In ancient Rome, the Latin word Februarius was the "Month of Purification" and great festivities were held. After the holidays, this may ring true for some of you as we have indulged ourselves and now our New Year's resolutions are upon us and we have all at one time or another vowed to live a healthier life and rid our bad habits. By the time February comes, we have either kept those resolutions or have already forgotten them.
The Chinese New Year is held on February 8, 2016. It's the year of the Monkey, Chinese Zodiac animal figure. It is a Yang (Positive) year. The date of Chinese New Years changes every year and is a 15 day celebration, beginning on the first day of the new moon, and ends on the full moon. The celebration on the15th day is called the Chinese Lantern Festival. For those of you celebrating, I wish you a positive year filled with happiness and good health.
And how can we forget, this year is Leap Year. Leap Day is every fours years. If your birthday is on February 29th, congratulations because you finally get to celebrate your birthday on your birth date!
There is lots to celebrate within the City of Burlington this month such as Family Day on Monday, February 15th. Click on link for a listing of our calendar events.
Upcoming Ward 6 Meetings
Statutory Public Meeting Concerning Official Plan and Zoning By-law
Amendments for 4853 Thomas Alton Boulevard
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: City of Burlington, Council Chambers, Level 2, 426 Brant Street
List of Halton Region and City of Burlington Meetings
Please visit my website for regular updates for Ward 6 meetings and information. When reports go to Region and City Council, I will ensure you are updated and should you have any questions with any reports please don't hesitate to contact my office......READ MORE
If you would like to meet with me concerning an individual concern please contact me directly.
Reports to Council
2016 Budget approval was finalized at Council on January 25th
For your interest I have provided the following links however please know that I am excited to inform you that some of the highlights for Ward 6 include:
Enhancements Ireland Park including a new water feature and shade pavilion. A community garden will be considered at this location during the 2017 budget.
There were improvements made to winter control services including sidewalks.
Additional Bylaw resources for weekends and evenings.
Road renewals in Ward 6.
What's more is that the 2016 operating budget was approved with a 3.14 per cent increase in the city’s portion of property taxes, which will result in an overall property tax increase of two per cent when combined with Halton Region and the boards of education, or $17.10 per $100,000 of home assessment value......READ MORE
The 2016 Proposed Budget, Operating Budget report [F-47-15] and Capital Budget report [F-49-15], for the City of Burlington was presented to Council and the Public on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 in the City of Burlington Council Chambers. Watch the staff presentation of 2016 Proposed Budget.
2016 Budget Review & Approval:
The 2016 Capital Budget was reviewed by the C&CS Committee on December 10, 2015 [F-49-15-2] and approved on December 16, 2015 [Council No. 20-15].
Delegations for the 2016 Operating Budget were heard by the C&CS Committee on January 19, 2016 [F-47-15-2].
Review and discussion by the C&CS Committee of the 2016 Operating Budget occured and January 20, 2016 [webcast].
The 2016 Operating Budget was approved on January 25, 2016 [Council No. 1-16].
City of Burlington 25 Year Strategic Plan 2015 - 40
The City of Burlington strategic plan contains four strategic directions for Burlington: a city that moves; a city that grows; a healthy and greener city; and an engaging city. Watch the video at this link:
Burlington needs to grow differently as we near build-out, says Mayor Goldring
“Burlington is one of the first Southern Ontario municipalities to stop sprawling and instead grow in place, something many other municipalities will be faced with in the next decade or two,” Mayor Goldring said. “We are leading the way, and are the ‘poster child’ for how municipalities in Southern Ontario should be evolving.”
Burlington's Official Plan Review: Employment Land Conversion Requests Deadline February 26, 2016
Burlington is currently assessing its employment land supply and may, through its Official Plan Review and Municipal Comprehensive Review processes, propose the conversion of some of these lands to another land use. It is important that the City assess any requests for employment conversions in a comprehensive manner to ensure the consideration of the total employment land supply and the City's ability to accommodate employment growth to 2031 and beyond.
The City received employment conversion requests in 2014 and is currently considering additional requests for a period of one month until February 26, 2016. Please submit written requests, planning justification and supporting information to:
Andrea Smith, Manager of Policy and Research
City of Burlington, City Hall, 426 Brant St., P.O. Box 5013, Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Z6
(905) 335-7600 x7385 Andrea.Smith@burlington.ca
Report recommending approval of an On-Street Residential Pay Parking Permit Program. (TS-02-16)
This report will be of interest to Ward 6 residents, especially in Alton. However, the original report has been deferred for further study. This link will provide you with the original report and please contact me with your comments.....READ MORE
New customer service features added to Burlington Transit
City of Burlington Transit announced two new customer service features hoping to encourage people to use alternate transportation and make it easier.
