We're Responding to You - City of Burlington · We're Responding to You » Page 6. It’s a summer full of activity at Burlington Public Library Doc* Side (June 17 to Aug. 26); Exam

News from Your Municipal Government

Spring 2014

2014 Construction Projects: » Page 24

Get on the Voters' List » Page 23

Staff Profile: Bruce Laing » Page 5

We're Responding to You » Page 6

It’s a summer full of activity at Burlington Public Library

Doc* Side (June 17 to Aug. 26); Exam Cram Study Hall (June 18 to 25); One Book One Burlington 2014 Reveal (June 25) and more.

Enjoy some great summer activities

Strawberry Social by the Lake: July 1 Joseph Brant Day Festival: August 2 Japanese Culture Day: August 24www.museumsofburlington.com >> www.bpl.on.ca

Ride the Community Connection. Tell us What You Think.The Community Connection Route 300 runs twice a week.

Like our regular Burlington Transit service, the Community Connection Route 300 is fully accessible and features regular fares and transfers. This service travels mid-day when roads are less busy. The smaller vehicles allow for drop-off at the entrance doors of malls and community centres.

What do you think of the Community Connection? Let us know.

Complete an online survey at www.burington.ca/transit, send an email message to [email protected]. To respond by telephone or mail, contact Burlington Transit Customer Service at 905-639-0550.

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New Tower of Joseph Brant Hospital Opens in 2018

News from Burlington City Council

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In This Issue

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Burlington and Itabashi, Japan, Celebrate 25 Years of Twinning

Staff Profile: Bruce Laing

City Changes How it Plans for, Delivers and Monitors City Services

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City of Burlington, Ontario CityBurlington

Burlington Parks & Rec Burl_ParksRec

Burlington Youth Voice burl_youthvoice

Making Local Government More Responsive Than Ever 6

2014 Road Construction Projects

Share Your Insight: Join Burlington's Online Community

Spring 2014

If you have suggestions about articles that you would like to see in upcoming issues of City Talk, please send them to us at [email protected] or call 905-335-7600, ext. 7841.

City Talk is produced by the City of Burlington.

Contact: Communications Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7841 Fax: 905-335-7675

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: 426 Brant St. P.O. Box 5013 Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6

To learn which ward you live in...Visit www.burlington.ca

City Talk can be viewed on our website at www.burlington.ca.

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27City Endorses Burlington's First Community Energy Plan

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Burlington and Itabashi, Japan Celebrate 25 Years of TwinningThe City of Burlington and the City of Itabashi, Japan, are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the twinning agreement signed in 1989 by Burlington Mayor Roly Bird and Itabashi Mayor Keizo Kurihara. The agreement was to “foster mutual understanding in such areas as culture, education, politics, history, recreation, sport, business industry and service.”

Over the past 25 years, this twinning has helped shape the City of Burlington. From student exchange programs to the iconic cherry trees in Spencer Smith Park, many residents have benefited from the relationship with Itabashi. This relationship has grown through regular visits, official delegations, gift exchanges and festivals and events.

Significant events throughout the 25-year relationship have included a visit from, and performance by, the Burlington Teen Tour Band and the annual Sakura Festival in honour of the cherry tree blossoms. An annual donation by Japanese philanthropist Taroo Enomoto has amounted to more than $30,000 in support to Burlington charities, in addition to the Enomoto Rhododendron Garden at Paletta Lakefront Park.

The City of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee and the City of Itabashi are responsible for the accomplishments of the past 25 years. Their efforts have showcased Japanese culture to the citizens of Burlington and Canadian culture to the citizens of Itabashi, offering an opportunity for citizens in both cities to share in great memories, such as fireworks, naming ceremonies and contributions to the shaping of both cities.

www.burlington.ca/mund

Former mayors Roly Bird, Burlington, and Keizo Kurihara, Itabashi, sign the twinning agreement for Burlington and Itabashi, Japan, in January 1990.

Many events are planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the twinning of Burlington and Itabashi in 2014:

May 14 to 25 25th Anniversary trip to Itabashi and tour of Japan

Month of June City declares June as Itabashi Month

June 9 to July 9 School art exchange at the Burlington Art Centre

June 12 to 15 An official delegation from Itabashi, Japan visits Burlington. The Itabashi Flag is raised at City Hall

June 13 Itabashi art and armor exhibit opening at the Burlington Art Centre

June 17 and 18 The Burlington Footnotes performance at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre

July 27 to Aug. 8 ESL (English as a second language) exchange students from Itabashi, Japan, visit Burlington

Sept. 20 Ikebana (flower arranging) demonstration at Burlington Public Library – Central Branch

Oct. 6 Sushi making demonstration at Burlington Public Library – Central Branch

Oct. 25 Shodo (calligraphy) demonstration at Burlington Public Library – Central Branch

Nov. 29 E-tegami seminar (picture cards) at Burlington Public Library – Central Branch

5City Talk | Spring 2014

27-year Fire Captain Bruce Laing is tough to forget.

For 16 years now, Burlington Fire Captain Bruce Laing has received an annual Christmas card from a family he rescued from a farmhouse on Christmas Eve after their chimney caught fire.

He also got a letter of thanks from an elderly woman who suffered from cancer and severe arthritis. He had helped her into a hospital bed in her home after receiving a 911 call that the she was in extreme pain and could not move.

Bruce appreciates the gratitude that people express for his sacrifices and those of his fellow firefighters.

Bruce would tell you that the work of a firefighter is sometimes dangerous, and sometimes heart-wrenching. There is death, grief and tragedy.

But there is also satisfaction. A 27-year veteran of the Burlington Fire Department, Bruce says he loves his job, and helping people in emergency situations. He enjoys

interacting with the public and sharing camaraderie with his fellow firefighters.

Bruce began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1976 in Lake Louise, Alta., and in Whistler, B.C. He had a full-time job in maintenance at a local hotel, and volunteered for the fire department in his spare time. For two-and-a-half years in Whistler, he lived at the fire station, getting free room and board in exchange for responding to emergency calls.

In the mid 1980s, the Milton native wanted to come home to be with his family. He applied to fire departments and was hired in Burlington. He’s been here ever since, working his way up to the rank of captain.

Bruce gave blood 200 times

Bruce also works part-time as a certified home inspector, a job he intends to continue after retiring from the fire department this year. He is a blood donor, and has given blood more than 200 times since the age of 16. Bruce is carrying on a family tradition: As a teenager, he and his brother helped their dad with blood donor clinics.

Bruce says giving blood is a passion, and that he will never stop doing it. He encourages everyone to give blood, even if they do not believe they are eligible.

Bruce’s altruism in his volunteer work and career choice has paid off with what some might consider good karma. In 1998, he and his wife were living in a three-storey townhouse, which was a challenge for his wife, Marietta, who had health-related mobility issues.

His wife called him in tears one day. He thought maybe their dog had been struck by a car. Instead, they had won a home lottery, and were able to build a custom bungalow for Marietta with the proceeds.

As Bruce prepares to retire, he has many plans that include volunteer work and travel, including a visit to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.

With all those adventures coming soon, Bruce is sure to keep giving to the community, whether it’s blood donations or his time. Burlington will remember all the work Bruce has done to make this a better place to be.

