Safer Streets Now, Landmarks and Monuments, Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups & Community Calls for Support
Dear Neighbour,
I hope you have had the chance to let the sun hit your face and take in all the blooming magnolias and flowers across Ward 3 the past two weeks. What a full two weeks it has been since the last newsletter!
First off, while COVID-19 remains a serious concern requiring ongoing efforts and vigilance, the City has terminated its State of Emergency. Click here for details on what this means.
Secondly, my office is launching neighbourhood based Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups starting Friday, May 27 at the “box” outside St. Matthew’s House on 414 Barton St E. See our social media channels for further details.
I wanted to remind residents that you have until May 13th to submit your comments on the design for the second phase of the Victoria Ave Cycle Track. You can view the virtual community consultation with staff on our YouTube channel and then submit your comments by email to ward3@hamilton.ca.
We’ve also been getting reports of some stinky air the past few days and wanted to take a moment to remind neighbours that you can report odour pollution to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Please see here for a breakdown on how to contact the MECP. For additional support, please send this information to our Ward 3 Climate Action Coordinator, Kerry Le Clair at kerry.leclair@hamilton.ca. Kerry can work with you to determine how your report is handled.
This newsletter includes updates from Council regarding street safety, better options for travel, and landmarks across the City. As well as, City service updates, community calls for support, and upcoming events in Ward 3. Our office remains proud to serve all #OurWard3 communities. If you have any questions, reach us by email at ward3@hamilton.ca or call (905) 546-2702.
Yours in Community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Safer Streets Now - Our roadways must be built for safety, not speed.
This Wednesday, Council approved the motion Councillor Wilson and I tabled calling for immediate interventions to improve safety for all users along Main Street and King Street such as: expanded and enhanced pedestrian space, temporary lane reductions, reduced parking restrictions, reduced speed limit, synchronized traffic light options, no right turn on red restrictions at intersections, and leading pedestrian intervals at crosswalks. The goal is to have these interventions in place as quickly as possible.
The motion also directed staff to create an implementation plan to convert Main Street from one-way to two-way, integrating a Complete Streets redesign. Converting Main to two-way will require working with Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation, as well as, consultation with the public which, when done well, takes time, meaning we are likely to see the conversion in place later.
Staff will also reassess all remaining one-way streets in the city utilizing the street conversion framework identified in the Transportation Master Plan and report back to Council.
Better Options for Travel Are Possible
At GIC last week, the Bay Area Climate Change Council presented recommendations from their Options for Travel - Giving Residents a Real Choice Report, which calls for low carbon transit options that are safe, reliable, and convenient for all residents. “If there are significant barriers to walking, cycling or taking public transit, we can’t reasonably expect residents to choose those forms of transportation”. I encourage residents to read it. Council directed staff to review the recommendations and report back.
Gage to Gore Open Street Pilot
At GIC last week, we heard about Staff’s recommendations to open up King Street to community life and use. Open streets have had a surge in cities across North America during the pandemic, giving residents more access to use the public realm safely. Open streets have also been deployed across cities to promote community life and support small businesses.
King Street would be closed to vehicular traffic from Gore to Gage during a pilot phase sometime this summer. I asked staff to ensure the adjacent neighbours are well informed of the project prior to implementing it. My office will share a further update when the plan is finalized.
Landmarks and Monuments Update
Last summer, Council approved next steps for the Landmarks and Monuments Review, so that Hamilton can better honour and acknowledge Indigenous contributions and context across the City. This process started with hearing first and foremost from the Indigenous community about landmarks and areas of historical significance. Further work is needed, and further consultation as well.
At Emergency Community Services Committee, next steps, which centre the work of building long term relationships with Indigenous communities and agreeing on a framework on how to do that moving forward were presented. Staff also recommended contextual signage to be placed at specific locations across the city to provide deeper understanding. Council ratified these actions along with allocating more resources to this work.
Overall, these steps reinforce the importance of “how” a municipality creates and names monuments while also creating the pathway to allow next generations to shape the world around them in a way that honours humanity.
Increasing Access to Tim Horton’s Field for Bernie Custis Students
The students of Bernie Custis Secondary School deserve the same opportunities that students in other areas have had access to for years. With Trustee Miller, I will continue finding solutions to meet the needs of students.
