Ward 1 News from Councillor Kelvin Galbraith
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April 30 2020 UPDATE Edition
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Greetings from Councillor Galbraith
- Latest COVID-19 Updates from City of Burlington
- Updates from Halton Region
- Updates from Province of Ontario, Federal Government and Other helpful links
- Ward 1 Development Updates
- Citizens Making a Difference
- News From City Hall
- Community Resources, News & Links
- Local Boards and Community Involvement
- Stay Connected
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Dear friends and neighbours, welcome to the April 30 2020 edition of Ward 1 News
As we enter our 6th week of social distancing measures, many of us are feeling the strain and are being tested like never before with our lack of social interaction with extended family and friends.
From what I have seen and heard , Burlingtonians have been very good about listening to the government and health experts.
Stores activity has slowed, roads are empty and many are wearing masks while out in public. We are starting to see numbers of cases decline and have heard recent announcements about plans to reopen the economy.
We should all be very proud of each other for all of the hard work, patience and discipline that has occurred to make this happen. We are all in this together like never before.
I have personally been on Zoom calls with people from England to South Africa - at the same time, and many of the stories are similar. One thing that we can all agree on, is that a new normal will exist when this is all behind us. Let’s be positive and embrace the changes as fellow human beings.
** Because of the shut down of City Hall, I and my staff are working remotely - we are online every weekday and ready to take your questions and concerns. Please email ward1@burlington.ca, noting that staff are focussing on urgent service requests at this time.
There is much information in this newsletter but if you feel that I have missed something or you would like an update on anything else in Ward 1, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at
ward1@burlington.ca
If you would like to
stay up to date on news from both at City Hall and in and around Burlington, be sure to Like our
Facebook Page
, Follow on
Twitter
or
Instagram
.
As always, you can contact my office with Ward 1 related issues. We'd be happy to help.
Kelvin Galbraith
Ward 1 City and Regional Councillor
City Of Burlington
kelvin.galbraith@burlington.ca
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COVID 19 UPDATES FROM CITY OF BURLINGTON
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City of Burlington Council, Senior Management and Communications are updating the city's COVID-19 webpage multiple times a day. Many answers can be found regarding city services and outside resources. Residents are highly encouraged to visit and subscribe to this page to receive updates:
https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/corona-virus.asp
There is a newly-created Community resource page which provides links to many resources from volunteering, donations, where to get support, applying for grants, mental health supports, and community resource mapping. Rather than repeat all of this information here, we encourage you to visit the page to find links to organizations that can help you:
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COVID 19 UPDATES FROM REGION OF HALTON
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Halton residents who have
symptoms
(see here)
(
e
.
g., fever of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher, new cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat) and:
- have been in contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19;
- have travelled outside of Canada within 14 days of symptom onset;
- have been in close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who has been to an impacted area;
- are living, working or providing care in a retirement home, long-term care home or other institutional setting;
- are a health care worker, other care provider, first responder or essential worker;
- are living in same household as a health care worker, other care provider or first responder;
- are a patient requiring frequent contact with the health care system (e.g., chemotherapy/cancer treatment, dialysis, pre-/post-transplant, pregnant person); or
- have been instructed by Halton Region Public Health to contact them.
Not all individuals require assessment. Anyone who develops mild symptoms and does not meet the above criteria must self-isolate for 14 days from the date of symptom onset.
Those with mild symptoms and no complications do not need to contact Public Health. Residents with severe symptoms are asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Residents must have an appointment to attend an Assessment Centre
. Individuals without symptoms are not being assessed at this time.
- Residents of Oakville, Milton or Halton Hills: Call 905-203-7963 to book an appointment at a Halton Healthcare Assessment Centre.
- Residents of Burlington: Call 905-632-3737, ext. 6550 to book an appointment at Joseph Brant Hospital Assessment Centre.
- Residents can also call 311 to speak to Halton Region Public Health for direction on assessment.
For further COVID-19 information, please visit Halton Region Public Health at
halton.ca/COVID19.
- Effective Monday, March 16, public access to all City facilities, including City Hall, will be closed until possibly July 2020. This includes the cancellation of Citizen Advisory Committee meetings and other public meetings.
- Essential services including Burlington Fire, Burlington Transit including Handi-Van, Halton Court Services, Traffic Services, By-Law Enforcement, Roads, Parks and Forestry Operations, Animal Control Services and POA Courts will continue to operate as usual to support our community. Cemetery services will be by appointment.
