Hamilton Wins $1.3-Million Parkland Fee Case at OLT After Claiming “Billing Mistake”
Hamilton initially charged developer $650,000 in parkland fees, then claimed it made a “mistake” and demanded $1.3-million more. The OLT sided with the city, ruling demolition permits trigger higher pre-Bill 23 rates.
Council Committee Moves to Have City Staff in Office 50 Percent of Time
Decision follows complaints from residents about City staff being unavailable during business hours, and concerns that City of Hamilton are living further and further outside of Hamilton.
Valery Group Gets Stalemate on New Apartments Tax Assessment Appeal
The Assessment Review Board lowered the value of two new rental buildings at 1670 Garth Street and 445 Rymal Road from $36.8 million to $36.1 million.
City Council to Vote on Buying Land at 185 King William, beside Hamilton’s Police Headquarters
Hamilton Police are seeking additional space for its downtown division operations.
Hamilton Implementing Vendor Performance Management
Hamilton begins tracking vendor performance after decades of construction project failures, with plans to eventually consider contractor track records when awarding public contracts. The reform follows multiple project disasters and audit recommendations.
Hamilton Continues to Review Development Charges as Housing Starts Crash
“The market is in total collapse,” says Hamilton’s development industry, while many on Council and at City Hall are skeptical deep incentives will make a difference.
WEEKLY PREVIEW
Week Ahead: Hamilton Civic Meetings and Events for April 21 to 25, 2025
It’s the last week of the federal election campaign and Hamilton’s candidates will debate. Two OLT hearings, two City Hall meetings, and more in TPR’s weekly listing.
How Council Voted
How Hamilton City Council Voted: May 7 2025 Ratification Meeting
There were sixteen divided votes during the May 7, 2025, Hamilton City Council meeting
Today’s Meetings and Events
12:00 p.m. City Manager’s State of the City Address
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce ticketed event.
1:30 p.m. Selection Committee for Agencies, Boards and Sub-Committees
Agenda (Note: Meeting is closed session)
Blogs and Columns
Joey’s Notepad: City Staff Professional During Wednesday’s Public Gallery Protests
Protesters showed up, there were not enough seats so people sat on the stairs, and city staff left well enough alone – meaning things went smoothly.
Joey’s Notepad: Get Out the Popcorn for Ontario’s Small-Minded Strong Mayors
Premier Doug Ford decided that you he gets strong mayor powers, she gets strong mayor powers, everyone get’s strong mayor powers. Now the problems start.
Joey’s Notepad: Ontario’s Strong Mayors Power Imbalance With Councillors Increases Risks of Bullying Behaviour
Municipal Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno set a precedent in his latest report finding Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal bullied two council members, citing Strong Mayor Powers as an aggravating factor.
COLEMAN: Pay Increase for Provincial Politicians is Long Overdue
A 16-year pay freeze was politically easy, but robbed voters of potentially better candidates.
Newsletter Edition
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More News
Council Wants Lower Costs for Improvements to Van Wagner Beach
City staff say it will cost $2.36-million upfront and $138,561 annually to get Blue Flag Beach Designation for Hamilton’s Lake Ontario public beach.
OLT Orders City of Hamilton to Consider Greenbelt Development Application
Council expected to vote no in September on proposed Ancaster Sulphur Springs Road subdivision that sits on Greenbelt protected lands.
55 Cootes Drive Developer Challenges Conservation Authority’s Flood Safety Ruling at OLT
Developer argues the area has never experienced the “Hurricane Hazel standard” regulatory flood event cited in the decision. Seeks permission to build six-storey 129 residential mixed-use building.
BRIEF: Hamilton to Designate “Arkell’s Alley” in Honour of Where the Band Lived and Took Its Name
Councilllors unanimously approved designating a portion of Arkell Street in Westdale as “Arkell’s Alley” to honour the band, who practiced in a house on the street and adopted their name from the location.
City Details 2022’s $30m Ward Councillor Slush Fund Spending
In early 2021, received $32.7-million in special one-time COVID federal urgent infrastructure funding. Council turned it into a $2m per ward election year slush fund.
Council Playfully Passes Portable Park Potties Motion
Some councillors ‘circle the drain’ with puns and jokes as they passed four motions to rent portable toilets for eight parks. Maureen Wilson calls for a strategy on public washrooms.
Council Directs Staff to Better Communicate with Businesses Before Construction
Looming in the near future is Hamilton’s largest-ever infrastructure program, the building of the B-Line LRT.
BRIEF: Ontario Land Tribunal CMC on 1494 Upper Wellington Street
The OLT is setting aside 20 days for the contested hearing regarding a non-decision appeal by Valery Group regarding a proposal to build two 20-storey towers atop a four-storey podium. The original proposal included 685 rental units.
Hamilton Police Board Issues Statement to City Council Regarding Board’s Rejection of Charter Rights Reporting Motion
The Board rejected a motion to have separate annual reporting on Charter violations by Hamilton Police – something many in the public and on Council expect Board oversight of.
BRIEF: 2020 Hamilton Transit Cuts to Be Reversed in Fall 2025
In early 2020, Mayor Fred Eisenberger instituted cuts to HSR holiday service. Five years later, the cuts are being reversed.
Renewed Calls for Council to Adopt Free HSR Transit for Persons with Disabilities
Advocates to Rally at City Hall on Wednesday ahead of Council debate on ACPD motion to create new free fare program to ‘complement’ HSR “Fare Assist.”
Westdale Vape and Westdale Convenience Lose Tobacco Licenses after Selling to Minors
A panel of three city councillors unanimously deny license after repeated sales of restricted vape products to minors, including Westdale Secondary students.
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