Ward 11 E-Newsletter - September 2020 
Councillor's Message

Welcome to the September 2020 issue of my Ward 11 E-Newsletter!  I hope you find this newsletter informative.  

As always, I am pleased to assist you and your family with any municipal issue that you may have.  Please don't hesitate to contact my office directly at any time at 905-896-5011 or george.carlson@mississauga.ca.
In This Issue...
Be Safe as Students Head Back to School

As students head back to school this month, please remember to be alert and cautious when using roadways.
 
Back to school brings increased traffic, additional vehicles on our roads and more people walking, cycling or getting dropped off at different locations. Please stay alert and keep your eyes peeled at all times. If you're using our roads, we ask that you be vigilant, follow the rules, obey signs and speed limits and slow down in school zones.
 
As students head back to school, they will be greeted by crossing guards to help them safely cross the street. The City's Crossing Guard program helps school children from kindergarten to fifth grade cross the road, for both the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Peel District School Board.
 
In addition to the Crossing Guard program, the City also has two safety advisory committees, Road Safety Committee and Traffic Safety Council that help promote awareness of road safety programs and maintain the safety of road users including students, pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and ensures they are accessible to those that use mobility devices.
 
The City has adopted the Vision Zero approach, which sets the goal of zero fatal and injury-causing collisions each year. To achieve this, we are moving forward with numerous projects including lowering speed limits and implementing speed reduction initiatives, such as traffic calming, Community Safety Zones, and the Crossing Guard program.
 
In addition to back to school initiatives, the City will be rolling out a number of road safety campaigns to create awareness around road safety initiatives such as distracted driving, pedestrian safety, neighbourhood speed limits and automated speed enforcement.
 
Safety tips for students and drivers when commuting:
  • Consider walking to the bus stop or different drop-off/pick-up routines by stepping out of the car and complete the journey to school by walking.
  • Plan and practice your school route as a household ahead of time; encourage children to walk or cycle with siblings and friends, depending on their age.
  • Active transportation means using people power to get where you're going and helps reduce traffic congestion in and around school zones, which means safer streets for everyone. You can use your feet, bike, scooter or any other form of non-motorized vehicle to get you to and from school.
  • Getting ready to ride MiWay? Additional trips to high schools and universities/colleges will resume, along with high school routes (300 series). Learn more by visiting miway.ca/students.
For more road safety information or additional safety tips, please visit mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/transportation-and-streets/traffic/Top 
Select City Services Now Open

As part of the City's phased and controlled reopening plans, some limited City services are now available in-person, by appointment only:
In addition, the Council Chamber and Committee Rooms will reopen for meetings at the Civic Centre (300 City Centre Dr.) with reduced capacity. Health and safety protocols are in place to protect staff and the public at all City facilities. These protocols include:
  • Active screening - Staff and visitors are screened with COVID-19 assessment questions before entering a City facility.
  • Limited building access - Doors have been designated for entry and exit.
  • Mandatory masks - Face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces.
  • Physical distancing - Signage and floor markings indicate how to maintain two metres or six feet of space between others.
  • Signage - Floor decals and signage provide direction, health and safety reminders and ensure physical distancing.
  • Limited elevator capacity - Signage indicates safe and reduced capacity of elevators.
  • Stairwells - Where possible, stairwells are designated for up or down traffic.
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols - New protocols include increased cleaning and disinfecting of highly-touched surfaces and high traffic areas.
Other city services, including development applications and building permit applications, property tax payments and more continue to be accepted online.  Additional program and service updates are as follows:
 
Recreation
Library
  • All locations except Frank McKechnie (currently under renovation) will reopen on September 15 with limited service. Curbside service will continue to be offered at Frank McKechnie until the renovations are completed in mid-October.
  • Visits are limited to one hour and services including computer access and limited study require an appointment.
Culture
  • Bookings of some spaces are now open including the Living Arts Centre RBC Theatre, studio rentals, church and group bookings. In addition, the information desk, reception and box office will reopen.
Visit mississauga.ca/recovery or call 311 for more information.  Top 
Have Your Say on Noise in Mississauga

When should certain types of noise be permitted in Mississauga? How much noise is acceptable in a growing urban centre? As the City moves ahead in updating its Noise Control By-law, a new online survey is now available to get residents' thoughts on how to manage noise now and for the future.
 