Staff Profile: Bruce Laing Fire Captain, Burlington Fire Department

The City has launched an online service request and mobile application that makes it easier for people to identify, report and track service requests in Burlington. Potholes requests were the first type of maintenance request the City accepted.

The City has added traffic and pedestrian signal repair; traffic and street sign repair; and street light maintenance to the list. The City’s website will feature a service request map that displays all of these repairs and their status. Visit www.burlington.ca and click on “I Want To…” to find the options. (Online graffiti reporting will be available in June.)

The new application is part of the City’s increased online customer service through the ongoing e-Government program.

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City Changes How it Plans for, Delivers and Monitors City ServicesAs part of our efforts to keep Burlington one of the best places to live in Canada, the City is making major changes to the way it plans for, delivers and monitors the services provided to the community.

Governments are increasingly being called upon to make difficult decisions among competing priorities and to deliver and demonstrate value in the services they provide.

The aim of the changes underway is to have the City operate more like a business, with the resident–or customer–at the centre of the City’s service delivery process. The bottom line is to ensure that Burlington residents get the services they need and want, as well as getting value for the tax dollars spent delivering those services.

Changing how tax dollars are invested

One of the changes is how the City will prepare and evaluate the annual budget. Instead of the existing method of allocating budgets to a broad basket of programs within each municipal department, the City is developing what’s called service-based budgeting.

There are 50 public and internal services that have been identified within the service portfolio.

Essentially, investments will be made to services such as Animal Control; Road and Sidewalk Maintenance; Winter Maintenance; Transit Service; Parks and Open Space Maintenance; Fire Protection; and Recreation.

Each service will have a specific person, identified as the service owner, who is responsible for overseeing delivery of the service.

Each year, Council, staff and the community will be able to see exactly how much money has been invested into each service and how much of that service has

www.burlington.ca/egov

Making Local Government More Responsive Than Ever

Encouraging Residents to Report Online

Responding to a request to fill a pothole are city roads and parks maintenance staff Jeff Black, Jak Santos, Chris Bedini and Tom Paglia.

Each spring, Burlington streets are dimpled with pot-shaped holes that cause inconvenience and could be hazardous.

And while the City’s roads and parks maintenance team helps keep roads safe for travel by filling potholes wherever they find them, motorists also have a role to play.

Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to report potholes online at www.burlington.ca/pothole, when it is safe to do so.

www.burlington.ca/pothole


been delivered. This will help with the difficult decisions around increasing or decreasing service levels and how much to invest in each service.

The framework for the new budgeting methodology was approved by City Council in May 2013. Staff has done much work to get the changes ready for the new budget process that will begin in 2015.

The changes taking place go far beyond simply altering the way the City’s annual budget is structured. They also look at how well the service was delivered, what impact a service has on taxpayers, and how satisfied people are with each service. The City is using Results-Based Accountability to understand the impact of services.

Ensuring that investment creates value

Results-Based Accountability is a tool developed by Mark Friedman at the U.S.-based Fiscal Policy Studies Institute to help governments measurably improve the well-being of their citizens.

The tool aligns what needs to be accomplished within the City’s broad strategic directions of vibrant neighbourhoods, prosperity and excellence in government.

Based on customers’ needs and wants, City staff will measure specific results for each service area. These measures will address the questions: “How much did we do?,” “How well did we do it?” and “Is anyone better off?” These questions will get

to the root of the amount of the services provided, how efficiently they have been delivered, and the effectiveness and value of each service.

Customer satisfaction surveys will help provide answers to the questions. The new budget and accountability process will also allow for meaningful public input into the budget process and allow City Council to make informed decisions regarding whether specific services need to be enhanced, maintained at current levels, reduced or eliminated entirely. It will also identify any new services that might be needed.

Overall, the goal is to ensure citizens are getting good value for their municipal tax dollars.

In addition to the investment into each service through the budget process, the new system will also be set up to evaluate the use of human resources, machinery and materials. Each service owner will be empowered and encouraged to determine if there are more efficient ways of delivering the service. As an example, transit routes and the frequency of bus service on particular routes can be altered, depending on the demand for services in each area of the city.

How do we keep getting better?

The third tool supporting the changes Burlington is making to service delivery involves business process management.

This tool will be used to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

The process, itself, involves a critical review of how services are being delivered, the steps in the process, what is and isn’t working, and how the service delivery can be improved or streamlined.

For example, a series of questions might be: Is it possible to make better use of technology to streamline both internal processes and to deliver services to the public? Are there gains that can be made that would benefit citizens? Can citizens be given the opportunity to have more interactions with the City online rather than waiting “in line” at City Hall? If so, can city staff then be refocused elsewhere to offer services where personal attention is really needed?

The business process management tool also allows for collaboration between service owners in areas where interests overlap. This way, different service owners can work together on a continuous improvement initiative to review the processes used to deliver a service to the community.

As an example, the service owner responsible for the Recreation service can work with the service owner responsible for the Sport service to provide enhanced alignment between the City’s recreational facilities and the organized sports programs that wish to use those facilities.

Burlington residents, City Council and staff want to be proud of their local government and the services that are delivered. All stakeholders want to be confident the City is well-managed, forward-looking and provides high-quality services that satisfy users. The changes to the service delivery process are designed to ensure that all of this happens in a planned and organized way.

Early in April, a delegation from Burlington travelled to Queen’s Park on the GO train for the day to meet with members of the Provincial government and opposition critics. The delegation included most of City Council, senior staff, and was joined, at the end of the day, by members of Team Burlington; Burlington Hydro; Joseph Brant Hospital; McMaster University; and Halton Region’s Chair Gary Carr and Regional CAO Jane MacCaskill.

Burlington MPP Jane McKenna was a great help in this initiative, arranging for the delegation to attend Question Period, including an introduction to Parliament.

The goal of this initiative was to have a deeper conversation with many of our colleagues at the Province of Ontario about how we can work together for a

sustainable, economically prosperous future for Burlington.

Today, Burlington is at a crossroads, and it will not be easy for us to continue on our current path and thrive. We want to work together to create a great model for a grow-in-place community.

After many decades of rapid growth, we are now the slowest-growing municipality in the GTA, based on Places to Grow Projections to 2031. We have virtually no greenfield residential development potential remaining. Our current and future growth will take place through intensification, infill and redevelopment. We are embracing this model as a wonderful opportunity to create more walkable, mixed-used and compact

neighbourhoods that will result in a healthier city and will preserve our natural rural assets.

“Our Growing in Place future is not simple.”

Our Growing in Place future is not simple. Our approach must be supported by strategic decisions that focus on four key objectives: we need to strengthen the city’s assessment base; we must balance residential and employment opportunities; we must manage an aging infrastructure; and we must build capacity to finance municipal services and capital expenditures.

Message from Mayor Rick Goldring

Phone: 905-335-7607

Fax: 905-335-7708


Mayor’s Assistant: Daphne Jaques

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7478


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Burlington Day at Queen’s Park

City Council members and senior staff at Queen's Park on Burlington Day.


Strengthen the City’s assessment base

Why are we concerned about the City’s tax base? Our tax revenue growth is declining. Ten years ago, we had more than three-per-cent assessment growth. Now, we are expecting growth in 2014 to be a third of what it was three years ago. If assessment growth keeps declining, the City may be forced to raise taxes above the rate of inflation. Or, the City may not be able to offer the same high level of service residents want—and deserve.

