Category

Issues

City’s Cashiers Desk at Civic Centre Goes Cashless

By Covid-19, Issues

July 22, 2020

Today, City Council approved cashless payments at the Cashiers Desk, located on the ground floor of the Civic Centre. The Cashiers Desk is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions; however, cashless payments will take effect upon its reopening as a health and safety measure to protect residents and staff.

“The Cashiers Desk has seen a shift towards digital payment methods over cash. Cash transactions account for approximately 30 per cent of the transactions processed at Cashiers while it only accounts for two percent of the revenue,” said Gary Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner, Corporate Services. “Removing cash payments does help to eliminate the risk of theft, counterfeit money transactions, tax evasion and money laundering.”

As a result of removing cash payments, the City will see the following benefits:

  • Receiving and depositing payments faster
  • Reducing theft and counterfeit transactions
  • Eliminating the need for armoured car services
  • Eliminating the need to balance cash, prepare cash deposits or exchange cash
  • Promoting a healthier and safer work environment

“At the City, cash is mainly used to pay property taxes, despite there being other ways to pay taxes,” said Connie Mesih, Director of Revenue & Materiel Management. “We’re encouraging residents to make electronic payments as they provide additional levels of convenience, the ability to monitor payment activities and control risks.”

The majority of the revenue processed at the Cashiers Desk is for Development Charges and for Revenue such as property taxes, accounts receivable invoices or the Mississauga Accommodation Tax.

Mesih added, “We’re making our Cashiers Desk cashless to help reduce costs associated with offering cash as a payment method. By doing so, we’re eliminating the need for counting and processing cash, preparing bank deposits, ensuring we have correct change, security, and transporting cash to the bank.”

Residents, business owners and City employees may still make payments at the Cashiers Desk using the following methods:

  • Cheque
  • Debit
  • Credit (excluding property taxes)

For property taxes, payments may also be made using:

  • Online or mobile banking
  • Telephone banking
  • In-person cash payments at a financial institution
  • Pre-authorized payments
  • Post-dated cheques, mailed, dropped off in-person or in the after-hours drop box

For more information, visit web.mississauga.ca/services-and-programs/property-taxes/contact/.

 

July 23, 2020
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Mississauga to Better Weather the Storm with new Winter Maintenance Contract

By Events, Issues, Resources

July 23, 2020

Yesterday, City Council approved a new eight-year winter maintenance contract for the City of Mississauga which will begin in the fall of 2021 through to the 2029 winter season. The upcoming 2020/21 winter season will be the final year of the current seven-year contract.

The new winter maintenance contract will ensure that snow clearing operations are more efficient throughout the city. This includes upgrades to snow clearing equipment and salt management practices for better service delivery. However, due to COVID-19 financial pressures, Council did not approve additional levels of service for an expanded driveway windrow program and residential sidewalks, deferring these enhancements to at least 2023 to minimize the budget impact in 2021 and 2022.

“This new contract strikes the right balance between keeping up with the growing demands for snow clearing in our City while keeping our COVID-19 financial pressures top of mind,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Thankfully, our staff have been able to identify efficiencies without impacting service levels. We will continue to find savings and apply a ‘need’ not ‘want’ lens when negotiating City service contracts moving forward.”

Beginning in the 2021/22 winter season, here is what residents can expect:

  • New snow clearing equipment that allow for plowing and salting at the same time. The City will continue to meet approved service levels and Minimum Maintenance Standards more efficiently as per the Municipal Act, 2001.
  • Continued snow clearing of bus stops and priority sidewalks at the same time as the clearing of priority roads. This level of service was introduced during the 2019 winter season to help meet accessibility needs.
  • Snow clearing operations can be amended as modes of transportation change, such as the implementation of the Hurontario LRT and additional Active Transportation initiatives for pedestrians and cyclists. This includes bike lanes as part of the Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework.

“It is vital that the City continues to take progressive steps to effectively deliver snow clearing services in Mississauga,” said Mickey Frost, Director, Works Operations and Maintenance. “While keeping financial pressures in mind, the City has managed to redirect resources to find operational efficiencies without impacting service delivery. We have also made it a priority to support effective salt management practices, as more effective plowing should require less salt usage, especially in areas monitored by local conservation authorities. Using less salt will therefore not only lead to material savings, but have a less negative impact to our environment.”

