General Issues Committee - February 4, 2026

City Council Meeting Summary February 4, 2026 - The meeting focused on strengthening climate-aligned policies and community revitalization efforts, with clear actions advancing Barton Village initiatives, a plant-based treaty discussion, and several capital projects. Key decisions included approving agenda/minutes, delegations, and multiple substantive motions advancing planning, housing, transportation, and heritage initiatives.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Barton Village Revitalization and Integrated Planning - Topic: A coordinated, place-focused revitalization strategy for Barton Village, including an integrated plan with municipal departments and community partners, plus an audit of services. - Why it matters: Addresses long-standing neglect, infrastructure gaps, and revitalization needs in a multi-generational, community-driven neighbourhood. - Key quotes: - “This motion recognizes the urgent need for an integrated plan, one that brings together municipal departments, leverages community expertise, and invests in both immediate improvements and long-term renewal.” - “We are ready and eager to collaborate with city staff, community partners, and local residents to create a Barton Village that reflects the best of Hamilton.” - File/section reference: Item 6.2 (Motion to coordinate Barton Village revitalization and related audits); Barton Village discussions recur across multiple sections. - Public input: Community members were encouraged to engage with staff and in future public consultations as part of the revitalization process.

2) Plant-Based Treaty and Climate Action Alignment - Topic: Endorsement and practical integration of a plant-based treaty to align Hamilton’s food services and catering with environmental goals. - Why it matters: Can materially reduce city operational emissions and set city-wide procurement standards; mirrors broader climate commitments. - Key quotes: - Delegate: “Food matters because it has real climate impact. And it’s one of the simplest ways to show residents of Hamilton that climate commitments are not abstract. They are operational.” - “66 cities in Ontario and around the world have already endorsed the plant-based treaty... showing how operational change can support climate targets.” - File/section reference: Plant-based treaty delegation sections; Motion to receive the delegate’s presentation passed; Motion to refer the treaty to the Office of Climate Change Initiatives (pending) - Public input: Delegations are a vehicle for public input; individuals are encouraged to endorse the treaty and participate in related discussions.

3) Feasibility Study for 553 Queenston Road (Red Rose Motel) Redevelopment - Topic: Feasibility of acquiring and redeveloping the Red Rose Motel for affordable housing or related uses; learning from the 55 Queenston Road redevelopment precedent. - Why it matters: Potential to address crime, safety, and housing needs in Ward 2; could repurpose a distressed property into affordable housing. - Key quotes: - “Leaving this property as is has a significant cost to the community in terms of crime and services.” - The motion directing staff to report back by Q2 2026 on feasibility, costs, zoning, and redevelopment opportunities. - File/section reference: Item 9.2; file reference not explicitly enumerated in the transcript portion - Public input: Residents may contribute via public consultations or through council channels as this moves forward.

4) Protection and Investment in Heritage – Gardener’s Cottage Masonry Repairs - Topic: Allocation of funds for masonry repairs at Dundurn National Historic Site’s Gardener’s Cottage (built in 1856). - Why it matters: Preserves a key historical asset and supports cultural heritage investment; aligns with broader historic preservation goals. - Key quotes: - Councillor Moren Wilson: “This will help kickstart and accelerate the masonry repairs which are necessary to uphold our commitment to this history.” - Emphasis on addressing underfunding for sustaining historic properties: “There is just insufficient corporate capital being put into sustaining this property.” - File/section reference: Item 9.3; no specific file number provided in the transcript portion - Public input: Public engagement opportunities may arise around heritage funding and project timelines as the matter progresses.

5) Transportation Pilot Program Continuation - Topic: Continuation of a transportation pilot program based on prior year success; plan to carry forward the same implementation approach. - Why it matters: Direct impact on local transit users and mobility; maintains or improves service without new disruption. - Key quotes: - Acting Director Mike Field: “We found that the pilot was highly successful last year in the way that it was implemented... we intend to carry forward with how we implemented the pilot this year in the same way.” - File/section reference: Transportation Pilot Program (Items 71 and 72) - Public input: Ongoing public input opportunities typically occur through staff presentations, open sessions, and future committee discussions.

Opportunities for Public Input - Delegations are a primary route for resident input (e.g., plant-based treaty delegation; Barton Village delegations). - Residents can provide input on agenda items during public consultations or by direct communication with councillors. - Public engagement opportunities may also arise through future staff reports, pilots, and audits (e.g., Barton Village audit, plant-based pilot, housing and infrastructure projects). - Note: Specific email addresses or contact details are not provided in the transcript; refer to the City Clerk or the councillor contact pages for submission guidelines.

Motions Passed, Rejected, or Deferred (selected key motions and outcomes) - Approval of Agenda as Presented - Title: Approval of Agenda as Presented - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (GIC 26-001, January 14, 2026) - Title: Approval of GIC 26-001 Minutes - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Delegation Time Limits and Clarification Rules - Title: Delegation Time Limits and Clarification Rules - Outcome: Reinforced; five-minute limit and clarification-only questions emphasized - Motion to Refer Barton Village Revitalization to the Office of Climate Change Initiatives - Title: Integrated Plan / Barton Village Revitalization (Item 6.2) - Outcome: Passed unanimously (14-0) - Motion to Receive Delegations on Barton Village (Item 9.1) - Title: Barton Village Delegations – Receive for later voting - Outcome: Delegations heard; a single vote to receive all delegations to occur at the end - Motion to Group Items 7.1 and 7.2 - Title: Grouping of Items 7.1 and 7.2 - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Motion to Receive Items 7.1 and 7.2 - Title: Receive Items 7.1 and 7.2 - Outcome: Passed after revote (previous question issue) - Transportation Pilot Program (Items 71 and 72) - Title: Transportation Pilot Program - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Revised Board of Management for Ancaster Village BIA (Item 8.1) - Title: Revised Board of Management for Ancaster Village BIA - Outcome: Passed unanimously (16-0) - Revitalizing Hamilton Tax Increment Grant Program Application (Item 8.2) - Title: Hamilton Tax Increment Grant Program Application (115-117 George Street) - Outcome: Passed unanimously (16-0) - Accessibility Committee Minutes (Item 8.3) - Title: Accessibility Committee Minutes - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Vision Zero Initiatives (Item 9.4) - Title: Vision Zero Initiatives - Outcome: Withdrawn - Suspension of Rules for Ministry of Labor Reports (Item 10.1) - Title: Suspension of Rules for Ministry of Labor Reports - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Confidential Minutes (Item 11.1) - Title: Confidential Minutes - Outcome: Passed unanimously - Private and Confidential Items (Items 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.6) - Title: Private and Confidential Items - Outcome: Motion to go into closed session passed unanimously - Notes: Several items remained confidential or pending further discussion in closed sessions; the Barton Village motion and related audits are ongoing in process.

Councillors Present - Deputy Mayor: Clark - Mayor: Horvath - Councillors: Jeff Bey, Casar, Matt Francis (Chair), Tammy Wang, Cameron Cretch (online), Ted McMakin, Esther Pauls, Mark Tatterson (online), Alex Wilson, Moren Wilson - City Manager: Participating online due to illness - Clerk: Madame Clerk (provided updates and guidance)

This summary captures the key points and decisions from the meeting sections provided, focusing on topics that impact Hamilton residents and future action steps. If you’d like, I can tailor the topics to a single specific meeting section or pull out additional motions with exact bylaw references as they appear in the full minutes.