Sound check. 1 2 3 Okay. Good morning everyone and welcome to the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Liaison Committee. We are currently waiting for quorum so we will be recessing at the moment. Thank you. Thanks everyone. Welcome to our HWDSB liaison committee meeting uh for September 17th. Welcome back everyone from summer break. We have um we'll call the meeting to order. We have quorum present for today's meeting. Um, just a reminder, all electronic devices are to be switched to a nonaudible function during committee meetings. So, I'll do that right now. Thank you. Ceremonial activities. Actually, before we do that, let's uh do some introductions. Um, I'm going to stray from the agenda here or the script for a moment. Um, to my right, we have representing the entire city of Hamilton, the entire weight of the city on his shoulders, uh, Councelor Mark Tatterson. Um, from the school board, we have online chair uh, Maria Felix Miller. Uh, and then I believe I am the third member of uh, the committee to make quorum. We also have online um, HWDSB trustee Abby Zetley. Welcome. Uh, and I believe that is it. And welcome to staff in the room. I would do introductions um but I feel like that would take a while and I would not know anybody's name but nonetheless um welcome and thank you for attending to everyone uh across the table. Um looking at approval of the agenda may please have a mover and seconder to approve the agenda as presented. I see trustee uh chair Miller. Thank you. Seconded by councelor Tatison. Are there any amendments or questions comments on the agenda? Seeing none, can I see a vote? All in favor? That is unanimous. Thank you very much. Moving to our next item, declarations of conflict of interest. Um, are there any declarations? I'll look to committee members. None in the room online. None. Thank you. Number five, approval of minutes of the previous meeting. So this is 5.1. Uh we met on April 2nd. Um that is in the package. May I please have a mover and second to adopt the minutes from April 2nd. Moved by councelor Tatterson, seconded by Trusty Miller. Any questions or comments on the minutes? Is that a question? Trusty Miller. >> No, that was just in favor. All in favor? That is unanimous. Thank you very much. U Madam Chair, we don't have any or not chair. Madame uh clerk which is right here. Do we have any um delegations known for this meeting? >> We do not have any delegations. >> Perfect. Thank you very much. So we'll get into the crux of the meeting which is item seven items for information uh 7.1 which is Brightside Park update uh on timing and this is located in W 3. and that this was a discussion item uh the committee had requested uh at previous meetings and we do have on the committee our ward 3 trustee um and chair Maria Felix Miller here as well. So this is uh good timing. So I believe I'm turning this over to city staff um whenever they are ready. I'm going to call upon Cynthia Graham. There we go. Please go ahead >> through the chair. Uh Cynthia Graham, director of environmental services. So this report is an update on the progress uh that we have achieved in uh designing and constructing Brightside Park. As um everyone is aware, it uh was identified for parkland and a um formal class A field space. Uh it is on um heavily impacted lands as a former um Dominion Glass site and therefore has been uh significant effort to go through the testing and reporting and approval process to develop it into parkland. Uh we have um completed our first submission to the MECP for review and uh we'll follow through the process. Um, unfortunately the timing of that is generally not in our control, but um, we are pushing forward as as expediently as we can. If there's any specific questions, staff are here and uh, can answer specifics. >> Perfect. Thank you very much for the update. I'll look to committee members for questions, comments. Over to Chair Miller. >> Uh, thank you. Can you hear me? Okay, >> perfectly. Uh thank you so much through you chair. Um and just a a big good morning to everyone. Thank you. I appreciate um all of the the trustees present. Thank you uh chair white for chairing uh today's meeting. Councelor Tison and everyone who um you know has to be here today in order for these this work to to happen. Uh so this was uh as the chair earlier stated uh correctly uh an item that we have been hoping to have an update for. Um it's come up in a variety of different ways. It's sort of the missing puzzle piece uh for some of the concerns in Ward 3 around uh from our side from HWDSB the access to to Tim Hortons Field by the Bernie Custous uh secondary school community as well as uh you know the larger Ward 3 uh community because obviously the the beautiful plans described for Brightside Park uh will be an incredible asset um for the entire community. uh for HWDC in particular, it is the missing, you know, piece of the puzzle of what we had envisioned a fully uh uh you know, exemplary uh secondary school experience. Um, so I I I do have to share just a disappointment recognizing uh very much that much of of this work is outside of our control and outside of the city's control because uh there are provincial uh matters, remediation, uh environmental I know that I've spoken to the W3 counselor multiple times on this issue and you know the the ongoing concern really is around um working with the Ministry of the Environment to make sure that that site is safe for anyone who uses it. But then, you