Issues

Jul 12 2019
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Westacres Tennis Club

By Issues, Resources

Westacres Tennis Club is a membership based, not-for-profit organization registered with the City that manages and operates community club courts and the associated premises through an Agreement with the City. The role of the City is to ensure that the club is meeting policy and agreement requirements and it is the Club’s elected Board of Directors who run the day-to-day business of the organization.

 

In May 2019 Council endorsed the revised and renamed policy “Outdoor Tennis & Pickleball in Mississauga” (attached) which changed the public access requirement. Every community club must promote and offer a minimum of five open houses annually to allow public participation and encourage Club membership. The remaining open houses scheduled for Westacres Tennis Club in 2019 are:

Sunday July 21 – 2 to 5 p.m.

Tuesday August 13 – 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 17 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The gates will be unlocked only during the open houses in order to manage risk and to protect the assets the club has invested in such as nets, windscreens and the court surface.

 

Through the executive board’s efforts the club’s membership has increased over the past three years to 143 members in 2018. This meets the policy guideline for minimum membership as a community club.

 

The board must abide by the Privacy Act not to release each member’s personal information unless they have received permission to do so. City staff have been informed that the Club president did reach out to the entire membership this week to see if there were any interested members wanting to be on a “play list” and days most available.  If they are interested the member would then grant the executive permission to release their personal contact information to other members on the “play list” to contact. The Club will be getting back to those who responded. Please contact the Club President, listed on the website, if you did not receive his email.

 

Volunteers are always needed by every organization which is also another great way to engage with members.  I would encourage you to contact the Executive if you are interested.

 

Jul 11 2019
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City Creates Tourism Municipal Services Corporation to Promote Tourism

By Issues

July 5, 2019

This week, City Council approved plans to create a Tourism Municipal Services Corporation (Tourism MSC) to promote Mississauga as a tourism destination. The Tourism MSC will operate as Mississauga’s tourism and destination marketing organization.

“Tourism is a major driver for local economies in cities across the country, including Mississauga, Canada’s sixth largest city,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “It generates revenue, provides good jobs and keeps our city open for business. This new organization will allow us to attract more tourism and encourage visitors to explore all that our great city has to offer. From our sprawling waterfront to cultural festivals, sports teams, live music, creative arts, dining and more, there is so much to see and do in Mississauga.”

The Tourism MSC will allow Mississauga to have an independent non-profit organization that will be eligible to receive Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) funds as required by Government of Ontario legislation.

“The Tourism Advisory Board is excited to take this next step in growing tourism in Mississauga,” said Pat Saito, Ward 9 Councillor and Chair of the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board. “We have a vibrant hospitality industry to attract and serve all visitors whether they are here for business or pleasure. The new organization will implement our Tourism Master Plan and take us to the next level as a popular destination.”

The City hosted a public meeting on June 3 to get feedback on the City’s plans to develop a Tourism MSC. This consultation showed strong support for the initiative. Tourism staff also prepared a business case study outlining the benefits of establishing the corporation. This is included with the corporate report.

“The Tourism MSC will enable us to continue to promote sports tourism and attract provincial and national sporting events such as the Ontario Summer Games and the 55+ Summer Games,” said Shari Lichterman, Director, Recreation. “Having a strong independent corporation will allow us to develop our City as a destination that will continue to thrive and attract large multicultural festivals.”

Under the leadership of Tourism MSC interim directors – Paul Mitcham, Commissioner, Community Services; Gary Kent, Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Services and Shari Lichterman, Director, Recreation – staff in consultation with the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board, will develop and bring back recommendations to Council in late 2019 regarding governance, operations and required elements to bring the Tourism MSC to full operation.

The City’s Tourism Unit will continue to implement the approved Tourism Master Plan.

Background:
In 2017, the Government of Ontario brought in regulation permitting municipalities to implement a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). On February 7, 2018 City Council approved the implementation of a MAT Tax. This law went into effect on April 1, 2018. Government of Ontario legislation requires 50 per cent of the MAT funds collected by a municipality be directed to an eligible non-profit organization.

