455 & 457-479 King St. E Demo, Roadway Safety Team Expansion & More!
Dear Neighbours,
The city is blooming and across #OurWard3 I have delighted in seeing the magnolia trees, cherry blossoms, and the variety of daffodils on various streets as well as in Gage Park. I hope you are able to enjoy the sunshine and beauty emerging around us.
This issue I wanted to emphasize that it is National Volunteer Week, and to play my part, I joined other City Housing Hamilton (CHH) board members and staff in partnership with Habitat Hamilton to repair two CHH units. I learned how to lay flooring and along with my teammate Leanne Ward, Manager of Operations, and completed an entire room. If you’d like to help out in a future repair or build site, connect with Habitat Hamilton.
There are also many opportunities to roll up your sleeves and join in on many of the annual spring neighbourhood clean ups this weekend throughout #OurWard3.
This issue also includes invitations to two community meetings taking place in the ward in the coming weeks, as well as Council & Committee updates. As always, if my team and I can support you on municipal concerns, please reach out to us at ward3@hamilton.ca or at 905-546-2107.
Yours in community,
Councillor Nrinder Nann
Photo of Hamilton City Hall in spring with tulips out front. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Council & Committee Updates".
PLANNING COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES DEMO OF 455, 457-479 KING ST. E
In August 2022, the facade at 455 King Street East and 457- 459 King Street East fell off the building and led to the City having to structurally scaffold the building from completely falling apart due to property maintenance negligence.
Housing Services also supported connecting tenants to housing supports. Since then, an entire lane of traffic and the sidewalk has been closed, waste has gathered, illegal dumping has occurred, and criminal activity, including violent crimes, has all taken place on the site.
In short, it has been a blight on the neighbourhood and has stripped away community pride as well as a sense of safety; all while a brand new elementary school welcomed a new cohort of St Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School students across the street from this property. Children and families have lost the use of the sidewalk and signalized crosswalk as an active and safe school route. Neighbouring businesses have been negatively impacted for nearly two years, and have been reporting loss of customers and further vandalism.
My office has been submitting a steady stream of inquiries about all of the above and have requested updates from both Building and Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) about what authority the City has to enforce and expedite compliance. I appreciate that the family that owns the property faced some unforeseen challenges and staff have been generous with them.
However, as stated in the staff report, “non-compliance with Property Standards Orders issued by Municipal Law Enforcement expired on August 30, 2023. The existing buildings are vacant, in a state of extreme disrepair and continue to deteriorate in their current condition. Timely action by staff is required in order to resolve the health and safety risks associated with the building’s current condition.”
With staff’s recommendations approved, the timeline for demolition could be complete as early as late Spring/early Summer. The cost to take this work on will be placed on the tax roll of the property.
In the meantime, I will be working with my Council colleagues and staff to better define standards for when to seek compliance and when to enforce. When it comes to public safety, it is not good enough to wait for compliance. The right of our residents to their city, to shared public realm, and to public safety deserves to be weighted higher than customer service to a bad faith property owner.
I look forward to not having to see this eyesore daily, soon!
CITY-WIDE ROADWAY SAFETY TEAM EXPANSION
In support of the City’s Vision Zero objectives, Council approved the expansion of a City-Wide Roadway Safety Team, and Automated Speed Enforcement at Public Works Committee on April 10, 2024.
The Roadway Safety Team expansion will see the creation of six new permanent full-time job positions that include:
1 Project Manager in Automated Traffic Enforcement
1 Project Manager in Roadway Safety Initiatives
3 Roadway Safety Technologists
1 Community Outreach & Education Coordinator
Funding for this expansion will come from the Automated Traffic Enforcement Reserve, with no impact to the tax levy in 2024.
Safer streets and traffic safety are one of the top concerns the Ward 3 office hears about regularly from residents, and the expansion of these teams enables more good work to progress on roadway safety measures.
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS NDP MOTION TO DECLARE INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AN EPIDEMIC
There are approximately 460,000 sexual assaults in Canada each year, and in Hamilton 6,844 were reported in 2022.
Gender-based violence has increased year upon year. And our critical local support agencies have been underfunded to meet the needs.
The Provincial Government’s support of the NDP motion will provide funding to municipalities to assist agencies in providing the critical care that survivors need. In Hamilton, it is my hope that this funding will provide support to the Women’s Abuse Working Group, SACHA, the YWCA, and Interval House so that they can continue their tremendous work in supporting survivors.
Thank you to every survivor and each organization that provides love, care and support to survivors here in Hamilton. It was your voice, and your leadership that got this done!
I would also like to thank my Council colleagues for the unanimous support in declaring GBV/IPV an epidemic locally, as well as the over 60 cities across the province who did the same.
I eagerly await the details of provincial funding to sustainably enable safety and healing in our communities.
A aerial photo of Ward 3. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Ward 3 Updates".
