Easy ways to conserve energy is the theme at this year’s Oakville Conserves Energy Fair set for Saturday, May 25, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Hall. This annual community event showcases green energy information, services and products from companies, groups and agencies from across Halton and the Greater Toronto Area.

“The town is committed to conserving energy when and wherever possible. Our Corporate Energy Management Plan focuses on optimizing energy usage while minimizing energy costs at all town facilities,” said Cindy Toth, director, Environmental Policy for the Town of Oakville. “This event is our way of sharing great energy conservation information with the community in a way that’s fun and educational.”

Over 15 exhibitors will be available in the South Atrium at Town Hall to offer advice and demonstrate their products. Oakville Hydro and Union Gas will offer tips on how to conserve energy at home, Solar Ontario Ltd. will showcase solar thermal heating for pools and you’ll get a first-hand look at the latest energy efficient technology such as an electric car designed and built by Sheridan College students. There will be something to appeal to all ages and interests.

Residents will also have an opportunity to learn about energy conservation at two free workshops:

• 10 to 11 a.m. — Learn about Oakville’s ecological footprint and the town’s energy conservation initiatives.
• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Qantas Building Science’s Shawn Good offers money-saving energy conservation tips you should know before renovating or purchasing a home.

Giveaways will be available to all fair participants.

If you’re looking for a bargain, the Oakvillegreen Community Garage Sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the same day in the Town Hall parking lot.

For more information on the Oakville Conserves Energy Fair, visit the Energy Conservation page.

Media Contact:

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

May 21

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Subdivision agreement for Lower Fourth Limited Phase 1A (Mattamy Preserve)
  • Subdivision agreement for Pendent Developments Limited Phase 1A (Mattamy Preserve)
• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting report for zoning by-law amendment at 70 Old Mill Road for 2317511 Ontario Inc.
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for draft plan of condominium 2435, 2401-2431 Greenwich Drive and 2542-2574 Grand Oak Trail for Fox Farm Developments Inc.
• Discussion items
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish 2346 Lower Base Line
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish 55 Howard Avenue
  • North Oakville Trails Plan
  • Economic Development 2012 Annual Report
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee—May 7, 2013

May 22

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Crossing guard review
• Discussion items
  • Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre year‑end operation report
  • Environmental Strategic Plan (ESP) - 2012 implementation update

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Declaration of surplus for sites of the former Linbrook School at1079 Linbrook Road; Brantwood School at 221 Allan Street and Chisholm School at 165 Charnwood Drive
• Discussion items
  • 2012 Audit Findings Report
  • 2012 consolidated financial statements
  • 2012 development charges reserve fund statement
  • By-law 2013-038 - a by-law to authorize a 2013 tax rebate to eligible senior property owners
  • Citizen appointments to Accessibility Advisory Committee, Committee of Adjustment and Property Standards Committee
  • Time management accountability review
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee—April 11, 2013

inZone open house
Location: St. Joseph’s Church, 300 River Oaks Blvd. East, 7–9 p.m.

May 23

inZone open house (focused on commercial and employment uses)
Location: Town Hall, 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m.

What's happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit the agendas and minutes page. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council calendar or news and notices page.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Capping off Oakville’s Arbor Week activities, Mayor Rob Burton revealed a woodlands restoration project today at Perkins Passage Park. The project, funded in part by a grant from CN’s EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program, saw over 200 trees planted to build and enhance Oakville’s tree canopy.

“The town is dedicated to reaching a 40 per cent urban forest canopy by 2057, and this grant is helping us achieve that goal,” said Mayor Burton. “One of the town’s most unique features is our beautiful tree canopy. Protecting and enhancing it for future generations is another way we’re creating a cleaner, greener town.”

The town’s $25,000 grant from the CN EcoConnexions Program was used, in part, for re-planting the woodland at Perkins Passage this year and a woodland at Cornwall Sports Park last year. Both sites were identified for restoration by the town following the devastating effects of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

Tree plantings are one of many ways in which the town’s Forestry staff are building and enhancing Oakville’s tree canopy. According to John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services, Oakville has the most aggressive EAB management program in Canada, which includes bi-annual treatment of approximately 5,700 public ash trees.

The morning’s activities began with a community tree planting of over 200 seedlings and saplings by volunteers from Oakvillegreen Conservation Association and Whole Foods Market. Earlier in the week, town staff planted more than a dozen sizeable native trees.

Brett J. Jury, superintendent of operations, Southern Ontario zone at CN; Ed Borczon, community advisor at Tree Canada; and Kerry Colborne, vice chair, Oakville Chamber of Commerce were in attendance to assist the Mayor with the final tree planting.

During the ceremony, guests were treated to a storytelling performance of Respect for Mother Earth by actor, storyteller and town crier, Daniel Richer. John McNeil lead guests at the event in a tribute to trees for the important role they play in our everyday lives.

The CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant is awarded to municipalities across Canada to promote the greening of municipal properties. CN EcoConnexions, with its partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom, helps Canadian municipalities establish tree plantings in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manner. Funds received by CN for the restoration project were matched by the Town of Oakville.

Other Town of Oakville Arbor Week activities included neighbourhood tree planting events with more than 200 grade four students at seven local schools.

Media contact

John McNeil, RPF
Manager, Forestry Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Jill MacInnes
Communications Advisor, Forestry Services
Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
jmacinnes@oakville.ca

Congratulations go out to the following nominees:

• Acclaim Health Volunteer Support Program
• Debbie Baxter
• Wendy Belcher
• Frimmy Burnstein
• Dudley Clarke
• Diane Daly
• Dana Said Dennaoui
• Greg Gittings
• Marcia Hoffman
• Nikki Ide
• Michael Lansdown
• Annmarie Lavecchia
• Egon Lechner
• Ingrid Lentine and Mitsy
• Susan McCracken
• Katrina Pacher and Sloane Wilson
• Peggy Scott
• Andy Stark
• Enid Stronach
• St. Thomas Aquinas Peace and Justice Club
• Zonta Club of Oakville

Who will this year’s winners be? Find out at the Community Spirit Awards on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre located at 2302 Bridge Road. Tickets are now available for $15 per person. They can be purchased by calling the Oakville Centre Box Office at 905-815-2021 Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. or on the Oakville Centre website. There is no reserved seating for this event.

For more information visit the Oakville Community Spirit Awards page.

Media contact

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Fireworks and long weekends often go hand in hand. With that in mind, the Oakville Fire department is reminding residents to put safety first before participating in any neighbourhood or backyard fireworks displays.

“Fireworks can be very dangerous if used improperly,” said Michael Harrison, public education officer for the Oakville Fire department. “We strongly recommend that residents use extreme care and follow our safety tips if they are putting on their own fireworks display. Even better, we suggest attending a professionally-organized fireworks event.”

If residents do decide to stage their own fireworks displays, the town has a by-law that regulates the sale and discharge of fireworks. By-Law 2009-056 explains how and under what conditions fireworks can be legally used on private property. Fireworks can be discharged between dusk and 11 p.m. on the day before, the day of, or the day after Victoria Day, Canada Day, New Year’s Day and any religious or cultural celebrations where fireworks are used. Some displays require special permission through a permit application.

Residents who choose to use fireworks are encouraged to consider the following safety tips and reminders:

• Only adults should be responsible for setting off fireworks; never give fireworks to children.
• Read and follow the directions on label carefully.
• Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Set off fireworks away from buildings, trees and dry grass.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Light one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a "dud" firework. Wait 15-30 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Keep sparklers away from children as they get extremely hot and can cause burns.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Keep onlookers at a safe distance and upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.

Media contact:

Michael Harrison
Public Education Officer,
Fire Prevention Division
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 2008
mharrison@oakville.ca

Are you an Oakville senior who wants to hit the stage and have some fun? Then this is the gig for you! The Town of Oakville is calling all performers aged 40 plus to audition for this year’s Seniors Spectacular, a cabaret-style production featuring entertaining acts of all genres.

Celebrated Oakville actor Vince Carlin is moving up to the director seat for this year’s exciting showcase. “We welcome all types of acts. Anything goes for this year’s Seniors Spectacular!” said Carlin. “We’re already hard at work organizing auditions and look forward to another fun show for performers and audiences alike.”

Auditions will be held throughout May and June, and again this fall at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC). Interested singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, groups — or any other performers known to captivate an audience with their talents are invited to audition. Please contact Vince Carlin at 416-550-8030 or carlinvince@gmail.com to book an audition date and time.

The 2013 Seniors Spectacular Showcase will take place on Saturday, December 28, 2013, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 29, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Oakville’s QEPCCC’s Black Box Theatre. Tickets will go on sale in October for $20. For more information about this year’s performance, please contact Sylvia Verdenhalven at 905-399-4662 or verdenhalven@sympatico.ca.

Media contact:

Nancy Beddoe
Manager, Adult and Seniors Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
nbeddoe@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

The Livable Oakville Plan was put to the test at a recent Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal and its policies were successfully upheld. A May 10, OMB decision dismissed an appeal made by Fernbrook Homes based on the evidence that its proposal did not conform to the town’s Livable Oakville Plan policies to preserve, enhance and protect the character of established neighbourhoods. The OMB determined that the proposal was not in keeping with the densities and built form that currently characterize the area — predominately single detached homes on larger lots.

“This is a very important decision for Oakville. The OMB has sent a strong message that our official plan, Livable Oakville, is defensible in its design to protect the distinct character of our residential communities,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

Town Council denied the original Fernbrook application for the lands at 1215 Lakeshore Road West in June 2012, and subsequently denied the application for the additional parcel of land at 1221 Lakeshore Road West in March 2013. The applications requested that the lands be rezoned and subdivided to permit the development of 33 single detached dwellings fronting onto a private condominium roadway.

“The Livable Oakville Plan directs growth to identified growth areas while protecting the town's stable residential communities, green spaces and employment lands to 2031," said Dana Anderson, director, Planning Services. “For the first test of the plan, we are pleased to see that the OMB agrees that the policies of Livable Oakville represent good planning.”

The hearing revolved around the policy framework established by the Livable Oakville Plan as it applies to this particular site and the cumulative changes to the zoning by-law regulations with respect to the height of the buildings, density, size of the proposed lots, and the private road.

Information on the town’s Livable Oakville Plan can be found on the Livable Oakville Plan page.

Oakville will begin treating select municipal oak trees this month to protect them against Gypsy Moth infestations. The town’s Forestry Services section will oversee injections of town-owned oaks in Winston Woods Park to curb tree damage caused by Gypsy Moth feeding on the leaves.

According to a recent town study, Oakville and surrounding municipalities are at the onset of a potential Gypsy Moth outbreak. Based on the multi-year cycle that Gypsy Moth populations historically tend to follow, the current cycle is expected to peak within one to three years. Of the town’s woodlands, developed parks, and streets surveyed, Winston Woods Park was found to be the one property at most risk of defoliation this year.

“There are no precautions that residents living in this area need to take for this operation,” explained John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services. “The town is injecting trees with the bio-insecticide TreeAzin, formulated with the extract from the neem tree. It’s the same product we use to treat the town’s ash trees against the Emerald Ash Borer.”

Health Canada has approved TreeAzin® to control Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moth, Tent Caterpillar, Spruce Budworm, Jack Pine Budworm, Arborvitae Leaf Miner, Sawflies, including Birch Leaf Miner, and Pine False Webworm.

European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) is an invasive pest from Europe and Asia that primarily feeds on leaves of deciduous hardwood trees during the caterpillar (larval) stage. With a preference for oak trees, a Gypsy Moth caterpillar can eat an average of one square metre of foliage during the larval stage. Severe infestations often lead to tree death.

Residents with oak trees on their private property are advised to have them inspected by a certified arborist this year for possible control measures.

For more information visit the invasive species page.

Media contact:

John McNeil
Manager, Forestry Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Jill MacInnes
Communications Advisor, Forestry Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
jmacinnes@oakville.ca

May 13

Managing Your Wild Neighbours information night 
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, Black Box Theatre, 7–9 p.m.