Tweet: .@CityMississauga is creating a Tourism Municipal Services Corporation (Tourism MSC) to promote Mississauga as a tourism destination. http://ow.ly/nnEL50uUkuY

 

Kimberly Hicks

Senior Communications Advisor

T 905-615-3200 ext.5232 | M 905-662-4329

kimberly.hicks@mississauga.ca

Jul 11 2019
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Mississauga Begins Community Improvement Plan for Affordable Rental Housing

By Issues

Jul 05, 2019

Mississauga is continuing its work to create more affordable housing. This week, Council approved a proposal to develop a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to offer incentives for new affordable rental dwellings.

“Mississauga, much like many other growing cities across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA), is facing a housing affordability challenge,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “This plan will help Mississauga take another meaningful step toward building more affordable rental housing in our city. It will also allow us to continue to make progress on our Making Room for the Middle Affordable Housing plan and ensure that everyone, no matter their background, can afford to live in Mississauga.”

A CIP can be created when what is needed in a community will not be built by the market without intervention. This CIP could encourage the development of new affordable purpose-built rental units by providing financial and non-financial incentives. Only units meeting defined affordability criteria would be considered for incentives by Council. Staff will recommend the appropriate affordability thresholds through work on the CIP.

“We are suggesting a city-wide CIP for affordable rental units because these are not being built by the market anywhere in the city, with the exception of developments supported by the Region of Peel and other levels of government,” said Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner of Planning and Building. “With a current primary rental vacancy rate of 0.8 per cent in our city, compared to a balanced market vacancy rate of 3 per cent, supply has not kept up with demand.”

This week’s approval begins a three-step process which includes:

  • Introduction of a by-law to designate the entire city as a Community Improvement Project Area for the purposes of affordable rental housing
  • Preparation of the Plan including an analysis of incentive options
  • Consultation with the community and industry, including a statutory public meeting

“We will work in tandem with our Regional partners who are also undertaking a CIP,” said Jason Bevan, Director of City Planning Strategies, who presented the report at Council. “The Region is currently conducting a business case and financial assessment with an update expected to Regional Council this Fall. Mississauga’s CIP would be significantly more effective with Regional participation given their share of overall development charges and property taxes.”

The CIP must take into consideration recent changes to municipal planning and financial legislation introduced in Bill 108.

The CIP follows other recent Council actions to advance the City’s affordable housing strategy including the Demolition Control and Rental Protection By-laws. The City currently has a CIP in place for office space in the downtown area.

Jul 11 2019
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Public Information Centre – 1 Port Street East Proposed Marina Project

By Events, Issues, Resources

July 9, 2019

In 2016, City Council approved the Inspiration Port Credit Master Plan, which included a marina at 1 Port Street East as part of the vision.

The City of Mississauga is beginning an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act for the 1 Port Street East Proposed Marina Project. The environmental assessment will study a proposed expanded land base for additional waterfront parkland. It will also examine any marina alternatives for the existing site. As an introduction to the project, the City is inviting local-area residents, businesses, stakeholders and the boating community to a public information centre on July 18.

What:
Public Information Centre – 1 Port Street East Proposed Marina Project

Who:
Local-area residents and businesses
Boaters and those who use the existing marina

Port Credit BIA

Local Ratepayer and Community Groups
City staff

When:
Thursday, July 18, 2019

Time:
Open House 4 to 8 p.m.
Presentation 6:30 p.m.

 

Where: 
Clarke Memorial Hall
161 Lakeshore R.W.
Mississauga, ON
[MAP]
The community will be engaged throughout the project and will be given opportunities to provide input.

 

For more information about the project, visit mississauga.ca/1portstreeteast.

Jul 04 2019
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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

 

 

Jul 03 2019
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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.

 

 

Jun 28 2019
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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

 

Jun 25 2019
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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 Park ; Who: 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)