Before the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009, Burlington was averaging 800,000 square feet (74, 322 square metres) of new industrial-commercial construction. We are now averaging less than 400,000 square feet (37,161 square metres) a year, which is a 50 per-cent reduction.

Balance residential and employment opportunities

The second of the objectives is to balance residential and employment opportunities. Our job growth is dropping significantly. While our residents enjoy relatively low unemployment, they, like many people in the GTA, are travelling outside the city for employment.

Manage an aging infrastructure

Burlington also needs to manage an aging infrastructure. Infrastructure includes roads, bridges, water supply, sewers and electrical grids. We rely on infrastructure every day to function as a city. The tax base helps fund the construction, upgrade and replacement of infrastructure. As the tax base is reduced, we are less able to take care of our infrastructure needs, creating an increasing gap between what we need and what we can afford.

Build capacity to finance municipal services

Finally, Burlington needs to build capacity to finance municipal services and capital expenditures. We cannot rely on the current residential tax base to sustain our economic future.

It is these objectives that led us to seek out meetings with the Ministers of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Transportation; and Economic Development, Trade and Employment—along with their opposition critics—to highlight for them some of the challenges that we are facing in Burlington. We want to draw on our collective knowledge to both understand the complexity of these issues and to start the dialogue about how we can address our challenges together. We must be proactive in developing our partnerships with the Province.

Burlington wants to work with the Minister of Transportation to become a model for other growing-in-place communities, intensifying land use, supporting Ontario’s employment growth and encouraging alternative modes of transportation. This means that we want to partner with the Minister of Transportation and Municipal Affairs and Housing to create a made-in-Burlington response to mobility hubs (Downtown and GO stations), as described in the Big Move.

We have asked the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment to support Burlington’s efforts to promote economic prosperity, employment growth and industrial/commercial/institutional land development intensification along the City of Burlington’s employment districts—specifically, our Prosperity Corridor (QEW)—and to help us find process efficiencies that will result in a much faster approval process for development applications.

“We were extremely pleased with the meetings, and with the reception by members of all parties…”

We were extremely pleased with the meetings, and with the reception by members of all parties in the Legislature. Our biggest initial achievement from this initiative was creating the awareness of the challenges and the opportunities that exist in Burlington, and I believe we have now created a meaningful and substantive dialogue with the Province and members of the opposition.

In the days and months ahead, we will meet with senior staff from the ministries we have connected with to identify opportunities for collaboration. The real work will begin on addressing those issues.

Burlington Day gave us an opportunity to advocate on behalf of our residents to ensure a prosperous and sustainable Burlington.

Jane Jacobs said, “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

I look forward to sharing more information with the community in the future.

June 25, 2014 | 6:30 to 9 p.m. The Burlington Hive

Millennial Voices #ChatWithRick

www.burlington.ca/inspire

Mayor Rick Goldring Presents

Inspire BurlingtonEngaged • Informed • Connected

Ward 1 NewsCouncillor Rick Craven

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7587

Fax: 905-335-7881


Councillor’s Assistant: Kathi Laufman

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7863


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Leaves in TyandagaCity Council has agreed to fund a second leaf pick-up in Tyandaga. Residents have been asking for this for many years. There have always been two pick-ups south of the 403/QEW, but only one north of the highway. Now, as part of the 2014 budget, funds have been allocated for the pick-up service in Tyandaga. The additional service will start this fall.

City View Park UpdateThe implementation of the City View Park Master Plan is well underway. In 2013, the third artificial turf field and seating for approximately 1,500 spectators was constructed. This spring, there will be some finishing touches to complete this work. A maintenance building providing a base for staff to look after the park is currently under construction and will soon be ready for use. The next phase, to be done this year, includes construction of a road that connects the maintenance building to the main park area. Also, the final layer of asphalt will be added to the existing parking lots and road. The park will remain open during the construction period. As necessary, users will be directed to the south entrance and parking lots to accommodate the construction.

South Service Road in Aldershot?The idea of building a south service road in Aldershot was recently advanced as part of an application for an "industrial plan of subdivision," targeting the lands north of the tracks and south of Highway 403. This area, between Waterdown and King Roads, is expected to eventually be developed for general employment or "mixed" uses. The proposed South Service Road is part of this plan. The new application is in its very early stages and requires extensive work related to environmental questions and concerns. If a South Service Road were eventually built, it would take more pressure off Plains Road, open up these employment lands and create job opportunities for our community.

Hospital UpdateI am pleased to advise you that steady progress is being made on our new Joseph Brant Hospital. The initial phase of construction, which includes the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre and new parking garage, will be completed by summer. (This is a separate building located at the back of the hospital site). Design submissions are being received now for the main building expansion with construction scheduled to begin in 2015. The new seven-storey patient care centre

will include 172 new beds, a new emergency room, new operating rooms and a new cancer clinic. The existing building will also be fully renovated. Final site plan approvals are still required by the City. I will be hosting a neighbourhood meeting when the detailed, final drawings are available.

All construction should be completed by 2018.

Underpass Applause

Our new King Road railway underpass has won several engineering awards and has received plenty of positive feedback. It couldn’t have been done without the patience and support of all the neighbours who put up with all the disruption. The work will be completed this year with the construction of the sidewalks, a top layer of asphalt, boulevard tree planting and the remaining creek works.


Annual Aldershot Community Honour Roll Reception Thursday, May 29, 2014 7 p.m. Fernhill School For information, call 905-526-7747

Kings Road School Fun Fair Saturday, May 31, 2014

Councillor Craven’s Annual South Aldershot Public Meeting Thursday, June 5, 2014 7 p.m. St. Matthew’s Church

Mountain Equipment Co-op Road Race Saturday, June 21, 2014 9 a.m. to Noon Starts at LaSalle Park and runs along North Shore Boulevard.

Councillor Craven meeting with constituents Thursday, June 26, 2014 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart, Aldershot

Upcoming meetings and events

École Rennaissance

In recent years, I have had the pleasure of working with representatives from this French elementary school located on Lockhart Road in the west Maple area. It’s a great school that provides an important service to Burlington’s French community. We have worked through a variety of issues together. These involved such things as: the use of the green space, bus parking and security matters. I have always found the school officials to be helpful and positive. Consequently, the number of inquiries to my office from neighbours has gone down substantially. Ward 1 is proud of École Rennaissance, and I look forward to continuing a great partnership.

Ball Hockey Success

Congratulations to the Warwick Surrey Community Association for its successful completion of Burlington’s first ball hockey court. Located in Bolus Gardens Parkette on Francis Road, the new facility was made possible by a donation from the DeGroote Foundation for Kids. Mayor Rick Goldring and I, along with a cast of volunteers, children, City staff and community groups, took part in the official opening.

The IKEA NewsThe City spent a lot of staff time trying to accommodate IKEA’s plan to expand in our City. IKEA has now abandoned those plans. While this may be unfortunate for the City as a whole, it is reasonable for us in the west end to be grateful that IKEA will continue to provide shopping opportunities and jobs in our neighbourhood. IKEA is a major financial contributor to the Aldershot Business Improvement Area and its departure would have been a blow to our efforts to strengthen retail services along Plains Road.

Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System

In was my pleasure recently to host a public meeting in Aldershot to share information about this important project. Cootes to Escarpment is a multi-agency plan to connect more than 4,000 acres of natural lands surrounding the Bay to create the largest urban park in the world. Much of the land involved is in north Aldershot and is home to many rare species of plants and animals.

Hidden Valley Park ImprovementsConstruction is underway on enhancements to Hidden Valley Park in west Aldershot. The work will include new play equipment, a pavilion, a splash pad and upgraded parking facilities. The work should be completed by August.

Ward 2 NewsCouncillor Marianne Meed Ward

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7588

Fax: 905-335-7881


Councillor’s Assistant: Georgie Gartside

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7368


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Great things are happening downtown, thanks to a team effort by many groups and individuals. It’s been a privilege to participate as councillor for the downtown. Here’s a snapshot of the work we’ve been doing together, and an overview of some of the long-term projects.

More events, free parking

Our Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) has launched a series of initiatives to bring more people downtown, winning awards and becoming a model for other Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) across the province. This summer, Fit in the Core returns with free fitness classes in Civic Square at

10 a.m. on Sundays, starting on May 25. Saturdays in the Square returns, bringing free music to our streets with a kick-off event planned for Elgin Street.

BDBA also participated in the “Shop the ’Hood” event sponsored by Yellow Pages to promote local shopping. Their innovative campaign, which asked residents to write on a chalkboard what they love about the downtown, won a $10,000 beautification award. Yellow Pages has sought BDBA’s advice for next year’s campaign.

The BDBA also won an award from the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association for their humourous FreeP! campaign, promoting free parking in

December and on Saturdays. The BDBA worked with the Downtown Parking Committee and City Hall to launch free parking in an effort to bring more feet on the street to our shops and services downtown, on weekends. The results of a survey of businesses and residents after the campaign found that free parking increased business by 10 per cent.

Attract office/educational uses, improve pedestrian connections and greenspace

Meanwhile, a City Hall team is working on implementing the 33 recommendations developed by the Downtown Task Group, which brought together the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA), Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Burlington, City staff and myself, to review the health of downtown and develop a set of recommended actions. The task group recommendations around a renewed vision of the downtown as “an active waterfront downtown destination that showcases the cultural heart of Burlington,” include:

• Attracting more employment and niche office uses downtown, including a review of the City’s land and parking lots as potential locations;

• Exploring opportunities to attract an educational institution to the downtown;

It’s All Happening – Downtown!

The BDBA team wins $10,000 for its Shop the Neighbourhood campaign.

Sound of Music Festival Kickoff and Moon in June Road Race June 7, 2014, 6 – 11 p.m. Spencer Smith Park www.soundofmusic.ca

Sound of Music Festival June 12 to 15, 2014 Spencer Smith Park www.soundofmusic.ca

Canada Day July 1, 2014 Spencer Smith Park/Joseph Brant Museum www.burlington.ca/events

Burlington Beer Festival July 18 to 20, 2014 Spencer Smith Park www.burlingtonbeerfest.com

Children’s Festival Aug. 16 to 17, 2014 Spencer Smith Park/Beachway www.burlington.ca/events

Marques d’Elegance Festival Aug. 22 to 23, 2014 Spencer Smith Park/Brant St. www.marquesdelegance.ca

Ribfest Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, 2014 Spencer Smith Park www.canadaslargestribfest.com



Keep up with news in your community by signing up for the Ward 2 newsletter at www.ward2news.ca

• Reviewing park dedication policies to add urban plazas, parks and open spaces as intensification occurs;

• Developing a retail attraction strategy;

• Exploring the feasibility of a year-round farmer’s market downtown;

• Adding smaller-scale, local festivals, events and cultural activities;

• Creating a cultural district downtown;

• Developing a pilot program for a seasonal road closure with programming;

• Waiving or reducing fees for the use of Civic Square and other downtown public spaces for small-scale events;

• Maintaining a high level of transit service to the downtown, which is identified by the Province as a mobility hub;

• Enhancing cycling linkages downtown, including extending the Centennial Bikeway with clear markings through the municipal parking lots; and

• Completing a pilot pedestrian priority program for downtown.

Bringing more jobs downtown

The Downtown Task Group identified office attraction as a priority for the downtown. City Council has approved the downtown as one of five hubs in the city for focused economic growth through the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). Currently, downtown Burlington represents only one per cent of the city’s land area yet contributes four per cent of tax revenue.The BDBA is also working with the BEDC on a retail attraction strategy for downtown.

Promoting Village Square

Residents are passionate about Village Square, a unique historic pocket in our downtown that we all want to see thrive. When Village Square was put on the market for sale recently, City Council

commissioned a review of three historic buildings in the Square, which concluded the buildings had heritage value (though they are not currently designated). Council also commissioned a report on the overall heritage character of the Square within the downtown context. That report will come to Council this spring. Meanwhile, the BDBA, BEDC and my office are working together to promote retail or office use in the Square.

One of the unique businesses in the Square is Burlington HIVE, a place people can “rent” a desk, meet others, and foster creative collaborations. The idea is to be a launching pad for new business ventures. Council will be exploring the concept of business “incubators” at a workshop this spring, including what they are and how the City can help.

Why downtown matters:Downtowns play a unique role; they are the heart of a city, and research consistently reports on the connection between a healthy downtown and a healthy city. Got an idea to make downtown better? Get in touch!

Ward 3 NewsCouncillor John TaylorServing Brant Hills, Mountainside, Kilbride, Lowville, Mount Nemo and the rural communities west of Walker's Line.

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7459

Fax: 905-335-7881


Councillor’s Assistant: Sheri Wainman

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7565


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As a part of the City’s Official Plan Review process, City Council directed staff to commission a Preliminary Study of the Heritage Character of the Mount Nemo Plateau. This study was to determine whether or not the Mount Nemo area had, at a basic level, any heritage character worthy of further protection. The study was completed by consultant Andre Scheinman and was presented to the development and infrastructure committee on Jan. 13, 2014.

The work of the consultant determined that the Mount Nemo Plateau does have heritage character worthy of recognition as a Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) following further study that may lead to designation as a Heritage Conservation District (HCD). Cultural Heritage Landscapes are areas of significance that have been modified by human activities and are valued by a community. A Heritage Conservation District is a defined area considered to be worthy of protection under the Ontario Heritage Act. Each Heritage Conservation District reflects the area’s unique character.

About 100 people attended a public consultation meeting in February at Kilbride Public School. The meeting included presentations by City staff and the heritage consultant as well as an opportunity for participants to share what it is they value most about the Mount Nemo Plateau. The meeting was also an opportunity for residents to ask questions.

Since the public meeting in February, staff have compiled all the public input and have reviewed the consultant’s report along with applicable policies and regulations. Staff have prepared a report, PB-38-14 (available at www.burlington.ca/mountnemo), which recommends further study of the heritage character of the Mount Nemo Plateau be initiated through a Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan, a two-phase process with three opportunities for public input in each phase.

The staff report contains a number of recommendations about starting a Heritage Conservation District Study and Plan process, including a requirement

that staff must report back to Council after completing phase one (Heritage Conservation District Study) to get approval to proceed with the second phase (Heritage Conservation District Plan). The staff report was considered at the May 5, 2014, meeting of the development and infrastructure committee of Council. The Council decision was not available when this article was written.

