On time, on budget

Tonight's council meeting -- the first back in City Hall -- started off with a bet, some 12-year old scotch, and a big laugh.

Councillor Bob Bratina opened tonight's meeting by reminding council of a wager he had made with Councillor Lloyd Ferguson back before the renovations started.

"I made a bet that this building could not come in under $100 million," he said, holding a box of what we thought was a full-sized bottle of McCallan Scotch. As the renovations came in at about $72 million, he acknowledged that he lost the bet and was prepared to give Ferguson his due.

"This bottle of scotch comes not only on time, but on budget," he said, pulling out a tiny airplane-sized bottle of scotch.

Needless to say, everyone cracked up.

***

I've just been told that Cable 14 isn't broadcasting council tonight, and from what I've heard, the new internet streaming function won't be available until the fall.

So - to keep you updated - the aerotropolis debate is going on right now. The mayor has introduced an amendment to hold public consultations in July, August, September, with a report coming back to council in late September. So far, Duvall and Mitchell have spoken in favour of the mayor's amendment.

Ferguson just spoke very passionately against rushing the process. He also fell prey to the very first five-minute microphone cutoff.

OK. The vote is final - Eisenberger's amendment passed. Council will be making a decision on aerotropolis in late September, after three public consultation sessions over the summer. For more info, check out this story and watch tomorrow's paper for details.

What's your reaction to the new public consultation timeline?

Comments

[Kathy Hagan]

How nice that Bratina can joke about the fiasco of a renewed city Hall. City Hall is just the same old and the outside is still an eyesore it was money wasted.

[steve sheen]

Wonderfull.Glad to see progress,instead of delay.

[WRCU2]

Congatulations to the Mayor for taking a stand and putting an end to the bland.

I believe that public consultation brought forth in a timely manner is an extremely important part of the decision making process and I would encourage concerned citizens to be involved in this process.

There are a lot of related stories out there which will help to educate us about the time/state we're in, and the problems facing cities these days involving huge infrastructure projects and their financial ramifications. This is a good place to start, by learning what has happened, and continues to affect other municipalities. So before we provide our comments to our city planners in Hamilton, perhaps we could learn some lessons from other cities.

http://wrcu2.static.golden.net/MMX/HBPA.wrcu2

[kathy Hagan]

wrcu2
Thank you for sharing the article in the washinton post, should be required reading for all our council as well.
I am pleased that the Mayor has made a stand on the Aerotropolis consultations and that they are no longer waiting until the after the election. Kudos to him for a change.

[AncasterLouie]

On the other hand, this might have been a case for sober reflection. I think Dreshel was right; after having waited for so long a few more months would not have been bad. A lot of developers are happy...some of whom perhaps attended Fred's fundraiser in Ancaster. But a lot of Ancasterites will be ticked with Fred.

Lots of votes in Ancaster.

[AncasterLouie]

Now it makes sense...a rich fundraiser for Mayor Fred in Ancaster supported by secret 'business' interests and a few days later Fred pushes for the rezoning of lands around the airport....plus ca change!

Shame on you Fred!