Earlier this Spring, I hosted a meeting with HWDSB Ward 3 Trustee Maria Felix Miller and City staff to find solutions to increasing access to the stadium field and brainstorm solutions to increase access to appropriate green space for sports and student activities.
At the joint HWDSB and City committee this week, staff presented the following solution: increased hours for the school to use the field between two slots every weekday: 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Approximately 270 hours is booked for the Bernie Custis School; the previous high was 54 hours. We are also exploring into the leveling of the berms between the highschool and Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre.
More updates to come.
Gage Park Walkway Reconstruction – May 9 - 20, May 23 - June 8
Final preparations are underway for the Gage Park Walkway reconstruction! This project consists of the park’s asphalt and walkway repavement, installation of accessible seating and waste receptacles, and repairment of lawn areas.
Paving is scheduled to begin during the week of May 9th, and be completed by May 20th. Please note this work is weather dependent. Between May 23rd and June 8th, benches and waste receptacles will be installed, and lawn areas will be repaired.
For more information, please visit hamilton.ca/gagepark. For further questions or concerns, please reach out to Ken Wheaton, Landscape Architect, Environmental Services by email at ken.wheaton@hamilton.ca, or call (905) 546-2424 Ext.2289
Housing Stability Benefit and Rent Ready Program
The Housing Stability Benefit (HSB) helps Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW) recipients and people with low income maintain their housing.
The Rent Ready Program (RRP) is a short-term benefit to support renters impacted by COVID-19. It can be accessed by those who have exhausted their Housing Stability Benefit (HSB) but require additional support to acquire or maintain housing. This COVID-19 support program will be operated until exhausted on a first come first serve basis.
Those eligible for the HSB must have exhausted this support prior to receiving RRP funding. Eligible income thresholds are the same for the Rent Ready program as the HSB program.
Please visit the City of Hamilton website for application details and more information. If you have any additional questions about the Rent Ready program, please contact HSB@hamilton.ca.
Please note, the Rent Ready program will also include a voluntary demographic questionnaire. Opting out of the questionnaire will have no impact on client eligibility; it is strictly to evaluate the program through an equity lens.
Aerial Spray Program to Reduce LDD Moth Populations – May 15 - June 15
From May 15th until June 15th, the City will begin its aerial spray program to address the areas where significant LDD Moth populations are located in Hamilton. (Exact dates and time are weather dependent.) The purpose of the aerial spray program is to help reduce populations of LLD Moth in Hamilton – it will not entirely eradicate the pest.
An organic biological insecticide will be applied to wooded properties and residential streets in East and West Hamilton, to help manage the infestation on city-owned properties. Each treatment area will be sprayed twice, with the second application occurring seven to 10 days after the first application. It targets LDD moths and other caterpillars, and will not have an effect on humans, pets, other animals, or bees. As well, it will not have any health impacts to residents, pets or animals in the spray area.
Stay tuned to the City’s channels for more information: website and Twitter. Residents can also request 48-hour advance notice by contacting the Customer Contact Centre 905-546-CITY (2489) or 1-877-446-2424 toll free.
Upcoming Closure – Jimmy Thompson Pool – June 2 to June 22
Please be advised that Jimmy Thompson Pool will be closed from Thursday, June 2 until Wednesday, June 22, 2022, due to facility maintenance. The pool basin has some tile repair and grouting work that needs to be addressed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to recreation@hamilton.ca.
It is inspiring to see so many neighbours rolling up their sleeves and leaning into cultivating belonging across our communities through #OurWard3. With warmer days upon us, more residents are getting outdoors to enjoy our neighbourhood greenspaces and community resources. Please see below for a list of volunteer opportunities across Ward 3 that enable you to be outside and meet more neighbours.
The Children’s Garden – Gage Park
Please contact Hazel Cho directly at childrensgarden.hamilton@gmail.com or (416) 268-1433 if you can help out during the two dates below.
Friday May 13th, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Garden Beds Install Day with Turkstra Team - TCG (Adult ONLY)
Volunteers are needed to help with physical labour (such as helping to lift heavy planters and shovel soil into beds).
Saturday May 14th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Garden Planting Day with TCG Team, Little Planters and TCG families.
Help the team plant seedlings in the new garden. Make sure to bring a water bottle, sun protection (such as a hat and sunscreen), a hand shovel, garden gloves, and a smile.
