Even though politicians last week voted 9-6 to support the West Harbour lands as the preferred location for the stadium, a few councillors are eyeing the land at Burlington Street and the Queen Elizabeth Way as a better location.

“I don’t want to be an obstructionist, but I want to mitigate the costs and improve the benefits to our taxpayers,” said Ward 4 Coun. Sam Merulla. “(Council’s Feb. 24 approval) was a poor to bad decision.”

Although he is opposed to the city spending the $60 million for a stadium, he said the West Harbour land that has been pushed by the city remains unknown. The federal and provincial governments are contributing the rest of the cost of the stadium.

“There are too many unknowns,” he said. “What we don’t know about the (West Harbour) site could increase our costs.”

Councillors, in a Feb. 18 incamera meeting, that included the Richmond Hill company Decommissioning Consulting Services, discussed the potential cost of remediating the property in the area. About six councillors voted not to go incamera arguing the information should be discussed in open session.

DCS provides environmental services in site supervision, facility assessment, environmental engineering, design and remediation. John Hilton, president of the 20-year company, said they have been retained by Hamilton lawyer David Estrin as environmental and geo-technical consultants. Hilton said his six senior principals have 30 to 40 years of experience. Among the projects DCS has been involved in City Place in Toronto, said Hilton.

Councillors, including Stoney Creek’s Brad Clark, have criticized how council voted for the West Harbour land as the preferred site for the stadium. He said if vital information about the land, including the cost of cleaning up and remediating the property were known, politicians and taxpayers would be up in arms.

The Ontario Ombudsman is investigating a complaint made about whether the Feb. 18 in-camera meeting violated the Municipal Act’s open meetings policy. Before an investigation takes place, the provincial office conducts a preliminary review of what happened, including interviewing the people, including city officials, who took part in the over three-hour meeting.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger has stated councillors went in camera on the land issue based upon the city’s solicitor’s advice.

Merulla said the Burlington Street property, owned by National Slag, could somehow be acquired by the city and remediated to provide an enhanced image of Hamilton. He and councillors Chad Collins and Bernie Morelli, have been discussing the idea or the last two years.

“We could remediate the land and improve the image of Hamilton,” said Merulla.

Also opposed to the West Harbour lands were councillors Brian McHattie, Bob Bratina, Clark, Dave Mitchell, and Margaret McCarthy. Supporting the recommendation were Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Robert Pasuta, Russ Powers, Collins, Morelli, Tom Jackson, Scott Duvall, Terry Whitehead and Maria Pearson.

Absent from the meeting was Ancaster’s Lloyd Ferguson, who is supportive of the motion.