November 18, 2019

The City of Mississauga was recognized with two awards for its 2019-2022 Business Plan and 2019 Budget.

The City’s Finance Division has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This is the 30^th consecutive year for Mississauga to receive the award, the most received by a Canadian municipality.

Participants must meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation in order to receive this award. The GFOA assesses each budget submission for its merit as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and as a communications device.

In addition, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Canada awarded the City with a Silver Leaf Award in the Government Communications Programs category for the 2019 Budget Engagement Campaign.

The Silver Leaf is a national award that recognizes outstanding work in communications. The Silver Leaf for the 2019 Budget Engagement Campaign confirms that Mississauga has achieved communications excellence in Canada for how the City communicates to our residents about its budget.

The campaign featured communications tactics aimed at helping residents understand what they get for their property tax dollars. This was an important factor in helping decision makers prepare budgets in a transparent manner, ensuring responsiveness to residents’ needs and views.

“It’s an honour for the City’s Budget to be acknowledged for excellence with these two awards,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “These achievements reflect Council’s commitment to excellence and sets high standards among other municipalities. Our success is due to the collaborative efforts of a dedicated team of City staff who contribute their expertise every year.”

Background:

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 20,500 members and the communities they serve.

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global membership association with thousands of members from around the world. IABC serves professionals in the field of business communication, bringing together the profession’s collective disciplines. IABC delivers on the Global Standard in communication through its educational offerings, certification, awards program, resource library, online magazine and annual World Conference.

The City of Mississauga is recognized with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for excellence in financial reporting for the 30^th consecutive year from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

The City of Mississauga is recognized with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Canada Silver Leaf Award for the 2019 Budget Engagement campaign.

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November 19, 2019

Time flies on the Mississauga Transitway bypassing traffic. This month, MiWay is celebrating five years of service delivery since launching the first phase of its dedicated 18 kilometre transit corridor in 2014 – the first of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area.

“As a growing urban city, we will continue to make smart investments to grow our transit service and make our fleet cleaner and greener. The transitway has helped our city tackle gridlock and has changed the way we move people across Mississauga and beyond,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “By efficiently connecting customers to other transit services such as GO Transit and the TTC, we are making it easier for people to leave their cars at home and hop on MiWay to connect to where they need to be.”

Since the first four stations opened, MiWay’s annual ridership numbers have steadily increased along with new investments in service through the MiWay Five Transit Service Plan (2016-2020). In its operation, the transitway has seen an annual ridership of 5.1 million in 2019, providing searvice across 12 stations. Customers can access GO Bus services at several stations (since GO Transit also travels on the Transitway), as well as connections to Brampton Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) at certain stations.

“Through strategic investments in transit, we’re enhancing the customer experience on our transit system. Buses on the transitway are not impacted by traffic congestion, roadway delays, or construction allowing for faster travel times and greater reliability,” said Geoff Marinoff, Director, Transit. “Today, the transitway enables services for thousands of riders every day, allowing them to travel east and west across Mississauga in under 35 minutes.”

According to Marinoff, the Transitway has benefitted customers by:

• providing four express routes that travel on the Transitway

• reducing customer travel time
• ensuring reliable commutes with buses bypassing congestion
• providing easier connections to surrounding cities

The Mississauga Transitway is part of the City of Mississauga’s Official Plan, along with the MiWay Five Transit Service Plan (2016-2020), which aims to transition the system to a grid network, allowing for more frequent and direct routes. In 2020, MiWay will focus on integrating new transit hubs with the new construction of Kipling Station and the Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Park. The first MiWay Five plan wraps up in 2020 and MiWay is in the development stages of its next MiWay Five Transit Service Plan (2021-2025), which will improve MiWay services across the city, as well as to and through Mississauga’s transitway stations.   To learn more, visit miway.ca/miway5.

Plan your trip by visiting miway.ca/planatrip or by calling 905-615-INFO (4636) for customized route and schedule information.Background

The Mississauga Transitway opened with the first four Mississauga-constructed stations, Central Parkway, Cawthra, Tomken and Dixie in November 2014. The new Square One GO Bus terminal, near the City Centre Transit Terminal (CCTT), opened in 2016. In 2017, the other Mississauga-constructed stations, Tahoe, Etobicoke Creek, Spectrum and Orbitor, and Metrolinx-constructed stations, Winston Churchill, Erin Mills Parkway and Renforth, opened.