Before committee consideration of the staff report, a second public consultation meeting was held to give residents an opportunity to learn more about the process and ask questions. To find out what Council’s decision was, or for more information about this project, please contact Jenna Puletto, heritage and development planner, at [email protected] or by phone at 905-335-7600, ext. 7824, or contact my office.

Official Plan Review – Mount Nemo Cultural Heritage Landscape Study

North Burlington Community Dinner A delicious dinner is on the menu every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. This event is FREE and everyone is welcome to attend. 6 to 8 p.m. Glad Tidings Church 1401 Guelph Line

Enjoy a FREE Seniors Luncheon After lunch, you are welcome to stay for a game of cards, scrabble, chess, darts or pool in the games room. June 20, 2014, noon to 2 p.m. Burlington Christian Fellowship 2054 Mountainside Dr.



Construction work on the Mountainside Recreation Centre Revitalization Project has been progressing on time and on budget, despite the extreme weather conditions we experienced this winter. The renovated facility opening will be in two stages, first for the pool season and then for the arena ice season.

The outdoor pool and splash pad will open on June 28, 2014. While the pool will be

open for community use the contractor will still be on site completing the arena. Please be prepared for some minor inconveniences when visiting the facility over the summer. The arena will be open on Oct. 1, 2014.

When fully completed, the renovated facility will include a new lobby connecting the existing arena and pool house, new arena change rooms, two new community rooms, architectural enhancements to the exterior of the facility and extensive site improvements. I would like to thank Ward 3 residents for their patience and understanding during the construction period.

A grand opening celebration is being planned for later this year. Please watch the City’s website for details.

The North BurLINKton Community Project is a neighbourhood initiative designed to connect north Burlington residents to improve their quality of life through increased access to social support programs and services. In 2014, this successful project will expand to other areas of the city. Councillor Rick Craven and I are working with Halton Region and City staff to find a more sustainable

funding model for this valuable community program.

Activities supported by Community Development Halton and the City of Burlington include:

• Dinner Night Out

• ChillZone

• Seniors' lunch

For more information about North BurLINKton programs, events, or upcoming meetings, please visit www.northburlinkton.cdhalton.ca or contact my office.

On March 4, 2014, north Burlington residents came together to thank the staff of Burlington Hydro and the City of Burlington for their hard work in restoring power to Kilbride homes during the December 2013 ice storm.

Pictured with me from left to right: Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure; myself; Jeff Fielding, city manager; event organizer, Gina Faubert and daughter; Mayor Rick Goldring; Cathy Robertson, director of roads and parks maintenance; Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster; Chris Glenn, director of parks and recreation and Mary Battaglia, manager of field services, parks.

Mountainside Recreation Centre Revitalization Project Update

North BurLINKton Community Project

Ward 4 NewsCouncillor Jack DennisonServing residents who live in the area bounded by Lakeshore Road, Upper Middle Road, Appleby Line and Guelph Line.

Phone: 905-632-4800, ext. 211

Fax: 905-632-4041


Councillor’s Assistant: Francine Grimshire

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7512


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Snowstorms, Snow-Covered Sidewalks and Snowplows... Finally Gone!Spring is here, and it’s a welcome relief after a long winter. I’d like to extend my thanks to both residents for their patience and understanding, and to the City’s roads and parks maintenance (RPM) staff and crews who worked non-stop in order to provide our city with clear roads and sidewalks.

As we are continually striving to serve you better, City Council will be meeting with RPM to review and share suggestions on improvements for next year.

Coyote Information Meeting

A Ministry of Natural Resources representative provided an information session to more than 75 residents from all wards on March 26. In the event of a coyote encounter:

• Never approach or touch a coyote;

• Do not turn your back on or run from a coyote;

• Back away from the coyote while remaining calm;

• Stand tall, wave your hands and make noise;

• Carry a flashlight at night to scare off coyotes;

• If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.

For more information about coyotes in Burlington, visit www.burlington.ca/coyote

BudgetCouncil recently wrapped up the 2014 Budget resulting in a City tax increase of 3.5 per cent. When combined with Halton Region and the boards of education, the overall tax increase is about 1.4 per cent.

Budget Meeting held Feb. 6, 2014

Council agreed to consider a safe pedestrian and cycle crossing over the QEW and a full railway underpass at Cumberland Avenue in the Transportation Master Plan review, now underway.

Ward 4 Planning Proposal Updates:• Guelph Line and Harvester Road

(northeast corner): The City received a proposal for the development of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant and parking lot.

• Walkers Line and North Service Road: A proposal was submitted for the demolition of the existing structure and construction of a six-storey office building with ground-floor retail.

• Vacant 3.074 hectares of land located south of Upper Middle Road, east of Walkers Line: Park City Condominium submitted a proposal for the development of three apartment buildings, ranging in height from four to eight stories, providing 374 units.

Park Enhancements:• Port Nelson Park: The park will undergo

some landscape improvements, including hedge removal on the west property line, the rejuvenation of shrub beds and tree-trimming.

• Nelson Park and Stadium: New sport field lighting will be installed this summer to minimize light spilling into surrounding areas. Improvements will also be made to the north parking lot in the fall of 2014.


Ward 4 Drop-in Sessions Wednesday, May 21, 2014 and Wednesday, June 11, 2014 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cedar Springs Health, Racquet and Sportsclub 960 Cumberland Ave.


The shave-and-pave program is an important part of maintaining Burlington’s road network. The work involves the removal of the top layer of road surface, the repair of drainage units and road resurfacing. The work takes about four weeks and will cause little disruption to the neighbourhood. The 2014 program will begin during the first week of May and includes the following Ward 4 roads:

• Consort Crescent • Morgan Court

• Headon Road • Pioneer Road

• Letitia Court • Simon Drive

• Florence Court • Silvana Crescent

• Cumberland Avenue • Lani Crescent

• South Service Road • Carla Court

To receive regular updates on what’s happening in Ward 4 and across the city, email your contact information to [email protected]

The Maranatha Gardens development, approved at the March 17 Council meeting, will provide alternative housing for seniors. The six-storey apartment building will be located at 3260-3306 New St. The application is currently under appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board.

Maranatha Gardens

Shave-and-Pave Program 2014

Local Government Week involved spending an afternoon with Nelson High School civics class students. Fall 2013.

Volunteers wanted

On June 8, 2014, Appleby Line will be closed to vehicle traffic between Fairview and New Streets for the third annual Car-Free Street Festival. The festival is looking for volunteers for:

• Information Desk • Concierge• Road Closure • Cones and Barricades• Bouncy Castle Supervision

Meet some great people. Students, accumulate community hours for graduation.

Visit www.carfreestreetfestival.ca for more information.

Ward 5 NewsCouncillor Paul Sharman

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7591

Fax: 905-335-7881


Councillor’s Assistant: Rosemary Fitzpatrick

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7454


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It is at this time of year that we really have to count our blessings. There is so much natural beauty in Burlington. The warmer weather is with us, the flowers are out and we are finally able to enjoy outdoor events, get out walking, cycling, playing sports and visiting parks and the waterfront. There is a lot happening in Burlington and in Ward 5.