know, as a result of that, there is just a a a significant amount of red tape, a significant amount of work that needs to happen. Um, so just want to state for the public, I know it's it's it's been clear kind of on the website, but stating publicly, uh, you know, what what is the anticipation for for shovels in the ground? Uh, that is the best guess from from city staff at the moment. >> Thank you. through the chair. I'm going to direct that question to manager West Kind of landscape architectural services to provide a little bit more detail on the specifics of that. >> Good afternoon, morning. Sorry. Uh West Kendry, manager of landscape architectural services. Um our timeline is still 2028 right now. That's our timestep timeline. Uh we have just received comments back from the MCP from our second submission. So, we'll be reviewing those comments, uh, preparing a response to those comments, and depending on the next step with the ministry, whether that be a third submission, which we anticipate, um, 2028 is still our anticipated timeline. Now, that's all contingent on the MECP's review of our um, submissions and providing a conservative timeline for each of those submissions and the steps between now and construction, shoveling the ground at 2028. Thank you very much, Chair Miller. >> Uh thank you so much. I appreciate the response from staff. I know um it is a bit difficult to uh you know give a firm firm date. So I appreciate that we're working towards that date. Uh the delays have been regrettable. Um and again acknowledging it's not necessarily anyone in this room in particular. Uh acknowledging that there just are uh considerations that are out of our our respective controls. Um but I you know as the the W3 trustee I do just have to share that this has been um a very frustrating endeavor and um I guess just looking ahead to 2028 looking ahead to you know just keeping these channels open both at this committee but um between you know the various offices both on the city side and then H on the HWDSB side. uh just looking for, you know, repeated communication where there needs to be uh a real desire at from from our end uh to work collaboratively to, you know, get this done as quickly as possible. Thank you. I'll leave my uh questions there. >> Thank you, Chair Miller. Councelor Patterson. >> Hi. Thanks to staff for the report. Um my question is once construction starts is that when all the m mitigations will take place or will the mitigations take place as testing is being done by the MECP. >> So through the chair uh mitigation works would take place as part of the construction project. It's extensive. Um so as we're doing excavation the mitigation measures and remediation measures will be part of that construction project as a whole. So then I'm guessing that we can't really give a construction timeline because we don't know what the mitigations are going to be yet. >> That is correct. And with the scale of project and the phasing that we would do from field structures, buildings, actual facilities, playgrounds, park and remediation work, we're probably looking at something between 18 to 36 months for completion for the whole site. >> Okay, that was my next question. And so 18 to 36 months it's appreciated once construction commences and that would be regardless of you know we say quarter 3 2028 but if it's accelerated it would still be 18 to 36 months no matter when construction starts >> through the chair. Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Further questions or comments? >> I'll ask perhaps a question or so. Do I need to turn the chair over for that? I'll I'll turn it to councelor Tatis. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you very much. In terms of HWDSB's role, um, and it is going back in time um, many years and and I do recall obviously this property quite well. Um, the original intent for this property um, was to uh, co-utilize one of the playing fields for the secondary school, Bernie Custous at the time, aka New North. uh it hadn't yet been constructed and I think the timeline was probably about 10 years before what we're seeing on the page. Um so I know the schools had to um find alternate accommodations in the meantime but at those times back in the 2010s we'll call them. Um the discussion involved HWDSB in terms of some type of partnership as well as payment on our books we had put aside um I believe it was $1 million contribution towards the playing field. So, I'm just curious how that's evolved or is is that kind of moot at this point in time? Um, is there still that partnership idea? Um, and and and second to that, maybe I'll ask it at the same time. Um, is there some type of shared use agreement or something in mind um to solidify some type of joint agreement once construction is complete >> through the chair. Uh so a lot of the details of the agreement that established the stadium precinct and the school and the park use and and this park um to supplement uh was outside of um my involvement or any of our staff's involvement. we were provided with a scope for the park which was to accommodate um CFL football with the intent that um the school's games could be accommodated there. So um that that was our understanding and that's what we have designed towards. Um with respect to shared use agreements or contributions, those would have been dictated in that original agreement and I'm not I don't have that in front of me. I'm not privy to that. I I would suggest and and I can take this