Minutes for the April 15, 2008 Meeting

Summary of the discussion and action items from the April 15, 2008 meeting.

By , Last Updated Wednesday, April 16, 2008

We were fortunate to have Jill Stephen and Lisa Zinkewich, the public works managers who produced the Rapid Transit Feasibility Study (RTFS), in attendance at the meeting (Jill is the author, though the background research was conducted by McCormack Rankin Consulting.)

They provided some context on the scope and criteria of the RTFS, emphasizing that it is intended to be a preliminary study, not a final report, and that the public consultation process is an important opportunity to address the issues not tackled by the study, e.g. economic development comparisons and possible route changes.

We made it clear that we strongly support the rapid steps the city has taken to explore LRT as an option and that our criticisms of the study's methodology are strictly constructive: we want the process to work as well as it can, with the best possible information.

They pointed out that the city will be holding public information centres (PICs) on the rapid transit initiative in early May (dates soon to be announced formally). These will be an excellent opportunity for citizens to contribute to the debate.

Public Works Meeting

Simon attended the public works commitee meeting in which staff presented the Study. He helpfully provided a summary, including the reactions and comments of the councillors in attendance.

The committee voted to receive the study and have it presented to council on April 23.

Jill and Lisa provided some more background and recommended that HLR ask for delegate status at the next public works committee meeting to show the HLR presentation.

Outreach Update

Because HLR will not have an opportunity to show our presentation at the April 23 council meeting, it was agreed that we need to meet as many councillors one-on-one as possible.

Jill and Lisa suggested that when we present to community groups, we should ask them to prepare a formal statement and submit it to the city though the consultation process.

May 1 Public Meeting

HLR and TUG will co-sponsor a public meeting on the evening of May 1 to discuss the rapid transit initiative and compare LRT and BRT.

Councillor Bob Bratina will be the MC. Jill Stephen will make a short presentation on the rapid transit project and provide material for citizens to contribute to the public consultation. A member of HLR will show the HLR presentation.

The main presenter will be Becky Schlenvogt, the principal transportation planner from the Region of Waterloo, who will go over Waterloo's criteria for evaluating BRT and LRT and compare the two systems.

A panel discussion will follow in which the panelists will take questions from the audience.

HLR Presentation

It was agreed that we will not modify the HLR presentation based on the Study, but that presenters ought to be familiar with it so they can answer questions.

Public Consultation

It was agreed that HLR should concentrate on encouraging members of the public to contribute to the city's public consultation process. This includes groups to which we show the HLR presentation.

Communications Strategy

It was agreed that to avoid confusion and mis-communication, Nicholas Kevlahan will be the official HLR media contact.

Action Items

Find a venue - for the May 1 meeting. Possibilities include the Hamilton Spectator Auditorium, the Board of Education building or the FRWY ($113 cost for this option).

Prepare a press release - with a short timeline, it's vital to get the word about this timely meeting out through as many channels as possible.

Prepare a poster - make a promotional poster and display it at prominent locations through the city, including transit stops.

Next Meeting

The next HLR/TUG meeting will be the public meeting on May 1. Following that, the next planning session will be on Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 PM, at the FRWY Cafe, 333 King Street East (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1.