January 5 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Happy 2020!
We are off and running now that the New Year is here.
On the negative side there seems to be no getting through to those that like to drink (or use cannabis) and drive. Unfortunately, on New Year's Eve there was a
tragic collision at 9th Line and Elgin Mills Road between an innocent driver (who died) and an allegedly drunk driver (who lived). I believe we need to make the penalties far stiffer for those convicted of these types of offences.
Markham Unionville MP Bob Saroya will be bringing his Private Member Crime Bill forward in Federal Parliament in 2020. He would welcome your input at
bob.saroya@parl.gc.ca or his local office at 905.470.2024.
On a more positive note, there are many activities open to residents over the coming months. Check the extensive list compiled below. Get outside and enjoy our winter!
If you are going away on vacation, be sure to let a trusted neighbour know so that they can keep an eye on your property. There are break-ins occurring in Markham so be aware - details can be found
here on the YRP site. Also don't leave your car running or it might not be there when you return and make certain to lock your car doors even when parked in your driveway.
If your kids are looking for summer employment with the City or York Region, check below for how to submit an application. Time is running out to apply!
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In this issue
- 2019 - A Year in Review
- Recycle Your Christmas Tree
- Special Transportation Meeting
- January is Crime Stoppers Month
- Future Meeting and Events
-
YorkSafe
- York Region Matters
- Well Done Paramedics!
- Emergency Shelter
- Last Call - Student Summer Jobs
- Artist in Residence
- Roundabouts
- York Region Budget
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Can You Fix My Lawn?
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Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
Make sure you are on the list for future updates.
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Looking for more information?
Any of the
blue text,
blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
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Click here
to read the last edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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2019 Year in Review
This was a special year for the City of Markham. We
passed our budget, opened and dedicated a series of beautiful new parks and public spaces, completed the latest phase of the Rouge Valley trail and bridge over Milne Dam and made significant progress on our number one transit priority, the Yonge North Subway Extension.
A review and update of our
City's Strategic Plan was initiated with a series of workshops and public consultations. We also made headlines across the country for the successful launch of our
Smart City initiative and partnership with IBM and Bell Canada.
In May,
Innovation Month provided us the opportunity to celebrate our technology sector, alongside General Motors, IBM Canada, AMD and VentureLAB. There is no doubt that Markham is at the heart of Canada's innovation economy and we are well positioned for future investment opportunities in the years to come.
In September, we celebrated the
225th anniversary of our City's founding by William Berczy and the early settlers, with a wonderful program of events and festivities at Applefest. Next year, we will officially celebrate the first William Berczy Day on the August Civic holiday - Monday August 3rd 2020. Also at Applefest this year, the main exhibit hall at the Markham Museum was renamed to honour the late John Lunau which was a fitting legacy for Markham's first official historian. Markham's motto is "
Leading While Remembering" and although we are at the forefront of innovation, we never lose sight of our past and always honour those that came before us.
Here are some additional highlights from the year:
- As Canada’s High-Tech Capital we’re proud to have received the 2019 Silver Leaf IABC award for communications excellence related to the Markham Municipal Election - details
- Markham was proud to be named one of the Smart21 Communities of 2020 by Intelligent Communities. This recognition demonstrates Markham as a leader in digital and smart city technologies.
- Every year on July 1st Canada Day, we celebrate the True North Strong and Free with a full day of programming that unites us all as Canadians pictures
- This summer, an innovative and green approach to flood control was announced which will transform the Don Mills Channel back to its natural state, reducing annual flood damage - details
- We introduced the Lendery at the Milliken Mills Library. By borrowing instead of buying, we are cutting down consumption and waste.
- In September, the Flato Markham Theatre got a fresh new look. The new logo illustrates the progress and leadership that Flato Markham Theatre offers to the arts in the GTA - details
- Doors Open Markham unlocked the stories behind 25 of Markham’s architectural, cultural spaces and diverse experiences.
- In late October, 225 Bur Oak trees, the City's official tree, were planted in Milne Dam Park to commemorate Markham’s 225th Anniversary - details
- Main Street Markham was lined with 40 Veterans’ Memorial Banners in November to commemorate and honour our heroes - details
- The Varley Gallery Unionville won Exhibition of the Year Award at the Ontario Art Galleries Awards in 2019. Congratulations to the Varley being recognized two years in a row for their commitment to culture and the arts - details
- Markham Fire and Emergency Services was the proud recipient of 360 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms from Project Zero through Enbridge Gas. These alarms will be donated to individuals in need within our community - details.
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Markham will recycle your real Christmas tree into mulch that gets used in parks and gardens around the City.
To avoid being missed, have your tree at the curb by 7am on your collection day between January 7 and January 17:
- leave your tree unwrapped
- remove all decorations, tinsel, lights, wires and stand
- make sure that it's loose and not frozen to the ground or buried in snow
- place it on level ground near the curb and not on a snowbank
For more information or to check your collection date -
click here
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On January 22 starting at 9am, the City will host a special Development Service Committee meeting focusing on transportation. This workshop will not only focus on 16th Avenue but other road widening ideas that are being proposed for Markham. The guest speaker will be
Ian Lockwood
, a livable transportation engineer, who specializes in active transportation, place-making and helping cities through collaborative planning, design and engineering. Like many other municipalities, Markham is faced with ever increasing congestion. This workshop is open to the public to discuss and learn about transportation issues that we are all facing. There will also be staff
from York Region in attendance. Details of this special meeting can be found
here
York Region has reviewed possible changes to 16th Avenue in Markham which include widening the road to six lanes to accommodate transit and HOV lanes, adding cycling and pedestrian facilities, streetscaping and adding paved shoulders. More details
here
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The reporting system for YorkSafe is being updated and as a result the data from inspections may not be available through this process. Once available the details can be found
here
.