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COVID 19 UPDATES FROM PROVINCE OF ONTARIO /GOVERNMENT OF CANADA & OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
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Ontario is working with its partners in the health care system implementing a robust plan to monitor for, detect and, if needed, isolate any cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus. The Ministry of Health is taking several steps to ensure the health and safety of Ontarians. For more information and links to find help, please visit
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
PROVINCE'S LIST OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Essential businesses include, but are not limited to grocery stores and pharmacies, telecommunications and IT infrastructure service providers, and businesses that support power generation, natural gas distribution and clean drinking water. Essential businesses are being asked to put into place any and all measures to safeguard the wellbeing of their employees on the front-lines.
For a complete list, please refer to Ontario’s
website
The province has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the province's recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces following recommendations by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Other resources to contact:
- Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: www.who.int
- For information on Ontario's social, health, community and government services: 211.ca
- For those whose second language is English, the province has provided COVID-19 information in multiple languages - see the link in the Help Stop The Spread Section of https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
- COVID-19 Information (Municipal, Regional, Provincial, Federal) https://halton.cioc.ca/record/OAK0003
- COVID-19 Community Support (Food Banks, Community Outreach, Mental Health) https://halton.cioc.ca/record/OAK0007
- COVID-19 Financial Relief https://halton.cioc.ca/record/OAK0083
- COVID-19 Family Isolation Resources https://halton.cioc.ca/record/OAK0006
- Halton Women's Place: Continue to provide shelter for those seeking assistance and counselling for those who need it online. If you or someone you know need assistance please visit their website. Their shelters are currently at capacity and they are in need of more resources to support their hundreds of clients. If you can, please donate here.
- SAVIS of Halton: All counselling and programming is online - Resources are still needed, to donate please click here. For those who need immediate help please call their emergency line: 905-875-1555 or visit their website.
- Halton Distress Centre: Still operating all services online and over the phone. Please visit their website for more information.
- Oakville: 905-849-4541
- Burlington: 905-681-1488
- North Halton: 905-877-1211
- Blood Services - Many people are still in need of blood at this time. To book an appointment to donate please visit their website or call (1-888-236-6283)
- Kids Help Phone - Remains open and accessible to all Canadians – youth, in particular – 24/7 via phone and text uninterrupted. Have increased texting services to manage the bulk of the volume increase. Many volunteers are still needed, if you would like to volunteer your time please click here. If you are in need of their support please call: 1-800-668-6868 or visit their website for more information.
- Centre for Addiction And Mental Health Foundation - Creating a knowledge hub that will answer all common COVID-19 concerns and questions as well as tops for coping with stress and anxiety. Once this knowledge hub is launched we will be sure to share with you the link to access it. Please contact CAMH if you need help coping with anxiety while in isolation or quarantine here.
PREVENTION:
- Please visit halton.ca/coronavirus for the most up to date information.
- The best way residents can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough into upper sleeve, not hand.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you believe an individual or business is slowing efforts to ‘flatten the curve,’ use the OPP online reporting tool at opp.ca/reporting or call 1-888-310-1122. As a result of the state of emergency in Ontario the following establishments are expected to remain closed until further notice: all bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout and food delivery; all facilities providing indoor recreational programs; all public libraries; all private schools; all licensed child care centres; all movie cinemas and all theatres, including those offering live performances of music, dance and other art forms; all concert venues.
- Otherwise contact local Halton police using the non-emergency line at 905-825-4747, to report a concern under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act as they can issue a fine to businesses and individuals who defy the Act.
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Ward 1 Development Updates
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National Homes (Brant) Inc. - 2100 Brant Street
Applicant
National Homes (Brant) Inc.
Applicant's Representative:
Glen Schnarr & Associates Inc.
Proposed Development
The original proposal had been submitted for the development of 12 townhouse blocks with a total of 83 units and three condominium townhouse blocks with 150 units. Also included in the application were a woodlot block as well as a natural heritage system (buffer) block. The proposed development has a total area of 11.1 hectares (27.2 acres). These lands are currently vacant and have been historically used for agricultural purposes.
Planner on File
Kyle Plas
UPDATE:
Improved plan accepted for 2100 Brant; decision rests with LPAT
City Council has accepted a proposed revised plan for a townhouse and semi-detached development at 2100 Brant Street. The proposal will be decided by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) at a hearing scheduled in July.
The original proposal was for 12 townhouse blocks with a total of 83 units and three condominium townhouse blocks with 150 units, for a total development of 233 units. There was no parkland. Also included in the applications are a woodlot block as well as a natural heritage system block. The proposed development site has a total area of 11.1 hectares (27.2 acres). The developable area is 5.04 hectares.
The former City Council had approved a revised proposal in November 2018, before the new council was sworn in but after the election when 5 of 7 members of the previous council were not returning due to defeat or retirement.
