THIS EDITION OF THE WARD 1 NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:
- City of Hamilton moves to the Grey – Lockdown category
- Hamilton's COVID-19 vaccination program update
- GRIDS 2 and Municipal Comprehensive Review - Final Land Needs Assessment at Council March 29
- Ward 1 Online Events
- Naturhoods - Be part of the stormwater flooding solution
- Hamilton's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan - A Ward 1 Conversation with City Staff
- 804-816 King Street West (Westdale) Development Approved and Why
- Ward 1 Remuneration & Expenses
- Controlled Burns Scheduled in RBG's Nature Sanctuary - Spring 2021
- Reminders:
- Victoria Park Playground Accessibility Features Survey ends April 5, 2021
- Gender Gap in Cycling - Cycle Hamilton Study Wants to Hear from Women+
- Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Master Plan
- Hamilton Seniors of the Year Nominations Open
- Placemaking Grant Pilot Program Applications Close April 9, 2021
- Online Events
The City of Hamilton moves to the Grey – Lockdown category in the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework
Hamilton will move into the Grey – Lockdown category within the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework as of Monday, March 29, 2021, at 12:01 AM.
The "Lockdown" – Grey category's objective is to implement widescale measures and restrictions, including closures, to halt or interrupt the transmission of COVID-19.
In Hamilton, the latest weekly rate of new cases per 100,000 population reported is 116. The average number of cases (7-day moving average) reported per day is 99. The per cent positivity among tests is 4.0%.
The Grey zone requests organized public events, social gatherings, restaurants, bars, sports, recreation facilities, retail, and personal care services. For specific details, refer to the City of Hamilton's March 26, 2021, new release.
Hamilton's COVID-19 vaccination program update
As of March 22, residents born in or before 1946 (75+ years in 2021) are eligible to receive the vaccine. Online booking is encouraged. However, making an appointment by phone is available.
Hamilton's COVID-19 vaccination online booking portal
*Please note the Province controls the booking platform and determines the dates available. If a location does not appear, it is because it that site fully booked.
Booking your appointment by phone
You can book your vaccine appointment by phone if you:
- Do not have access to the internet or a computer
- Have a red and white health card
- Do not have an Ontario health card
- Are Indigenous
- Want to book an appointment at one of the mobile pop-up clinics
To book your vaccine appointment, call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7
Review Hamilton's vaccine distribution plan
Hamilton has three primary vaccination clinics. St Joseph's West 5th Campus, Hamilton Health Science Wellington St N site, and the FirstOntario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum). All options are appointment based; walk-ins will not receive a vaccination.
Maureen recently toured the newest mass vaccination clinic at FirstOntario Centre Vaccination Clinic.
Mobile "Pop-Up" Vaccination Clinics
The mobile vaccination team will be administering COVID-19 vaccinations to those aged 75+ at pop-up vaccine clinics throughout the city. Mobile locations require an appointment made through Public Health's hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7
Follow the COVID-16 vaccine booking site for current mobile locations.
Pilot program vaccinating adults using AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD in primary care settings
Several primary care settings in Hamilton are administering vaccines to community members ages 60-64 (in 2021) who are in good health as part of a provincial pilot program. In alignment with Provincial direction, beginning today, these participating local primary care settings will offer vaccination appointments to individuals aged 60 and over.
Eligible residents will be contacted directly by their primary care physician's office to book appointments; there are no other booking options for this pilot program. Do not contact your primary care physician. Physician offices will contact those residents who are eligible for appointments. Walk-ins are not permitted. Please note, there will be other opportunities for this age category to receive a COVID-19 vaccine through large-scale vaccination clinics at another date.
GRIDS 2 and Municipal Comprehensive Review - Final Land Needs Assessment at Council March 29
A special meeting of the General Interest Committee takes place on March 29, 2021, at 9:30 AM. The meeting strictly focuses on the GRIDS 2 (Growth Related Integrated Development Strategy) and municipal comprehensive review final land assessment report.
GRIDS 2 is a big-picture planning process that evaluates the land use, infrastructure, economic development and financial implications of growth for the next 30 years. The City is planning for 236,000 new residents and 122,000 new jobs in Hamilton by the year 2051. Planning for forecasted population and job growth to the year 2051 is a requirement of A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. GRIDS 2 is a study that is linked to the updates of other important City studies and plans, including the Water/Wastewater and Stormwater Master Plans and transportation network review, and the next update to the Development Charges By-law. (More on GRIDS 2)
This is a precedent-setting discussion at Council
The GIC agenda may be found here.
The presentations and discussion are broadcast live via the City of Hamilton's YouTube channel. The recorded meeting will be available following the close of the meeting as well.
