After four months of sometimes acrimonious discussion, Hamilton's public works committee approved this week the membership of the Airport Employment Community Liaison Committee.

Politicians confirmed the 15 representatives for the CLC, including two area councillors, Dave Mitchell and Lloyd Ferguson. Included in the 15 representatives are Robert Schreiber, an Ancaster resident, Morgan Pirie, a Hamilton Mountain resident, Marlene Gibson, who lives in Ancaster and a Glanbrook business owner, Ed Fothergill, representing the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Ancaster resident, Michael Desnoyers, from Hamiltonians for Progressive Development and an Ancaster resident, Lynda Lukasik from Environment Hamilton, Richard Koroscil, president and chief executive officer for Hamilton International Airport, and Doug Cranston, a Glanbrook resident and a member of the city's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee.

The recommendation will be voted on at council's March 26 meeting.

The approval from the city had been needed after the CLC meetings became bogged down with some members questioning the composition of the committee. There had been indications from critics of the CLC that Mr. Ferguson and Mr.Mitchell had not been approved by council to sit on the CLC.

During the December 2007 meeting, the CLC agreed to ask city council if other representatives could sit at the table, including downtown councillor Bob Bratina, a representative from the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, a person from the Hamilton Conservation Authority, area Business Improvement Areas, Hamilton Port Authority, the police and even LIUNA. The December meeting unleashed some raw emotions from a few members of the committee who said they were frustrated with the slow pace of progress.

"The meetings have been dominated by one group, and that has frustrated some members to the point of wanting to quit," said Mr. Ferguson this week.

Mr. Mitchell has stated the CLC meetings have accomplished little so far in explaining how the city will be developing the airport lands for employment growth.

"To the people who sit on it, very little has been accomplished," he recently stated.

But Mr. Desnoyers of HPD, which appealed the council decision to the Ontario Municipal Board to create the employment lands, had said the committee lacked proper representation from a number of areas, including downtown Hamilton and social services agencies.

Downtown councillor Bob Bratina said he considered joining the group to protect the interests of the downtown. He said city staff was focusing too much energy on the airport lands and not enough time on the waterfront, and Hamilton's core.

There were also some indications from critics of the CLC that the group was too pro-development.

Mr. Ferguson pointed out the CLC represents the interests of the Glanbrook and Ancaster communities.

Tim McCabe, general manager of planning and economic development, said the airport committee is "not a typical CLC" since the issues discussed will eventually impact the entire city.

"This is different than what we've ever had before," he said.

In addition to questions about the CLC's composition, HPD representatives have criticized the mandate of the committee, its terms of reference and the authority of the committee. They have said in past meetings that until the city has properly provided the CLC members with a land budget analysis of the airport lands, the CLC should not be holding meetings.

A land budget analysis is needed to demonstrate a need for an urban boundary expansion. The analysis is also one of a number of background studies essential to the creation of a comprehensive review amendment for council's consideration to create the employment lands growth area.

The meetings, which are overseen by a facilitator, currently takes place on the third Wednesday of the month at the Mount Hope Community Hall. The meetings are expected to continue in Mount Hope for the next year. The 7 p.m. meetings are open to the public.