Adequate Temperature By-Law, Encampment Protocol, Keith Neighbourhood Health Equity Initiative
Dear Neighbours,
It has been a busy couple of weeks since our last newsletter went out. In this round of Council and Committee, we dealt with a number of important topics. These included:
Adequate Temperature By-law
Encampment Protocol
A Health Equity Initiative
Litter Clean-Up Service Standards.
I have included detailed information on all of these topics below.
As you read this, I am in Toronto for a 4-day conference with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). I am looking forward to learning from other municipal leaders across the country, from panels and workshops that share best practices, and innovations other Cities are applying. Cities are at the forefront of confronting complex realities. FCM provides an important collaborative and advocacy platform that empowers municipalities and enables future generations to thrive in healthy communities across Canada.
I am also running for election to the FCM Board of Directors and hope to be able to serve Hamiltonians and folks from across the country in that role.
Last week, the posting period for the parental leave coverage in my office closed. We saw a lot of interest from community in joining the #OurWard3 Office squad and thank everyone who applied. We had over 320 applicants - a record number for our office! We began interviews this week and look forward to making a decision soon.
There are a number of events and community meetings that are coming up and they are itemized below. Hope to see you soon!
Please feel free to contact my office at ward3@hamilton.ca or 905-546-2702.
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
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Adequate Temperature By-Law
At Public Health Committee last week, we heard from many delegates and renters about the importance of having a by-law that deals with maximum heat. As summers get warmer, we are seeing more heat-related medical issues and fatalities. As such, the City is looking into how to ensure landlords maintain adequate temperatures in their rental units all year long. In the winter this means we have a minimum temperature, and in the summer, we need a maximum.
At Council this week, we ratified a motion that, among items to include in the 2024 budget cycle, calls for:
Staff in Licensing and By-Law Services Division to prepare an information report for Q4 of 2023 to identify the 2024 priorities and timelines for the development of new by-laws, including an Adequate Temperature By-law and report back to Planning Committee
Staff in Healthy and Safe Communities report back to Emergency and Community Services Committee on the feasibility of developing a municipal program to support low income tenants with the cost of running air conditioning units and to support retrofits of private purpose built rental housing. This report will also come back in Q4 of 2023
Staff report back on the feasibility of tracking heat-related deaths and illnesses in Hamilton
I will share more on this important topic for many of our neighbours who rent.
Encampment Protocol
No one wants people to have to live encamped in our City, including me. For over 1600 neighbours in our community, the pressures of an out-of-control, profit-driven housing market and the compounded health emergencies of addictions and mental health have made stable housing out of reach. Canada has recognized that adequate housing is a fundamental human right. However, when there is insufficient housing and shelter space for people experiencing homelessness, Ontario courts are requiring municipalities to stop evicting encamped residents.
On Wednesday May 17th, General Issues Committee reviewed a proposed encampment protocol by City Staff that was directed to centre a human-rights and health-focused approach.
The proposed protocol outlined a number of prohibitions, spatial requirements, and a listing of where not to set up encampments. If adopted, it would require encamped neighbours to move without any clarity on how they would be supported to comply to meet new expectations. It remains true that an enforcement-led response to encampments won't solve homelessness nor lead to healing for the folks living encamped nor their housed neighbours. The only solution is safe, affordable and dignified housing - which is not a quick fix.
Council previously approved my motion to fast track the repair of nearly 500 City Housing units currently vacant - to be occupied as fixed over the next 18 months. And, the reality remains that our shelter system is still not able to meet the needs of those living encamped.
So, the proposed protocol was not approved. Instead, Council provided direction to staff to open up a 30-day comment period on it. Council also directed staff to examine the best practices for sanctioned encampment sites used across different municipalities in Canada and report back with proposed site criteria and locations in Hamilton. This could include the provision of portable washrooms, showers, waste receptacles, sharps containers, and peer-led site maintenance.