To view all locations in York Region and to find out if they have had a YorkSafe violation, click
here.
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York Regional Council recognized January as Crime Stoppers Month in York Region. Since its inception in 1986
Crime Stoppers of York Region
has achieved 3,000 arrests and 7,400 charges laid. More than $130 million of property and illegal drugs have been seized.
Crime Stoppers of York Region is part of an international organization that involves the public in the arrest of criminals through anonymous tips and rewards. In addition to their tips lines, Crime Stoppers offers other community based programs. Learn more
here
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Is your community group planning upcoming meetings or events in 2020? Please send me the details and I would be happy to highlight the specifics in a future edition of the DME and note the event in the Community Meetings and Events section that appears at the bottom of every edition.
As an example next Monday, the Unionville Villagers Association is hosting their first meeting of 2020 at the Unionville Train Station. The meeting will feature Kimberly Dunsmoor from the City's Recycling and Environmental Department.
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The York Region
Winter 2019/2020
edition of
York Region Matters
will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Among the stories included in this edition is York Region’s new dental program for seniors, York Region Transit updates and ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover.
Help make
York Region Matters
better
-
Complete the survey
for a chance to win a $50 gift card to your favourite York Region shopping mall.
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For the 15th year,
York Paramedics
volunteered to deliver toys and blankets to both kids and seniors in the 3 York Region hospitals including Markham Stouffville Hospital.
Thank you to everyone for supporting this wonderful tradition especially Paramedic Helen who coordinates and organizes the event!
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With icy temperatures becoming a regular occurrence for the next few months, shelter is available for those in need. If someone is outside and in need of shelter, you can contact emergency housing or seasonal shelter providers to get them help.
Resources are also available for anyone fleeing an abusive situation.
Information
about
York Region emergency housing facilities can be found
here.
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Last call as most applications for student summer jobs need to be submitted this week. While it may seem early, this is the time to apply.
There are a variety of positions available at both the Region and the City.
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The
Varley Gallery has recently announced the Community Artist in Residence for 2020. Congratulations to Annie Wong, a writer and multidisciplinary artist working in performance and installation.
More information about the CAIR and this year's recipient can be found
here.
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As there are more roundabouts showing up on our roads, it is a good time for a quick review as unfortunately I've seen some drivers trying to take a short cut and go the wrong way.
A roundabout is a circular intersection without stop signs or traffic signals. Traffic moves counter-clockwise around a central island. Roundabouts offer the benefits of continuous traffic flow, lower travel speeds and fewer collisions. They can cost less to operate and maintain and reduce emissions, when compared to traffic signals.
- Make sure to yield to emergency vehicles and never stop inside the roundabout. If you have not yet entered the roundabout, pull over to the right. If you are in the roundabout, proceed to your intended exit before pulling over to the right to allow the emergency vehicle to pass you.
- Make sure to give large vehicles plenty of room to navigate within the roundabout.
- Pedestrians should never cross to the central island of the roundabout and always wait for gaps in traffic and only cross when it is safe to do so.
- Experienced cyclists may ride through the roundabout with motorists while less experienced cyclists should dismount and walk their bicycles, following the pedestrian rules.
When approaching a roundabout:
- Slow down and watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists when approaching the yield line at the entrance of the roundabout
- Stay in your lane
- Always yield to traffic in the roundabout
- Wait for a safe gap in the traffic, remember that motorists already in the roundabout have the right-of-way
When entering a roundabout:
- Look for pedestrians crossing, approaching cyclists and motorists
- Yield and stop for pedestrians
- Enter when there is enough space in the roundabout
- Travel counter-clockwise, keep to the right of the central island
- Always signal lane changes
- When in the roundabout do not stop – keep moving
When exiting a roundabout:
- Use your right turn signal before exiting
- Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
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York Regional Council has approved a budget of $3.3 billion for 2020, the second year of a four-year budget coinciding with the current term of Council.
The 2020 budget includes a net tax levy increase of 2.96%. This includes 1.7% to support Regional services and a further 1.26% in additional reserve contributions for future infrastructure. The total increase corresponds with the endorsed outlook from the 2019 budget which corresponds to an average increase of $75 for the York Region average assessed residential property value of $750,000. More information on the 2020 budget can be found
here
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Highlights of the most recent Regional Council meeting can be found
here.
A calendar of York Region meetings and other information is available
here.
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Community Meetings and Events
All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at
Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
. Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.
The calendar of York Region meetings is available
here.
You can listen to meetings on line. The details from past meetings are available online.
- Upcoming Markham Public Library Events - here
- Upcoming Varley Gallery Events - here
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to
dhamilton@markham.ca
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If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
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Question: The sidewalk plow has just torn up my lawn when it cleared the snow. Will the City fix my lawn?
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Answer: In the spring once the snow has finished, contact your
local Councillor and they will make arrangements with the Operations Department to have your lawn patched. Nothing will be done now and the repairs can't be made until the sod is available once the nicer weather is here.
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Working together to make Markham better!
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