Our Ward 3 News for October 28th, 2021
Dear Neighbour,
Fall is well upon us and it certainly is a season of change!
That includes in the Ward 3 office - Daniela is on leave, Amy is moving on to an exciting new professional opportunity, Ja’miil has joined the team, Kerry remains our climate justice warrior, and I’m hiring a new Resident Liaison and Administrative Assistant. This new squad member will be responsible for providing exceptional and empathetic service to the residents and communities of Ward 3, while also providing excellent administrative support to the Ward 3 Office - if that is you, or someone you know, check out the posting. Applications are due November 3rd, 2021.
For those of you preparing your yards and gardens for the winter, a reminder that curbside leaf and yard waste collection goes on hiatus beginning December 6th, 2021 until February 28th, 2022. Click here for tips and more information on leaf and yard waste.
With Halloween just days away, please remember to follow public health guidelines while trick or treating and gathering. Find more information on staying safe while celebrating here.
The rest of this week’s newsletter includes updates on: Rental Licensing Pilot, Waste Container Lids, Pedestrian Friendly Zones, a historic investment for City Housing Hamilton repairs, information on delegating to the 2022 city budget, grant opportunities, and a new home for a 1956 CF-KFX airplane in #OurWard3.
Wishing you all a safe and happy halloween!
Yours in community,
Nrinder Nann
Rental Housing Licensing By-law Pilot
The Rental Housing Licensing By-Law pilot was approved on September 21st. This 2-year pilot impacts Wards 1, 8, and 14 and will require rental business owners (landlords) to license their rental units. Licenses will only be granted if the rental units fully comply with the Ontario building code, fire code, electrical code, parking requirements, room size and layout, and all other regulations. The pilot will also require new internal license processes and materials to be created and made available for licensees and tenants, and the awareness campaign will start in January 2022.
I will be keeping a close eye on the results of the pilot as many of the same issues are impacting our Ward 3 neighbours who rent. It will be important to understand how this program can be scaled and expanded city-wide.
For more information on the By-law please see page 110 here.
Waste container lids must be removable
Yesterday at Council, staff clarified that the by-law changes to waste collection state that should residents choose to use waste containers with lids, they must be removable. Residents do not need to take lids off when placing bins at the curb. Please ensure your lid can be easily opened by City crews. Do not use bungee cords, latches, or any other device. to hold lids down as they pose a health and safety risk to waste collection staff.
Pedestrian Friendly Zones and Economic Development Strategy
Yesterday at Council, pedestrian-friendly zones were added to the actions of the Economic Development Strategy.
Myself and other Councillors tried to have this integrated into our early COVID-19 approaches to facilitate safe outdoor spaces for residents to enjoy, it wasn’t supported then. In other cities, these early COVID response pedestrianized roadways provided much needed access to the public realm, especially for residents who live in higher density homes or don’t have much green space to escape to.
That said, I was happy to support this addition within the EcDev plan as it enables local businesses with storefronts to thrive in commercial corridors, as we have witnessed with both Barton Village and Ottawa Street BIAs hosted events in Ward 3.
CityHousing Hamilton Affordable Housing Investment
This past spring, the federal government announced that it would invest $145 million toward City Housing Hamilton’s (CHH) inventory of social housing through the repair and renewal stream of its National Housing Strategy. This is a historic investment towards the state of good repair that will result in renovations of over 6000 affordable units, provide accessibility improvements, and support energy efficiency and climate impact mitigation of CHH buildings.
The $145,688,880 towards CHH portfolio renewal comprises $87,413,328 in repayable loans and $58,275,552 in forgivable loans.
I serve as CHH’s Treasurer and in order to enable CHH to facilitate borrowing the funds to enter into the redevelopment works, requires the City of Hamilton, as the sole voting member of CHH, to enter into a credit agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. These credit agreements were approved at Council this week.
