City Update eNewsletter

Thanksgiving closures
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and loved ones and give thanks. Please be advised that the City of Vaughan's municipal offices and facilities will be closed for the statutory holiday on Monday, Oct. 14. For a full list of closures, please visit vaughan.ca.

Plan and Practise Your Escape
It's Fire Prevention Week and a great time to practise your home escape plan so everyone knows what to do when the fire alarm sounds. Your plan should identify all possible exits, including doors and windows, from every room in your home and a meeting spot outside. For more tips on fire prevention and how to plan for an emergency, visit vaughan.ca/fire.

A groundbreaking collaboration puts healthcare in Vaughan at the forefront
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Vaughan, the City is leading a collaboration to transform an 82-acre parcel of land at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive into the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Wednesday, Oct. 2 between the City of Vaughan, York University, Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB to identify transformational opportunities to maximize the best use of lands surrounding the site of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital through a feasibility study. Read the news release to learn more.

Run, jump and play at Vaughan's newest park!
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council invite the community to celebrate the official opening of Woodgate Pines Park, located at 60 Woodgate Pines Dr., on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Shoot some hoops, climb on the junior and senior playgrounds, pick up a game of soccer or rest in the shaded seating area. This event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments and entertainment. This park project is consistent with Council's priorities to promote active, safe and diverse communities. More at vaughan.ca/events

The future is bright for the City of Vaughan's streetlights 
Vaughan is taking steps to reduce energy use and costs to residents and businesses by changing approximately 20,000 streetlights to LED technology through the City-wide LED Streetlight Retrofit Program. This project reflects the City's commitment to environmental stewardship by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving roadway safety for pedestrians and drivers. The project will begin by the end of October 2019. Visit vaughan.ca/LEDStreetlights for more information.

National Coffee with a Firefighter Day 
On Monday, Oct. 21, fire services from across Canada will be at select McDonald's locations to meet, talk with and educate citizens about everything from fire prevention to the fire profession. Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service with be at the McDonald's locations at 3140 Rutherford Rd. and 2810 Major Mackenzie Dr. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come out to learn something new and get to know the firefighters in your community.

Vaughan Remembers - Attend the 2019 Remembrance Day exhibit and event
The City of Vaughan's annual Remembrance Day event is on Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at Vaughan City Hall. It will launch the commemorative Remembrance Day exhibit that pays respect to the brave men and women who fought to save others. The community is invited to pay tribute to those who risked and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others and share thoughts of remembrance on the City Hall Poppy Wall. Event and exhibit details can be found at vaughan.ca/archives .

The City of Vaughan's schedule of meetings calendar has changed
The City of Vaughan's Committee and Council Meeting structure and schedule has changed. The changes will ensure better, more responsive, timely and effective government decision-making and continued access to Committee and Council.The Committee and Council Meeting changes are part of delivering continued inclusive, transparent and accountable decision-making which is a priority in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. For more information and the updated schedule, visit vaughan.ca/council/minutes_agendas.

Vaughan Playschool
Is your preschooler ready for kindergarten? Vaughan Playschool programs create a positive play-based learning environment and build a strong foundation that helps prepare preschoolers for kindergarten. The experienced instructors know that playing is learning, so programming is taught in a fun and exciting (yet educational!) way that keeps children engaged. Register now for the fall session.

Purchase your visitor parking permits online
Is your home the gathering place for all your friends and family this Thanksgiving? The City of Vaughan is making it easier for you to accommodate your guests for all of your celebrations. Visit vaughan.ca/parking to purchase your visitor parking permits online.

Listen to the Vaughan Rising Podcast - the City's first podcast series
The Vaughan Rising Podcast series continues! Vaughan is the commercial real estate market to watch. Big developments, a business-friendly environment and a bold approach to city-building are creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses and residents. Host Michelle Samson, City of Vaughan Economic Development Officer, takes a deep-dive into Vaughan's most exciting projects with the leaders making this city the place to be. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and at vaughan.ca/podcasts.

Development charge online estimation tool
Citizens and business owners can now use an online tool to receive an estimate of development charges that could apply when creating new residential units or non-residential spaces or changing the use of existing industrial spaces. The estimation tool does not consider applicable credits or area-specific rates at this time. Visit vaughan.ca/DevelopmentCharges for more information and to access the tool.

The City of Vaughan recognizes Small Business Week
The City of Vaughan is celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation and businesses across the city during Small Business Week, taking place from Tuesday, Oct. 22 to Thursday, Oct. 24. Connect and network with like-minded business owners and entrepreneurs through the many programs and events being offered throughout the week. Eight different events will be offered exploring the realms of digital media, finance, law and technology as they relate to entrepreneurship and starting or owning your own business. For more details and to register, visit vaughan.ca/BusinessEvents

Attend a public forum and have your say!
The City of Vaughan is undertaking a review of its current policy that governs the rights and responsibilities of ratepayer groups or community associations. This type of group is an organization formed by residents in a defined area who come together to address matters impacting their neighbourhoods. The public is invited to learn more about the policy review and provide input on the existing policy at a public forum on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall in the Multi-Purpose Room. Visit vaughan.ca/ratepayer to register.

Share your experience with parking in the Kleinburg Village
The City of Vaughan is working to develop a parking management strategy to address parking needs in the Kleinburg Village. Kleinburg is one of Vaughan's premier commercial neighbourhoods with a charming residential community at its core. It is also a destination for thousands of visitors. Limited public parking is recognized as a significant challenge. The public is invited to join the conversation and take our online survey to help shape the future of parking in the village. Visit vaughan.ca/KleinburgParking to participate in the survey.

