want to thank councelor N for raising it as well. Uh there are some other things of course that are really uh important to identify. Uh but I think that the most important piece uh now would be to um to maybe take a moment to uh to mourn not only the loss of those young people but the pain that the families and the community is is feeling right now. So if we could raise for rise for a moment of silence please. Thank you everyone. So the um statements by members having been completed uh we are now going to be uh moving into private uh and confidential. Uh it is now almost noon. Um I'm hoping that we might be able to keep going and uh if we have to break at 1, we will. But I would hope that we can uh maybe get through this uh and and keep going. So I'm seeing a lot of nods around. So uh prior to going into close session, may I please have a mover and secondary to allow external consultant Karen Gordon from Gordon Strategy to attend the close session portion of the meeting. Uh moved by councelor Wang, seconded by councelor Cooper. Show of hands vote. Any all in favor? Any oppose? Thanks. That carries. We have a quorum still. Three. Okay, good. Um, so then may I please have a motion to move into close session to consider item 11.5 respecting report AUD 260006A audit of HR investigations process citywide pursuant to section 9.3 subsections B and F of the city's procedural bylaw 21-021 as amended and section 2392 subsections B and F of the Ontario Municipal Act 2001 as amended as the subject matter pertains to personal matters about identifiable uh individuals including municipal or local board employees, litigation or potential litigation including matters before administrative tribunals affecting the municipality or local board and and advice that is subject to solicitor client privilege including communications necessary for that purpose. So uh I have the mover which would be councelor Nan the secondary which would be councelor Cooper. Uh, show of hands, please. All those in favor? Any opposed? Okay, that's uh that's that that's carried. Um, so members of the public, the meeting will continue following the close session portion of the meeting. When you see the members rejoin the meeting, council will wait up to 5 minutes upon reconvening in open session before proceeding with the meeting to provide members of the public and the media time to return. We'll just take a minute now. Thanks, Okay, welcome back everyone. Um, we are now back in open session. So, please make sure counselors that you're back in the open uh portal of escribe. uh and uh we will move on with uh uh where we ended off which was uh item 12.5. Um and I believe we have a motion uh which um is going to go on the screen if I'm not mistaken. Uh and so this motion was moved is moved by uh councelor Nan and seconded by councelor Kretch. uh and it is before us on the screen just for clarity and I will read it out. Uh that the direction provided to staff in close session respecting memorandum audit uh 260006A audit of HR investigations process citywide be approved and remain confidential. that staff be redirected to public release publicly release appendix A, the summary of findings uh and a revised uh appendix B, statement from the city of Hamilton to memorandum audit 260006A, audit of HR investigations process citywide on Thursday, August 6, 2026 and that confidential appendix C to memorandum uh audit or AUD260006A audit of HR investigations process citywide remain confidential. Uh, and so we have a speaker list. Councelor Clark, please go ahead. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just am requesting a severed vote with A, B, and C. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Uh, so we'll start with uh Do you want to put those back on the screen for us, please? Uh, deputy clerk. Thank you. I don't see any other speakers on the list. So, uh we'll go each by each and perhaps folks want to speak to the various items. So, uh a is that the direction provided to staff in close session respecting me memorandum uh etc. be approved and remain confidential. Uh so, we'll take the uh escribe vote I believe if I'm not mistaken. Uh so, the vote will go up in a second. Thank you. Uh that carries 9 to5. Thanks very much. Uh, we are now on to B, which we'll put back on the screen so folks know what we're doing. Uh, that staff be directed publicly to publicly release appendix A, the summary of findings and revised appendix B uh, statement from the city of Hamilton uh, to the memorandum uh, audit of HR investigations process uh, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Uh, that's in front of us and we'll put it up for a vote. Uh and that carries uh 14 to zero. Uh and now uh item C uh which is the final piece that uh confidential uh appendix I believe it is C to memorandum audit 26- 260A audit of HR investigation process remain confidential again uh we can uh go to the escribe for that vote Please. Uh, and that's carried at 9 to5. Thanks very much. And as discussed in camera, we were going to have a quick statement from our city manager. Uh, please go ahead, city manager. >> Through you, madame mayor. Thank you. I just want to reinforce what I said at the general issues committee meeting of July 29th. The city takes this matter very seriously and is committed to taking action on it. As noted, the auditor's report findings will be released on Thursday, August 6th, along with a statement from the city. Thank you. >> Uh, thanks. uh very much uh city manager Klucky. Um we are now on to the um completion of our meeting which is the bylaws. Councelor McMe may I please have a motion on the bills >> and a seconder. >> Moved by myself, seconded by councelor Wilson. Um that the bills number 26129 to number uh 26142 be passed and that the corporate seal be affixed there too and that the bylaws be numbered and be signed by the mayor and the city clerk and read as follows and they're listed. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Uh the bills are before us then we'll go to an eastcribe vote please. Oh, it was councelor Wilson. >> Oh, sorry. Councelor Clark, please. Oops. >> Can I just get clarification on bylaw 13.12? Bylaw number 140 bylaw to establish vacant unit tax. Did we do that earlier today or we're voting on that now? >> Uh, go ahead. Uh, clerk, >> deputy clerk. Hi there. >> So, uh through the mayor, uh through approving 8.7 on the GIC agenda, um it then put the bill on the to be considered today. >> So, the bill was considered during that session, that vote. >> So, I can let me find uh the exact clause. Sorry, I wasn't uh prepared. One second. So, sorry. Uh through the mayor. uh as per 8.7 of the GIC minutes FCS26055 vacant unit tax 2026 bylaw that staff be directed to administer the vacant unit tax program for the 2026 occupancy year and that appendix A to report FCS 26055 vacant unit tax which is the 2026 vacant unit tax bylaw be approved. So the bylaw has already been approved, correct? >> Yes. >> So 1312. >> So this is just the confirming of the council decisions. >> Uh thank you for that clarification. Councelor Clark, if I may take a moment just to uh reiterate that the council decisions happen during the meeting and that the bylaws uh are simply a kind of a confirmation that the meeting took place and the decisions of council are being recorded. So this uh this is an issue that's come up in the past and it's important to clarify that. Uh so thanks very much. On that note then uh can we have that electronic vote on the bylaws up please? Thanks. That carries 14 to zero. Thanks everybody for your time. Uh that being the completion of our business, the meeting is now adjourned.