Current City Council rescinded that plan in December 2018 in an effort to give residents, staff and the applicant additional time to improve the plan and come to a consensus on a revised development.
A group of citizens, primarily representing residents in the neighbourhood north of the development, formed Vision 2100 Brant Neighbours Association, an incorporated group that received Party status at the LPAT hearing to present evidence on behalf of residents.
Representatives of the townhouse condominium board immediately to the south of the project had earlier issued a letter of support for the November revised proposal, considering their issues (primarily around setbacks and drainage) to be settled. Wellington Green Letter of Support for 2100 Brant Street, Dec. 17, 2018
City Council and Vision 2100 received a revised proposal in March 2020. This proposal was provided directly to the Vision 2100 citizen’s group at a meeting March 10 with the applicant and Ward Councillor. The proposal was further discussed April 2 via teleconference with Vision 2100 representatives and the Ward Councillor and Mayor, to seek citizen input on the proposal.
To date, Vision 2100 has not provided any suggested changes or feedback on the proposal, but did raise additional questions around parking, snow storage, traffic, and storm water management. These were answered by the applicant by email to the residents, and addressed in the revised proposal to the city’s satisfaction.
The new proposal improves on the original application as well as the November 2018 proposal with the following changes:
- Reducing the unit count from 212 to 210 (down from 233 in the orginal proposal)
- In the Northwest area of the development on both sides of the Almonte Drive extension, replacing six 2-storey townhouse units with 4 semi-detached 1.5 storey bungalofts
- Increasing setbacks from the homes to the north, from 9 metres to 10 metres; in some areas the setback is 11 metres
- Increasing the senior-friendly units with ground floor bedrooms to aid accessibility, from 7 to 16 units
- Provision of a 0.3 hectare (0.76 acre) centrally located public park.
City council voted to accept the revised proposal at the council meeting of April 20, 2020.
Unlike the vast majority of municipalities, Burlington releases the planning analysis for matters which the municipality is supporting approval of by the LPAT, in advance of the hearing. This policy change was implemented by the new City Council to ensure maximum transparency with residents about the basis of our decision-making.
The final decision on the revised proposal will be made by the LPAT. The city and applicant will appear in support of the proposal.
Vision 2100 is a registered Party to the hearing which gives them the right at the hearing to call evidence (witnesses, studies or both) to refute or support the proposal, cross examine city or applicant witnesses, or suggest further modifications to the proposal. The City of Burlington, the applicant (National Homes) and the Region of Halton are the other registered Parties to the hearing. There are two registered Participants to the hearing who can provide feedback at the hearing as well.
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Citizens Making a Difference
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MEET GRACE
I'd like to introduce Grace, and her 10 ROCK CHALLENGE. Grace and her family reached out to let me know about the amazing idea to gather and paint 10 rocks with inspirational messages, so that those going on daily walks will be uplifted in their travels. We are so proud of Grace and her efforts to bring some sunshine into people's lives!
RPF staff have asked that those taking part remember to place these rocks safely on private property so that they do not damage lawn mowing equipment or pose slip/trip hazards to walkers.
If you have a great idea, please send to my office at ward1@burlington.ca so we can share with others.
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FRIDAY NIGHT PORCH CLAPS
Every Friday evening at 7:00pm, residents across Burlington are invited to take part in a City-wide Porch Clap.
This is one of the many ways we can all take part in a celebration of our front-line workers working so hard to keep us safe and healthy.
Join with your household in clapping, banging pots and perhaps cheering emergency vehicles. Send your photos to my office so that we can share with others.
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DRIVE-BY PARADE
In celebration of
"Iron Gabe" finishing his final cancer treatment, as well as our front line workers for all that they are doing, First Responders from Burlington Fire Department, Halton Regional Police, Halton EMS, Hamilton EMS & Peel EMS held a drive-by parade w/lights & sirens & virtual hugs -marking Gabe Crimeli, 9 1/2 yrs-olds' last chemo pill treatment after 3 1/2 year battle with cancer.
#irongabe
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COVID 19 WALL OF INSPIRATION
Burlington residents and businesses have come together during this unprecedented time to support each other, exemplifying the true community spirit of our city. Mayor Meed Ward has created a #COVID19 Wall of Inspiration webpage which highlights some of these inspiring acts of kindness. Please visit
https://mariannemeedward.ca/covid-19/wallofinspiration/
Residents are invited to continue to reach out and alert the Mayor's office of additional stories of inspiration via mayor@burlington.ca.
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The City of Burlington welcomed the news in a letter received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Ministry of Transportation that there is no provincial requirement for mobility hubs to be identified in municipal official plans, including Downtown Burlington. The province also agrees that the John Street bus terminal does not constitute a mobility hub.