Residents in Ward 1, please join Maureen as she hosts the Green Venture team to learn about incentives that will bring green infrastructure into your front yard or back yard this spring, plus help us identify some community projects to transform more parts of your new NATURhood!
NATURhoods is a program empowering residents to slow water down and soak it up on their property while providing beautification, home to pollinators, places to gather, flood protection, and so much more.
Online – registration required
Hamilton's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan - A Ward 1 Conversation with City Staff
City staff, Maureen and YOU in a conversation about feeling safe and supported in your city.
Have your say on the development of Hamilton’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan!
This plan aims to ensure all residents in Hamilton feel safe, has a sense of belonging and can meet their needs for education, healthcare, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression.
Community safety and well-being cannot be addressed by any one single institution, organization, sector, or individual - it needs all our collective action! We want to ensure all community members have a chance to provide input on the development of this plan. The city is looking for your feedback to inform creative solutions to challenges facing Hamilton.
A Community Safety and Well-Being Plan aims to create the community conditions where:
- Everyone is safe and has a sense of belonging
- Everyone has access to services; and
- Individual and families can meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression.
Hamilton’s Community Safety and Well-Being Priorities
Community partners identified six local priorities for further investigation and collaboration. Community and service provider engagement in the development of this plan will focus on gathering more detailed feedback to inform desired outcomes, strategies and targeted actions on five* of the six priorities:
- hate incidents
- violence
- mental health and stigmatization
- substance use*
- homelessness and access to affordable housing
- access to income
Online – registration required
Using the free Zoom online application. If you require assistance with Zoom, contact the Ward 1 Office prior to the meeting date. (show less)
*Community engagement and service collaboration is happening through Hamilton’s Drug Strategy. To find out more about what Hamilton is doing to address substance use visit www.hamilton.ca/drugstrategy.
804-816 King Street West (Westdale) Development Approved and Why
At the March 23, 2021, Planning Committee meeting, staff recommended approval of a 30 unit, 6-storey purpose-built student residential building with ground-floor retail space at King St West and Paradise Road North in Westdale. As a member of the Planning Committee, I voted in favour of the application, as did all Committee members. Here is why. See full story
Ward 1 Remuneration & Expenses
Under the Municipal Act, 2001, the City Treasurer must submit to Council before the 31st of March each year, an itemized statement of the remuneration and expenses paid to each Member of Council in the preceding year.
Here's a link to this year's report, item 7.6 for Thursday's Audit, Finance & Administration agenda:
Appendix “A” of Report FCS21014 provides the remuneration paid and Appendix ‘B’ of Report FCS21014 provides details on expenses.
I keep a running detailed account of Ward 1 discretionary expenses on my website under the heading "Meet Maureen". You can check on this anytime.
Here's is the report 2019, Item 7.2 with appendices, if you are interested in keeping track. I incurred no discretionary expenses.
In 2020, I expended $402.63 to secure guest speaker Joe Minicozzi, an acclaimed urbanist, who details the financial cost of sprawl. This event was held jointly with my colleagues from Wards 3 and 8. It was free and open to all interested members of the public. Here's a video of the evening here:
In 2019, I hosted a similar free public information event with Dr Dianne Saxe, former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, who spoke to us about the climate crisis and municipal leadership.
It is my hope to host a guest speaker on a city building topic each year, free and open to all. Hopefully, we can gather safely again, next year.
Note: Expenses paid personally include all meals, tickets, mileage and website.
Controlled Burns Scheduled in RBG's Nature Sanctuary - Spring 2021
This spring, Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) will be conducting controlled burns at two sites in the Cootes Paradise Nature Sanctuary to improve rare plant habitat.
- North Shore Landing - near the RBG Arboretum
- Princess Point
The burns will occur on a single day based on appropriate weather conditions, sometime between the end of March and late April.
There will be no access to Princess Point Trail or the east end of the Anishinaabe Waadiziwin Trail on the day of the burns and signage and staff will be located at entrances.
Controlled burns require specific weather conditions and accurate forecasting before a precise date can be established. A second notice will be posted on our website and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) once the date is confirmed. Lands and Forest Consulting will be partnering with Royal Botanical Gardens to conduct the burn.
What is a controlled burn and how is managed? Maureen askes RBG's Tys Tysmeyer and Lindsay Barr those questions in a video we recorded on March 26th.
Victoria Park Playground Accessibility Features Survey Start March 15t
The existing playground at this park had a life-cycle replacement in 2016, with an additional rope climber added in a new play area in 2018. As part of a neighbourhood initiative, this survey seeks community feedback for additional play equipment to enhance accessible play opportunities within the existing playground footprint. Take the survey
Learn more about Victoria Park improvements
Gender Gap in Cycling - Cycle Hamilton Study Wants to Hear from Women+
Women account for only 30% of people who cycle in Hamilton, so Cycle Hamilton is preparing a report about how the City can address this gender gap. They are looking to speak with women+ to help inform the recommendations. Where you are a road warrior, casual cyclist, or have not been on a bike since grade school - this study is for you!