May 14

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

May 15

Merton Planning Study open house 
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, Black Box Theatre, 7–9 p.m.

May 16

Merton Planning Study open house 
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, Black Box Theatre, 7–9 p.m.

What's happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit the agendas and minutes page. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council calendar or news and notices page.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The 2013 Citizen Survey results are in! According to the results of the survey conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights, 85 per cent of residents believe that Oakville is better than most areas in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) when it comes to overall livability. The survey also revealed that 87 per cent of residents are happy with their municipal government, showing significant increases in satisfaction levels since 2011. The town conducts a survey every two years to track overall performance.

“Our goal is to ensure that our residents are receiving excellent value for their tax dollars,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The results tell us that our strategic priorities and key areas of focus are in line with citizens’ top of mind issues.”

During his presentation to Council, Craig Worden, senior vice-president of Public Affairs for Pollara Strategic Insights noted that the results were vastly positive. “Oakville performs high on satisfaction ratings overall, as well as on programs and services delivered to the community. Residents are clearly satisfied that the town is on the right track in addressing and managing the local issues that they care most about.”

Residents were asked to rate 11 services provided by the town. Eight of the 11 key service areas received satisfaction levels of over 80 per cent, while satisfaction for parks and green spaces, recreation fields and facilities, and public library services exceeded 90 per cent. The most noticeable increases were in satisfaction with managing tax dollars and satisfaction with public transit, both up seven per cent to 74 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. While satisfaction with winter road and sidewalk maintenance was down 11 per cent from 2011, this result is closer to the long-term average and reflects the comparative severity of this past winter.

Residents clearly identified that the biggest challenge facing the Oakville community was controlling growth. Urban sprawl/rapid development was identified by residents as the most important issue facing Oakville today, although this was down from a high of 38 per cent in 2004. Controlling the rate and type of growth was ranked as the most important policy priority for the town.

“Responsible and sustainable planning is and continues to be a priority for this Council,” Mayor Burton said. “We are in the midst of updating the town’s comprehensive zoning by-law, InZone, under our Livable Oakville official plan to ensure Council is able to control where and how growth can occur.”

Online communications continue to be of growing importance. Sixty-four per cent of respondents identified oakville.ca as their preferred way to access town information. Program registration, bill payment and subscription-based eNewsletters were among the top online services identified as important by respondents.

As part of the citizen survey process, the town opened up the “What makes Oakville livable” Idea Forum to engage residents in discussion, and produced 25 ideas that were presented to Council. The forum will remain open for residents to share their ideas and vote on others on the Oakville Idea Forum website.

The 20-minute random telephone survey took place in late February and early March 2013 and asked 800 residents to respond to questions on service satisfaction, quality of life issues and priorities for action. This is the sixth citizen survey Oakville has conducted. The first town-wide citizen survey was conducted in 2001, followed by 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011. Findings are accurate to +/- 3.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Current and past survey results are available on the citizen surveys page.

For more information:

Jane Courtemanche
Director Strategy, Policy & Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

The first draft of the town’s proposed new zoning by-law is now available and Council is asking for your feedback. Eleven open houses are scheduled to run between May 22 and June 6 offering residents and businesses an opportunity to review the current draft by-law, ask questions, and submit comments before the next draft goes to Council this fall. Residents will also have the opportunity to comment at the fall Council meeting.

“A zoning by-law is the most important part of putting the principles and policies of an official plan into practice. The new zoning by-law is a critical element in the implementation of the Livable Oakville Plan which shapes how Oakville will develop in the future,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

The town’s new zoning by-law will regulate how land can be used (e.g. residential vs. commercial) as well as establish a variety of criteria ranging from where a building can be located on a lot to building height and size. The new by-law will apply to all lands in the Town of Oakville south of Dundas Street and north of Highway 407. The area between Dundas Street and Highway 407 is regulated by the North Oakville East and West Secondary Plans and North Oakville Zoning By-law 2009-189.

The Livable Oakville Plan sets out the vision for Oakville’s development, however, it is not intended to directly regulate all aspects of how properties are developed and buildings constructed. In Ontario, this is the role of the zoning by-law, together with a number of other implementation mechanisms and processes such as subdivision and site plan approval.

Council received the first draft of the zoning by-law on April 29, 2013, which marked the start of the public engagement process. The final zoning by-law is expected to go to Council for consideration in early 2014.

To review the draft by-law, open house details, technical papers, and staff presentations, visit the inZone page.

Media contact:

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Are raccoons lounging under your deck? Rabbits nibbling your plants? Squirrels nesting in your chimney? As part of its Living with Wildlife speaker series, the Town of Oakville is hosting an information night on Monday, May 13, 2013, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. Learn how to wildlife proof your home this spring by safely and effectively managing your wild neighbours.

Guest speakers will be on hand to offer residents practical advice on a variety of topics related to urban wildlife control. Ryan Rainville from Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control will discuss urban wildlife issues, as well as how to prevent conflict situations. Retired Canadian Wildlife Service waterfowl specialist Norm North will talk about the town’s Canada Goose management strategy. Laura Mackasey from the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) will address the role the OMHS plays in managing Oakville’s wildlife.

Representatives from the Town of Oakville and Oakvillegreen will also be on hand to answer any additional questions. All participants will receive a free birdhouse kit. Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre is located at 2302 Bridge Road.

For more information, contact the town at 905-845-6601 or environment@oakville.ca.

Media contact:

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Think you have what it takes to rock the stage? If you’re in a band or an aspiring singer, this is your chance to prove it! The Town of Oakville plans to kick off the summer in style with Summer Tune Up, a night filled with music of all genres performed by Oakville’s youth.

Summer Tune Up will feature the best talent Oakville has to offer, showcasing live music from a variety of local artists and bands. Open auditions for youth 13 to 19 years of age will be held on Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, May 30 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) Youth Room located at 2302 Bridge Road.

To book your audition, please call 905-582-3592 or email bronteyouth@oakville.ca. The auditions will determine the performers for Summer Tune Up taking place on Thursday, June 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. at QEPCCC.

For more information please visit the youth programs page.

Media contact

Kim McDonald
Recreation Assistant
Town of Oakville
905-582-3592
kmcdonald@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

May 6

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, April 30, 2013
  • Administrative Services Committee, April 30, 2013
• Discussion item
  • 2013 Citizen Survey

May 7

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

May 9

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Colleen’s strong background leading significant community and corporate projects, as well as her excellent track record managing the complexities and demands of large departments made her an excellent choice to lead this commission,” said Ray Green, chief administrative officer, Town of Oakville. “I am confident that she will make a wonderful addition to our executive management team and she’ll do a great job managing priorities and delivering quality services to our community.”

Ms. Bell’s responsibilities at the town will include overseeing the largest town commission that brings together all of the major services that impact the daily life of our residents including: Oakville Transit, Roads and Works Operations, Fire Services, Recreation and Culture, Parks and Open Space, and Libraries. She joins the Town of Oakville with an impressive career with Metro Toronto, the City of Toronto, Metrolinx and the City of Guelph, where she served most recently as executive director, Community and Social Services.

“On behalf of Town Council, I am delighted to welcome Colleen Bell to the Town of Oakville,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We look forward to working with Colleen and believe her skills in community engagement, stakeholder relationships, customer service and transportation services will be a benefit to our community.”

Ms. Bell takes over the commissioner role from Dave Bloomer who is retiring after 34 years with the Town of Oakville. Mr. Bloomer’s last day in the office is May 17, 2013.

A high resolution photo of Colleen Bell is available upon request.

Media contact:

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

April 29

Appeals Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 9 –10 a.m.

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • By-law 2013-030 - A by-law to assume Subdivision Plan 20M-987 Pineberry West Phase 1
  • Partial release of agreements 306902, 505584, H842639 and HR497408 - Parts 19 and 20, Plan 20R-19148 Premier Operating Corporation Limited - 2331 Ninth Line
  • Subdivision agreement - Bronte Community Development Corporation (Crystal Homes) Phase 5
  • Subdivision agreement - Biddington Homes Oakville Inc.
  • Subdivision Agreement - Great Lakes Business Park East
  • Commissioner of Community Services
• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting for a proposed zoning by-law amendment at 174 Lakeshore Road West, 87 and 91 Brookfield Road for 822403 Ontario Inc.
  • Public meeting for a proposed zoning by-law amendment at 2420 Eighth Line for Hamount Investments
  • Public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision at 41 Dundas Street East for Sixth Line Corporation & Freeman Planning Solutions Inc.
  • Public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision at Dundas Street East for 404072 Ontario Limited (Mattamy Development Corporation)
  • Public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision at 1345-1429 Dundas Street East and 1264-1288 Burnhamthorpe Road East for Bressa Developments Limited
  • Public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision at Dundas Street East for Dunoak Developments Inc.
  • Statutory public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment and plan of subdivision at 3075 Trafalgar Road for Minto Communities
• Discussion items
  • inZone Project (zoning by-law review): first draft (v1.0) for public consultation
  • Design Guidelines for Stable Residential Communities
  • 2013 Livable by Design Awards: terms of reference

April 30

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • 2013 budgets for Business Improvement Areas
  • Tax Levy By-law 2013-026
  • Applications to cancel, reduce or refund taxes under Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events - Hamilton and Halton Alzheimer Foundation
  • 2013 town initiated assessment appeals
  • 2014 municipal election
• Discussion items
  • Policy and procedure update report
  • Sale of town-owned lot at 2359 Yolanda Drive
  • Amendment to Noise By-law 2013-028 (penalty)
  • Halton Court Services 2013 Business Plan and Budget

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Timing of Harbours Master Plan
  • Veterans parking permits
  • 2013 Streetlight Capital Program
  • Parking Operations 2012 Annual Report
• Discussion items
  • Pedestrian safety improvement opportunities - River Oaks Boulevard East
  • Winter maintenance level of service for roads and sidewalks

May 1

Public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment at 156-160 Trafalgar Road for Trafalgar Oaks Development Inc. 
Location: Town Hall, South Atrium, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

With the first week of May fast approaching, the town is gearing up to celebrate National Youth Week from May 1 to 7, 2013 with free “youth-centric” events and activities at locations throughout Oakville.

“Youth Week shines a spotlight on tomorrow’s leaders and recognizes the important contributions that they already make in our community,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. “It’s also a fun opportunity for youth to meet new friends, build connections, showcase their talents, and express their ideas.”

This year is extra exciting as an iPad will be given away to one lucky winner! Youth are encouraged to pick up a Youth Week “passport to awesome” at Town of Oakville recreation facilities. To be eligible for the draw, youth must use the passport to collect a minimum of five stamps by attending Oakville’s Youth Week events including:

May 1

Open houses at all youth centres from 6-8 p.m. Open to everyone!

May 2

Outdoor activities at all youth centres from 5-7 p.m. Meet at 5 p.m. For grades 6-10 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC), and ages 13-19 at Oakville Youth Centre/Bronte Youth Centre.

May 3

Discover the Ridge for ages 12-15 at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre (IRCC) from 7-10 p.m. Beach Party with DJ in the IRCC pool from 8:30-10 p.m. Dodgeball in the gym, Youth Lounge with crafts, cartoonist and more from 7-10 p.m.

Special Event for ages 13-19 at Bronte Youth Centre from 3-11 p.m.

May 4

Open Mic Night for ages 16-19 from 7-10 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre’s (QEPCCC) Black Box Theatre.

Dance for grades 6-10 from 7-10 p.m. in QEPCCC Youth Centre.

May 5

Youth Marketplace and BBQ from 1-4 p.m. in QEPCCC Youth Centre. Show off your hobbies, talents and teach others. Open to everyone!

May 6

After-school skateboarding for all ages at IRCC and Shell Park from 4-6 p.m.

