NOVEMBER 2023
Council Newsletter CITY OF PETERBOROUGH
Mayor’s Message
Councillor Updates
Council Meetings
An update from Mayor Jeff Leal about what’s happening in the community and at the Council table.
Messages from each of the City’s 10 Councillors, with two for each of the City’s five Wards.
Highlights from recent Council meetings, reflecting decisions and issues. What’s coming to Council.
PAGE
PAGE
PAGE
3
6
11
PAGE 10 | BULLETINS
PAGE 2 | NEW GREEN BIN SERVICE
PAGE 4 | 2024 BUDGET
PAGE 12 | EVENTS
PAGE 2
New Green Bin Service City waste collection service changes launched on October 31 with a new weekly Green Bin service, bi-weekly garbage collection, and requiring the use of clear bags without bins for curbside garbage collection. Recycling collection remains on a weekly schedule. The first collection saw strong uptake on the new program, with more than 85% of eligible households placing their Green Bin to the curb for pick up. Full details on set-out instructions and what goes in the Green Bin are online at peterborough.ca/GreenBin.
“Congratulations Peterborough! We are a greener community thanks to the remarkable uptake of the new Green Bin program and garbage collection changes. We’re diverting more waste from the landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving workers’ safety.” Councillor Gary Baldwin, Waste Management Portfolio Chair
NOVEMBER 2023
These changes support safe implementation of new programs outlined in the City’s Waste Management Master Plan update that target a residential Diversion rate of 75%. An increase to 75% diversion will add another 5 or 6 years of life to the landfill.
WHAT’S IN/OUT The Green Bin accepts food waste, including meat, fish and bones, vegetable scraps, dairy products, cereal, flour, pasta, bread, grains, rice, etc. Other waste accepted includes pet waste and kitty litter (no plastic bags or liners), tissues, paper napkins, etc To see what goes where, please visit peterborough.ca/ WasteApp.
NOVEMBER 2023
PAGE 3
Mayor’s Message JEFF LEAL, MAYOR, CITY OF PETERBOROUGH It has now been a year since the residents of Peterborough gave me the honour of being Mayor. We have accomplished much in that time – please see just a few highlights below. In the spring, my Council colleagues and I approved Peterborough’s first Strategic Plan which outlines our vision for Peterborough 2050. This plan sets our mission, values and strategic priorities to help guide the City’s administrative direction over the next few decades. After the retirement of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sandra Clancy, who served the City well for many decades, Council appointed Jasbir Raina as our new CAO. Jasbir is a bold leader who will serve Peterborough well for many years to come. We are moving forward with Service Peterborough, a centralized, one-stop shop customer service experience for residents who interact with and access a wide range of City services. Starting next year, City Hall will undergo renovations to serve you better. Housing has been a major priority. We are building affordable units in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, and our Modular Bridge Housing Project will help keep people safe from the cold this winter. We have also been working with developers to speed up approvals to get more housing built in our community. To that end, I will be creating a Mayor’s Task Force on Housing Affordability and Future Growth. And most recently, we implemented important changes to waste collection, including the Green Bin program which will divert food waste from our landfill. It is a privilege to serve the citizens of Peterborough. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions, concerns and ideas you have!
PAGE 4
NOVEMBER 2023
2024 Budget THE CITY’S PLAN FOR INVESTMENTS IN SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEXT YEAR
The Draft 2024 Budget meets Council’s direction for an all-inclusive rate increase of up to 5.5%, with additional Council approved directions, external organization requests and service delivery enhancements that have been identified by Council as priorities raising the all-inclusive increase to 9.59%. Factors affecting the 2024 Budget above the baseline 5.5%, which is largely based on inflationary cost increases, include proposed investments in policing, City employee compensation, Transit service improvements, enhancing municipal law enforcement services, changes to snow removal operations, and improving customer service. Learn more at peterborough.ca/Budget
YOUR INPUT MATTERS The City started the 2024 Budget process in March with community consultation, a survey and public meetings. Finance Committee meetings in May and June reviewed information and considered community input.