COMMUNITY MEETING: ENHANCING OTTAWA STREET, APRIL 25
Join us for a joint Ward 3 & Ward 4 community meeting in the Crown Point neighbourhood to discuss enhancements for Ottawa Street and the Municipal Car Park used for the Ottawa Street Farmer’s Market.
Staff will provide an overview of preliminary design considerations, outline possible enhancements to address roadway safety, complete streets, parking, and better infrastructure for the Ottawa Street Farmer’s Market.
We would value your input and a chance to discuss a renewed plan which both our offices can support implementing with adequate investment.
Thursday April 25, 2024
7pm - 9pm
Crown & Press: A Julia Veenstra Gallery & Café, 303 Ottawa St. N
Please register in advance using the link in my bio so we can best accommodate the turn out anticipated. Drop ins are also welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!
WOODLANDS PARK COMMUNITY MEETING - APRIL 30
Please join us for a Community Meeting regarding Woodlands Park, in collaboration, with the Barton Village BIA, 541 Eatery & Exchange, and the GALA Community.
Tuesday April 30, 2024
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Westinghouse HQ, 286 Sanford Ave N
I have requested City staff to provide a comprehensive update on the impacts and path forward due to the fire damage to the washroom facility at Woodlands Park. This includes both temporary and permanent options to restore full washroom facilities and explore other enhancements.
Please save this date in your calendar and join us to have direct input on the solutions and path forward for a revitalized and renewed Woodlands Park!
In the meantime, the final tender budget has been approved to enable the construction of the spray pad, and Staff are currently on target to enable a grand opening celebration with #OurWard3 community by Labour Day this summer!
Please RSVP for the meeting by contacting ward3@hamilton.ca or by calling 905-546-2107.
Photo of ferns on a log with a plasticene earth made of coloured clay to the left. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "City Services Updates".
UPCOMING SEWER REHABILITATION WORK
Please be advised of traffic impacts due to sewer rehabilitation work on Main St starting the week of April 15th.
Please be advised all work will be completed on night shifts from 7pm – 7am.
THIS EARTH DAY, SPRING INTO ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE
By Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko, Project Manager: Office of Climate Change Initiatives
Honestly, every day is Earth Day at the City of Hamilton’s Office of Climate Change Initiatives. That’s why we invite residents to join us in going beyond April 22nd, Global Day of Recognition, and commit to taking climate action for our Earthly Mother who sustains us daily with the following suggestions:
Educate yourself about the climate change risks, such as extreme heat and flooding, and how to prepare yourself, loved ones, and neighbours for extreme weather events, then pull together your 72-hour emergency “Go” bag.
Abundance is in your hands. Activate your green thumb and plant a vegetable garden. Join a community garden or start growing fruits and vegetables in your yard or on your balcony. Plant a pollinator garden too!
Ride the bus, take public transit. This form of transportation helps cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly, and that’s what we aim to achieve: a zero-carbon community by 2050.
Take a hike! Get into the many natural areas, trails, and green spaces our community is gifted with and reconnect with the natural world. Learn about Hamilton’s incredible diverse species and what the City of Hamilton is doing to protect habitat with its Biodiversity Action Plan.
Hamilton’s got a Climate Action Strategy, and it’s community-oriented! With its two plans –Adaptation (decreasing impacts and preparing for unavoidable impacts of a changing climate) and Mitigation (reduction of greenhouse gases–the cause of climate change)—the Strategy has plenty of ideas for how you can step up your action for the climate.
Do your part to increase our City’s tree canopy. With our Urban Forest Strategy goal of planting 50,000 trees a year, you can do your part by planting a tree with the City of Hamilton’s free tree giveaway.
Active transportation is healthy for you and helps cut carbon emissions. Start walking or riding your bike more for short and medium-distance travel. Take Bikeshare or use your own, it’s also a great way to get to know your city better.
SEASONAL RESOURCES FROM HAMILTON WATER
Drinking Water Quality Report
The 2023 Drinking Water Systems Annual Water Quality Report is now available. The Drinking Water Annual Report is posted for the public to download at no charge at www.hamilton.ca/WaterQuality and in hardcopy at 700 Woodward Avenue, Administration Building, Compliance Support Group. A copy of this report can also be requested by contacting (905) 546-2489 or cohwater@hamilton.ca.
Shutting off Your Water
Moving into construction season, we will remind residents about working around the water shut-off valve when installing or repairing a driveway or doing other work. Property owners and contractors must be aware of the information on our Shutting off Your Water page, well in advance of beginning construction.
Catch Basins and Street Drain Use
In April, we will highlight the importance and functions of catch basins and street drains. Residents will be reminded to keep pollutants out of our storm sewer system and alert the City Contact Center to any catch basin issues. More details can be found on our webpage here: Catch Basins and Street Drain Use.
Rain Barrel Sale
April showers will also bring our online Rain Barrel Sale. Due to the Cyber Incident, we have had to delay our Annual Rain Barrel Sale. When details are finalized, in terms of pricing and start date, will we notify you and post details to our Rain Barrel Sale webpage.