Provide feedback on the planning application process
The City of Vaughan is updating its policies for pre-consultation and complete submission requirements for planning applications in response to several changes in Provincial and Regional policy. Attend a Public Hearing at Vaughan City Hall on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. to comment on the proposed changes. Visit the City's Official Plan page for more information.

Overflowing blue box? 
Did you know you can upgrade to a larger container? The City of Vaughan accepts up to 121 litre/32-gallon containers for recycling. You can purchase one at your local home improvement store. For health and safety reasons, containers with attached lids and wheels cannot be used. And remember, there is no limit to the number of recycling bins you can put out. For more information on blue box recycling, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

City of Vaughan recognized for its Citizen Service Standards
The City of Vaughan has received the 2019 E.A. Danby - Certificate of Merit (in the Municipal Administration Category for municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more) from the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) for the City's Citizen Service Standards. These standards give staff the tools to deliver services in a clear, consistent and professional way whether in person, over the phone, by email or online. The standards reflect Vaughan's commitment to enhance Citizen Experience, which is a priority in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

City of Vaughan recognized for its excellence in Procurement services 
The City of Vaughan received the 2019 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute for an astounding second consecutive year. This award recognizes organizations that excel in innovation, professionalism, electronic procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function. This recognition acknowledges that the City of Vaughan is using best practices to guarantee fiscal sustainability and credibility, while at the same time safeguarding investments for the quality of public services that residents, visitors, and businesses rely on each day. The honour is another testament to Vaughan's commitment to delivering exceptional citizen experience as outlined by the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

PA Day Camps
Looking for a fun way to pass the PA Day? Vaughan Recreation Services is hosting PA Day Camps where your kids will enjoy a day of activities, including games, sports, arts and crafts, cooking and special events. Learn more and register at vaughan.ca/RecOnline.

Cook with care this Thanksgiving
Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to pay special attention when cooking for their Thanksgiving celebrations. In Ontario, cooking is the number one cause of fires, so be sure to keep flammable items away from the stove, drink responsibly and remain in the kitchen while cooking. For more information on fire prevention, visit vaughan.ca/fire .

facingNORTH: art | symbol | story art exhibition 
The City of Vaughan is featuring a curated exhibition titled facingNORTH: art | symbol | story. The exhibition is now featured in the on the SLATE Atrium Gallery at Vaughan City Hall until Tuesday, Dec. 24. It includes stone and bone sculptures and wall hangings that interpret traditional Inuit legends, myths and ways of life. Visit vaughan.ca/art for more details.
Watermain replacement on Clark Avenue West between Bathurst and Yonge streets
The City of Vaughan is replacing an important watermain to continue to provide safe and reliable drinking water to the residents and businesses of Vaughan. Construction has commenced to the road and surrounding area of Clark Avenue West between Bathurst and Yonge streets and is expected to be completed in fall 2019. Please expect intermittent eastbound and westbound lane closures and possible delays. The City asks for patience as this project is completed for the benefit of the community. For more information about the project (PDF), visit vaughan.ca/DisruptionsAndClosures.
viva Bus Rapid Transit Segment Opens Three Months Ahead of Schedule on Highway 7 in Richmond Hill and Vaughan

A 2.6-kilometre segment of viva bus rapid transit (rapidway) along Highway 7, from Bathurst Street to Richmond Hill Centre Terminal has opened early.
This marks a significant milestone in the design, build and finance project to deliver 12.6 kilometres of rapidway with 10 new stations along Highway 7 (from Bruce Street to Edgeley Boulevard), and from Centre Street to Yonge Street along the existing Viva route across Centre Street and up Bathurst Street. As part of the overall project, a special feature for cyclists and pedestrians will be a protected multi-use path that runs in the centre of the roadway on the bridge over Highway 400, between the rapidway lanes which will open by the end of 2019.

For project updates, visit vivaNext.com.

Major Mackenzie Drive Humber River bridge construction

York Region is making improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive from Highway 50 to Highway 400 in the city of Vaughan. Construction is already underway to accommodate growth, improve traffic flow, and provide public transit connections and more travel options for all -- including the bridge over the Humber River. To learn more about this project, including images on what the bridge will look like, read York Region's full update.
Writers' Room
Join amateur writers in overcoming the challenges of writing every month at the Civic Centre Resource Library. Each session will focus on different elements of writing like plot, character and prose style.
Research Superstars
Learn how to use Vaughan Public Libraries' online resources to take your research to the next level. Parents and children will receive step-by-step instructions and hands-on experience on how to locate and navigate resources. This is available at Maple Library on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. for children ages eight to 12 years old who are accompanied by a parent.


Multilingual Storytime
Introduce your child to new languages through songs, stories and rhymes at the Bathurst Clark Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library. This is a fully bilingual program. No prior knowledge of a second language is required. Visit Vaughan Public Libraries' website for more details.

The Learning Series: Service Canada
Service Canada will be at Bathurst Clark Resource Library on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. to answer all your questions about retirement benefits, death benefits, Old Age Security entitlement and more.

Visit our  online event calendar f or a full list of upcoming events.
Woodbridge Village Farmers Market
Visit the Woodbridge Village Farmers Market this fall! It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until Oct. 12 with fresh local food, crafts for kids and more. 

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings at Vaughan City Hall



Committee of the Whole Public Hearing
Monday, Oct. 7
Vaughan City Hall, Council Chamber
7 p.m.

For a list of meetings while Council is in recess, please visit vaughan.ca/ council.


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