Public Meetings: 2024 Budget Public meeting 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2023, at McDonnel Street Community Centre Informal drop-in, 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, November 14, in the main foyer, at City Hall. Finance Committee meeting, registered delegations presenting to Council, starting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 14, at City Hall. Finance Committee meetings, presentations from local boards and agencies, no public delegations, Wednesday, November 15, at City Hall. Finance Committee review, discussion and debate on the Draft 2024 Budget, no public delegations, November 20 to 23 at City Hall. City Council considers adopting the 2024 Budget, registered delegations can present to Council on Monday, December 11.
PAGE 5
NOVEMBER 2023
Councillor Updates OTONABEE - WARD 1
I begin by thanking Otonabee Ward residents for electing me as 1 of 2 ward Councillors. Year 2 of my 4-year term has been busy, productive and rewarding. I have had opportunities to meet with many ward residents and business owners, and I look forward to continuing with this interaction! Besides attending regular City Council meetings, my responsibilities have and will continue to include: Transit Liaison Committee; Community Accessibility Advisory Committee; and Otonabee Conservation Authority Board Our Community is embarking on many important projects including: Revitalized Transit Service Organic Waste Collection
It has been an active and rewarding time since spring. I participated in the Crawford trail clean up, Special Olympics toll & baseball tournament, airport summit & emergency exercise, relaunched the Youth Commission, Fires Ops & two graduations, parades, promoted blood donations, fundraiser for zoo train, led multiple sessions on new waste program at the Market & a school, attended the Pathway of Fame ceremony & business awards, Trail Town exercise, police budget, Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, Fleming Good Neighbour event, and we celebrated 70 big new trees and casino revenue at Bowers Park. Plus, with my ward partner, Councillor Duguay, I’ve continued the ongoing work on committees, boards, council meetings, city initiatives and constituent engagement.
We provided an Organic Waste information booth at the Saturday Morrow Park Farmers Market, which was well received by the community.
My favourite day was September 23 when we planted 520 trees (500 medium, 20 large) with "Trees 4 Peterborough”! Thanks to sponsors RBC, Excelsior Group, Peterborough Homes, Merritt, and the City! Planted by 68 volunteers, ages 8 – 78, from Rotary Club of Peterborough, RBC, students and fellow tree lovers. November is looking busy too.
Councillor Kevin Duguay, Ward 1 705-933-4637, kduguay@peterborough.ca
Councillor Lesley Parnell, Ward 1 705-931-1272, lparnell@peterborough.ca
My fellow Ward Councillor, Lesley Parnell, and I work together on matters relevant to the Otonabee Ward.
😊
PAGE 6
NOVEMBER 2023
Councillor Updates MONAGHAN - WARD 2
Hello Monaghan Ward! At our meeting on October 2nd, Council approved city staff recommendations for Woodglade Boulevard. These recommendations included lowering the speed limit on that street to 40 kilometres per hour and placing new crosswalk lines across Lynhaven, Rigdewood, and Oakwood. The reduction in speed provides a twofold purpose for the area. The first is to allow safe left-turning from Lynhaven onto Woodglade in order to meet the recommended stopping sight distance as laid out by the Transportation Association of Canada. The second purpose in the speed limit reduction is to extend the Community Safety Zone (CSZ) from Sherbrooke Street to Kawartha Heights Boulevard. A CSZ allows for more robust signage, potential doubling of speeding fines, along with the eventual addition of automated enforcement cameras.
Things to look forward to for Monaghan Ward Always well used and needed, the report from the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities study discussed at General Committee on October 10 recognized that a dog park would be beneficial if located in Monaghan Ward. We’ll be looking at finding a place to host a dog park within the ward in the next year. I know we are headed into winter, but thinking ahead, council and city staff are working on finding the best place for the next splash pad and Monaghan Ward is due for one. The splash pad that I opened along with former councillor Henry Clarke in 2015 at Kinsmen Park on Sherbrooke Street. has been a big success and I look forward to having a splash pad within the Monaghan Ward boundaries.
As always, please reach out to either myself or Councillor Vassiliadis should you need our assistance. Thank you!
