I suspect that the city’s on street parking (both sides) has been creating frictions between neighbours and challenges for emergency vehicles access for some time now. In fact, since my election to Council it has become one of the top five issues that residents raise with my office. The parking complaints are usually related to abandoned vehicles, driveway blockage in newer neighbourhoods, and challenges navigating corners and turning into driveways.
I have on several occasions asked Fire, EMS to drive through some neighbourhoods where safe clearances appear to be an issue. In some case, the city has installed no parking signs on corners or bends where these large community emergency vehicles had issues clearing them. My fear of an incident where someone was in medical distress and our vehicles could not reach them became a reality in the most recent snow event. The heavy snow fall and double parking delayed an EMS vehicle as they could not get down the street and they had to reroute.
Accordingly, I will be meeting with staff to look at options to ensure safe access to our streets by EMS vehicles and our snow plows during the winter months. Once we have options, I will share with residents to get their feedback.
CONGRATULATIONS! I want to personally acknowledge and thank all the participants, who dedicated their time and talents to bringing this project through this important phase. Now, the newly appointed Board with the assistance of Evelyn Myrie (EMpower Strategy Group) and city staff will be tackling the requisite and fundamental governance structures, including governance bylaws, hiring an executive director, establishing the mission, vision and strategic plans. I wish them every success in their endeavours.
Hamilton, ON – February 24, 2021: Hamilton City Council has approved and welcomed a new board in the relaunch of the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC).
The 13-member board, approved at the February 24 meeting of Council, was recommended to Council by a Community Advisory Panel who began their search in October 2020. The search for a new board comes after the original HARRC project was paused in 2019 to allow for broader community engagement with the aim to re-establish HARRC with a board of directors that will operate independently from the City.
The panel, assisted by the EMpower Strategy Group, focused on ensuring that the recommended board had lived experience, connections to diverse communities, governance experience, and strong skills in the areas of finance, human resources, and fundraising.
Approved Board Members include:
Alice Mendelsohn – director of the Hamilton Jewish Federation and professor at Mohawk College
Amber Dean – founding member of Big Susie’s Sex Work Advocacy Organization and academic at McMaster University
Ashleigh Montague – entrepreneur and founder of Sisters4Sisters
Cassandra Belasco – founder of workplace inclusion network
Desire Yamutuale – post-secondary instructor and Secretary General of the Amitié Canado-Congolaise
Farhanna Khan – teacher and member of the Hamilton Mountain Mosque
Jordan Carrier – works in Indigenous student support at McMaster University and a Board Member of the Niwasa Aboriginal Education Program
Kassia Johnson – healthcare professional and a director at YMCA Hamilton
Kudzie Chasosa – Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Rodrigo Narro Perez – works in instructional design at McMaster University and is a member of the McMaster President’s Advisory Committee
Roshney Kurian – social worker and youth member of the Hamilton Malayalee Samajam
Sandi Bell – community leader and directorships at multiple organizations
Yvan Brochu – school principal and member of the Ontario Principal’s Council
Council also approved an additional $50,000 to be used to operationalize the new board, which is in addition to the $200,000 the City is providing to assist the organization in its first few years of operations.
The next steps for the new board will include working with a consultant to get the new board established, determining budgetary and staffing needs and developing a sustainability plan that will be presented to Council by way of a July 2021 update.
The weight of the snow, if it collapses on a child, can immobilize them and can cause asphyxiation without a prompt rescue.
During my Ward tours, I have noticed a number of snow forts or snow tunnels dug into local snow banks.
I remember building snow forts as a child. It was a lot of fun and would take many hours to complete. Stepping back from our construction efforts, we would admire our igloo type build as if we had just completed the Taj Mahal. I also remember my father showing us how to do it safely as he cut a hole in the roof.
While all snow forts can collapse, the safety of your children may be at greater risk if the fort is really a snow tunnel or an igloo. As the temperatures change, it weakens the stability of the structure. The result can be a catastrophic collapse of heavy snow. If a child is in the fort at the time, the weight of the snow surrounding their body immobilizes them. Without quick adult intervention, the child can perish from asphyxia.
I urge residents to monitor your child’s play outside and prevent them from building a snow dugout or tunnel. Encourage them to build snow forts without a snow roof. If you find that they have built a snow structure by digging a tunnel, I urge you to cut a hole in the roof to prevent unintentional injuries to your child or others.
To understand the risks better, please conduct an online search for “snow fort collapse kills”. I have shared a link to an article about a recent tragedy ofr your perusal.
Family Day Closure on February 15, 2021 : What’s Open and What’s Closed
HAMILTON, ON – The public is reminded that as part of the Stay at Home Order, City Hall, all Municipal Service Centres, the Animal Services counter, POA Office, Licensing and By-Law Services counters, museums and recreation centres remain closed until further notice.
The HSR will be operating on a Sunday/Holiday Schedule onMonday, February 15.
For more information please visit hamilton.ca/hsr or call (905) 527 4441.
ATS-DARTS
DARTS will be operating holiday service hours on Monday, February 15. All subscription trips on DARTS, with the exception of dialysis, are cancelled for Monday, February 15. If passengers need to travel on this day, they must make an advance reservation to do so. ATS customer service will be closed on Monday.
Hamilton Public Library
All HPL branches are closed on Monday, February 15.For information about services available during the Stay at Home Order or to use the HPL Virtual Branch, visit: hpl.ca
Licensing and By-Law Services
The Licensing and By-Law Phone Queue Line 905-546-2782 will be closed on Monday, February 15 and will resume on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. If you have a matter that requires immediate attention such as inadequate heat, vital services, snow and ice that needs to be removed off city sidewalks, matters regarding COVID-19 or a health and safety concern, please call the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 905-546-CITY or 905-546-2489.
Ontario Works
The Ontario Works Program, including the Special Supports Program, will be closed. The Phone Queue Line 905-546-4800 will resume on Tuesday, February 16at 8:30 a.m.
The City of Hamilton has been working through the 2021 Operating Budget process since spring of 2020. Staff compile trends, risks, liabilities, expenditures, expected revenues etc to develop their departmental budgets. Reports are prepared and presented to Council for information purposes and subsequent approvals. Please find below a summary of information reports and budget presentations. You’ll find a more exhaustive list of documentation on the City’s budget page at https://www.hamilton.ca/budget-finance/city-budgets/2021-tax-and-rate-budgets
As of February 11, 2021, we have achieved an overall current residential municipal tax impact of 2.4% with Council still working to find additional savings. Please feel free to provide your suggestions and comments to me at brad.clark@hamilton.ca
Brad Clark Report 
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