Smart City Master Plan

By Uncategorized

June 26, 2019
The City of Mississauga’s first Smart City Master Plan was presented to General Committee. The plan focuses on how technology will continue to enhance the quality of life in Mississauga and help prepare for the future.

A Smart City uses digital technologies to help support people who live, work and play in their city. This can include online services to pay bills and sign up for swim classes, free public Wi-Fi hotspots, events (such as hackathons) and infrastructure projects – such as traffic management systems and 5G network support.

This Master Plan will guide Mississauga for the next ten years as it continues to evolve as a Smart City. The directions included in the plan will be used to shape policy and move ahead with digital transformation at the City and in the community.

“Mississauga is working to become a municipal leader when it comes to leveraging smart technology and innovation to engage our residents and solve some of our City’s most pressing issues,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “A ‘Smart Mississauga’ will be a well-connected, sustainable city where everyone can live, work and thrive for generations to come. Our new plan will help ensure that as Mississauga transforms into a modern, global city, that we stay at the forefront of innovation and technology to ensure we are not only meeting the needs of the present, but giving future generations the ability to meet theirs.”

Mississauga’s Smart City initiatives will focus on creating vibrant, inclusive communities with a high quality of life. These include:

  • Living Labs – which test new technologies in a real-life context and provide an opportunity for the public to be involved in the process.
  • Innovation Challenges – an opportunity to solve local problems with a callout to the public to submit their ideas.
  • Centre for Civic Curiosity – a roaming engagement hub where the public can explore, learn, connect and contribute to the City’s future through a series of activities such as talks, workshops and demonstrations about Smart City technologies and their cultural implications.
  • Citizen-Centred Smart City Policy – this will guide Smart City initiatives in areas such as data privacy and transparency and will be co-created with the public.

“Over the past year, we’ve engaged our community in an extensive series of in-person and online discussions where we received valuable input on our proposed Smart City Master Plan,” said Shawn Slack, Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer. “The Master Plan aims to create a ‘Smart City for Everybody’ that will help bridge the divide between those who have access to technology and those who do not. Thank you to everyone who participated and provided feedback – this truly shapes the future of technology for our City.”

The plan went to Council for final approval on Wednesday, July 3.

For more information on the Smart City Master Plan, please visit mississauga.ca/smartcity.

 

UPDATE ON THE LRT

By Hurontario LRT

Hurontario LRT will provide 18 km of rapid transit with 19 stops on a dedicated right-of-way between Mississauga and Brampton. The Hurontario LRT will link the GO stations at Port Credit and Cooksville, the Mississauga Transitway, Square One GO Bus Terminal, Brampton Gateway Terminal and key Züm and MiWay routes.

The following are frequently asked questions about the project:

  • What stage is the project in?

The Request For Proposals (RFP) has closed and the bids are being evaluated by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx. Financial close (contract award) is expected this fall, with major construction to begin later in the year.

  • When will major construction begin and end?

A detailed schedule will emerge through the project procurement process once the winning bid team is selected. Preparatory construction has already begun prior to the main construction. Finalized completion date will be available when the contract is awarded.

  • Why is preparatory construction necessary?

Preparatory construction is underway as utility companies relocate communication cables and underground structures along the Hurontario LRT corridor. This work provides companies with access to their utility infrastructure after the light rail train is fully operational.

  • Will major construction begin at one end of Hurontario and end at the other?

While the successful project team will determine the construction priorities and schedule, construction will likely start with some of the more complicated parts of the project (such as bridges) first as they will take longer to complete.

  • What will the traffic be like during construction?

As with any large transit project, vehicle traffic will be affected during various stages of construction. Efforts will be made to minimize the effects of construction, such as providing commuters with advance notification of lane closures and by enforcing safety measures to protect on-site workers and commuters on the road.

  • Will bus service continue?

Local bus service will continue on the Hurontario corridor and will provide service between LRT stops. Express service will cease operations.

  • What kind of vehicles will be used?

The Citadis Spirit Light Rail Vehicle will be supplied by Alstom to the Hurontario LRT project.

It is large (50 metres long), can accommodate up to 336 passengers, accessible—100% low floor and spots for four wheel chairs in every train and quiet as it’s electric. The vehicles will be assembled in Brampton.

  • How much will it cost to ride?