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The mayors of Halton’s four municipalities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville have joined together to form the Halton Mayors Recovery Coordination Group.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, Milton Mayor Gord Krantz and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton will coordinate and work together to prepare for a successful transition to a post-COVID19 emergency, reopening and recovery, and living with the changes it has brought.
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Team Burlington will launch STAY HOME to Get Back to Business campaign to encourage people to support local business by staying home.
On March 23, the Ontario Government mandated all non-essential businesses to close. Since then, every business across all industries have felt the effects, with the hardest hit industries being agriculture, retail, tourism, healthcare and hospitality.
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At Burlington City Council on Monday, April 20 , senior City staff provided an update on the financial impacts of COVID-19 as the City continues to monitor and address the impacts of this pandemic emergency. Council endorsed a three-month strategy that prioritizes City services to be provided through to the end of June 2020 to maintain critical and essential services for the city.
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City-wide burn ban in effect as of April 13, 2020
The Burlington Fire Department has issued a City-wide burn ban and suspended all Open-Air Burning Permits until further notice.
As part of the COVID-19 response, a burn ban is being implemented as a preventative measure to ensure that Fire Department resources are available when and where needed most. Additionally, the Fire Department is trying to limit non-emergency interactions with residents and respect physical distancing requirements at this time.
Firework displays for the Victoria Day weekend are also being discouraged due to the potential fire hazard and concerns around social gathering.
We will keep Ward 1 residents updated on any changes to the Burn Ban, as they arise.
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All Burlington Parks Closed to Vehicular Access
Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most important steps everyone needs to take. The COVID-19 virus doesn’t move on its own; it needs people to move it. To discourage people from gathering and to help reduce the transmission of the virus, the City of Burlington has closed all vehicular access to our parks. Only walking, jogging, riding a bike or scooter/wheelchair through a park or trail is permitted. Remember to keep 2 metres away from others - about the length of a hockey stick.
Access to city amenities (not public parks) have been closed. This includes Tyandaga Golf Course grounds, in their entirety. Along with this facility, please respect the caution tape and keep off of playgrounds, sports fields, skateboard areas, tennis and basketball courts.
We have also been in contact with Halton Distict School Board, and they have advised that ALL school board facilities are also closed at this time. Because of the geographical size of several of these facilities (ie sports tracks and fields) it may not be feasible to gate/tape off access to these facilities. It is asked that residents refrain from using these facilities as well.
Any residents with concerns that others are not respecting these closures and are still using these now-closed facilites are advised to call the established
COVID-19 Reporting Line at 905-825-4722
Local enforceable orders (as of April 2) include:
- Closure of places of non-essential businesses
- Prohibiting events and gatherings of more than five people
- Closure of public places and establishments
- Closure of all outdoor recreational amenities and parks
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How to support small businesses in Burlington
The need has never been greater as our local economy continues to be dramatically weighed down by the daily impacts of COVID-19. Many small businesses have made the decision to close completely, while others are working in reduced capacity. In times of unprecedented hardship our small businesses and independents often experience the brunt of this crisis. Small businesses are an essential part of our community. They are risk-takers by nature; many are family owned and many are residents of the community where their business is located. They are the entrepreneurs that hire our children, sponsor our teams, donate for our events – they are our neighbours.
Team Burlington, which is a collective of the combined talents of The Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Economic Development, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA and Tourism Burlington, encourages residents to support small businesses online from the safety of their home. They have made seven suggestions:
- Shop small businesses online: even though their doors may be closed, many businesses are still offering on-line sales and incentives with no-contact shipping/delivery
- Order take-out or delivery: show your support to restaurants/eateries that are still offering take-away options by ordering at home
- Purchase a gift card for future use: you may have to wait to use it but it provides cash to the business now when they need it most
- Submit a positive review online for your favourite business
- Connect on-line by following a few more local businesses and commenting on their posts
- Attend an on-line fitness workout: many fitness providers are offering classes from home virtually
- Support a local not-for-profit/charity: to the extent that you are able, please donate directly to local not-for-profits and charities to ensure that critical support continues to be available to those most vulnerable in our community
Halton Small Business Center
Whether you are looking to open a new small business, manage or grow your existing business, or are looking for youth entrepreneurship programs, the Halton Region Small Business Centre can help put you on the path to success.
They offer a comprehensive resource centre that includes the tools, training and expertise to help guide your business in the right direction at any stage.
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To stay up to date on all City of Burlington Media Releases, please visit
https://bit.ly/2xxoVFr
Be sure to subscribe to this page to be alerted of any new releases.
