May 2 2021
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Attack of the Green Slime
I had a bit of a scare last week when a resident sent me a picture of green slime located in a creek that runs through Unionville. It turns out that it was an environmentally friendly dye that is used in the City's ongoing downspout water drainage detection program. Eavetroughs must drain to lawn and garden areas not into the sanitary sewers so dye is used to check.
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In spite of contrary opinions, golf courses, tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts and some other outdoor amenities remain closed. One Ontario golf course that has remained open is facing a potential $10 million fine, if convicted.
On the COVID-19 front, things continue to change very quickly. New age restrictions, more hot spot postal codes, supply concerns, issues with the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, pop up clinics and more make checking york.ca/covid19vaccine a must.
I would like to wish all of our Orthodox celebrants a very Happy Easter!
The Yonge North Subway Extension situation continues to evolve with Vaughan Council recently coming out in support of a route that only tunnels under Yonge Street, NOT under houses. Contact Councillor Keith Irish for more information.
We'll be talking about the new relocated Ford-Lincoln dealership coming to Kennedy Road and Highway 7 at tomorrow's DSC meeting. Join us!
Stay positive - test negative.
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In this issue
- COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Restrictions Continue
- Emergency Preparedness Week
- Gypsy Moths
- Thornhill Flood Info Meeting
- Ward 3 Monthly Update
- Subway Update
- Update from Metrolinx
- Transplant Shock
- Spring Safety Reminder
- Other Items
- Markham COVID-19 Report
- YR COVID-19 Dashboard
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
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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.
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Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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Vaccines continue to be administered by appointment only and walk-in appointments are not available. Appointments continue to be limited by vaccine supply. It is important to remember as we all try to secure our COVID-19 vaccines that the first vaccine available is the best vaccine.
At time of writing, the following people are eligible to book an appointment: more detail here:
- clinics for 55 years of age and older and other currently eligible groups with some exceptions
- clinics for 40 years of age and older through pharmacies and select clinics
- hot spot clinics for 45 years of age and older who live in L0J, L3S, L3T, L4B, L4E, L4H, L4J, L4K, L4L, L6A, L6B, L6C, L6E
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hot spot clinics for 35 years of age and older who live in L3S, L4K, L4L, L4J, L4H, L6A
- clinics for Childcare and Special Education staff who live or work in York Region
- clinics for highest or high risk conditions including pregnancy
- second dose appointments for transplant recipients and some cancer patients
Appointment availability and eligibility ranges across clinic locations as York Region continues to use a local prioritization model to help with the rapid decrease in case counts. Carefully review the "who can book" details to ensure you are selecting the clinic most appropriate for you - details here.
Should you need help booking an appointment, please call the number listed under each clinic location. The details also note what vaccine is being used at each clinic.
For questions about eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, call Access York at 1.877.464.9675. For questions about whether the vaccine is right for you, speak with your family doctor or primary care provider.
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- As more vaccines become available appointments will be added. New appointments can become available on the same day. If you are looking to book an appointment check york.ca/covid19vaccine often.
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Vaccine Hunters have been very active in tracking down availability of vaccines, especially AstraZeneca, typically on short notice.
- This week a couple of young men developed a new tool where you send text with your postal code to 1.833.356.1683 and the details of the closest vaccination centre is returned to you. More information here.
- Looking for more information about vaccinations? The most up to date information can be found at york.ca/covid19vaccine.
- Do you have a confirmed COVID-19 vaccine appointment but have already received your vaccine elsewhere? PLEASE cancel your appointment so someone else who needs it can book. Check your confirmation email or contact the clinic where you booked to cancel.
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The current State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order continue until May 21 in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 variants and to protect hospital ICU capacity while vaccinations continue.
Stay home, stay safe. Limit interactions with those outside your household. More information about current public health guidelines, restrictions and closures can be found online at markham.ca/covid19 and york.ca/covid19.
As always should you require any assistance, please reach out to the City's Contact Centre. Please also remember that your local Ward Councillor is also available to assist if you don't know where to turn.
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If the last year has taught us anything, we all need to be ready to face the unexpected.
Are you and your family ready?
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Gypsy moths are an invasive species that are attacking the urban forest in many areas of Markham.
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This week Ward 1 Councillor, Keith Irish, will host a virtual meeting about the Thornhill Flood Remediation improvements for West Thornhill Phase 3B and Phase 4A Construction Community Information Meeting on Wednesday May 5 from 7pm to 9pm.
Meeting details:
The Phase 3B (2021-22) work will affect Johnson Street, St. Andres Court, Ida Street, Dove Lane and Wiarton Court.
The Phase 4A (2021-22) work will affect portions of Royal Orchard Blvd., Kirk Drive, Knotty Pine Trail, Blue Spruce Lane and Augusta Court.