Councillor Matt Crowley, Ward 2 705-740-7892, mcrowley@peterborough.ca
Councillor Don Vassiliadis, Ward 2 705-875-2402, dvassiliadis@peterborough.ca
NOVEMBER 2023
PAGE 7
Councillor Updates TOWN - WARD 3
I am excited to highlight several recent projects that will significantly benefit our community: Arts Investment: Collaborating with the Art Gallery of Peterborough and the Electric City Culture Council (EC3), we are establishing a dedicated funding stream for Professional Arts Organizations. Leveraging EC3's peer assessment expertise, we are gearing up to launch in 2025. Affordable Housing: We've initiated construction of an affordable housing complex at 681 Monaghan Rd with 53 units. Funding, including $19M from the CMHC Rapid Housing Initiative, has been secured. The City is further subsidizing as many units as possible to keep rent at 30% of income or the maximum shelter allowance. This project's focus is to provide support to marginalized groups. Homelessness Support: We're making progress at the Wolfe St. modular bridge housing site, nearing occupancy, and supporting a new drop-in centre/shelter at Trinity Church on Nov 1st to support provide more adequate shelter to those experiencing homelessness, especially during winter. Councillor Alex Bierk, Ward 3 705-741-6807, abierk@peterborough.ca
On Environment, I’m proud that we’ve been designated a “BEE CITY” for a second year in a row, continuing to bring habitat and biodiversity education to our community. At the Monarch Ultra Festival, families celebrated birds, bees, and butterflies. We’re restoring our tree canopy in city parks and I’ve initiated a Litter Action Plan. 2050 Net Zero targets set our focus on our Community Buildings Retrofits, a Home Energy Efficiency Program and Climate Action Plan 2.0. On an Arts note, we anticipate upcoming works from selected artists in the 2004 Flood Commemoration Project. On the Board of Health, I’m an ally-member of the Indigenous Circle. Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Urban Indigenous partners, the City of Peterborough and County are boldly engaging in Peterborough Public Health’s 2023 Strategic Plan. In August, I delegated to Ontario Health Minister,Dr. Sylvia Jones, on the urgency of Physician Infrastructure and a Community Health Centre.
Councillor Joy Lachica, Ward 3 705-741-6859, jlachica@peterborough.ca
PAGE 8
NOVEMBER 2023
Councillor Updates ASHBURNHAM - WARD 4
As we approach the end of Council’s first year in office, there are several accomplishments that have taken place. Driving on Lansdowne Street, it is easy to see that the new Miskin Law Community Complex is well underway, and is slated to open in the fall of 2024. On the housing front, under the leadership of Mayor Leal and new CAO, Jasbir Raina, City Hall is implementing Plan Build Peterborough, designed to streamline the planning and permitting process, in order to address our housing shortage. With respect to housing, the City of Peterborough is currently constructing 50 temporary modular homes. Perhaps the most transformative accomplishment by Council was endorsement of the Waste Management Master Plan Update last February. The major change of this plan is the implementation of the Green Bin organics programme, a move to bi‑weekly garbage pick-up, and the use of clear plastic bags. Thanks to all city departments for their work in support of this important initiative.
Councillor Gary Baldwin, Ward 4 705-760-1428, gbaldwin@peterborough.ca
It has been quite a year on the housing front. As Chair of Housing and Homelessness we will see 50 people moving into Modular Homes on Wolfe Street. There will be the opening of a low minimum barrier shelter at the former Trinity United Church. This is the first time that I can remember being this prepared to house the homeless and marginalized in our community before winter sets in. The skyline of East City is changing with the opening of Ashburnham Realty’s building (The Railway) and TVM’s building at the corner of Hunter Street East and Armour Road Sout to open in 2024. As Chair of Transit and transportation we continue to make changes to our transit system to get people to their destination on time.