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Ward 1 Community News & Resources
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Aldershot Food Collection Committee Update:
A big Thank you to those who continue to bring food to the well attended Drive- through, Drop-off Food Blitz at St. Matthews Church each Monday and Wednesday.
Thankfully,
the Compassion Society has reopened to provide pre-prepared food packages to those in need. The Compassion Society and Burlington Food Bank are the only Food Hamper distribution locations in Aldershot. For safety, the food Bank has stopped receiving food, and instead are requesting people to bring their food to the circular driveway at St. Matthews, 12 noon – 3pm, on Mondays and Wednesdays.
What we’re able to collect is imperative to the two facilities, as it is what, after its 2 week quarantine, will be added to the Food Hampers when the current food supply will be gone. Because of our proven safe collection system, the Aldershot Food Collection Committee, consisting of Representatives of the Food Bank, Partnering Aldershot, St. Matthew’s Church and Ward 1 ECoB, has been affirmed by the City as an Essential Service, so is allowed to continue to operate for the good of the community.
Be aware also, Monetary Donations can be made at
www.burlingtonfoodbank.ca so that the Food Bank can purchase items they are low on, if they can find them.
The Burlington Food Bank has gone to a delivery model, and ask that anyone in need of assistance email their name address and phone number to
info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 and they will make arrangements to have both non-perishables and perishables delivered to the door.
Be cautious, live safely and PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE!
Aldershot Food Collection Committee
PR - Connie Price, Partnering Aldershot, cepriceless@gmail.com
Transportation - Jim Young, Ward 1 ECoB, jyoung101@cogeco.ca
Facility - Grace Wilbur, St. Matthews’ Outreach Chair, graciewilbur@gmail.com
Distribution – Robin Bailey, Burlington Food Bank, r.bailey@burlingtonfoodbank.ca
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BURLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY -
FREE Books – Movies – TV Shows—Online, All the Time
Use Burlington Public Library online, anytime, anywhere. Find 1000s of free eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies, and TV shows to download or stream:
bpl.on.ca/resources.
Our branches are closed until further notice, but we are open online to serve your library needs. Visit
bpl.on.ca for helpful information: activities for kids at home, community support services during the COVID-19 outbreak, eBooks booklists, library closure updates.
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PLEASE NOTE:
The following Aldershot Community Service Groups are closed/suspended services for the time being:
- Aldershot Lions Club Garage Sales
- Next Door Social Space
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Local Boards & Community Involvement
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In addition to serving as Ward 1 City and Regional Councillor, I have the opportunity to sit on a few other local boards and committees:
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Royal Botanical Gardens Board
As a member of the Board of Directors for Ward 1's own Royal Botanical Gardens, I meet with a team of dedicated individuals, aimed at serving Burlington and beyond.
We meet roughly every 3 months, with the Annual General Meeting occurring in June.
For more information on the Royal Botanical Gardens, please visit
www.rbg.ca
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Tourism Burlington Board
Tourism Burlington is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who represent various sectors of the Tourism, Industry and Business sectors in the City of Burlington. The Board meets September to November and February to May on the 3rd Thursday of the month, with the Annual General Meeting held in May of each year.
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Aldershot Village BIA (Business Improvement Area)
The Aldershot Village BIA identifies Aldershot as a distinct community for shopping, dining and for doing business. The BIA contributes to a variety of initiatives including the completion of a full interchange at Waterdown Road and revitalization and development along the Plains Road corridor.
The BIA partners with several other Aldershot groups including the Aldershot Community Honour Roll, Plains Road Village Vision Group, Partnering Aldershot, Alderfest Community Festival and others to build support for approximately 250 retailers and service professionals.
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I have committed to sharing frequent updates via social media channels. I would love to connect with you there to be able to share day to day information. If there are specific items you would like me to address, send me a note!
You can find me at the links below. If you would like to pick up a paper copy of this newsletter, copies are available at The Fitness Firm, 15 Plains Rd. West, or Aldershot BIA office 193 Plains Rd E Unit 6. We can also mail a copy to you - to request please call my office at 905-335-7600 x7863 or email
ward1@burlington.ca
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In compliance with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, recipients of this newsletter may unsubscribe at any time. Please feel free to forward this newsletter on to friends, family, neighbours and colleagues so that they can sign up as well.
Please add kelvin.galbraith@burlington.ca to your address book so that this correspondence will be sure to arrive in your inbox.
As always, you can contact my office at any time through email, telephone, social media or by attending neighbourhood and public open house meetings.
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City of Burlington & Region of Halton
Ward 1 Councillor
905-335-7600 x7587
fax: 905-335-7881
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