The Public Record (https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/author/joey-coleman/)
Noting that Hamilton is not presently a tourist destination like Toronto, Collins says Hamilton is increasingly integrating into the Toronto area, and it is only a matter of time before Airbnb issues such as Toronto has faced will occur in Hamilton.
Ward 5 City Councillor Chad Collins wants to regulate Hamilton’s driving schools, with the Ontario driver testing centre in his Ward, he’s concerned about where they choose to practice driving skills.
Hamilton’s embattled transit division is facing another multi-million dollar shortfall this year, but despite successful advertising agencies, including Pattison and Corus Entertainment, seeking to offer the City more money for bus advertising, Council approved putting off competitive bids and failed to hold HSR managers to a 2015 deadline for the bids.
The Connolly project at 96 James South is in receivership, leaving the fate of what remains of the historic church up in the air, and questions about why the City was so quick to embrace the development after Brantford decided to not do business with him.
There are other properties along the Red Hill Valley that may face similar erosion issues due to similar fill. Council will consider purchasing them in the future if they encounter similar non-City caused erosion issues.
Council’s Emergency and Community Services Committee’s July meeting was short – just under one hour – as Councillors focused on their business at hand: Skate parks, youth engagement, early years funding, and more.
This brings the City total Child Care and Early Years budget to $69,354,172 for 2017, of which only $5,754,424 is funded from municipal taxes. The City will prioritize the expansion of non-profit child care spaces.
The consultants report says the City should strive to have one skate park for every 7,500 youth. In addition, where youth populations do not meet the 7,500 theshold, the City should implement skate board amenities on a smaller scale in existing park.
The Mohawk quad-pad arena made a profit of $451 in 2016. The pad is a public-private partnership in which the City and private operator split losses 50/50, but in the event of profit, the City gets 70% and the private operator 30%.
Chris Herstek, Director of Recreation, says his department will present the new youth engagement strategy to Council in September. The City is presently consulting with youth to complete the report.