The work is scheduled to begin in May 2021 and be completed in Fall 2022.
Representatives from the City of Markham and the consultant will be present at the meeting to answer questions and discuss next steps. If you require more information please contact Paul Ahn, Manager, Infrastructure Capital Delivery at 416.899.6293 or email PAhn@markham.ca.
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There are a number of big projects that are currently working their way through the approval process at Council that Reid highlights in this latest update.
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Last week, Markham Council held a special Development Services meeting on April 26 - details of the meeting can be found here.
Opposition continues to grow against Metrolinx's Option 3 plan to tunnel the subway under homes in the Royal Orchard neighbourhood in Thornhill. More information can be found in this recent article.
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Got questions? Join us at our next Virtual Open House on May 5
The Yonge North Subway Extension will transform the way people move around York Region and travel to and from downtown Toronto. The project will reduce commute times by up to 22 minutes and bring the subway closer to the people who will live in the centre of vibrant new communities in heart of York Region in the coming years, curbing traffic congestion as those burgeoning neighbourhoods grow.
As Metrolinx brings big transit benefits to communities in York Region and Toronto that will be impossible to ignore, there’s a strong focus on how to design and build a subway that fits right in.
Click here to read more on how noise and vibration concerns will be handled.
Past Virtual Open House Meetings
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April 7 - Royal Orchard community - As promised, we've provided answers to questions we received from our event. Visit Metrolinx Engage to read more and watch the live recording.
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April 21 - Richmond Hill community - Visit Metrolinx Engage to watch the live recording. Outstanding questions will be posted soon.
Community input is essential to the work we do and we are eager to connect with you throughout the life of the project so that you can share your feedback with us. As we prepare a new environmental assessment for the project, we’re planning a series of virtual public events so that we can collect your input and include it in our planning wherever possible.
Read more about how community insights will guide the route ahead.
Upcoming Virtual Open House - Metrolinx will be hosting a Virtual Open House for residents in northern York Region municipalities who would like to ask questions and learn more about the Yonge North Subway Extension.
We’ll share the latest plans for the project and discuss the new travel options that will open up through the new subway extension, as well as the travel time savings and offsets to traffic congestion that will come from having more convenient ways to get around. Residents can register for the event, submit and vote on questions now through our dedicated page.
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Recently planted trees can undergo a period of stress called transplant shock. There are some easy steps you can take to help your tree recover and thrive. Learn more in the article from LEAF.
It is also a great time to check out LEAF's Plant a Tree program and help Markham residents add new native trees to your property at a reduced cost - learn more. |
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As more and more residents are getting outside to get some exercise and enjoy the spring weather, we all need to remember the safety rules we learned in school. Do you remember Elmer the Safety Elephant? Do they still have Elmer in school now?
I received a question earlier this week from Donna, a DME reader, about where e-bikes and e-scooters can and should be used. There doesn't appear to be a clear cut answer. Here is my reply to Donna's email and what I have been able to find out so far.
Thanks for your email. I have been in touch with our City Transportation Manager and the Region of York’s Transportation Manager and your request for clarification surrounding e-scooters and e-bikes is not going to be easy for me to provide. The reason for it not being easy to provide you a clear answer at this time is that the Province, Region and City are all involved. The Province has delegated some authority to the City and Region and they are not yet on the same page on the matter. Until they complete their consultations and produce a final report, we are in a state of flux.
Certainly part of the problem is defining each of the items that are being brought out to the marketplace by manufacturers. There are e-scooters and e-bikes of various sizes, dimensions and power. In the old days there were unicycles (not many), bicycles (even if tandem they still only had 2 wheels) and tricycles. Little kids scooters had 2 wheels and were self propelled. There were motorized vehicles (gasoline or diesel powered cars-trucks-motorcycles) but no such thing as e-bikes or e-scooters.
So the City and Region are working together to decide where these new items fit in the transportation network.
Right now - Unicycles, kid sized bicycles (those with smaller wheels), kiddie sized self propelled scooters, are allowed on City sidewalks. Larger bicycles are technically not allowed on sidewalks but the City does not enforce that rule. Even if they did the fine is only $2.
E-scooters are not allowed on City roads, bike lanes or sidewalks but are permitted currently on trails. The City and Region are working on deciding whether to allow e-scooters to use these transportation corridors.
E-bikes are allowed where regular self powered bikes are permitted i.e. roads, bike lanes and trails.
People however, use their various devices wherever they feel safe to do so. I completely agree that some do so to the detriment of others and themselves and education will be needed to make the corridors safe for all who use them. For now, please be cautious and aware of your surroundings as the City-Region formulate their policy.