The transitway is a key component of Ontario’s Smart Growth program for development of the Greater Toronto Area and connects to a 100-kilometre wide initiative that will create a dedicated bus corridor from Oakville to Pickering. For more information on the transitway, visit: miway.ca/transitway.

Nov 18, 2019

Today, City staff’s overview presentation of the proposed 2020 Business Plan and Budget to the Budget Committee began with an economic outlook by Andrew Grantham, Executive Director and Senior Economist, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).

Grantham stated, “Tentative signs of improvement in US-China trade relations and global growth has eased some of the downside risk facing the Canadian economy and the City of Mississauga in particular. However, slower growth in Canada and Ontario specifically recently, compared to 2017, has been driven largely by softer consumer spending. With household budgets remaining stretched, with savings low and affordability concerns remaining, growth is likely to remain modest going forward.”

2020 Tax Impact

The proposed overall tax impact is a 3.84 per cent increase on the 2020 residential property tax bill. Of this, 1.74 per cent is for the City’s services and, 2.1 per cent for Region of Peel services, based on the proposed Regional budget. The proposed overall tax increase on the 2020 commercial/industrial property tax bill is 2.35 per cent. Of this, 1.07 per cent is for the City’s services, and 1.28 per cent for Region of Peel services.

“In 2020, the City continues to focus on a number of projects and plans that will align with the City’s Strategic Plan and corporate priorities,” said Jeff Jackson, Director of Finance and City Treasurer. “New services focus on quality of life for residents, quality of service, service delivery and value for money. Existing services will be maintained or improved. New initiatives will help further advance the Strategic Plan. The Public Safety Fire Program is part of Mississauga’s commitment to a high standard of public safety. We also need to continue to invest and maintain the infrastructure we already own.”

A presentation on Mississauga’s economic growth story by Bonnie Brown, Director, Economic Development, highlighted that:

Mississauga has experienced strong economic growth over the past five years, with total employment growing twice as fast as our population.

• Of Canada’s ten largest cities, Mississauga is the only city that ranks fifth or higher across key industrial sectors; Automotive, Aerospace, Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, Finance, and Information Communication Technologies
• Mississauga’s per capita economic output is almost 40% higher than average output in Ontario.

 Stormwater

The City’s stormwater charge is a dedicated source of funding that appears on the Region of Peel water bill separate from the budget and the 2020 increase is set at 2 per cent. This amounts to $108.20 per stormwater billing unit.

Fees and Charges

The City’s Budget Committee previously considered new and increased fees and charges for 2020. This included transit fares and fees for Recreation and Parks, Forestry & Environment programs. Additional revenue of approximately $1.8 million is expected from the increases and new fees. These will also lift some pressures on the property tax rate in 2020.

Learn more about the City’s 2020 Business Plan and Budget and what they mean to you as a taxpayer:

• Visit mississauga.ca/budgetand see what you get for your tax dollars
• Read an overviewof the 2020 preliminary Business Plan & Budget that was presented to Budget Committee on June 26, 2019
• Watch or attend Budget Committee deliberations scheduled for November 19, 25, 26 and 27 with a Council vote to approve the budget now expected at the December 4 Council Meeting.*

* Budget Committee meeting schedules are subject to change.

Choose from several ways to get involved and share your thoughts

• Have a question or comment – email us at budget@mississauga.ca
• Follow the City on Facebook and Twitter
• Attend a Budget Committeemeeting or watch online.

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November 5, 2019

Colder temperatures and morning frosts have already made their mark in Mississauga and snow won’t be far behind. When the time comes, the City’s winter crews will be ready to take on winter.

“Mississauga is ready and prepared for whatever winter weather may come our way,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Whether it’s snow or ice on our roads, winter crews will be working around the clock to make sure roads, bike lanes, sidewalks and bus stops are safe and accessible this winter. To minimize the impact on the environment, roads are only salted when needed. I encourage residents to drive according to weather conditions and give snow plows lots of space as they work to clear our roads and keep you safe.”