Your input will help shape the new by-law to ensure it is more responsive to resident and community needs.  We invite residents to share their thoughts and complete the survey by September 30, 2020. To complete the survey, visit mississauga.ca/noise-control.  Top 
Council and Committee Schedules Resume

Council and Committee meetings resume a regular schedule effective September 8, 2020 as approved at the August 5, 2020 meeting of Council. Advisory Committees and Committee of Adjustment will be meeting virtually until further notice.
 
Virtual or in-person participation will be available for the following meetings:
  • Audit Committee
  • Budget Committee
  • Council
  • General Committee
  • Planning and Development Committee
All Council and Committee meetings will continue to be live-streamed and available on Council and Committee Videos.
 
The Council Chamber will be retrofitted to address physical distancing and safety protocols and the Mandatory Face Covering By-law is in effect. The capacity of the Chamber has been significantly reduced due to the indoor gathering restrictions and physical distancing requirements laid out by the Government of Ontario.
 
Members of the public wanting to participate in Council and Committee meetings are provided the option of virtual or in-person attendance. Virtual participation is encouraged due to limited seating in the Council Chamber. Every member of the public must register in advance to speak or attend in-person with registration details outlined on the agenda page. Visit mississauga.ca/recovery or call 311 for more information.  Top 
Mississauga Library Set to Reopen Locations for Limited Service

On September 15, most Mississauga Library locations will open to provide limited services. Frank McKechnie Library will continue to offer curbside holds pickup until its renovations are completed in mid-October.
Hours of operation and select services are being made available in a way that protects public and staff health and safety.
 
Library visits are limited to a one-hour maximum for:
  • Collections access
  • Holds pickup
  • Self-checkout
  • Library cards
Services available by appointment only include:
  • Booked computer time
  • Booked study time
The collections area will be restricted at some locations such as Central, where only the lower, first and second levels will be open to the public.
 
Hours of operations for all reopened locations effective September 15 are:
  • Tuesdays        1:30 - 9 p.m.
  • Wednesdays   9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Thursdays       1:30 - 9 p.m.
  • Fridays            9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Saturdays        9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Library Ambassadors will greet visitors at every location and ask COVID-19 screening questions prior to entry. Customers must wear face coverings indoors as per the City's Mandatory Face Covering By-law. Signs and decals with physical distancing guidelines will be posted at all locations.
 
Curbside pickup service provided during the closure period will end when the libraries reopen, with the exception of Frank McKechnie Library.
 
Customers can book an appointment for computers or limited study online or by calling the Virtual Call Centre at 905-615-3500.
 
Customers can continue to use their library card or virtual card to explore the vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks and other online virtual resources. For more information, visit mississaugalibrary.ca.  Top 
New Amendments to Noise Control By-Law

The City of Mississauga is taking action to address vehicle noise after Council approved a proposed amendment to the Noise Control By-law.
 
The amended by-law will prohibit anyone from making unnecessary noise in both stationary and moving motor vehicles. This includes unreasonable noise caused by sounding a horn, playing loud music from their vehicle, revving an engine or squealing tires. It also prohibits drivers from creating unreasonable noise from mufflers, exhaust or emission control systems. This prohibition applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles.
 
Under the amended by-law, the City will request the Ministry of the Attorney General to approve a higher set fine from the current rate of $110 to $500. Both the City and Peel Regional Police will have the authority to charge violators under the amended by-law.
 
To date, approximately 170 charges have been laid in Mississauga alone for vehicle noise offences. Approval of the amended by-law and a proposed increased set fine amount means that the City and Peel Regional Police will be able to issue higher fines to violators.  Top 
Distracted Driving is a Major Concern in Mississauga

The City is running a Distracted Driving campaign throughout September to remind road users that distracted driving is dangerous and illegal.
 
The next time you are driving and decide to use your phone - think again, it's illegal. Distracted driving is dangerous for all road users including pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, commuters, mobility-device users and other methods of active transportation. The Distracted Driving law applies to the use of any handheld communications device and display screens like a phone, tablet or gaming console. The City, in partnership with the Road Safety Committee, is rolling out a campaign this September to remind Mississauga road users about the dangers of distracted driving.
 
It only takes seconds to cause a life-altering crash that can impact you, your passenger and others on the road. Whether you're setting a GPS route or talking and texting, using your phone while driving just isn't worth it. Last year, Peel Regional Police issued a total of 1,140 distracted driving tickets, 500 of which were in Mississauga. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reports that you're four times more likely to have a crash when you're distracted while driving and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) reports that one in three drivers in Ontario engages in distracted driving with a mobile device. Additionally, research from the MTO, Traffic Injury Research Foundation and CAA found that young drivers under the age of 44 are more engaged in distracted driving.
 