Councillor Keith Riel, Ward 4 705-930-0278, kriel@peterborough.ca
NOVEMBER 2023
PAGE 9
Councillor Updates NORTHCREST - WARD 5
On August 17th, Councillors Lesley Parnell, Dave Haacke, Andrew Beamer and 60 enthusiastic children celebrated the Heritage Park Opening. The development of Heritage Park in the City’s north end includes a play structure with swings, a basketball half court, seating areas and asphalt walkways to enhance the accessibility of the park. The project was supported through the City’s Parkland Development Assistance Program, Tollington Fund and Accessibility Fund. The opening of this park will help meet the recreational and wellbeing needs of the people in the community. This new park will be a great addition to the north end of Peterborough. The new playground equipment, basketball half court and accessible features throughout the park will ensure that families will continue to enjoy the park for years to come. Councillor Andrew Beamer, Ward 5 705-930-4869, arbeamer@peterborough.ca Councillor Dave Haacke, Ward 5 705-750-7196, dhaacke@peterborough.ca
NOVEMBER 2023
PAGE 10
Services and Reminders YARD WASTE The City collects yard waste weekly on the same day as your other waste collection until Friday, November 24.
PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE
Yard waste does not go in your Green Bin.
Applications are now available for the City of Peterborough Low Income Senior & Low Income Property Tax Assistance Program.
Learn more: peterborough.ca/waste
peterborough.ca/TaxAssistance
WINTER PARKING RULES
EXPLORE AND PLAY
From December 1 to April 1, parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. The fine for a violation is $25.
Our multi-use trail system has become one of our most treasured and used City amenities. You can use trails any time of the year to get from A to B or for recreation.
Learn more at peterborough.ca/parking
Visit peterborough.ca/trails.
PAGE 11
NOVEMBER 2023
Council Meeting Highlights DECISIONS, ISSUES, AND UPDATES FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FROM OCTOBER
Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study: Council approved, in principle, the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study, which will be used for future planning and budgeting. As part of the first phase of the plan, Council will consider endorsing the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment to support the following strategies: Pavilion Structure Skateboarding Specialized Bike Facilities Pickleball The Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study outlines the immediate and long-term requirements for selected types of outdoor recreation facilities to support the community’s immediate and future needs. Development Approvals Streamlining: Council approved receiving for information an update on the process to streamline development approvals. The Provincial Streamline Development Approval Funding Program is a one-time financial tool intended to help Ontario’s 39 largest municipalities to modernize, streamline and accelerate their processes for managing and approving housing applications. The City of Peterborough has utilized this fund to undertake multiple projects to achieve these objectives. Woodglade Boulevard Traffic Review: Council approved reducing the speed limit to 40 kilometres per hour and implementing a Community Safety Zone on Woodglade Boulevard between Sherbrooke Street and Kawartha Heights Boulevard as well as installing crosswalk pavement markings at certain intersections on Woodglade Blvd.
Miskin Law Community Complex: Council approved a 10-year, $600,000 naming rights sponsorship agreement to name the new community complex at Lansdowne and Park streets as the Miskin Law Community Complex. The new community complex, which is currently under construction, will include a twin-pad arena, a branch of the Peterborough Public Library, an indoor walking track, and multi-purpose space. A future phase, which has not been approved or funded at this time, would include the addition of an aquatics complex.
WHAT’S NEXT City Council meetings are scheduled for November 27, to consider the recommendations from General Committee meetings in November, and December 11, when it is expected to consider approval of the City of Peterborough’s 2024 Budget. Council agendas are posted at peterborough.ca/agendas. To register as a delegation to speak to Council during a Council meeting, visit peterborough.ca/delegations. Council meetings, including its Finance Committee and General Committee meetings, can be watched live at peterborough.ca/WatchCouncil.
CITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Arkells: At Your Service Fall Tour Saturday, November 11, 2023 7 pm Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W.
Remembrance Day Parade and Service Saturday, November 11, 2023 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Confederation Square, 499 George St. N.
Drop-in information session: Draft 2024 Budget Tuesday, November 14, 2023 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. City Hall, 500 George St. N.
Hutchison House Christmas Market Saturday, November 25, 2023 9 a.m. to noon Hutchison House, 270 Brock St.
Contact us City Hall 500 George St. N. Peterborough, ON K9H 3R9
Phone: 705-742-7777 Toll-Free: 1-855-738-3755 Email Us: cityptbo@peterborough.ca
Follow @CityPtbo Facebook Twitter Instagram