Currently, Mississauga clears 5,600 lane kilometres of roads and on-street bike lanes; 1,600 linear kilometres of priority sidewalks; 3,400 bus stops; 95 kilometres of roadside multi-use trails; and over 1,000 pedestrian crossings.

For more information about the new eight-year winter maintenance contract, view the corporate report.

 

To learn more about snow clearing in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/snow.

 

July 23, 2020
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When it Comes to the City’s 2021 Budget – What do You Want to Know?

By Events, Issues, Resources

July 20, 2020

What do you want to know when it comes to the City’s Budget? The City is looking for input to help understand and shape Budget community engagement during COVID-19 recovery. An online survey has launched to seek input from residents across Mississauga to hear ideas and opinions on the engagement related to the 2021 Budget. Community input is an important way to help shape the future of Mississauga.

Residents are invited to have their say about community engagement methods and initiatives for the 2021 Budget by filling out a survey by Friday, July 31.

What:
An online survey to determine what Mississauga residents and businesses want to hear about when it comes to the 2021 Budget and how they want the City to connect with them regarding the Budget.

Who:
Mississauga residents
Business owners
Taxpayers

Where:

To complete the survey, visit web.mississauga.ca/council/budget-and-finances/city-of-mississauga-budget/2020-budget-get-involved/

When:
Survey closes Friday, July 31, 2020

The survey results will help inform the Budget Engagement plan for 2021.

know/

July 20, 2020
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Update on Our Lakeview Park Public School Site

By Issues, Resources

Lakeview has had long and rich history.  From the first Aerodrome to the Small Arms Building, and so much more; there are many aspects of our Community’s past we cherish.

Recently, the Lakeview Park Public School, built in 1923 has been a topic of renewed conversation.  This site was recently deemed surplus by the Peel District School Board. Prior to this, I had several conversations with the Community as to its importance and its future.

There is now a proposal on behalf of Habitat for Humanity to purchase the site.   The proposal, if successful, would include the original School Building on the site along with a 3 acre mix of attainable and affordable housing.

I have been very vocal in advocating for saving the original school building and affordable seniors’ housing.  At this stage, a few things to note:

  1. I have been working on this file to protect and ensure that the School site remain a fixture of the Lakeview Community and the City.
  2. Habitat for Humanity has approached the School Board about a number of possible surplus properties across Mississauga and after some conversations with the City and myself, they are interested in pursuing this particular location.
  3. In all of my conversations with the City and Habitat for Humanity I have always stressed that the original school site be saved at all cost.
  4. If successful in their bid, Habitat for Humanity has pledged to me that they will work with the Community on the site and also the original School Building in making it a wonderful part of Lakeview’s future.

Also a special thanks to the Lakeview Ratepayer Association board and the expertise of Richard Collins.  The LRA  presented  a deputation to the Heritage committee over a year ago and  came together to voice their ideas of how saving the building for future generations and the need of affordable housing for seniors to age in place.

The rich history of Lakeview is more important than ever to weave it into our future.  Another historic jewel in the Community is the Small Arms Inspection Building.  Some may recall last year, as a result of limited access to the Small Arms Inspection Building, the first investment of the Federal Gas Tax Initiative I undertook, was to install a semi-permeable parking lot to ensure that the building can better serve the Community.

Lakeview has a bright future ahead and knowing where we came from is a significant step to moving forward.

Please feel free to click on the latest article in the Mississauga News from John Stewart regarding the possible future of the Lakeview Park Public School and the site:

https://www.mississauga.com/opinion-story/10015923-can-collaboration-create-affordable-housing-habitat-in-lakeview-/

 

 

 

July 16, 2020
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A Tree-mendous Achievement as Mississauga is Recognized as a Tree City

By Issues

July 14, 2020

The City of Mississauga has been given the Tree Cities of the World designation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. Mississauga joins a number of international cities that have taken steps toward investing in maintaining, preserving and creating robust and healthy city forests.

“We are a City that values the environment and the endless benefits trees provide to our community. Through receiving the Tree Cities of the World designation, we’ve joined a global network of cities who are building a more resilient and sustainable city by creating a greener and healthier community that benefits everyone,” said Mayor Crombie. “It is a major priority that we continue to preserve and invest in the health and well-being of our trees, especially in our diverse forests, woodlots, parks, trails and boulevards. Trees play a critical role in fighting climate change and making Mississauga a livable city by cleaning our air and water, providing shade and beautifying the places we live and work in.”

Mississauga is among 10 Canadian municipalities to receive the designation. The City met five core standards in order to receive the designation, which included establishing responsibility, setting rules, knowing what you have, allocating resources and celebrating achievements.

