Hello, Ward 12. I hope you are enjoying the summer despite the extreme heat we have had and the several intense rainstorms we’ve experienced in the past two weeks. Work continues at City Hall right through the summer, although the schedule for Standing Committee and Council meetings is condensed into a single week for each of July and August. Despite a slightly slower frequency of long meetings, we still have lots to share in our July newsletter. Our first article covers Hamilton’s recently completed asset management plans and an overview of our infrastructure funding deficit. We also have an article about roles and responsibilities across the Ward 12 team and City Staff which we hope will make life easier for you when you need assistance. You’ll find an update on safety improvements on Highway 52 at Powerline Rd, the results and next steps from a safety review of the Old Dundas Rd/ Old Ancaster Rd corridor, and information on a study for a Highway 403 on-ramp from Mohawk Rd, among other topics. And of course, you’ll find a whole host of community updates with ways you can get involved and events to attend.

In June of this year, City Staff published the first ever thorough accounting of our infrastructure via Asset Management Plans for both the City’s core assets (roads, bridges, and water infrastructure) and non-core assets (include libraries, recreation centres, playgrounds etc.). Their work revealed that Hamilton has a funding gap of $3.8 Billion over the next ten years which is an annual gap of $383 million. That number encompasses the existing backlog in maintaining our assets and the expected spending required to maintain our assets over the next decade.

Their report outlined that this deficit has progressively built up over many decades, predominantly due to underinvestment, and persistent low-density, suburban growth which is a net financial drain on the City’s finances. Said differently, our low-density growth pattern in the post-WWII era has added new assets like roads, sewers, fire stations etc, without the funding to maintain them over the long run. Other contributors include a lack of funding from higher levels of government, and an insufficient balance of property tax revenue between industrial/commercial and residential tax bases – we rely too heavily on the latter. Underlying all of this are historical council decisions that prioritized keeping property tax increases low that have led to decades of chronic underfunding in our capital assets and the shifting of the financial burden onto today’s taxpayers.

As a result of under-investment, you will all have noticed that much of our infrastructure is ageing and desperately in need of repair and renewal. 2024 is the first year of a Council approved ten-year strategy aimed to reduce the funding gap on core assets and was part of this year’s property tax increase via a 1.1% increase in spending. Unfortunately, we cannot continue to push the costs into the future and the Council decision to spread out the cost over ten years is a prudent path forward.

View the staff report and Asset Management Plans at item 8.1 here

View the June 19 recording of the General Issues Committee meeting here

Over the course of this term, my first as a Councillor, I’ve observed that many constituents are unclear about the roles and responsibilities of the Ward office and City Staff. Here’s a brief overview of ‘who handles what’ with the goal of making your interactions with the City more efficient and effective.

First, we’ll cover roles within the Ward 12 office. The Councillor’s role is one of governance and shaping policy for the City of Hamilton. This work is done via the participation in Council meetings, and for me, 40+ standing committees, sub-committees and Boards, and through collaboration with the Mayor, other Councillors, the City Manager, and Senior Staff. We work to further our term of council priorities and make progress towards our vision to be the best place to raise a child and age successfully. Changes to city policies or the level of service provided to constituents are made through reviewing, amending, and approving staff recommendations or via Council-initiated motions that achieve majority support.

Since most of my time is spent preparing for and participating in Council and Committee meetings, I rely on my team to ensure our office can support constituents in a timely and professional manner. I am fortunate enough to have two passionate and highly capable team members to manage the important day-to-day work in our ward. Most constituents will interact with Nancy and Sherri as they have the knowledge and authority to act and represent me in the community. A breakdown of their general responsibilities is highlighted below.

Most of the inquiries we receive relate to City operations and are best handled by City Staff. Examples include by-law matters; concerns about city operations like road and culvert maintenance; garbage collection; snow clearing; grass cutting and horticultural maintenance; or specific questions or concerns about construction projects etc.

While we will always work to raise awareness of resident concerns and make appropriate connections to City staff and community partners, it is important to know that, given the policy and governance role of Council we do not run the operations of City. That is the responsibility of our capable and professional Staff. To emphasize this point, a Councillor’s role doesn’t include directing operations within the City of Hamilton, acting as an escalation point for constituent disagreement with City policy, or overriding staff decisions on Council-defined policies and levels of service.

The most effective way to have your concerns about operational matters addressed is to contact specific City departments directly using the contact information found on the City’s website. The main contact for general inquiries is 905-546-2489 (CITY) or [email protected]

Did you know that this summer youth ages 13-19 can ride for 50% off with a PRESTO card? Need to get to your summer job, summer school, or summer fun? There’s never been a better time to try transit! Discount applies to single rides only in July and August 2024. More details here.

