The long awaited widening of Rymal Road and Regional Road #56 will begin in 2020. Prior to the start of construction, we will be holding a Public Information Meeting some time in March to explain what you can expect.
Stoney Creek’s proposed new skateboard facility for Valley Park in 2020 capital budget | HamiltonNews.com
October 21, 2019 by Kevin Werner
Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark said the proposed new skateboard facility at Valley Park has been incorporated into the 2020 capital budget with the plan to build it later in the year.
“The consultant came back with overwhelming support from the community,” said Clark. “The skate park is proceeding. A lot of people are excited in upper Stoney Creek.”
Clark acknowledged, though, that council still has to approve the 2020 capital budget before the project is allowed to proceed.
The skate park, which will be the first facility specifically designed for BMX, scooters, Rollerblades and bikes, has been under review by city staff and a consultant since last year.
The plan is to build a 16,100-square-foot concrete wheeled sport facility near Valley Park’s parking area beside a decommissioned baseball diamond.
Hamilton councillors approved a motion introduced by former Stoney Creek Coun. Doug Conley in early 2018 to use a $100,000 grant from Terrapure Environmental to cover the design cost of the park.
Clark acknowledged Conley’s support for the skateboard park and expects to invite the former councillor to attend the opening when the facility is built, expected to be in 2020.
Staff were working on a budget of about $1 million for the facility. A 10,000-square-foot facility could cost from $370,000 to $525,000, depending on what is incorporated into the park’s design.
Clark said the cost of the project is being funded through development charges so “there will be no impact to taxpayers.”
There are three options staff are reviewing, said Emily Trotta, a spokesperson for the city.
“We are still in the process of finalizing the design concepts with our designers and consultant,” she said.
The consultant is New Line Skateparks, which oversaw the design of Burlington’s skate park. New Line has designed and built nearly 200 skate parks across Canada and the United States, including in St. Catharines, Waterloo, Vancouver, Texas and San Francisco.
Another public information meeting will be scheduled in November to solicit residents’ input. A date and time for the meeting has yet to be established.
The design will incorporate lighting for evening use, a water fountain, expanded washrooms and new pedestrian pathways to the nearby transit stop, trails and sidewalks in the area.
The Valley Park wheeled facility will be the first one built in the city since the skateboard structure at Turner Park in 2005.
Hamilton’s skateboard park study recommended that up to four additional large parks of about 12,000 square feet be constructed by 2021 and at least two more by 2031.
The study, released in 2018, identified Valley Park, Alexander Park, the Ancaster Community Centre, Powell Park and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre as preferred locations to address Hamilton’s growing skateboarding culture.
Skateboard parks are already located in Waterdown, Beasley Park in the downtown, Binbrook Fairgrounds, Turner Park, Mohawk Sports Park and the Parkdale Skate Park in east Hamilton.
Hamilton is shut out of vaping-related health information from local hospitals | HamiltonNews.com
October 21, 2019 by Kevin Werner
Hamilton is shut out of vaping-related health information from local hospitals | HamiltonNews.com
Hamilton’s Board of Health is requesting the provincial government to immediately provide crucial vaping-related health information from the local hospitals to the city.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton’s medical officer of health, surprised councillors on Oct. 18 when she said that hospitals provide vaping-related health information about the community to the province and the federal government, but not to the city’s own public health officials.
“We are not part of the process at present,” she said. “The information from our hospital goes directly to the province, then to the federal government.”
Richardson said the health information about vaping eventually is provided to municipalities, such as Hamilton, but it is dated.
Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark said since the goal of Hamilton’s officials is to protect good health it makes sense for health officials to have up-to-date information on an emerging health issue.
The Board of Health unanimously approved a motion, introduced by Clark, requesting the province provide the vaping-related incidents involving adults and youths.
“The weekly data we are requesting will help us with patterns and alert us to immediate issues that may warrant public health intervention or action,” he said. “By the time (the health information) gets back here it is no longer timely.”
The Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliot in September issued an order that requires public hospitals to provide the chief medical officer of health with “statistical, non-identifying information related to probable or confirmed cases of vaping-related severe pulmonary disease in order to access data and information to understand the potential scope of this issue,” stated David Jenson, spokesperson for the ministry.
He said since the health information is critical it needs to go directly from public hospitals to the provincial government “as it works with leading experts in developing solutions that can meaningfully respond to this emerging issue.”
He said the ministry will continue to work with stakeholders, including municipalities” if any information about vaping-related illnesses is reported.
Hamilton is shut out of vaping-related health information from local hospitals | HamiltonNews.com
Vaping, also know as “juuling” is when a person inhales an aerosol vapour that is produced by a vaping device such as an e-cigarette. The vapour is produced by heating a liquid or e-juice.
In September, a London-area youth was put on life support as a result of a suspected vapour-related illness, the first person in Canada. He has since recovered.
There have been seven reported deaths and hundreds of cases in the United States.
Health Canada issued an earlier warning to Canadians, stating that vaping products can carry a risk of pulmonary illness.
Richardson said her staff hasn’t “heard” of any vaping-related illnesses in Hamilton, but it “continues to be concerning.”
