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Dear Residents,
The holiday season is almost here and even though it's starting to get cooler, it's still a great time to get out and explore some of our trail systems and enjoy some winter fun!
We are going to have a busy few weeks of meetings as Council still has a number of topics to discuss and vote on before we break for the holidays. One of the hot topics this year has been Coyotes and this will be discussed on November 29th at 9.30 am. The staff report on a Vacant Housing Tax is on the same meeting and the Lobbyist Registry will be discussed on Dec 7th.
The controversial Highway 413 will be on the Council agenda on Dec 14th at 1pm.
Further details on each topic is included in the below sections and public participation is always welcome and encouraged.
This month's survey is about the Lobbyist Registry and a Vacant Homes Tax. You might want to read those sections of this newsletter prior to taking the November Survey below.
I hope you find some topics of interest and as always please feel free to reach out if you require any assistance.
Regards
Karen Rea
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I want to thank everyone that submitted comments about RV/Boat parking in the first survey! All comments were copied into a document and provided to staff for their review. |
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The survey is going to be open for two weeks. Please participate! |
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If you would like to submit comments on any topic that is on the agenda, you can send an email to clerkspublic@markham.ca as a written deputation; or you can make a virtual deputation by completing an online
Request to Speak Form or by emailing the clerks department. |
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Vacant Home Tax - Motion
City staff is reporting back on a vacant home tax and will be debated and voted at our general committee meeting on November 29th at 9.30 am. Here is a link to the Agenda.
The goal of a vacant home tax is to change the behaviours of homeowners who leave their homes unoccupied, compelling them to sell or rent them out to increase the housing supply or pay a tax to keep them vacant.
This will help increase the housing supply, which means people will actually live in what used to be a vacant home. If owners do not want to rent or sell their properties, the vacant homes tax that will be collected could contribute to an affordable housing strategy.
The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) supports a vacant home tax on unoccupied homes with exemptions. Here is a link to a Media Release.
A number of other municipalities or regions are now looking at a vacant home tax: York, Peel , Halton, Hamilton and Mississauga. Both the City of Toronto and the City of Ottawa have recently approved a vacant home tax.
Community support would be appreciated on this topic. You can send an email to clerkspublic@markham.ca for a written deputation or you can make an in person deputation via zoom by completing an online Request to Speak Form.
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A Lobbyist Registry has been a topic at Council since 2010 and no decision has ever been made. Having a registry is just another level of accountability and transparency for local government by allowing the public to better understand who is meeting, and when they are meeting, with elected officials and senior staff. Today, there are registry platforms available at a minimal cost that the City could implement. |
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Other municipalities and regions that have a Lobbyist Registry include: Brampton, Hamilton, Peel, Ottawa, Toronto and Vaughan. Councillor McAlpine and I met with a vendor that offers a platform for less than $10,000 per year for an "off the shelf" solution. Cost is no longer a factor or can be an excuse on why we do not want a registration and disclosure system.
The staff report will be discussed at our general committee meeting on Dec 7th at 9.30 am.
Community support would be appreciated via email or by making a virtual deputation. |
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Hwy 413
Regional Councillor Jones and Councillor Usman moved a motion for City Council not to support the building of Hwy 413. The motion was deferred to allow MTO to come to our meeting to answer questions and provide more information. This meeting took place on Monday Nov 22nd: Presentation.
Many questions remained unanswered.
Residents and groups continue to oppose construction that routes through environmentally sensitive lands. There are numerous articles about the highway but worth the read is certainly a report from the Ministry's own website (see link below).
The Minister of Transportation appointed an Advisory Panel to conduct a strategic assessment of the GTAW project and the below link will take you to the executive summary.
Ministry of Transportation has removed the content from their website but the report is still available at the below link from an archive service:
https://web.archive.org/web/20190730060355/http:/www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/gta-west-report/executive-summary.shtml
The motion will be debated and voted on Dec 14th at 1pm at our Council meeting.
Public participation is encouraged.