I’ve been a member and volunteer at the Royal Botanical Gardens for many years and currently serve on the Board of Directors. You’ve likely visited some of the beautiful natural areas that RBG offers. Whenever I visit the Hendrie Valley Nature Sanctuary, there are always many other visitors. Unfortunately, many of them are feeding the wildlife which has become a very serious problem. RBG’s nature sanctuaries are home to dozens of species at risk including Blanding’s Turtles, Wood Thrush, and Eastern Wood-Pewee. Someone may think that leaving birdseed along the trails is helping birds, but it’s actually feeding a soaring population of predatory omnivores like skunks, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks. Those additional predators will also eat the eggs of endangered birds and turtles. So please, enjoy visiting RBG’s nature sanctuaries but don’t feed the wildlife. If you witness wildlife feeding, please report it to Burlington By-Law Enforcement. 905-335-7731 or [email protected].

COMMUNITY NEWS

At a joint town hall meeting on June 18, Wards 12 and 13 provided a progress update on the safety review for the Old Dundas / Old Ancaster Rd (ODAR) corridor. The Councillors, Staff, and Consultants presented the results of the largest in-service road safety review ever completed by the City of Hamilton. Short, medium, and long-term actions were discussed. The most significant action recommended by the study is a full system-level review of traffic in this area. In a nutshell, ODAR was designed as a local rural road to handle up to 1,000 vehicles per day, but it is used by over 10,000 in some spots! About 86% of those vehicles are using ODAR for commuting instead of Wilson St which is designed for through traffic. Staff will initiate an environmental assessment to determine options to route traffic appropriately and make ODAR safer for all users. You can review the presentation material and a summary of the questions asked and answered here.

Improving the safety of Hwy 52 has been a decades-long effort by residents. Years ago, the speed limit was reduced from 80km/h to 70km/h, however, serious concerns about the intersection at Powerline Rd remained outstanding. On May 7, 2024, following a fatal collision in late March, I hosted a meeting at the intersection of Hwy 52 & Powerline Road with local residents, City Staff, and a representative from Mayor Horwath’s office. Staff committed to quick action on short-term safety measures while the larger project for construction of a roundabout progresses. Here’s a summary of action taken in the days and weeks following that meeting:  

· Digital Speed Signs installed on Hwy 52 in both directions around the Powerline Rd intersection.

· The existing three 'curve warning' signs on Hwy 52 have been upgraded to signs with higher reflectivity.

· The 'stop ahead' sign on Power Line Road approaching the intersection has been replaced with an upgraded version.

· Additional edge-line delineators (signage) have been added along Hwy 52 to mark the edge of the roadway to aid in driver navigation and help encourage drivers to stay on the road surface and not drive on the shoulder.

· All existing pavement markings in the intersection and roadway segments leading up to the intersection have been refreshed.

· New end-of-road checkerboard on Hwy 52 facing Powerline Road. The checkerboard sign indicates that the intersection is a t-intersection for drivers approaching from Powerline Road

· Transverse pavement markings to be added the week of July 22. These markings on the road are a speed management tool spaced such that they provide the illusion that the vehicle operating speed is higher than it actually is in order to slow cars down.

· ‘Do not pass’ signage and ‘soft shoulder’ signage on installed on Hwy 52 near the intersection to further reinforce that driving on the shoulders to pass vehicles is not a safe maneuver.

· Consideration of a temporary traffic signal, pending a further safety study of the intersection to be completed in August 2024.

Back in 2013, the City of Hamilton started the process to assess the value and impacts of adding a Brantford-bound on-ramp to Highway 403 from Mohawk Rd. There were two public information sessions held in 2014, and a third one was held on June 27, 2024. A link to the materials shared at that session can be found here. The historical presentations and more information can be found here. Finally, the City is looking for public input on this matter which can be provided here. The deadline for input is July 31, 2024. Once the data is collected and summarized, I will work with Staff to determine the future of this project.

As we gear up for the Olympic opening ceremonies this Friday, we want to extend our best wishes to Ward 12 athletes Carson Mattern, Will Jones, and James Hedgcock, who call Ancaster and Jerseyville home.  

Carson and James will represent Canada in cycling events and Will in sailing. Your dedication to your sport is inspiring. Best of luck!

For more information on the schedule for this year's Olympics check out Team Canada's webpage here

You may recall that in November 2023 I moved that a cost-benefit analysis be undertaken before the Transportation Masterplan (TMP) for the Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD) be approved. That motion failed 7-9 and as a result, the City is moving ahead with next steps by updating the AEGD secondary plan and adding the TMP. In the process, Natural Heritage Mapping for the AEGD will be updated. The information used to update the Natural Heritage mapping will be based on a 2017 sub-watershed study that incorporates data from fieldwork that was carried out in 2011. Information from two development applications approved since then will also be used.  

I remain concerned on three fronts:

1. Cost to the City of building out the AEGD may outweigh the benefits. The roads alone are projected to cost $500 Million, not accounting for water, sewer, stormwater, and other infrastructure that will be required. Now that the city has identified that we have a $3.8 Billion deficit on funding repairs and renewal of our existing infrastructure, it behooves us to do the math to determine if the AEGD is a venture that will positively impact the City’s finances.

