Dear Ward 3 neighbours,

On a personal note, I wanted to inform you that I will be out of the office Thursday and Friday to attend to a family emergency. If you need to get a hold of my office, please email ward3@hamilton.ca.

My office will continue a weekly e-newsletter until Thursday, December 16th. In the new year, we will be back on a bi-weekly e-newsletter schedule to ensure you are informed of important updates, events, and opportunities.

In this week’s e-newsletter, there are updates on: Vaccines for Children 5 to 11 years old, Truck Routes Master Plan, 2022 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Rate Budget, Ward 3 Complete Streets Reminder, and statement on the JC Beemer Encampment Enforcement that occurred yesterday.

Yours in community,

Nrinder Nann

The clashes that took place on Wednesday at JC Beemer Park were exactly what some councillors, human rights, housing, and health advocates have been concerned about happening in Hamilton.

An over emphasis on encampment enforcement versus leading with a comprehensive housing and health strategy results in further divisions in our community and an expenditure of public funds on the wrong thing.

Enforcement does not solve homelessness!

That is why on December 9th at the Emergency Community Services Committee meeting, I will table a motion that calls for real, human rights centred solutions to end encampments.

We must deliver a comprehensive action plan to house those neighbours in our city who have no other option but to live encamped.

#HousingIsAHumanRight #EnoughAlready #WayOverDue

Truck Routes Master Plan

The new proposed Truck Route Master Plan is set to be deliberated upon on Monday, November 29th at the Truck Routes Sub Committee. The new recommended route map below shows what will be permissible roadways for large trucks.

The red lines on the map indicate roadways restricted to large trucks that have a maximum of 5 axles. The solid green lines grant full-time access to all large trucks. The dotted green lines restrict truck access from 7am to 7pm, so nighttime use.

The major changes proposed for Ward 3 include the removal of Sanford Ave, Wentworth Ave, Wilson Street, and a portion of Barton Street up to Birch Ave.

I have heard from many residents that they don’t feel the recommended routes take health, safety, equity, and quality of life in residential neighbourhoods into enough consideration. The route map is weighted towards the needs of the trucking industry and the businesses they serve into higher accounts. And I agree.

It is important for residents' voices to be heard on this, if you would like to delegate, please fill out this form by this Friday, November 26th.

No Urban Boundary Expansion

On Friday, November 19th Council ratified not to expand the City’s urban boundary. This means the City of Hamilton will focus on accommodating the projected population growth and housing mix within our existing boundary. Ultimately, requiring sustainable planning and more complete communities that enable future generations to thrive.

2022 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Rate Budget Approved
On Monday, General Issues Committee met to review and approve the 2022 Rate Budget at an increase of 4.98%. Even with this increase, Hamilton rates are still considerably lower than comparator municipalities Please see the chart below. This budget funds the water, wastewater, and stormwater services of the City..

Chart 6 from the 2022 Recommended Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Budget Report - 2021 Water Cost Residential (200 m3/yr)

It was the first time a city budget was presented from a needs-based analysis rather than a set target increase. What this enabled was a deeper understanding of the level of investment that is necessary to deliver essential water services.

The cost of these services continues to rise and it is necessary to right-size the budget to meet the increased demand on our water systems. Those increases in demand are related to changes in regulatory requirements, increased construction and material costs, and the impacts of climate change, which have resulted in nearly double the number of rain events leading to bypasses than in other years.

One of the contributors to this substantial increase rests in how we currently cost recover stormwater management. It is my hope that prior to the end of this term, this Council will agree to establish a stormwater management fee to offset the burden on households and have the largest contributors of run-off pay their fair share.

Child Vaccines - 5 to 11 year olds

Since this past Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 8 a.m. children in Hamilton ages 5 (born 2016) to 11 years of age are eligible to book an appointment to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be booked at www.hamilton.ca/childvaccine. For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccine for children aged 5-11years see the City of Hamilton’s info page here.

There are many convenient ways children can receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Hamilton including fixed-site clinics at LimeRidge Mall and the Centre on Barton, local mobile pop-up vaccine clinics, pharmacy clinics, family and youth-friendly clinics, and community-based and led mobile vaccination clinics for specific populations.

Hamilton’s vaccine strategy for young people is comprehensive to ensure all children 5 to 11 years of age who want a vaccine, can do so in a location that can meet their needs. The vaccine strategy was built in consultation with McMaster Children’s Hospital, local child life specialists and community partners.

I’d also like to share this great resource with tips from the City of Toronto on how to talk with your kids about vaccines. Is your child afraid of needles? Take a look at this resource with more tips on how to support your child with strategies to help manage their fears and concerns around needles.

Ward 3 Complete Streets - Phase 1: Engage on the Interactive Map!

Hundreds of residents have already filled out the interactive map tool to flag hotspots for the Ward 3 Complete Streets comprehensive review. A reminder that your input will enable the best solutions for roadway and traffic safety. Please take a few moments to select a pin, place it on the map and add comments to best describe the problem.

Head over to the Engage Hamilton Ward 3 Complete Streets website to participate and to keep up with the project timelines. If you experience any difficulty with the interactive tool, please contact the Project Manager Eleni Dekaneas at eleni.dekaneas@hamilton.ca and CC: ward3@hamilton.ca with the location and description of traffic/roadway safety concerns.

Update on Temporary Shelter at the Former Cathedral Boys School - December 6th

City staff will be hosting a virtual community update on the status of the temporary shelter at the former Cathedral Boys School on Monday, December 6th from 5:30-6:30 pm. Registration details to come.

Woodlands Park Spray Pad PIC - December 7th

A reminder that the Woodlands Park Spray Pad design options will be presented at a virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) meeting on December 7th, 2021 at 6:30 PM. The purpose of this 2-hour meeting is to introduce the design options created as a result of the survey responses and gather additional feedback.

Please head to the Engage Hamilton website for more information and click here to register for the December 7th event.

Truck Routes Master Plan, 2022 Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Rate Budget, & Statement on Encampment Enforcement