July 11 2021
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
|
|
Film Studio Coming to Markham 🎬
Through another MZO (Minister's Zoning Order) the City of Markham supported a speedy rezoning of land in the 19th Avenue and Woodbine Avenue area to allow for a film studio and related office space. While this project will bring many employment opportunities to this area, many members of Council continue to question the need for and use of MZO's.
Everything seems to be progressing quite well on the COVID-19 front as more people continue to receive their first and second doses of the vaccine. There seem to be new variants popping up every week so don't let your guard down. It is important to note that you aren't considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after your second dose.
Although June usually signals an end to Markham Council meetings, we continue to work into the summer months. York Region Council however is not meeting over the summer but will resume in September. If you have an issue, your Council members are always available by email.
We certainly wish our local athletes well in the coming Tokyo Olympic Games. I'm "pulling" for our local Unionville resident Gabrielle Smith. GO Gabby GO!
Thank you to all who subscribe to the DME. We always welcome new subscribers so please tell your friends and colleagues about the DME.
Have an enjoyable week!
|
|
In this issue
- Vaccinated Yet?
- Taking the Next Step!
- Protect the Urban Canopy
- Markham Bike Tours
- Tokyo Bound
- Recycle Old Electronics
- MPL Reopening
- Wild in the City
- Zoning Review
- Summer Walks in YRF
- Single Use Survey
- Have You Seen It?
- What's in the Water?
- Calling All Bat Lovers
- Free Art Therapy for Seniors
- Markham Jazz Festival
- Other Items
- Markham COVID-19 Report
- YR COVID-19 Dashboard
- 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.
|
|
Vaccine appointments are available for individuals 12+ who live, work or go to school in York Region and are looking to book their first dose or an accelerated second dose - more information here.
|
|
Starting Monday July 12, York Region Public Health will be accepting walk-in appointments at the clinics noted for individuals 12+ looking to receive their first vaccine dose. Second doses will continue to be by appointment only.
Vaccinations are the best shot to ending COVID-19 and protecting the community. If you haven't received your COVID-19 vaccination yet and are eligible, make time to get your shot at york.ca/covid19vaccine. |
|
Should you need help booking an appointment here are some suggestions:
- check out the york.ca/covid19vaccine page and call the number for the clinic where you are trying to get an appointment
-
PinkCars and Markham and Stouffville Vaccinates are two community based groups that are helping residents book vaccination appointments and arrange rides to the clinics
- currently available vaccines can be viewed in real time at vaccine-gta.ca to assist in obtaining an appointment.
-
Vaccine Hunters have also been very active in tracking down vaccine availability on short notice.
All COVID-19 vaccines provide sustained, substantial protection approximately 14 days following the first dose. A second dose offers a stronger, more sustained level of protection against COVID-19 and variants. If you haven't already received both your doses in order to be fully vaccinated, book an appointment today at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine.
|
|
As public health measures continue to improve and vaccination rates continue to climb the Province will move to Step 3 on the Roadmap to Reopen at 12:01am on Friday July 16.
What Can I Do in Step 3? Step Three on the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people. Face coverings will still be required indoors (and certain outdoor situations too) along with physical distancing. Here are some of the highlights:
- outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions
- indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people
- indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted with physical distancing
- indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect
- indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 per cent capacity of the indoor space
- essential and non-essential retail with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres
-
a full list can be found here
Please continue to adhere to all current public health measures, even after you receive your vaccination, to ensure the safety of all members of our community. Learn more about what is permitted in Step 3 at york.ca/preventcovid19 and markham.ca/covid19.
|
|
Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD) aka Gypsy Moth has infested parts of Markham and in some cases trees have been eaten bare and have no leaves. Caterpillars tend to only feed and damage trees in June and July. You can help combat the infestation on yard trees by using burlap banding from now until August.