“We currently have more than 2.1 million trees planted in Mississauga and we’re working to plant one million more by 2032 through the One Million Trees program. We’re focused on maintaining and enhancing tree diversity around the city – choosing trees based on species and function while planting them in areas where they will thrive,” said Jodi Robillos, Director, Parks, Forestry and Environment. “With the help of our staff, partners and volunteers, we’ve been able to plant over 380,000 trees since starting the program in 2013. Having more trees in Mississauga will help conserve and enhance our open spaces and forested areas for future generations to enjoy.”

The international program celebrates cities across all continents that meet core standards for the care and planning of urban trees and forests.

Robillos added, “Through our Urban Forest Management Plan, we are ensuring that Mississauga trees are well cared for. We are addressing and alleviating some of the pressures our tree canopies face, like weather events stemming from climate change, mitigating invasive pests and diseases and managing urban redevelopment.”

Mississauga now joins Toronto, Auckland, Paris and New York City as Tree Cities of the World. In 2019, 68 cities internationally earned the designation.

For more information about the City’s One Million Trees program, visit onemilliontrees.ca.

 BACKGROUND

The Tree Cities of the World program is an international effort to recognize cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated.

For more information about the Tree Cities of the World designation, visit treecitiesoftheworld.org.

PHOTOS:

[Download hi-res photo]

CAPTION: Mayor Crombie at a tree planting event

 

[Download hi-res photo]

CAPTION: Mississauga’s tree canopy

 

 

 

July 14, 2020
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MiWay is revising Route 103 – Hurontario Express

By Issues, Planning & Development

Starting Aug. 3, 2020, MiWay is revising Route 103 – Hurontario Express as part of the second phase of routing changes along the Hurontario corridor.

The routing changes are required to help minimize impacts on service reliability due to Hurontario Light Rail Transit (HuLRT) construction, which began on March 30, 2020. The construction is expected to reduce traffic lanes south of the QEW in each direction in the coming months.

The revised Route 103 – Hurontario Express will travel between the Brampton Gateway Terminal and the Trillium Mississauga Hospital, seven days a week. While it will no longer travel south of The Queensway to Port Credit GO Station, customers can still get there by transferring from Route 103 onto Route 2-Hurontario at northbound and southbound stops at Burnhamthorpe Rd E, Elm Dr, Central Pkwy, John St, Dundas St, and Paisley Blvd.

Frequent service on Route 103 and Hurontario local Routes 2 and 17 allows for convenient transfers along the Hurontario corridor, and Route 2-Hurontario will continue to provide local service to all stops between the City Centre Transit Terminal and Port Credit GO Station.

MiWay implemented the first phase of the Hurontario corridor routing changes on April 27, 2020. The changes included replacing Route 19 Hurontario with two new routes (Route 17 Hurontario and Route 2 Hurontario), and cancelling Route 19 variants 19A, 19B and 19C while providing alternative options, including a revised Route 25 Traders Loop to service portions of the 19A and 19B.

MiWay’s planned Hurontario corridor changes are in addition to daily service adjustments being made by MiWay to provide essential transit services across Mississauga in response to COVID-19.

To learn more about these new route changes, visit www.miway.ca/hurontario.

For details about other planned service changes that take effect on Monday, Aug. 3, please visit www.miway.ca/aug3.

 

July 14, 2020
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Filming July 14, 2020 @ 1440 Lakeshore Road East

By Events, Issues, Resources

Please note that the above will be filming exterior scenes for a music video “Koffee” at the TRCA Lands at 1440 Lakeshore Rd E (Ward 1) on July 14 from 8:00am – 9:00pm.

 

Production has also been granted permission to park crew vehicles and a support vehicle at Small Arms Inspection Building parking lot (1352 Lakeshore Rd E).

 

All permitted productions are required to confirm that they will comply with health protocols outlined in the Ontario Health and Safety Act Section 21.

 

Should you have any comments, questions or concerns please contact Liza Toliao at the Film Office at 905-615-3200 x4114.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

Mississauga Film & Television Office

T 905-615-3200 x4114

film.office@mississauga.ca | mississaugaculture.ca/film

 

City of Mississauga | Community Services Department

Culture Division

 

This e-mail is for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential or privileged information. Unauthorized use of its contents is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify sender immediately via return e-mail and then delete the original e-mail.