Basement Flooding Preparedness
The City offers some fantastic programs to help protect against the impacts of basement flooding. In May, we will spotlight the seasonal tips found on the Basement Flooding Preparedness page of our website. Messages will include information about the Protective Plumbing Program which assists with the costs of installing devices that help to mitigate the impacts of basement flooding.
Low Income Senior’s Utility Rebate
Starting in 2024, low-income seniors may qualify for financial assistance with utility costs through the new Seniors Utility Rebate. Please feel free to post and distribute the attached poster within your wards – it is also being sent to municipal service centres, recreation centres and libraries. There are details about the program on our website here: Water Rates.
Service Line Warranties of Canada
The Service Line Warranty program provides optional water and sewer service line warranties to cover repair costs to the private portion of the service lines. Find out more here: Service Line Warranties of Canada
Service Line Warranties of Canada Cares Program
An assistance program known as the SLWC Cares program may assist qualified homeowners with free repairs when they are faced with a plumbing service emergency. If you are aware of a homeowner in financial hardship who requires a repair to their water service line, sewer service line or interior plumbing, they can submit an SLWC Cares Application.
Leak Protection Program
When residents receive an unusually high water bill and find and fix the leak that caused it, they could be eligible for assistance under the Leak Protection Program. There are simple leak detection tips and a link to apply for an adjustment on the water bill on the Water Efficient Homes – Check for Leaks page of our website. The attached poster can be shared and posted, and our handy Leak Detection Guide is available to download and is available in print format at each Municipal Service Centre, or by request.
City Contact Centre
Perhaps the most important message to share with residents is that the simplest and most efficient route to access any information or to connect with any of these programs is to reach out to the City Contact Centre. In the event of basement flooding, for example, a quick call can assist in streamlining the resident to the most appropriate city services. The Contact Centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is available 365 days of the year. For residents to reach the Contact Centre, they can call 905-546-2489 (CITY) to be directed to the best source of support.
Photo close up of volunteers putting trash in bags at a community clean up. Transparent white box in centre with navy text reads "Community Events & Opportunities".
SPRING NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEAN UPS
The City of Hamilton supports local community groups and organizations that help keep Hamilton clean and green. These groups organize regular cleanups that are open to the public to participate. Contact any of these groups to join one of their cleanup teams or participate in a one-time cleanup:
Beautiful Alleys www.beautifulalleys.ca
The Escarpment Project escarpmentproject.ca
To add your group to this list, contact cleanandgreen@hamilton.ca
JOIN AN EXISTING CLEAN UP
In #OurWard3, my office supports local clean up efforts with some funds to support volunteer appreciation and top up of resources and supplies.
The Beautiful Alley’s hub will be set up at the Powell Park Clubhouse (53 Birch Ave, Hamilton) by 9am where you can pop by and be assigned an area to help out in.
Other clean ups that will be underway include:
Beautiful Alleys:
Sat. April 20 - Community Clean Up & Hub at Powell Park from 9am-12pm
Stinson Community Association:
Sat. April 20 - Rail Trail & Rail Line clean-up from 9am-12pm (sign in at Wentworth and the trail by the lights/Charlton on the west side)
Sat. April 20 - Volunteer Appreciation BBQ at the Corktown Park Pavillion from 12:00pm-1:00pm
St Clair Laneways:
Sun. April 21st - meet at Lifesaver Park at 9:30am. Clean up will go until 11:30am
ORGANIZE YOUR OWN
Select an area where you've noticed a lot of litter. Visit the city’s website for details on getting supplies (link).
Here are some location ideas for your cleanup event:
Parks, trails or play areas
Where there are regular sporting events
Neighbourhood streets
Vacant lots or parking lots (ensure you have the owners permission)
We discourage cleanups near busy streets due to safety concerns.
SAFE CLEAN UP
It is important that all Team Up to Clean Up volunteers have read the safety information and understand what to do if they come across any hazardous items. Visit the Team Up to Clean Up link in my bio for more safety tips.
Do not allow volunteers to pick up anything that could be hazardous to their health. This includes:
hypodermic needles, syringes, or other medical supply waste
jagged glass or other sharp objects
animal carcasses
heavy objects
If you come across any hazardous items, flag them and call 905-546-2489.
GREEN VENTURE: NATURE KIDS PROGRAM, MAY 9 - JUNE 6
Come learn about the wonderful season of spring at Nature Kids!
Nature Kids is an outdoor and free environmental drop-off program for children aged 5-11 that focuses on environmental games, crafts, and experiments to engage children with learning about our natural world.
Nature Kids runs every Thursday evening starting on May 9th and ending on June 6th from 4:30pm – 6:00pm. With a drop-off period from 4:00pm – 4:30pm at 22 Veevers Drive. To register your nature kid for Nature Kids, check out our website at greenventure.ca/nature-kids or visit our website and check out our “School and Youth Programs” tab where you can check out our Nature Kids section and register using our online form!
If you have any comments, questions or concerns, reach out to us at naturekids@greenventure.ca for more information. Hope to see you there!