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Other items
The City of Markham's Virtual Assistant celebrates its 1 year anniversary. This innovative use of AI technology is helping to keep the community safe. Learn more
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May 8th is a day for our fine feathered friends as it is World Migratory Bird Day as the awe-inspiring journeys of migratory birds is celebrated. 🐦
Learn what you can do to help these long distance travellers complete their journey safely. Learn more and join one of the fun virtual programs for the event. |
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There are quite a few new projects working their way through the approval process. In addition to other projects mentioned above in the DME, here are some updates:
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It highlights recent arrests and violations in the area as well as details on crime prevention tips and more - read it here.
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The Markham Group of Artist are celebrating their 40th year in our community and they continue to inspire, create and flourish even during COVID-19. They have continue to adapt their shows and workshop to this new online world we are all living in. Here is a sampling of their current shows and more information on upcoming events can be found on their website.
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Opening May 3: Viewpoints Online Art Show - We are currently experiencing a generational shift in personal, cultural and professional roles and who better than artists to capture the movement, trauma, and inspiration of these shifts? Viewpoints are not only about perspectives, but also the times and places in which we experience transition; the moments we pivot and reground in new realities or remember what we’ve left behind. See how MGA artists have captured these shifts over the past year in our online Viewpoints show. The show opens on Monday and perhaps a piece would make a great Mother’s Day gift.
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Markham Arts Council to Showcase MGA Artists - Mark your calendars for Tuesday May 4 starting at 10am when you can view a showcase of MGA artists as part of the Markham Arts Council 2021 Arts and Cultural Heritage Celebrations - click here to view the show which runs from May 1-31. Join the celebration of art and culture in Markham.
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- Mental health in the workplace during COVID-19 - May 19 at 3pm - details
- After 4 Networking on Zoom - May 27 at 4pm - details
- Wondering what to have for dinner? How about ordering take-out from a MBT member. Check out their menus here.
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Spring is here, colourful flowers and trees are blooming, local produce is starting to grow and the York Region Food Network continues to offer its programming. Here is just a sampling:
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YRFN Lunch Table - all about cornbread - May 12 at 11am - details
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"Nourishing York Region: Using Food to build strong, resilient communities" - May 17th at 12noon - details
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Good Food Box - the next order deadline is May 12 for pick up on May 19
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Like everything else, it has been reimagined for our COVID reality and it has gone virtual for this year. 🎨
Visit the art show here. 🎨 |
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The Markham Youth Expo continues until May 7. Every year Markham along with other municipalities across Canada celebrate youth in our communities.
✔️ Family-friendly drop-in activities
✔️ Mayor’s Youth Awards
✔️ Connect with other youth
Join the City's biggest virtual youth festival - learn more.
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Have you seen Kiwi? Markham Bylaw has sent out a note that Animal Services is looking for Kiwi a green cheeked conure who was last spotted near Sophia Road in Markham.
She is all green with a grey head and has a red band on her right foot. Please contact Animal Services at 905.415.7531 if you spot Kiwi.
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City of Markham Parks Horticulture Team has been busy at work as they have prepared all these beautiful and colourful planters to be placed around the City. 🌼
A few more warm days and you will be able to spot these planters around Main Street Markham, Unionville, Yonge Street, Cathedral High Street or Bur Oak Avenue. Keep an eye out for them. 🌼
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as of April 30, 2021 at 2pm - click title or on chart for full report
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and the City of Markham Executive Leadership Team.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here. |
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York Region's COVID-19 dashboard now includes suspect and confirmed cases in schools. The interactive dashboard is updated seven days a week at 5pm and provides detailed information about COVID-19 in York Region including a breakdown of specific Markham data. Details can be found at york.ca/covid19data.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here. |
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Upcoming Meetings
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May 3 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
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May 4 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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May 6 - YR Special Council Meeting - 9 am - details
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May 10 - General Committee - 9:30am - details
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May 11 - Special Development Services Meeting - 9am - details
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May 11 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
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May 12 - Accessibility Committee - 4pm - details
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May 13 - YR Committee of the Whole - 9am - details
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May 20 - YR Special Council Meeting - 9am - details
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May 25 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
- May 26 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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May 27 - YR Council Meeting - 9am - details
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May 31 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - 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.
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York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here. Details of upcoming YR meetings and past sessions are available here.
York Region Council Highlight from April can be found here.
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Community Meetings and Events
- Celebrate Youth Week - May 1 to 7 - details
- Unionville Residents Association meeting - May 3 at 7pm - details
- Thornhill Flood Control Community Info Meeting - May 5 at 7pm - details
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Jane's Walk - May 7 to 9 - details
- MBT - Mental health in the workplace during C-19 - May 19 - details
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MBT After 4 Networking on Zoom - May 27 at 4pm - details
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Unionville Residents Association meeting - June 7 at 7pm - details
- MBT After 4 Networking on Zoom - June 24 at 4pm - details
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
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Working together to make Markham better! |
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