May 7

End of Youth Week Wrap Up Party at all Youth Centres from 4-8 p.m. For grades 6-10 at QEPCCC, and ages 13-19 at Oakville Youth Centre/Bronte Youth Centre.

Free Oakville Transit tickets are available for youth at any youth centre in Oakville to get to and from events. For additional events details and location information, visit the youth services page.

Media contact

Brent Copeland
Marketing Supervisor
Recreation and Culture
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3080
bcopeland@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Corporate Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

April 23

Community Improvement Plan for Kerr Village public open house 
Location: Oakville Arena, Kinsmen Pine Room, 3–8 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The new town facilities proposed within the SCPLS recommendations, such as the community centre, pool and park space, will be considered as part of the 10-year capital budget forecast this summer.

“The goal of this study was to ensure we repurposed these lands in the best way possible for the community and Oakville as whole,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “I believe Council’s final decision on these lands will continue to enhance Oakville’s livability.”

Council supports the Livable Oakville Plan policies for the OTMH land and directed town staff to report back with the following information:

• Site design details and drawings
• Further public consultation
• Implementation steps on the subsequent official plan and zoning by-law amendments
• Other site development requirements that ensure conformity with the Livable Oakville Plan policies
• Strategy for the future sale of the development portions of the OTMH site which will provide long term certainty and control to achieve Council’s vision

Staff will now start the implementation process of reviewing planning amendments, subdivision plans and zoning for the approved Brantwood and Chisholm school site recommendations.

The South Central Public Lands Study took into consideration the recreational needs established in the Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan; community needs were identified and options for each site were defined. Over the last year, almost 600 residents participated in SCPLS open houses and public meetings. Feedback from all the meetings was considered when developing the preferred land use options.

“The extensive public consultation on this study steered Council towards its decision, ensuring the best use of these lands for the community,” said Dana Anderson, director, Planning Services. “We will continue to invite the public to offer input as town staff moves forward on these projects.”

The South Central Public Lands Study is one of the studies under Vision 2057: Live It! It was initiated in the spring 2012 to determine the ability to incorporate recreational needs resulting from the Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Mast Plan, identify other public or community needs, and define a preferred land use option for each of the sites.

The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

Media contact

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Strategy, Policy and Communications Department
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“Research tells us that engaged employees, customer satisfaction and citizen confidence go hand in hand. Staff will use the survey results to determine what we’re doing well and where we can enhance our already productive and positive work environment,” Mayor Burton explained. “Our staff takes pride in the work they do by providing the best service possible to our citizens. I'm honoured to work with such a skilled and dedicated team.”

Conducted on behalf of the Town of Oakville by strategic human resource management and consulting firm Metrics@Work, the survey asked employees to rate 29 different criteria that help measure employee engagement including job clarity, diversity, workload, organizational satisfaction, customer service, innovation, co-worker interaction, recognition and reward, workplace safety and organizational communication.

The survey results show that Oakville is on course when it comes to overall employee engagement and ranks well above municipal comparators. The town had a response rate of approximately 78 per cent, which is considered a great turnout as most municipalities the town’s size achieve an average survey response rate of 68.9 per cent.

When Metrics@Work compared each of the town’s category results to their municipal sector database Oakville scored higher in every category. There was not one category where the town scored below average. In fact 13 out of 28 comparable areas were at least five per cent above the database average, with workload, benefits satisfaction and individual recognition and reward as the three highest scores. Moreover, the Town of Oakville’s average is very near the best recorded among municipal/town governments.

“The town should be very pleased with their overall results,” said John Yardley, president, Metrics@Work. “High levels of employee engagement give employers an advantage in attracting and retaining the best and brightest employees.”

Oakville’s employee survey is one component of the town’s commitment to performance measurement. The employee survey results will be correlated with the results of the town’s 2013 Citizen Survey to help develop strategies for continuous improvement. Results of the town’s 2013 Town of Oakville’s citizen survey are scheduled to be reported to Council later this spring.

Media contact

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

“This Council is committed to a cleaner, greener Oakville,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “From ensuring cleaner air for our residents and finding ways to further reduce energy costs, to planning more efficient neighbourhoods and building green facilities, we will continue to make choices that protect our environment today and for future generations.”

In Council’s 2011–2014 Strategic Plan, one of its goals is to reduce town and community impact on the environment. The town has implemented a number of successful environmental programs including:

• Participating as one of 12 signatory municipalities to create a Climate Change Adaptation strategy
• Creating an Active Transportation Plan that will see a total of 49 kilometres added to existing cycle/trail ways
• Launching a Community Sustainability Plan
• Implementing a health protection air quality by-law
• Working with Oakville Hydro to launch solar energy panels on town facility roofs — 260 solar power generation panels were installed at Town Hall. The solar installation generates 60 kW which can power as many as 15 homes in Oakville
• Developing a north Oakville forestry plan to support a 40 per cent tree canopy target by 2057
• Developing an Emerald Ash Borer Management Strategy
• Adding bike racks to all Oakville Transit buses

Other programs the town is currently undertaking include:

• Developing green building standards
• Continuing to protect green space
• Implementing a trails plan for north Oakville
• Updating the private tree by-law and site alteration by-law
• Developing and implementing a Stormwater Management Plan

The town’s daily operations also mirror Council’s environmental stewardship with programs such as automatic computer shut-down, sustainable purchasing procedures, environmentally-friendly vehicles and building energy audits to name a few.

To learn more about what the town is doing to reduce its ecological footprint and what you can do to live a greener and healthier life in Oakville, visit the environmental initiatives page.

Media contact

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-33-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

April 15

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing committee report
  • Administrative Services Committee, April 9, 2013
• Discussion items
  • Oakville Hydro shareholder approval of directors remuneration
  • 2012 Employee Engagement Survey
  • Collection of development charges for the expansion and improvements to hospitals moved by Councillor Johnston, seconded by Councillor Elgar, introduced at the March 25, 2013 Council meeting.
  • Province of Ontario 2013 Senior of the Year Award - Oakville nomination

April 16

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 5–7 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

It’s spring and time to join the town’s Oakville Clean Sweep set for Friday, April 19 at 2 p.m. Take this opportunity to clean up around your home, park, trail, school and business. All it takes is 20 minutes to make a difference!

“Last year, over 8,000 people participated in the Oakville Clean Sweep program. That’s an amazing turn out and an excellent example of how this community takes care of our neighbourhoods and our environment,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

The Oakville Clean Sweep event kicks off the town’s spring cleanup and Earth Week events. To get your free gloves and bags courtesy of Glad, visit the Clean Sweep page and register. Choose your pickup location and date, and your supplies (one glove per person and one bag per five people) will be ready for you at one of the following locations:

• Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road
• Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, 1051 Glenashton Drive
• Glen Abbey Community Centre, 1415 Third Line
• River Oaks Community Centre, 2400 Sixth Line
• Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 3070 Neyagawa Boulevard
• Queen Elizabeth Park Cultural and Community Centre, 2302 Bridge Road

While cleaning up, remember to take pictures or videos and post them on the town’s Facebook or Twitter page for a chance to win a basket filled with Glad cleaning products.

After the cleanup, place collected bags out on your regular garbage collection day, and recycle what you can. If you think you’ll exceed the garbage bags per household limit, please email serviceoakville@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601 to make arrangements for garbage pickup.

Residents who cannot participate in the Oakville Clean Sweep cleanup day are encouraged to take part in the town-wide Earth Week cleanup on Saturday, April 20 from 9–11 a.m. hosted by the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights (OCCPEH). For more information on cleanup site locations (pdf, 4.1 MB) or to register contact OCCPEH at 905-849-5501, info@oakvillepeacecentre.org or visit the OCCPEH website.

Over the coming months, the town will be leading other beautification initiatives including: loose leaf collection, running April 15 to 26 in designated areas; the Adopt-a-Road/Park/Trail campaign; Oakville Blooms — a sponsorship program of town medians and boulevards; and street and sidewalk sweeping using our eco-friendly street sweepers.

Media contact

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Don’t miss your chance to showcase Oakville’s finest volunteers by nominating them for an Oakville Community Spirit Award! Nominations are due Monday, April 15, 2013 at 4 p.m.

“We're looking for Oakville's shining stars, who are helping us to create Canada’s most livable town,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “This is your chance to recognize those who devote their time and energy to enhancing the lives of others. Nominate your family, friends, co-workers and neighbours.”

Residents are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals in any of eight award categories: Senior, Youth, Arts, Group Volunteer, Individual Volunteer, Environmental, Access, as well as Heritage and History. Nomination forms are available for pick-up at all town facilities and Oakville Public Library branches, or can be completed on the Community Spirit Awards page.

This year’s annual Community Spirit Awards presentation will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Oakville’s dynamic Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC). Donna Funnell, a local fibre artist and active member of QEPCCC has been commissioned to create the 2013 Community Spirit awards. Weather Network personality Chris Mei will emcee the event.

For more information about Oakville’s Community Spirit Awards, its categories and nomination requirements, visit Community Spirit Awards page.

Media contact

Nancy Beddoe
CSA Steering Committee Chair
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

April 8

inZone subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 1–3:30 p.m.

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • By-law 2013-024 - A by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (Block 41, Plan 20M-961 - Spring Meadow Way; Block 40, Plan 20M-1024 - Grand Oak Trail; Blocks 123 and 135, Plan 20M-1006, and Part 2 on Plan 20R-17216 - Pine Glen Road) - Fox Farm Developments Inc. Plan 20M-1086
• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting report and official plan amendment for zoning by‑law amendment and draft plan of subdivision at 3340 Dundas Street West for New Horizon Group 3340 Dundas Street West Inc.
  • Public meeting report for zoning by-law amendment at 3120 Third Line for Infrastructure Ontario (Erinoak Kids).
  • Public meeting report for zoning by-law amendment at 103 and 109 Garden Drive for Memory Care Investments (Oakville) Ltd.
  • Public meeting report for zoning by-law amendment at 1132 Invicta Drive for 2104751 Ontario Ltd. (Hill Academy).
  • Public meeting for official plan and zoning by-law amendments at 3108 and 3130 Sixth Line for V!VA Oakville Facilities Inc. & V!VA Oakville Towns Inc. (V!VA Retirement Communities).
• Discussion items
  • South Central Public Lands Study - Final Recommendations and Next Steps
  • Supplementary Report - South Central Public Lands Study and Implementation
  • Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish 371 Kerr Street
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — March 26, 2013

April 9

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • By-law 2013-035 - A by-law to amend By-law 2010-184 being a by-law to make appointments to the Board of Management for the Bronte Village Business Improvement Area
• Discussion item
  • 2012 year-end financial results and surplus disposition
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee — March 14, 2013

April 11

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

Public information meeting for zoning by-law amendment at 70 Old Mill Road for 2317511 Ontario Inc.
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 6:30–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Every member of your household including guests should know exactly what to do in the event of a fire,” said Chief Grant. “Minutes or seconds can mean the difference between life and death given the ferocity and unpredictable nature of fires. Don’t get caught off guard.”

A home fire escape plan can be as easy as sketching a floor plan of your home including rooms and exits. When developing a home fire escape plan make sure you:

• Show two ways out of each room.
• Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use.
• Discuss how to get out from upper and lower levels.
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone else that may need assistance.
• Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for.
• Practice your home escape plan. In the event of smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.
• Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or neighbour's home.
• Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building.
• Discuss fire safety with the entire family. Everyone should be included in fire safety conversations.

Remember, a working smoke alarm is the key to your survival. Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. For best protection, consider installing smoke alarms in every bedroom. To learn more about the maintenance of smoke alarms and home fire safety, visit oakville.ca and search Fire Safety.

Media contact:

Michael Harrison
Public Education/Special Projects Officer
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 3602
mharrison@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

April 2

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

April 3

Public meeting for a zoning by-law amendment at 174 Lakeshore Road West, 87 & 91 Brookfield Road for 822403 Ontario Inc. 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The updated by-law was developed in response to a Council approved motion brought forward in July 2012 to ban smoking within nine metres of all town-owned playgrounds, splash pads, tennis courts, basketball courts, skateboard parks and playing fields.

