Calls for Community Support, City Budget Deliberations, City Services Updates & more
Dear Neighbour,
This week’s snowfall matched a record set in 1978. The sheer volume of snow and high winds posed a serious challenge to snow removal services requiring the City to declare a Significant Weather Event effective 4 p.m. on January 17th that ended on January 19th at 8 pm.
Many neighbours reached out to the Ward 3 office to provide evidence of the frustrations of having cleared sidewalks and only to have them refilled by plows. We also have seen firsthand the impacts of large snow piles at corners creating a barrier of access to sidewalks. Crews are focusing on removing snow from residential streets, municipally-owned sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus stops this week to deliver consistent service standards across the ward.
A few things to remember:
As per the City’s Snow and Ice By-law No. 03-296, property owners and/or occupants have within 24 hours after the Significant Weather Event is declared over to clear their property. Please file your complaints with by-law directly online here, by email mle@hamilton.ca or by phone at 905-546-2782.
Service enhancements to sidewalk snow removal along transit routes will begin in November this year. Like many of you, I look forward to this service taking effect to help make our roadways more accessible.
The Snow Angels program is always looking for volunteers who are willing to provide snow removal support. For more information on the program including details on how to respond to the call for volunteers, please see here.
The updates in this e-newsletter include: call for community support across the ward, updates on the City’s budget process and Council decisions, vaccine clinic opportunities, updates on the province’s lift of restrictions, and community updates.
With increased snow and cold weather, many neighbours have been made more vulnerable by this pandemic. We also have many community groups and agencies stepping up to support at this time. Please consider the asks in the section below for Call for Community Supports and offer what support you can.
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Eva Rothwell Centre
The Eva Rothwell Centre has an Emergency Food Pantry that is open to anyone in need of non-perishable food items and hygiene products. The Pantry is open at the Centre (460 Wentworth St N) Monday-Friday 9 am to 2:30 pm or by appointment. Call 905-526-1558 ext 401 to schedule an appointment.
541 Barton
Our neighbours at 541 Barton are calling for the following donations to provide to the folks coming out for their bagged lunches!
Adult-sized, insulated gloves
Waterproof gloves are in especially high demand
Socks
Toques
If you're able to purchase some good winter gear to help our neighbours keep warm, please drop them off at 541 anytime between 9-11 am on Mondays-Saturdays.
Keeping Six + Vintage Coffee
Warm clothing and winter items can be dropped off at Vintage Coffee Roasters located at 977 King St. E during the week from 8am to 3pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Please consider dropping off the following items:
Winter coats
Sleeping bags
Gloves
Hats
Blankets
It is budget season for Council. We have had back-to-back meetings this week on the Operating Budget. We received presentations from each local board ranging from Hamilton Public Library to Conservation Authorities to Hamilton Police Services.
Here’s your budget recap to date:
Capital Budget - Council approved $280 million in capital infrastructure projects in addition to in-year approved capital projects in 2021, resulting in a gross 2022 capital budget of $386 million. The increase in capital funding from property taxes equates to an increase in the operating budget of 0.65 per cent or $6.2 million. This represents an increase of approximately $28 per year on an average household.
Water & Wastewater/Storm Rate Budget - Council has also approved a combined 4.98% increase to the water and wastewater/storm rates. The average water and wastewater residential bill will increase roughly $3.25/month or $39.05/year.
Operating Budget - In order to maintain current service levels, it is proposed that we will need a 3.3% tax levy increase. In order to achieve a 2% target a cut of $15.8M would be required to city services.
Please see here for more information on the City’s 2022 Budget process.
Human rights-based and comprehensive approach to housing and health for those living encamped
Over 19 people experiencing homelessness died between June and November 2021. Over the pandemic, an over-emphasis on encampment enforcement has divided our communities. We need to focus on delivering solutions and providing housing and healing.
This week, Council ratified my motion calling for multi-stakeholder planning sessions to land on a comprehensive human rights-based approach to housing and homelessness. The goal is to name the current reality of who is being left out of support, identify gaps and address the needs of those residents who live encamped across Hamilton.