Fare levels have not yet been determined, but they are expected to be consistent with fares charged elsewhere on the local Mississauga and Brampton transit systems.

  • How frequently will the trains run?

During peak periods, trains will run every 7.5 minutes. During off-peak periods, train will run every 10-12 minutes.

 

To connect with the project team:

Follow: @HurontarioLRT

Email: HurontarioLRT@metrolinx.com

Update on QEW/Dixie Interchange

By Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

June 2019

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is undertaking improvements of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) from east of Dixie Road to The East Mall. The Construction Contractor is Toronto Zenith (TZ) and the Construction Contract Administrator, working on behalf of the MTO is GHD Limited. The project commenced in September of 2018, and is anticipated to reach completion in November of 2021. The total construction value of the assignment is $57,467,000.00.

Work in 2019 will include the following:

  • Partial replacement of the QEW Bridge over Etobicoke Creek;
  • QEW Median reconstruction between The West Mall and The East Mall;
  • Localized QEW widening to the north between The West Mall and Dixie Road; and
  • Peel Region Sanitary Sewer and Watermain upgrades on Brentano Boulevard.

To-date, all of the above activities have commenced, and upgrades to the Peel Region Sanitary Sewer are nearly complete. The QEW widening work to the north, scheduled to be complete this season, in 2019, includes construction of a series of Retaining Walls and Noise Walls behind the residents backing onto the QEW off of Brentano Boulevard.

Questions regarding construction may be directed to Mr. Graham Sled, P.Eng., Contract Administrator, GHD Limited, at 2018-2001@ghd.com.

I always encourage, should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly

Stephen

 

 

Older Adult Plan for Recreation will Support 200,000 Residents Who are 55+

By Issues, Resources, Uncategorized

July 3, 2019

Today, City Council endorsed The plan, to be implemented over 10 years, addresses the active living needs of the 200,000 Mississauga residents who are 55 years of age and over.

“This Older Adult Plan for Recreation focuses on program and service delivery for older adults,” said Shari Lichterman, Director, Recreation.  This included a close look at older adult demographics, participation rates in City programs and how space is used in our facilities. We consulted with our older adult users to better understand their interests and needs.”

The 55+ age group currently accounts for 27 per cent of the City’s population. Growth projections show this age group increasing to 45 per cent by 2031.This will make the older adult population the largest demographic in the city. The greatest density of older adults is in the City’s central/east and northwest areas.

The plan’s recommendations are organized into four key areas; highlights include:

  1. Older Adult Service Delivery – align older adult clubs and providers to better clarity on program offerings and delivery
  2. Older Adult Programming – establish the age of 55 as the age for older adult program delivery
  3. Allocation of Indoor Space for Older Adults – prioritize older adult space needs at the same level as youth and other user groups
  4. Future Older Adult Facility Design and Space Needs – improve community centre spaces to accommodate older adult needs

Funding requirements for the Older Adult Recreation Plan will be considered through the annual budget process.

 

 

Community Consultation on Traffic Calming Measures within the Port Credit Heritage District – July 4th

By Events, Issues, Uncategorized

The purpose of this Community Public Information session is to give you an opportunity to bring you up to date regarding traffic calming measures within the Port Credit HCD in response to the West Village development.

The date of the Community Public Information session is Thursday, July 4th from 5 pm to 7 pm.  at Clarke Hall.

Please drop in as there will be display boards illustrating the various traffic calming options. Staff will be there as well to discuss the options and answer questions on a  one-on-one basis.

Please see the following link to the notice: http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/roads?paf_gear_id=9700018&itemId=10600009q

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Stephen

 

Free City Program Gets Kids Active and Outdoors This Summer

By Events, Issues, Uncategorized

June 24, 2019 

Let’s Play in the Park is back for its sixth season this summer. The City-run program provides kids ages six to 12 with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, be active and make new friends.

The nine-week program is free and runs weekdays from Tuesday, July 2 to Friday, August 30. The program takes place at 13 parks across Mississauga and includes two parks that are new to the program this year: Barondale Green Park and Hillside Park.

Supervised by qualified staff trained in HIGH FIVE® principles of healthy child development, kids in the program get to participate in fun recreation activities including organized games and sports, arts and crafts, theme days and more.

Registration for the program is required however residents can register for as many Let’s Play in the Park programs as they would like. 