“Our by-law further strengthens no-smoking legislation by including outdoor recreational areas. Smoke-free outdoor spaces create safer and healthier communities,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “It’s our collective responsibility to protect our kids from being exposed to second-hand smoke.”

According to the Canadian Lung Association, children exposed to second-hand smoke are at higher risk of breathing issues and other health-related problems. Banning smoking in areas where kids play significantly reduces their risk of exposure to second-hand smoke.

“Oakville is proud to join more than 70 other Ontario municipalities that have passed local by-laws to prohibit or restrict smoking in and around public areas,” said Chris Mark, director of Parks and Open Space. “Change starts at the grassroots level. Residents need to help enforce our no smoking by-laws.”

The maximum fine for not complying with the town’s new by-law is $5,000. For support on how to quit smoking, contact the Halton Region Health Department’s Stop Smoking Clinic at 905-825-6000, ext. 7887 or visit the Halton Region website.

Media contact

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

“On behalf of Council, I would like to thank all Oakville residents who participated in Earth Hour,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Together we’re creating a cleaner, greener town. Our hope is that residents take up the challenge to reduce energy use every day.”

Residents shared their Earth Hour 2013 highlights with the town through Twitter and Facebook.

“We always strive to promote conservation, and Earth Hour is a fun way to get people involved and thinking about making choices that will help build a sustainable future,” said Rob Lister, President and CEO of Oakville Hydro Corporation. “People across the globe took part and we are proud that Oakville participated in such a widespread important initiative.”

Earth Hour 2013 was observed in more than 7,000 cities, towns and municipalities in more than 150 countries and territories around the world.

For more information on what Oakville is doing to conserve energy every day, visit the energy conservation page.

For more information contact:

Suzanne Madder
Research Policy Analyst
Environmental Policy
905-845-6601, ext. 3910
smadder@oakville.ca

March 25

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, March 19, 2013
  • Administrative Services Committee, March 19, 2013
• New business: In accordance with Section 6.1(2) of the procedure by-law, the following notice of motion will be considered at the next Council meeting to be held on April 15, 2013:
  • Collection of development charges for the expansion and improvements to hospitals

March 26

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Appeals Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room1, 10–11 a.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

After almost a year of extensive public consultation on the South Central Public Lands Study, recommended future land use options for the Chisholm, Linbrook and Brantwood school sites, as well as the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital lands were received by Council at last night’s meeting. Council will make a final decision on these options at its April 8, 2013 meeting.

“The focus of the study was to identify the best use of these lands as determined by the needs of the community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “On behalf of Council, I would like to thank the many residents who have provided valuable input to this study over the last year.”

The staff report summarizes the public process and technical analysis as well as provides the following recommended land use options for each of the four study sites:

Linbrook Public School

• Retain the current woodlot and potential playground area
• Create a new cul-de-sac off of David Avenue
• Include six lots for detached dwellings (including a lot for the heritage schoolhouse to be renovated and reused as a private residence)

Chisholm Public School

• Retain the wooded area and slightly enlarge playground area adjacent to Charnwood Park
• Add a new cul-de-sac off of Charnwood Drive
• Include nine lots for detached dwellings
• Connect to the existing walkway from Bonnylyn Court

Brantwood Public School

• Potentially reuse the front portion of the school building to front five to nine condo apartment units
• Include lots for seven detached dwellings along Douglas Avenue
• Relocate the playground to the Douglas Avenue/Palmer Avenue corner of property

Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital

• Include a new community centre and park space to be centrally located on property
• Possibly retain the parking garage for use by community centre
• Possibly retain and integrate the high school building with the new community centre development
• Include a mixed residential housing area at the north end of the site with detached dwellings along Allan Street and MacDonald Road; townhomes within the site; and low-rise apartments (maximum four storeys) along Reynolds Street
• Possibly include a medical/seniors’ health facility in association with the Mississauga Halton LHIN

The financial implications of the SCPLS recommendations will be considered as part of the 10-year capital budget forecast this summer.

“We are at a critical junction in deciding the best use of these lands and how new development in the area might support the costs associated with these choices such as the building of new community facilities,” added Mayor Burton.

Residents have another opportunity to participate in this discussion before Council makes its final decision. Visit the South Central Public Lands Study page to find out how to send us your comments or how to appear before Council at the April 8 meeting. You will also find the South Central Public Lands Study staff report, the recommended land use options and the March 18 Planning and Development Council meeting video.

The South Central Public Lands Study is one of the studies under Vision 2057: Live It! It was initiated in the spring 2012 to determine the ability to fit any recreational needs established in the final Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Mast Plan on the sites; identify other public or community needs that may be accommodated on the sites; and define a preferred land use option for each of the sites included in the study. Over the last year, almost 600 residents participated in SCPLS open houses and public meetings.

The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

For more information:

Dana Anderson
Director of Planning Services
Town of Oakville
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“Every Oakville resident has a direct impact on this earth. Unplug for 60 minutes during Earth Hour and make a difference in reducing our ecological footprint,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

Town staff will work to reduce energy consumption at town facilities during Earth Hour without compromising public safety or interfering with town services. Measures will include turning off lighting in facilities and parking lots, at the three war memorials in Oakville including Georges Square Cenotaph and Memorial, Trafalgar Memorial and Bronte Memorial, and marquee signage where possible at Town Hall, central operations, southeast depot, the greenhouse, community centres, libraries, the Oakville Centre Performing Arts, pools and arenas.

Do your part by joining the world Earth Hour team! Sign up on the World Wildlife Federation Earth Hour website. Turn off the lights, turn down the thermostat, unplug the TV, DVD player, microwave, clock radio and computer ... and enjoy the quiet. You can also visit Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. website for year-round energy conservation tips.

Take a picture of yourself showing how you participated in Earth Hour 2013 and tweet @townofoakville or post on the Town of Oakville Facebook page for a chance to win a basket filled with energy-saving products.

Conserving energy is a priority for the town and several initiatives are in place to reduce energy use and share information with the public. A few of these programs include:

• Hosting the Annual Energy Conservation Fair on May 25, 2013
• Installing solar panels at Town Hall and other town facilities
• Upgrading the Building Automation Systems at large town facilities
• Sixteen Mile Sports Complex certified LEED Gold and positioning Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, and the Oakville Transit facility as LEED Silver/Gold contenders

Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. will measure the impact of Earth Hour initiatives in our community and will provide the results of the town’s participation.

Earth Hour is a global lights-out initiative created by the World Wildlife Fund to demand action on climate change.

Visit the energy conservation page for more information on the town’s initiatives

For more information, contact:

Suzanne Madder
Research Policy Analyst
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3910
smadder@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

March 18

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Assumption of Subdivision Plan 20M-1015 -Tanglewood Phase 4 - N.H.D Developments
• Public hearing item
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for zoning by-law amendment and revisions to draft plan of subdivision and condominium at 1221 Lakeshore Road West for Fernbrook Homes (Lakeshore) Ltd.
• Discussion items
  • Ontario Municipal Board Hearing - Fernbrook Homes (Lakeshore) Ltd. - 1215 Lakeshore Road West
  • South Central Public Lands Study - final recommendations and next steps
  • Economic Development 2012 Annual Report
  • Committee of Adjustment Annual Activity Report

March 19

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • 2012 Oakville Road System Report
  • Pedestrian Signal Warrant
  • Fish Weigh Station
  • Parks By-law 2013-013
  • New Oakville Waterfront Festival
  • 2013 Pedestrian Crossover Conversion Program

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) 2012 Accomplishments and 2013 Work Plan
  • Internal Audit - 2012 Annual Report
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee — February 14, 2013

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Most deaths due to fire happen at night when everyone is sleeping,” said Gary Laframboise, chief fire prevention officer with the Oakville Fire department. “We can’t stress enough the importance of regularly replacing batteries in smoke alarms. Sometimes you only have about a minute or two to escape a fire, so it’s absolutely critical that alarms are working properly.”

It’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your house and outside each sleeping area. For added protection, the Oakville Fire department encourages the installation of smoke alarms inside all bedrooms. Residents and property owners are also reminded to replace smoke alarms every 10 years to ensure they work correctly. Tampering with or removing batteries from a smoke alarm is illegal. Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.

Residents are encouraged to follow these simple steps when developing their home fire escape plan:

• Ensure all smoke alarms are installed properly and are in working order.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it often.
• Ensure that all exits are unobstructed and easy to access.
• Practice two ways out of each room, if possible.
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, the elderly, or others requiring assistance.
• Determine a meeting place outside, where everyone can be accounted for.
• If there’s smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the closest safe exit.
• Call 9-1-1 from outside the home from a cell phone or neighbouring home.
• Once out, stay out! Never re-enter a burning building.

To learn more about the maintenance of smoke alarms and home fire safety, visit the fire safety and guidelines page.

Media contact

Michael Harrison
Public Education/Special Projects Officer
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 3602
mharrison@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

March 14

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“We’re controlling growth. Our philosophy is that growth should pay its way and not be financed by taxpayers,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. “The new by-law will allow us to effectively fund growth at a managed pace over the next 20 years.”

Consistent with the province’s Places to Grow legislation, Oakville’s population is expected to grow to approximately 246,000 residents by 2031. DCs provide a considerable funding source to build the infrastructure required to accommodate this anticipated growth. DCs are applied to construction of new residential and industrial/commercial properties, and are charged to developers to pay for town capital projects that service new growth including roads, transit, sidewalks and streetlights.

Over the past year, town staff worked closely with consultant Watson and Associates Economists Ltd. and engaged development industry representatives to develop a by-law that meets Oakville’s future infrastructure needs.

Oakville’s growth management strategy is guided by the town’s Livable Oakville Official Plan and Halton’s Regional Official Plan. Both levels of government are committed to ensuring that growth pays for itself to the extent allowable under the Development Charges Act, 1997, minimizing the impact on existing taxpayers.

The Act requires that a new by-law is enacted within five years of the passing of the previous by-law. Oakville’s new by-law is effective March 5, 2013. Oakville’s DC rates are competitive to other Greater Toronto Area municipalities including Vaughan, Markham, Milton and Brampton.

For more information on DCs in Oakville visit the fees and development charges page.

Media contact

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and
Director, Financial Planning
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Corporate Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

The Bronte Business Action Plan, led by the town’s Economic Development department, was initiated to further Bronte’s economic development and urban revitalization.

“This award recognizes that great things can be achieved when we work together to create Canada’s most livable town,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

Urban Marketing Collaborative consultants worked with town staff and the Bronte BIA to develop the plan by providing retail market expertise and stakeholder engagement.

The EDCO judges commented that the collaborative approach taken by the town to work with an outside consultant and the BIA was instrumental in facilitating understanding of issues, creating buy-in as the action plan was developed, and keeping cost down.

The Bronte Business Action Plan is using the Four Pillars of the Main Street approach — Organization, Marketing, Physical Design and Economic Development — to achieve their goal of economic development and urban revitalization. The Bronte BIA will implement the action plan from 2013 through 2016. For more information on the plan, visit the Economic Development page.

Media contact

Dorothy St. George
Director, Economic Development
Town of Oakville
905-338-4240
dstgeorge@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville officially launched the 12th Annual Community Spirit Awards today, encouraging residents to nominate community champions that they admire and appreciate in one of eight award categories.

“Every year Oakville residents spend countless hours volunteering their time to make our town a better place to live,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We want to hear about these outstanding people, share their stories, and celebrate their contributions to making Oakville even more livable.”

