Hamilton councillors back nuisance party bylaw

City councillors hope a new bylaw can help tame fake homecoming" revelry around McMaster University and other off-campus parties clogging up Hamilton streets.

They've also asked the mayor and city manager to meet with McMaster officials to discuss the university covering some of the costs associated with responding to such festivities.

Because I do not think it is fair or reasonable for the taxpayers across this city to bear that burden alone," Coun. Maureen Wilson said.

Councillors at Tuesday's planning committee approved the new nuisance party bylaw to deal with nuisance behaviours" ranging from public drunkenness to excessive noise, blocking traffic and property damage.

The bylaw, which targets organizers and attendees alike, carries fines for individuals from $500 to $10,000 for an initial offence and a maximum of $25,000 for further transgressions.

It's an additional tool" for bylaw officers, but police would remain at the lead when it comes to enforcement, a city staff report noted.

Last October's fake homecoming," which drew roughly 5,000 people to Dalewood and Westwood avenues, left significant property damage" and debris in the area, the report noted.

First responders and other city staffers were diverted to respond to the mayhem, which resulted in an overturned car. It cost paramedics roughly $19,600 in labour and $1,730 for road maintenance, the report noted.

A multi-department working group - including EMS, police, fire, bylaw, public health and McMaster - has formed to prepare for similar large nuisance parties.

In March, it cost municipal services $243,944 and required 482 hours of labour to mitigate an advertised St. Patrick's Day street party in the Dalewood and Westwood area.

Coun John-Paul Danko said he was absolutely astounded" that one unsanctioned street party could cost taxpayers so much, but also really surprised" that institutions like McMaster don't help cover that tab.

A part-time supervisor to train staff and administer the new bylaw is to be considered during 2023 budget deliberations, but staff are ready to enforce the rules this fall. It awaits final approval at council.

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com