Dear Neighbours,

Wow, what a hot few days we’ve had! The magnolias, cherry blossoms, and daffodils are already blooming. I just hope they don’t wilt away quickly as the weather changes later this week (fingers crossed).

This Thursday was among the earliest days in April to be this hot in Hamilton. And, though I have certainly appreciated the sunshine, this climate change poses some health challenges, and signals the need to adjust our operational standards. Some residents have flagged the need to ensure our many new water fountains across Ward 3 are set to function based on weather temperature and not a seasonal date. I will be addressing this service standard change along with an investment plan for the remaining parks to receive their water fountains in our neighbourhoods.

Earth Day is approaching and that means it is time for community clean ups. Please join me this year by signing up to be part of the team of neighbours closest to you. See our update in Community Events for more details.

Enjoy reading this issue of the e-newsletter and please reach out to ward3@hamilton.ca if you have any questions.

Yours in community,

Councillor Nrinder Nann

Spring photo of City Hall with yellow, orange, and purple tulips out front. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Council & Committee Updates"

HSR Redesign

Dependable, accessible bus service is the backbone of our communities. Public transit helps many of our ward 3 residents get to where they need and want to be across our city.

A redesigned HSR network was presented at Public Works Committee on Monday April 3rd and ratified by Council this week. This is the first major redesign in over 100 years! And, though incremental and piecemeal changes have been implemented after service reduction since the 1990’s, this plan is robust. The LRT being canceled and back on again, the pandemic, and the two-way conversion of Main St were all factored into the final redesign.

The changes proposed to the route have taken feedback from users over the years into account and will make public transit a better, more connected experience. Over 13,000 total surveys, conversations and digital engagements sent a clear signal on Hamilton’s priorities for transit: fast, frequent, reliable and affordable, as well as, better weekend and holiday service that connects the whole city and sees bus stops as a public space!

The result of the City’s undertaking has been "a systemic assessment and optimization of the Hamilton Street Railway network". The next step is a final and robust public consultation prior to an operational plan to be approved for implementation.

For more information on the HSR Redesign, please visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/hsr-transit/riding-hsr/help-us-reenvision-hsr

Safe Pedestrian Crossing at Maple & Ottawa

On Monday March 27th, both Ward 4 Councillor Hwang and I met with the Delta West Community Association to address safety concerns at the intersection of Maple Ave and Ottawa St. I want to thank Dina D’Ermo and her husband for hosting the meeting in their beautiful home so we could warm up after a cold walk about to review each safety concern.

This intersection is an active school walking route for many families. It is often subjected to drivers traveling at high speeds, blocked sightlines from parked cars, and pinch points for traffic flow as the roadway narrows on Maple Ave. I worked with Clr Hwang to bring forward a motion at the April 3rd Public Works Committee to allocate joint funding from the both ward capital accounts to implement a new pedestrian activated crossing to start addressing the safety concerns in this area.

More safety enhancements are to come as they correlate with the Ward 3 Complete Streets Review report recommendations.

Vacant Unit Tax Update

After years of debating motions I have led at Council, the City is preparing to implement the Vacant Unit Tax as one of the measures to address the City’s housing crisis.

By creating a disincentive to have units remain vacant, the City aims to bring more housing online for those who need it. The City will be charging an additional one per cent tax on any home vacant for more than 183 days in a year, and that revenue generated from the tax can be re-invested into City programs.

In late December of 2023, residents will receive instructions on how to submit an occupancy declaration. It is important to remember that principal residences will not be charged with the tax but still need to submit a declaration by March 31st, 2024, and that if you are away during the declaration period (January through March), or need assistance completing the form, you can give authorization to someone else to fill the declaration for you.

For a complete list of information on the Vacant Unit Tax, residents can visit www.hamilton.ca/vacantunittax.

If you have additional questions, our office has been advised by City Staff to encourage residents to email vacantunittax@hamilton.ca with their concerns and specific questions.

Image of ‘Convergence’ by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, the winning art proposal in the City’s Century Street Parkette public art competition. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Ward 3 Updates"

Public Art Launch - April 28th

I’m thrilled the first of a series of new public art installations by the City is kicking off in #OurWard3!

‘Convergence’ by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, was the winning proposal in the City’s Century Street Parkette public art competition. The artist describes the work as an “abstract art bench in an expressive form that moves along the outer borders of the central oval area of the Century Street Parkette.” He notes that “Convergence represents the coming together of ideas and expertise from multidisciplinary backgrounds in order to achieve a common goal for the betterment of the larger community.”