Wards 4/5 Car-Free Street FestivalWhen we shut down a portion of Appleby Line in 2012 for the first Car-Free event, it was to get people out of their cars and on the street, meeting their neighbours and having some fun. The day was a great success, with close to 2,000 people in attendance. We held our second Car-Free event in June 2013. This time, much of the organizing was done by a group of wonderfully engaged community volunteers. Nearly 5,000 people came out in 2013.

This year’s Car-Free Street Festival on Appleby Line will be on June 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. We are really excited by the response the volunteer team is receiving from local business leaders who are not only providing sponsorship funds but also helping organize the event.

Join me and Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison on Appleby Line along with thousands of your neighbours for a great

celebration. Enjoy the activities and the wickedly good experience of walking down the middle of Appleby Line with no cars.

Burloak Waterfront Park We have some very exciting news. After years of discussion and public meetings, we are finally going to see enhancements to Burloak Regional Waterfront Park that will create a wonderful, Lakeshore Road, east-end gateway feature to Burlington.

On April 16, 2014, Halton Regional Council approved the implementation of the long-planned improvements to the park at an estimated cost of $4.2 million. This follows community meetings held in December 2012, where residents said they supported the vision. Since then, I have had many inquiries about when the work would begin. The work will begin now.

The updated plan includes a mix of natural areas, meadows and formal gardens, as well as the creation of an interconnected pathway system. The plan combines open, unprogrammed space with formal gardens and also provides opportunities to launch small non-motorized recreational boats, such as canoes and kayaks. Connectivity with the nearby community has also been improved with new asphalt paths. A much-needed public washroom facility is also being considered for the site, which could make use of a new proposed wastewater pumping station.

The next step is to prepare the detailed design and construction drawings, along with a cost estimate to implement the vision for the park. Regional staff will work with the Town of Oakville, City of Burlington and Conservation Halton to complete this work and develop an implementation strategy and phasing timeline. Funding requirements and cost-sharing arrangements will be the subject of a future staff report for Council’s consideration.

www.carfreestreetfestival.cainfo@carfreestreetfestival.ca905-335-7600, ext. 7512

@CarFreeApplebyCarFreeAppleby

Ward 5 Town Hall Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2014 7 to 9 p.m. Appleby Ice Centre A Multi Purpose Room 1201 Appleby Line Evaluation: State of Ward 5 and the City Open dialogue - where do we stand and where do we want to go in the future?



Join the ConversationWard 5 Workshop for Seniors: How to Start Your Own Age-Friendly Network Hosted by Councillor Paul Sharman

Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 1 to 3 p.m. Burlington Central Library, Centennial Hall 2331 New St.

To register or get more information, please call 905-335-7600, ext. 7454 or email [email protected].

In the past several years, City Council has taken action that has made a positive difference in the Burlington Transit (BT) system. We were confident that we could enhance the way BT service is provided. The City could reduce operating costs and try to ensure more seats were occupied, and we could improve BT’s performance data. As a result, Council voted to make those changes.

In Ward 5, we have seen route changes both north and south of the QEW. Beginning in September 2013 with the opening of Frank J. Hayden Secondary

school in Alton, BT introduced Route 48, a new service for the Millcroft community. Additional changes were made to Route 11, servicing Tim Dobbie Drive and successfully linking students from east Burlington to the new school and residents to the new recreational facility. Also, as of March 1, there were changes to Route 20 in Ward 5. While it continues to provide residents with 20-minute weekday service to the Appleby GO, it now aligns with the Route 10 bus to bring people into the downtown core with no need to transfer.

Efficiencies in the route network were achieved using ridership and capacity utilization data. Transit has been able to increase its hours of service, introducing a new late-night service from the Burlington GO station and increased Sunday service, and expanding service on to narrower residential streets by using smaller buses. In 2014, BT plans to introduce new

Centennial Pool Reopening

The much-anticipated reopening of Centennial Pool is just around the corner. After a year-long process, the much-needed $3.15 million renovation will be complete. And it is a beauty, as you can see from the picture above. The pool will reopen in early June 2014 for public recreational swimming and community rentals. Regular learn-to-swim programs will resume on June 28, 2014. As part of the renovations, the facility underwent a complete facelift. A new HVAC and

dehumidification system to improve air quality was installed; the pool filtration system was upgraded to improve water hygiene; there was new tiling installed around the pool; the changerooms were upgraded; enhancements were made to the community room and the spectator viewing area on the second floor; and a number of accessibility improvements were made, including the installation of a new elevator. We appreciate everyone’s patience during the construction period, especially the students and staff of Robert Bateman High School. For information about this project and the opening ceremony, please visit the City’s website at www.burlington.ca and click on Parks and Recreation > Facilities & Rentals > Pools & Splash Pads > Burlington Centennial Pool Revitalization.

Burlington Transit

equipment and software that will track how many riders get on and off every bus at every bus stop. In the past, staff had no such data and could only rely on periodic surveys. This will lead to even better planning decisions. This strategy has been firmly endorsed by City Council.

Ward 6 NewsCouncillor Blair Lancaster

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7592

Fax: 905-335-7881


Councillor’s Assistant: Kathi Laufman

Phone: 905-335-7600, ext. 7863


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Proposed Courthouse on Palladium Way In March, City staff brought to the City’s community and corporate services committee a proposal to combine two provincial offences courts—one in Milton and one in Burlington—to reside under one roof.

The courthouse would service Highway Traffic Act offences, such as speeding and traffic violations; municipal bylaw offences, such as excessive noise, animal control or garbage disposal; and offences under provincial legislation. Acting on behalf of the Province, the City consulted with its municipal partners—Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills—to get input into this location. Staff realized more input is needed. The proposal will be on hold until 2015.

City Approves First Step for BEDC Inc.The City has approved the first step in building and creating strategies for economic development in the City of Burlington. The economic development arm of the City will be structured as a separate for-profit entity that will support Burlington’s future. For the report (COW-7-14), visit Agendas and Minutes on the city’s website and select April 17, 2014.

Car-Free Festival in Ward Six

Once again, the City of Burlington and friends will host a Car-Free Festival on June 8. Palladium Way will close from 1 to 5 p.m. to accommodate all the fun activities for the whole family, including bouncy castles, live music, face-painting, food trucks, giveaways and much more. Go to www.facebook.com/ward6carfree for all the details.

Changes to Parking BylawsThe City is planning changes to some of its existing parking bylaws. In Alton Village, residents will collectively be able to apply for the Neighbourhood On-Street Parking Program, which permits vehicles to park overnight without a parking permit. This change is expected to help meet the short-term parking needs of residents that cannot be met in their garages or driveways.

The existing three-hour parking extension will be extended to five hours. The City

proposal also included overnight parking in lay-bys. All proposed changes were subject to Council approval on May 20, 2014. For more information, visit www.burlington.ca/parking.

Spring CleanupCheers to everyone who came out to the Burlington Spring Clean Up, Green Up event organized by BurlingtonGreen. Roads and Parks Maintenance staff are actively working at cleaning up the garbage and brush left behind from the winter in our neighborhoods. If you have excessive amounts of garbage you’d like to report, email the City’s roads and parks maintenance staff directly at [email protected] or email my office at [email protected].