There are many ideas out in the community right now ranging from transitionary measures like A Better Tent City and more comprehensive winter supports to permanent solutions that result in housing with coordinated supports. It is my hope that through these planning sessions, Council can receive recommendations we can unite behind and plan to invest in moving forward.
I can appreciate that many in the community are moving from fear of COVID-19 to fatigue. That said, the Omicron variant spread continues and it is very important to keep each other safe by getting vaccinated to reduce the severity of symptoms should you become infected, continue wearing a mask to avoid being infected, and continue taking instructions from public health seriously.
There aren’t enough thanks to relay to every healthcare worker and organization for continuing to dig deep despite staffing shortages and constant pandemic stressors. You can send a virtual thanks to Hamilton’s healthcare workers by heading to www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/virtual-thanks.
What you need to know if you or loved ones become infected
As more residents become infected with the Omicron variant, Hamilton Health Sciences would like you to know what to do to care for yourself or others in a way that doesn’t add to the immense pressures currently being experienced in the health sector right now.
Please take some time to get familiar with their recommendations, which include:
Province declares lifting restrictions effective January 31st, 2022
Effective Monday January 31, 2022 at 12:01 am the Province will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions, while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:
Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 percent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to: Restaurants, bars, and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities; Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies), Shopping malls; Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms; Cinemas; Meeting and event spaces; Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks; Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos, and similar attractions; and Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments Religious services, rites, or ceremonies.
Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as indoor sporting events, concert venues, and theatres to operate at 50 percent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.
Enhanced proof of vaccination and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.
The province also laid out plans to lift additional public health measures on February 21, 2022 and furthermore on March 14, 2022. Please see the full announcement for additional details here.
Like many parents, I know the return to school is nerve-wracking. In an effort to increase ease of access to vaccination and provide protection for children against COVID-19, kids aged 5 to 11 have walk-in access to vaccine clinics at LimeRidge Mall and Centre on Barton. Learn about available locations, hours of operation, and how to book at www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine
City of Hamilton Public Health Services strongly encourages education and child care workers, and all eligible Hamiltonians to receive their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they’re eligible to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our local hospital system’s capacity.
Hamiltonians are experiencing increasing hospitalizations, largely due to the Omicron variant. The risk of severe outcome (hospitalization or ICU admission) is clinically proven to be lower for those with any number of COVID-19 vaccine doses compared to those who are unvaccinated. A 3rd dose provides protections against these outcomes. Getting vaccinated is an important way that we can support ourselves and our community.
Please see the following upcoming clinics in #OurWard3 and head to https://www.hamilton.ca/getyourvaccine for more details on clinics across the City.
WALK-IN CLINICS (No Appointment Required)
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch - 571 Barton St. E.
(operated by Refuge Newcomer Health, DJNO, HCCI + partners).
Saturday, January 22nd - 11 am to 3 pm - priority given to Black, Racialized, Persons with disabilities, Newcomers, and any other persons facing barriers to access
No appt or health card required, interpretation, transportation + more supports available - email covidvaccine@newcomerhealth.ca or call 905-526-0000 (Ages 5+)
Mission Services - 196 Wentworth St. N. (use Good Food Centre/Community Services entrance)
Every Wednesday - 11 am to 2 pm
No appt or ID required, wheelchair accessible, support available in Spanish + booster shots to those eligible. (Ages 12+)
COMBINED CLINICS (Walk-in Eligibility or Appointment as specified)
Appointments are required for all booster/third doses (except 50+ at Centre on Barton only).
Walk-In eligibility for anyone + accessing their first or second dose.
Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre - 192 Wentworth St N.
Every Tuesday - 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm (Age 12+)
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch - 571 Barton St. E.
Thursday - 1:00 to 3:30 pm & 5:00 to 7:00 pm (operated by City of Hamilton (Age 12+)
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre - 876 Cannon St. E.
