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{"text": "e", "start": 1287.52, "end": 1290.52}, {"text": "e", "start": 1317.52, "end": 1320.52}, {"text": "e", "start": 1347.52, "end": 1350.52}, {"text": "e e", "start": 1377.44, "end": 1381.48}, {"text": "good afternoon good afternoon is the general issues", "start": 1426.72, "end": 1433}, {"text": "committee budget meeting it is January the 20th 2025 I'd like to call this meeting to", "start": 1433, "end": 1440.36}, {"text": "order uh just a gentle reminder that if you have an electronic device if you can", "start": 1440.36, "end": 1446.76}, {"text": "um please turn it to a non-audible function joining me in council chambers", "start": 1446.76, "end": 1452.72}, {"text": "today under a new seating AR Arrangement so I'm still not used to it uh councelor", "start": 1452.72, "end": 1458.4}, {"text": "Ted mcmein councelor John Paul Dano councelor Esther Pauls councelor Craig", "start": 1458.4, "end": 1464.039}, {"text": "Kazar mayor Andrea horbath councelor Cameron cret councelor Brad clarkk um", "start": 1464.039, "end": 1470.88}, {"text": "joining us virtually councelor naren deran councelor Matt", "start": 1470.88, "end": 1476.159}, {"text": "Francis um I would just like to note that councilors um tedison and Bey are", "start": 1476.159, "end": 1483.64}, {"text": "doing an absolutely Stellar job representing this community at Roma the", "start": 1483.64, "end": 1490.08}, {"text": "RO um rural Ontario municipalities um of Ontario and uh that", "start": 1490.08, "end": 1496.36}, {"text": "is where they are and that's where they have been since very early this morning and that's where they will be tomorrow", "start": 1496.36, "end": 1502.279}, {"text": "so I know Upon A A Grateful Council we give them our", "start": 1502.279, "end": 1507.559}, {"text": "thanks and Tammy as well Tammy counselor Tammy Wang as well", "start": 1507.559, "end": 1514.84}, {"text": "uh legislative coordinator McCrae are there any changes today's to today's", "start": 1514.84, "end": 1521.919}, {"text": "agenda yes mam chair there are seven added delegations and 10 added written", "start": 1521.919, "end": 1526.96}, {"text": "delegations okay it's moved by councelor Clark seconded by councelor cret to approve the agenda", "start": 1526.96, "end": 1532.96}, {"text": "as presented any discussion on this agenda seeing", "start": 1532.96, "end": 1538.36}, {"text": "none we can move on it oh raise uh you just raise your hands if I could see", "start": 1538.36, "end": 1545.399}, {"text": "your hands to approve this agenda all in favor thank", "start": 1545.399, "end": 1550.6}, {"text": "you any Declarations of Interest today seeing", "start": 1550.6, "end": 1555.799}, {"text": "none onto the approval of the minutes of November 28th", "start": 1555.799, "end": 1561.12}, {"text": "2024 councelor casar councelor Pauls any discussion on those minutes", "start": 1561.12, "end": 1568.48}, {"text": "okay a show of hands please to approve those minutes thank you all hands up", "start": 1568.48, "end": 1574.039}, {"text": "thank you we're on to delegations we have 12 delegations today and we will take one", "start": 1574.039, "end": 1581.799}, {"text": "motion after the last speaker to receive all of these delegations members and delegates you are Ed that there is a 5", "start": 1581.799, "end": 1589.919}, {"text": "minute time limit which will be adhered to during this meeting you may submit", "start": 1589.919, "end": 1596.279}, {"text": "another request to speak if you require additional time uh but we would like to really underscore the five minute", "start": 1596.279, "end": 1603.919}, {"text": "Mark members of this Council or committee are reminded that questions of", "start": 1603.919, "end": 1609.2}, {"text": "the delegate are for clarification", "start": 1609.2, "end": 1613.278}, {"text": "purposes okay on to the first", "start": 1615.36, "end": 1620.52}, {"text": "delegate uh in person is delegate Mike Collins Williams from the West End", "start": 1621.039, "end": 1627.12}, {"text": "homebuilders Association good", "start": 1627.12, "end": 1632.2}, {"text": "afternoon thank you uh good afternoon members of the committee mayor Horvath staff and members of the public my name", "start": 1634.48, "end": 1641.44}, {"text": "is Mike Collins Williams the CEO of the West End homebuilders Association I appreciate the opportunity to be here", "start": 1641.44, "end": 1647.919}, {"text": "today to share uh with members of the GIC how one of the most important industries and Employers in the city of", "start": 1647.919, "end": 1654}, {"text": "Hamilton is doing as you all consider the city's budget for the coming year although I'm not here today to share a", "start": 1654, "end": 1660.6}, {"text": "Rosy picture about future city revenues and future employment currently the residential", "start": 1660.6, "end": 1666.48}, {"text": "construction industry employs about 20,000 people in Hamilton ranging from skilled trades to planners engineers and", "start": 1666.48, "end": 1673.96}, {"text": "Architects although that number is declining we fuel significant Revenue to", "start": 1673.96, "end": 1679.279}, {"text": "the city through development charges Community benefits charges cash and L Parkland fees planning fees and building", "start": 1679.279, "end": 1685.84}, {"text": "permits and of course support massive tax revenues for the provincial and federal governments the new housing", "start": 1685.84, "end": 1692.2}, {"text": "market in Hamilton is in the worst shape it's been since the mid 1990s last week I shared housing start", "start": 1692.2, "end": 1698.519}, {"text": "numbers through Q3 to the GIC I now have the yearend 2024 numbers from", "start": 1698.519, "end": 1704.96}, {"text": "CC I can report that the city of Hamilton had 1,00 481 housing starts", "start": 1704.96, "end": 1710.12}, {"text": "from January to December 2024 that is the second lowest number in the last 10 years in 2023 by comparison", "start": 1710.12, "end": 1718.48}, {"text": "the number of housing starts was more than double 3,347 this decline is driven by", "start": 1718.48, "end": 1724.96}, {"text": "plummeting high-rise intensification starts many projects are underway in Hamilton and near in completion which is", "start": 1724.96, "end": 1731.799}, {"text": "good news for an immediate injection of Supply over the coming year but very few are starting which translate into a", "start": 1731.799, "end": 1739.159}, {"text": "drastic decline in both construction and employment and completions in the coming years not only that uh but by comparison", "start": 1739.159, "end": 1747.08}, {"text": "in 2024 the City of Burlington with less than half the population of Hamilton", "start": 1747.08, "end": 1752.159}, {"text": "vastly outperformed Hamilton and per capital Harding housing starts again the CC data released from Hamilton um shows", "start": 1752.159, "end": 1759.6}, {"text": "Hamilton with 1,481 starts whereas Burlington had 1,132 which is their highest number in", "start": 1759.6, "end": 1766.32}, {"text": "the last 10 years in terms of mid-rise and high-rise condo sales numbers the", "start": 1766.32, "end": 1772.039}, {"text": "final numbers from Urban Nation just came in this morning Hamilton had 1,63 sales in", "start": 1772.039, "end": 1778.559}, {"text": "2022 749 in 2023 and then the last calendar year", "start": 1778.559, "end": 1784.399}, {"text": "just 285 over the past six years due to high levels of housing completions", "start": 1784.399, "end": 1790}, {"text": "residential assessment growth has actually blunted the requirement for uh this Council to have to raise property", "start": 1790, "end": 1796.64}, {"text": "taxes by increasing the number of taxpayers and tax the tax productivity of land the city is able to reduce", "start": 1796.64, "end": 1803.44}, {"text": "pressure on the existing tax base and support local industry workers and businesses through more vibrant and", "start": 1803.44, "end": 1809.48}, {"text": "populous communities but this will not continue if Hamilton doesn't address its housing declining housing starts", "start": 1809.48, "end": 1815.84}, {"text": "Burlington gets it Hamilton needs to adopt a more business-friendly and growth oriented approach to put it", "start": 1815.84, "end": 1822}, {"text": "bluntly things are not working very well here we've seen year-over-year DC increases which are now up by 87% since", "start": 1822, "end": 1830.44}, {"text": "2021 we've seen staff being directed to address symptoms of the problem through increased studies bureaucracy and", "start": 1830.44, "end": 1836.6}, {"text": "policies but we haven't seen many systematic improvements to the planning process all the while young families", "start": 1836.6, "end": 1843.279}, {"text": "continue to leave the region in growing numbers in search of available housing elsewhere while I acknowledge and I'll", "start": 1843.279, "end": 1850.159}, {"text": "certainly applaud Hamilton's recent investments in blow Market affordable housing on the private application side", "start": 1850.159, "end": 1856.159}, {"text": "of the equation which the vast majority of hamiltonians live or aspire to live in Hamilton seems to refuse to build", "start": 1856.159, "end": 1862.639}, {"text": "housing on plazas Green Fields parking lots unused School sites or downtown at", "start": 1862.639, "end": 1868.639}, {"text": "respectable Heights or really anywhere at all anything remotely controversial", "start": 1868.639, "end": 1874.039}, {"text": "ends up at the Ontario land tribunal it seems Hamilton's go really going beyond the nimi territory into banana build", "start": 1874.039, "end": 1881.36}, {"text": "absolutely nothing anywhere near anything if the city is serious about solving the housing and homelessness", "start": 1881.36, "end": 1886.519}, {"text": "crisis the city can no longer continue on the path of drastic year-over-year increases to fees and charges while", "start": 1886.519, "end": 1892.2}, {"text": "simultaneously withdrawing support for programs like the downtown CIP that incentivize intensification and housing", "start": 1892.2, "end": 1899.72}, {"text": "at current cost of construction constant delays in processing applications and punting everything to the tribunal the", "start": 1899.72, "end": 1905.44}, {"text": "industry is unable to deliver homes and I can confidently predict that housing starts will be even lower in", "start": 1905.44, "end": 1911.6}, {"text": "2025 but this doesn't just impact our bottom line it also impacts yours not only no assessment GR grow but planning", "start": 1911.6, "end": 1918.72}, {"text": "application fees cover the cost of your staff resources layoffs are already happening across the private sector", "start": 1918.72, "end": 1925.44}, {"text": "declining applications mean it's only a matter of time before before the public sector feels it as well we need to solve", "start": 1925.44, "end": 1931.44}, {"text": "this I'm hopeful today's delegation is the start of a meaningful though tough conversation on how the city can improve", "start": 1931.44, "end": 1938.08}, {"text": "moving forward because things cannot continue in the manner they happen thank you for your", "start": 1938.08, "end": 1944.24}, {"text": "time thank you for being with us this afternoon are there any questions I'll recognize councelor Clark", "start": 1944.24, "end": 1951.72}, {"text": "followed by councelor Pauls thank you very much um chair", "start": 1951.72, "end": 1957.2}, {"text": "Wilson may I inquire the delegate what exactly would he like to see the city", "start": 1957.2, "end": 1965.36}, {"text": "improve that could be a very long answer but I'll I'll be brief uh I recognize", "start": 1969.799, "end": 1975.039}, {"text": "that uh the city is in a tough financial position uh in terms of um property tax", "start": 1975.039, "end": 1980.919}, {"text": "increases last year and this year we're not asking you to reduce government", "start": 1980.919, "end": 1986.08}, {"text": "imposed charges and fees on the industry at the time we're just asking you to stop increasing them as significantly", "start": 1986.08, "end": 1991.679}, {"text": "year-over-year uh so that the industry can take time to adjust uh in terms of", "start": 1991.679, "end": 1997.12}, {"text": "planning um you know we'd like to see more decisions made within a decision timeline so that we're not stuck going", "start": 1997.12, "end": 2003.639}, {"text": "to the tribunal and you're not stuck going to the tribunal I think it would be an interesting case study to see how", "start": 2003.639, "end": 2009.519}, {"text": "much money the city does spend defending um either decisions that you've made", "start": 2009.519, "end": 2015.72}, {"text": "against applications or the volume of non-decisions um going to the tribunal it doesn't just cost the city money it", "start": 2015.72, "end": 2022.559}, {"text": "cost our members a lot of money and we would rather figure things out um with the city um within the prescribed", "start": 2022.559, "end": 2030.44}, {"text": "timelines and you know there's a lot of process application improvements that we think could be made um with the planning", "start": 2030.44, "end": 2037.84}, {"text": "department and we're happy to continue those discussions with the city supplemental if I", "start": 2037.84, "end": 2044.48}, {"text": "may um I'm not on the planning committee chair and I'm not asking to be", "start": 2044.48, "end": 2051.44}, {"text": "invited um but what I have noticed is the vast majority of n decision", "start": 2051.44, "end": 2058.358}, {"text": "applications that have gone to the Ontario Lands", "start": 2058.359, "end": 2063.76}, {"text": "Tribunal staff are indicating that the app application was not complete that", "start": 2064.359, "end": 2069.599}, {"text": "the application still had information that they were waiting for and instead of getting that information to them so", "start": 2069.599, "end": 2076.04}, {"text": "that staff could make the decision the developers know they can just jump to the", "start": 2076.04, "end": 2082.398}, {"text": "Olt so can I get a comment on that please delegate colins Williams through", "start": 2082.399, "end": 2089.96}, {"text": "the chair I'm not quite sure I follow is a the clock doesn't start until the", "start": 2089.96, "end": 2096.118}, {"text": "application is deemed complete in terms of hitting that deadline for", "start": 2096.119, "end": 2101.52}, {"text": "appeal to the tribunal now a private sector applicant can make an appeal if they disagree with the city in terms of", "start": 2101.52, "end": 2108.56}, {"text": "whether an application is being deemed complete but as far as I know the timeline does not end at that", "start": 2108.56, "end": 2116.2}, {"text": "non-decision points you have to have a complete application for the clock to even", "start": 2116.2, "end": 2121.96}, {"text": "start and yet we had an application in Upper Stony Creek where they launched a", "start": 2121.96, "end": 2127.2}, {"text": "non decision appeal before it actually even came to the committee here it was supposed to be there two days later but", "start": 2127.2, "end": 2134.92}, {"text": "they jumped in advance and so the the challenge that I'm having is I'm hearing um the arguments U from the", "start": 2134.92, "end": 2144.079}, {"text": "building community and in my time on this Council", "start": 2144.079, "end": 2150.96}, {"text": "I have seen tremendous changes in the process that the planning department", "start": 2150.96, "end": 2157.72}, {"text": "follows in order to expedite decisions to the best of their abilities and yet I", "start": 2157.72, "end": 2164.52}, {"text": "keep hearing the complaint that is not good enough and that's why I'm simply asking what's not good enough tell us", "start": 2164.52, "end": 2171.92}, {"text": "exactly what we should be changing and and then we can consider that but I", "start": 2171.92, "end": 2176.96}, {"text": "don't see that request I see with respect not meaning to", "start": 2176.96, "end": 2183.119}, {"text": "disparage rhetorical statements from the building community", "start": 2183.119, "end": 2188.4}, {"text": "but I still haven't seen I still haven't received this is what you could do to", "start": 2188.4, "end": 2193.88}, {"text": "improve the systems of the city can make those decisions and that's all I'm asking through the chair I would be", "start": 2193.88, "end": 2201.2}, {"text": "happy to meet with the counselor offline to have a more direct conversation with very specific recommendations I appreciate that even", "start": 2201.2, "end": 2208.64}, {"text": "though I'm not on the planning committee thank you that welcome mat's always out", "start": 2208.64, "end": 2214.4}, {"text": "counselor I have councelor Paul's next please thank you I'm just uh wondering", "start": 2214.4, "end": 2220.119}, {"text": "you said about uh that in 2024 we had", "start": 2220.119, "end": 2225.2}, {"text": "1,860 home and that's a big drop but you also said the condos was", "start": 2225.2, "end": 2231.079}, {"text": "285 uh what why do you think condos I don't think it's only our city are not", "start": 2231.079, "end": 2237.319}, {"text": "being uh built fast enough or it's gone the people do not want condos is there", "start": 2237.319, "end": 2244.4}, {"text": "does it cost more to build a condo than actual houses through the chair um I agree this", "start": 2244.4, "end": 2252.2}, {"text": "is not just a city of Hamilton issue on the high-rise intensification side the numbers have uh utterly collapsed in", "start": 2252.2, "end": 2258.88}, {"text": "Vancouver and Toronto as well um although the Hamilton numbers are particularly bad as a as a percentage", "start": 2258.88, "end": 2266.04}, {"text": "decline um the investor component of the market is completely vacated the markets", "start": 2266.04, "end": 2271.76}, {"text": "um the cost to actually uh build and produce a highrise unit exceeds what the", "start": 2271.76, "end": 2278.96}, {"text": "market is willing to pay and um the bottom is completely fallen out uh the", "start": 2278.96, "end": 2285}, {"text": "banks have changed the financing requirements the last couple of years in particular the last year used to be you", "start": 2285, "end": 2290.48}, {"text": "had to get around 70% pre-sales uh in order to have construction financing Advanced um high-rise construction has", "start": 2290.48, "end": 2297.96}, {"text": "now been determined by the Banks to be so risky um with the number of projects", "start": 2297.96, "end": 2303.2}, {"text": "going under and frankly Builders going under that um they're pretty risk adverse to lending", "start": 2303.2, "end": 2310.2}, {"text": "money towards high-rise intensification projects so the pre-sales numbers are much higher and the investors aren't", "start": 2310.2, "end": 2317.28}, {"text": "there so the financing is not being extended you know I heard uh one of the", "start": 2317.28, "end": 2323.48}, {"text": "Builder say to build a a a condo now in an apartment cost about 65,000 extra", "start": 2323.48, "end": 2330.52}, {"text": "just to get a permit to do it so uh I thought wow that's a lot of money and uh", "start": 2330.52, "end": 2336.599}, {"text": "I I I want to get your opinion even though we want good build we want to make sure the building are um climate", "start": 2336.599, "end": 2343.8}, {"text": "standard do you think this extra golden climate standard made a big", "start": 2343.8, "end": 2349.56}, {"text": "difference just a reminder all comments and questions through the chair delegate through the chair I'm so sorry through", "start": 2349.56, "end": 2356.2}, {"text": "the chair through the chair um the Ontario building code was just updated on", "start": 2356.2, "end": 2362.4}, {"text": "January 1st 2025 I believe there are around 5,000 changes to the code", "start": 2362.4, "end": 2368.079}, {"text": "um it's one of the most significant code updates of the last couple of decades uh the province is working to harmonize", "start": 2368.079, "end": 2374.68}, {"text": "with the tier step code with the federal government so there's a lot of changes", "start": 2374.68, "end": 2379.8}, {"text": "that the Min industry is trying to adapt to um I think we're straying a little bit from budget discussions but um the", "start": 2379.8, "end": 2386.96}, {"text": "city of Hamilton does have proposed set of uh green development standards um", "start": 2386.96, "end": 2393}, {"text": "there are some challenges with that and it's not necessarily specific to Hamilton but there are four 144", "start": 2393, "end": 2398.24}, {"text": "different municipalities in Ontario and we are challenged in that you know if", "start": 2398.24, "end": 2404.119}, {"text": "you build a a a Ford truck in Oakville it should be the same truck that's built", "start": 2404.119, "end": 2410.359}, {"text": "in Ottawa or Windsor in terms of the standards um we're challenged in that", "start": 2410.359, "end": 2417.72}, {"text": "there are Builders and developers that build in multiple jurisdictions but the products that we order whether it's", "start": 2417.72, "end": 2423.4}, {"text": "furnaces Windows all the appliances in the home are usually built on by", "start": 2423.4, "end": 2429.76}, {"text": "multinational or national companies so having a different having 444 different sets