away to have um our our you know recreation and legal teams u maybe reach out to the school board and just take a look and see what is part of those agreements and whether anything needs to be updated at this time given the lag in time which was unanticipated um for us to be able to complete this as well as what the financial contributions were and and you know if those are still relevant. >> Yeah. Would you like that to be formal direction? >> Um, I I think maybe I'll I'll follow it up with a comment um and then maybe get to that point. But I think I guess the worry in my mind is obviously a lot of time has passed and it kind of sits in the back of a couple of our memories and probably napkins or it uh what do you call it? Uh uh crashes or whatever you call it here at city hall. You know what I mean? So, um, so yeah, it it's difficult to pull up some of that, but I guess my fear would be similar to what the school's experiencing now, which is, you know, we have to kind of get in a queue in order to request the stadium, right, for instance, if we were to use that. So, back when we originally had the discussions and one of the reasons we located the school in that area was access to a playing field and not necessarily just for school games, but also daily um, call it gym classes or whatever it might be. Mind you, it is a kilometer to the north, I believe. Um, so I I don't want to get, you know, my my concern would be getting to the point where, again, we're kind of in a queue, um, we don't end up using on a daily or weekly basis. It just becomes kind of a special event, um, access. Um, so I guess if there were motions, um, and they could be premature, so perhaps we can talk this out. Um but is there something to put in um motion um that a shared use agreement for HWDSB, you know, regular use um could be examined or added to a JPAC agenda in the future. Something along those lines, something so we don't lose it because I guarantee you >> point of clarification. >> Yeah. So I I'll stop there and if if Chair Miller wants to jump in as well. >> Go ahead, Chair Miller. >> Apologies. Uh, Chair White, you just hadn't seen my hand go up uh when you started uh making those comments. I just wanted to share um from my understanding as the W3 uh counselor and through conversations that I've had with the the excuse me, as a W three trustee and conversations I've had with the W three counselor, um it has been under our understanding that there would be a shared use agreement. Um we have from our aside uh still have ear earmarked that $1 million contribution or investment or whatever you want to uh term it. Uh so my understanding is that the current counselor um is also under that same impression uh both from about our investment but also the intended use which is that the Bernie Custous Secondary School would have access um and be a priority for Brightside Park. Um I did want to just highlight for the committee because folks may not be from that area. Um it is quite a walk from the school itself. So we are really envisioning it as a special event. So uh for example for for the school football team uh for planned games uh because it really is not walkable uh for uh daily physical activity or school daytime events. Um, so that has been kind of the asterisk and that's actually been a question from the community of if you know this as much as that's a a really wonderful asset, it's still removed from the immediate community area. Um, so we we really are envisioning it to to to give uh the school security for planning and and to be able to schedule proper events and and school games uh with, you know, in advance. But that has always been kind of the other side of that. And then obviously outside of school hours um it would be a you know a community asset. Um but we were we have even you know I've even gone so far as to mention you know that that there needs to be signage uh designating that between the school hours you know HWDSB is a priority. Um and obviously those are things we would be seeing down the line and and happy to support a motion um if city staff need that explicit direction. But just wanted to to offer that historical piece that that has been the intention over both of my last two terms. Um >> okay, thank you Chair Miller. Um what we'll do is we'll have staff um comment and then we will see where this goes >> through the chair. So, uh, my apologies if I, um, provided context in my response that, um, caused, uh, anybody to question previous conversations. Um, my our the the challenge is that my portfolio doesn't include, uh, relationship agreements and use agreements. And so it really is outside of the scope of um our mandate which we're given um we're given sort of a scope and we build it and then um other people figure out h how it's going to be used and um when. So I think uh referring the question to the liaison committee makes a lot of sense. Um and uh that's I think where that uh use agreement probably is going to be drafted. uh and th that would be the right people around the table to figure out the details of of that priority use and and those aspects. >> So I'm hearing referring to the liaison group. >> This is us. >> Oh, sorry. Through the chair, the staff liaison group. >> Staff leazison. >> Okay. Do you you follow that? Are you ready to take the chair back? >> No, no. I'll make a motion if I go ahead. >> Yeah. And it maybe just to formalize that, but please correct me if if it's premature, but to just for tracking