Committee, Public Health and City Services updates & Engagement Opportunities
Dear Neighbour,
The sunshine and milder temperatures over the past few days have been the perfect reminder that there are only 18 days until Spring!
As the snow and ice season passes and we spend more time enjoying being outside, I wanted to encourage you to participate in auditing our neighbourhood sidewalks and help identify those needing attention via the Ward 3 Sidewalks Audit.
Not only do our sidewalks need tending to, you may also be noticing potholes on our roads across the ward. To report a pothole, please call the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489 or email roadsnorth@hamilton.ca with the location and a brief description of what the hole looks like. If you are safely able to take a picture, you are invited to submit that also. Additionally, if you experience vehicle damage from a pothole you must submit a claim for property damage in writing to the City of Hamilton Risk Management Services (71 Main Street West, Suite 1101) with a full description of what happened. Please see here for more information on road and sidewalk maintenance, including full details on how to submit a claim.
March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD) and it is coming up next week. IWD is a day devoted to acknowledging and celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contributions of women everywhere. In my life, I often give and receive bread and roses on IWD as a symbol of honouring all forms of labour women provide and the respect and dignity we deserve. I encourage you to take some time over the coming week to acknowledge the women in your lives that have made an impact.
This e-newsletter includes budget and committees updates, vaccine clinics across the ward, City services updates and some engagement opportunities for your participation.
Yours in Community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Long Live Hamilton Bike Share - GIC
At last, Hamilton’s beloved bike share system will be supported with sustained, ongoing public funding. Last week at GIC Budget, Council agreed to transition the Hamilton Bike Share system from the current model to a partnership model approach. When ratified by Council, City contributions will increase financial sustainability, improve service delivery, and will build in asset management.
It’s exciting to solidify this mobility option in our City. Not only is cycling instead of driving one way that we can reduce our carbon footprint but more bikes means more active people, better air quality, health, and overall fun for all.
2022 Operating Budget
We are currently sitting at a projected 2.8% increase to the Operating Budget to maintain current levels of service. Council had set a target of a 2% increase for all Divisions, Boards, and Agencies. However, some agencies and divisions requested more. Hamilton Police Services submitted a budget increase of 3.9% = $3.389M more than last year’s budget and bringing the overall police budget to over $182M. The rationale for the increase was to achieve the service’s goal of reducing the ratio of “cop-to-pop” which results in an increased total number of officers. Though I appreciate the service has its goals, I voted against this increase as I believe that all boards should be afforded the opportunity to provide bold budget increases that aim to meet community needs and as such provide service enhancements, for context, the Hamilton Public Library requested a $300K increase. Council is expected to ratify the 2022 Budget at the next Council meeting on March 30th, 2022.
New Public Health and Workplace Safety Measures - Effective March 1st
Effective this past Tuesday, March 1st, the province has eased public health and workplace safety measures. The following changes to public health and workplace safety measures are in effect:
Capacity limits have been lifted in all indoor public settings.
Proof of vaccination requirements have been lifted.
Businesses and organizations may choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry.
Other protective measures, such as mask/face covering requirements and passive screening of patrons remain in place.
For the full list of measures in effect, see O. Reg. 364/20. . For Hamilton specific restrictions, please see here. Businesses and organizations that are open must continue to have safety plans in place
Vaccine Clinics in Ward 3
Please see below for clinic opportunities across Ward 3. For a full list of clinics across the City, please see here: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination
WALK-IN CLINICS (No Appointment Required)
Hamilton Public Library, Barton Branch - 571 Barton St. E.
(operated by Refuge Newcomer Health, DJNO, HCCI + partners).
Saturday, March 5 - 10 am to 3 pm
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 - 10 am to 12 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)
Eligible individuals can walk-in to receive a first, second dose, or third dose at these clinics.
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre - 876 Cannon St. E.