of", "start": 2429.76, "end": 2436.28}, {"text": "rules is a challenge thank you for that Mike and I I could see the house market uh really", "start": 2436.28, "end": 2443.28}, {"text": "going down uh even though they're still high uh but uh there are lot less homes", "start": 2443.28, "end": 2450.119}, {"text": "being built so thank you for the information thank you thank you counselor councelor MCM", "start": 2450.119, "end": 2459.24}, {"text": "to my good friend Mike here um a couple couple of thoughts occur to", "start": 2462.44, "end": 2467.52}, {"text": "me you mentioned U um different municipalities doing", "start": 2467.52, "end": 2473.64}, {"text": "things uh ostensively better than we're doing here in", "start": 2473.64, "end": 2478.88}, {"text": "Hamilton um and you mentioned a lot of issues around that drive up the price of", "start": 2478.88, "end": 2485.56}, {"text": "housing like Bank charg is supply side issues waiver costs uh materials costs", "start": 2485.56, "end": 2492.76}, {"text": "um we don't control lot of those at the municipal level as you know um changes to the Cod that's an", "start": 2492.76, "end": 2499.64}, {"text": "ongoing problem um as long as I can recall at least the last decade it's", "start": 2499.64, "end": 2505.8}, {"text": "been a struggle to harmonize anything right we have a harmonized tax but we", "start": 2505.8, "end": 2511.28}, {"text": "that's about about the end of the harmonization so I'm to two specific", "start": 2511.28, "end": 2516.8}, {"text": "questions um three specific questions uh what portion of the total cost of a housing", "start": 2516.8, "end": 2524.76}, {"text": "unit uh can be attributed to government fees building permits uh all that sort", "start": 2524.76, "end": 2531.8}, {"text": "of stuff through the chair uh the Altus group does a national benchmarking study", "start": 2531.8, "end": 2538.4}, {"text": "from coast to coast from St John's Newland to uh Victoria BC they look at", "start": 2538.4, "end": 2544.079}, {"text": "uh all of the government imposed charges at the municipal IAL and federal level uh for the top 25 municipalities across", "start": 2544.079, "end": 2551.2}, {"text": "the country we're expecting a 2024 report to be released end of February", "start": 2551.2, "end": 2557}, {"text": "early March so we'll have more uh specific and current numbers uh typically throughout the GTA and", "start": 2557, "end": 2562.92}, {"text": "Hamilton depending on the municipality and the product type it's between 25 and 30% are directly attributed to taxes", "start": 2562.92, "end": 2570.2}, {"text": "fees and charges so that ranges from at the provincial and federal level GST HST", "start": 2570.2, "end": 2575.4}, {"text": "land transfer tax and then when you get down to the local level development charges Community benefits charges uh", "start": 2575.4, "end": 2581.88}, {"text": "cash and L Parkland Etc so 20 to 25 to 30% is taxes that's a lot of money", "start": 2581.88, "end": 2591.48}, {"text": "um okay so", "start": 2591.48, "end": 2595.48}, {"text": "um be interested in your comments on development charges um I can recall a conversation we had not that long ago", "start": 2597.839, "end": 2605.319}, {"text": "where our senior staff were were expressing concerns about our competitiveness if we if we uh were to", "start": 2605.319, "end": 2613.559}, {"text": "escalate those fees too much is that a problem how how do we compare with", "start": 2613.559, "end": 2618.96}, {"text": "development charges to say Birmington depends which direction up the highway you go so Hamilton's charges", "start": 2618.96, "end": 2625.8}, {"text": "are certainly much higher um than Branford St Catherine's anywhere in niagar region uh Hamilton are more", "start": 2625.8, "end": 2633.359}, {"text": "competitive uh than a lot of those in the GTA although things are starting to shift uh the City of Burlington uh", "start": 2633.359, "end": 2640.76}, {"text": "lowered their development charges uh the last time around whereas Hamilton increased theirs by around 30% and just", "start": 2640.76, "end": 2648.28}, {"text": "prior to Christmas mayor Del Dua significantly um very significantly cut", "start": 2648.28, "end": 2654.2}, {"text": "the city of bonds development charges and I know from discussions uh within the industry that there are a number of", "start": 2654.2, "end": 2660.2}, {"text": "other GTA municipalities taking a good hard look at reducing their charges I also recognize that infrastructure needs", "start": 2660.2, "end": 2666.48}, {"text": "to get built so there needs to be stronger Partnerships with the provincial and federal governments uh", "start": 2666.48, "end": 2671.92}, {"text": "once upon a time there was more growth related infrastructure um being funded by senior", "start": 2671.92, "end": 2677.559}, {"text": "levels of government I'm also challenged by the notion of growth pace for growth I've been doing this for 20 years and I", "start": 2677.559, "end": 2682.96}, {"text": "have no idea what that means anymore um because the definition of what growth pays for growth seems to be constantly", "start": 2682.96, "end": 2688.839}, {"text": "changing in kitner they just funded a massive hundred million do plus uh", "start": 2688.839, "end": 2694.16}, {"text": "Sports facility with Olympic swimming pools and soccer fields and all sorts of great", "start": 2694.16, "end": 2700}, {"text": "stuff but it's available to everyone in the community yet it was paid for entirely by development charges so I", "start": 2700, "end": 2706.8}, {"text": "don't know what growth pace for growth means okay my final question and I don't", "start": 2706.8, "end": 2712.24}, {"text": "want to sound cheeky here but I I think it's worth asking is there anything the city of Hamilton do is doing that the", "start": 2712.24, "end": 2718.559}, {"text": "builders like um the downtown community Improvement plan with the uh reductions", "start": 2718.559, "end": 2725.64}, {"text": "to try to attract intensification in the downtown Corp has been very helpful um the erase uh brownfields remediation", "start": 2725.64, "end": 2733.119}, {"text": "program is um I think a a leader in terms of the entire country in terms of", "start": 2733.119, "end": 2738.359}, {"text": "the city having a program in place to incentivize um investment and Brownfield", "start": 2738.359, "end": 2744.2}, {"text": "Redevelopment that being said Hamilton has a little more I'll call it industrial Heritage in history than some", "start": 2744.2, "end": 2750.2}, {"text": "other municipalities in terms of some of the challenges in the downtown core um and some of the pre- zoning work around", "start": 2750.2, "end": 2756.4}, {"text": "um the lrts been been very helpful and lastly Hamilton was a leader in terms of", "start": 2756.4, "end": 2763.52}, {"text": "these secondary or accessory dwelling units um a lot of other municipalities", "start": 2763.52, "end": 2768.599}, {"text": "are catching up or surpassing but that's an area that Hamilton has historically been a leader in and I'd like to see the", "start": 2768.599, "end": 2774.119}, {"text": "city continue to show leadership in that area thank you we're at time thank", "start": 2774.119, "end": 2780.88}, {"text": "you mayor horth thanks very much um chair Wilson just a couple C of uh quick", "start": 2780.88, "end": 2787.68}, {"text": "questions through you um the first is the um there's a project that's been", "start": 2787.68, "end": 2794.079}, {"text": "underway for about a year it's about to begin pilot uh processes around some of", "start": 2794.079, "end": 2800.64}, {"text": "the concerns that the delegate raised uh in terms of the uh the speed at which", "start": 2800.64, "end": 2807.559}, {"text": "things get done or not get done uh when it comes to projects uh going through", "start": 2807.559, "end": 2813.24}, {"text": "the review process and I just want to ask if the is aware of some of the um", "start": 2813.24, "end": 2819.52}, {"text": "Bloomberg Harvard work that's been done and aware of the pilot projects that are going to begin piloting uh next year two", "start": 2819.52, "end": 2829.2}, {"text": "and there are two uh and they were specifically put together to address uh some of the process issues that uh had", "start": 2829.2, "end": 2836.88}, {"text": "been identified for me when I first became the mayor um are is the delegate aware of those um uh pilot projects and", "start": 2836.88, "end": 2844.839}, {"text": "that process that we engaged a number number of Builders and developers in and", "start": 2844.839, "end": 2849.88}, {"text": "other stakeholders through the chair uh yes I am aware in our associations uh aware of", "start": 2849.88, "end": 2856.52}, {"text": "the pilots uh would love to learn some of the more of the specifics and details as we approach the pilot um project", "start": 2856.52, "end": 2863}, {"text": "timelines and looking forward to that and hopefully if Pilots are successful", "start": 2863, "end": 2868.72}, {"text": "Pilots are implemented on a broader scale thanks I would I would through I would agree with that I think the", "start": 2868.72, "end": 2875.28}, {"text": "message was uh was clear and um I believe that we've had some really", "start": 2875.28, "end": 2881.72}, {"text": "interesting conversations with the sector uh as well as uh with our staff", "start": 2881.72, "end": 2886.92}, {"text": "who've stepped up to do some exciting Innovation and and granted Pilots but uh", "start": 2886.92, "end": 2892.599}, {"text": "getting at some of those concerns that have been raised and so uh happy to hear I I do know that West End Home Builders", "start": 2892.599, "end": 2899}, {"text": "Association was part of the consultation process so I I'm happy about that by the way the report came to us on December", "start": 2899, "end": 2905.839}, {"text": "23rd the up report if kelar hadn't had a chance to have a look I think it might be um interesting to see where things", "start": 2905.839, "end": 2913.76}, {"text": "are with that um the other question I have through you chair is the um is just", "start": 2913.76, "end": 2918.96}, {"text": "the issue around two-tier versus one tier in development charges I know that you me the delegate mentioned uh two", "start": 2918.96, "end": 2927.2}, {"text": "particular cities um I think it was vaugh and uh Burlington both of which", "start": 2927.2, "end": 2933.559}, {"text": "are parts of regional government and so the changes made by the at this at the", "start": 2933.559, "end": 2940.48}, {"text": "lower tier level um when compared", "start": 2940.48, "end": 2945.839}, {"text": "to the the overall DCS that are all in lower tier upper tier and two-tier", "start": 2945.839, "end": 2952.44}, {"text": "municipalities uh does the does the delegate have any kind", "start": 2952.44, "end": 2958.559}, {"text": "of information available right right at this moment uh to make that comparison", "start": 2958.559, "end": 2964.28}, {"text": "so if if V reduc rces charges significantly uh what does it look like", "start": 2964.28, "end": 2971.48}, {"text": "when it's when the the I think it's York Region that V is part of when those are added up and compared to Hamilton and", "start": 2971.48, "end": 2978.44}, {"text": "similarly uh Burlington and Halton um because it's really apples to oranges if", "start": 2978.44, "end": 2983.72}, {"text": "I may through you uh Madam chair it's apples to oranges when we're looking at a two-tier municipalities and two sets", "start": 2983.72, "end": 2989.799}, {"text": "of development charges versus a single tier municipality in my humble opinion and I may be incorrect but can I through", "start": 2989.799, "end": 2997.04}, {"text": "the chair any um sense of of what that looks like through the chair I I don't have", "start": 2997.04, "end": 3005.359}, {"text": "the spreadsheets in front of me with every GTA municipality's um development charges um but uh yes uh vau is part of", "start": 3005.359, "end": 3013.52}, {"text": "the lower tier of York Region and there are different responsibilities assigned to the upper tiers and lower tiers um", "start": 3013.52, "end": 3020.68}, {"text": "throughout the GTA the regional governments have some of the larger trunk infrastructure as it relates to Water and Wastewater uh the same would", "start": 3020.68, "end": 3027.359}, {"text": "go for Burlington and Halton regions so these are a couple lower tiers that have showed leadership in terms of sharpening", "start": 3027.359, "end": 3033.359}, {"text": "their pencils and um taking the opportunity or looking for opportunities to reduce the charges but it is just the", "start": 3033.359, "end": 3040.2}, {"text": "lower tier uh in terms of apples to oranges comparison um I I don't want to", "start": 3040.2, "end": 3047.28}, {"text": "debate but I I would just Hamilton is a single tier and it's", "start": 3047.28, "end": 3052.48}, {"text": "essentially the responsibilities of the upper tier and the lower tier put together in one level of government so", "start": 3052.48, "end": 3057.96}, {"text": "yes it's a different system but ultimately all of the different inputs are the same inputs that Hamilton's", "start": 3057.96, "end": 3063.96}, {"text": "responsible for it's just through the two tiers so you have a case in other jurisdictions where the lower tiers have", "start": 3063.96, "end": 3069.76}, {"text": "made changes to reduce DCS and at this stage in time the oper teers did", "start": 3069.76, "end": 3076.04}, {"text": "not uh thanks for you uh Madam chair just a an observation that in fact we are responsible for trunk sewers and", "start": 3076.04, "end": 3082.4}, {"text": "those kinds of things uh at the at the single tier municipalities um and I I I", "start": 3082.4, "end": 3088.04}, {"text": "would just also um I would also ask that if there's", "start": 3088.04, "end": 3095.88}, {"text": "um if there's an if there's any difference with the comparisons and I'll wrap up with this question um the", "start": 3096.24, "end": 3104.599}, {"text": "comparisons that get made with older municipalities versus New Growth municipalities and again we not only", "start": 3104.599, "end": 3111.799}, {"text": "have new growth to address as an upper as a single tier municipality we have uh", "start": 3111.799, "end": 3117.2}, {"text": "we have the what I just Des we both kind of described the delegate and myself as", "start": 3117.2, "end": 3122.24}, {"text": "having responsibility for the uh the lower tier and upper tier kinds of", "start": 3122.24, "end": 3127.599}, {"text": "infrastructure necessary to to grow a community and to build a great Community", "start": 3127.599, "end": 3132.839}, {"text": "uh but we also as an older City have the extra challenge of very old", "start": 3132.839, "end": 3140.119}, {"text": "decaying uh infrastructure that's on its last legs that also needs to be replaced", "start": 3140.119, "end": 3145.24}, {"text": "on top of the the new infrastructure that's uh necessary for growth and so any comment that I could get from the", "start": 3145.24, "end": 3151.44}, {"text": "delegate on that please through the chair I'll make two comments one of the interesting comments", "start": 3151.44, "end": 3156.68}, {"text": "made by um mayor Steven deldo with the bond situation was and and they took a", "start": 3156.68, "end": 3163.359}, {"text": "different approach than Burlington Burlington took the approach of looking at very specific projects and seeing", "start": 3163.359, "end": 3168.44}, {"text": "what was going to get built in the 10-year time frame and what was not and they looked at a couple projects in years 8 n and 10 and thought", "start": 3168.44, "end": 3174.119}, {"text": "realistically this is not going to get built so we're not going to put it in this DC background study mayor Bon took", "start": 3174.119, "end": 3180.119}, {"text": "a very different approach um which was that despite increasing development", "start": 3180.119, "end": 3185.799}, {"text": "charges their revenue was going down each and every year because of the lack of housing starts and he was looking at", "start": 3185.799, "end": 3192.2}, {"text": "a go forward basis and you know 50% of nothing is still nothing so uh their", "start": 3192.2, "end": 3199.24}, {"text": "concern there was that overall they were going to have a lot less Revenue coming in and they're trying to", "start": 3199.24, "end": 3205.28}, {"text": "incentivize um intensification and and more growth so that they can actually get the money", "start": 3205.28, "end": 3210.599}, {"text": "flowing again so it was just two very different approaches uh in terms of the age of the city of Hamilton you've got", "start": 3210.599, "end": 3217.88}, {"text": "some combined sewers and some uh in your words some decaying infrastructure um", "start": 3217.88, "end": 3223.599}, {"text": "that definitely does provide a different set of circumstances something that", "start": 3223.599, "end": 3229}, {"text": "frankly senior levels of government should have a stronger role in terms of supporting um some of those much needed", "start": 3229, "end": 3235.68}, {"text": "upgrades in terms of the allocation towards growth versus non-growth I think there could be a healthy technical", "start": 3235.68, "end": 3241.88}, {"text": "debate of well what is attributed to New Growth and what is a benefit to existing is the infrastructure that is decaying", "start": 3241.88, "end": 3249.079}, {"text": "um how much of that should be attributed to new home buyers buying condos and them having to pay for it versus the", "start": 3249.079, "end": 3255.599}, {"text": "entire Community or the existing residents of Hamilton and given what we're seeing with housing starts there's", "start": 3255.599, "end": 3261.92}, {"text": "there's not a whole lot of growth coming to downtown Hamilton and there might not be for a while", "start": 3261.92, "end": 3268.359}, {"text": "thank you delegate uh thank you mayor Horvath does that exhaust your your", "start": 3268.599, "end": 3273.799}, {"text": "questions okay thank you and uh just as a chair I am allowed to allude to facts", "start": 3273.799, "end": 3279.119}, {"text": "25 years ago 75 cents on the dollar was for upperi infrastructure uh the very", "start": 3279.119, "end": 3284.599}, {"text": "things mayor horbath was talking about I suspect that amount has grown since construction costs have grown by 30% in", "start": 3284.599, "end": 3291.96}, {"text": "the last less than decade councelor cassar yeah thanks chair wellson just one", "start": 3291.96, "end": 3298.44}, {"text": "clarification question on going back to the planning process that uh Council Clark and the mayor spoke to um so the", "start": 3298.44, "end": 3305.119}, {"text": "delegate indicated that the processes in Hamilton need to be improved so question", "start": 3305.119, "end": 3310.92}, {"text": "have those um needed improvements been put to senior staff and if so in", "start": 3310.92, "end": 3316.119}, {"text": "planning and if so what was the response for you chair through the chair we have ongoing", "start": 3316.119, "end": 3323.559}, {"text": "dialogue with senior staff in the city of Hamilton I would say that the it's it's a healthy relationship of you know", "start": 3323.559, "end": 3329.559}, {"text": "we don't always agree on everything but um there is um a professional healthy relationship in terms of ongoing", "start": 3329.559, "end": 3335.68}, {"text": "dialogue um we continue to present ideas to the city of Hamilton and and through", "start": 3335.68, "end": 3341.359}, {"text": "the development Industry leoon Group and um other opportunities that that", "start": 3341.359, "end": 3346.839}, {"text": "dialogue uh does continue um so uh overall I think it's a positive", "start": 3346.839, "end": 3352.119}, {"text": "relationship but you know from our perspective um more needs to be get done", "start": 3352.119, "end": 3357.44}, {"text": "and this isn't just the city of Hamilton this is throughout Ontario and part of the the responsibility here lies on the", "start": 3357.44, "end": 3363.48}, {"text": "provincial government getting its house in order in terms of um the legislative and Regulatory framework but um perhaps", "start": 3363.48, "end": 3370.079}, {"text": "I'm coming to the table today with a little more Edge than usual and that is because things are bad out there there", "start": 3370.079, "end": 3375.52}, {"text": "are going to be a lot of job losses in our sector in the next couple of years uh in particular on the high-rise um", "start": 3375.52, "end": 3381.76}, {"text": "intensification side and you know we're also in a housing crisis and and we", "start": 3381.76, "end": 3388}, {"text": "frankly need to be building more for the future of Hamilton and the residents of Hamilton and um The Edge comes from a", "start": 3388, "end": 3394.559}, {"text": "place of frustration that things are very bad out there right", "start": 3394.559, "end": 3399.839}, {"text": "now yeah and through you chair thank you for the response and I think there's many things that we can control process", "start": 3399.839, "end": 3405.4}, {"text": "is one of them so I think we should be putting effort into finding out where there is mutual agreement on process", "start": 3405.4, "end": 3410.799}, {"text": "improvements so for future discussion thank you thank you thank you councelor", "start": 