2. Flooding is becoming more of a risk in Hamilton. The recent heavy rainfalls we’ve experienced can no longer be considered unusual. For a video of the flooding I experienced, click here. Replacing the spongey farmland and wetlands of the AEGD with impervious concrete could have catastrophic effects on everyone downstream.

3. Biodiversity, tree, and wetland loss will be significant and directly contradict the city’s recent adoption of both a Biodiversity Action Plan and Urban Forest Strategy.

You can view the presentation from the recent public meeting here

The sub-watershed studies are here: 2011 and 2017

The current Secondary Plan is here

The ASAC is a very popular Recreation Facility for people aged 55 years and older just west of Ancaster on Alberton Rd. If you’re curious to find out what the buzz is all about check out their website, or better yet, join them at their upcoming open house! Talk to instructors about yoga, pickleball, other exercises, music, crafts, etc. and enjoy a complimentary barbecue.

When: September 11^th, 2024, from 11 am to 1 pm

Where: 622 Alberton Road South, Alberton

The Ancaster Community Services Food Bank welcomes donations of fresh vegetables from local gardens! Do you have a tonne of tomatoes? A bunch of broccoli? Maybe a plethora of peppers or a bustling bundle of beans?

Please share whatever you don't need or better yet, dedicate a row in your garden to "Grow a Row" to be donated to the Ancaster Community Services Food Bank!

What: Fresh garden vegetables

Where: Deliveries to the ACS office can be made at the back entrance of 300 Wilson Street East (below the library).

When: The best day to drop off fresh produce is Fridays before 3pm so it can be placed straight into the cooler. Please do not leave perishables in the donation bin in the lobby.

For more information, please contact Josh at Ancaster Community Services, 905-648-6675 or [email protected]

On July 17, the Hamilton Police Service Traffic Safety Unit was in rural Ward 12 addressing community traffic concerns in the area of Lynden Rd and Governors Rd. Here’s their statement: “Hamilton Police remains committed to ensuring the safety of all road users. We thank the community for bringing these concerns to our attention and encourage everyone to drive responsibly.” The results of HPS’ efforts are summarized in the graphic above.

Remember, the Traffic Safety Unit will monitor areas of concern that are flagged by the public, so it is imperative to report those areas to the Police, so they are prioritized. Please report areas of concern by emailing both: [email protected] and [email protected] or calling 905-546-2447 or 905-540-5142

Please help send Ancaster and Flamborough children and teens back to school with the supplies they need to learn. Ancaster Community Services and Flamborough Food Bank are both collecting new backpacks for all ages, as well as school supplies and healthy snacks.  

In Ancaster, visit the ACS website for a complete list of requested items. You can leave your donations in the special bin in the lobby at 300 Wilson St. E., inside the back door of the library until August 9^th.

In Flamborough drop donations off directly at one of their various community bins around town or at the food bank at 1432 Centre Rd, Carlisle.

Thanks to Ancaster resident Bob Bell (on Facebook at @thebirderbob) for another great shot of birds in the community! "White-breasted Nuthatch are the larger of the two nuthatch species that we have; the smaller being the Red-breasted. Listen for their nasal “yank-yank” or “beep-beep” calls, as they forage on tree trunks, often hanging upside down."

Flood and heat events are becoming more common as the impacts of climate change escalate, and your home is at risk. But there are actions you can take. Learn three ways you can protect your home against flood, heat, and wildfire climate risks here.

From Disney to Broadway to Alfred Hitchcock, the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre has summer entertainment lined up! Check out the events on offer at their website Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

• Brott on the Waterfront - July 27 - Pier 8 Stage - 12:00pm

• Rockton RAM Rodeo – July 27 – 812 Old Highway 8 – 12 noon-9pm

• Salsa on the Waterfront 2024 - Every Tuesday in July and August - Pier 8 Rink - 7:00pm to 10:30pm

• 2024 Hamilton Fiesta Extravaganza - July 27-28 - Bayfront Park

• Swing Dancing at Pier 8 - July 28 and August 11 - Pier 8 Rink - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

• Festival of Friends - August 2-4 - Gage Park

• 5th Hamilton Latino Festival - August 8-10 - Gage Park

• Art Crawl - August 9 - James Street North - 6:00pm to 11:00pm

• Pride at the Pier 2024 - August 10 - Pier 4 Park - 11:00am to midnight

• Sundays UnLocked - August 18 - Locke Street South - 10:00am to 5:00pm

Thanks as always to everyone who reaches out to engage with our office. I hope you enjoyed reading this month’s newsletter. Please share it with Ward 12 neighbours and friends. If you have questions feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] and subscribe to the Ward 12 newsletter at CraigCassar.ca. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.