October 25 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
|
|
While I am sure that congratulations are NOT in order, today Ontario has set a one day record for new COVID-19 cases. Below you will find a new report specific to Markham outlining the case data in the City.
November 1st at 2am will be the time to set our clocks back, perhaps for the last time, as there is a movement afoot to end the traditional "Spring forward Fall back" routine. I've been reminded by our Markham Fire staff to replace the batteries in smoke detectors. In addition, if they are more than 10 years old, replace the whole detector. I didn't realize that smoke detectors could deteriorate over time, rendering them useless. Last year I replaced mine with the 10 year battery type so no more changing batteries for me. It's a small price to pay for your family's safety.
I noticed that, just in time for heating season, the cost of natural gas has gone up. There is a mesmerizing number of components that make up the cost of gas to consumers. The City has no control over gas prices. That is the jurisdiction of the Ontario Energy Board. For more information about understanding natural gas rates can be found at enbridgegas.com/rates or by calling 1.877.362.7434.
I am so pleased that even during the pandemic our faithful resident associations continue to keep a watchful eye on municipal matters. This week the Grandview Area Residents Association (GARA) will be holding their virtual AGM. I'm looking forward to attending with Keith Irish, local Ward 1 Thornhill Councillor.
We hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!
|
|
In this issue
- Don't Forget to Fall Back
- Flu Shot Information
- Water Pumping Station Upgrades
- Opening a Daycare
- Experience the YR Survey
- Have a Safe Halloween
- Pumpkin Parade
- Be Aware of Coyotes
- YRBiz Recovery Series
- New YRT Route in Box Grove
- GARA AGM This Week
- Alectra: New Rate Options
- New IESO Project
- MGA Workshops
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
|
Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest. |
Looking for more information?
Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
|
|
|
Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
|
|
Next weekend may perhaps be the last time we "fall back" if the talk about scrapping the twice a year routine of springing forward and falling back becomes a reality.
As a reminder, it is also a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and to change the batteries.
|
|
It’s a different flu season. Reducing the spread of the flu is more important than ever. Protect yourself and the people around you from the flu and help reduce the strain on health care systems currently responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is easier than ever to get your flu shot. This year you can get the flu shot at:
- Health care providers’ offices
- Medical walk-in clinics
- Participating pharmacies that will now also have access to the high-dose flu vaccine for seniors 65+
- Some workplace clinics
- York Region Public Health Immunization Clinics between October 2020 and January 2021. York Region Public Health is limiting these flu clinics to:
- children aged 6 months – 4 years of age
- those with no OHIP coverage
- seniors aged 65+
You are encouraged to get your flu shot from your healthcare provider, local pharmacy or walk-in clinic. There will be a clinic in Markham, if you meet the criteria noted above, on October 29 - more information here. If you require any assistance, please call 1.877.464.9675 x73456.
|
|
York Region will be continuing work in Thornhill to make improvements to the Bayview Water Pumping Station located at 8171 Bayview Avenue. The work will extend the life of the pumping station and support the continued supply of safe, quality drinking water.
What you can expect:
- Bayview Avenue will remain open to traffic with periodic lane restrictions
- Access to all homes and buildings will be maintained
- There is no impact to your water or wastewater services
- Construction will be limited to the pumping station, however there may be an increase in construction related traffic
- There will be some construction related noise and dust, though every effort to minimize this will be made
- As with all construction projects, some work may be re-scheduled due to weather or other conditions
These types of upgrades are important to maintain York Region's clean, safe, reliable drinking water which is used by more than 1.3 million people. This water is distributed through a network of 344km of watermains throughout the Region.
|
|
 |
Do you enjoy working with children? Do you want to provide quality child care in your home? If you’re thinking of becoming a licensed home child care provider in York Region, join the Region's online information session on November 4 - details.
|
|
|
|
Are you a business owner in the tourism, arts and culture industry? Experience York Region wants to know how to best support you and your business over the coming months in response to COVID-19. Take this short survey to help with future campaigns to assist you.
|
|
|
|
The Province has announced that traditional door to door trick or treating is not recommended in areas under Modified Stage 2 restrictions which includes Markham and the all of York Region.
To make sure ghosts and goblins of all ages can still enjoy this haunting holiday, look for different ways to have fun and celebrate safely with members of your household. Learn more about how to have a safe spooky season. 🎃
|
|
Heintzman House is celebrating Halloween with a virtual Pumpkin Parade on November 1. Display your Halloween spirit and community pride as you see local carved pumpkin creations as they parade across your screen.
Everyone is welcome to participate. Post a picture or video of your best carved pumpkin using #HHPumpkinParade and @heintzmanhouse or send an email to info@theheintzmanhouse.ca. Entries will be accepted from October 30 to November 1. Join the fun for a chance to win a prize - more information here.
Please note that Heintzman House will be closed on Halloween Night.
|
|
York Region has received reports of Vaughan residents being bitten by coyotes. While these recent reports haven't been in Markham, there have been previous reports of coyotes in Markham and this is a good reminder to be aware. Keep pets leashed and stay away from coyotes. Call Animal Control or 911, if you see aggressive or sick coyotes. If bitten, get medical help and call Public Health 1.800.361.5653 - more information.
|
|
Join the next session of the YRBiz Recovery series which will provide a new perspective on using digital technologies to grow your business. This session will take place over Zoom on Thursday October 29 and discuss resources available to help small businesses with their digital transformation and provide insights on how to choose which one is right for your business.