3410.799, "end": 3415.88}, {"text": "mcme for a second time but before uh going to second time any first time speakers we're exhausted that okay", "start": 3415.88, "end": 3423}, {"text": "councelor MCM yeah one one more question Mike and", "start": 3423, "end": 3429.799}, {"text": "councelor casar um almost precisely asked what I what I want to ask so thank", "start": 3429.799, "end": 3435.44}, {"text": "you for that it has to do with process um it's clear from uh listening to you", "start": 3435.44, "end": 3440.559}, {"text": "today and uh in recent uh meetings uh", "start": 3440.559, "end": 3446.76}, {"text": "um that uh there's a lot of discussion and conversation we need to be having um", "start": 3446.76, "end": 3453.28}, {"text": "we talk about homelessness here is an all of Hamilton approach um because there's not very", "start": 3453.28, "end": 3459.599}, {"text": "much coming from the senior levels of government and we are picking up the cost of that as you know by and large it", "start": 3459.599, "end": 3467.559}, {"text": "occurs to me as as one who's had a foot at a different level one", "start": 3467.559, "end": 3474.319}, {"text": "here that the real problem is we don't have an all of government approach", "start": 3474.319, "end": 3479.599}, {"text": "around anything from building codes to uh uh how we're going to deal with", "start": 3479.599, "end": 3485.319}, {"text": "supply chain issues to U uh living wage uh concerns uh and and God forbid a 25%", "start": 3485.319, "end": 3494.559}, {"text": "tariff on products that uh uh may be coming north and the potential trade war", "start": 3494.559, "end": 3500.96}, {"text": "that That Could set off I don't think that's going to help the the building industry at all I remember the the softw", "start": 3500.96, "end": 3507.119}, {"text": "the lumber Lumber fights we we had and and won eventually but took seven years to do that so I'm wondering is", "start": 3507.119, "end": 3514.28}, {"text": "there are there enhancements to the mechanism the process uh that would uh", "start": 3514.28, "end": 3520.319}, {"text": "allow us without prejudice to come together and to have uh more folsome", "start": 3520.319, "end": 3527.76}, {"text": "conversations about how we're all in this together and need a together response to uh make things happen", "start": 3527.76, "end": 3536.16}, {"text": "through the chair we we really do need you know all three levels of government private sector nonprofit sector to be", "start": 3536.16, "end": 3543.039}, {"text": "coming to the table together um for Solutions and whether it's a private sector Builder or a nonprofit Builder", "start": 3543.039, "end": 3548.799}, {"text": "we're we're all going through the same um regulatory process um and Hamilton", "start": 3548.799, "end": 3553.92}, {"text": "has shown a lot of leadership on the nonprofit side and investments into affordable housing but I would remind", "start": 3553.92, "end": 3559.16}, {"text": "members of the committee that market rate housing accounts for about 95% of Hamilton's residential housing and to", "start": 3559.16, "end": 3564.64}, {"text": "solve the housing crisis we we do need to work on that side of the equation too otherwise you're sort of continuing to", "start": 3564.64, "end": 3571.079}, {"text": "add water to an overfilled bucket without plugging the hole in the bottom and it's creating an environment where", "start": 3571.079, "end": 3576.76}, {"text": "those who can afford to to leave du and Hamilton's left with the growing population and issues at the bottom end", "start": 3576.76, "end": 3583.44}, {"text": "of the market which you don't have the resources to to fully help with and um", "start": 3583.44, "end": 3589.72}, {"text": "you know there there's lots of things that we can do together and just I'll throw one example I think with AI and", "start": 3589.72, "end": 3595.28}, {"text": "information techn techology um you know there's other municip you know Colona does their building permits all", "start": 3595.28, "end": 3601.16}, {"text": "automatically through AI in terms of Building Code Compliance um you know this might be more on the province than", "start": 3601.16, "end": 3607.24}, {"text": "the city of Hamilton but you know we've got 444 municipalities in Ontario there", "start": 3607.24, "end": 3612.319}, {"text": "should be similar submission you know what are the studies required for a complete application that was was", "start": 3612.319, "end": 3618.359}, {"text": "alluded to some of the challenges earlier and I I recognize that there are unique circumstances for you know a", "start": 3618.359, "end": 3623.599}, {"text": "particular application in Sudbury versus a particular application in Hamilton but you know why is the list of studies so", "start": 3623.599, "end": 3630.599}, {"text": "drastically different um for a similar project would be it in Hamilton or kaladan so I think there is a a role", "start": 3630.599, "end": 3639.44}, {"text": "perhaps for the province and and municipalities working together to have greater levels of consistency perhaps a", "start": 3639.44, "end": 3645.039}, {"text": "one window approach using information technology that it's the same system that an application is being", "start": 3645.039, "end": 3651.079}, {"text": "made in Toronto or Ottawa or Hamilton um I think perhaps you know don't let a", "start": 3651.079, "end": 3657.4}, {"text": "good crisis go to waste there are opportunities to streamline the system and build greater levels of consistency", "start": 3657.4, "end": 3663.72}, {"text": "and and have a stronger role for the province to to create a Level Playing Field throughout the province and fund", "start": 3663.72, "end": 3670.599}, {"text": "you guys better so if the necessity is the mother of invention is the old phrase sometimes", "start": 3670.599, "end": 3676.92}, {"text": "a crisis can be used to our advantage to move things forward I would respectfully", "start": 3676.92, "end": 3682.2}, {"text": "suggest through you chair that um um", "start": 3682.2, "end": 3687.68}, {"text": "any advice you may have to our senior leadership team through either the planning team or the mayor's", "start": 3687.68, "end": 3694.28}, {"text": "office um that might enhance our ability to talk to one another and to", "start": 3694.28, "end": 3701.119}, {"text": "preemptively uh anticipate some of the challenge or even retroactively respond", "start": 3701.119, "end": 3706.96}, {"text": "to them would be uh would be an invitation an open invitation I think we'd want to extend to", "start": 3706.96, "end": 3712.92}, {"text": "you thank you councelor MCM that's it thanks councelor clerk please for a", "start": 3712.92, "end": 3718.599}, {"text": "second time uh thank you and chair just a couple more questions and I think it", "start": 3718.599, "end": 3724.64}, {"text": "will help um both the council and our staff", "start": 3724.64, "end": 3732}, {"text": "so Mike has intonated that that some of the challenges that the developers are experiencing now are more economic in", "start": 3732, "end": 3739.599}, {"text": "nature um in terms of banks lines of credits", "start": 3739.599, "end": 3747}, {"text": "um cost for shity bonds um Banks not willing to lend money out unless they", "start": 3747, "end": 3755}, {"text": "have a performer that meets their their value you've touched on that with regards to multi-residential", "start": 3755, "end": 3762.44}, {"text": "properties and so um is it possible just", "start": 3762.44, "end": 3768.2}, {"text": "to get a good understanding of what the impacts are because what I've heard and is purely anecdotal", "start": 3768.2, "end": 3776.24}, {"text": "is that there have already been significant layoffs in the construction industry in Hamilton and I know from experience in", "start": 3776.24, "end": 3784.079}, {"text": "my aard I have developments that everything's lined up but they're not", "start": 3784.079, "end": 3790.24}, {"text": "moving forward because of the fiscal challenges to get them across the finish line and I", "start": 3790.24, "end": 3798.279}, {"text": "again have heard anecdotally not from many companies operating in Hamilton but in the GTA there's been number of", "start": 3798.279, "end": 3806.279}, {"text": "bankruptcies for companies that are doing multi-residential so what's the", "start": 3806.279, "end": 3813.44}, {"text": "economic experience currently in Hamilton for the", "start": 3813.44, "end": 3819.68}, {"text": "Building Trades the the the developers what's really happening that", "start": 3819.68, "end": 3825.88}, {"text": "that is causing um such challenges for the", "start": 3825.88, "end": 3831.24}, {"text": "developers and I I hope that's a fair question to ask through the chair it's", "start": 3831.24, "end": 3836.44}, {"text": "it's not always easy to separate out one municipality when we're in a broader Mar Market Regional area um we are in a", "start": 3836.44, "end": 3843.599}, {"text": "regional market with um Toronto and the GTA and there are aspects in Hamilton", "start": 3843.599, "end": 3850.319}, {"text": "that are very attached to that regional market and then there's there's no real National housing market but um there are", "start": 3850.319, "end": 3856.72}, {"text": "obvious connections to other major metropolitan areas um in terms of a quick sound bite on on what's happening", "start": 3856.72, "end": 3863.799}, {"text": "in in Hamilton um in Hamilton and some of the immediate surrounding area the only sales that are happening is there's", "start": 3863.799, "end": 3870.76}, {"text": "some movements in the lowrise be it's single semis and town homes um that's", "start": 3870.76, "end": 3876.279}, {"text": "the only segment of the market where there's any enduser traffic even showing up in sales offices um people aren't", "start": 3876.279, "end": 3884}, {"text": "launching high-rise projects I'm not going to name the name of the developer but there's a major project in downtown Hamilton that the last time they sold a", "start": 3884, "end": 3891.839}, {"text": "unit was July uh the sales office is open you can go buy today but they haven't sold anything in six or seven", "start": 3891.839, "end": 3898.119}, {"text": "months um some of these projects are going to get cancelled um some may shift", "start": 3898.119, "end": 3903.839}, {"text": "over to purpose built rental there's been some movement on the purpose built rental side uh CC has the CC select", "start": 3903.839, "end": 3910.64}, {"text": "program which has helped with the financing um and the federal government made some very positive moves to the HST", "start": 3910.64, "end": 3917.039}, {"text": "as it applies to rental housing so there's been some fundamental shifts on how uh the economics work with purpose", "start": 3917.039, "end": 3923.559}, {"text": "built rental um in terms of the high-rise ownership", "start": 3923.559, "end": 3929.599}, {"text": "Market I mean it's it's dead than dead I mean we're going back to 1995 or 1996 in", "start": 3929.599, "end": 3936.16}, {"text": "terms of the last time it was this bad things may get worse before they get better um the investors have completely", "start": 3936.16, "end": 3943.44}, {"text": "vacated the market I don't know if they're coming back anytime soon let alone ever and when the market finally", "start": 3943.44, "end": 3951.039}, {"text": "does start to turn on the highrise I hate to be the bear of bad news but it's it's going to turn in Vancouver and", "start": 3951.039, "end": 3957.88}, {"text": "downtown Toronto long before it turns in downtown Hamilton so the wave will start in downtown Toronto will come to some", "start": 3957.88, "end": 3964.4}, {"text": "other 905 municipalities and hopefully eventually here chair may I ask for clarification", "start": 3964.4, "end": 3972.68}, {"text": "about you mentioned Vancouver what are you referencing that's that's likely to come here from", "start": 3972.68, "end": 3979.599}, {"text": "the Vancouver experience no I'm just through the chair um in general in terms", "start": 3979.599, "end": 3984.96}, {"text": "of positive Market sentiment and any investors returning and investors are a", "start": 3984.96, "end": 3991.599}, {"text": "key component of the high-rise Market you're not going to get to sales thresholds to be able to build anything", "start": 3991.599, "end": 3997.359}, {"text": "substantial based on um end users entirely um you know you do have your uh", "start": 3997.359, "end": 4003.92}, {"text": "manpa smalltime investors that might invest in Project X or Y in a community", "start": 4003.92, "end": 4009.2}, {"text": "closer to home but in terms of anything substantial it would be downtown Toronto", "start": 4009.2, "end": 4014.48}, {"text": "and downtown Vancouver that start to move first in terms of that", "start": 4014.48, "end": 4020.92}, {"text": "macroeconomic um Market sentiment shift in terms of the Canadian real estate", "start": 4020.92, "end": 4026.24}, {"text": "market last question if I may and your speculation is based on what what's the", "start": 4026.24, "end": 4031.279}, {"text": "challenge in downtown Hamilton through the chair", "start": 4031.279, "end": 4038.559}, {"text": "um through the condo boom of the last couple of decades it started you know", "start": 4038.559, "end": 4043.799}, {"text": "Toronto is a Toronto attra s worldwide capital and interests uh and on the", "start": 4043.799, "end": 4050.4}, {"text": "backs of that you get a lot of domestic capital and interest um I I love", "start": 4050.4, "end": 4056.64}, {"text": "Hamilton but it does not have the um the same uh it's not the same center of", "start": 4056.64, "end": 4062.16}, {"text": "gravity and uh a huge component of it is also higher order transit in terms of", "start": 4062.16, "end": 4067.72}, {"text": "Subway Lines um LRT lines that are actually built let alone under construction and um you know what", "start": 4067.72, "end": 4074.839}, {"text": "Hamilton does have going for it now is all way to way go service hopefully electrification and hopefully in the", "start": 4074.839, "end": 4080.48}, {"text": "coming years an LRT Line under construction but the capital tends to follow um higher order Transit and we're", "start": 4080.48, "end": 4087.16}, {"text": "not there yet and it goes without saying downtown Hamilton is experiencing some other challenges at the", "start": 4087.16, "end": 4095.52}, {"text": "moment that there might not be a lot of competence in terms of capital", "start": 4095.52, "end": 4100.64}, {"text": "investment thank you I appreciate the cander because it's this is information that we do need to know in terms of the", "start": 4100.64, "end": 4106.238}, {"text": "financial impacts and the challenges that the developers are experiencing it's not just the the local guy who's", "start": 4106.239, "end": 4113.48}, {"text": "going out to buy a house but the mortgage rat's too high there's implications right across the economy on", "start": 4113.48, "end": 4119.359}, {"text": "the larger developers so thank you for the latitude chair I appreciate that thank you and before we go to Mayor", "start": 4119.359, "end": 4125.159}, {"text": "Horvath I just wanted to uh say to my colleagues there's a lot of entanglement in this um uh delegation it's uh a lot", "start": 4125.159, "end": 4134}, {"text": "of it is referencing uh uh processes and and approvals which are outside the", "start": 4134, "end": 4139.92}, {"text": "budget per se although there is a budget impact in terms of our local economy and", "start": 4139.92, "end": 4145.159}, {"text": "our ability and our capacity to grow our assessment that affects um our budget so", "start": 4145.159, "end": 4151.798}, {"text": "I am affording some latitude uh but I I just want to remind", "start": 4151.799, "end": 4156.838}, {"text": "folks that this is a budget uh presentation and uh I I trust the", "start": 4156.839, "end": 4162.679}, {"text": "delegate will be reminded of that as well thank you try well thanks very much chair and with", "start": 4162.679, "end": 4170.88}, {"text": "that um guidance uh I would just uh I would just uh I want to just assure the", "start": 4170.88, "end": 4177.12}, {"text": "delegate that in fact the AI uh issue um around finding using AI to assist with", "start": 4177.12, "end": 4183.88}, {"text": "the process of applications and the information is one of the pilots that", "start": 4183.88, "end": 4190.278}, {"text": "we're working on from the Bloomberg so it's I can send you the report if you want it I'm sure you've seen it thank you", "start": 4190.279, "end": 4196.96}, {"text": "very good news thank you thank you delegate for uh your attention and your time today appreciate it thank", "start": 4196.96, "end": 4205.159}, {"text": "you up next we have delegate Lee Fairbanks please in", "start": 4205.159, "end": 4211.04}, {"text": "person just a reminder of the five minute Mark a four a bell will go off um", "start": 4212.32, "end": 4217.76}, {"text": "when you're into the last minute of your uh of your presentation", "start": 4217.76, "end": 4223.84}, {"text": "so uh thank you very much for the opportunity to come and speak today before I start I'd like to personally thank all the counselors and the mayor", "start": 4234.64, "end": 4241.32}, {"text": "for their courage and running for office I and their work every day on behalf of all the citizens of Hamilton I don't", "start": 4241.32, "end": 4247.84}, {"text": "think you get enough credit for what you do and I'm a big supporter it's a massive job and I think i' like to take", "start": 4247.84, "end": 4253.56}, {"text": "every opportunity to thank you for that I'm here today to talk to you about a plan to plant a million trees in the", "start": 4253.56, "end": 4259.44}, {"text": "city in 5 years and save $135 million in doing it now I should point out that you", "start": 4259.44, "end": 4265.199}, {"text": "have already approved the million trees you may not have realized it but this year you agreed to you instructed staff", "start": 4265.199, "end": 4272.199}, {"text": "to plant 20,000 trees a year in over 50 years that will be a million trees I'm going to show you how to do that in five", "start": 4272.199, "end": 4278.76}, {"text": "years the current budget for the 50-year program is $150 million and I'm going to", "start": 4278.76, "end": 4283.96}, {"text": "show you how you can do that for $ million or less now having said that through the chair I can't show you this", "start": 4283.96, "end": 4290.199}, {"text": "in five minutes I can it's impossible I've run through this presentation many times it's about 18 minutes I see that", "start": 4290.199, "end": 4296.28}, {"text": "some of your five minute presentations and end up as 30 minute question and answer periods but I'll assure you if", "start": 4296.28, "end": 4302.28}, {"text": "you allow me to do the full presentation that we have very few questions left to an ask because I will be covering all", "start": 4302.28, "end": 4307.88}, {"text": "the questions this is a twoyear project that I've been working on with counselor staff environmental groups and the", "start": 4307.88, "end": 4313.199}, {"text": "general public and I'm speaking really on behalf of 600,000 people today so if I could ask through the chair for a", "start": 4313.199, "end": 4319.159}, {"text": "motion for time to do the full presentation today rather than coming back and doing it in five minut sections thank you that you're right", "start": 4319.159, "end": 4326.04}, {"text": "that permission must be sought and granted by this committee and to your point you have delegated previously and", "start": 4326.04, "end": 4332.6}, {"text": "I know you've had individual meetings with members of council so it is on the uh the permission has to be provided by", "start": 4332.6, "end": 4338.44}, {"text": "Council it uh c councelor um Paul you're still moving", "start": 4338.44, "end": 4345.52}, {"text": "long my apologies I I was wondering if we just give an extra five minutes like we said if you can uh uh we'll be less", "start": 4345.52, "end": 4353.36}, {"text": "questions I will go for that so we'll get 10 minutes how long did you say you wanted uh if I speak really quickly it's", "start": 4353.36, "end": 4359.96}, {"text": "probably 18 uh we I think we should go for 10 because uh so an extra five has", "start": 4359.96, "end": 4366.6}, {"text": "beened five may I have do you have a secondary for that permission councelor Jackson as you can", "start": 4366.6, "end": 4373.8}, {"text": "appreciate we we have a number public who uh are Mak time out of their day thank you I will give you the first 10", "start": 4373.8, "end": 4379.8}, {"text": "minutes and then you can decide where you want to go from there okay that sounds good so hold on a second we", "start": 4379.8, "end": 4387.198}, {"text": "got um so that approval has to be granted in the form of an electronic vote thank you councelor Jackson okay", "start": 4391.639, "end": 4398.28}, {"text": "thank you if I could ask everybody in the room if you could just wait until we we have to record uh the vote and the", "start": 4398.28, "end": 4403.44}, {"text": "approval thank you and that the the chair will recognize you at the start so that we can also time it appropriately", "start": 4403.44, "end": 4412.04}, {"text": "thanks Thumbs Up For", "start": 4412.32, "end": 4415.92}, {"text": "Me