Name Change: Southampton BoulevardCouncil supported the renaming of Southampton Boulevard to Constable Bill Henshaw Boulevard. This was a request by Constable Henshaw’s Halton Regional Police Service colleagues for Bill Henshaw’s exemplary service to our community. This sends a message to all of the men and women who serve us through the police, fire service and the Canadian Armed Forces. The only property affected by an address change is the police station. The existing and new street names will remain on the sign for two years.

Rotary Rib and Lobster Fest Saturday, May 31, 2014 5:30 p.m. Central Arena, 519 Drury Lane

Kick-off Event, Sound of Music Festival Saturday, June 7, 2014 Spencer Smith Park, Lakeshore Road

Ride to Conquer Cancer June 7 to 8, 2014 Travelling through Ward 6 Residents affected will be notified

Car-Free Festival Sunday, June 8, 2014 1 to 5 p.m. Palladium Park, 4130 Palladium Way

Ward 6 Town Hall Meeting Thursday, June 12, 2014 Haber Recreation Centre 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr. 6 to 7 p.m. – Drop-in 7 to 8 p.m. – Burlington Transit presentation

Delegation from Itabashi, Japan, Visits Burlington During Sound of Music Festival June 12 to 15, 2014 Spencer Smith Park, Lakeshore Road

Breast Cancer Support Services Garage Sale Saturday, June 14, 2014 7 a.m. to Noon 901 Guelph Line



Itabashi Update

For the past 25 years, philanthropist Taroo Enomoto has presented a cheque for 100,000 Yen (about C $950) to a Burlington-based charity—a gesture that has totalled about $30,000. Mr. Enomoto’s generous giving began in 1989 with the twinning of Burlington and Itabashi, Japan.

In February, Burlington City Council presented Mr. Enomoto’s latest gift, on his behalf, to Halton Food for Thought, a local charity that serves nutritious meals to children in Halton schools.

In May, I will represent the City as Deputy Mayor with a group of more than two dozen local citizens travelling to Itabashi to recognize the 25th anniversary of the twinning of our two cities, a relationship that connects Burlington to the world and gives us a chance to share our challenges and mutual leadership. For more information, see Page 4 of City Talk, or visit www.burlington.ca/mund.

Coyotes in BurlingtonThere have been many reports of coyotes in Burlington. If you are threatened by a coyote, dial 911. For more information about how to keep you and your pets safe, visit www.burlington.ca/coyote.

Alton Campus Project Recognized with Design AwardThe City of Burlington received an Excellence in Design Award at the Parks and Recreation Ontario 2014 Awards for its work on the Alton campus project. The campus includes Norton Community Park, the Haber Recreation Centre, Alton Branch Library and Dr. Frank J Hayden Secondary School. This award showcases Burlington’s commitment to building innovative recreation facilities that support healthy, active living. Visit www.burlington.ca/haber.

Loose Leaf Pickup – Extra Leaf Pickup in North Burlington

In 2014, North Burlington residents will receive two loose leaf pickups in the fall. This collection service is provided to Burlington residents in addition to the yard waste collection service provided by Halton Region.

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The first phase of the Joseph Brant Hospital Redevelopment and Expansion Project is targeted to start in early 2015 with the new hospital tower due to open in 2018.

The redeveloped and expanded hospital will be double the size of the current building, totaling about 800,000 square feet (74,322 square metres). The new hospital will include a seven-storey tower that will house 172 beds, a 24-bed intensive care unit, an expanded cancer clinic and a new emergency department with satellite diagnostic imaging for quicker patient diagnosis. Many departments within the existing hospital building will undergo extensive redevelopments to enhance patient care.

The last major update to the hospital was more than 40 years ago. These major upgrades will allow the hospital to meet current Ministry of Health and Long Term Care guidelines, reduce wait times and offer patient care to the highest standard with leading-edge technology and greater energy efficiency.

The City of Burlington first became involved in the project in 2009 when City Council approved a $60 million municipal contribution towards the hospital’s redevelopment and expansion. The City has received overwhelming support from the community on this project with 90 per cent of residents surveyed agreeing that the redevelopment and expansion of JBH is important.

New Hospital Facts

• JBH will see an increase to 70-per-cent single patient rooms across the hospital

• Patient rooms will have three-piece washrooms

• JBH will have nine new state-of-the-art operating rooms

• 75 per cent of patient rooms will have a view of Lake Ontario—the balance will have a view of the Niagara Escarpment

New Tower of Joseph Brant Hospital Opens in 2018

www.burlington.ca/jbh

www.josephbranthospital.ca

Work During the Municipal Election

Applications will be available in June 2014 for positions as part of the 2014 municipal election team in Burlington.

Apply online to work at a polling location on election day—Monday, Oct. 27, 2014—at www.burlington.ca/election. The city is looking for greeters, poll clerks and revision clerks. Mandatory training is provided.


The City of Burlington is committed to engaging the community early and often in making decisions that have an impact on their everyday lives. The City has created a direct link at www.burlington.ca/getengaged to showcase involvement opportunities.

Burlington City Council endorsed the first Burlington Community Engagement

Charter in April 2013, aimed at making this city's government more accessible to, and involved with, the people it serves.

A team of community members and staff, called the Charter Action Team, has created an engagement action plan that will be used by City staff as a guidebook.

For more information about Get Engaged, Burlington, visit www.burlington.ca/engagement or www.burlington.ca/getengaged. For more about e-Government at the City of Burlington, visit www.burlington.ca/e-government.

Get on the Voters’ List

Burlington residents can find out whether their voter information is confirmed and updated for the upcoming municipal and school board elections by visiting www.voterlookup.ca.

Voterlookup.ca is an online service used to build and maintain information used to prepare final voters’ lists across Ontario. Use www.voterlookup.ca to change school support for electoral purposes or add names to your property address.

Voting is one of the ways you can get engaged—and make a difference—in your city. For more information about

www.voterlookup.ca, call 1-866-296-6722. To find out more about voting in Burlington, visit www.burlington.ca/election.

Candidate Information Session on June 4, 2014

The City of Burlington is hosting a candidate information session on June 4, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 426 Brant St.

Staff from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will provide an overview of the Municipal Elections Act and information for citizens interested in running in the 2014 Municipal Election.