The caterpillar stage of the LDD lifecycle is almost over. Trees may produce a new set of leaves but may also store the energy to set buds for next year’s leaves. It is unlikely that the tree is dead. Even if all of the leaves are gone it is important to water the trees on your property to provide them with the energy to grow new leaves. Learn more at markham.ca/lddmoth or york.ca/lddmoth.
|
|
Join the City of Markham’s Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Markham Cycling Tours 2021 to get active, roll out and discover cycling around the City this summer.
Until August 15, enjoy neighbourhood cycling tours, pick-up a free children’s bicycle decoration kit and get simple bike repairs done for free. Share photos of your riding adventures on social media using #MkmCycling21. Along the way, find and scan specially-marked tour signs to unlock augmented reality experiences for a chance to win prizes.
Stay active, experience Markham's open spaces and trail network by taking any or all of six cycling tours:
Also Markham Cycles Pop-Up Community and Bike Repair Booths are back. Drop by various locations on specific dates and the Markham Cycles team will provide complimentary simple repairs and quick fixes.
|
|
With 15 of the athletes named to-date competing in the Olympics’ 33 sports and 400 events, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is very much Markham’s Games.
The City of Markham wishes all athletes connected to Markham competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games the best of luck as they go for gold:
|
|
Athletics
Badminton
Badminton
Badminton
Badminton
|
|
Badminton
Badminton
Football (Soccer)
Rowing
Rugby
|
|
Table Tennis
Swimming
Swimming
Swimming
Swimming
|
|
Residents are also encouraged to get in the Olympic spirit and cheer on our local athletes competing on the world stage - read more.
In a previous edition of the DME, I highlighted Olympic rower Gabrielle Smith of Unionville. Gabby along with her Women's Double partner Jessica Selvick have a podcast - Listen to Science, Strength and Steel - Canada Rowing from Row Row Tokyo in Podcasts. Listen here
|
|
 |
Drop off your old electronics on Saturday July 17
from 10am to 4pm.
|
|
|
|
Most specifically they are looking for input on their spaces that are used for study, work or meeting.
|
|
|
|
Urban coyote sightings are on the rise. There is no need to panic as long as you give them their space.
Learn helpful tips on living harmoniously with coyotes. Learn more - watch here. |
|
The City of Markham has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Zoning By-laws and existing zoning framework - details here.
An Information Report, Draft Zoning By-law and Presentation was included on the June 7 agenda of the Development Services Committee meeting. The report notes that staff will host three non-statutory Public Open Houses Community Information Meetings throughout July. These meetings will be held virtually via zoom video conference. The intent of these meetings is to provide additional information and field questions from the public. The dates and themes of these meetings are as follows:
-
Meeting #1 (Residential Areas) - Tuesday July 20
- Session 1 - 11am to 12:30pm
- Session 2 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm
-
Meeting #2 (Mixed Use, Employment and Other Non-Residential Areas) - Thursday July 22 at 6:30pm to 8:30pm
-
Meeting #3 (Residential and General Interest) - Tuesday July 27 at 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Pre-registration is required to attend any of the above meetings - register now.
|
|
|
Spending time outside is good for your body and mind.
Discover one of the many trails found in the
|
|
|
|
York Region is building a strategy to address single-use items. As a first step, YR wants to learn more about how and why these items are used.
|
|
|
|
There's a new exhibit in the courtyard of the Varley Gallery this summer. Have you noticed it?
|
|
Unusual colour, smell, thickness, yellow powder, green clumps, oily sheen, foam—not all of these substances floating in the water are pollution.
Learn more about odd looking water that you might see in local ponds and streams. It isn't always pollution and can be naturally occurring. This article from TRCA provides more information - read more.
|
|
Join the Friends of the Rouge for a webinar presented by Neighbourhood Bat Watch and Willis Bat Lab on Wednesday July 14 from 1pm to 2pm.
Learn about the research that Willis Bat Lab is undertaking to better understand and protect bats - register here.
|
|
The Markham Arts Council's next series of free art therapy sessions are coming up soon! There will be six more sessions this month. Led by registered art therapists, these workshops are great for well-being and will leave you feeling inspired.
|
|
The 24th edition of the Markham Jazz Festival will run in its traditional time slot on the third weekend in August. They have put together a terrific lineup of award winning Canadian musicians.
