Summary of the discussion and action items from the March 18, 2008 meeting.
The meeting included a visit by Lisa Zinkewich, Senior Project Manager, Strategic Planning:
The Strategic Planning section is responsible for undertaking a Rapid Transit feasibility study that is looking at both bus rapid transit and light rail within the corridors established in the Transportation Master Plan. Lisa is involved in this project and will be part of a presentation to council which will outline the enalysis that is being undertaken to identify the physical implications, together with the costs and construction implications, of each system.
The two transit corridors in question are the east/west McMaster to Eastgate corridor along Main/King, and the north-south corridor from the Waterfront along James, up the escarpment past Mohawk College, and along Upper James to the airport.
Lisa stressed that the feasibility study will not make recommendations but will merely outline the constraints and opportunities of each system to council.
April 23 - preliminary report due to be presented to council.
May 6 - Public Information Centre (PIC) at Sackville Seniors Centre presents the report and invites public comments.
May 8 - PIC at Board of Education building.
May 20 - deadline for Public comments, including written submissions.
May 26 - summary report presented to council.
June 25 - Council expected to make a decision.
The group decided to ask for a delegation to the April 23 council meeting to make the HLR presentation to council.
May 2 - feasibility study group meets with representatives from Metrolinx.
May 9 - Nicholas from HLR makes HLR presentation to Scott Stewart (Public Works General Manager), Don Hull (HSR Director) and the feasibility study group.
The group decided that our biggest priority now is outreach - making the HLR presentation to as many organizations as possible to build support for light rail in Hamilton (the concept, not HLR as an organization).
As Lisa helpfully advised, "The more support you get now, the better.
Toward that end, we will create an online database of organizations, contacts and meeting arrangements so we can keep track of what has been done.
Further, the group agreed that presenters will follow up with organizations and ask for a letter of support for light rail in Hamilton.
HLR has accepted an invitation to attend the Hamilton Transportation Summit, a workshop organized by the city that will be held on April 18, 2008 at the Hamilton Convention Center in room the Webster rooms A, B and C and the Lounge from 9:00am to 1:30pm.
According to the city:
This workshop will address opportunities for collaboration, alternative modes of transportation and mobility hubs while focusing on successes to date in these areas, impediments and the future of transportation in Hamilton. There will be presentations from City staff, as well as a keynote speaker, and a discussion session will follow to develop the scope of transportation in Hamilton and brainstorm new initiatives.
Nicholas and posssibly one other person will attend the summit on behalf of HLR. Ryan will also be in attendance, but on behalf of another organization (Raise the Hammer).
Our presence entails a booth, which will require a backboard, flyers, and a laptop to display the HLR presentation.
Stavros is working on a video of Nicholas making the HLR presentation. Once it is complete, we will post it on the website.
As an additional promotional item, Stavros is working on a DVD that will include the video, a copy of the presentation, other relevant documents, and a link to the website. Donations were collected to finance the production of DVDs.
One idea raised was to start a petition in support of light rail. After some discussion, the group decided not to pursue this option right now, as there was considerable doubt as to how effective a petition would be. The group reaffirmed that our top priority should be outreach to organizations via the presentation.
Presentation - Nicholas will make the HLR presentation to Scott Stewart (Public Works General Manager), Don Hull (HSR Director) and the feasibility study group on May 9.
Outreach - Stavros is contacting the Rotary Club, Downtown BIA, Chamber of Commerce, Home Builders Association and other groups to make the HLR presentation.
Website - Ryan will create an online database of organizations we are contacting so we can keep track of our efforts.
Delegation - Ryan will contact the city clerk to request an HLR delegation to the council meeting of April 23, in which the preliminary feasibility study will be made public.
Promotion - Ryan and Stavros to reach out to local media to raise awareness of HLR and the presentation.
Summit - Chris will create another backboard for HLR to use at the Hamilton Transportation Summit.
Summit - Ryan will prepare more flyers for the Hamilton Transportation Summit.
DVD - Ryan will put Stavros in contact with a graphic designer to help with the DVD production.
The next HLR meeting will be on Tuesday, April 15, 7:30 PM, at the FRWY Cafe, 333 King Street East (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton, ON L8N 1C1.