Economic Recovery, Temporary Shelter at the former Cathedral Boys' School & Face Coverings as Community Care
Dear Neighbour,
Below you will find updates from Council and information for Ward 3 residents. Thank you for your calls, emails and comments on this newsletter.
Please be advised that our next newsletter will be sent out to coincide with the next Council meeting on August 21st.
As always, please email my office at Ward3@Hamilton.ca if we can be of service.
Yours in community,
Temporary Shelter Measures at the former Cathedral Boys’ School
The COVID-19 pandemic has put unimaginable pressures on our housing system and laid bare issues with crowding and capacity. I am truly grateful for the work done by shelter agencies and our own Housing Services division through this crisis.
In the coming months, it will be critical to maintain the number of available shelter beds with physical distancing. The City has contracted hotel rooms to ensure emergency beds are available for families, women, men and couples.
A new and critical initiative will be a retrofit of the former Cathedral Boys’ School on Main St. E to accommodate between 45 and 80 men who are experiencing homelessness. The use of this site will allow Good Shepherd to transfer temporary shelter operations from First Ontario Centre. I have inquired about support services available and am confident in the wraparound care that our vulnerable neighbours will receive there.
The facility will include:
• Lounge space
• Recreational activities
• Medical services through a nurse practitioner and the Shelter Health Network
• Harm reduction supports
• Case management and housing support services and,
• Outreach services provided through other agencies including Ontario Works.
My office has been in communication with the Stinson Community Co-Chairs and will host a virtual community meeting with the operator Good Shepherd and the City’s Housing Services division to answer questions and to address any concerns from neighbouring residents.
This meeting will be held on August 11th 2020 at 6:30pm. An invitation will be sent during the last week of July.
Wearing is Caring - Mandatory Face Covering By-Law
Today, Council ratified the Mandatory Face Coverings by-law to protect the public from potential spread of Covid-19 while in indoor public spaces, including commercial areas, places of worship, community services and public transit, including HSR.
Face coverings, referenced in the by-law, include bandanas and scarves which cover the nose, mouth and chin, as well as other non-gapping covers. Those with underlying conditions, who cannot put on or remove a mask without assistance and/or those under two years of age are exempted from the by-law.
The City will communicate further with establishment owners and residents, please see the City’s Hamilton Reopens site for more information. This by-law comes into effect on July 20th 2020.
Economic Recovery Task Force
This week, I joined City Councillors from across the country to pen a piece urging the Federal government to share an adequate relief plan for municipalities. You can read the article here.
As the Economic Recovery Task Force continues to meet over the summer I aim to address issues affecting small business and workers in the Ward and across the City. I believe Hamilton can deliver bold, equitable and sustainable outcomes.
If you are a small business owner contributing to your neighbourhood, who wants to contribute to a city that works for all through the recovery process, I want to hear from you. Please email us with your suggestions and comments and tell us about the business you run.
The Temporary Patio Dining Program
As part of the City of Hamilton’s ongoing commitment to support economic recovery, the Outdoor dining districts program has allowed eligible local businesses to establish temporary and seasonal patios as well as seating areas on municipal or private property(within zoning restrictions) during the 2020 Summer/Fall seasons.
There is no application fee to submit an Outdoor Dining District application, however depending on your set up, additional applications and fees may apply. The Outdoor Dining Districts Team will work with you to share all requirements and to help you through the process.
For more information, or to apply to the program, please email: outdoor.dining@hamilton.ca
Parking Changes
A new parking app allows you to pay, track and extend your parking anytime, on all on-street parking meters and in Municipal parking lots in Hamilton right from your smartphone. Simply download the new Passport Parking App from either the Apple or Google Play Stores to create your account.
Payment by coin and credit card remains available.
As approved by Council through the 2020 budget process, parking fees for on-street meter rates will increase to $2 per hour and all eased restrictions have returned to regular enforcement.
For more information please click here.
Additional Announcements
City Hall Limited Re-Opening Residents will be able to resume in-person services on the first and second floors of City Hall, beginning July 20th 2020. City Hall staff have been working to implement public health guidelines swiftly.
The Ward 3 Office will continue to serve you remotely with limited exceptions where phone, email and video conferencing is not available.
Closure of Charlton Ave. E Access due to construction
The Road Closure on Charlton Ave East between Wentworth St. S. and Sherman Access has been extended until September 04, 2020. COVID-19 delays continue to have a huge impact on this and other construction projects. We appreciate your patience with this.