councelor Francis are you able to vote thank you", "start": 4425.6, "end": 4432.04}, {"text": "so sorry because of the presentation we're not able to share the screen it carried by a vote of 10 to one thank", "start": 4436.12, "end": 4441.56}, {"text": "you the an extra five minutes uh is yours please go ahead delegate Fairbanks", "start": 4441.56, "end": 4448.92}, {"text": "thank you very much if I can ask everybody to take a couple of deep breaths before we begin just breathe in with me", "start": 4448.92, "end": 4455.44}, {"text": "out in out the reason I'm asking you to do this is I want you to understand that", "start": 4455.44, "end": 4461.679}, {"text": "we are all in this together because we're all breathing the same air it doesn't matter if you're a counsel or if", "start": 4461.679, "end": 4467.239}, {"text": "you're a staff doesn't matter if you're a doctor or a patient doesn't matter if you're doesn't matter your age doesn't", "start": 4467.239, "end": 4473.6}, {"text": "matter your gender your race religion doesn't matter what w you live in we're all breathing the same air and we're all", "start": 4473.6, "end": 4479.32}, {"text": "living in the same climate change emergency situation so I'm going to focus on WE and I'm going to focus on", "start": 4479.32, "end": 4485.159}, {"text": "air climate change is not a w specific concern it's a city-wide concern now", "start": 4485.159, "end": 4490.239}, {"text": "many of you will remember I was here in October talking about a similar plan to get started with a pilot project in a", "start": 4490.239, "end": 4495.679}, {"text": "park but it turns out the parks are W specific and so the idea of affecting a", "start": 4495.679, "end": 4500.88}, {"text": "Citywide issue with a W specific plan just simply wasn't going to work so I've now adjusted that to be a city specific", "start": 4500.88, "end": 4508.639}, {"text": "concern Citywide concern which is the air the other thing that I'd like to", "start": 4508.639, "end": 4514.08}, {"text": "address is who is making these decisions because when I first started this project almost two years ago I spoke to", "start": 4514.08, "end": 4520}, {"text": "counselors and they said this is a great project we need to have this happen talk to staff they're the ones that make the", "start": 4520, "end": 4526}, {"text": "decisions they're the ones that decide how we're going to deal with this so I went to staff and I proposed it to them", "start": 4526, "end": 4531.48}, {"text": "and they said to me we can't make that decision only Council can make that decision so I was caught in a catch 22", "start": 4531.48, "end": 4536.96}, {"text": "where I've got counselors and staff both saying neither of them could make the decision and both pointing fingers at", "start": 4536.96, "end": 4542.88}, {"text": "the other person so we need to decide who's going to make this decision now I worked with um I work with these", "start": 4542.88, "end": 4549.6}, {"text": "departments so basically my understanding on climate change is the Public Works staff will respond to", "start": 4549.6, "end": 4555.12}, {"text": "direct instruction from councel not from the public and not from Individual counselors and Cynthia Graham the director of the department told me quite", "start": 4555.12, "end": 4561.88}, {"text": "specifically she said this is a council concern if you want to make these changes you need to have Council make", "start": 4561.88, "end": 4567.88}, {"text": "the decision and give us clear instruction as to what to do how to change things so I'm here first and foremost to clarify the context that", "start": 4567.88, "end": 4575.159}, {"text": "this decision I'm asking you today is can only be made by the people in this chamber you cannot send it back to staff", "start": 4575.159, "end": 4581.12}, {"text": "because they've already they've already said they can't make the decision so I think that's important context so let's", "start": 4581.12, "end": 4586.92}, {"text": "talk about the air that we're all breathing that we all share how bad is it well it turns out there's 186", "start": 4586.92, "end": 4593.96}, {"text": "premature deaths in the city every year from air pollution related concerns and over 700 Hospital admissions compare", "start": 4593.96, "end": 4600.6}, {"text": "that 186 deaths with the number of homicides and vehicle facility fatalities and you'll know we spend an", "start": 4600.6, "end": 4607.44}, {"text": "inordinate amount of time and money trying to reduce homicides and vehicle ftil fatalities but very little money if", "start": 4607.44, "end": 4614.36}, {"text": "any on trying to reduce the 186 premature deaths from air pollution", "start": 4614.36, "end": 4619.6}, {"text": "overall in the city there's 600,000 people here nearly 20,000 of them are going to die from Air so I think it's a", "start": 4619.6, "end": 4626.04}, {"text": "very important issue that we need to address and we can do that when you compare compare that to co for instance", "start": 4626.04, "end": 4631.56}, {"text": "700 hamiltonians dying from covid this is a massive health issue and yet we turn the city upside down to try to", "start": 4631.56, "end": 4638.04}, {"text": "prevent covid issues we're doing very little of anything for air pollution the", "start": 4638.04, "end": 4643.8}, {"text": "uh the city does study air pollution every year and this is from their 2024 statistics our air quality was at", "start": 4643.8, "end": 4650.56}, {"text": "moderate or above average risks high risk 14% of the time twice as often as", "start": 4650.56, "end": 4655.96}, {"text": "the rest of Hamilton our sulfur dioxide levels exceeded the criteria for acute", "start": 4655.96, "end": 4661.36}, {"text": "health effects our fine particular matter also exceeded the provincial safety level our sulfur dioxide exceeded", "start": 4661.36, "end": 4668.52}, {"text": "the criteria 162 time 69 times last year the highest number in Ontario Hamilton", "start": 4668.52, "end": 4674.92}, {"text": "Windsor were the only two cities in the province that recorded particulate matter above safe levels the number of", "start": 4674.92, "end": 4681.08}, {"text": "hamiltonians living with asthma is over 880,000 Hamilton has the worst air in", "start": 4681.08, "end": 4686.28}, {"text": "Hamilton in Ontario the worst air so if we could all take another deep breath I think you'll understand that", "start": 4686.28, "end": 4693.159}, {"text": "we're all in this together and we all need to address this we all need to get in the same boat and row in the same", "start": 4693.159, "end": 4698.28}, {"text": "direction the economic cost to Hamilton according to the OM is a billion dollars a year if we were just to reduce this", "start": 4698.28, "end": 4704.4}, {"text": "air ution by 10% we could save a $100 million annually so it's a massive", "start": 4704.4, "end": 4710.08}, {"text": "massive expensive uh problem that we have now nature provides a balance we breathe in oxygen we absorb the oxygen", "start": 4710.08, "end": 4717.36}, {"text": "mixes with carbon carbon we breathe out carbon dioxide plants and vegetation absorb the carbon dioxide keep the", "start": 4717.36, "end": 4724.199}, {"text": "carbon and release the oxygen this balance has been going on for 3 million years but what's happened is that the", "start": 4724.199, "end": 4730.36}, {"text": "world is out of balance now we have a massive increase in population and with the indust natur Revolution we created", "start": 4730.36, "end": 4736.199}, {"text": "pollution sources that never existed ever before meanwhile our population has gone up 16 times we now have 8 billion", "start": 4736.199, "end": 4743.48}, {"text": "people instead of half a billion breathing the air and we've lost a third of our forest to counteract that uh", "start": 4743.48, "end": 4750.159}, {"text": "climate change effect the US National Park Service says that Urban forests are the only way we", "start": 4750.159, "end": 4756.199}, {"text": "can solve this our city is surrounded by for by Farms we can't reforest the Farms", "start": 4756.199, "end": 4761.239}, {"text": "so the only way we can deal with this is to build the forest inside the urban boundaries which is what I'm proposing", "start": 4761.239, "end": 4766.84}, {"text": "we simply more need more vegetation this I think is the most significant slide I", "start": 4766.84, "end": 4772.4}, {"text": "can show you if you look on the right hand side you'll see the urban canopy map which you've seen various shades of", "start": 4772.4, "end": 4777.6}, {"text": "green the one on the left comes from a worldwide asthma study and those various", "start": 4777.6, "end": 4782.84}, {"text": "uh colors of orange show the density of inhalable particles those are the particles that can go directly into your", "start": 4782.84, "end": 4788.76}, {"text": "lungs and cause Health damage and you can see naturally that the North End which is the industrial Zone has dark", "start": 4788.76, "end": 4794.159}, {"text": "orange but if you look at WS 2 1 2 3 4 6 7 and 8 they're much higher than the", "start": 4794.159, "end": 4800.12}, {"text": "wards 5 9 10 12 14 and if you look at the tree coverage you'll see that they directly correlate so if we could turn", "start": 4800.12, "end": 4807.159}, {"text": "that map on the right solid green we would reduce all those particles in the air that everybody breathes and all of", "start": 4807.159, "end": 4813.199}, {"text": "us breathe all the air the air doesn't respect W boundaries most of us drove through three or four WS to get here and", "start": 4813.199, "end": 4819.44}, {"text": "we go back and forth to shop and work and so on so if we can make that tree covered equable which it's not currently", "start": 4819.44, "end": 4826.52}, {"text": "we can have a dramatic increase in reducing pollutions and reducing deaths here in the city of Hamilton now you've", "start": 4826.52, "end": 4832.32}, {"text": "La that laid the foundation already you've passed the climate change emergency Urban canopy study the biodiversity action plan what's missing", "start": 4832.32, "end": 4839.32}, {"text": "is a Citywide plan to make it happen and that's what I'm here for our canopy today is 20% you can see how we relate", "start": 4839.32, "end": 4846.04}, {"text": "to the other major cities in Canada we're quite low the council approved a goal of 40% canopy so how do we get", "start": 4846.04, "end": 4852.719}, {"text": "there I think the srey situation is one of the most interesting because we know what sudbury's like they've planted 10", "start": 4852.719, "end": 4859.719}, {"text": "million trees in the last 44 years they average 227,000 trees a year and we're", "start": 4859.719, "end": 4865.28}, {"text": "saying we're going to plant 20,000 we're not going to make a dent on this situation at 20,000 uh 20,000 trees a", "start": 4865.28, "end": 4872.6}, {"text": "year the current plant 20,000 trees per year times 50 years is a million trees at $150 million the plan I'm bringing to", "start": 4872.6, "end": 4879.679}, {"text": "you today is 200 is 200,000 trees per year for 5 years for a million trees at", "start": 4879.679, "end": 4886.239}, {"text": "$15 million instead of 150 four key budget areas first is reduction in", "start": 4886.239, "end": 4891.4}, {"text": "mowing to reduce greenhouse gases second is to plant trees and parks instead of along the roadsides third is to plant in", "start": 4891.4, "end": 4897.679}, {"text": "a biodiversity habitat so they have a high rate of survival and can live longer and reced and the fourth is to", "start": 4897.679, "end": 4903.32}, {"text": "redestro redeploy Horticultural staff from flowers to trees so reduction in mowing", "start": 4903.32, "end": 4910.28}, {"text": "if we reduce mowing by 50% we can remove emission is equivalent to 5,000 cars", "start": 4910.28, "end": 4917.52}, {"text": "every year for 50% reduction how do we do that first of all we can adjust our", "start": 4917.52, "end": 4922.56}, {"text": "mowing according to usage of playing fields and the growing season which is dormant all summer long and that will", "start": 4922.56, "end": 4928.48}, {"text": "reduce by 25% then if we can plant trees in clusters instead of a single row you see", "start": 4928.48, "end": 4933.679}, {"text": "the row on the left is the way staff plant their trees now and they have to have to mow around every one of those", "start": 4933.679, "end": 4939.199}, {"text": "trees very timec consuming if you plant them in a cluster or you fill in all those gaps between trees they can make", "start": 4939.199, "end": 4944.8}, {"text": "one run down the side and down the other and they will reduce reduce mowing if we plant those million trees and clusters", "start": 4944.8, "end": 4950.719}, {"text": "we'll reduce mowing by another 25% so simply by a couple of adjustments we can reduce by 50% now the second part is to", "start": 4950.719, "end": 4958.719}, {"text": "plant trees and parks instead of roadsides I've shown you this slide before roughly 100% of trees have to be replaced every 25 years if you look at", "start": 4958.719, "end": 4966.08}, {"text": "the picture in the front left forground you'll see a street tree that's probably been there 15 to 20 years the next one", "start": 4966.08, "end": 4972.76}, {"text": "that's that size is far down a sidewalk and the three in between have been planted recently to replace the ones", "start": 4972.76, "end": 4978}, {"text": "that died so that's what's happened on the right hand side of the sidewalk that's a city lot uh works department", "start": 4978, "end": 4984.199}, {"text": "lot and that's a naturalized area where you can see the trees there are maybe 75 to 100 years old they have biodiversity", "start": 4984.199, "end": 4991.04}, {"text": "support that's what we want to do we want to plant that kind of planting in our Parks instead of the roadsides where", "start": 4991.04, "end": 4996.639}, {"text": "we're just turning over those 25 years of trees that you plant you're going to replace them all with the second 25", "start": 4996.639, "end": 5002.8}, {"text": "years you won't actually be gaining any more canopy we can also plant smaller trees and natural habitats in", "start": 5002.8, "end": 5010.239}, {"text": "parks and uh we could I estimate we can plant 20 small trees in the same time as", "start": 5010.239, "end": 5015.92}, {"text": "one street tree so it wouldn't cost any more labor to actually plant smaller", "start": 5015.92, "end": 5021.08}, {"text": "trees in habitat than it would to go and plant one bigger Tree in a big hole all the way down the city we can buy 20", "start": 5021.08, "end": 5027.4}, {"text": "small trees for the same price as one street tree so instead of buying 10,000", "start": 5027.4, "end": 5032.679}, {"text": "Street trees at $200 each we can plant we can buy2 200,000 small trees at $10", "start": 5032.679, "end": 5039.04}, {"text": "each for the same $2 million per year and we're working with these trees all the time these are the trees we give away in the free street tree program and", "start": 5039.04, "end": 5046.239}, {"text": "the ones we plant in mini Forest so we have the experience if we plant in a biodiversity habitat they'll grow 10", "start": 5046.239, "end": 5052.4}, {"text": "times faster so they'll quickly catch up with the bigger trees that we were going to plant in the street trees we'll have that canopy faster this diagram is from", "start": 5052.4, "end": 5059.76}, {"text": "Paul O'Hara and I strongly recommend the city hire him to coordinate this because specific expertise to renaturalization", "start": 5059.76, "end": 5068.88}, {"text": "of this committee and the direction has been granted um are there any", "start": 5094.44, "end": 5100.199}, {"text": "questions councelor Clark please I'm just curious if if his", "start": 5102.44, "end": 5108.52}, {"text": "calculations included the trees that are planted through the Hamilton conservation Authority and the Niagara", "start": 5108.52, "end": 5115.04}, {"text": "Peninsula conservation Authority and the Watershed of Hamilton through the chair no I'm", "start": 5115.04, "end": 5121.84}, {"text": "talking about the million trees that the cities agreed to plant I'm just redirecting those million trees", "start": 5121.84, "end": 5126.96}, {"text": "into a different uh program thank you thank", "start": 5126.96, "end": 5133.239}, {"text": "you thank you again I don't see any speakers online and uh really appreciate", "start": 5133.239, "end": 5139.159}, {"text": "your time thank you next up we have delegate Jen Baker", "start": 5139.159, "end": 5145.199}, {"text": "from the Hamilton naturalist Club", "start": 5145.199, "end": 5149.52}, {"text": "good afternoon hello okay okay um hi everybody it's", "start": 5158.199, "end": 5165.639}, {"text": "good to see you um thanks for having me here today to share some comments for", "start": 5165.639, "end": 5170.679}, {"text": "your consideration because I know you need more as you're going through this budget process um so I'm Jen Baker", "start": 5170.679, "end": 5176.44}, {"text": "general manager with the Hamilton naturalist club and for those who aren't familiar the hnc is 106y old charitable", "start": 5176.44, "end": 5183.8}, {"text": "organization ation with over 600 members dedicated to the study appreciation and", "start": 5183.8, "end": 5189.28}, {"text": "conservation of our wild plants and animals so really that means we're sented around protecting and enhancing", "start": 5189.28, "end": 5195.92}, {"text": "biodiversity in urban and rural areas so for the last 10 years we've been", "start": 5195.92, "end": 5201.08}, {"text": "creating pollinator habitats across the city um working with hnc volunteers", "start": 5201.08, "end": 5206.719}, {"text": "community members and conservation partners and over time that led to the collaborative development of Hamilton's", "start": 5206.719, "end": 5213.679}, {"text": "first biodiversity action plan which Council approved in June so as you know", "start": 5213.679, "end": 5219.84}, {"text": "addressing the interrelated crises of biodiversity loss and climate change is a fundamental imperative that everyone", "start": 5219.84, "end": 5226.719}, {"text": "needs to participate in a healthy environment is key to the long-term sustainability and well-being of", "start": 5226.719, "end": 5232.92}, {"text": "Hamilton and can provide enormous environmental social and economic", "start": 5232.92, "end": 5238.08}, {"text": "benefits so hnc and our partners um drafted the or developed the biodiversity action plan and to protect", "start": 5238.08, "end": 5245.199}, {"text": "and restore our biodiversity so now we're working on the even more important part which is doing the work that all of", "start": 5245.199, "end": 5251.28}, {"text": "us had committed to do so the collaborative nature of the Bap means that we'll be working to accomplish all", "start": 5251.28, "end": 5258.32}, {"text": "of these things more effectively and more efficiently because we're working together sharing our expertise things", "start": 5258.32, "end": 5264.159}, {"text": "like that and so for hnc this includes to continue to maintain and expand our", "start": 5264.159, "end": 5270.96}, {"text": "our pollinator habitats in the city we've been stting the urban forest in Captain Cornelius park for seven years", "start": 5270.96, "end": 5278.239}, {"text": "several years and we're now in discussions with forestry to take that model and look at stewarding other Urban", "start": 5278.239, "end": 5285.239}, {"text": "forests with new community volunteers and I have a few funding asks out to to", "start": 5285.239, "end": 5290.679}, {"text": "do this work today I'm here to talk about hc's support for the staffing", "start": 5290.679, "end": 5296.239}, {"text": "request made in the B staff report the report did a really good job of outlining the what and the why staff", "start": 5296.239, "end": 5303.52}, {"text": "need to make the the commitments the city has committed to through the Bap um", "start": 5303.52, "end": 5309.159}, {"text": "and so the staff just need extra help to be able to do these commitments and I", "start": 5309.159, "end": 5314.4}, {"text": "really want to emphasize so the staff we've been working with and there's a lot over the last number of years are", "start": 5314.4, "end": 5319.639}, {"text": "super committed to biodiversity enhancement to the actions in the B but", "start": 5319.639, "end": 5325.08}, {"text": "they need some help they're all stretched really thin so they need some help but that doesn't diminish their", "start": 5325.08, "end": 5330.639}, {"text": "dedication so the planning department has asked for additional staff person to work on the planning commitments and the", "start": 5330.639, "end": 5337.119}, {"text": "Bap along with Bap related projects the city is already interested in like the", "start": 5337.119, "end": 5342.48}, {"text": "natural areas inventory uh the natural areas acquisition fund the 30x30 and", "start": 5342.48, "end": 5348.48}, {"text": "then the the ongoing review of policies for natural heritage Public Works has", "start": 5348.48, "end": 5353.84}, {"text": "asked for four full-time positions to support the Bap to allow the continued involvement in B", "start": 5353.84, "end": 5360.04}, {"text": "coordination um and then undertake the actions