My office will circulate the links for the online public comment links for the proposed encampment protocol. Additionally, the Ward 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, and 13 offices are collaborating to host a joint hybrid community meeting on June 27 to open up this important community dialogue to discuss the encampment protocol and other solutions moving forward.
As such, the existing approach is, the primary goal of Housing Focused Street Outreach workers continues to be finding housing solutions for residents currently unsheltered. From May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 a total of 34 individuals were successfully housed out of a total of 303 individuals engaged. Securing appropriate affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness continues to be a challenge and often housing alone is not sufficient. In many cases individuals experiencing chronic homelessness require health-based and other supports to ensure successful housing is maintained.
I appreciate that this is a complex issue for all our neighbours. City staff are currently working through the direction provided by Council, and more updates will be provided as they become available. Should you be concerned for the welfare of encamped residents, please email unsheltered@hamilton.ca.
Keith Neighbourhood Health Equity Initiative
Council supported my motion to allocate Ward 3 Non-Property Tax revenues from the Bell Tower Funds to assist in a neighbourhood-wide health equity initiative in the Keith Neighbourhood.
Recent demolitions in the Keith Neighbourhood has driven vermin from industrial to residential areas and residents have been experiencing a drastic rise in Norway rats, which are rodents notorious for evading prevention efforts that Public Health recommends as they burrow in the soil.
Hamilton Public Health has no active pest control program, nor a neighbourhood-wide pest control program and when they attended the neighbourhood to investigate the issue, it was confirmed that the infestation is not due to property standards issues.
The risk to public health and the potential for transmission of communicable disease, as well as the erosion of dignity, quality of life and general wellbeing is being negatively impacted as this infestation continues, which is why Council has allocated these funds. This initial will reduce the proliferation of communicable diseases while also assisting with resident-led clean ups and building neighbourhood resiliency.
Litter Clean Up
This week, Council ratified a motion from Public Works Committee regarding litter clean up and the City’s service level standards. Litter on our streets and in our parks is an issue across Ward 3 and much of the lower City and is a frequent concern I share with staff.
This motion directs staff to:
Conduct a service level review across all divisions in the Public Works Department that are responsible for both proactive and reactive litter collection in the public realm.
Ensure the review includes, but is not limited to, parks, cemeteries, right of way including roads, sidewalks, alleys, streams and municipal properties.
Report back before the 2024 Budget deliberations on any operational or budgetary changes that may be required to address these service levels.
I am looking forward to the results of this motion and to seeing less litter across Ward 3 and the entire City.
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Main Street Two-Way Conversion Meeting - May 29: 6:30pm, Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre
Neighbours across many neighbourhoods in #OurWard3, especially those who live adjacent to Main St E, have been eagerly awaiting details on the next phase of implementing the two-way conversion. As a Council champion for this project, I am pleased to provide an update and to announce that the time for your input has come!
City staff have been working diligently on the implementation plan which integrates design principles from the city’s Complete Streets Design Manual and aims to enable safety for all road users along Main St E between King St E (the “Delta” intersection) and Longwood Rd. This includes public transit passengers, pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. The two-way conversion plan will also incorporate a climate change lens by considering additions such as urban trees and permeable surfaces in the planning process.
My office will be hosting an in-person meeting at Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre (876 Cannon St. E) to review the current draft for resident input. If you would like to register for this event, please contact the Ward 3 office at ward3@hamilton.ca by 5pm on Monday May 29th.
Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups
Once again, I will be hosting Ward 3 Office Pop-Ups around the ward as a way for residents to connect directly with me in community. The next two are booked for:
June 15: 9:30am to noon - Royal Oaks Dairy (225 East Ave N)
July 13: 9:30am to noon - Rooneys (724 Main St E)
Sherman-Wilson Two-Way Roadway Community Meeting - June 22: 6:30pm at 196 Wentworth St. N (at the side entrance)
My office will be co-hosting a community meeting with Public Works staff for two roadway reconstruction projects Wilson Street (Victoria to Sherman) and Phase 1 of Sherman Ave (King southbound) on June 22 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at 196 Wentworth St. N (at the side entrance).