Nominations will be accepted until Monday, April 15, 2013 at 4 p.m. in the following award categories:

• Access Award, sponsored by MEDIchair Halton
• Arts Award, sponsored by The Oakville Beaver
• Environmental Award, sponsored by Tim Hortons
• Group Volunteer Award, sponsored by Sun Life Financial
• Heritage and History Award, sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada
• Individual Volunteer Award, sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant
• Senior Award, sponsored by Chartwell Oakville
• Youth Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank

This year’s annual Community Spirit Awards presentation will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at Oakville’s dynamic Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC). Donna Funnell, a local fibre artist and active member of QEPCCC has been commissioned to create the 2013 Community Spirit awards. Her art quilts are recognized for their intense colour and embellishment of paint, threads and beads.

Nomination forms will be available for pick-up next week at all town facilities and Oakville Public Library branches or can be completed from the Community Spirit Awards page.

For more information contact

Nancy Beddoe
Steering Committee Chair
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

March 4

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public presentation
  • Mayor Burton will acknowledge the award presented to the Economic Development department from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario under the category of redevelopment initiatives for the development of the Bronte Business Action Plan.
• Consent item
  • Appointment of Deputy Fire Chief
• Discussion items
  • 2012 trade mission to China
  • Development charges background study and by-law
  • Oakville Hydro quarterly report
  • Oakville Hydro - new subsidiaries
  • Consideration of offer of purchase and sale at 2274-2320 Trafalgar Road

March 5

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

March 7

Public meeting for a proposed official plan and zoning by-law amendment at 3340 Dundas Street West for New Horizon Group 
Location: Town Hall, Acorn Grill, 7 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Town Council members welcomed Oakville’s Ontario Heritage Trust award recipients at a ceremony held at Town Hall last night. Oakville residents were recognized in six categories for their valuable contribution to preserving local heritage.

“Council’s commitment to the preservation of Oakville’s heritage is a reflection of the commitment of Oakville residents such as tonight’s outstanding award recipients,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

The Oakville residents recognized by the Ontario Heritage Trust this year are:

• Gordon Spragge, Heritage Community Recognition – Cultural Heritage
  Mr. Spragge is recognized for his contributions to the art exhibition Returning Home: A Carrie Hillyard Retrospective.
• Jamie Macrae, Heritage Community Recognition – Built Heritage
  As a volunteer member of the Oakville Historical Society, Mr. Macrae has led the house plaquing initiative and has also been an active volunteer for Doors Open Oakville, opening his wooden 1920s schooner, Anitra, for tours.
• Enver Domingo, Heritage Community Recognition – Natural Heritage
  Mr. Domingo has been an active member of Oakvillegreen for almost a decade. He has assisted with the creation of the town’s trail standards for North Oakville’s Natural Heritage System, as well as protecting important songbird layover areas in Shell Park.
• Donalda Fordham, Heritage Community Recognition – Lifetime Achievement
  Ms. Fordham has volunteered her talents to three local heritage organizations for over twenty years. She has also been an active member of a craft guild which promotes and develops a traditional craft.
• Christopher Borecky, Young Heritage Leaders – Natural Heritage
  Mr. Borecky has excelled in sharing his knowledge of Oakville’s natural heritage among his peer group, neighbourhood and school community. Mr. Borecky is a dedicated young man whose curiosity has led him to protect and enhance natural areas as well as the wildlife species that inhabit them.
• St. Dominic’s Catholic Elementary School Grade 7, Young Heritage Leaders – Cultural Heritage: Veteran’s Garden Project Group
  The Bronte Veteran’s Garden was a project initiated by Grade 7 and 8 students at St. Dominic’s Catholic Elementary School to recognize the contributions of individuals who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Ontario Heritage Trust, the province's lead heritage agency, is dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's rich and varied heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. The Heritage Community Recognition program and Young Heritage Leaders program awards volunteers and youth in all communities across Ontario for their work in preserving, protecting and promoting local heritage.

The Town of Oakville has been actively preserving its heritage for more than six decades, beginning with efforts to conserve Oakville's first post office from 1949 to 1951. The Town of Oakville’s 1962 official plan incorporated heritage policies that helped ensure that over 90 per cent of Oakville’s historic buildings continue to exist today. Over the years the town has acquired a number of heritage properties to ensure their preservation, the most significant being the Erchless Estate, the estate of Oakville's founding family, the Chisholms.

The town has just recently designated a new heritage conservation district in downtown Oakville, ensuring the conservation of historical buildings and managing change of future development in the area. For more information visit the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District page.

Contact Information

Dana Anderson
Director, Planning Services
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens 
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-338-4244 
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

February 25

inZone Subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 1–3:30 p.m.

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Subdivision Agreement- Canada Lands Company CLC Limited
• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for Zoning By-law Amendment at 3059 Lakeshore Road West for Fernbrook Homes (Bronte 15) Limited
  • Public meeting report for Draft Plan of Subdivision and Draft Plan of Condominium at 3113 Upper Middle Road West for 1371975 Ontario Inc. (Markay Homes)
• Discussion items
  • Recommendation report for Draft Plan of Condominium Approval at 32 Dundas Street East for Dundas Sixth Line Developments Inc.
  • Recommendation report for Zoning By-law Amendment at Old Bronte Road and Dundas Street West for VGR Investments Ltd.
  • Recommendation report for Draft Plan of Condominium for 550 Speers Inc.
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee— February 12, 2013

QEPCCC user experience survey and public meeting
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road, 7–9 p.m.

February 26

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
• 2013 Road Resurfacing and Preservation Program
• Discussion items
• 2013 Active Transportation Capital Program
• Deaccessioning Items from Oakville Museum Collection

Administrative Service Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
• 2012 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses Paid to Members of Council and Committees
• Acquisition of Hydro One Lands respecting the Fourth Line/Wyecroft Road to North Service Road Project
• Acquisition of McMud Holdings Inc. lands at Fourth Line and Wyecroft Road
• Discussion items
• Fraud Risk Assessment
• Internal Audit Status of 2012 Work Plan and 2013 Annual Work Plan
• Update on Integrated Risk Management Program

February 27

Public information meeting for Zoning By-law Amendment at 2420 Eighth Line for Hamount Investments
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 6:30 p.m.

Public meeting for Zoning By-law Amendment at 1132 Invicta Drive for 2104751 Ontario Ltd.
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 7:30 p.m.

Public meeting for additional parking at Bronte Athletic Park
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, Black Box Studio, 2302 Bridge Road, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

In March 2012, the Town of Oakville officially opened its doors at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC), a dynamic public space that inspires active living, and cultural and artistic interests. With almost a year under its belt, the town is inviting the community to learn more about the facility’s first year of operation at a public meeting on Monday, February 25, 2013, from 7 to 9 p.m. at QEPCCC located at 2302 Bridge Road.

At this meeting, town staff will provide an update on QEPCCC’s first year including successes and lessons learned. Following the brief presentation, those in attendance are encouraged to provide feedback, ask questions and share their own experiences.

“We value the community’s feedback and want to hear what QEPCCC means to our user groups and clients,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville. “Feedback will tell us what we’re doing right and where we might need to do better to help guide the future of this amazing facility.”

Town staff will report to Oakville Council in April 2013 on Working Committee accomplishments; QEPCCC uptake and programming; and overall results of public/user group consultations and key surveys.

Those planning to attend the meeting are asked to RSVP to qepark@oakville.ca or call 905-815-5979. Can’t make the meeting in person? Please complete QEPCCC’s short online survey by February 28 or email comments to qepark@oakville.ca.

Media contacts

Brent Copeland
Marketing Supervisor
Recreation and Culture
905-845-6601, ext. 3080
bcopeland@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

February 19

South Central Public Lands Study Subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 1–3:30 p.m.

Public information meeting for Zoning By-Law Amendment and Plan of Subdivision for Dundas Street East, 404072 Ontario Limited (Mattamy Development Corporation)
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Public information meeting for Zoning By-Law Amendment and Plan of Subdivision at 3075 Trafalgar Road for Minto Communities
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

February 20

Public information meeting for Zoning By-law Amendment and Plan of Subdivision at 41 Dundas Street East for Sixth Line Corporation / Freeman Planning Solutions Inc.
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 6:30 –9:30 p.m.

Public information meeting for Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments at 3108 and 3130 Sixth Line for VIVA Oakville Facilities & VIVA Oakville Towns (Retirement Communities)
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1, 6:30 –9:30 p.m.

Public information meeting for a Zoning By-Law Amendment at 103 & 109 Garden Drive for Memory Care Investments (Oakville) Ltd.
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 6:30 –9:30 p.m.

February 22

Property Standards Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Plan outlines responsibilities and actions in the event of major emergency

Demonstrating the town’s commitment to community safety, Oakville’s updated Emergency Plan was approved by Council Monday night. Replacing the 2006 version, the 2013 plan moves towards a best-practice, all-hazards emergency management program and takes a streamlined approach to planning for all emergencies and disasters regardless of their nature.

“We need to be prepared for the unexpected and Oakville is,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Oakville’s Emergency Plan identifies the impact of an emergency on our community, and ensures that the right people and resources are in place during the response and recovery phases. Keeping our community safe is our top priority.”

Subject to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, Oakville is responsible for managing emergency response and for providing necessary services during an emergency. The updated Emergency Plan and adopted Emergency Plan By-law 2013-008 clearly defines Oakville’s responsibilities and actions to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major disasters or emergencies.

“Town-wide emergency preparedness is vital to the safety and health of our community,” said Lee Grant, Fire Chief and director of Emergency Planning and Fire Services. “Our Emergency Plan is designed to guide the town through any disaster to ensure efficient and coordinated responses.”

Aligned with the updated Emergency Plan By-law, the plan defines roles and responsibilities of elected officials, town staff, key response agencies and Halton Region. Oakville and its partners routinely test their emergency plans through joint mock emergency exercises and scenarios.

Key emergency management areas covered in the plan include:

• Protocol for declaration of emergencies
• Emergency Operations Centre procedures and functions
• Public information procedures and functions
• Oakville’s Emergency Management Program

Residents are also reminded to have a 72-Hour Family Go-Kit in the event of a home or community evacuation. This simple pre-planning will allow those responding to focus their attention on the emergency situation itself. A list of items to pack can be found on the Halton Region website.

To access the 2013 Town of Oakville Emergency Plan please visit the town's emergency planning web page.

Media contacts

Andy Glynn
Deputy Fire Chief
Town of Oakville
905-338-4251
aglynn@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Accomplishments booklet highlights progress made in 2012

The town’s key initiatives and successes of the past year were highlighted to Council last night in staff’s annual progress report on Council’s 2011–14 strategic plan and priorities.

“The town continues to make great progress in implementing Council’s 2011–14 strategic work plan and realizing our vision for Oakville to be the most livable town in Canada,” said Mayor Burton. “We have just launched our 2013 Citizen Survey to get feedback from the public and we will continue to respond to community needs.”

Staff also presented Council with copies of the town’s 2012 Accomplishments booklet. The booklet is available online and at community centres, and provides an overview of the work the town undertook in 2012 to help meet the goals set out in Council’s 2011–2014 Strategic Work Plan. The booklet also identifies the town’s proposed actions for 2013 to continue progress in achieving Council’s strategic priorities.

A few of the town’s key accomplishments for 2012 include:

• Seven site-specific appeals were resolved in defending the town’s Livable Oakville Official Plan at the Ontario Municipal Board.
• The town’s innovative Transportation Master Plan — Switching Gears — was approved by Council and will work to support a variety of travel options including public transit, road improvements, walking and cycling.
• Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre — a unique multi-purpose recreation, arts and culture facility — opened in March 2012 and its unique blend of activities have been embraced by the public.
• A November 2012 trade mission to China strengthened relationships with the cities of Hui’an, Tieling, Chengdu and Xinjin, and the town will be hosting an Asian Business Conference in 2013 to share information on business opportunities in China.
• The success of the town’s Olympic heroes provided the community with a great reason to cheer at a parade through the downtown and at a celebration held at Centennial Square.
• A new Wildlife Strategy was approved by Council to help educate the public and create a strategy to manage urban wildlife in our community. Living with wildlife education sessions were well attended by the public.