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Ice rinks
The City is constructing and will be maintaining five new unrefrigerated ice rinks for residents to enjoy this winter pending weather conditions. Locations are at Huntington Park, Victoria Square Park, Milliken Mills Park, Markham Museum, and Milne Dam Park. A flag system at each location will signal when the ice is safe to use. Onsite parking is available at all locations.
Together with the Markham Civic Centre outdoor refrigerated ice rink, these other locations will provide easier access to residents in all parts of Markham, and offer safer and professionally maintained skating experiences.
Ponds
A friendly reminder to stay off Markham’s ponds, stormwater ponds and waterways as the ice is unsafe and not maintained for recreation purposes. Ponds may contain salt from nearby roads and other debris, which can speed up thawing. The ice may appear thick, but it is unpredictable and some areas may have little to no ice even in cold weather.
Stay safe and stay off natural ice.
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Construction Hours - Noise
Please be advised that the City of Markham noise regulations are now reinstated.
The operation of any equipment connected with construction is only allowed between Monday and Friday 7am to 7pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm. Construction noise is prohibited Sundays & all Statutory Holidays. This includes home renovations and the replacement of a roof.
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Overnight Parking & Parking Permits
Effective November 15th, the maximum parking exemption to be given is one night at a time, weather permitting. All parking on all City streets is prohibited during snow clearing operations. Existing parking permits and overnight exemptions held by residents are not valid during snow clearing operations. Residents can expect snow clearing to begin at the start of any snowfall and continue for up to the next 24 hours.
No Parking On Street With Snow Removal
Between November 15 and April 15, you can only park on the ODD numbered side of the street (unless existing parking signs state otherwise). However, all parking (even permitted parking) on all streets is not allowed during a snowstorm or snow clearing operations (snow falling or up to 24 hours after). Our plows cannot effectively plow the streets when cars are on the road and can also make access by firefighters and emergency personnel very difficult.
You could receive a $150.00 ticket for interfering with our snow removal process.
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C o m m u n i t y N e w s |
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Markham Fire Burn Facility
Council and staff were in attendance to see a demonstration at our new fire training facility.
The new burn facility was designed in house by fire staff to simulate actual fires found in the City of Markham. The 1600 square foot single floor building provides a great simulation of the types of fires that occur in homes in Markham, complete with two burn locations, movable walls and furniture. This building will allow our firefighters to practice fire attack, search and rescue and a number of other lifesaving skills. The unit burns straw and wood to provide realistic fire behaviour and high heat in a safe environment. Plans to add additional levels will be developed as training progresses. This facility was built with funding from the provincial government through a fire safety grant.
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Gypsy Moths Update
During the winter months you will see City staff on local roads, parks, and City facilities where there has been a high infestation of LDD moths (Lymantria dispar dispar; commonly known as gypsy moths) in past years. City staff will be vacuuming egg masses off City trees to try and limit the infestation in 2022. Each mass contains up to 1000 eggs and removing the egg masses will reduce the number of hatched caterpillars in the spring.
Please inspect your own trees and remove and dispose of the egg masses to further limit the potential infestation in the spring.
If your City tree still has tape or burlap wrapped around the trunk please remove the wrap, as it is ineffective until caterpillars re-appear in the spring.
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Visit YourVoiceMarkham.ca to learn about great projects our staff are working on! Consider joining the conversation by registering on the site or sign-up to follow specific projects that interest you. Share your ideas and opinions! |
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We need your input! Join us to discuss diversity in Markham. Get involved now by completing our community survey accessed from the website. Make your concerns, needs and vision for the City of Markham known.
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Markham Food Bank Needs our Help
The Markham Food Bank has seen a great increase in the number of families using the food bank during the pandemic. Help our community members in need during these challenging times.
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Help to change the lives of homeless and at risk youth in York Region!
Participate in the monthly 50/50 lottery! Don't forget to get your tickets... who knows you could be the next big winner!
There are monthly 50/50 draws.
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If you have any municipal inquiry, please send an email to customerservice@markham.ca or call 905.477.5530. Our staff can investigate and address your concerns. |
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