Ward 13 Councillor Arlene VanderBeek's Office

INFORMATION: For Immediate Release October 26, 2020... City of Hamilton to provide virtual media update on COVID-19 response HAMILTON, ON Mayor Fred Eisenberger will be joined by Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and Paul Johnson, the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director, for a virtual media update on the City’s response to the COVID-19 situation at 4 p.m. this afternoon. Going forward, the City’s media updates will typically be held each Monday at 4 p.m. Date: Monday, October 26, 2020 Time: 4 p.m. Watch/Listen: Watch on the City’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/insidecityofhamilton Watch on Cable 14, on TV or online: www.cable14now.com

IMPORTANT... SECONDARY DWELLING UNITS (SDU) Today, the City launched it's public engagement on proposed new zoning standards to allow "secondary dwelling units" city-wide. As part of the Low Density Residential Zoning Project, Second Dwelling Units are Phase One with a separate public engagement process. ... Known as basement apartments, granny flats, lane way suites, coach houses, accessory dwelling units or secondary suites. These terms describe a dwelling unit on the same lot as a Single Detached, Semi-Detached or Townhouse dwelling. TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY (Rural or Urban) and learn more, visit: https://engage.hamilton.ca/residentialzoningproject Key Dates: October 19 to November 16, 2020 - Survey open November 12, 2020 -- Virtual Town Hall #1 November 16, 2020 -- Virtual Town Hall #2 If you know someone who does not have access to a computer to participate in one of the surveys, please contact [email protected] on their behalf with their name, telephone number and full address. City staff will send printed versions to them so they can participate in the consultation.

https://twitter.com/cityofhamil/status/1316399803308412931 **Rescheduled due to weather - closure will be tomorrow, Friday Oct 16th**

October Councillor's Update If you are in Ward 13 and wish to receive the Councillor’s Updates by direct email, please send an email to us with your name and address and use the subject line Add me to the list: [email protected]

For Immediate Release October 7, 2020 City of Hamilton to provide virtual media update on COVID-19 response ... HAMILTON, ON With the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in Hamilton, the City of Hamilton is resuming regular COVID-19 virtual media updates beginning tomorrow. Mayor Fred Eisenberger will be joined by Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health, and Paul Johnson, the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Director, for a virtual media update at 3 p.m. tomorrow. The next virtual media update will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 3 p.m. Going forward, the updates will typically be held each Monday at 4 p.m. Date: Thursday, October 8, 2020 Time: 3 p.m. Watch/Listen: Watch on the City’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/insidecityofhamilton Watch on Cable 14, on TV or online: www.cable14now.com Attendees: Mayor Fred Eisenberger Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health Paul Johnson, EOC Director

The latest from the City... For Immediate Release October 2, 2020... Statement by Mayor Fred Eisenberger on additional COVID-19 restrictions HAMILTON, ON The additional safety measures announced by the Premier are important, timely and strongly supported by the City of Hamilton. Avoiding gathering with those outside your household, downloading the COVID-19 alert app on your smartphone and getting a flu shot as soon as possible will help manage further spread of the virus. While the province announced targeted measures for our neighbours in Ottawa, Peel, and Toronto as a result of their higher than average rates of transmission, communities including Hamilton are trending in the same direction. Our Public Health teams have observed trends in COVID-19 spread among those who are having social gatherings, not practicing appropriate physical distancing and not wearing masks indoors or in other settings where physical distancing is a challenge. It is critical to remember and practice the fundamental public health management measures. Residents can help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our community by: Washing hands frequently with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds Staying home if sick, self-isolating from others and getting tested Keeping a physical distance of at least two metres from others in your group, unless they are household members Wearing a mask or face covering in an enclosed space, especially in settings where it is difficult to maintain a physical distance from others Meeting up outside and keeping gathering times short Taking extra precautions if people are elderly or have chronic health conditions All of us remain the first line of defence against the spread of the virus and with everyone’s cooperation, we can help stop the spread, contain the second wave and get through this together.

The Greensville Hill Is officially OPEN!!! Two full months ahead of schedule...

MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release September 24, 2020... Online booking now available for COVID-19 testing in Hamilton HAMILTON, ON Effective today, COVID-19 assessment and testing centres have moved to online booking. Residents requiring a COVID-19 test can book online by visiting www.HamiltonCovidTest.ca. Over the past several weeks, Hamilton assessment and testing centres and the Public Health Services phone lines have experienced a surge in demand for COVID-19 tests, resulting in the need for an online booking tool. Making the move to online booking will increase residents’ ability to book appointments faster and at their own convenience. Online booking will help to prioritize appointments for those people at greatest risk, symptomatic individuals and close contacts of confirmed cases. To support this move to online booking and prioritizing patients at greatest risk, the number of walk-ins tested at the assessment centres will be limited, and residents who come to a testing centre without an appointment may be asked to book one online. The Public Health Services COVID-19 booking line will remain available for those who do not have access to book online and those who have accessibility needs. Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline is 905-974-9848. These changes will require patience from everyone during the transition to the new system of booking appointments, recognizing that demand for testing remains extremely high in Hamilton. The community partnership of physicians, hospitals, Hamilton Paramedic Service, Good Shepherd Services and Public Health is continuing to refine this process to meet the needs of our community to ensure those at greatest risk are tested quickly. Learn more about testing and assessment centres, and how to book an appointment for testing by visiting www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/assessment-centres. QUICK FACTS Hamilton assessment and testing centres have experienced a significant surge in demand for COVID-19 tests resulting long line-ups at testing centres. Public Health phone lines have nearly doubled their call volumes in recent weeks, now averaging 2,000 calls daily, exceeding capacity. As always, regardless of need for a potential COVID-19 test, if someone is very ill and in need of immediate care, they should go to the nearest Urgent Care Centre, Emergency Department or call 911.

Today's City of Hamilton Update For Immediate Release September 21, 2020... GTHA Mayors and Chairs support decreased limits on public gatherings HAMILTON, ON - Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area met to discuss the continuing response to COVID-19 and a possible resurgence. The Mayors and Chairs welcomed the provincial government's decision to limit the size of private social gatherings to 25 people outside and 10 people indoors. This measure is based on public health advice and we believe it will help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. It also sends a message to people that everyone needs to be cautious and make sure they are following public health advice as we move into the fall and winter. The Mayors and Chairs remind residents that beyond complying with these limits it is still best to follow physical distancing with people from outside your household in private homes and to wear masks at such social gatherings, small as they may be. Concern was also expressed by the group about those restaurants who may be slipping on some elements of compliance such as maximum number of people at a table, overall restaurant capacity limits and physical distancing and masking inside restaurants. While acknowledging the business struggles being faced by these establishments, compliance is still preferable to another lockdown which we must do everything possible to avoid. In expressing gratitude to the vast majority of people and businesses who are following the rules, the Mayors and Chairs also welcomed the substantial penalties introduced by the province for non-compliance which are necessary in light of the continuing actions of a few. QUOTE The provincial government’s recent limitations on public gatherings is about public safety and preventing a further shutdown of our economy. Municipalities are in a precarious time and we must collectively remain vigilant in our efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Community members are reminded to continue to adhere to the health and safety recommendations from public health experts, including the new size limitations to public gatherings, or receive substantial monetary fines. I thank the vast majority of people who are following and continue to follow the necessary COVID-19 safety measures. - Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Thinking of coming to explore #DundasPeak #TewFalls or #WebsterFalls ? You must make a reservation in advance. No walk-ins or drive ups will be permitted withou...t an advanced reservation. Make your reservation up to a week in advance of your visit. https://conservationhamilton.ca/spencer-reservations/

Presenting the Made in Dundas Box! A hand-picked selection of treats made at the businesses here in Dundas. Each box sold supports local small businesses and t...he Dundas Museum's education program. Dundas Boxes are available for curbside pick-up or $5.00 local delivery (including Dundas, Ancaster, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Flamborough, and Glanbrook). Get yours at http://dundasbox.ca/ #Dundasbox

Councillor's September Column..

Hamilton Conservation Authority announces it will re-open Saturday, September 19th - Webster's Falls, Tew's Falls and Dundas Peak -- BY pre-booked RESERVATION ONLY. www.conservationhamilton.ca