Open the town’s 2012 Accomplishments brochure (pdf, 9.2 MB )

For more information

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

Hundreds of free family-friendly activities and events planned at 11 locations across Oakville

Mark your calendars! Oakville families are encouraged to join the town on Monday, February 18 for the fifth annual Make Your Move Family Day. Build your traditions with us on this special day filled with free activities and events for all ages and abilities.

“Our Family Day celebrations empower residents to get active and explore the many arts, recreation or cultural programs we offer,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Family Day was created so families can spend time together. That’s why it’s so great to see thousands of residents embrace this holiday and join the Oakville tradition.”

Family Day 2013 features hundreds of free activities and special events designed to exercise your mind, body and spirit. Participate in a variety of classes including Family Badminton, Family Nia and Karate, or check out the Playford Players at the Oakville Museum. You can also enjoy Family Storytime at select Oakville Public Library branches, get your picture taken on a Zamboni at River Oaks Community Centre, or check out live exotic animals at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. With the support of Tim Hortons, the town is also offering free swimming and ice time at participating pools and arenas.

“We’re opening our doors to you so that you can enjoy free activities with your loved ones,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville. “We have tons of activities planned at locations throughout Oakville, so get out and try something new. If you have yet to visit Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, add it to your list of places to check out on Family Day. It’s a pretty amazing space.”

An M&M Meat Shops barbecue lunch and drinks supplied by Pepsico will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glen Abbey, Iroquois Ridge, Queen Elizabeth Park and River Oaks community centres. All proceeds will go to the town's Recreation Connection Fund, to help families in need participate in recreation programs.

Family Day locations:

• Glen Abbey Community Centre and Library
• Iroquois Ridge Community Centre and Library
• Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
• River Oaks Community Centre
• Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
• Centennial Pool
• Joshua’s Creek Arenas
• Kinoak Arena
• Oakville Museum
• Central Library
• Peter Gilgan Family YMCA

Visit the Make Your Move Family Day web page for a full schedule of events or pick up a Family Day guide at Town Hall, community centres or libraries, or at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA. Make Your Move Family Day is proudly sponsored by Genworth Canada, Tim Hortons, M&M Meat Shops, Paradiso, Pepsico and Whole Foods Market.

Make Your Move Oakville is the town's public education and awareness program to promote the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles and encourage residents to become more active through participation in various sport and recreational activities.

Media contacts

Brent Copeland
Supervisor, Marketing
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3080
289-218-6500 (Event Day) 
bcopeland@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

“It takes a community to get things back to normal after such a large snowfall,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “I’d like to thank all the snow crews and town staff for their dedication to getting our town back up and running safely, and the residents of Oakville for their patience and their community spirit in helping neighbours and strangers alike.”

At the peak of the storm cleanup on Saturday, 85 pieces of equipment were on the roads and sidewalks to ensure snow was cleared as quickly as possible. The 1,900 kilometres of roads that was cleared, if put end to end, would equal the distance from Oakville to Winnipeg; add to that, 900 kilometres of sidewalks. Besides the snow clearing, about 2,000 tonnes of salt was dispensed across the town. Friday’s storm is estimated to have cost the town about $500,000. The total 2013 snow clearing budget is set at $4.65 million.

“We know during a snow event, such as we experienced on Friday, not everything runs perfectly,” added Mayor Burton. “But our crews and staff were on hand and worked diligently whether it was clearing roads, answering phones or taking time to help residents in need.”

The positive side of this storm can be told in the stories of residents who tweeted or emailed the town about the firefighter, plow driver or Roads and Works staff member who came to their aid when their car got stuck or couldn’t make it up a hill; and about how grateful residents were to their bus driver who safely got them to where they needed to be.

Social media played a major role in Friday’s storm with the town continually tweeting snow and transit updates, and town closures. The town received almost 200 tweets from residents throughout the weekend.

ServiceOakville received almost 350 snow-related phone calls between Friday and Sunday. Residents were also able to follow the town’s clearing schedule by using the online Snow Plow Tracker available on the town’s website, or by calling the Snow Line at 905-815-5999.

Residents can help with the cleanup by clearing catch basins and fire hydrants that are covered with snow. For more information on the town’s snow clearing procedures, visit the snow clearing page.

Contact information

Enrico Scalera
Director, Roads and Works
905-845-6601, ext.3315
escalera@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens 
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-338-4244 
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

February 11

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, February 5, 2013
  • Administrative Services Committee, February 5, 2013
• Consent item
  • Development Charges Update
• Discussion items
  • Update on the 2011-2014 Strategic Work Plan for the Corporation of the Town of Oakville
  • Downtown Oakville Business Improvement Area

February 12

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 9:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.

South Central Public Lands Study open house
Location: Oakville Arena, 133 Rebecca Street — Kinsmen Pine Room, 2–9 p.m.

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

February 14

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Effective immediately, the Town of Oakville is closing its facilities due to severe weather. This includes Town Hall, all community, youth and seniors centres, as well as arenas, pools, libraries, the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts and the Oakville Museum. All scheduled town-run programs and rentals at these facilities are also cancelled. Emergency and essential services will continue to operate.

Oakville Transit buses, including care-A-van, are running about 15 to 20 minutes behind schedule and will continue operating until the end of today's scheduled service. Visit the Oakville Transit website for the latest service updates.

Snow-clearing crews have been out since early morning and continue to clear primary and secondary roads. Residential streets will be plowed after the snowstorm ends. Residents are asked to be patient and not to park on the roads if possible to allow the plows to pass. For information about snow removal and winter road maintenance, please visit the town’s Snow Clearing page or call the town's snow information line at 905-815-5999.

Recreation and Culture facilities and programs are expected to reopen tomorrow as scheduled. Please visit oakville.ca for the most current information on town closures and program cancellations, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit Environment Canada’s website for information on current weather conditions in Oakville.

A pilot community improvement plan for Kerr Village will focus on building exteriors in the area. At Monday’s Planning and Development meeting, Council directed town staff to prepare the plan.

“This is a very exciting time for Kerr Village and Oakville as a whole,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Community improvement plans allow the town to work with business and property owners to find ways of improving their buildings and surroundings; creating even greater opportunities for economic attraction and growth.”

A community improvement plan is a tool in the Planning Act that allows municipalities to look at areas throughout the community, such as unused industrial sites, ageing cultural heritage resources, emerging growth areas or downtown main street districts, which could be improved by maintenance, rehabilitation, development or redevelopment.

“We look forward to working with Kerr Village BIA, property owners and residents in the area to develop this community improvement plan,” said Cathy Duddeck, Ward 2 Town and Regional Councillor. “It is partnerships like this that truly make a positive difference not only in the immediate area, but across our entire community.”

The town’s Livable Oakville Plan outlines policies that will allow for this type of planning, and community consultation will be a vital component to this pilot project. In creating the plan for Kerr Village, the community will be engaged in setting priority areas, helping determine what financial approaches will be most beneficial, and looking at what type of buildings will be within the scope of the plan.

“Community involvement is the driver behind successful community improvement plans,” said Pam Damoff, Ward 2 Town Councillor,” “With no provincial or federal funding available for these types of programs, I am pleased the town is moving forward to work with the community in designing this pilot project and sharing our experiences and success with all of Oakville.”

The plan will be drafted throughout this year with financial forecasts submitted for the town’s budget process in late 2013. If approved, the targeted implementation of the pilot project is set to run from 2014 to 2019.

For more information on community improvement plans and to review the staff report on the Kerr Village pilot project, view the February 4 Planning and Development Council/agenda.

For more information

Dana Anderson
Director of Planning Services
Town of Oakville
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville launched its latest online Idea Forum “What makes Oakville livable?” on February 1 with the wide-ranging idea topic “Tell us what YOU think makes Oakville most livable or what we need to do to make it more livable.” Residents are encouraged to post ideas, vote on others and share their favourites on Twitter and Facebook. Mayor Rob Burton will also be active on the forum, so look for his ideas and comments as well!

“We purposely made this topic broad so that users could provide candid feedback regardless of how small or big their ideas might be,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Livability is subjective. My livable Oakville may not look exactly like yours, but both are equally important. We want to hear from you Oakville.”

Every two years, the town initiates a town-wide Citizen Survey to gauge public perception on municipal service delivery and top-of-mind issues facing Oakville. As part of the 2013 Citizen Survey process, Pollara Strategic Insights will be conducting a random phone survey on behalf of the town from February 22 through March 8. Visit the citizen survey page for more details.

To complement the phone survey, the town opened up the Idea Forum and also launched a short online pre-survey (closes February 15) to solicit additional feedback about town programs, services and more. Results of both surveys and the Idea Forum will shared with Council in May 2013 as part of the Citizen Survey report findings.

“In 2011, Council developed a list of strategic goals and priorities to guide our decision making over our four-year term. The results of the surveys and Idea Forum will tell us if we’re on track to meeting those goals,” Mayor Burton said.

Once registered on the Oakville Idea Forum, residents are allotted ten votes which they can use to show support for their preferred ideas (including their own) until March 29. They can also post comments on other ideas to generate discussions. Recently submitted ideas include: create a transit system worth using; use the town square better as a public space; and spend less on growing the town and expanding services.

Hosted by UserVoice, Oakville will use its Idea Forum to engage residents and generate new ideas on a number of upcoming topics, projects and initiatives. The “2013 Budget” Idea Forum pilot was a huge success and generated 71 ideas. To access the Idea Forum and online survey visit the Oakville Idea Forum.

Media contact

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

At a Planning and Development meeting last night, Council unanimously approved the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines designating a new heritage conservation district in downtown Oakville.

The new heritage district area, just west of Navy Street to Dunn Street, and just north of Randall Street to Robinson Street, reinforces the town’s commitment to creating a more livable Oakville by conserving heritage features.

“Council believes that the heritage features in our downtown core contribute to the vibrant and unique character of the business area and surrounding neighbourhood,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This designation will ensure we retain and conserve those historical resources and create an even more sustainable community.”

The heritage district designation will allow change, in a managed way. The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan relies on a precise set of guidelines to preserve the exterior of heritage buildings, and ensure new contemporary buildings complement existing structures and neighbouring properties. A Municipal Implementation document also outlines recommended initiatives and steps to support the plan and conservation efforts.

The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study started in the fall of 2011and several public meetings, workshops and focus groups followed throughout the process.

“On behalf of Council, I’d like to thank our business owners and residents who participated in the many public consultation sessions that shaped a plan and set of guidelines that will ensure we manage change and development in order to conserve the unique charm of our downtown core,” added Mayor Rob Burton.

To view the staff report open the February 4, 2013 Planning and Development Council agenda. The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines, as well as the Municipal Implementation document can be found on the  Downtown Heritage Conservation District study page.

The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study is part of Vision 2057: Preserve it! The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

For more information:

Dana Anderson
Director of Planning Services
Town of Oakville
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

February 4

inZone Sub-Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 1–3:30 p.m.

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting report and proposed zoning by-law amendment for Coptic Orthodox Church, 1177 Invicta Drive
  • Public meeting report and zoning by-law amendment 915643 Ontario Inc., 177 and 185 Cross Avenue, 580 Argus Road
• Discussion items
  • Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District
  • Community improvement planning in Oakville
  • Provincial planning initiatives
  • Livable Oakville Plan implementation
  • Heritage Planning Work Plan update 2013–2015
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — January 22, 2013

February 5

Development Charges Steering Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 9:30 a.m.–noon

South Central Public Lands Study Council Subcommittee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 1–3:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 7–10 p.m.

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Parking meter by-law amendment for Prince Charles Drive
• Discussion items
  • Special Purpose Fare Media
  • Town of Oakville Emergency Plan

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • By-law 2013-007, a by-law to authorize the temporary borrowing for 2013
  • Tax Apportionments
• Discussion items
  • Recreation facility renovations - Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, Glen Abbey Community Centre and Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
  • Bronte Harbour Yacht Club - Memorandum of Understanding
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee — January 10, 2013

February 7

Black History Month Kickoff Celebration
Location: Town Hall, South Atrium, 6:30 p.m.
The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton hosts an evening to celebrate Black History Month.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

January 28

Appeals Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 9:30 –11 a.m.