the public works actions so this", "start": 5360.04, "end": 5365.8}, {"text": "includes things like supporting actions in the Watershed action plan that relate to Bap and that's really looking at the", "start": 5365.8, "end": 5373.119}, {"text": "the nature-based solutions part of the Watershed action plan um so that's kind", "start": 5373.119, "end": 5378.4}, {"text": "of looking how nature can help to manage our water there's also Green Space enhancement so part of that can include", "start": 5378.4, "end": 5386.119}, {"text": "with extra support um groups like The hnc Green Venture other community groups", "start": 5386.119, "end": 5392.119}, {"text": "um can be able to do more if there's a additional staff support we can all do more on the ground without having staff", "start": 5392.119, "end": 5399.199}, {"text": "have to do all of it um so those you know from all of these benefits from all", "start": 5399.199, "end": 5404.52}, {"text": "of us working together and just a quick reminder so the Bap has been developed", "start": 5404.52, "end": 5409.84}, {"text": "over more than 5 years with $22,000 from arser Mattel def Fasco and", "start": 5409.84, "end": 5416.96}, {"text": "20,000 from the city's water department and then uncountable hours from all of", "start": 5416.96, "end": 5423.76}, {"text": "the Partners Dem so this demonstrates we're committed to this now we're into", "start": 5423.76, "end": 5429.84}, {"text": "the more important phase of implementation and getting her getting her done um and the whole reason the Bap", "start": 5429.84, "end": 5437.6}, {"text": "was developed we need some additional support to do this I talked about the importance of healthy biodiversity for a", "start": 5437.6, "end": 5445.199}, {"text": "healthy community and I asked Council to support staff's requests for some help with Bap implementation something that", "start": 5445.199, "end": 5452.719}, {"text": "the community is depend end ing on and frankly waiting for and that will help the whole Community far far into the", "start": 5452.719, "end": 5460.159}, {"text": "future thank you thank you delegate Baker um are", "start": 5460.159, "end": 5467.28}, {"text": "there any questions of the delegate councelor casar thank you chair", "start": 5467.28, "end": 5473.159}, {"text": "Wilson and just to maybe summarize and clarify so last year this Council", "start": 5473.159, "end": 5478.6}, {"text": "approved the biodiversity action plan and it was put together with the city and a whole bunch of Partners in the community", "start": 5478.6, "end": 5484.719}, {"text": "and what's in the 2025 budget is some staffing that is going to leverage all", "start": 5484.719, "end": 5490.76}, {"text": "these the efforts and the hours put in by several Community Partners is that a fair summary of what you were saying um", "start": 5490.76, "end": 5496.96}, {"text": "that is um one of the things that could happen with additional support yes okay", "start": 5496.96, "end": 5502.8}, {"text": "thank you there are no further questions for", "start": 5502.8, "end": 5508.119}, {"text": "you thank you for your delegation and taking the time out of your day okay thanks everybody thank you", "start": 5508.119, "end": 5515.36}, {"text": "next up we have delegate Greg dennet or dennet of the Hamilton Chamber of", "start": 5515.36, "end": 5521.92}, {"text": "Commerce here in person good afternoon good afternoon everybody and a job well done by delegate Baker uh we go", "start": 5521.92, "end": 5530.239}, {"text": "to the same CrossFit gym and we are legally required to mention that we go to a CrossFit gym as part of our uh", "start": 5530.239, "end": 5535.84}, {"text": "presentation so good afternoon all committee members and as always uh thank you for the opportunity to speak today", "start": 5535.84, "end": 5542.6}, {"text": "for 180 years the amilton Chamber of Commerce has been the leading voice of Hamilton for Hamilton businesses uh", "start": 5542.6, "end": 5548.84}, {"text": "today we proudly represent over a thousand member organizations that employ more than 75,000 people across", "start": 5548.84, "end": 5554.8}, {"text": "our city as president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce it is my absolute privilege to speak on behalf of", "start": 5554.8, "end": 5561}, {"text": "our vibrant and diverse business Community as you deliberate on the 2025", "start": 5561, "end": 5566.28}, {"text": "budget I want to frame today's discussion with a key Point regarding the se's achieving its Vision to be the best place to raise a child and age", "start": 5566.28, "end": 5572.28}, {"text": "successfully there is work to be done um Hamilton was recently ranked 56 on the", "start": 5572.28, "end": 5577.36}, {"text": "global males list of Canada's most livable cities um I don't offer that up as a criticism but rather to highlight", "start": 5577.36, "end": 5583.4}, {"text": "the importance of making smart strategic Investments that will position Hamilton as a great place to live work and play", "start": 5583.4, "end": 5589.48}, {"text": "today and into the future to achieve that objective the chamber supports critical investments in infrastructure", "start": 5589.48, "end": 5595.32}, {"text": "affordable housing and Public Safety these are all vital to our City's growth and resilience however we must also", "start": 5595.32, "end": 5601.199}, {"text": "Express caution and share our concerns over the proposed 6. three property tax increase while in line with provincial", "start": 5601.199, "end": 5606.6}, {"text": "Trends this increase will place additional strand on Hamilton businesses and families it is also important to", "start": 5606.6, "end": 5612.679}, {"text": "note that Hamilton's economy faces New Economic Challenge and risk since the budget process began uh that includes an", "start": 5612.679, "end": 5619.32}, {"text": "increase in unemployment rates year-over-year as well as the potential of us tariffs that will impact our economy these impacts are going to be", "start": 5619.32, "end": 5626.199}, {"text": "felt significantly here in Hamilton uh and in our manufacturing sector which supports over 28,000 jobs in our city", "start": 5626.199, "end": 5632.28}, {"text": "20% higher than the national Benchmark um so as we go through this process these challenges demand a", "start": 5632.28, "end": 5638.159}, {"text": "balanced approach to budget management to ensure that we invest in our future while minimizing the tax burden on Hamilton businesses and households uh we", "start": 5638.159, "end": 5645.84}, {"text": "continue to recommend that the city look at all ways to reduce the tax burden and this may include making the difficult", "start": 5645.84, "end": 5652.36}, {"text": "decisions to remove programs and issues that no longer benefit our community in my remaining time I do want to highlight several key areas of the budget and how", "start": 5652.36, "end": 5659.44}, {"text": "we feel it will impact the future growth of Hamilton when it comes to housing and in the 2025 budget uh it does reflect", "start": 5659.44, "end": 5666.44}, {"text": "the important investment in affordable housing these Investments are critical and the chambers in support as a", "start": 5666.44, "end": 5672.32}, {"text": "significant step in addressing the needs for affordable housing in our community however we also want to emphasize the need for Investments across the entire", "start": 5672.32, "end": 5678.679}, {"text": "housing Spectrum to accomodate our growing population and the workforce of tomorrow to truly address the housing", "start": 5678.679, "end": 5685.08}, {"text": "crisis the city should continue us to remove bureaucratic barriers expediate", "start": 5685.08, "end": 5690.119}, {"text": "approvals and encourage Innovation solutions that get more shovels in the ground and uh I'll hope that all questions were", "start": 5690.119, "end": 5696.52}, {"text": "answered by delegate Collins Williams um when it comes to downtown and thriving downtown is essential to a prosperous", "start": 5696.52, "end": 5703.08}, {"text": "Hamilton and I've made my thoughts pretty clear on that over the past uh several delegations um and we believe", "start": 5703.08, "end": 5709.84}, {"text": "that investments in public health and safety are vital for not only a thriving downtown but a prosperous Hamilton of", "start": 5709.84, "end": 5715.28}, {"text": "today and going forward enhance cleaning increased police president inant supports for emergency response will", "start": 5715.28, "end": 5721.639}, {"text": "make our downtown safer and more inviting for residents businesses and visitors Alik we believe that a safe and", "start": 5721.639, "end": 5726.679}, {"text": "revitalized downtown benefits everyone and will create opportunities for economic and social growth throughout Hamilton we encourage the city to", "start": 5726.679, "end": 5733.44}, {"text": "continue collaborating with Community organizations to amplify the impacts of those Investments critical", "start": 5733.44, "end": 5738.96}, {"text": "infrastructure investments in infrastructure are critical as critical infrastructure would indicate to", "start": 5738.96, "end": 5745.08}, {"text": "Hamilton's long-term economic growth and the LRT project is is at the Cornerstone", "start": 5745.08, "end": 5750.199}, {"text": "of this Vision offering a sustainable efficient and accessible Transportation solution that connects our city it's", "start": 5750.199, "end": 5756.639}, {"text": "essential that we continue prioritizing its advancement as a key element of a connected Hamilton Beyond LRT ongoing", "start": 5756.639, "end": 5763.76}, {"text": "investments in roads Bridges and transit services are necessary to build a fully integrated Transportation Network we", "start": 5763.76, "end": 5770}, {"text": "will also support investments in the West Harbor and Airport employment growth districts these are important to the long-term growth of our community", "start": 5770, "end": 5776.84}, {"text": "unlocking future economic opportunities access creating improved access to jobs", "start": 5776.84, "end": 5782.32}, {"text": "education and health care and finally uh we support uh the climate", "start": 5782.32, "end": 5787.96}, {"text": "change initiatives within the budget as a demonstrate a strong commandment to Hamilton's net zero transition uh I will", "start": 5787.96, "end": 5796.52}, {"text": "note for these efforts to succeed they must be scaled and designed to make economic sense for businesses uh", "start": 5796.52, "end": 5802.84}, {"text": "encouraging participation and driving meaningful progress toward sustainability uh we reaffirm our", "start": 5802.84, "end": 5810.199}, {"text": "support and continued partnership on these projects going forward and so I'd like to thank you all for your time", "start": 5810.199, "end": 5815.48}, {"text": "today and as you deliberate on this budget I ask that you carefully weigh the impacts of any in potential property", "start": 5815.48, "end": 5820.84}, {"text": "tax increase within the current economic climate it will require a deaf touch and a balanced approach to create an", "start": 5820.84, "end": 5827.04}, {"text": "environment that promotes economic and social Prosperity today as well as a bright and resilient future for our economy and community of Tomorrow by", "start": 5827.04, "end": 5834.119}, {"text": "making strategic investments in housing safety infrastructure and sustainability we are making essential decisions to", "start": 5834.119, "end": 5840.32}, {"text": "secure Hamilton's future the chamber is here to help position our committee for that success and we thank you for your", "start": 5840.32, "end": 5846.639}, {"text": "time and have a great day I look forward to your", "start": 5846.639, "end": 5851.118}, {"text": "questions thank you delegate dennet we have uh two counselors with questions thus far councelor Clark followed by", "start": 5851.8, "end": 5858.44}, {"text": "councelor casar councelor Clark uh thank you chair just um a week", "start": 5858.44, "end": 5864.199}, {"text": "or two ago there was a report on the news that um Canada has incurring a 67%", "start": 5864.199, "end": 5871.96}, {"text": "increase in bankruptcy of businesses between this year and last", "start": 5871.96, "end": 5878.56}, {"text": "year you have expressed last time um when Greg was here um that there are", "start": 5878.56, "end": 5886.239}, {"text": "challenges in the city of Hamilton do you have any statistical data um other", "start": 5886.239, "end": 5893.119}, {"text": "than the anecdotal information that you receive that could give", "start": 5893.119, "end": 5899.719}, {"text": "us I guess a Polaroid with which is a very old term shot of what what the city", "start": 5899.719, "end": 5908}, {"text": "is experiencing business and wise um delegate do you need me to", "start": 5908, "end": 5913.119}, {"text": "describe what a polar it is for you through the chair uh they've come back in and so my daughter has one so I", "start": 5913.119, "end": 5920.599}, {"text": "am I am aware of what they are thank thank you for that slight", "start": 5920.599, "end": 5925.92}, {"text": "p uh through the chat it's it's a it's a fair question and in terms of a specific", "start": 5925.92, "end": 5931.719}, {"text": "uh one pager uh sounds like a great thing that we could uh uh Dre dinina is", "start": 5931.719, "end": 5936.96}, {"text": "going to cringe when I say for us to prepare I think when you look at the overall business landscape counselor I", "start": 5936.96, "end": 5943.4}, {"text": "think if you um you know I think we can kind of just piece together uh stories", "start": 5943.4, "end": 5948.56}, {"text": "and The Spectator and and other Medias to kind of paint that picture that you're looking for um we have uh small", "start": 5948.56, "end": 5956.639}, {"text": "businesses that are struggling in our downtown we have uh strong institutions that are um reducing their their staff", "start": 5956.639, "end": 5963.52}, {"text": "thing we have um you know just a", "start": 5963.52, "end": 5968.56}, {"text": "layering on of uh impacts that are are negatives towards business right now", "start": 5968.56, "end": 5974.719}, {"text": "from uh increased costs uh risk of tariffs um I'm and I um", "start": 5974.719, "end": 5983.28}, {"text": "you know the ability to find well trained talent in new areas and we go", "start": 5983.28, "end": 5989.4}, {"text": "down this list and and on top of all those impacts that came from the pandemic and you layer them all on and it would say um you know we're we're at", "start": 5989.4, "end": 5997.599}, {"text": "a we're at a risk factor and and I think we just have to be very cognizant across", "start": 5997.599, "end": 6003.239}, {"text": "the board of uh layer layering on too many straws that might ultimately break the candles back um so where we can", "start": 6003.239, "end": 6011.599}, {"text": "create opportunities to reduce the pressures on all sizes of business right", "start": 6011.599, "end": 6017.48}, {"text": "now I think it's incredibly important thank you I appreciate you cander C sir yeah thank you chair Wilson", "start": 6017.48, "end": 6025.96}, {"text": "and thanks for being here Greg um just a question around what what you mentioned your delegation from the outset was you", "start": 6025.96, "end": 6033.4}, {"text": "know increasing cost proposed 6.3% increase and the burden that has on taxpayers businesses and residential and", "start": 6033.4, "end": 6039.84}, {"text": "then also the need for investment and that's the Perpetual dilemma we have is investing but not increasing taxes and", "start": 6039.84, "end": 6046.28}, {"text": "do it in an affordable way so in terms of investment you know in the budget report there's Capital financing which", "start": 6046.28, "end": 6052.8}, {"text": "is Lar around U uh Investments you talked about 2.1% of the increase and", "start": 6052.8, "end": 6058.28}, {"text": "then you talked about safety the police part of the increase is 1.1% so that's", "start": 6058.28, "end": 6063.32}, {"text": "half the increase there and then you know housing and whatnot so you know I think it it speaks to those speak to", "start": 6063.32, "end": 6069.8}, {"text": "what you were asking for in terms of investment and helping business are there any specific areas that you think", "start": 6069.8, "end": 6075.32}, {"text": "we should be looking at within city services if we're going to peel back in order to improve affordability but still", "start": 6075.32, "end": 6081.44}, {"text": "invest in those things that you said were important through you chair yeah through the chair that that's", "start": 6081.44, "end": 6087.239}, {"text": "a great question and I I think um I definitely tried to articulate and highlight the areas where I think", "start": 6087.239, "end": 6094.28}, {"text": "they're the biggest positive areas of investment to create long-term growth and I what I would say and I'm going to", "start": 6094.28, "end": 6099.88}, {"text": "go a little bit business nerd here one of my favorite books is uh Andy Groves", "start": 6099.88, "end": 6105}, {"text": "High put management he was the uh head of Intel for a while and he talks all about as leaders and as managers it's", "start": 6105, "end": 6111.8}, {"text": "imperative that we identify the large are just lever points that create success so when I talk to those four", "start": 6111.8, "end": 6117.88}, {"text": "fundamental areas that would create levers to long-term success here that's what at the chamber We Believe are the", "start": 6117.88, "end": 6124.8}, {"text": "largest levers for change um in terms of cuts respectfully I don't have a", "start": 6124.8, "end": 6130.36}, {"text": "in-depth enough budget and the budget is significant enough that I I think it's a very uh difficult question I think I", "start": 6130.36, "end": 6138.04}, {"text": "would again turn to that vision and missioning I just again using my business background okay where do we", "start": 6138.04, "end": 6144.44}, {"text": "want to go as a community as a city where do we want where can we make investments that allow us to get there", "start": 6144.44, "end": 6150}, {"text": "and then ultimately where are we investing funds that don't are no longer in line with where we're trying to go as", "start": 6150, "end": 6155.119}, {"text": "a community and I think those would be the areas that I would look to", "start": 6155.119, "end": 6159.159}, {"text": "cut councelor MCM thanks through you thank you you", "start": 6160.679, "end": 6169.08}, {"text": "chair I uh hear a lot of questions asked probably because I have a a couple", "start": 6169.08, "end": 6176.88}, {"text": "of children who have businesses in the core about the uh uh potential impact of", "start": 6176.88, "end": 6182.08}, {"text": "the LRT uh on local businesses uh and uh on", "start": 6182.08, "end": 6188.76}, {"text": "some occasions uh you know the query is and I know you're doing something but", "start": 6188.76, "end": 6194.719}, {"text": "I just maybe an update uh What uh steps preparations is the chamber taking to", "start": 6194.719, "end": 6201.119}, {"text": "assist businesses who may be impacted by the RT and um respectfully counselor is that", "start": 6201.119, "end": 6208.239}, {"text": "your question yes and that it's raised in the context of the economic development side", "start": 6208.239, "end": 6214.52}, {"text": "of the presenter's uh well respectfully I know we have an LRT subcommittee uh", "start": 6214.52, "end": 6220.84}, {"text": "that we're very very privileged to have delegate dennet sit sit on and we're", "start": 6220.84, "end": 6225.92}, {"text": "having those discussions if if we could focus our questions on the budget per se", "start": 6225.92, "end": 6231.08}, {"text": "please okay you mentioned the need for a sound economy and economic growth there", "start": 6231.08, "end": 6236.8}, {"text": "are other factors like the one I just mentioned that will have some impact um", "start": 6236.8, "end": 6242.36}, {"text": "H how is the chamber uh how can the chamber help businesses prepare and City prepare for the challenges", "start": 6242.36, "end": 6249.4}, {"text": "ahead yeah um through the chair I mean we're always trying to take a a future", "start": 6249.4, "end": 6256.32}, {"text": "focused look at what uh we can we can do as a community uh rather than look back", "start": 6256.32, "end": 6261.96}, {"text": "and be negative I I would suggest you know where are we going to build out our our programming for the 2025 year as we", "start": 6261.96, "end": 6269.8}, {"text": "uh put the final touches on strategic plan uh again it's very much in those four areas uh specific to your question", "start": 6269.8, "end": 6278.52}, {"text": "uh around the uh LRT I I can tell you that we are in constant communication with Metro Links regarding uh ensuring", "start": 6278.52, "end": 6285.56}, {"text": "we have an LRT ready uh program up and running and ready to go once there shovels in the grounds and there are", "start": 6285.56, "end": 6291.36}, {"text": "those direct day-to-day impact to businesses along the corter and throughout our community", "start": 6291.36, "end": 6298.159}, {"text": "thanks thank you very much there are no further questions thank you", "start": 6298.159, "end": 6303.598}, {"text": "all next inperson delegation is