I can’t think of a better description of what I appreciate most about our communities. This dynamic and functional art piece is an elliptical oval that is made of stainless steel and composite wood, and is located at the Century Street Parkette at the corner of Wentworth and Wilson Streets.

All neighbours are invited to join me in welcoming Hooman on Friday April 28th at 4:00 PM to celebrate the installation in the Parkette. Or stop by anytime after the 28th to enjoy it on your own or with friends!

For more information on Hamilton’s Public Art, please visit www.hamilton.ca/publicart

Ward 3 Complete Streets - Spring Speed Cushions Install

As reported in the March 30th issue of the Ward 3 E-Newsletter, the next phase of speed cushions to be installed as part of implementing the Ward 3 Complete Streets report recommendations are going in this spring.

These are the confirmed locations for round two of speed cushions:

Craigmiller Avenue from Rosslyn Avenue to Ottawa Street North
Carrick Avenue from King Street East to Vineland Avenue
Carrick Avenue from Main Street East to Dunsmure Road
Connaught Avenue North from Cannon Street East to King Street East
Leinster Avenue South from Main Street East to King Street East
Melrose Avenue between King Street East to Cannon Street East
Prospect Street South from King Street East to Maplewood Avenue
Spadina Avenue from Main Street East to Dunsmure Road
Cluny Avenue from Rosslyn Avenue to Ottawa Street North

Stinson Community Safety Meeting - May 8

Due to multiple incidents of property damage, theft, and policing in the Stinson Neighbourhood, my office has arranged a meeting with Hamilton Police Services for the local community’s safety.

Please join us for this hybrid meeting on Monday May 8th, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:00pm at Central Memorial Recreation Centre. RSVP’s are required to ensure there is enough seating for everyone, as well as for our office to provide a virtual meeting link for those who wish to participate online. Please contact ward3@hamilton.ca, or call 905-546-2107 to reserve your space.

Photos of a home rain drainage pipe with orange flowers in the background. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Service Updates"

Backwater Valve Maintenance - Up to $2000 Grant for Homeowners

With spring upon us, Hamilton Water would like to highlight our Protective Plumbing Program. Installing a backwater valve in the plumbing of your home allows wastewater to flow in only one direction - to the city sewer. Under the Protective Plumbing Program, residential property owners can receive a grant of up to $2000 from the City of Hamilton to complete eligible works that can help reduce the risks of basement flooding and lower demand on our sewer systems.

To get started, property owners may call the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489 (CITY) and speak to a Customer Service Representative who will guide them through the process.

Ward 3 Sewer Main Lining Work

Sewer lining work commenced on April 10, 2023 and will continue until April 23, 2023 in the following Ward 3 areas:

Burlington St. E at Lancaster St.
Burlington St. E and West Lancaster St.
Sherman Ave at Rosemont Ave.
Sherman Ave N and South Gerrard St.

For more information or to address any concerns, please contact the City at (905) 546-2489 (CITY)

Street Tree Planting Program

With Earth Day quickly approaching on April 22nd, our Ward 3 office wanted to remind residents of the City’s Street Tree Planting Program which offers free trees to homeowners in Hamilton. Trees are planted in the City-owned road allowance of your property. The measurement of the road allowance varies depending on the survey or neighbourhood you live in.

The Street Tree Planting program follows these guidelines:

If you live on a standard lot, you can have one tree planted on the road allowance on your property.
If you live on a corner lot, you can have up to three trees planted.
Trees will not be planted in any boulevard locations where the width of grass area is less than 1.75 metres.

Interested residents are asked to submit an application online by email to askcity@hamilton.ca or calling 905-546-CITY (2489). More information on the Street Tree Planting program can be found at www.hamilton.ca/trees

LRT Update

Prior to the contract award for the Hamilton LRT Project, certain discrete early works projects, both on and off corridor have been identified. These works will help facilitate the handover of the corridor to the Contractor.

Off-corridor watermain works are essential before the construction of major works along certain sections of the LRT corridors to ensure minimal disruption to the water network.

Currently, the following early works will be advanced:

Wentworth Street North (Wilson Street to King Street East) Replacement of 200mm watermain, construction of new 500mm watermain;
Sherman Avenue North (Cumberland Avenue to King Street East) Replacement of 150mm watermain with 300mm watermain; and,
Rosewood Road and Main Street East (Queenston Road to Delena Avenue Relocation of 1200mm watermain to outside of the corridor.