Mickey Frost, Director, Works Operations and Maintenance added: “We have 378 pieces of snow clearing equipment that are ready to clear 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. Residents can get snow clearing updates using our snow plow tracker online and by following @MississaugaSnow on Twitter.”

Here is what residents need to know about snow clearing in Mississauga:

Levels of Service

Residential roads and priority sidewalks are not cleared to bare pavement, but are made passable and safe.

Download and view highlights of what the City clears.

On-street Parking

Parked vehicles reduce the City staff’s ability to efficiently and safely clear roads. Any parked vehicles on residential roads should be removed during snow clearing. On-street parking restrictions remain in effect from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., year-round.

Temporary parking permits can be suspended at any time during winter operations and new permits will not be issued. Vehicles parked on City streets will be enforced according to the Traffic By-law and will be issued a penalty notice and be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

Using Salt Responsibly 

The City is committed to maintaining road safety while minimizing impacts to the environment by using the right amount of road salt in the right place and time. Salt trucks are equipped with on-board technology to monitor and control salt use. Access to an advanced weather monitoring system also allows winter crews to salt only when necessary and in accordance with conditions.

Residents are also encouraged to minimize the impact of salt on the environment by following manufacturer instructions to only apply the right amount under the right conditions.

Download the Pingstreet mobile app to report over-salting at bus stops.

Significant Weather Event

During severe winter events, the City may declare a Significant Weather Event under the Ontario Municipal Act (Regulation 239/02). This allows the City’s works operations more time to deploy winter equipment to address a significant winter storm. Service level timing starts after the declaration is lifted instead of when the snow stops.

Snow Clearing Updates and Temporary Parking Permit Cancellations

• Follow @MississaugaSnow on Twitter.
• Visit the online Snow Plow Tracker.
• Call 3-1-1 (905-615-4311 if outside city limits) for concerns about road conditions after snow clearing is complete.

Safety Tips 

• Be a good neighbour by clearing your sidewalk as soon as possible after a snowfall for the safety of others, and offer to help older adults and people with disabilities who may need it.
• Drive according to weather conditions and give snow plows and salt trucks lots of space as they clear the roads.
• Wear appropriate footwear when outside.
• Ensure pets are brought indoors during extreme weather conditions.

For more information about snow clearing in the city, visit mississauga.ca/snow.

November 6, 2019 

Today, City of Mississauga Council endorsed the Lakeview Waterfront Development Master Plan. The Plan sets out the framework for the development of the 177-acre site, formerly the Lakeview Power Generating Station lands, located in Mississauga’s Lakeview community.

Today’s approval of the Master Plan is the latest step in the multi-year project which began with Inspiration Lakeview consultations in 2010. The City can now review submitted development applications and can consider amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law. Public consultation will continue throughout the process.

“I am pleased that we are one step closer to creating liveable, walkable communities connecting the lakeshore from east to west,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “The transformation of our waterfront will drive tourism, foster innovation, spur economic growth and attract a new generation to Mississauga. Few cities in the world have the opportunity to develop 250 acres of their waterfront. The potential here is enormous.  As we continue to work together, our vision to create a world-class waterfront will become a reality.”

The Plan sets out an urban framework that defines the character of Lakeview Village. It creates the foundation for the development of mixed-use, multi-modal, green and innovative neighbourhoods on the site.

“The Lakeview Waterfront Development Master Plan outlines an ideal 21^st century community for our waterfront,” said Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner of Planning and Building. “We wanted to ensure this Master Plan was in place before we considered any Official Plan amendments. The development of the Master Plan allowed us to more closely examine the built form and density. We were also able to more fully engage with the community, than what would have been possible under the original Official Plan process.”

Following presentations of earlier versions of the Master Plan to Planning and Development Committee (PDC) on April 29 and June 24, Lakeview Community Partners Limited met with City staff and the Lakeview Community Advisory Panel  (LCAP) to incorporate feedback received and revise the Plan.

“I would like to thank the community for the significant time and energy they have contributed to this process,” said Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko. “We will continue to work with our community partners to ensure we can create something for generations to enjoy.”

The Lakeview Waterfront is one of Mississauga’s three key redevelopment waterfront projects along with Port Credit West Village and 1 Port Street.

[Download the graphic]

[Link to the graphic within the Plan]