Lobbyist registry passes through Hamilton city council

In a point of calm amidstthe lobbyist registry debate, Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark said the registry is a simple piece of legislation aimed at preventing a problem of trust at city hall, before they have one.

The implementation of the lobbyist registry was the most contentious issue at council Wednesday, but Hamilton also agreed to pitch in $2 million to purchase conservation land at the Devil's Punchbowl, and demolish the Scott Park arena and the former school in favour of the Bernie Morelli Centre.

Lobbyist Registry passes

Clark had the final comments before Hamilton city council voted 12-4 in favour of implementing a lobbyist registry, becoming the third city in Ontario to do so behind Ottawa and Toronto. The bylaw will be reviewed after two years. It's set to cost the city anestimated $92,000, annually.

"It's a very simple lobbyist registry," Clark said. "Do we need it? Not until we actually have a problem. When you need it and you don't have it, you actually have a problem."

"It's almost like a health protection concept: It's supposed to prevent the problem from happening."

Mayor Bob Bratina and Councillors Robert Pasuta, Terry Whitehead and Tom Jackson all opposed the move to public report lobbyist names, intentions and meetings with councillors. Bratina suggested everyone who makes a complaint to him would be considered a lobbyist, while Pasuta took it as a personal attack, suggesting that once one enters politics, "you're not truthful and I'm not one of those."

Pasuta also suggested it's scaring business away from Hamilton.

"It's sending a message: There's other places to go to do business," Pasuta said. "For me, nobody can lobby me. Nobody can change my mind."

Clark, meanwhile, calmly suggested that this lobbyist registry is a simple framework that can be built on to further open governance.

"This is the beginning of the lobbyist registry in Hamilton, Clark said. "At the moment it is a simple document I don't see anything here to oppose."

The motion passed 12-4.

Devil's Punchbowl gets $2-million

Hamilton council also passed a motion to spend $2million to purchase conservation lands for the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Clark said the purchase of lands south of Stoney Creek helps to reduce floods north of the punchbowl, and would save the city in road repairs in Stoney Creek, while creating additional conservation lands. The motion carried unanimously.

Demolition at Scott Park to start this fall

In a 15-1 decision, with only Mayor Bratina opposing, the motion to begin the demolition at Scott Park arena and the former Scott Park Secondary School passed. The tear down is set to start this fall.

In its place, council was told the Bernie Morelli Centre, named after the late councillor, will begin construction after next summer'sPan Am Games. City staffers told council the $17-million recreation centre is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017.