and I do apologize if I mispronounce your name", "start": 6304.119, "end": 6311.36}, {"text": "Tony is it wiwis", "start": 6311.36, "end": 6315.678}, {"text": "wwis I'm not seeing um an individual will respond to that so I will Circle", "start": 6320, "end": 6325.719}, {"text": "back at the end next up Maya Hobbs vice president", "start": 6325.719, "end": 6332.639}, {"text": "education McMaster Student Union", "start": 6332.639, "end": 6338.04}, {"text": "excuse me yep only the clerk is allowed in the center of the Horseshoe thank you", "start": 6360.76, "end": 6367.88}, {"text": "good afternoon Madame mayor members of the general issues committee and members of the public my name is Maya Hobs and", "start": 6385.96, "end": 6391.159}, {"text": "I'm the vice president education of the McMaster students union I'm joined by Carrie Yang our associate vice president", "start": 6391.159, "end": 6396.76}, {"text": "of Municipal Affairs together we represent 27,000 students at McMaster University as part of our advocacy", "start": 6396.76, "end": 6403.36}, {"text": "efforts we regularly survey students on their experiences living in Hamilton through the your city survey today we'll", "start": 6403.36, "end": 6409.84}, {"text": "be we will be presenting our recommendations to the city on hous Transit harm reduction policing and", "start": 6409.84, "end": 6417.199}, {"text": "employment students reside students reside across all Wards", "start": 6417.199, "end": 6423.04}, {"text": "in Hamilton yet many face unsafe or overcrowded housing conditions according to the your city survey 50% of students", "start": 6423.04, "end": 6430}, {"text": "live with five people or more and 32% with six or more while paying up to", "start": 6430, "end": 6435.159}, {"text": "$1,500 per month in rent despite this 58% of students support stronger landlord regulations", "start": 6435.159, "end": 6442.199}, {"text": "even if this may lead to higher rental costs as such we are asking the city of Hamilton to establish the landlord", "start": 6442.199, "end": 6448.159}, {"text": "licensing program Citywide with clear enforceable regulations and penalties on turnaround times for essential repairs", "start": 6448.159, "end": 6455.52}, {"text": "to ensure a renters right to Safe housing as well the development of an online reporting system to report", "start": 6455.52, "end": 6462.239}, {"text": "landlord abuses and vental violations especially given the Stu general student reluctance to pursue actions against the", "start": 6462.239, "end": 6469.119}, {"text": "landlords in fear of retaliation in the form of rent increases unfair evictions and", "start": 6469.119, "end": 6475.28}, {"text": "more as vulnerable renters students also often are at risk during increasing periods of extreme heat in Hamilton in", "start": 6475.28, "end": 6482.599}, {"text": "recent years the lack of cooling in rental properties has led to fatal experiences with 22% of students", "start": 6482.599, "end": 6488.36}, {"text": "reporting no AC unit and even among those with AC units 11% reported unreliable usage we urg the city of", "start": 6488.36, "end": 6495.599}, {"text": "Hamilton to move forward with the proposed bylaw to protect all renters", "start": 6495.599, "end": 6501.88}, {"text": "moving on to Transit we are recommending the city of Hamilton engage in student and Community consultation on the", "start": 6503.679, "end": 6509}, {"text": "creation of bike Lanes we're proud to live in a city that invests and supports cycling infrastructure despite the", "start": 6509, "end": 6514.52}, {"text": "provincial regulations and restrictions that are being imposed by Bill 212 we know that 52% of students agree or", "start": 6514.52, "end": 6521.719}, {"text": "strongly agree that they want better cycling infrastructure in Hamilton even at the expense of transit or vehicle", "start": 6521.719, "end": 6526.84}, {"text": "Lanes we believe that we can work together to protect the biking infrastructure which is beneficial to our environment our Health as well as", "start": 6526.84, "end": 6533.599}, {"text": "Vehicle Safety as partners in transit of the city in fact representing 20% of the", "start": 6533.599, "end": 6538.96}, {"text": "transit budget through our contract with the HSR we also ask the city of Hamilton to expand deescalation and conflict", "start": 6538.96, "end": 6545}, {"text": "management training for HSS bus operators that are working very hard to get our Riders safely where they need to", "start": 6545, "end": 6550.28}, {"text": "go and to ensure safe ridership for all last year from January 1st to", "start": 6550.28, "end": 6557.88}, {"text": "October 20th there were 639 suspected ob8 overdoses we recommend that the city", "start": 6557.88, "end": 6563.679}, {"text": "of Hamilton provide envelope funding for harm reduction groups and initiatives harm reduction is a key barrier for", "start": 6563.679, "end": 6569.48}, {"text": "municipal engagement and where investing in harm reduction initiatives will encourage students to explore the city", "start": 6569.48, "end": 6575.04}, {"text": "and contribute to retaining graduates moving on to policing we'", "start": 6575.04, "end": 6581.76}, {"text": "first like to recognize the independent governance systems between the city as well as the Hamilton Police board um we", "start": 6581.76, "end": 6587.28}, {"text": "do ask the city to consider a recommendation in their discussions with Hamilton Police Services as well as their board um from our end we know that", "start": 6587.28, "end": 6594.04}, {"text": "one in three students are somewhat to highly concerned about safety while living in Hamilton we also believe that", "start": 6594.04, "end": 6599.76}, {"text": "the Hamilton Police Service has the opportunity right now to engage in meaningful consultation to Bridge mistrusts and improve perceptions of", "start": 6599.76, "end": 6606.199}, {"text": "safety of living in Hamilton through the bodyw warn camera policy that's being implemented we also intend to delegate", "start": 6606.199, "end": 6612.08}, {"text": "to the Hamilton Police Service Board um to directly recommend that they engage in specific targeted consultation with", "start": 6612.08, "end": 6617.8}, {"text": "campus and Community groups moving on to student retention", "start": 6617.8, "end": 6623.679}, {"text": "45% of respondents in our survey stated that they will not consider staying in Hamilton after graduation indicating a", "start": 6623.679, "end": 6630.159}, {"text": "stronger need um stronger efforts to retain Talent by providing opportunities for new graduates particularly within", "start": 6630.159, "end": 6636.8}, {"text": "Municipal governance the city of Toronto has created an urban fellow program which provides students and new", "start": 6636.8, "end": 6642.28}, {"text": "graduates with meaningful work experience within the city given the success of Toronto's Urban fellow program we recommend that the city of", "start": 6642.28, "end": 6648.76}, {"text": "Hamilton collaborate with engage Hamilton to create a similar program here", "start": 6648.76, "end": 6654.638}, {"text": "we'd like to thank Council on listening on our presentations and our recommendations today we'd also like to", "start": 6654.76, "end": 6660.28}, {"text": "give thanks to councilors Morin Wilson uh councelors Wang Dano tson councelor", "start": 6660.28, "end": 6665.52}, {"text": "Alex Wilson and councelor mckin for having met with us regarding our recommendations and student concerns we", "start": 6665.52, "end": 6670.92}, {"text": "also thank all counselors and we recognize their busy schedules um and we would be happy to continue meeting with", "start": 6670.92, "end": 6676.32}, {"text": "their councellors and members of our city staff to continue these conversations and best represent student concerns we're also very eager to share", "start": 6676.32, "end": 6682.96}, {"text": "any insights we may have on the student experience through the your city survey report which will be coming out in the next few weeks um and we are happy to", "start": 6682.96, "end": 6689.88}, {"text": "feel any questions now um as well as through our emails and contact information on the presentation thank", "start": 6689.88, "end": 6697.44}, {"text": "you thank you very much there are no speakers on there are councelor mcmein", "start": 6697.96, "end": 6705.199}, {"text": "please thanks thank you through you chair with these uh these young ladies", "start": 6705.199, "end": 6710.719}, {"text": "here we we can't wa go without them answering at least one question in my humble opinion um are there things that", "start": 6710.719, "end": 6718.639}, {"text": "and thank you by the way for taking the hour and a half or so to fill me in a little bit about what's going on at Mac", "start": 6718.639, "end": 6724.92}, {"text": "and some of your concerns the number one I think that uh very generic way in", "start": 6724.92, "end": 6731.04}, {"text": "terms of the economic potential in the city is how do we attract the best and", "start": 6731.04, "end": 6736.36}, {"text": "brightest students to McMaster the 14th best university uh in the world and uh", "start": 6736.36, "end": 6743}, {"text": "put in place the things that are needed to keep them here and I know you were very aggressive about that my question", "start": 6743, "end": 6749.88}, {"text": "is to the the tenant issue are there things that we can learn from McMaster uh about", "start": 6749.88, "end": 6756.119}, {"text": "uh um processes opportunities that the student council or the university has", "start": 6756.119, "end": 6762.4}, {"text": "taken to uh um manage some of the tenant problems", "start": 6762.4, "end": 6769.199}, {"text": "that you highlighted in your presentation um through the chair are you looking for", "start": 6769.199, "end": 6775.36}, {"text": "statistics on on that I want to know if you're if if there's any organized process to uh", "start": 6775.36, "end": 6782.8}, {"text": "monitor um absentee landlords and the like um to ensure the quality that you", "start": 6782.8, "end": 6788.76}, {"text": "referenced around rental accommodation and the need for same um through the chair thank you for", "start": 6788.76, "end": 6795.719}, {"text": "the question I think this is well- encompassed in one of our recommendations um we find that students have a hard time finding the right", "start": 6795.719, "end": 6801.92}, {"text": "Avenues and processes to report absentee landlords and students also have a general fear of the repercussions they", "start": 6801.92, "end": 6807.96}, {"text": "might face if they were to Target their landlords let's say in terms of unfair evictions or more absenteeism um our", "start": 6807.96, "end": 6814.56}, {"text": "recommendation is the city develops that reporting system that is more accessible and intuitive to all renters not just", "start": 6814.56, "end": 6820.079}, {"text": "students um and this will help the city as well as um the right bodies track those absentee landlords and take", "start": 6820.079, "end": 6825.679}, {"text": "appropriate action against them and this will um in turn protect our renters across the city thank you", "start": 6825.679, "end": 6833.8}, {"text": "that's my question CH councel Pauls thank you thank you for sharing this uh", "start": 6833.8, "end": 6840.88}, {"text": "afternoon uh I'm just I know that I've got few comments on few things that has", "start": 6840.88, "end": 6847.4}, {"text": "been said but I'm just going to focus on one because it's important to me is the harm reduction are you aware of the new", "start": 6847.4, "end": 6854.56}, {"text": "program that the province wants to enact about um the harm reduction and turn it", "start": 6854.56, "end": 6861.199}, {"text": "into harp where safe and uh consumption site because uh as we see we've been", "start": 6861.199, "end": 6867.36}, {"text": "doing this a long time and it hasn't really worked there's a lot more people overdosing so are you aware of the new", "start": 6867.36, "end": 6875.719}, {"text": "program um through the chair we are aware of the recent regulations and changes with the province with the um", "start": 6875.719, "end": 6882.88}, {"text": "the Mandate that safe consumption sites will no longer ex exist and the new program that will come in place um we", "start": 6882.88, "end": 6888.32}, {"text": "know the harm reduction organizations in the city who have been working hard um to fix the issue have requested funding", "start": 6888.32, "end": 6894.639}, {"text": "to continue their work um especially the ones that previously were safe consumption sites um and while we do", "start": 6894.639, "end": 6900.4}, {"text": "continue seeing our um problems within the city in terms of harm reduction we believe that these organizations are key", "start": 6900.4, "end": 6906.48}, {"text": "um on one aspect to solving the problem and providing support for those who need it um but we do also recognize it's a", "start": 6906.48, "end": 6912.88}, {"text": "multifaceted issue and it's not a one solution fits all thank you for saying that can you uh um name some of the", "start": 6912.88, "end": 6920.36}, {"text": "organization that you've been talking to about safe uh injection sites who are", "start": 6920.36, "end": 6927}, {"text": "they yes absolutely um we do have it in our budget document as well uh we know", "start": 6927, "end": 6932.44}, {"text": "one of the key organizations is the um Hamilton Urban Corps community's Health Center's homelessness and addiction", "start": 6932.44, "end": 6938.079}, {"text": "recovery treatment Hub uh I believe they used to be a safe consumption site and they are uh looking to follow the", "start": 6938.079, "end": 6944.44}, {"text": "provincial regulations to come out on how they can pivot and continue providing services in a way that is um", "start": 6944.44, "end": 6950.199}, {"text": "in line with the provincial regulations but we also have here the YWCA safer use program uh the positive health networks", "start": 6950.199, "end": 6956.639}, {"text": "van program um as well as um other programs within um those Community networks one of them is the prescribed", "start": 6956.639, "end": 6963.56}, {"text": "Alternatives and outreach program which is more to do with public um Outreach thank you counselor thank you for naming", "start": 6963.56, "end": 6970.52}, {"text": "some of them uh I'm in in the camp that we have to change the uh many years", "start": 6970.52, "end": 6977.199}, {"text": "we've been doing harm reduction and in Vancouver and other places they're changing ing their uh strategy because", "start": 6977.199, "end": 6985.36}, {"text": "basically it does not work question please so that's my opinion so um", "start": 6985.36, "end": 6990.719}, {"text": "question but the qu question to me is uh um that uh I think uh the province where", "start": 6990.719, "end": 6997.48}, {"text": "they're looking at Solutions uh I think it's very important for us to learn uh what their solution", "start": 6997.48, "end": 7004.88}, {"text": "is which is rehab orientated and that's what we need um uh but the second", "start": 7004.88, "end": 7011.719}, {"text": "question I want to ask you talk about bike Lanes how important it is for students for everybody for safety um and", "start": 7011.719, "end": 7018.48}, {"text": "you said for the environment uh do you know uh if um if we the location of the", "start": 7018.48, "end": 7025.96}, {"text": "bike Lanes you believe there are the right location and there are the wrong location of bike", "start": 7025.96, "end": 7032.48}, {"text": "Lanes yeah so we actually in our recommendations there we identify two specific areas of concern near McMaster", "start": 7032.48, "end": 7039.119}, {"text": "that really affect students um and that is King Street West and on Main Street", "start": 7039.119, "end": 7044.32}, {"text": "um basically on King Street West the the bike lane is inconsistent where it disappears at a certain point so then", "start": 7044.32, "end": 7050.719}, {"text": "the the bikers along that path would have to merge into traffic um and the on Main Street there's we don't believe", "start": 7050.719, "end": 7057.199}, {"text": "that there is enough bike Lanes um to to kind of uh address the usage uh there", "start": 7057.199, "end": 7062.679}, {"text": "thank you can oh I will also just add through the chair that we believe there are really great examples of bike Lanes", "start": 7062.679, "end": 7068.719}, {"text": "around campus one of them is in the Anglewood um Community where I live and the bike lanes are they're dedicated to", "start": 7068.719, "end": 7074.36}, {"text": "use bike Lanes on both sides they're very safe and they're very well used uh so we do believe there are models that", "start": 7074.36, "end": 7079.44}, {"text": "we can follow and creating new bike Lanes near campus okay uh you said Main Street and King Street we need more bike", "start": 7079.44, "end": 7085.76}, {"text": "Lanes uh I had um few people say they go to work at MCM from the mountain and it", "start": 7085.76, "end": 7092.36}, {"text": "takes them much longer Main Street here it's very congested so uh do you believe", "start": 7092.36, "end": 7101.239}, {"text": "that bik Lanes in the wrong place is not climate change initiative because it", "start": 7101.239, "end": 7107.96}, {"text": "causes uh congestion with uh cars okay respectfully uh your chair is going to", "start": 7107.96, "end": 7114.599}, {"text": "say the question has been asked the answer has been provided the document has been referenced and I think the", "start": 7114.599, "end": 7121}, {"text": "delegates are suggesting uh that we need to engage further with the student body", "start": 7121, "end": 7127.159}, {"text": "in order to um inform these ideas moving forward is that fair I don't want to speak for you um that is fair and I we", "start": 7127.159, "end": 7133.639}, {"text": "would be happy to meet and discuss uh these areas further and go into a little bit more depth about the areas where", "start": 7133.639, "end": 7138.76}, {"text": "which um we're proposing these bike lanes and and give a more wholesome view of of the surrounding areas around", "start": 7138.76, "end": 7143.96}, {"text": "McMaster awesome okay thank you I I appreciate that you know students one", "start": 7143.96, "end": 7149.84}, {"text": "bike Lanes but we have to look at the whole city and we have to look where they they are at so thank you and U", "start": 7149.84, "end": 7157.199}, {"text": "thank you questions uh councelor casar please", "start": 7157.199, "end": 7162.88}, {"text": "thank you chair Wilson and thank you for your delegation for the handle I look forward to reading through it more thoroughly I wondered if you could just", "start": 7162.88, "end": 7168.96}, {"text": "elaborate a little more about the urban fellows program as was intrigued by that you went through it very very quickly if", "start": 7168.96, "end": 7174.079}, {"text": "you could just tell us a little bit more about it and where it's had success and those what the successes have been in", "start": 7174.079, "end": 7179.28}, {"text": "other municipalities thank you yes I can I can start this off M can hop in here um but through the chair this is a", "start": 7179.28, "end": 7185.679}, {"text": "program that we found through our research and also that I've heard of um having family in Toronto um it's a", "start": 7185.679, "end": 7191.239}, {"text": "program for recent graduates um in the Toronto area um who are employed in municipal office um they get to work in", "start": 7191.239, "end": 7197.92}, {"text": "project management um they get to learn about municipal office work with the city as well as the council um and", "start": 7197.92, "end": 7203.36}, {"text": "they've seen a lot of success in terms of continued um interest from recent graduates but also many of the um", "start": 7203.36, "end": 7209.84}, {"text": "participants of the program they continue to work in Council after um graduation from the program so they do", "start": 7209.84, "end": 7216.119}, {"text": "see a lot of talent that they recruit um so much so that they want to keep them within Municipal governance um and would", "start": 7216.119, "end": 7222.239}, {"text": "love to see that as a model program here in Hamilton but more generally in the recommendation we would also love to see", "start": 7222.239, "end": 7228.199}, {"text": "opportunities to connect students with Municipal governments and Municipal engagement whether through the urban fellows program or", "start": 7228.199, "end": 7236.198}, {"text": "otherwise yeah yeah thank you very much very throrough answer appreciate", "start": 7237.92, "end": 7243}, {"text": "it thank you any other first time speakers if I could ask councelor Dano", "start": 7243, "end": 7248.84}, {"text": "to take the chair on my behalf please and thank you as the vice", "start": 7248.84, "end": 7253.92}, {"text": "chair go ahead thank you I wanted um I wanted you to um expand if you could on", "start": 7254.199, "end": 7262.719}, {"text": "your reference to I think it was 42 45% forgive me on the number of students uh", "start": 7262.719, "end": 7270.56}, {"text": "could you reference that um and I think it was in the context of students who were here and had to leave uh I have a", "start": 7270.56, "end": 7278.96}, {"text": "second question I just