How to participate
Visit the Cycle Hamilton website for information on the study, look for near-future opportunities to sign up for one of the virtual discussions, or complete the survey. You can also sign up by calling 905-218-3534
Cycle Hamilton is a member-supported nonprofit working to make Hamilton the best place for everyone to ride a bike. This project is funded by the City of Hamilton's Cycling Committee.
Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Master Plan
The Water, Wastewater and Stormwater (W/WW/SWM) Master Plan is a strategic and comprehensive growth and infrastructure planning study to provide a basis for decision making to shape the City’s future growth.
The W/WW/SWM Master Plan consists of a review of growth projections, servicing policies, design criteria and completion of public consultation and servicing strategy evaluation under the Municipal Engineers Association Class Environmental Assessment Master Plan Process. The population and employment projection inputs are developed by the City planning department under the GRIDS 2 process and will consist of population, employment and densities within existing (Infill/Intensification) areas and new Greenfield growth to 2051.
The study will determine the short and long-term water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needed to support growth to 2051.
The objective of the integrated Master Plans is to:
- Provide a strategic vision for the next thirty years to accommodate future growth, and ensure safe, clean drinking water and effective environmental protection
- Ensure safe, sustainable and optimized water and wastewater services
- Provide a business case for the need, timing and cost of water, wastewater and stormwater services
Public input is an important part of the Class EA process. Throughout the Class EA process, there are several times when there is an opportunity for public and stakeholders to provide their input. For this study, public consultation will occur:
- Early in the process to introduce the study and to get public feedback (Notice of Commencement).
- Once the alternatives have been evaluated and the preliminary preferred solution has been selected (PIC #2).
For more information and contacts to the https://engage.hamilton.ca/wwsmasterplan
Hamilton Seniors of the Year Nominations Open
The call for nominations for the City of Hamilton’s 26th Annual Senior of the Year Awards is now open. The deadline for nominations is May 28, 2021. For more information about the awards program and to submit a nomination, please visit www.hamilton.ca/seniorsawards
With links to Hamilton’s 10-year Strategic Plan and Plan for an Age-Friendly City, the Seniors Awards celebrates the role seniors play in helping Hamilton to be the best place to raise a child and age successfully.
The Senior of the Year Awards is a program that recognizes senior citizens residing in Hamilton who made outstanding voluntary contributions to enriching our community's social, cultural or civic life.
There are nine award categories, including Senior of the Year (provided by the Ontario Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility), Lifetime Achievement, Innovation, Behind the Scenes, Diversity and Cultural, Leadership, Compassion and Companionship, Economic Leadership, and Healthy and Active Living. There is also a Youth Supporting Seniors Award recognizing dedicated youth volunteers ages 15-24.
An event to celebrate the achievements of the nominees and Ward recipients is being planned for October 2021.
Placemaking Grant Pilot Program Applications Close April 9, 2021
With a generous donation from the Patrick J. McNally Foundation, Hamilton residents have the opportunity to received funding for "placemaking grants".
Placemaking brings a neighbourhood to life by turning everyday spaces into destinations and gathering places. You don’t need to worry if you’re new to placemaking. It’s something that happens regularly, whether you go about it intentionally or not. Chatting with neighbours, building a community garden and hanging out at a park all contribute to placemaking
Project for Public Spaces, a world-leader in placemaking, describes successful places' qualities in its thought-provoking placemaking resource section. They offer principles like “lighter, quicker, cheaper” and giving people at least ten reasons to visit a place. To them, placemaking is a community-driven process that “capitalizes on a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, and it results in the creation of quality public spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness, and well-being.” In other words, it’s your ideas and presence that make a great place - Project for Public Places, 2009. Learn more at https://www.pps.org/article/what-is-placemaking.
For more information and resources, see the City's Placemaking Grant Pilot Program website
Online Events
MacChangers Virtual Project Showcase | March 31, 2021 | 3:00-5:00 PM | (Online) Registration required
This year's MacChangers projects are focused on four Challenge Areas in alignment with the City's 25-year community vision: Our Future Hamilton.
CityLAB Project Showcase for Winter 2021| April 9, 2021 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM |(Online) Registration required
This virtual community-wide event will feature students from McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University as they showcase the projects they have worked on this semester in collaboration with staff members at The City of Hamilton. From city-wide projects aimed at improving responses to COVID-19 challenges and making City services more accessible to bridging the digital divide in the Beasley neighbourhood, CityLAB projects are driving innovative change right here in Hamilton. Learn more about the projects
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The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America), and we recognise that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.