The features are automated schedule times by phone and bus stop announcements and on-board visual displays.....READ MORE
Burlington Fire Department Recruit Graduation Ceremony
On Wednesday, January 27th I had the pleasure to welcome and congratulate 9 new volunteer firefighters to Burlington's station #5 in Kilbride. Thank you for all you do to help keep our community safe.
Love My Hood Ward 6 Community Festival
On Saturday, June 25, 2016 we will be holding a Love My Hood Community Festival in Ward 6. I am thrilled to tell you that we will be planting 1000 saplings in Ireland Park to help kick off the festival in the morning. Thank you to our City Forester and Conservation Halton for making this possible. With the help of volunteers and Ward 6 Faith Organizations we will be holding several help hands activities in the morning and community celebration in the afternoon along Palladium Way. Our “Love My Hood Ward 6 Community Festival” has been designed to bring community together in Ward 6.
Your commitment is essential to the success of this event. We hope that you will partner with us! How can you help?
Financial/Gift in Kind Support:
We will require both in-kind donations, sponsorship for activities and financial support to achieve both the service aspect and the festival requirements. Community supporters will be recognized through local media, newsletters and advertising where applicable.
The City of Burlington will commit to $5000.00 to cover the basics (i.e. police, road closures, washrooms/hand washing stations, licences and advertising print material etc.).
Volunteers:
There are many volunteer opportunities available and it takes a team effort to make a day like this successful! We are currently looking for help with social media, website expertise. If you are interested in volunteering for this event please email my office at blair.lancaster@burlington.ca for more information.
As more information becomes available I will be sure to include in my newsletters and social media.
What's New and Upcoming for New Development in Ward 6
I look forward to businesses and organizations becoming part of our Ward 6 community. Here are a few of the current development projects in ward 6:
Statutory Public Meeting Concerning Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 4853 Thomas Alton Boulevard
You are invited to attend a Statutory Public Meeting to consider the above applications. This meeting will take place on:
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Council Chambers, Level 2, 426 Brant Street
The Community and Corporate Services Committee of City Council is holding this statutory public meeting to consider a proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment under Sections 22 and 34 of the Planning Act.
Proposed Development:
The City of Burlington has received applications from Ruth Victor & Associates on behalf of the Adi Development Group to amend the Official Plan and rezone the property located at 4853 Thomas Alton Boulevard......READ MORE
Donation to Reach Out Centre for Kids from a citizen of Itabashi, Burlington’s twin city
Through the concept of mundialization, connecting Burlington to the world, a citizen of Itabashi, Japan, made a donation of ¥445,000 ($4755) to support the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK).
Myself and Mayor Rick Goldring, Joanna Matthews President of Strategic Planning, ROCK; and members of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee attended the cheque presentation on Monday, February 1st at 10am held at ROCK, 471 Pearl St., Burlington. Japanese philanthropist Mr. Taroo Enomoto made a donation to Burlington for the past 27 years.
Through the City of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee, Burlington is twinned with Mr. Enomoto’s home city of Itabashi, Japan. Mr. Enomoto also donated the rhododendrons at Paletta Lakefront Mansion in 1997 and has donated more than $30,000 towards important causes in Burlington over the past 27 years.
Thank You Notes
I want to thank Mrs. Davige's grade 5 class at Florence Meares Public School for writing me letters of support and asking me questions about Ward 6 concerns. I'm thrilled that the students took an interest in learning about municipal governement. I very much enjoyed reading through each letter and hearing about what concerns you have. I hope to meet you soon.
Character Area Study for Indian Point and Roseland Report
Roads and Parks Maintenance: In the event of heavy snowfall please visit: www.burlington.ca/snow and click on What's Been Plowed button for up to date information in your area.
Parks and Recreation Programs and Facilities: Please visit: www.burlington.ca/servicehours for more information and a list of family activities during the holidays.
In the near future I will be scheduling a few community engagement sessions. I will be focusing on seniors programs and what opportunities can be brought to north Burlington, traffic calming, economic development and neighbourhood concerns. Please email me or call with your thoughts and ideas on what you would like to see.
For a complete list of drop-in recreation activities, festival and events and other city meetings please visit our community calendar.........READ MORE
If you have an event you would like to advertise please provide information to our CIty website and let us know so we can help promote your event through social media........READ MORE