July 13, 2020
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COVID-19 Response Continues

By Covid-19, Issues, Resources

COVID-19 Response Continues: Call for Funding, Temporary Patios, Active Transportation Recovery Framework, Deferral of Municipal Accommodation Tax and New Mandatory Face Covering By-law

COVID-19 | July 8, 2020

Today, Mississauga City Council reviewed and approved initiatives in relation to COVID-19 including: a call for funding from provincial and federal governments, time limited amendments to City by-laws to facilitate temporary patios, an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework, a three-month deferral of the Municipal Accommodation Tax and a new by-law requiring face coverings in indoor public spaces accessible to the public.

“We’ve listened to residents and businesses and we’re taking action to make it easier to enter into Stage 2 safely,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Temporary patios will give our local restaurants the room to do more and give people more options for enjoyment in our City. Deferral of the Municipal Accommodation Tax will give our hoteliers the options they need. Expanding cycling and pedestrian lanes gives people more options to move around our City. And, as reopening is underway, we have approved a by-law for face coverings in indoor public spaces to help protect the health and safety of our City and get through this pandemic more quickly.”

Call for Federal and Provincial Funding

Council approved a motion calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide:

  • emergency financial assistance to municipalities equal to the amount requested by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
  • timely approval of Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) projects and immediately flow the money to municipalities
  • stimulus funding programs to spur economic recovery and address the growing fiscal burden faced by municipalities

In addition, Council is requesting the Government of Ontario and Minister of Finance review the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) formula, specifically the elimination of the current five percent cap.

For complete details, view the full motion.

Temporary Patios

Council approved a temporary use by-law that permits temporary outdoor restaurant patios on both public and private property. As part of the approval, Council also waived the fees and some of the requirements under the Business Licensing By-law and Noise Control By-laws.

Temporary Patios on Public Lands

Temporary patios proposed on the City’s municipal road right-of-way or a municipal parking lot require a Temporary Patio Permit.

Restaurants: apply online

A dedicated staff team is in place to review applications as they are received.

Restaurants with questions regarding the application process, can contact the City at temporarypatio@mississauga.ca or can call 905-615-3200 ext. 5593 or ext. 8581. For public safety, temporary patios will not be considered on municipal road right-of-ways with posted speed limits over 50 km/h.

Temporary Patios on Private Lands

For temporary patios on private lands, no permit is required. However, patios must adhere to design requirements. Restaurants should seek the permission of the owner or property manager prior to installation.

Temporary restaurant patios are permitted with Mississauga’s move into Stage 2 of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening Our Province provided proper health and safety measures are in place. All local businesses must adhere to guidelines from the Province of Ontario and the Region of Peel. New resources available to support businesses reopen and recover at mississauga.ca/business-covid-19.

Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework

Council approved a report for an Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework.  Starting this summer, the City will introduce more short-term and long-term active transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians that allow for safe physical distancing.

For details view the report: The City of Mississauga’s Active Transportation COVID-19 Recovery Framework

Deferral of Municipal Accommodation Tax

To provide further assistance to hoteliers, Council approved deferral of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) for the additional months of  June to November 2020. Tax due on June 30 and July 31 was deferred to October 31; August 31 and September 30 to November 30; and October 31 and November 30 to December 31, 2020.  Penalty and interest charges are to be set to zero per cent from July 2 to December 31. An initial deferral of the MAT was done on April 8.

Mandatory Face Coverings By-law For Indoor Public Spaces Accessible to the Public

Mississauga City Council approved a new by-law requiring face coverings to be worn in all indoor public spaces that are accessible to the public.  The by-law is in effect as of July 10, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Details

To stay informed on COVID-19 impacts on City services, please visit: mississauga.ca/recovery or call 311.

M

July 9, 2020
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HAIG BOULEVARD AT RAILWAY CROSSING BETWEEN LAKESHORE ROAD EAST AND CARNEGIE DRIVE —ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE—

By Issues

Please be advised that Haig Boulevard at railway between Lakeshore Road East and Carnegie Drive will be closed.

When:  Starting Monday, July 13th, 2020 until Monday, August 31st, 2020.

Where:  Haig Boulevard at rail way crossing between Lakeshore Road East and Carnegie Drive.

 Why:  A temporary road closure is required for the purpose of replacing all overhead conductors crossing the railway to be installed under the rail, and existing overhead conductors to be removed.

Advance road closure signs will be installed to advise motorists of this closure.

July 7, 2020
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