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Ward 11 E-Newsletter - July 2020
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Councillor's Message
Welcome to the July 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
[email protected]
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2020 Streetsville Santa Claus Parade Cancellation
The Streetsville Santa Claus Parade Committee is saddened to announce that Santa wants everyone safe and healthy, so right now that means he will have to stay home to work in the North Pole!
Due to the current COVID19 conditions and future uncertainty, The Parade Committee will not be able to proceed with a Streetsville parade for 2020. They have decided to focus their efforts on planning for the best possible 2021 parade, where they can welcome back the community and the many community organizations who have long been a mainstay of the parade.
The Parade Committee greatly looks forward to welcoming everyone back to our amazing Village in the City for a spectacular parade in 2021! For more information about the Streetsville Santa Claus Parade, please visit
http://streetsvillesantaclausparade.com
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Mississauga's Four Pillar Recovery Plans - Corporate, Financial, Economic and Community
City Council approved the
Corporate
and the
Financial
Pillar Recovery Plans, two of the four pillars outlined in the City's overall COVID-19 Recovery Framework. The
COVID-19 Recovery Framework
provides a plan for what recovery operations will look like at the City of Mississauga. The framework outlines work in four key areas: Community, Economic, Financial and Corporate. The Recovery Framework supports our community and provides financial stability as the City moves from crisis to recovery. Each Pillar Recovery Plan will come to Council for review and approval before the end of July.
The City worked closely with Peel Public Health to develop the framework to support reopening and recovery. The City will adhere to all public health directions provided by higher levels of government in an effort to protect the health and safety of the public and employees. City staff are already engaged in recovery planning to ensure the City is prepared to restore services and respond to community needs.
The City's recovery plan has four key pillars as follows:
1) Corporate Recovery Pillar (approved on July 8)
This pillar, led by Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer, considers the impacts of COVID-19 on the reopening of City facilities. Highlights include:
- Restoring full operations while keeping employees and customers safe and following public health directives as City workplaces reopen
- Business units and facilities will be opened based on priorities of service
- Incorporate positive changes and efficiencies such as moving the service counters to the ground floors to improve customer service
- Managing in-person services by appointment through a new app
- Expand online services
- Screening of staff and members of the public when entering facilities
- More frequent cleaning of areas such as doorknobs and service counters
2) Financial Recovery Pillar (approved on July 8)
This pillar, led by Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer, considers the financial impact of COVID-19 on the City. Highlights include:
- Seven financial principals have been established to eliminate the 2020 deficit and reduce the echo effect of 2022 and beyond
- Cost cutting options will be analyzed over the summer and discussed with Budget Committee in October 2020
- Staff will continue to work with Council to refine the budget and look for ways to trim the proposed increases
- The City will continue to look for cost-saving measures
- The City will continue to advocate to higher levels of government for financial assistance
3) Economic Recovery Pillar (coming to Council on July 22)
This pillar, led by Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner, Planning and Building, considers the economic impacts of COVID-19 on the business community. Highlights include:
- The City will play a key role in helping the economy and supporting businesses and community to grow and prosper through a Build Back Better campaign
- The campaign will include the themes: buy local, a focus on the airport and preparing for a second wave
- The City will encourage participation and collaboration with industry and business stakeholders to take into account the needs of the entire business community through the newly formed Economic Resiliency Task Force
- To assist with Mississauga's economic recovery, the City will continue to advocate for financial relief and incentives from other levels of government
- The reduction in transit ridership has resulted in significant revenue losses. The City will continue to request financial assistance from the provincial and federal governments to help fund operations and maintain appropriate service levels. This initiative, under the Economic Pillar, will be led by Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation & Works
4) Community Recovery Pillar (coming to Council on July 22)
This pillar, led by Shari Lichterman, Commissioner, Community Services, focuses on the services, tactics and programs that are public-facing, and impact Mississauga's residents directly. Highlights include:
- Plans for restoring and reopening City services, including Recreation, Parks, Libraries, Arts & Culture, Events, Sports and other facilities and programs
- Continued engagement and consultation with the community to understand the impacts of this crisis, both short and longer term, to respond with programs and services to support resident and community group recovery
- Leveraging partnerships with other levels of government and community organizations to advance recovery and re-engage our residents in our vibrant municipal life
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Mandatory Face Covering By-law For Indoor Public Spaces
Mississauga City Council approved a new by-law requiring face coverings to be worn in all indoor public spaces that are accessible to the public. The by-law is in effect as of July 10, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Face coverings (including a mask, bandana or scarf) are to be constructed of cloth, linen or other similar fabric that fits securely to the head and are large enough to completely and comfortably cover the mouth, nose and chin without gaping.
The by-law reflects the recommendations made by health authorities at the federal, provincial and regional levels to wear face coverings in public where physical distancing may be difficult.
The City's new by-law will require businesses to have a policy in place and to prominently display their rules. It will apply to all indoor public spaces that are open and accessible including:
* retail stores
* shopping malls
* restaurants
* businesses that primarily sell food including supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries and convenience stores
* churches, mosques and other places of worship, except during a religious rite or ceremony that is incompatible with the face being covered
* indoor sports and recreational facilities
* shopping malls or similar structure which contains multiple places of business
* commercial establishments providing personal care services that are permitted to open under the Emergency Orders
* common areas of hotels and motels and other short term accommodations, such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms or other common use facilities, but not the common areas of residential apartments buildings or condominiums
* libraries, museums, galleries and other similar facilities
* banquet halls, conventions centres, arenas, stadiums and other event spaces
* concert venues, theatres, cinemas, casinos and other entertainment establishments
* premises utilized as an open house, presentation centre, or other facility for real estate purposes
* MiWay buses, taxis and private vehicles for hire such as Uber and Lyft
* Municipal buildings
* other businesses that are permitted to operate in accordance with the Emergency Orders
Exemptions
Certain facilities are exempt from the by-law, including schools, daycares, hospitals and health care offices. It also exempts portions of buildings used for day camps or for sports training as permitted by the Province.