When the Preparatory Activities Agreement is signed, the above works will be 100% funded by Metrolinx as part of the Hamilton LRT Project. The design and construction of these watermains and associated works will be undertaken by the City on behalf of Metrolinx. The City has identified adjacent coordinated City infrastructure works in the already approved 2023 Capital Budget and will be tendered with these early works to take advantage of synergies and cost efficiencies.

My office will provide further updates as we receive them, especially around timelines to ensure neighbours receive advance notice.

The next LRT Subcommittee meeting is set for May 26th, 2023 where we anticipate receiving an updated design and details on community engagement and benefits.

Photo of a woman at a community clean up event with people in the background behind her. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Community Events"

Beautiful Alleyways & Neighbourhood Clean Ups

Spring is in the air! We’re very happy to announce that once again, the #OurWard3 office will be supporting Beautiful Alleys by participating in clean ups, and with annual funding to support the amazing volunteers who participate in this community-led initiative.

Please join me and our neighbours at the various Ward 3 Spring clean ups happening on Saturday April 22nd at the following locations:

Powell Park: 9am -1pm
Barton St. BIA (meet at Barton and Earl Streets): 9am - 1pm
Memorial Elementary School: 9am - 1pm
Ottawa St. BIA (meeting at East Kiwanis Place Parkette): 11am - 3pm
Rail Trail Clean Up (from Wentworth to Corktown Park; meet at Wentworth & Rail Trail intersection): 9am - 12pm
CP Rail Clean Up (adults only; meet at Wentworth & Rail Trail intersection): 9am - 12pm
St. Clair Laneways (meet up at Lifesaver Park): 10am - 1pm

Also, on Saturday April 22nd, there will be a volunteer luncheon at Powell Park from 1pm-3pm. All who participated in clean ups are welcome to come by for lunch. As a token of appreciation for your engagement and contributing to more vibrant spaces across Ward 3, my office has made an annual donation this term towards the lunch and refreshments.

Eco Hamilton 2nd Annual Earth Day Market

Eco Hamilton will be hosting their 2nd Annual Earth Day Market at Gage Park on Saturday April 22nd from 11am - 3pm and are inviting you to join! This market will feature over 20 vendors, food pop-ups, kids’ crafts, a repair cafe, free workshops and more.

Plus, if you attend early and are one of the first 20 visitors to visit the Eco Hamilton booth, you will receive a tote bag packed with sustainable goodies!

Green Venture - Earth Day Tree Walk

Join Green Venture on Saturday April 22nd, 2023, from 1:00 - 2:30pm at Gage Park for an Earth Day tree walk. At this event, participants will learn about medicinal plants, how to forage wild foods, and increase their tree ID skills. For more information and to register, please email trees@greenventure.ca.

Hamilton Urban Core CTS Open House - May 10th

Join Hamilton Urban Core for their Consumption & Treatment Services Open House and an in-person tour on Wednesday May 10, 2023, from 10:30 - 11:30am.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please contact ctsadministration@hucchc.com by Wednesday May 3rd, 2023, to register.

Photo of two City workers doing maintenance work on a park play structure. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Opportunities for Residents"

City of Hamilton Student General Labour Jobs for Summer

The City of Hamilton is currently hiring for General Labour positions for youth ages 18-24. For more info and to apply, please visit http://hamilton.ca/jobs (Job ID 20431)

John Howard Society’s Pre-Apprenticeship Carpentry/Home Renovation Construction Program in Partnership with the Government of Ontario

The John Howard Society in partnership with the Government of Ontario are currently recruiting for their Pre-Apprenticeship Carpentry/Home Renovation Construction Program starting in May.

This program has the following four key areas:

Pre-Employment Skill Development
14 weeks of full time in school training
Employability skills training
Job retention

Eligibility Requirements:

Must have served a Federal or Provincial sentence
Actively job searching
Grade 12 or GED preferred
Able to commit to the entire duration of the program
Minimum 18 years of age and eligible to work in Ontario

Interested individuals are asked to contact the John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area Employment Services at 289-442-7418 or mgirma@jhshba.ca

HSR Redesign, Safe Pedestrian Crossing, Vacant Unit Tax Update, Earth Day