2022 Budget Delegation Process
This year, the City is providing an additional delegation day, giving residents the opportunity to get involved in the budget process sooner. The first delegation day has been scheduled for the November 8, 2021, General Issues Committee (GIC) meeting. The second delegation day for this budget process is expected to take place in February 2022.
Residents interested in the City’s 2022 budget process can watch the budget-focused GIC meetings, which are streamed via the City's website, the City's YouTube channel, or via www.Cable14.com. Residents interested in speaking at meetings can also submit a delegation request.
2022 City Enrichment Fund Application - Due Nov 1st before 4:30 pm
The 2022 City Enrichment Fund (CEF) application intake is well underway and a gentle reminder that the deadline is fast approaching. Please find more information and the application here. The deadline for all applications is November 1, 2021, before 4:30 P.M.
Placemaking Grant Pilot Program - Fall Application open till Dec 10th
The Placemaking Grant Pilot program will support community-led projects that propose new ways of interacting with public spaces.
Projects are to be place-based and maybe playful and fun or address more serious issues. Applicants are encouraged to reimagine everyday public spaces and propose temporary projects that are creative and experimental. To learn more or to apply, please see here.
Just Recovery Budget & Delegation Workshops
The #HamOnt Just Recovery Coalition was formed at the end of 2020 to bring together non-profit and community organizations to work together towards a just recovery for all Hamiltonians.
The coalition is continuing our work to ensure the voice of residents is heard during the city's budget process.
You can participate in their workshop on the municipal budget and how to delegate to Council at the November 8th meeting. Register here for this upcoming workshop on Saturday, October 30th at 11:00 AM. More information here.
The AIDS Network CTS Survey Extended to Oct 31st
The Aids Network (TAN) has extended access to its community consultation surveys in a continued commitment to its ongoing community engagement strategy with Consumption and Treatment Services in Ward 3.
Access to the surveys below has been extended to this Sunday, October 31st. Find each survey here:
For any frequently asked questions head to https://aidsnetwork.ca/cts/ and contact TAN directly for any further questions and inquiries.
Woodlands Park Spray Pad
A reminder that the City is still seeking your input on the final design and features of Ward 3’s newest spray pad scheduled to open next summer. Please visit engage.hamilton.ca/woodlandspark to engage with us and provide your feedback.
Upcoming Vaccine Clinics in Ward 3
October 27, 11 am to 2 pm
Mission Services -196 Wentworth St. N.
(use Good Food Centre/Community Services entrance)
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
October 29, 10 am to 12 pm & 1 to 3 pm
Hamilton Public Library – Barton Branch - 571 Barton St E
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
October 29, 12 to 2 pm
St. Patrick’s Church - 440 King St. E.. Hamilton
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
Outdoor clinic, dress appropriately for the weather
October 30, 10 am to 12 pm & 1 to 3 pm
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre - 876 Cannon St., Hamilton, L8L 0C6
First & second dose: walk-in
Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available
If you are age 18+, you can receive Moderna through pharmacies in Hamilton. If you are 12+, you can receive Pfizer through pharmacies in Hamilton. Participating pharmacies covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
Check the city’s website (www.Hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine ) for a fulsome listing of other vaccine clinics.
Recreation requires proof of vaccination
Each person who enters an indoor facility for sports, recreation, meetings, or events must show proof of vaccination and identification at the time of entry, which will be visually verified by staff.
Residents are encouraged to plan and adjust arrival times accordingly as they may wait times before entering as the new requirements may affect service levels. The City thanks residents for their patience and understanding.
Learn more at www.hamilton.ca/Recreation
This past Monday, the Eva Rothwell Centre shared a lovely story about how a new Jr. Air Cadet program became possible at the centre.
Thanks to the vision of Mr. Don MacVicar and the community collaboration of many partners, a piece of Canadian aviation history that was found in a field on HWY 6 has been restored and will be used at the centre for the youth program commencing in the spring of next year. People of all ages will also be able to use the Flight Simulator with the CF-KFX airplane.
Be sure to see the full story via @evarothwellcentre on Instagram.