Exemptions also include persons:
- children under the age of two
- who have trouble breathing or are otherwise unable to wear a face covering for medical reasons or reasons of disability, including people who are unable to remove masks without assistance
- who are engaged in an athletic, fitness or aquatic activity in accordance with the Emergency Orders
- consuming food or drink inside a bar or restaurant (once the Province permits those types of business to open for indoor dining)
- employees and agents of the Operator or Municipality within an area not for public access, or within or behind a physical barrier;
- Persons will not be required to provide proof to meet any of the exemptions set out in the By-law.
Enforcement
- Under the City's bylaw, operators of businesses will be responsible for ensuring those entering their premises comply with the by-law requirements. Under the by-law, individuals are required to wear a face covering before entering and while inside an indoor public space.
- The City is applying to the Ministry of the Attorney General for set fines of less than $500 for both businesses and individuals.
- The City will be taking the approach of education and awareness regarding the new by-law first, followed by enforcement. Enforcement of the by-law will be the responsibility of the City's By-law Enforcement Officers (non-City property), Corporate Security Officers (City facilities and buildings) and Transit Enforcement Officers (City transit terminals and MiWay buses).
Health and Safety
Residents are reminded that
face coverings
must be worn properly and to wash hands before and after putting on and taking them off. Face coverings are to cover the nose and mouth. Do not touch the mask or otherwise move it until ready to remove it completely. If disposable, ensure masks are disposed of appropriately once removed; reusable face coverings should be washed with regular laundry once removed. For more information visit
www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus
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City Adopts New Framework to Keep Pedestrians and Cyclists Moving Safely
The City of Mississauga is moving forward with an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework. Starting this summer, the City will introduce more short-term and long-term active transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians that allow for safe physical distancing. Residents can look forward to Quiet Streets that limit vehicle traffic, temporary road closures that provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians and 17.9 km of new separated and on-road bike lanes that will be installed by the end of the year.
Throughout the spring, the City installed temporary active transportation lanes in various locations across the city to give local pedestrians and cyclists more space to practise physical distancing. The framework allows for the introduction of more short-term options in the form of temporary road closures and Quiet Streets. Temporary road closures will help reduce crowding in Mississauga hotspots, particularly on weekends. Quiet Streets, which temporarily limit vehicle traffic to local traffic only, will provide more space for cyclists, walkers and runners to safely and comfortably use the road.
Based on data from Peel Public Health and the City's transportation planning teams, locations for the projects outlined in the framework have been selected using criteria that includes: population density, vehicle ownership per household, commute distances and potential risk of COVID-19 exposure. Locations were also chosen to help fill gaps in Mississauga's existing cycling network.
No new funding is required for the projects identified in the framework. Estimated to cost $1.3 million, budget for the projects will come from existing funding sources, with $830,000 coming from the Federal Gas Tax Reserve Fund and $470,000 coming from the Development Charges Reserve Fund.
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Mississauga's Interactive Map for Coyote Sightings
Mississauga residents can report coyote sightings with an
interactive map
and online reporting system. The map - created by the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) team and powered by
ESRI
- will allow residents to conveniently report coyote sightings and for Mississauga Animal Services to better track coyote reports. This new system should not be used for immediate reports about sick/injured coyotes or animals posing a risk to the public.
The new system will help Animal Services target areas for patrols and community outreach and education about animal-related concerns. This includes awareness on how to keep families and pets safe, and investigating concerns about wildlife feeding.
Map users can view all confirmed coyote sightings as dots on the map. The map can also be filtered by report types (e.g., regular sightings, feeding, sick/mange) and sightings by year (2019 and 2020) and month.
To report a coyote sighting online, users can access the
reporting form
through the map. From there, they can log their sighting by including the location, date, time and type (i.e., observed, feeding, mange).
Residents can still continue to report coyote sightings (including sick/injured and other animals posing a risk to the public) by calling 311 or Animal Services dispatch at 905-615-3000.
Coyotes, like any urban wildlife in Mississauga, are common in communities. Animal Services would like to remind residents that coyotes are an important part of our ecosystem, are normally shy and will avoid human contact.
Coyote safety tips:
- Do not feed coyotes (including any other wildlife) as it is prohibited under the Animal Care and Control By-law and is often linked to bold behaviour.
- Supervise pets when outdoors (including backyards) and keep them on a six-foot leash.
- Keep cats indoors.
- If you encounter a coyote - stay calm, don't turn your back, stand tall and make loud noises and startling movements.
For more information about Mississauga Animal Services including city wildlife, visit mississauga.ca/animalservices.
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Mississauga Recognized as a Tree City
Mississauga is among 10 Canadian municipalities to receive the designation. The City met five core standards in order to receive the designation, which included establishing responsibility, setting rules, knowing what you have, allocating resources and celebrating achievements.
The City currently has more than 2.1 million trees planted in Mississauga and is working to plant one million more by 2032 through the One Million Trees program. The City is focused on maintaining and enhancing tree diversity around the city - choosing trees based on species and function while planting them in areas where they will thrive. With the help of staff, partners and volunteers, the City has been able to plant over 380,000 trees since starting the program in 2013.
The international program celebrates cities across all continents that meet core standards for the care and planning of urban trees and forests. Mississauga now joins Toronto, Auckland, Paris and New York City as Tree Cities of the World. In 2019, 68 cities internationally earned the designation. For more information about the City's One Million Trees program, visit
onemilliontrees.ca
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Councillor George Carlson| | [email protected] | 300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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