Hamilton, she said, is working with the city’s school boards involving vaping and is involved with the provincial Smoke-Free group to address vaping.
October 24, 2019 By Kevin Werner
Hamilton approves trespassing bylaw targeting hate groups protesting city hall | HamiltonNews.com
Hamilton councillors are hoping a new trespassing bylaw will curtail any potential hate-related confrontations or incidents during protests being held on city property, especially at city hall.
City officials, who pointed out Hamilton did not previously have a trespassing bylaw at its facilities, have been attempting to remove or at least stop hate-related incidents at city hall without impacting peoples’ right to protest, or prompting a Charter of Rights and Freedom lawsuit.
“This is actually not a bad bylaw,” said Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark. “It will work.”
The trespassing bylaw works in a similar manner as what is already the policy in place for individuals who are removed from recreation facilities for violent behaviour. The zero tolerance policy, approved in 1998 and revised in 2001 and reviewed in 2005, bans a person for violent conduct, including intimidation, threats, aggressively approaching another person, racial or ethnic slurs, vandalism, attempts to goad or incite violence, or using foul language. The person can appeal the suspension and ask for a private meeting with a senior city official to discuss the ban. The cost of the appeal is $250, which is non-refundable if the suspension is maintained.
Hamilton approves trespassing bylaw targeting hate groups protesting city hall | HamiltonNews.com
The trespassing bylaw, said Clark, is similar in concept to the zero tolerance policy. A person or group of people that are removed or banned from city hall can request a private meeting with a senior official to remove the suspension. If the ban is upheld, the group or person can appeal the decision to the courts.
“We made it fair, we made it consistent with the other policies of the city,” said Clark. “It doesn’t infringe on anyone’s charter of rights. They have the right to appeal to the courts. It’s really that simple.”
The trespass bylaw, which was requested by the Hamilton Police Service, prohibits conduct such as contravening a law of Canada, province or municipality, damage or vandalism of city premises, or interfering with the operation or use of city premises.
“This helps (police) do their job,” said Clark.
The trespass notice can be provided to the offender either orally or in writing, and will prohibit entry to a city facility for seven days. The city also has the option of banning a person for more than five years.
The trespass bylaw is another initiative council hopes will prevent hate-related incidents on city property. In July, council unanimously approved a motion to install enhanced cameras – at a cost of $100,000 – at city hall to strengthen security within the forecourt area. The cameras will collect data during that could be provided to police for use in court.
Hamilton approves trespassing bylaw targeting hate groups protesting city hall | HamiltonNews.com
The city also will hire a security investigator for a two-year term. In addition, Hamilton has consulted with a landscape architect on how to provide a more secure environment at the city hall forecourt. In the past, the city has installed barriers to separate opposing groups.
City manager Janette Smith said at the time regarding the hate-related policy that “We tried to balance people’s rights to assemble and peacefully protest, but at the same time we have a responsibility to create an inclusive and safe space for everyone in our community.”
The crack down on hate groups that use public spaces has been prompted by a series of incidents involving the Yellow Vest movement, where a group of individuals have been protesting in front of city hall every Saturday for months. They are sometimes met by counter-protesters, some with their faces covered.
Mountain Coun. Terry Whitehead, at the Oct. 23 council meeting, said the imposition of such a ban could still violate the free speech of an individual or group.
“Many times there are different individuals with conflicting views (and) we are basically saying if you misbehave in our opinion, we think you should be banned,” said Whitehead, who was one of two councillors in a 11-2 vote that voted against the bylaw.
“We are messing around with people’s rights. We are messing around with something I fundamentally believe in.”
But Ward 4 Coun. Sam Merulla opposed the measure, arguing the city and council have already spent too much money and time dealing with “six morons” who protest at city hall every Saturday.
“We have manufactured a problem,” he said. “I say we put the brakes on this nonsense and focus in on what we need to do.
“If there was a crime against insulting people, I have a list as long as can be (of people) who should be arrested and in prison.”
For patrons of Valley Park Library, please be advised that we have secured a lease for a storefront at 1050 Paramount Drive which is in close proximity to Valley Park. Library Staff on now in the process of having any necessary leasehold improvements completed and the transferance of materials. We expect the temporary facility to be open.
The renovations to Valley Park Community Centre, Library and Pool are proceeding according to the original timetable. The rumor circulating that the work will not commence to 2021 is just a rumour and has no basis in fact.
The tendering will close later this month with an award in November. The pool has been drained and all ancillary equipment have been removed from the pool, the community centre and has been placed in storage.
Construction fencing, and hoarding is expected to be installed in November. We will be providing quarterly updates to the public on the renovations throughout the construction period. If in doubt please call my office for updates.
As promised the area will remain in service as it has a standalone entrance that provide safe patron access.
For patrons of Valley Park Library, please be advised that we have secured a lease for a storefront at 1050 Paramount Drive which is in close proximity to Valley Park. Library Staff on now in the process of having any necessary leasehold improvements completed and the transferance of materials. We expect the temporary facility to be open.
Brad Clark Report 
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