purposes, refer the the Bright Side Park shared use agreement to JPAC. Is that a reasonable motion just to track it so it gets onto JPAC's agenda and then we have record of it coming or going from this committee to JPAC? >> I'm seeing agreement from staff. >> Okay. So, I'll I'll move that if I can, Mr. Chair. You can move that and we'll let Trusty Miller second it. Uh do we need to see that on the screen or do we have a good understanding of it? Okay. So, um can we just have a formal vote then? Hands up for agreement. Okay, that's unanimous. Thank you. >> It's back to you. >> Okay, thank you. Are there any other before we go to the next item? Any other questions or comments on Brightside Park update? Uh, Chair Miller, go ahead. >> Uh, no, just a no comment, excuse me, no questions through you, Chair. Just wanted to say, you know, thank you. Uh, looking ahead to obviously when when, uh, construction is actually happening. Um, I will no longer be the W three trustee as I'm not running again in this municipal election, but I am still a W3 resident. So, you know, in really really really at the end of the day, I'm I'm really hopeful that this project can be what everyone at the various tables has imagined for for the community, for Hamilton as a whole. Um, and just appreciate the time to to bring this update uh forward today and and the work from city staff. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chair Miller. And actually, on that point, that's a really good question. Um, our next scheduled meeting, I'll look to the clerk. Um, what is the next date? I I'm guessing it's after November 15th or >> uh currently there's not another scheduled meeting. Correct. That would be in 2027. >> So it would be in 2027. Okay. So this is your final meeting, Chair Miller. So thank you for mentioning that. Um it could be one of ours as well. We just don't know it. Uh but uh hopefully not. Actually on my end maybe hopefully. But anyways um on that point uh we'll move to the next item. But but thank you for that. Um, moving to item 8. Uh, 81 we have amendments to outstanding business list. So 81A is items requiring a new date. There might be a couple questions on this, but the item is the Hamilton school board's storm water fee implementation information session citywide, etc. Um, do we have staff to speak to that being uh moved to a later date? Yes, please go ahead. Good morning everyone uh through the chair. Uh amisha Faruk, manager utility billing revenue services. Uh thank you chair and members of committee. Uh we understand this uh matter has been with committee for some time. Uh we recognize there may be some questions about staff is asking for deferral. staff uh recommending the deferral because there is a related storm water report. Report number FCS26071, storm water utility fee implementation review and funding framework is scheduled to go to GIC on September 28th to make sure the committee has the most completed and uptodate information. We believe it would be best to bring the report back after the GIC and council process is completed and we know what direction is provided. Our goal is not to delay the report. We want to um avoid bringing forward information that may need to be changed uh moving forward. By bringing the report back after the council's consideration, staff can provide a more complete and accurate report for the committee to review. Uh so uh again uh we really want to say thank you for being patient and understanding. and we remain committed to bring the report up to date uh forward as soon as possible once the process is completed. The recommendation is for Q1 2027. So that gives staff enough time to go through the related report and provide back once uh we go through GIC and council. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much for the update. Um could staff just remind us briefly of of the current implementation date? I'm not sure if that might change at GIC, but I think it was kicked back a year. I could be mistaken. Um, but pending no changes. What is the current implementation date? >> January 1st, 2027. >> Okay. >> So, we would get this immediately, but again, it's still premature to discuss. Okay, I get it. I get it. I get it. Okay. Any questions or comments on the deferral? Seeing none, thank you for the information. We'll do B at the same time. So items that are complete needing to be removed is the Britard Park item, but we've now referred it to JPAC. So it does have a home. So we can remove that from our uh items of consideration, I believe it's called. Um so with those items A and B, do we have a mover and seconder? Moved by Chair Miller, seconded by Councelor Tatison. All those in favor? That is unanimous. Thank you very much. Uh notices of motion. Are there any notices of motion? Seeing none, general information, other business, any other business to discuss? None. And lastly, adjournment. Um do we need a motion to adjurnn? I assume no, we don't need a motion. Okay. So, just the time. So right now it is uh 11:35 and as we adjourn again thank you to uh trustee and chair Miller for her time uh on this committee uh representing the board as chair of the board which I believe has been three years. Um so thank you again for your contributions uh to this committee. >> Uh thank you so much and thank you to uh city staff and uh in particular to the legislative clerk for all of her support. >> Perfect. Thank you. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you everyone. and have a lily Thursday.