Safer Streets, Community Meetings and the Gage Park Mum Show
Safer Streets
In the last two weeks alone, two beloved shops in Our Ward 3, have had their storefronts destroyed by vehicles driving at high speeds. When we talk about traffic calming, the implications for some may be added time to a commute, but for others, it’s life and death, it’s recovery from pandemic lockdown and pivot or closure.
I ask anyone able, to show some love to Cannon Coffee Co. & Big Top Restaurant.
On Monday, the Public Works Committee passed my motion to fund a Ward 3 wide comprehensive study to identify what measures would best increase street safety.
More on this motion at the upcoming Community Safety Meeting on October 29th.
Community Safety Meeting Series
This year has proven to be a challenging one on so many fronts. I know many residents are growing weary and tired. It has also been a year of profound compassion in action. Now, more than ever, we need to resource our capacity to continue to tend to each other and our neighbourhoods, to build resilience and to respond together.
Since it is not safe for us to gather in person to connect, the Ward 3 office is hosting a series of 4 community virtual meetings to address issues of community safety and wellbeing.
It is my hope that through these meetings, we will facilitate stronger relationships in our communities, build capacity and resilience in our neighbourhoods to address issues, while also getting crystal clear about what to expect from City services.
By participating in these meetings, you will help inform top priorities to address current and emerging issues that need further action.
In order to participate, you will need to register in advance. Please fill out this survey to indicate which meeting(s) you will attend and to let us know your questions, concerns, and ideas. More details and registration link can be found at www.nrinder.ca/events and on Facebook.
Should you know a neighbour who does not have access to digital platforms, please have them call the office so we can share call-in details to participate in the meetings.
The Mum Show is free!
We can all agree that this year could use more beauty and tranquility.
I was proud to second a motion put forward by my colleague, Councillor Jackson, to make the Gage Park Mum Show free for all to enjoy this year. The Mum Show runs from October 23 to November 1, 2020 from 9am to 5pm. For more information, click here.
Winners of the Ward 3 Zero Hero Awards!
Today, we are pleased to share the organizations and residents who won our first ever Zero Hero Awards!
The Zero Hero Awards aim to honour residents, businesses and organizations going above and beyond to reduce waste and/or emissions.
Our 2020 Winners:
Our resident resident winner, Allison Courey started Upcycle Hamilton Facebook Page, has a small home decor business repurposing items destined for landfill and inspires community to reconsider trash as useful.
541 Eatery&Exchange uses a community garden for produce in their recipes, locally-sourced ingredients and recyclable/compostable takeout containers.
Coven Marketplace is committed to vegan only products as a way to combat the Greenhouse Gas effects of animal agriculture. They also use compostable containers and packaging including paper, not plastic bags.
McCallum Sather is built on sustainable design practices. Their office includes sustainable carpeting and recycled material for ceilings and walls as well as repurposed furniture.
Stone and Shadow has a customer refill station and uses small batch production which means no wasted inventory. Their all natural ingredients mean no toxic chemicals on our bodies or going down our drains. Stone and Shadow also uses minimal packaging.
Next year’s nominations will open in March, with announcement of winners on April 22nd, Earth Day.
Encampment Injunction Update
An agreement between community advocates and the City of Hamilton to end litigation over encampments was reached on September 30, 2020. Both parties agreed to appear together before the Superior Court to confirm the lifting of the July 30 injunction and withdrawal of the application which challenged City by-laws. As part of the agreement, the parties have put in place a protocol for the application of bylaws related to encampments.
The Encampment Task Force will be guided by the protocol hyperlinked above to ensure residents experiencing homelessness with complex needs are engaged through a person-centred approach.
Please be advised that:
Residents who are encamped in prohibited areas will need to move immediately. Residents with lower acuity will engage with outreach workers on a plan to move to shelter within 14 days. Residents with high acuity will be engaged on an ongoing basis to look for appropriate accommodations and supports, but may remain encamped longer than 14 days, until such time that appropriate supports can be located.
High acuity residents who remain in encampments are subject to a number of restrictions, including limiting encampments to five people, avoiding sidewalks, roadways and boulevards, not encamped at designated heritage properties and being at least 50 metres away from playgrounds, schools or childcare centres.
If you have concerns about an encampment and would like to discuss them with the City’s inter-divisional team, please call: 905-528-0683.
Public Health Updates
As confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Hamilton and across the province, it is critical for residents to remember the importance of Public Health’s guidelines.
At this time, Hamilton Public Health is observing spread among those who are not adhering to social circles, not practicing appropriate physical distancing and not wearing masks indoors or in other settings where physical distancing is a challenge. The Province has paused social circles and recommends limiting close contact with anyone outside of your household.
Case Reporting
The City’s case reporting page will once again be updated daily, effective immediately and will include case information reported to Hamilton Public Health as of 3 p.m. the previous day.
Masks & Face Coverings
Last Wednesday, Hamilton City Council approved an amendment to the masks and face coverings bylaw to require masks in common areas of hotels, motels, apartment buildings, condominiums and other multi-unit buildings or townhouse complexes.
For more information and case reporting:
www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/status-cases-in-hamilton