Awareness of distracted driving is an important aspect of the Road Safety Committee's 2020 goal to develop awareness and educate Mississauga residents about road safety initiatives, programs and issues. The Road Safety Committee is focusing its efforts on distracted driving in September with a goal of creating more awareness around this dangerous habit.  The Committee has been largely driven by the Vision Zero Framework. The framework focuses on the prevention of fatalities and injuries due to motor vehicle collisions.
 
For a first distracted driving offence, you'll receive a $615 fine up to $1,000, three demerit points and a three-day licence suspension. Second-time distracted driving offenders will receive a minimum $615 fine up to $2,000, six demerit points and a seven-day licence suspension.
 
To learn more about road safety in Mississauga, visit: https://web.mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/transportation-and-streets/traffic/  
Top 
Mississauga Allocated $46 million from Province of Ontario Economic Response - COVID-19 

The Province of Ontario announced Phase 1 of funding as part of the Safe Restart Agreement between the Federal government and the Provinces and Territories.
 
Mississauga Allocations for Phase 1 $46.083M
  • Mississauga - Phase 1 Funding - $14.997M to help municipalities respond to local priorities
  • Mississauga - Phase 1 Transit Funding - $31.086M to keep the transit system running
This funding will help Mississauga address the approximately $60 million deficit we face in 2020. The City of Mississauga is receiving a total $46.083 million in Fall 2020 as part of the Ontario Economic Response in the first round of funding through the Safe Restart Agreement.
 
The government is providing the City of Mississauga over $14 million to help respond to local priorities and $31 million in the first phase of transit funding.  The transit funding will be provided through a base amount and an additional allocation based on transit ridership. The funding can be used to provide immediate relief from transit pressures, such as lower ridership, as well as for new costs due to COVID-19, such as enhanced cleaning and masks for staff. In the second phase, additional allocations will be provided based on expenses incurred to ensure the funding meets the needs of municipalities.
 
In Fall 2020, Ontario's 444 municipalities will receive $695 million in Phase 1 funding to help address municipal operating pressures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be allocated on a per household basis and would be shared 50/50 between upper- and lower-tier municipalities. Up to $695 million in additional funding will be available through Phase 2 to eligible municipalities after municipalities have provided the province with information on their estimated COVID-19 related financial pressures.  Top 
Be Safe, Be Seen, Be Courteous: Brush Up on Mississauga's Trail Etiquette

As Mississauga continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, its trails are seeing even more traffic than normal, with residents looking to get outdoors and get some exercise while practising physical distancing.
 
The City's network of shared pathways and trails is expansive, contains many hidden gems and provides pedestrians and cyclists alike with opportunities to visit Mississauga landmarks and see more of their city.
 
Whether you're just starting to discover Mississauga's network of shared pathways and multi-use trails, or have been using this network for years, make sure to brush up on trail etiquette before you head out.
 
Shared Pathway Trail Etiquette
Stay Right
  • Always keep to the right of the trail, particularly if you are traveling at a slower speed.
Pass Safely
  • Always pass others on their left.
  • Cyclists must use their bell or give a friendly, verbal warning before passing another cyclist or pedestrian.
  • Cyclists should keep their speed low when passing pedestrians.
Keep Your Distance
  • Respect the space of others. Maintain at least two metres, or one bike length, between yourself and those not in your household or social bubble.
  • Be extra cautious when cycling around older adults, children and pets.
Be Aware of Others
  • When approaching a sharp turn on your bike that obstructs your view, approach slowly, use your bell or give a verbal warning and proceed when clear to do so.
  • Don't block the trail. If stopping for a break, pull off to the side or off of the trail completely, allowing trail traffic to continue safely.
  • Make sure that you can hear what's going on around you, especially while you're listening to music, talking or texting on your phone, or chatting with your walking buddy.
  • Keep your dog on-leash and make sure they are well-behaved at all times.
Be Seen and Be Safe
  • Make sure your bike has a light and reflectors that can be seen by others.
  • Wear a bike helmet. In an accident, helmets greatly reduce the risk of injury or even death. While it is required for anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding their bike, it is strongly recommended that everyone riding their bike wear a helmet.
For more tips on cycling safety, visit mississaugabikes.ca.  Top 
Councillor George Carlson| | george.carlson@mississauga.ca | 300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON   L5B 3C1