January 30

Public information meeting for a zoning by-law amendment for 3120 Third Line for Infrastructure Ontario (c/o Erinoak kids) –Ward 4
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 7-10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

At a meeting yesterday, the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee unanimously supported the draft Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines — the town’s forward-thinking visionary plan to maintain and conserve the vibrant heritage character of the Lakeshore Road East corridor and adjacent streets. The draft plan and guidelines will now go to Council for consideration on February 4.

“One of the actions coming out of the Downtown Oakville Strategic Action Plan was to identify the area as a potential heritage conservation district in order to protect and enhance the historic importance of the downtown,” said Dana Anderson, director of Planning Services. “Once in place, the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines will manage change in the area efficiently and responsibly to preserve the downtown core’s heritage value.”

The irregular boundary of the proposed conservation district roughly encompasses the area from just west of Navy Street to Dunn Street, and just north of Randall Street to Robinson Street. If approved by Council, a conservation district would be established with a set of precise guidelines to preserve the exterior of heritage buildings, and ensure new contemporary buildings complement existing structures and neighbouring properties. Streetscapes and landscape heritage features will also be covered in the guidelines. A Municipal Implementation document also outlines recommended initiatives and steps to support the plan and conservation efforts.

The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study started in the fall of 2011 with a number of public meetings, workshops and focus groups taking place throughout the process.

To view the staff report visit open the January 22, 2013 committee agenda. The draft Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Plan and Guidelines, as well as the Municipal Implementation document can be found on the Downtown Heritage Conservation District Study page.

The Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study is part of Vision 2057: Preserve it! The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

For more information

Dana Anderson
Director of Planning Services
Town of Oakville
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Oakville Town Council received its first annual Closed Meetings Statistics Report from the Clerk’s department at Monday’s Council meeting. The report showed that Town Council spent less than six per cent of its time in closed sessions, or eight of the total of 136.2 hours that Council met in 2012. The Clerk's report also notes that Council’s reasons for holding closed sessions met all of the requirements under the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act).

“I am very proud that Oakville is the first municipality to bring together this vital information in such a comprehensive and thorough manner,” Mayor Burton said. “Transparency and accountability are a priority for this Council and we believe every citizen has the right to know what decisions are being made and what facts guide our decisions, whenever it is possible to share them.”

All meetings of Council, committees and local boards must be open to the public unless they meet a narrow list of exceptions set out in the Act. Exceptions include litigation or potential litigation, advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land, and labour relations or employee negotiations.

Prior to proceeding into a closed meeting session, Council must pass a resolution authorizing a closed session and identifying the general nature of the matter to be considered. After the session is complete, a public report is provided or a resolution is passed regarding the confidential matter.

The Clerk’s report also noted that enhancements are being introduced to the town’s staff report procedures to provide more information to the public. Confidential items previously listed in a separate confidential report will now become confidential appendices to public reports. This will provide the public with a general overview of the matter under consideration.

“The revisions to the staff reporting procedures will further enhance transparency on the issues that Council needs to discuss in closed sessions,” said Mayor Burton. “This will strike the right balance between the need for transparency and the need to protect the interests of the municipality and the taxpayer.”

Closed meeting statistics will be provided to Council on an annual basis to ensure continued attention to transparency and accountability at the town.

Council and committee meeting dates, agendas and staff reports are available on the town’s website. Live and recorded coverage of Town Council, Planning Council and Budget committee meetings are also available. For more information visit the agendas and minutes page

Media contact

Cathie Best
Town Clerk
905-338-4178
cbest@oakville.ca

Gisèle Shaw 
Manager, Corporate Communications 
905-845-6601, ext. 3166 
gshaw@oakville.ca

January 21

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing Committee Report
  • Administrative Services Committee, January 15, 2013
• Discussion items
  • Fire Department- Presentation to Council
  • Halton Food Council’s Food Charter

January 22

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

January 25

Property Standards Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 10 a.m.–noon

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

January 14

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Subdivision Agreement - Dundas Sixth-Line Developments Phase 2
• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting, recommendation report and supplementary report for draft Plan of Condominium for Birchgrove Estates Inc. at 11 Bronte Road
• Discussion items
  • Notice of intention to demolish 145 Burnhamthorpe Road West
  • Notice of intention to demolish 387 Allan Street
  • Zoning by-law amendment (Holding Provision Removal) for William Oughtred and Associates at 171 Old Upper Middle Road
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — December 11, 2012

January 15

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Records retention by-law update
  • Grant of permanent easement to the Region of Halton on Dundas Street West at Bronte Road
  • Antoinettes Gymnastics Club Inc. amending agreement
  • North Operations Depot servicing agreements – 3250 Neyagawa Boulevard.
  • Provincial announcement for a Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative
• Discussion items
  • 2012 audit plan
  • 2012 closed meetings

January 16

Public information meeting for a zoning by-law amendment for part of lots 4 and 5, on Concession 1, South of Dundas Street for Infrastructure Ontario, Rick Tomulka, Sheridan Lane Holdings Inc. – Ward 6
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Join us at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) for a fun-filled day of sports, games, crafts and more! This special camp program for kids aged four to 12 offers flexible drop-off and pick-up times (as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late as 6 p.m.) for one $40 fee.

Spots are limited. Please register by 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2013, on iris. Search for program barcode 181864.

Residents are also encouraged to check out our public skates and swim times at facilities throughout Oakville or tour the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Registration inquiries:

Recreation and Culture
Program Registration
905-338-4250

January 9

Public information meeting for a proposed Plan of Subdivision at 1455 Joshuas Creek Drive for Upper Middle Road GP (Carterra) 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 7–10 p.m.

January 10

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Ontario Fire Marshal and Regional Fire Chiefs visit local school for 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety Campaign

In an effort to raise awareness of fire safety in the home, Oakville’s Fire Chief, Lee Grant, Ontario’s Fire Marshal, Ted Wieclawek and other regional fire Chiefs made an important stop at a local school this morning. Grade 4 students of St. Dominic School welcomed the special guests as part of the second annual 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety Campaign.

The Ontario wide initiative reminds residents to be extra cautious throughout the holiday season by following these 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety tips:

Day 1: Water fresh trees daily, dry trees catch fire more easily.
Day 2: Check all sets of lights before decorating; discard any frayed or damaged cords.
Day 3: Make sure you have working smoke alarms.
Day 4: Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms.
Day 5: Make sure everyone knows how to get out safely if a fire occurs.
Day 6: Use extension cords wisely and never have them underneath rugs etc.
Day7: Keep space heaters at least one metre away from anything flammable.
Day 8: When you go out, always blow out candles.
Day 9: Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children.
Day 10: Watch what you heat and do not leave cooking unattended.
Day 11: Encourage smokers to smoke outside.
Day 12: Be responsible when consuming alcohol.

“I’m wishing for a fire-free holiday season this year,” said Fire Chief Lee Grant. "Everyone can play their part by educating themselves about fire prevention in the home and being extra vigilant over the holidays. Engaging our children in fire safety is a great place to start.”

Students at St. Dominic’s School listened as Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek spoke personally about his holiday wish for a December, free of fires. “The 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety campaign provides simple tips ranging from making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to having a home fire escape plan. Everyone can support my holiday wish by simply being aware of the tips and putting the essential safeguards in place in their homes to prevent fires.”

For more fire safety tips specific to the holiday season, visit the fire safety and guidelines page.

For more information contact

Michael Harrison
Public Education/Special Projects Officer
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 3602
mharrison@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

“This budget ensures we will continue our progress in keeping up with the infrastructure, and program and service needs of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We’re controlling costs without cutting services by using performance-based budgeting to drive the efficient delivery of our programs and services. We continue to reduce our tax-supported debt to ensure we’re living within our means. Together we’re creating the most livable town in Canada.”

The 3.01 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill includes a 0.98 per cent increase in the cost to deliver town programs and services. Service enhancements include $138,000 to fund a one-year trial of a new transit route on North Service Road East and $45,200 to provide one-day weekly free transit service for seniors, as well as an inflationary increase to fund the cultural grants program bringing the total funding amount available to $100,000. Council also approved transit route modifications that will result in annual savings of $326,100.

The 2013 budget also includes a 2.03 per cent increase for the costs of infrastructure renewal including road resurfacing, facilities, parks and trails. Some of the top capital projects influencing this year’s budget are: $5.5 million for road resurfacing and preservation; $4.7 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville; $2.9 million for transit buses; $2.8 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity; $2.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; and $2.4 million for a fire station in north Oakville.

“This is a responsible and proactive budget. Unlike most municipalities, we’re maintaining our infrastructure by renewing it at the same rate that it depreciates,” said Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “We have kept our budget increase in line with inflation and we’re in a good position to meet that same goal of inflation or less in 2014 and 2015.”

Visit the 2013 Budget page for details.

Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

“Council’s vision for Oakville is to be the most livable town in Canada; reducing our ecological footprint is a vital part of achieving this goal,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We are proud to receive these awards recognizing the town’s commitment to finding new and creative ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and we encourage all residents to do the same.”

The gold Ontario Waste Minimization Award was given to the Town of Oakville in three categories:

• Municipal Diversion — for the town’s successful implementation of waste diversion programs at town facilities that have helped employees achieve an average waste diversion rate of 70 per cent.
• Municipal Communications — for the innovative communication tools such as an internal website and employee newsletter and social media, as well as outreach programs to engage employees and residents about waste diversion.
• Municipal Unique Program — for the town’s Towards Zero Waste Procedure. This procedure was created in 2009 to move town operations and events toward achieving the town’s waste reduction and diversion goals.

The Milestone 2 Achievement was awarded to the town at the Livable Cities Forum for its progress in developing a comprehensive, risk-based plan to address the anticipated effects of climate change. The Town of Oakville is one of 12 municipalities working with ICLEI to create a corporate Climate Change Adaption Plan. Town staff is moving through a five milestone process that provides a standardized approach to guide municipalities in developing the plan. The town has now gathered the necessary data and created a framework to guide the planning and implementation of climate change measures.

For more information on all of the town’s environmental initiatives and outreach programs, visit the environmental page.

Media contact

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Enjoy this special time with family and friends and please keep the following information in mind:

On-street parking

Cars cannot be parked on the street between 2 and 6 a.m. from November 15 to April 15. If you are expecting to have overnight holiday guests and you have no room in your driveway, now’s the time to call and request a temporary on-street permit. To arrange for one, call 905-338-4394 before December 21 at noon. For one night of unplanned overnight on-street parking, please use the after-hours message service by calling 905-338-4394 to record your address and license plate details. Parking by-law officers will be checking the recording as they make their rounds. Officers will be on duty throughout the holiday season but the Parking offices will be closed as of December 21 at 4:30 p.m., reopening on January 2, 2013. Visit the parking permits page for more information.

Fire safety

The Oakville Fire department would like to remind you that with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we may be a bit distracted. Please put safety first. Never leave cooking or candles unattended. Decorative lights should be inspected every year before using them. If wiring is frayed or worn they should be replaced. Don’t forget to turn off the Christmas tree lights before going to bed or whenever you leave your home and to keep it watered. Also, please ensure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home. Visit the fire safety tips page for more details.

Snow clearing

Over the holiday season, town staff continues to ensure that snow plows and salt trucks are prepared for any weather activity. For snow clearing updates, visit the snow tracker page or call the Snow Line at 905-815-5999. Visit the snow clearing page for more information.

Oakville Transit

Oakville Transit will continue to provide service over the holidays. Please visit Oakville Transit website for revised schedules.