would like you to confirm that that figure please through the chair through the chair are you", "start": 7278.96, "end": 7285.239}, {"text": "referring to the 45% uh not considering students not considering staying in Hamilton postard yes thank you so", "start": 7285.239, "end": 7293.679}, {"text": "they're they're not considering but they're wishing to consider I'm just seeking clarification on what the", "start": 7293.679, "end": 7298.84}, {"text": "measure was thank you um I don't believe that we have um further data on if they", "start": 7298.84, "end": 7304.32}, {"text": "were are looking to stay or or not however that is um an area of of students that we can capture by", "start": 7304.32, "end": 7310.159}, {"text": "providing opportunities for them to want to stay and really engaging them to consider Hamilton as a place to stay and", "start": 7310.159, "end": 7316.8}, {"text": "grow and uh and uh work and and grow their families thank you um through the chair", "start": 7316.8, "end": 7323.44}, {"text": "I just I I I'm hearing some Synergy between um delegate dunnett who was", "start": 7323.44, "end": 7330.239}, {"text": "encouraging us to look for those levers to to maximize our attraction over the", "start": 7330.239, "end": 7335.92}, {"text": "long term and I think I wanted to hear from you um from a student perspective", "start": 7335.92, "end": 7342.44}, {"text": "on if you could just uh expand a little bit through the chair on those things that you think I call the magnets and", "start": 7342.44, "end": 7349.119}, {"text": "glue the magnet is a a great post-secondary education or uh facility", "start": 7349.119, "end": 7354.4}, {"text": "that draws you here but it's the glue that we want you to stay here and if you", "start": 7354.4, "end": 7359.52}, {"text": "could you give us a sense of what students are looking for in order for them to stay here through the chair for", "start": 7359.52, "end": 7365.88}, {"text": "sure and I think um that is really encapsulated throughout our whole um document here if you if we're investing", "start": 7365.88, "end": 7371.56}, {"text": "in in housing and renter renter protections if we're investing in um protections um for for increasing bike", "start": 7371.56, "end": 7378.88}, {"text": "Lanes things like this we're investing in rent renting bike Lanes um and you know creating opportunities through this", "start": 7378.88, "end": 7385}, {"text": "um Urban fellows program we're giving them um and we're giving them opportunities where they feel that um", "start": 7385, "end": 7392.48}, {"text": "living in Hamilton is um where they want to stay so they're they're protected um when they're renting they have you know", "start": 7392.48, "end": 7398.8}, {"text": "good reliable Transit through biking if that's opportunity that they pursue safe um Transit through the HSR um and then", "start": 7398.8, "end": 7405.76}, {"text": "also protecting and and making our community safer through harm reduction and initiatives in our policing recommendation and also this employment", "start": 7405.76, "end": 7412.639}, {"text": "recommendation that we're doing um creates these opportunities for for students to that they're able to get um", "start": 7412.639, "end": 7418.52}, {"text": "work experience um and jobs to be able to stay here and investing in all of these things that we've uh said just", "start": 7418.52, "end": 7423.88}, {"text": "further um in further influences students to stay here past the", "start": 7423.88, "end": 7429.28}, {"text": "graduation and if I can just add through the chair um I'll leave something concrete with Council here we know that", "start": 7429.28, "end": 7435.92}, {"text": "McMaster University were situated on the west end of the city um we see that a lot of our students actually will not", "start": 7435.92, "end": 7442.04}, {"text": "explore the rest of what the city has to offer um I believe the statistic we have is 10% have never explored a community", "start": 7442.04, "end": 7448.8}, {"text": "outside of campus and outside of the community that they live in um and we have 12% who have only left campus one", "start": 7448.8, "end": 7455.36}, {"text": "to two times in their undergraduate career we think that to really fall in love with the city and want to stay here", "start": 7455.36, "end": 7461.76}, {"text": "you have to see everything that it has to offer um out of all the wards we we're from Ward one McMaster is situ in", "start": 7461.76, "end": 7468.36}, {"text": "Ward one but every ward in the city has something to offer that we want our students to see and the barriers are", "start": 7468.36, "end": 7474.199}, {"text": "Nuance to Why students aren't doing this um part of it some students have told us directly in our survey that they feel", "start": 7474.199, "end": 7480.079}, {"text": "it's unsafe to leave campus communities and we feel part of this is the stigma and part of it um is that there are", "start": 7480.079, "end": 7486}, {"text": "initiatives and opportunities for funding to bridge those barriers um and", "start": 7486, "end": 7491.239}, {"text": "part of it is is also that employment piece to give opportunities for students to engage whether through employment or other opportunities to see what the city", "start": 7491.239, "end": 7497.639}, {"text": "has to offer um so we hope that we can collaborate with counselors and the city on that as", "start": 7497.639, "end": 7502.679}, {"text": "well thank you thank you for answering my question I'll assume the", "start": 7502.679, "end": 7507.88}, {"text": "chair thank you councelor Danko there are no further questions for you thank you for your delegation here this", "start": 7507.88, "end": 7513.44}, {"text": "afternoon and for taking the time to be with us thank you thank", "start": 7513.44, "end": 7518.84}, {"text": "you the next person on my list is delate Carl Andress from the Hamilton Community", "start": 7518.84, "end": 7524.88}, {"text": "benefits Network I don't see Carl at the moment I", "start": 7524.88, "end": 7531.04}, {"text": "will Circle back next up is delegate Katherine Booth", "start": 7531.04, "end": 7536.44}, {"text": "McMaster", "start": 7536.44, "end": 7539.119}, {"text": "University good afternoon good afternoon um um Madame mayor chair and uh members", "start": 7547.76, "end": 7555.559}, {"text": "of the general issues committee thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today um my name is Katherine Booth I'm", "start": 7555.559, "end": 7562.199}, {"text": "a professor of political science at quickmaster University though I think they'd want me to say I am not speaking", "start": 7562.199, "end": 7567.92}, {"text": "on behalf of my employer I'm uh I'm speaking as an individual um I've been a proud", "start": 7567.92, "end": 7573.28}, {"text": "hamiltonian for the past 15 years um I'm the parent of two schoolage children and my family and I live in W", "start": 7573.28, "end": 7580.44}, {"text": "one um um I'm speaking today as uh as someone whose research expertise", "start": 7580.44, "end": 7587.559}, {"text": "concerns the use of evidence in policymaking and as uh a hamiltonian who", "start": 7587.559, "end": 7594.32}, {"text": "wants us to live up to the priorities that Council has set for our city", "start": 7594.32, "end": 7599.88}, {"text": "particularly in terms of making Hamilton a great place to live for everyone I know this Council has been", "start": 7599.88, "end": 7606.199}, {"text": "working hard on the issue of Housing and homelessness as you deliberate on the city's budget my request is that you", "start": 7606.199, "end": 7612.92}, {"text": "allocate resources in a way that aligns with the best available evidence about", "start": 7612.92, "end": 7618.119}, {"text": "solutions to the crisis of Housing and homelessness in Hamilton and so many other cities currently that recognizes", "start": 7618.119, "end": 7625.719}, {"text": "the basic human dignity of our unhoused neighbors and that does not fall into the Trap of thinking that the rights of", "start": 7625.719, "end": 7632.48}, {"text": "housed and unhoused citizens are necessarily at odds I'd like to address two important", "start": 7632.48, "end": 7640.079}, {"text": "pieces of evidence related to to these requests first um evidence shows that", "start": 7640.079, "end": 7646.04}, {"text": "pushing people who are living in encampments further to the margins destroying their belongings forcing them", "start": 7646.04, "end": 7651.92}, {"text": "to separate from crucial support systems and adding even more precarity and uncertainty to their lives does not", "start": 7651.92, "end": 7658.8}, {"text": "address the problem of homelessness the federal housing Advocate Part of the Canadian Human", "start": 7658.8, "end": 7663.88}, {"text": "Rights Commission has found that quote the role of police and bylaw officers", "start": 7663.88, "end": 7669.36}, {"text": "should be deemphasized in responses to encampments and have called for an immediate end to force evictions of of", "start": 7669.36, "end": 7677.119}, {"text": "encampments the second piece of evidence that I will mention is that although Emergency Shelters are necessary they", "start": 7677.119, "end": 7684.48}, {"text": "are not housing according to the recent Amo report this is where the majority of", "start": 7684.48, "end": 7690.52}, {"text": "spending on homelessness is allocated I understand the need for", "start": 7690.52, "end": 7696.44}, {"text": "immediate response when people are living outside particularly in a week like we are having", "start": 7696.44, "end": 7702.639}, {"text": "but I also want us to keep in mind that the research shows that Solutions like rent gear to income housing are", "start": 7702.639, "end": 7709.28}, {"text": "essential to the effective functioning of the homelessness system but this is an area where demand far out strips", "start": 7709.28, "end": 7716.159}, {"text": "Supply again this is from the Amo report that was released um earlier this", "start": 7716.159, "end": 7721.44}, {"text": "month this leads me to a general suggestion based on what I can see in the City's online budget budget", "start": 7721.44, "end": 7728.599}, {"text": "simulator we are currently spending twice as much on policing as we do on housing cutting 10% of the $200 million", "start": 7728.599, "end": 7736.48}, {"text": "Police Services budget would be about $20 million and that could be a 20%", "start": 7736.48, "end": 7741.639}, {"text": "increase in the housing budget what could the city do with an extra $20 million for evidence-based spending on", "start": 7741.639, "end": 7750.52}, {"text": "housing I say this realizing a few things first of all the $20 million is", "start": 7750.52, "end": 7755.92}, {"text": "not enough to solve the immediate crisis or address its root causes I am also aware that that there is a separate", "start": 7755.92, "end": 7762.559}, {"text": "process that leads to the creation of the police services budget I'm furthermore keenly aware that the pro", "start": 7762.559, "end": 7768.88}, {"text": "the provincial government is not contributing to Solutions in a meaningful way at this", "start": 7768.88, "end": 7774.28}, {"text": "time while we keep up pressure on other levels of government I would like to see my Municipal tax dollars spent in a way", "start": 7774.28, "end": 7781}, {"text": "that is ambitious for Real Change on this issue and stretches what people thought a city could", "start": 7781, "end": 7786.92}, {"text": "do I discussed this issue uh at a neighborhood Gathering this past weekend and I was heartened by", "start": 7786.92, "end": 7793.639}, {"text": "how many of my neighbors share my position and join me in urging you to spend our tax dollars in a way that", "start": 7793.639, "end": 7800.079}, {"text": "respects our unhoused neighbors and offers continuing Solutions based on evidence I will share a written version", "start": 7800.079, "end": 7806.44}, {"text": "of my remarks and you will see a list of my neighbors names and postal codes", "start": 7806.44, "end": 7812.159}, {"text": "attached on my last count there were 18 of us thank you for your attention and I'm happy to answer any questions", "start": 7812.159, "end": 7821.48}, {"text": "thank you delegate Booth uh respectfully and we have the permission from those 18", "start": 7821.48, "end": 7827.04}, {"text": "individuals for their their names and yes yeah no I circulated an email after", "start": 7827.04, "end": 7833.88}, {"text": "we chatted about it okay thank you um speakers councelor Pauls please thank", "start": 7833.88, "end": 7840.199}, {"text": "you for coming I there's something that you said that uh if we could take it $2", "start": 7840.199, "end": 7845.44}, {"text": "million from the police and put it with the homeless so we could make have a", "start": 7845.44, "end": 7851.92}, {"text": "little better solution um I'm just wondering when there's a crime in an encampment which we had a lot of", "start": 7851.92, "end": 7858.599}, {"text": "delegates come and talk about that about crime about uh there's been a death in", "start": 7858.599, "end": 7864}, {"text": "an encampment there's been lots of crime who do you think we should call I actually wrote about this to city", "start": 7864, "end": 7871.92}, {"text": "council I was looking back through my messages um not the most recent time", "start": 7871.92, "end": 7878.44}, {"text": "that the police services budget was continued but the time before so February February", "start": 7878.44, "end": 7884.76}, {"text": "2024 and I referenced a peer-reviewed article I'm just going to see if I can", "start": 7884.76, "end": 7890.36}, {"text": "pull it up you know what I'm probably not going to be able to pull it up in a timely fashion but the article was part", "start": 7890.36, "end": 7897.119}, {"text": "of a body of research that is looking at the um", "start": 7897.119, "end": 7903.559}, {"text": "effectiveness of alternative emergency response uh", "start": 7903.559, "end": 7909.199}, {"text": "Services uh so folks who are trained in", "start": 7909.199, "end": 7915.079}, {"text": "um responding to Mental Health crisis and who are trained in", "start": 7915.079, "end": 7921.679}, {"text": "deescalation um and you know uh facilitating uh safer resolutions to", "start": 7921.679, "end": 7929.28}, {"text": "conflicts so as I said I apologize I don't have that on my fingertips right now but I'd certainly be happy to", "start": 7929.28, "end": 7935.199}, {"text": "provide a reading list if you'd be interested I talked to a lot of agencies that have you know their train for", "start": 7935.199, "end": 7941.559}, {"text": "discal asan like you said and they're trained in mental health and you know what they all tell me they still want", "start": 7941.559, "end": 7947.44}, {"text": "the police there they still need police protection I know because I've talked to", "start": 7947.44, "end": 7954.4}, {"text": "them a lot of them you you know you could send somebody that knows all about mental health but you don't know what is", "start": 7954.4, "end": 7960.88}, {"text": "going to happen and you always need coun respectfully this is a time for", "start": 7960.88, "end": 7966.4}, {"text": "questions of the delegate it's not our time to give our position on on issues that time will come okay um so um I I", "start": 7966.4, "end": 7974.719}, {"text": "did ask you the question who do we call um there is a a a lot of crime happening", "start": 7974.719, "end": 7982}, {"text": "and that's what we've been hearing so again I say who do we", "start": 7982, "end": 7987.719}, {"text": "call yeah I don't think I can provide uh you know a really short answer to such a", "start": 7987.719, "end": 7993.92}, {"text": "complicated question but I will say that when we ask that question of who should", "start": 7993.92, "end": 7999.96}, {"text": "we call I don't think it should be based on sort of um I don't think it should", "start": 7999.96, "end": 8007.199}, {"text": "necessarily be based on this is what we've always done in the past because we", "start": 8007.199, "end": 8012.92}, {"text": "can kind of look around our city and see how that is working particularly in the", "start": 8012.92, "end": 8019.48}, {"text": "in the case of response to encampments and I think it should be again to kind of like take it back to my professional", "start": 8019.48, "end": 8026.159}, {"text": "expertise it should be based on evidence so if again if you want to read more", "start": 8026.159, "end": 8032.96}, {"text": "about or like learn more about um uh evidencebased for nonp police", "start": 8032.96, "end": 8043.32}, {"text": "responses to um to community violence", "start": 8043.32, "end": 8050.199}, {"text": "and another issue to the issue of homelessness", "start": 8050.199, "end": 8055.96}, {"text": "um it's my job to make uh to make uh reading list like this and uh I'd be", "start": 8055.96, "end": 8062.119}, {"text": "very happy to provide one well that would be great I appreciate that I'm just saying we all know that we spent $186 million on housing and we're just", "start": 8062.119, "end": 8070.4}, {"text": "spending $7 million on uh um you know homelessness so um so I do appreciate", "start": 8070.4, "end": 8076.88}, {"text": "you coming and if you want to send me that information I would love to receive it thank", "start": 8076.88, "end": 8082}, {"text": "you thank you councelor Clark thank you chair and thank you", "start": 8082, "end": 8088.119}, {"text": "Professor for attending today so I don't dispute what you're", "start": 8088.119, "end": 8093.88}, {"text": "saying um the challenge that I'm having is I have not yet found a way for a", "start": 8093.88, "end": 8103.599}, {"text": "council to direct a line item in the police budget because the police Service", "start": 8103.599, "end": 8110.04}, {"text": "Act prohibits us from doing that the chief will come here eventually and", "start": 8110.04, "end": 8115.719}, {"text": "likely standing exactly where you are and give us what his budget is going", "start": 8115.719, "end": 8121.88}, {"text": "to be and we can vote to accept", "start": 8121.88, "end": 8128.4}, {"text": "it we can vote to send him back to the board to review it or we can vote", "start": 8128.4, "end": 8134.599}, {"text": "against it but there has not been to my knowledge in Ontario", "start": 8134.599, "end": 8141.719}, {"text": "any municipality who has been successful in rejecting a police budget from a", "start": 8141.719, "end": 8146.96}, {"text": "police chief it's a very precarious way they do", "start": 8146.96, "end": 8152.119}, {"text": "things um and I'm not sure how we would deal with it we can most", "start": 8152.119, "end": 8158}, {"text": "certainly raise the concern here like like you have raised and the police", "start": 8158, "end": 8163.639}, {"text": "chief will say well they have uh spent money on that and they've given money", "start": 8163.639, "end": 8170.4}, {"text": "out to different organizations to help them with that so do you have", "start": 8170.4, "end": 8175.76}, {"text": "um not sure the word I'm looking for a a way around that uh advice on how we", "start": 8175.76, "end": 8183.88}, {"text": "can maneuver um through that process um through the chair am I", "start": 8184.079, "end": 8190.96}, {"text": "allowed to ask", "start": 8190.96, "end": 8193.598}, {"text": "questions well if you think it will get us to a point of uh greater", "start": 8196.04, "end": 8201.16}, {"text": "understanding um again I offer the same advice uh to delegates as I do to", "start": 8201.16, "end": 8206.76}, {"text": "members of this council is we're not here to engage in uh we're here to to to", "start": 8206.76, "end": 8212.84}, {"text": "listen to Residents and what they're telling us about what they think about", "start": 8212.84, "end": 8217.88}, {"text": "the budget it is not a time also for counselors to State their position on", "start": 8217.88, "end": 8222.96}, {"text": "issues that time will come yes then then through the chair I", "start": 8222.96, "end": 8228.719}, {"text": "think the the the thing i' uh to to kind of maybe clarify my", "start": 8228.719, "end": 8236.478}, {"text": "position is um first of all I don't no", "start": 8236.479, "end": 8242.319}, {"text": "um uh I don't know how to change the process by which um cities make", "start": 8242.32, "end": 8249.359}, {"text": "decisions or um Police Service boards make decisions about their budgets but", "start": 8249.36, "end": 8255.638}, {"text": "um as a voter and a taxpayer I want to know is that", "start": 8255.639, "end": 8263.08}, {"text": "money uh at least partially funded by Municipal Taxes and as a voter I want to", "start": 8263.08, "end": 8270.24}, {"text": "know why my elected officials don't have more control over it so again I realize", "start": 8270.24, "end": 8275.88}, {"text": "this is not I'm not expecting the council to turn around tomorrow and say", "start": 8275.88, "end": 8281.84}, {"text": "oh that was an interesting idea yes let's like turn over something that is actually controlled by provincial", "start": 8281.84, "end": 8288.319}, {"text": "legislation I just I want to offer a a", "start": 8288.32, "end": 8293.88}, {"text": "perspective that is um maybe examining", "start": 8293.88, "end": 8300.04}, {"text": "some of the assumptions that might be part of this process and asking um to", "start": 8300.04, "end": 