Get Online, Get Engaged with Burlington

www.burlington.ca/getengaged

www.voterlookup.ca

www.burlington.ca/election

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2014 Construction Projects1 Walkers Ln. Bridge (1.7 km North of Britannia): Bridge Rehabilitation 9 New St. (Shoreacres Rd. to Goodram Dr.): Noise Wall Construction

2 King Rd. Bridge Railing Upgrade 10 Townsend Area Reconstruction, Phase 2: Storm Sewer Work and Reconstruction

3 North Service Rd. at Walkers Ln. Intersection Improvements 11 Forest Glen Ave. (Townsend Ave. to North Shore Blvd.): Road Reconstruction and Resurfacing

4 Mainway at CNR: Rail Crossing Maintenance 12 Spring Gardens Rd. Slope Stabilization

5 Burloak Dr. at CNR: Rail Crossing Maintenance 13 Glenbrook Ave. Minor Reconstruction

6 Waterdown Rd. (Plains Rd. to Masonry Ct.): Road Reconstruction 14 Pinedale Area Rehabilitation, Phase 2: Minor Reconstruction and Resurfacing

7 Fairview St. (Burlington GO Station to Guelph Ln.): Arterial Road Resurfacing 15 Millcroft Community Path (Dundas St. to Berwick Ave. via hydro Corridor): Multi-Use Pathway Construction

8 Guelph Ln. (Prospect St. to Fairview St.): Arterial Road Resurfacing 16 Mount Forest Raised Crosswalk Construction


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2014 Construction Projects1 Walkers Ln. Bridge (1.7 km North of Britannia): Bridge Rehabilitation 9 New St. (Shoreacres Rd. to Goodram Dr.): Noise Wall Construction

2 King Rd. Bridge Railing Upgrade 10 Townsend Area Reconstruction, Phase 2: Storm Sewer Work and Reconstruction

3 North Service Rd. at Walkers Ln. Intersection Improvements 11 Forest Glen Ave. (Townsend Ave. to North Shore Blvd.): Road Reconstruction and Resurfacing

4 Mainway at CNR: Rail Crossing Maintenance 12 Spring Gardens Rd. Slope Stabilization

5 Burloak Dr. at CNR: Rail Crossing Maintenance 13 Glenbrook Ave. Minor Reconstruction

6 Waterdown Rd. (Plains Rd. to Masonry Ct.): Road Reconstruction 14 Pinedale Area Rehabilitation, Phase 2: Minor Reconstruction and Resurfacing

7 Fairview St. (Burlington GO Station to Guelph Ln.): Arterial Road Resurfacing 15 Millcroft Community Path (Dundas St. to Berwick Ave. via hydro Corridor): Multi-Use Pathway Construction

8 Guelph Ln. (Prospect St. to Fairview St.): Arterial Road Resurfacing 16 Mount Forest Raised Crosswalk Construction

North Burlington

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Share Your Insight: Join Burlington’s Online CommunityIn February, the City launched Insight Burlington, an online community that invites residents and business owners to engage and connect on a variety of topics. Insight Burlington is a quick and convenient way to join the conversation on City issues and share your thoughts.

The Insight Burlington Community just shared its thoughts on how people prefer to receive City communication. Some other topics will include the City’s transportation master plan and service-based budgeting. (See Page 6 of City Talk).

Membership is open to anyone who is 16 years of age and older and is a Burlington resident, taxpayer or business

owner or operator. Members are invited to participate in surveys, quick polls and discussions by email. They can connect to the portal whenever and however they like. It’s accessible from home, the office or from a mobile device.

The City is committed to community engagement and this new tool gives all members the opportunity to voice their opinions and share their insights. The online community will allow you to:

• Voice your opinion on topics that affect you as a resident or business;

• Help the City explore new directions to serve you better;

• Stay informed and connected to the City’s latest initiatives.

The collection of community insights will help Burlington achieve the goals outlined in the Community Engagement Charter. Your opinions on City issues and services are vital to the process of continued improvement. With your input, the City can find solutions to better serve the community.

All information gathered through Insight Burlington will be used to guide and inform decision-making by the City. Although information may be reproduced or published, all opinions and comments will remain anonymous.

www.insightburlington.com

Excitement Builds for Pan Am/Parapan Am GamesPreparations for the 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games are underway. With just a year remaining until the games begin, the drive for volunteers is in full force. TO2015 estimates that they will need more than 20,000 volunteers over the course of the games to occupy a diverse range of positions.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance. There are opportunities available at all levels and no prior volunteer experience is required. Volunteer roles include everything from field-of-play preparation to opening/closing ceremony performer. TO2015 is also offering Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) breaks for students who volunteer.

Volunteer applications are available through the TO2015 website at www.toronto2015.org/join-in.

The games will be held at various venues across the GTA from July 10 to 26, 2015, and Aug. 7 to 15, 2015 (Parapan). The City of Burlington is proud to host a practice soccer venue for the games at City View Park.

Burlington’s central location in the western GTA presents an ideal opportunity for residents and visitors to experience this sporting and cultural event. With competitive soccer events all being hosted at the newly renovated CIBC Pan Am Soccer Stadium in Hamilton, cycling at the new Veledrome in Milton, and opening and closing ceremonies in Toronto, Burlington is ideally located for residents and visitors to experience all this international event has to offer.

www.burlington.ca/TO2015


Earlier this year, Burlington City Council endorsed the City’s first community energy plan. The plan is a holistic view of how energy is used, conserved, generated and distributed with a real focus on how community partners can work together to improve and integrate the energy system.

In fact, community stakeholders helped develop the community energy plan. The project was led by a steering committee comprised of City and Burlington Hydro staff, with strategic input along the way from the following stakeholders that included:

• The StressCrete Group

• Union Gas Limited

• Burlington Economic Development Corporation

• Halton Catholic District School Board

• McMaster Institute for Energy Studies

• Halton District School Board

• Joseph Brant Hospital

• BurlingtonGreen

• Halton Region

• Ontario Power Authority

• Royal Botanical Gardens

• Burlington Sustainable Development Committee.

The final document demonstrates the great results that can be achieved through collaboration with local partners.

The City was fortunate to have such a committed group working on this project. The group brought a broad range of experience to the process. The stakeholder

group worked closely with the steering committee, suggesting new ideas, acting as a sounding board and providing information and data when needed.

The city proudly receives its Community Conservation Award from the Ontario Power Authority. Left to right are Andrew Pride, OPA vice-president of conservation; Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster; Mayor Rick Goldring; and city staff Lynn Robichaud, David Taggart and Allan Magi.

The Community Energy Plan has something for everyone whatever their interest. It includes five key goals with related objectives and actions. The first goal relates to behavioural change and a culture of conservation, with a focus on community engagement.

The second goal relates to improving the energy efficiency of buildings. There is much focus on new buildings and how they can be built to sustainable standards. However, there is a significant number of older buildings in Burlington where efforts and programs need to be concentrated to improve their efficiency.

The third goal is focused on energy-generation and security. Local, yet sustainable generation can help improve the security of the energy system and reduce

the impact of external forces, such as severe weather events. During Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey, and during the 2013 flood in Calgary, district community energy systems continued to function, delivering thermal energy and power to homes and businesses.

As the Community Energy Plan progressed, it became evident that to deal strategically with community energy, land use and growth as well as the transportation system had to be considered. This is the focus of the last two goals.

Transportation represents about 30 per cent of our energy consumption but converts to 40 per cent of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions. The City is in the midst of its Official Plan Review and Transportation Master Plan, which is an opportune time to be looking at how we can achieve a livable and complete community that supports a sustainable transportation network that includes transit, walking and cycling.

The completion of the Community Energy Plan was the easy part. The challenge comes now with its implementation. Success will depend on the continuous engagement of City staff, Council, community stakeholder groups and individuals who are empowered to contribute to a more efficient community. We look forward to your participation.

Celebrating 15 Years of Service to [email protected] | 905-639-0744

Get creative, get inspired and get involved at the Burlington Art Centre

For what’s happening this summer, visit www.thebac.ca

City Endorses Burlington’s First Community Energy Plan

www.burlington.ca/cep

Documents

We're Responding to You - City of Burlington · We're Responding to You » Page 6. It’s a summer full of activity at Burlington Public Library Doc* Side (June 17 to Aug. 26); Exam