Encampment Protocol Community Meeting
My office is co-hosting a community meeting with Wards 1, 2, 4, and 12 to solicit public feedback on the Encampment Protocol. We are currently working with our ward colleagues on arranging a date and time for this meeting. As soon as we have a date and time available, my office will provide an update. Stay tuned!
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Touch a Truck & Tropical Greenhouse Tour- May 27
On May 27, from 9am-1pm join City Staff at Gage Park for the "Touch-a-Truck & Tropical Greenhouse Tour" to commemorate National Public Works Week. At this family friendly event, explore various vehicles and equipment used to maintain our city or take a guided tour of the Tropical Greenhouse!
Children’s Water Festival - June 1
The Hamilton Children’s Water Festival will be taking place on May 30 and June 1, 2023. This festival is an opportunity to educate grade 4 students in the city about the importance of water conservation, awareness, respect, science technology, history and health.
The ultimate goal is to foster decision-makers, initiate the process of behavioural change, to empower children to initiate change within their homes, schools and communities, and to encourage children to become catalysts for change by taking information and new found respect back to their own environment.
I am excited and looking forward to attending this festival on June 1 to see the future generation of water conservationists learning and growing!
Join Us for Open Streets Hamilton! - June 18
On Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 10am-2pm, King Street East will be closed to vehicle traffic and opened for participants to walk, roll, cycle and stroll along this 3.6 km temporary park.
King Street East will be closed from Gage Avenue to John Street with family friendly activations at John Street and Ferguson Station as well as future LRT stops at: Wellington, Wentworth, Sherman and Scott Park (Bernie Morelli Rec Centre).
The street will be transformed into additional public space with physical activity stations and other activities. Please note, the King Street closure will begin at 7am and re-open by 4 pm.
Seniors Kick Off Information & Wellness Fair - June 20
June is Seniors Month and to celebrate the City is hosting a FREE Information and Wellness Fair at Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre (780 Upper Wentworth Street) from 10am-2pm on Tuesday June 20th, 2023.
Registration for this event is required and can be accessed at: www.hamilton.ca/seniorskickoff. Please be sure to RSVP before the deadline of Tuesday June 13, 2023.
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Cycle Hamilton Bike Day - June 1
Join us and Cycle Hamilton for Bike Day on June 1st at City Hall!
The #OurWard3 group ride with myself, Councillor Kroetsch, and Julia Hamil will be leaving from Gage Park at 7:30am on June 1 and heading to City Hall where there will be treats, coffee, bike tune-ups, and more!
For more information, please check out www.cyclehamont.ca or visit them on Instagram at @cyclehamilton.
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LGBTQ Advisory Committee Survey
The LGBTQ Advisory Committee is seeking input from the broader Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ residents of Hamilton regarding the committee’s name.
The goal of the name change is to be more reflective of the communities that the committee represents.
The LGBTQ Advisory Committee exists to eliminate barriers experienced by Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ communities by giving voice to the perspectives of Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ individuals and evaluating the City on its related efforts.
The Committee does this by making recommendations to Council and staff so the City of Hamilton will excel in providing services to and interfacing with members of the Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ communities.
The survey is available until May 31st and can be accessed at https://engage.hamilton.ca/lgbtq-advisory-committee-name-change.
Royal Botanical Gardens Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report
ERA Architects Inc are currently developing a Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report on behalf of the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) for three sites at the RBG. As part of their study, they’re seeking community input on the use, history and cultural heritage value of RBG, including peoples’ experiences, activities, and favourite places on site.
They’ve developed a very brief survey that they’ve asked our office to circulate to #OurWard3 community. The survey will be accepting submissions until June 16, 2023.
If you would like to contribute your feedback to the survey, please visit: http://bit.ly/RBGEngagementSurvey
Should you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Emma Abramowicz, Senior Project Manager at EmmaA@eraarch.ca.