As it stands now, the event will be a streaming broadcast from 7 pm Friday August 20 to 5 pm Sunday August 22.
This year's event is a bridge to 2022 when they’ll celebrate their 25th anniversary and bring people back together again to share the joy of live music. More detail can be found on their website - markhamjazzfestival.com.
|
|
Other items
Celebrate Markham at 50 this summer by exploring the City.
Visit markham.ca/Markham50 for things to see and do. Make sure to check back regularly as new ideas are added throughout the summer. |
|
The following roads will be closed:
-
Cornell Rouge Boulevard from William Forster Road to John Allan Cameron Street will be closed from July 12 to July 16 for sewer and manhole connection work
-
Reesor Road between Elgin Mills Road East and 19th Avenue on July 19 and 20 for culvert replacement work.
Any questions about these closures may be emailed to OCS@markham.ca or call 905.475.4714.
There will another road closure north of Markham on McCowan Road from Stouffville Road to Bethesda Road to replace a culvert from July 12 to July 26. Details of the closure can be found here. |
|
Volunteer Markham has just released their July newsletter. This edition highlights volunteerism in Markham some recently posted opportunities for you to get involved in the community.
Volunteer Markham helps build a stronger, more thoughtful community through innovative programs that inspire, inform, and connect volunteers with the organizations that need them.
|
|
One of the nicest and easiest things you can do to support local businesses is to leave a positive online review or make a nice comment on your own social media accounts - read more.
The power of a positive review goes a long way. For more information on how you can support local businesses visit york.ca/shoplocal. |
|
Learn All About Trees in an upcoming webinar series (August 10, 12, 17 and 19) hosted by LEAF. Discover over 35 tree species found throughout the GTA in this 4 part series. Learn how to identify different tree species, explore their history and significance and discover new ways to support the urban forest. Learn more
|
|
If you’re ready to shape our future transportation network, register for the Transportation Master Plan update virtual meeting on July 15. Learn more at york.ca/TMP.
Lauren Crawford, YR Manager of Transportation Long-Term Planning, explains the TMP in this video and why it’s important to get involved in the update.
|
|
|
|
York Region is looking for your input as they update the Sewer Use Bylaw.
To learn more about the Bylaw, current updates and provide your feedback by July 18 - click here.
|
|
|
|
The Markham Board of Trade has free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits available to Markham businesses with under 150 employees.
More information about this program can be found here. |
|
|
|
Join Mille the Butterfly and friends as they teach you how to bake, make and get creative. Also have fun this summer with Millie’s Summer Fun Kit brought to you by the Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival.
|
|
Calling all musicians! 🎵🎵
Are you interested in a paid gig on Main Street Unionville this summer? Apply to perform for Music on the Streets! Honorariums $$$ are offered.
|
|
Bicycle Lending Library is back. You can borrow a bicycle and other bike related accessories to take home with you using any York Region Library Card.
Bikes and items can be returned at any time only at Markham Village Library. More information can be found here.
|
|
York Region Transit's interactive 2020 Annual Report highlights the last year and features videos, animations and interactive maps displaying completed and future rapid transit infrastructure.
|
|
York Region Public Health is inviting business owners to upcoming COVID-19 workplace webinars. The next event in the Making the Workspace Safer series will take place on July 20 and will discuss how to prevent COVID-19 infection in the workplace.
More information is available here including links to previous webinars. |
|
as of July 9 2021 at 12:30pm - click title or on chart for full report.
|
|
and the City of Markham Executive Leadership Team.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here.
You may also want to have a look at York Region's COVID-19 dashboard. The interactive dashboard has moved to a 5 day a week reporting model and provides detailed information about COVID-19 in York Region including a breakdown of specific Markham data at york.ca/covid19data. |
|
Upcoming Meetings
-
July 12 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
-
July 13 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
-
July 14 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
- Upcoming Markham Committee Meetings - 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 sessions are available here.
|
|
|
Community Meetings and Events
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
|
|
Working together to make Markham better! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