Program Details:

What:  Let’s Play in the ParkWho: Kids ages six to 12;  When/Where:

1 to 4 p.m.* Barondale Green Park

Community Common

Lisgar Fields

Neebin Park

Serson Park– Ward 1

Weekdays – Monday to Friday from July 2 to August 30, 2019 (exception date August 5, 2019)

New Mississauga Library website

By Events, Issues, Uncategorized

June 25, 2019

Today, we reached a milestone in the Digital Modernization Initiative and launched the new Mississauga Library website to the public. Following months of design, planning, and testing, staff activated the site smoothly today at 10:00 am, without any problems or disruptions to services.

We created the site by using public input to improve our work, and by following our new Digital Service Standard. Our goal was to make the site accessible and easier to use by creating better search, clear navigation, and simplified content. The site works on a wide range of devices: mobile, tablet, and desktop.

We will continue to measure and improve our work in the following ways:

  • Each page of the new Library site features a feedback button for customers to report problems directly to staff
  • We have implemented a quality assurance dashboard, which will monitor continuously for any errors
  • We are introducing a new customer satisfaction tool this year, to help us understand people’s ever-shifting needs as we continue to evolve the site

The site was developed through a collaborative effort between the Strategic Communications, IT, and Mississauga Library teams. Led by the library’s Master Plan, Future Directions, the site helps move towards the goals of bridging the digital divide, ensuring barrier free access to technology and continuing to invest in a 24/7 virtual branch.

Should you require any additional information please let me know.

Reconstruction of existing trail in Lakefront Promenade Park

By Events, Issues, Resources

Jun 24, 2019

The existing trail is in poor condition and is due for lifecycle replacement and will also be upgraded to 3.0m wide where possible to meet our current trail standard.   We anticipate completion of this work within three (3) weeks pending weather.  Staff will be posting “Notice of Service Disruption” at all the access locations for resident awareness.  Should you have any questions or concerns please contact me.

Stephen

Economic Development Strategy Forum

By Events, Issues
As the City of Mississauga approaches the end of its 10 year economic development strategy, the City’s Economic Development Office (EDO) is planning for a new era of local economic growth and prosperity with the development of a new five year economic Development Strategy that will guide us through a highly innovative, competitive and connected global economy.

To build on the City’s success, EDO has retained a team of consultants from Hatch, who will bring international expertise in economic development, to facilitate the creation of a new strategy and engage key stakeholders to help shape Mississauga’s economic development priorities.

This is to advise you, that you, and/or an individual within your organization that is responsible for strategic planning, have been selected to participate in thematic workshops based on the Strategy’s areas of focus: business, people, place and infrastructure. The workshops will be facilitated by Hatch consultants and will draw upon evidence gathered to date.

Please see the following link and select the session(s) that you would like to attend. If you feel that the thematic workshops might be of interest to someone within your organization whose focus is strategic planning, please kindly forward this communication to them. 

Once registered, an agenda and details on the workshop will be circulated one week prior to the workshop.

 

Location:
City Hall, 300 City Centre Drive,
C Banquets, 12th Floor,
Mississauga, ON
L5B 3C1

 

Session 1: Business
Wednesday, July 10 | 7:30 – 9:30am

 

Register

 

Session 2: Places
Wednesday, July 10 | 2:00 – 4:00pm

 

Register

 

Session 3: People
Thursday, July 11 | 7:30 – 9:30am

 

Register

 

Session 4: Infrastructure
Thursday, July 11 | 6:30 – 8:30pm

City is making Mississauga’s waterfront more inclusive and accessible

By Events, Issues, Resources

In an effort to remove and prevent barriers for persons with disabilities, the City is making Mississauga’s waterfront more inclusive and accessible for all with the Accessible Beach Routes pilot project.  Accessible Beach Routes will roll out at Lakefront Promenade and Jack Darling Memorial Park on July 1, 2019, weather permitting.

Accessible beach mats provide a nonslip, accessible surface and allows individuals with mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and walkers, older adults and parents with strollers, easier to access to the beach.

Parks Operations staff will install the mats and directional signage at both park locations.  The mats are secured in place with pins, allowing for easy maintenance without requiring the mats to be removed or the facility closed for an extended period of time.  The beach access route will remain in place for the season and the mats will be removed annually in the fall and over winter.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Stephen