Wednesdays - 9:30 to 11:30 am & 1 to 3:10 pm
Fridays - 9:30 to 11:30 am & 1 to 3:10 pm
APPOINTMENT ONLY CLINIC
De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre - 678 Main St E
Fridays (check DAHC website for all clinic dates and times)
For those age 12+, book appointment online at aboriginalhealthcentre.com/covid19info
For those age 5-11, book an appointment by emailing covid19vaccine@dahac.ca or calling 905-544-4320 Ext. 399.
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.
SCHOOL-BASED CLINICS
Cathy Wever Elementary School - 160 Wentworth St N.
March 3 - 4 to 7:30 pm
Available to students at:
Queen Victoria Elementary
Cathy Wever Elementary
Adelaide Hoodless Elementary
Prince of Wales Elementary
Memorial City Elementary
AM Cunningham Elementary
Dr. J. Edgar Davey Elementary
Serafini Skate Pad is closing for the season - March 3
Unfortunately, the time has come, the Serafini Skating rink will close for the season as of today, Thursday, March 3rd, 2022. It is a bit earlier than anticipated due to preparations required for the Heritage Classic NHL Hockey Game on March 13th.
2021 Hamilton Drinking Water Systems Annual Water Quality and Summary Report
The annual water quality and summary report is now available. This document provides detailed information on the City’s drinking water systems and is posted for our residents by February 28th each year as per provincial requirements.
As you go through this report, feel free to send in any questions or thoughts that may come up for you to ward3@hamilton.ca as we prepare to be joined by Hamilton Water staff for another live Q&A of Coffee with your Councillor on March 22nd at 9:30 AM.
GO Transit Subsidy for HSR Customers
The Provincial Ministry of Transportation has announced new fare discounts in an effort to make transit more affordable in our City.
Effective March 14, 2022:
Customers will be able to travel free between GO and local transit agencies, including HSR and ATS/DARTS.
PRESTO discounts for youth and post-secondary students will increase to 40 per cent off the full adult fare.
GO Transit is introducing an Affordability Pilot for low-income riders, starting with residents of Peel Region who are enrolled in Peel’s Affordable Transit Program. The pilot will be rolled out to other transit systems in a phased approach.
The transition to free transfers onto local transit will be a seamless experience for customers as the discount will automatically apply to their PRESTO card. The changes will further strengthen fare integration and ensure transit remains an affordable and attractive option for customers.
Please click here for full details from the Provincial media release.
Family-Friendly Housing Policy - PIC Meetings - March 23 & 24
The Family-Friendly Housing project is an initiative that looks at ways to provide and encourage an adequate supply of housing that is suitable for larger households and families with children. Having enough supply of suitable housing available, as well as designing developments and neighbourhoods in ways that are supportive of families, are key factors in ensuring that housing meets the needs of all citizens. From February to April 2022, City staff will be engaging with the community to obtain feedback on the actions outlined in the discussion paper titled Encouraging Family-Friendly Housing in Hamilton.
Join one of the two upcoming virtual public information centre (PIC) meetings on Wednesday, March 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM or Thursday, March 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM to engage with the staff and hear more about the planning-related actions for family-friendly housing identified in the discussion paper that are being considered for Hamilton.
For more information please see here.
City Bird Poll - Bird-Friendly Hamilton
From our friends at Bird-Friendly Hamilton Burlington: Help us select a City Bird for both Hamilton and Burlington! It’s time to vote for the short-listed city bird nominations by Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington. Please vote here to share who you think should be the City Bird for both Hamilton and for Burlington.
Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Town Hall - March 10th at 6:30 PM
On March 10, I will be joining ACORN, the Hamilton Community Benefits Network, and Environment Hamilton for a virtual town hall on the urgent need for the City of Hamilton to pass a strong inclusionary zoning policy.
Register here to join and learn more about inclusionary zoning and the opportunities for Hamilton. We will also be joined by Toronto ACORN where the first IZ policy passed in the province and the community campaign behind the policy win. For more information on the event, please see here.