More information including registration - here. |
|
On Monday November 2, YRT is introducing the new Route 305. This new express route connects the community of Box Grove to the Finch Go Bus terminal - more details here. |
|
AGM Reminder
If you live in the Grandview area of Thornhill, bordered by Yonge, Bayview, Steeles and the CN Railway line, be sure to join their Annual General Meeting Wednesday October 28 at 7:30pm via Zoom. More information about the meeting can be found on their website thornhillgara.com.
The GARA AGM's guest speaker will be Michael Killingsworth, Markham's Deputy City Clerk for Bylaw Enforcement. Michael will be speaking about city bylaws that deal with issues such as noisy parties, tree removal, parking, basement apartments, short-term rentals and COVID-19 enforcement. All participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
As the meeting is being held virtually, you will need to let GARA know that you are planning to attend so they can send you the necessary sign-in information. Participation is painless and you don't even need to find a place to park!
|
|
Beginning October 13, residential and small business customers can submit a request to switch from Time-of-Use to Tiered Pricing for electricity usage after October 31. More information can be found here.
Use the Ontario Energy Board bill calculator to see what your total bill would look like with new November 1 Time-of-Use and Tiered prices. We did the calculation for our home, it is very easy to do and showed that it is best for our home to stay on Time-of-Use pricing.
Choose the rate option that's right for you. The best rate plan for you will depend on your electricity consumption patterns. The difference is not likely to be more than a few dollars per month, but we do want to help you make the best choice possible. A few tips:
- If you have an electric vehicle which you charge at home overnight, Time-of-Use rates may be best for you, because you’ll be able to take advantage of the off-peak rate.
- If you live in a smaller home and don’t typically use a lot of electricity (less than 700 kilowatt-hours per month), choosing Tiered rates may lower your total bill, because you won’t consume enough to hit the threshold for the higher rate.
Use the tools to help you make an informed choice. Try out the Ontario Energy Board bill calculator to see what your total bill would look like with new the November 1 Time-of-Use and Tiered prices - more information.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Alectra has made it a priority to support their customers during this challenging time. They are focused on delivering relief programs that have been put in place to aid customers who may be having a difficult time paying their electricity bills. The eligibility criteria for these programs has changed. Applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP), which provides one-time payments to customers who have incurred any electricity bill debt during the pandemic, can be found here. The CEAP for Small Business fund is also available for eligible businesses who have had to temporarily cease operations due to the pandemic. Applications for the CEAP-SB can be found here. Details on all assistance programs to help customers manage their electricity bills can be found here.
|
|
Alectra Utilities is designing and demonstrating the first local energy market in Canada. The project will allow the energy resources of their customers to compete in providing grid services while also operating directly with the provincial wholesale energy market.
Registration closes October 28, 2020. You must register in order to participate in the Local Capacity Auction that takes place in November.
|
|
Join the Markham Group of Artists for their upcoming Zoom workshops. You will need drawing supplies or an iPad or drawing tablet. A mirror or photos of people you would like to draw are optional. A Zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration. Please reach out to MGA with any questions at markhamartists@gmail.com.
-
Figure Drawing - October 28 from 7-9pm - Learn to draw the human body or practice skills you already have - details.
-
Portraiture - November 4 from 7-9pm - Learn to draw the human face or practice skills you already have - details.
Plein Air Inspirations is MGA's current art show and is available online until November 14. MGA's first year of Plein Air painting was a resounding success! After weeks of isolation, it was a joy for local artists to meet safely, enjoy nature and stretch their creative muscles. MGA is celebrating this popular new initiative with an online art show featuring the wonderful work from this year's outdoor sessions. Artists were out and about in various locations in Markham painting the lovely scenes. Have a look for yourself and see if you can recognize any of the locations in their online art show.
|
|
NEW! - Markham COVID-19 Report |
|
These Markham specific COVID-19 details are provided by MFES
and the City of Markham Executive Leadership Team.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here. |
|
On October 19, the Province implemented Modified Stage 2 restrictions in York Region.
For a minimum of 28 days, residents and businesses in York Region will experience a series of closures and limitations which aim to address the increasing rise in cases of COVID-19 in our community - more information.
|
|
Upcoming Meetings
-
October 26 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
-
October 27 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
-
November 2 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
-
November 3 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
-
November 4 - Housing York - 9am - details
-
November 5 - YR Committee of the Whole Meeting - 9am - details
-
November 6 - Budget Committee Meeting - 9am - details
-
November 9 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
-
November 10 - Budget Committee Meeting - 9am - details
-
November 10 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
-
November 12 - Water & Waste Water Rate Public Mtg - 6:30pm - details
-
November 13 - Budget Committee Meeting - 9am - details
All meetings are now being conducted electronically and Council members along with staff are participating remotely. All facilities remain closed. As always, members of the public are encouraged to participate in these meetings. Written deputations can be sent by email to clerkspublic@markham.ca. If you would like to make a virtual deputation you can register here or phone the Clerk's office at 905-477-7000 x3638. All meetings can be viewed online by clicking the details noted above.
|
|
York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here. Details of upcoming YR meetings and past session is available here.
|
|
Community Meetings and Events
As new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.
- Markham Public Art Summit - Tuesday weekly to December 8 - details
- Grandview Area Residents Association AGM - October 28 - details
-
MBT After 4 Networking - October 29 at 4pm - details
-
Main Street Unionville Walking Tours - Sundays until November 8 - details
-
Union Villa Golden Gala - November 4 to 6 - details
- Markham Housing Summit - November 18 at 9am - further details TBA
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
|
|
Working together to make Markham better! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
