Bratina and Eisenberger: Piecemeal?

This morning The Hamiltonian received Mayor Eisenberger's thoughts on the Discovery Centre and its lands. Included in the Mayor's reply was his assessment that "By considering options together with the eventual winner of the RFP, we anticipate a better outcome for the entire waterfront precinct than if we were to consider the property’s future in isolation." See the full article by clicking here for additional context.

In response, Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Hamilton, Bob Bratina, had the following to say:

Meaningful plans for the West Harbour precinct would have to take into account the railway yard. This important piece of transportation infrastructure has been misunderstood and generally ignored by previous mayors and councils. The head of economic development for example stated during the Amazon discussion that Hamilton goods movement was tri-modal: air, port and highway. The harbour waterfront is too important to be developed in the current piecemeal manner. Perhaps an international competition could be created to present a new co-ordinated vision for all the lands between the Desjardins and Burlington Canals. There is no immediate need to deal in a permanent way with the site in question, especially in isolation from other areas of that neighbourhood.

With Mayor Eisenberger: On the Discovery Centre and its Lands

Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Recently, The Hamiltonian had a chat with Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Hamilton, Bob Bratina, about his views on the Discovery Centre and its lands. You can read our chat by clicking here.

We checked in with Mayor Fred Eisenberger on this same topic. Here is our chat with the Mayor:

1. Recently, M.P. Bob Bratina shared his views with The Hamiltonian on the Discovery Centre and its lands. These can be found here: http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2018/03/with-mp-bratina-on-discovery-centre-and.html Mr. Bratina believes that the Discovery Centre project was allowed to fail by the previous federal government, and has been mismanaged by the Hamilton Waterfront Trust. What are your thoughts in this regard?

The role of the Waterfront Trust is evolving, in part because of the change in ownership of the Discovery Centre, which was formerly owned by the Federal Government and is now owned by the City.

In addition, Council is now undertaking a review of the governance of the Waterfront Trust with a view to possibly modernizing it. This review will come to Council for consideration sometime this spring.

2. What are your views on keeping these lands public and protected from residential development? Where do things stand in that regard?

On January 24, Council directed staff to explore the merits of appending the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre and a portion of its surrounding lands to the Pier 8 RFP and Subject Lands and to report back with a recommendation.

To that end, City staff will be recommending to Council that the Successful Proponent of the RFP process be granted an exclusive and time-limited Right of First Negotiation for the purchase of the building and a portion of the surrounding lands.

Staff intend to deliver this recommendation to Council in mid-June and will coincide with its recommended Preferred Proponent following the evaluation of RFP Proposals.

It is intended that the Right of First Negotiation, including any related terms and conditions, as well as a precise description of the additional lands, shall be negotiated and incorporated into the final Development Agreement between the City and the Successful Proponent.

No formal decisions have been made at this point.

3. What efforts have been made, or are planned to ensure that all stakeholders, including elected politicians are consulted on the future of this project and its lands?

There have been and will continue to extensive consultations with all stakeholders. No decisions have been made so far and Council will have an opportunity to discuss any changes that are being contemplated.

4. Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about concerning this matter?

There are still many outstanding issues that will need to be addressed before any specific course of action regarding this particular property is confirmed. By considering options together with the eventual winner of the RFP, we anticipate a better outcome for the entire waterfront precinct than if we were to consider the property’s future in isolation.

With M.P. Bratina- on the Discovery Centre and its Lands

M.P. Bob Bratina

Enjoy our chat with Member of Parliament, and former Mayor of Hamilton Bob Bratina, on the topic  of the Discovery Centre.

1. M.P. Bratina, What are your views concerning the status of the Discovery Centre and its land and their treatment to date?

The Discovery Centre was an ambitious project with great potential but ultimately neglected and allowed to fail by the previous federal government. It was subsequently mishandled by the Waterfront Trust, an organization lacking the resources or competence to undertake a successful project for the site.

2.Why are these lands and the Centre important to the future of Hamilton? Should these lands be protected in the public realm?

These lands and their original intended use were part of a vision to help reset the image of Hamilton by attacking one of our iconic negative symbols...the bay and its water. The Centre and the waterfront trail were a partnership between the City and the federal government to open the harbour to the people of Hamilton, and not as a precursor to residential development.

3.How does the progress made on the Randle Reef tie into the Discovery Centre and the lands on which it rests?

When the Randle Reef project is completed there should be a major celebration of the removal of one of North America's environmental toxic hot-spots. Its story can and should be told in an interpretive centre that just so happens to be in place, ready to adapt to .a new and special role for all residents, and indeed visitors from everywhere to enjoy, complete with a delightful open air restaurant patio. And without the need for late-night dance parties.

4. What advice might you have to Hamilton’s municipal government with respect to this matter.

Consult with all stakeholders, including all relevant elected officials in an open and transparent process that is not at the moment apparent. 

5. Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know concerning these lands or any other matter you have been working on in the best interests of Hamilton?

During my time as mayor I was subject to a somewhat informal but nevertheless focused lobby to explore residential development on the site. As mayor I could assure the public that the future of those lands would be a matter of broad public discussion. I can't under current circumstances provide that same assurance.

Thanks to M.P. Bratina for engaging with Hamiltonians via The Hamiltonian

Media Release: Hamilton City Council approves 2018 Tax Operating Budget

HAMILTON, ON –  Today, Hamilton City Council approved the 2018 Tax Operating Budget allowing the City to build on its 2017 accomplishments and make significant ongoing investments in the growth of our city and the health and wellbeing of Hamilton residents. This year’s budget achieves a 1.9 per cent property tax increase (municipal and education), which translates to $76 for the average residential property assessed at $337,100 and is one of the lowest among comparator municipalities.

As part of this year’s 2018 Tax Supported Operating Budget, City departments have developed four-year (2018-2021) business plans that outline key priorities and milestones that support the City’s Strategic Plan and contribute to the City’s vision to be the best place to raise a child and age successfully.

2018 Budget highlights

· Hamilton’s tax competitiveness has improved since 2011; residential property taxes are currently 6 per cent above the average, versus 11 per cent.
· $3.4 million in capital financing to support $36 million in City funded transit capital projects, which leverages an additional $36 million in federal funding.
· $9.4 million towards Fire and Paramedic equipment, vehicle replacements, one additional ambulance and 10 full time equivalent paramedics.
· $80,000 towards Parks Patrol and Waterfalls Enforcement Team.
· $750,000 in energy savings thanks to converting 10,000 high pressure sodium street lights to energy efficient LED lights.
· $11.5 million towards Affordable Housing Initiatives.
· $87.9 million towards Roads, bridges, traffic, sidewalks rehabilitation including $19.4 million investment to address road deficiencies caused by the increased freeze-thaw cycle as a result of climate change ($19.4 million is distributed as $5.9 million for major arterial roads and $13.5 million to be shared by all 15 wards for local neighbourhood roads, financed over 15 years).
· $7.2 million towards Entertainment facility rehabilitation.
· Continuous improvement with the City’s Performance Excellence Dashboard with emphasis on the use of Results Based Accountability framework for performance measurement.
· Developing the City’s first Urban Indigenous Strategy.
· $25,000 investment toward the Music and Creative Industries Operations and Programming.

The City also takes in revenues annually from recreation user fees, government grants and subsidies, license and permit fees and property tax revenue, including revenue from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), which provided $5.3 million in revenue in 2017, helping to offset annual costs of delivering programs and services.

Additional Resources

2018 Budget – www.hamilton.ca/Budget2018

2018 – 2021 Multi-year Business Plans www.hamilton.ca/BusinessPlans

City of Hamilton Strategic Plan 2016 – 2025 www.hamilton.ca/StrategicPlan

Quotes

“The 2018 budget will see the City of Hamilton among the lowest residential tax increases when compared to other similar sized Ontario municipalities. At the same time, we have been able to preserve and expand services our residents count on; such as affordable housing, public transit, road repairs, child care spaces and seniors’ programming.”

Media Release:2018 Preliminary Tax Operating Budget & Tax Impacts go to City Council

March 2, 2018, Hamilton, ON – Earlier , today the General Issues Committee approved the preliminary 2018 Tax Operating Budget. If passed by Council, it would mean a 1.9% residential property tax increase (municipal and educational assessment), translating to an increase of $75 for the average household assessed at $337,100.

“Hamilton has achieved the lowest property tax increase in the GTHA. At the same time, we have been able to preserve and expand services such public transit, make repairs to public housing, and do emergency repairs to potholes in our roads caused by a tough winter. This is a budget we can all be proud of.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger

GIC APPROVED BUDGET / QUICK FACTS:
The over-all tax increase for a residential property will be 1.9 per cent (including the education portion of the tax bill, the lowest in the GTHA)
A house assessed at $337,100 will see a tax increase of $75
18 replacement HSR buses
Nine additional police officers
10 additional paramedics and one additional ambulance
41,000 additional DARTS trips
$1.1 million to improve snow-clearing
$3.4 million in capital financing of city’s share of bus maintenance facility and additional buses (0.4% tax impact)
New toboggan hills
Continuing to invest in our 10-year transit strategy
$750,000 in energy savings thanks to converting 10,000 high pressure sodium street lights to energy efficient LED lights
Special investment of $19.4 million to address road deficiencies caused by the increased freeze-thaw cycle caused by climate change, including $5.9 million for major arterial roads and $13.5 million to be shared by all 15 wards for local neighbourhood roads


For more information on the 2018 Budget, visit www.hamilton.ca/Budget2018.