8307}, {"text": "what degree they serve the citizens of the city well thank you for that and that's", "start": 8307, "end": 8313.2}, {"text": "completely fair I mean it the Police Service Act is Complicated by itself", "start": 8313.2, "end": 8320}, {"text": "um the delegate had mentioned that um she's going to share some information", "start": 8320, "end": 8326.359}, {"text": "with councelor Paul's I believe it was so if you could do the same thing for all of us the the reading list", "start": 8326.36, "end": 8334.28}, {"text": "um we have struggled with this over the years and and I'm happy to receive any advice or", "start": 8334.281, "end": 8342.399}, {"text": "any information that can perhaps give us that entry point in terms of how we can", "start": 8342.4, "end": 8348.92}, {"text": "help um address that that challenge and chair you you know this all too well it's been something that we have talked", "start": 8348.92, "end": 8355.359}, {"text": "about many times um but I think the reading list might help us at least then", "start": 8355.36, "end": 8361.04}, {"text": "we can share some of that information with the police services as well as um", "start": 8361.04, "end": 8366.719}, {"text": "the provincial government thank you very much for your time Professor thank you thank you uh mayor Horvath ask", "start": 8366.719, "end": 8374.88}, {"text": "questions uh thanks thanks very much chair appreciate your your presentation and your offer um and I don't disagree", "start": 8374.88, "end": 8382.598}, {"text": "that there's been an ongoing uh discussion and debate as has been raised by members of council uh or members of", "start": 8382.599, "end": 8389.28}, {"text": "committee today I I wonder if if you're aware of the rapid intervention support team that operates here in amilton yes", "start": 8389.28, "end": 8397}, {"text": "and so it and you're aware that it provides mental health workers and support workers and paramedics and it's", "start": 8397, "end": 8404.24}, {"text": "uh a partnership with uh with police but also with mental health with um St Joe's", "start": 8404.24, "end": 8410.6}, {"text": "and with Hamilton Health Sciences and so medical mental health paramedics all of", "start": 8410.6, "end": 8417.319}, {"text": "those things all of those players if you will uh trying to address crises when", "start": 8417.319, "end": 8424.24}, {"text": "they occur uh in the community so you are aware of that is there something that is in your opinion lacking when it", "start": 8424.24, "end": 8432.319}, {"text": "comes to that kind of a model um where the Community", "start": 8432.319, "end": 8437.8}, {"text": "Partners pretty much try to do exactly the kind of thing that you're suggesting they do which is not just go in with an", "start": 8437.8, "end": 8445.28}, {"text": "enforcement attitude but with supports and mental health uh assistance and all", "start": 8445.28, "end": 8452.76}, {"text": "of those pieces through the chair I think that is", "start": 8452.76, "end": 8458.2}, {"text": "exactly the the direction that um that", "start": 8458.2, "end": 8464.52}, {"text": "uh is kind of in line in line with what what I would like to see and um uh I", "start": 8464.52, "end": 8472.359}, {"text": "don't think I can usefully comment on the on the details of uh that particular", "start": 8472.359, "end": 8478.92}, {"text": "program um I", "start": 8478.92, "end": 8485.24}, {"text": "uh I'm not uh I'm not advocating for um", "start": 8485.24, "end": 8491.84}, {"text": "dismantling or um taking away funding from um programs like the rapid response", "start": 8491.84, "end": 8497.84}, {"text": "team that are effective I'm just saying you know when I looked at the pie chart", "start": 8497.84, "end": 8504.76}, {"text": "um which was very very helpful like the budget simulator online I think is a great um a great like point of", "start": 8504.76, "end": 8512.16}, {"text": "accessibility for citizens to better understand um Municipal", "start": 8512.16, "end": 8518.08}, {"text": "governance I was um I was surprised by the size of the", "start": 8518.08, "end": 8527.2}, {"text": "housing slice in comparison to the size of the housing problem in our city um I", "start": 8527.2, "end": 8535.96}, {"text": "know property taxes are high I know um you know again as I said in my", "start": 8535.96, "end": 8542.16}, {"text": "delegation I know the provincial and federal government", "start": 8542.16, "end": 8549.319}, {"text": "have I think unfulfilled responsibilities here um", "start": 8549.319, "end": 8556.88}, {"text": "but if we if we uh take the position that maybe no help is coming in the", "start": 8557.2, "end": 8564}, {"text": "immediate future uh from um from other levels of", "start": 8564, "end": 8569.6}, {"text": "government that how do how does how is the city going to allocate its", "start": 8569.6, "end": 8575.04}, {"text": "resources and I don't I don't know if help is coming maybe it is um", "start": 8575.04, "end": 8582.399}, {"text": "but thank you Cher uh just one other question and that is um are you aware of", "start": 8582.399, "end": 8588.359}, {"text": "the amount of housing um resources that have been", "start": 8588.359, "end": 8595}, {"text": "um allocated by this Council um in its first couple of", "start": 8595, "end": 8603.64}, {"text": "budgets so in other words we've been investing a lot more than had been in", "start": 8603.64, "end": 8609.2}, {"text": "the past we're in a much worse crisis than we have been in the past are you aware of those increases over time that", "start": 8609.2, "end": 8614.72}, {"text": "we've dedicated this Council has particularly yes so we're we're working", "start": 8614.72, "end": 8620.96}, {"text": "on it absolutely um appreciate your your comments and your presentation thank", "start": 8620.96, "end": 8626.88}, {"text": "you thank you very much there are no further speakers thank you for your time", "start": 8626.88, "end": 8632.479}, {"text": "this afternoon for your attendance our next in-person delegate", "start": 8632.479, "end": 8639}, {"text": "is Scott Avery is there a Scott Avery in the", "start": 8639, "end": 8644.399}, {"text": "chamber okay I'm not seeing anyone rise uh I'll come back to the", "start": 8646.439, "end": 8654.2}, {"text": "names uh is there a delegate Evan uban yes okay", "start": 8654.2, "end": 8662.358}, {"text": "if you're watching online we're just getting some it set up here for the delegates it", "start": 8686.04, "end": 8693.479}, {"text": "good afternoon right hello uh members of council um here to talk about uh the 202", "start": 8741.8, "end": 8750.6}, {"text": "budget and some recommendations I have so um I'd appreciate it if uh I could", "start": 8750.6, "end": 8756.479}, {"text": "have your attention for 5 minutes", "start": 8756.479, "end": 8760.159}, {"text": "here um so to start with I just wanted to touch on the proposed budget increase", "start": 8762.64, "end": 8768.399}, {"text": "which city staff has said amounts to about $318 on average per property owner and", "start": 8768.399, "end": 8775.72}, {"text": "that's based on an average property of about $387,000", "start": 8775.72, "end": 8781.08}, {"text": "so I've heard you know a good amount of uproar about this uh we can compare this to what renters have had to put up with", "start": 8781.359, "end": 8789.399}, {"text": "um and as you can see it's been much higher than that per year if we go on", "start": 8789.399, "end": 8794.88}, {"text": "the uh average Hamilton rents reported by the uh Canadian mortgage and housing", "start": 8794.88, "end": 8802.16}, {"text": "Corporation stats um so I don't know before you know taking what property", "start": 8802.16, "end": 8809.12}, {"text": "owners are complaining about too seriously I think it's got to go both ways if we're going to appease Property", "start": 8809.12, "end": 8815.72}, {"text": "Owners clearly we need to focus first on renters who are paying far more on", "start": 8815.72, "end": 8821.319}, {"text": "average per year than the increase to Property", "start": 8821.319, "end": 8826.2}, {"text": "Owners uh second thing I wanted to touch on uh similar to the last delegate uh", "start": 8827.24, "end": 8833.04}, {"text": "the history of the city of Hamilton police budget and as you can see it's", "start": 8833.04, "end": 8839.319}, {"text": "been pretty stag around 18% of the total Levy per", "start": 8839.319, "end": 8846.12}, {"text": "year um I guess there's a quote that people throw around a lot you know uh", "start": 8846.12, "end": 8853.88}, {"text": "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again or something like that um there's still you know numbers", "start": 8853.88, "end": 8861.08}, {"text": "of homeless people have if anything they're increasing something should got to give", "start": 8861.08, "end": 8867.88}, {"text": "here the police is not address in this problem keeping the funding of the", "start": 8867.88, "end": 8872.92}, {"text": "police at this level is not addressing this", "start": 8872.92, "end": 8877.04}, {"text": "problem uh looking into a little bit more individuals experiencing", "start": 8877.96, "end": 8883.72}, {"text": "homelessness based on city of Hamilton statistics last year uh about 1,600", "start": 8883.72, "end": 8891.56}, {"text": "people um also based on city of Hamilton statistics we have about maybe 600", "start": 8891.56, "end": 8898.08}, {"text": "shelter spaces um so clearly there's not enough um if we look at use Canada", "start": 8898.08, "end": 8907.64}, {"text": "mortgage and housing Corporation statistics uh if we paid for an average", "start": 8907.64, "end": 8913.479}, {"text": "one-bedroom rental apartment for all of these 600 people 1,600 people for one", "start": 8913.479, "end": 8919.52}, {"text": "year $30 million and that's an average apartment the police budget increase for", "start": 8919.52, "end": 8926.479}, {"text": "this year is 23 million so I put it that we could cover that because this again", "start": 8926.479, "end": 8933.479}, {"text": "29 million is based on an average rental not the lowend um and I also put it to you", "start": 8933.479, "end": 8940.359}, {"text": "asking uh when we have homeless people is it are we better off allocating that", "start": 8940.359, "end": 8946.64}, {"text": "funding towards more policing or towards housing so if we're trying to address", "start": 8946.64, "end": 8953.479}, {"text": "housing just to be clear should we put funding towards policing or towards", "start": 8953.479, "end": 8959}, {"text": "housing I think the answer should be pretty", "start": 8959, "end": 8965.08}, {"text": "clear so I don't know just some questions I have from counselors based", "start": 8965.08, "end": 8970.12}, {"text": "on what's been discussed over the last month or so like um number", "start": 8970.12, "end": 8975.84}, {"text": "one do we believe the city should focus more on people who have shelters than", "start": 8975.84, "end": 8982.439}, {"text": "people who do not so I've heard some talk about you know we've been focusing too much on people who don't have", "start": 8982.439, "end": 8990.92}, {"text": "a place to live and to me if they don't have a", "start": 8990.92, "end": 8996.319}, {"text": "place to live then they deserve that extra attention until they", "start": 8996.319, "end": 9002.08}, {"text": "do that seems like a basic tenant of humanity um do counselors believe people", "start": 9002.08, "end": 9010.68}, {"text": "are more likely to commit a crime if they do not have money to afford a food", "start": 9010.68, "end": 9016.24}, {"text": "a food and a house so if the answer to that is yes", "start": 9016.24, "end": 9021.359}, {"text": "which is kind of universally accepted then isn't it more efficient if we're", "start": 9021.359, "end": 9026.6}, {"text": "looking to reduce crime to pay for housing than pay for", "start": 9026.6, "end": 9033.438}, {"text": "police the third thing um do counselors believe people should have to stay in a", "start": 9034.72, "end": 9040.76}, {"text": "shelter even if they don't want to uh we've heard from people who have", "start": 9040.76, "end": 9046}, {"text": "delegated in the past how some people have families and a shelter is not a very good environment for that there's a", "start": 9046, "end": 9053.64}, {"text": "risk of Co and other respiratory illnesses in pack shelter spaces there's not much privacy should people be forced", "start": 9053.64, "end": 9061.88}, {"text": "to stay there when there's no other option and again we don't even have enough shelter", "start": 9061.88, "end": 9068.399}, {"text": "spaces um if we're concerned about drugs which is a fair concern are people more likely to", "start": 9068.399, "end": 9075.359}, {"text": "address an addiction while housed or while homeless and I'm no no I'm out of time time here um but again if housing", "start": 9075.359, "end": 9083.52}, {"text": "is the top concern do counselors think police or houses address the problem", "start": 9083.52, "end": 9088.56}, {"text": "more efficiently and 13 of you have voted the opposite so I don't know I", "start": 9088.56, "end": 9095.8}, {"text": "guess I'm looking for answers but that's all I have for you today and I appreciate you uh giving the", "start": 9095.8, "end": 9103.479}, {"text": "time thank you delegate uh I will excuse me I will look to see if", "start": 9103.479, "end": 9110.8}, {"text": "there are any questions I don't see any thank you for taking your time uh to be with us this", "start": 9110.8, "end": 9117.64}, {"text": "afternoon and sharing your Insight is councelor Francis online", "start": 9117.64, "end": 9125.319}, {"text": "please counc Francis thank you okay delegate Michael", "start": 9125.319, "end": 9132.279}, {"text": "fedek if I have that right", "start": 9132.279, "end": 9136.96}, {"text": "good afternoon and please correct me about on the pronunciation of your of your names if I have", "start": 9151, "end": 9157.479}, {"text": "AED no that's correct uh it's myself and OJ OJ you'll be presenting together", "start": 9157.479, "end": 9164.52}, {"text": "within the five correct that's okay please thank you for being here so good afternoon City staff council members and", "start": 9164.52, "end": 9172.12}, {"text": "uh the general public uh thank you for having us my name is OJ bfield and I am a member of aorn and a tenant of w five", "start": 9172.12, "end": 9180.52}, {"text": "today we are delegating in support of a 2025 budget that supports tenants now a year ago Hamilton passed", "start": 9180.52, "end": 9188.359}, {"text": "the first anti- renovation bylaw in the province after a six-year effort from tenants to raise the alarm about the", "start": 9188.359, "end": 9194.279}, {"text": "high rate of Ren evictions in our community and the need for municipal action to preserve our existing", "start": 9194.279, "end": 9199.399}, {"text": "affordable housing stock cities like Toronto and London have followed in", "start": 9199.399, "end": 9205.08}, {"text": "Hamilton's footsteps passing their own similar bylaws this was a shining signal to our lowincome tenants across Hamilton", "start": 9205.08, "end": 9212}, {"text": "that this term of council members take the housing crisis seriously and is making moves to address it Acorn", "start": 9212, "end": 9219.84}, {"text": "Hamilton members have full confidence that this city council has the capability to continue to protect tennis", "start": 9219.84, "end": 9225}, {"text": "from the ongoing crisis caused by the financialization of housing", "start": 9225, "end": 9230.96}, {"text": "of the items in the 2025 budget Aon and Hamilton unequivocally is in support of", "start": 9230.96, "end": 9236.479}, {"text": "excuse me sir may I just ask you to put the microphone under your that way if people are watching at home they'll be", "start": 9236.479, "end": 9242.56}, {"text": "able to hear you well thank you sorry interrupt of the items in the 2025", "start": 9242.56, "end": 9247.64}, {"text": "budget acor Hamilton unequivocally is in support of the following", "start": 9247.64, "end": 9253.721}, {"text": "items the ren eviction and Dem eviction bylaws starting that started this new", "start": 9253.84, "end": 9259.24}, {"text": "year uh because tenants need a fighting chance to keep their affordable housing", "start": 9259.24, "end": 9264.279}, {"text": "when threatened with Ren eviction and Dem eviction and these bylaws give us the tools to do so the tenant support", "start": 9264.279, "end": 9271.2}, {"text": "program and this program has already majority expanded the capacity of acorn", "start": 9271.2, "end": 9276.279}, {"text": "members and the organizers to reach out to our neighbors facing no fault evictions and unfair rent", "start": 9276.279, "end": 9283.359}, {"text": "increases lastly we also call on Council to consider the following items for 2025", "start": 9283.359, "end": 9289.16}, {"text": "as part of our beat the heat campaign free Transit during extreme", "start": 9289.16, "end": 9295.24}, {"text": "heat alerts buses can be a part of the City's community heat strategy providing", "start": 9295.24, "end": 9301.479}, {"text": "cooling to Residents in need and also getting lwi income Riders to cooling", "start": 9301.479, "end": 9307.439}, {"text": "centers continue the funding and the expansion of the air conditioner benefit", "start": 9307.439, "end": 9312.68}, {"text": "program aon's 2022 survey has found that many tenants struggle to afford The Upfront cost of an AC the this program", "start": 9312.68, "end": 9320.279}, {"text": "can support vulnerable and low-income tenants with the cost of a window or a", "start": 9320.279, "end": 9325.76}, {"text": "portable unit to cool their apartment High indoor temperatures are dangerous for tenants with health issues", "start": 9325.76, "end": 9333.2}, {"text": "young children and seniors develop and Implement a maximum", "start": 9333.2, "end": 9338.439}, {"text": "heat bylaw for a summer of this year acor and its allies delegated on this", "start": 9338.439, "end": 9343.8}, {"text": "item in November", "start": 9343.8, "end": 9347.88}, {"text": "aor is encouraged by the incredible progress that is that this term of council has made in protecting tenants", "start": 9351.399, "end": 9358.279}, {"text": "with the implementation of an adequate temperature bylaw that is comprehensive Hamilton can be a national leader in", "start": 9358.279, "end": 9364.68}, {"text": "addition to being a provincial leader in tackling the housing crisis at the municipal level the Maxi bylaw started", "start": 9364.68, "end": 9370.84}, {"text": "in Hamilton and Hamilton should be the one to bring it home to the finish line Thank You For Hearing our", "start": 9370.84, "end": 9377.76}, {"text": "delegation thank you are there any questions for the", "start": 9378.12, "end": 9383.561}, {"text": "delegates there are none thank you very much for taking the the time to share your insights with us this afternoon", "start": 9383.88, "end": 9390.72}, {"text": "appreciate that thank you thank", "start": 9390.72, "end": 9394.318}, {"text": "you okay uh I'm going to go I think that is", "start": 9397.319, "end": 9402.76}, {"text": "the completion of our list is it um LC McCrae", "start": 9402.76, "end": 9410.12}, {"text": "sorry through the chair just confirming that that was both Michael and uh OJ that were speaking together believe that", "start": 9410.12, "end": 9417.24}, {"text": "was in the affirmative combined okay perfect thank you uh so that is the", "start": 9417.24, "end": 9423.24}, {"text": "conclusion but there's the three you might want to double check so I'm going to uh Circle back to", "start": 9423.24, "end": 9429.439}, {"text": "the top uh the first one uh Tony", "start": 9429.439, "end": 9435.439}, {"text": "wtz is there a Tony wtz in the audience", "start": 9435.439, "end": 9442.479}, {"text": "today okay no there is not Carl", "start": 9442.84, "end": 9448.68}, {"text": "Andress we all know what Carl looks like and I don't see him", "start": 9448.68, "end": 9455.8}, {"text": "um Scott Avery okay that is our conclusion um", "start": 9456, "end": 9464.359}, {"text": "hopefully if those individuals for whatever reason W able to join us please um feel free to to uh give us a a", "start": 9464.359, "end": 9472.92}, {"text": "written submission thank you okay on behalf of this uh committee to", "start": 9472.92, "end": 9480.52}, {"text": "those who have participated really appreciate the the time that you took thank you for coming out I know it is", "start": 9480.52, "end": 9486}, {"text": "cold um I really appreciate all your efforts and the Insight a moover to", "start": 9486, "end": 9491.279}, {"text": "second to receive the delegates councelor Kazar Counselor Clark show of hands please", "start": 9491.279, "end": 9500.6}, {"text": "thank you that's unanimous um we have 6.2 written", "start": 9500.6, "end": 9506.439}, {"text": "delegations respecting the the budget if I can have a move in a second or to receive those delegations mayor horbath", "start": 9506.439, "end": 9513.279}, {"text": "and councel cret a show of hands please thank you very much um that was", "start": 9513.279, "end": 9521.08}, {"text": "carried um all the way to adjournment uh there's no further", "start": 9521.08, "end": 9526.88}, {"text": "business this meeting is adjourned thank you members for being here", "start": 9526.88, "end": 9532.8}]