Hamilton may get rest of $4.1 million ice-storm damage claim from province

Hamiltonnews.com
Sept. 10, 2015
By Kevin Werner

Hamilton could receive its remaining ice storm damage compensation from the province in time for the 2016 budget.

City and provincial officials confirm Hamilton’s financial assistance claim is currently being reviewed by staff at the Municipal Affairs ministry, says Conrad Spezoka, a ministry communications officer.

He said Hamilton officials are scheduled to provide further details “to help us verify eligible costs.

“They can expect a further payment once their full claim has been completely reviewed,” he said.

The province provided the city with $1.4 million - or 30 per cent of the claim - last April in what Ontario officials called a “down payment” on Hamilton’s application. City officials applied for the financial assistance in December 2014, asking for $4.1 million, a year after the severe ice storm roared through west Hamilton, Ancaster, and Flamborough.

Mike Zegarac, general manager of corporate services and finance, said city staff is finalizing the additional paperwork needed for the province and will be submitting the information “soon.”

He said when Hamilton submitted its initial application in December, it contained 15,000 pieces of documentation, including work orders, photos and overtime reports.

“I’m not surprised they are asking for clarifications,” said Zegarac.

He said if the city receives the remaining $2.7 million, it will be put towards the 2016 budget.

“We have not budgeted the amount,” Zegarac said.

Hamilton is scheduled to begin its 2016 budget deliberations this fall starting with its rate budgets. In early 2016, politicians will be discussion the city’s operation and capital budget needs.

Hamilton’s original cost to clean up the impact the December 2013 ice storm had on Hamilton, had been estimated to be about $20 million. About $7 million was just for fixing ice-storm tree damage.

But the provincial application process was itself so complicated that the province hired a consultant to provide a webinar for municipal staff so they could fill out the forms. About 15 Hamilton officials took part in the training. In addition, the province extended the October 2014 deadline to the end of December 2014 to give municipalities more time to submit their assistance claims.