Every Friday - 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 1:00 to 3:30 pm (Ages 12+)
Centre on Barton - 1211 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8H 2V4 (between the Brick & Giant Tiger)
Daily - 8:00 am to 8:30 pm (Age 5+)
Walk-in booster doses for adults aged 50+ available at the Centre on Barton COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. Please note this clinic is right outside Ward 3 but is extremely close.
BOOKED APPOINTMENT CLINICS (Age 5-11)
Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre - 192 Wentworth St N.
Every Tuesday - 1:00 pm to 3:10 pm
Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre - 192 Wentworth St N.
Every Thursday - 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre - 876 Cannon St. E.
January 21 only - 1 to 3:10 pm **Walk-in clinic for this date
PHARMACY CLINICS
There are a number of Ward 3 pharmacies participating in the vaccine clinics. Please use see here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations and enter your postal code to find the pharmacy closest to you.
HEALTHCARE WORKER CLINIC
HHS West End Clinic - 690 Main St W.
Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
By appointment only for healthcare workers. Please book via the City’s website.
Updates to City’s Cold Response & Warming Centres
In a commitment to continuous improvement and being responsive to needs in the community, the City has updated winter supports available to residents experiencing homelessness.
Going forward, Bennetto Recreation Centre (450 Hughson St. N, Hamilton, ON) will be available as a warming centre overnight from 5 pm to 12 pm during a Cold Alert. Coffee, water, and sandwiches are available for guests, in addition to cots and blankets.
This change from the 24-hour offering is to coordinate the hours of operations with existing drop-in services and other available warming centres during a Cold Alert including four recreation centres, including Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre in Ward 3 (192 Wentworth St N.) available from 12 noon to 7 pm, and the partner agencies who are also offering drop-in and extended hours during a Cold Alert. This change also enables appropriate cleaning opportunities and refreshment re-fills.
When a Cold Alert is called, there is a focus on promoting access to safe and warm shelter to those on the street and for individuals living in vulnerable conditions with limited heat.
During a Cold Alert:
Residents should check on neighbours who may be at risk to make sure they have heat.
Familiarize yourself and others about the support services and warming centre options (link here) that are available through City recreation centres and community partners. Select City of Hamilton Recreation centres are opened as Warming Centres. Recreation staff has shelter information if shelter is needed.
Salvation Army supports this effort by partnering with local organizations that can help people access shelter, triaging calls from the public about those who may need shelter, and monitoring shelter space and availability.
Learn more about Cold Alert response updates and operation hours on the City website here.
Fire Chief’s update on fire behind Lucy Day Park
Following the fire which occurred behind Lucy Day Park on December 312t, 2021 in acknowledgment of valid community concerns about the need for a safer buffer zone along Lucy Day Park boundary, and concerns around a fire happening again, I reached out to the Hamilton Fire Chief for an update on the status of the investigation of the fire at 150 Princess Street. The Chief shared the following update with me:
“As a result of the fire at 150 Princess Street, the Hamilton Fire Department completed a follow-up inspection, based on the applicable section(s) of the Ontario Fire Code. This inspection has resulted in an Inspection Order being issued for non-compliant items.”
Thank you to everyone in the area that reached out to my office on the day of the fire. I will continue to work with Fire Services and other City divisions to ensure safer buffer zone are defined and maintained between parks and industrial neighbours to make our communities safer.
Update on Gage Park Walkways Project
The Contractor at the Gage Walkways Project has finished gravel placement, compaction, concrete bench pads, and waste receptacle pads. Preparations had been made to start paving during the week leading up to the holidays, but frozen ground conditions, unfortunately, impacted the contractor’s ability to complete those works. As a result, the site is still considered a construction site and under the control of the contractor throughout the winter months.
The Contractor has prepared the site for winter by ensuring the site was left in a safe state (no excavations, tripping hazards, level surfaces, no lips etc.) and signage has been installed indicating the site is an active construction site. The City will provide winter maintenance on walkways to the East side of the park, however, cannot maintain the area that is an active construction site.
In the early spring, when weather permits, preparations to pave the walkways will be made which we anticipate will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. We will continue to keep residents updated on the project status prior to the Contractor continuing works.