Children’s Garden Maintenance Team - Volunteer Callout
Training schedules will be sent out soon. Please contact Juby Lee at childrensgarden.hamilton@gmail.com or (286) 925-8612 if you and your family are interested to sign up for the training sessions, and can help tend to the Garden.
Birch Avenue Greenspace Gardening
The Birch Avenue Greenspace is looking for volunteers to assist with clearing weeds and making room for flowers. Spring season flowers are blooming, and the valiant little pollinators planted last summer are looking for room to grow as well.
This greenspace is located on Birch Avenue below Barton to Princess, on the number 2 bus route. There are five gardens, and plenty of room for all neighbours looking to help out. Gardening tools will be available.
If you are interested, please email galaparksandgardens@gmail.com, or reach out to Brenda Duke via calling (289) 933-4810.
Crown Point Community Cleanup
Neighbours in Ward 3 have taken initiative in organizing a community cleanup event in Crown Point, this Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Supplies will be available for pick up and drop off at 16 Morris Avenue (1 block north of Glendale and Dunsmure). Plastic gloves will be available, but if possible, neighbours are asked to bring garden gloves to avoid making more garbage. Filled garbage bags are to be dropped off at 16 Morris Avenue, so that the City can come and pick them up.
For more information, and to get involved, please reach out to Karin Negrea at karin.negrea@gmail.com or (647) 992-9319.
Construction – Cannon St. Kids Little Free Library
The Cannon St. Little Free Library has been in the neighbourhood for almost 4 years and offers a variety of things from books, to seeds and plants, a community garden, and even water and sticks for the neighbourhood’s dogs. They are planning to expand their offerings a bit more, and reaching out for assistance in bringing that dream to life.
They would like to open a kid’s library next to the existing library, that’s dedicated to children’s books, and pitched at kid height. The library itself is ready to be put in place, but assistance is needed with putting the new little library on a stick. Ideally, via a triangle structure that would offer more support and stability, and securing the stick in a half barrel or similar to ensure it stays standing.
If you are, or know someone who is experienced in carpentry or DIY, and are able to help bring this little free library to the kiddos, please contact cannonstlittlefreelibrary@yahoo.com. For more information on the Cannon St. Little Free Library, please visit their Facebook.
Ward 3 Office Community Pop Ups - Friday, May 27th - 1pm to 3pm
The Ward 3 office has been cleared to host our Community Pop-Up Office Hours across different neighbourhoods in #OurWard3.
Though on our work plan for Spring 2020, the pandemic required us to pivot to virtual platforms. Through the pandemic, we have been conscious of the digital divide and recognize not all our neighbours have been able to connect with us for support on city service questions, concerns or ideas.
Our objective with this roaming casework initiative is to connect one-on-one with neighbours in #OurWard3 to listen to the issues that matter most to you and identify the next steps to help address them.
We will be set up in the shipping container outside of St. Matthew’s House (414 Barton Street East) beginning at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. When you come by please remember to keep your mask on. And help get the word out to our neighbours without Internet access.
“Comfort/Discomfort”, Exploring Gender Based Violence – May 10 - 15
The Zonta Club of Hamilton 1 showcasing “Comfort/Discomfort”, a display of Art Quilts and Books exploring Gender Based Violence, by Jenny Iserman. They have partnered with YWCA Hamilton and Ottawa Street BIA for this project.
The exhibit is on display at Putman Family YWCA (52 Ottawa Street North) in the Community Room, and is on now until Sunday, May 15th. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be an Artist Talk and Reception on Friday, May 13 at 2 p.m. The exhibit will also be open during Sew Hungry Food Truck Festival on Saturday, May 14.
For more information, please visit their website. For questions, please contact Debbie Field, Vice President, Zonta Club of Hamilton 1 at contactus@zontahamilton1.ca.
Sew Hungry 2022 – Saturday, May 14
The Ottawa Street BIA is hosting Sew Hungry 2022 on May 14 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food Trucks will be stationed along Ottawa Street North from Barton St to Main St. There will be food to try, live music to watch, local shops open, and an activity zone to explore. Over 20 trucks will be participating, as well as restaurants. Local stores will also be open. For more details, please visit sewhungry.com or follow their Facebook.