Arenas, community and senior centres

The town’s arenas, community and senior centres continue to offer residents a great place to gather with family and friends. Community Centres and arenas will be closed Christmas and Boxing Day, but open the rest of the week. Please check the website for early closing times on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The Kerr Street Senior Centre will be open for drop-in activities on December 27 and at the Sir John Colborne Senior Centre on December 28, both open from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Recreational activities

Enjoy one of the many free holiday skates from December 24-31. For outdoor fun, hike one of the many town trails or take the kids to an outdoor skating rink. For an indoor treat after the holiday rush, visit Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate December 27 and 28 for a variety of activities each afternoon.

Oakville Public Library

Snuggle up with a good book or video from your local library branch. Visit Oakville Public Library website for holiday hours.

Garbage/recycling/tree pick up

For information on holiday garbage/recycling schedules and tree pick up, visit Halton Region website.

Health care

For information on health care options or wait times, visit the Feel Better Faster website.

New Year’s Levee

Mayor Rob Burton and Members of Council invite you and your family to join them for a New Year’s Levee on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Town Hall, from 1–3 p.m.

Media contact

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

December 17

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public presentation
  • Mayor Burton will acknowledge the Environmental Policy department for receipt of the Gold Ontario Waste Minimization Award from the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) for Municipal Diversion, Municipal Communications and Municipal Unique Program, and the Climate Change Plan Milestone 2 Achievement Award.
• Standing committee reports
  • 2013 Budget Committee, November 15, 2012 reconvened November 20, 2012
  • 2013 Budget Committee November 21, 2012 reconvened December 6, 2012
  • 2013 Budget Committee December 13, 2012
  • Community Services Committee, December 11, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, December 11, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Oakville Hydro quarterly update and shareholder approval
  • Procedure by-law amendment - recorded votes in Committee of the Whole
• New business
  • Halton Food Council’s Food Charter

December 18

Public information meeting for Zoning By-Law Amendment at 3047 Lakeshore Road West & Part of 3059 Lakeshore Road for West Fernbrook Homes (Bronte 15) Limited
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

December 19

Public information meeting for Zoning By-Law Amendment and Plan of Subdivision for Dunoak Developments Inc.
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Public information meeting for Zoning By-Law Amendment and Plan of Subdivision for Bressa Developments Limited at 1345-1429 Dundas Street East and 1264-1288 Burnhamthorpe East
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Public meeting for Zoning By-Law Amendment at 177 and 185 Cross Avenue, and 580 Argus Road for Salmona Tregunno Inc. (for 915643 Ontario Inc.)
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 6:30–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“This new website makes it faster and easier for residents to find what they’re looking for from bus schedules and route maps to important information about service changes,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Give the new website a ride and let us know what you think.”

Oakville Transit’s new customer-focused website is organized according to the information customers access most often:

• Schedules and maps — look up a schedule or view a Google map to find your bus stop
• Fares — all you need to know about cash fares and the new PRESTO card
• Accessibility — learn about care-A-van and other accessible services
• Riding with Us — everything you need to know while riding the bus
• Trip Planner — let us help you plan your trip with Google Trip Planner
• News and Service Updates — what you need to know, when you need it

New and enhanced features include:

• New design
• Accessible route schedules
• Accessible feedback form
• Print-friendly route schedules
• One-click access from any page to contact transit and provide feedback
• RSS feeds for news and service updates
• Link to Twitter
• Translation tool
• Enhanced integration with oakville.ca

Oakville Transit has also entered the world of social media via Twitter, enhancing the way residents can get and share information. Oakville Transit can be found on Twitter @oakvilletransit.

To check out the Oakville Transit website and remember to update your bookmarks as our URLs have changed.

For more information

Barry Cole
Director, Oakville Transit Services
905-338-4244
bcole@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3507
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“This recommended budget invests in maintaining Oakville’s infrastructure, reduces tax-supported debt and keeps the overall tax increase in line with inflation,” said 2013 Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “The Budget Committee has responded to public suggestions by modifying some transit routes, adding a new trial transit route along North Service Road East, supporting free transit for seniors on Mondays as well as recommending an inflationary increase to our cultural grants program.”

According to Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning Nancy Sully, the 3.01 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill includes a 0.98 per cent increase for the costs of providing town programs and services, and a 2.03 per cent increase in funding for infrastructure renewal. When the town’s portion of the tax bill is combined with the regional and education tax levy, it results in the proposed 1.47 per cent increase on the property tax bill.

Some of the top capital projects recommended for funding in this year’s budget are: $5.5 million for road resurfacing and preservation; $4.7 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville; $2.9 million for transit buses; $2.8 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity; $2.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; and $2.4 million for a fire station in north Oakville.

Residents who wish to appear before Council as a delegate at the December 17 meeting should register by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or calling 905-815-6015. For more information visit the 2013 Budget page.

Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy
Corporate Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

December 10

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for Draft Plan of Condominium for Birchgrove Estates Inc. at 11 Bronte Road
  • Statutory public meeting for Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Draft Plan and Guidelines
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee November 20, 2012

December 11

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Site Plan Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Driving schools update
  • Town of Oakville Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2012–2017
  • Policy and procedure update report
  • Progress report and financial results for September 30, 2012
  • Sign by-law — election signs display
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee November 8, 2012

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Request to change street name for Joshuas Creek Drive to Siemens Boulevard
  • 2012 State of the Environment Report
  • Partners for Climate Protection Program and Corporate Energy Management update
  • Water Sustainability Plan Framework
  • North Oakville on-street parking permits

December 13

2013 Budget Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

• Discussion item
  • 2013 Budget deliberations

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“The holiday season is the perfect time to visit Erchless Estate, the former home of Oakville’s founding family, the Chisholms,” said Bill Nesbitt, Oakville Museum supervisor. “Take a tour of the museum and embrace the period décor and our ‘memories’ theme for this year’s workshops.”

Oakville Museum exhibits, holiday events and workshops:

Christmas Tea and Tour

Enjoy a 90 minute visit to the beautifully-decorated historic Erchless Estate. Your visit will include the feature exhibit, a guided tour through the elegant home, followed by tea and cookies.
Sunday, December 9, 1:30–3 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.
Age: 6+
Fee: $5.65

Christmas Open House at the Oakville Museum and Thomas House

Sunday, December 9, 1–4:30 p.m.
Suitable for all ages and free of charge.

Make a “Memory Book”

December 27, 1–4 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person

Design a “Memories of 2012” scrapbook page

December 28, 1–4 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person

Weave a Mini Scarf

January 2, 1–4 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person

Make a Teabag Pocket

January 3, 1–4 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person

Design a “Winter Warm-up” scrapbook page

January 4, 1–4 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person

The Oakville Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. but will be closed to the public Monday, December 24 to Wednesday, December 26 and on January 1, 2013. It will re-open for public tours on Tuesday, January 2, 2013 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Oakville Museum is located at 8 Navy Street. For more information about the holiday workshops and exhibits please visit the Oakville Museum page or call 905-338-4400.

For more information contact:

Susan Crane
Learning and Community Development Officer
Oakville Museum
905-815-5973, ext. 5019
scrane@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

December 1

Budget Open House
Location: QEPCCC, Black Box Theatre, 11 a.m.–noon

December 3

inZone Subcommittee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 1–3:30 p.m.

December 4

South Central Public Lands Study Council Sub-committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

December 5

South Central Public Lands Study open house 
Location: Oakville Arena, 133 Rebecca Street -Kinsmen Pine Room, 1:30–9 p.m.

December 6

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–9 p.m.

2013 Budget Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion item
  • Delegations continued

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

November 19

Budget Open House
Location: Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, Lower Lobby, 7–8 p.m.

November 29

Appeals Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

December 1

Budget Open House
Location: QEPCCC, Black Box Theatre, 11 a.m.–noon

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Be informed about Oakville’s 2013 budget and have your say! The Town of Oakville is hosting a series of public open houses and Budget Committee meetings in November and December to engage the community and encourage participation in the 2013 budget process.

“We want to know what programs and services are most important to residents to ensure our spending priorities are in line with the community’s wants and needs,” said Budget Committee Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “Our open houses offer a casual setting for residents to find out how their tax dollars are being spent, ask questions and get candid answers.”

Oakville taxpayers are encouraged to join Councillor Adams at one of three budget open houses on:

• Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 7 to 8 p.m. in Committee Room 1, Town Hall
• Monday, November 26, 2012 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the lower lobby, Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
• Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Black Box Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre

Public delegations are also invited to provide input at the 2013 Budget Committee meetings located in Council Chamber at Town Hall on:

• November 21, 2012, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Delegations
• December 6, 2012, 7 to 10 p.m. — Delegations
• December 13, 2012, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Budget Committee Deliberations
• December 17, 2012, 7 p.m. — Council approval

For those who cannot attend the Budget Committee meetings in person, watch them live on TownTV.

The 2013 Budget Committee will consider all submissions as part of their budget deliberations. Residents who wish to appear in person before the Budget Committee as a delegate should register by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or calling 905-815-6015. Written comments for the committee can be sent to

Town Clerk
Town of Oakville
1225 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, ON L6H 0H3

Residents can also follow and share their budget feedback via the town’s social media sites: tweet @townofoakville or post on Facebook. Alternately, residents can email their comments to budget@oakville.ca or post ideas on the Oakville Idea Forum until December 6.

On November 12, town staff presented Oakville’s proposed 2013 operating and capital budgets to the Budget Committee achieving Council's direction to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation. Town staff recommended a 3.67 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 1.73 per cent including estimated regional and education tax rates. The proposed budget maintains current service levels, reduces town debt, and invests significant funds into infrastructure renewal. Visit the 2013 budget page for more information.

Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

November 19

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public presentation
  • Mayor Burton will recognize Oakville Hydro staff who provided support to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
• Discussion items
  • Facilities and Construction Management -presentation to Council
  • Provincial Reassessment Program to update market values to 2012 base year
  • 2013 Council appointments to various committees and boards
  • Oakville Hydro report
  • Potential unionization of school crossing guards
  • Redistribution of Federal Electoral Districts

November 20

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

2013 Budget Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Zoning and design guidelines open house 
Location: Iroquois Ridge High School, 1123 Glenashton Drive, 7–8:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

November 21

2013 Budget Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

• Discussion item
  • 2013 Budget Delegations

Zoning and design guidelines open house 
Location: QEPCCC, 2302 Bridge Road, Multi-purpose rooms, 7–8:30 p.m.

November 22

Zoning and design guidelines open house
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 3–4:30 p.m.

Zoning and design guidelines open house 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms, 7–8:30 p.m.

Budget Open House 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1, 7–8 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

On November 12, town staff presented Oakville’s proposed 2013 operating and capital budgets to the Budget Committee achieving Council's direction to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation. Town staff recommended a 3.67 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 1.73 per cent including estimated regional and education tax rates. The proposed increase would see residential property taxes increase by $16.22 per $100,000 of assessment meaning that a home assessed at $400,000 would pay an additional $64.88 per year or $1.25 per week.

“We’re in a very good financial position with healthy reserves and very little debt. This budget supports our commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability our community,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “The town continues to reap the benefits from program-based, performance-based (PB2) budgeting systems as staff was able to identify efficiencies to reduce the forecasted budget by more than two per cent. Council appreciates the significant amount of work to get to this point.”

Staff is recommending a $308.8 million combined budget for operating and capital requirements to help maintain existing programs and services, and ensure appropriate funding is allotted to keep Oakville’s infrastructure in a state of good repair. Additional funding for road pavement improvements, parks maintenance, transit care-A-van services, and operations of Oakville’s newest facilities were also highlighted in the 2013 budget overview.

“This recommended budget keeps the total property tax increase in line with inflation, invests in infrastructure renewal, and offers good value for your tax dollar,” said Budget Committee Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “We're committed to reducing Oakville’s debt level so we can strategically and appropriately plan for the future.”

According to the budget presentation from town Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning Nancy Sully, the 3.67 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill includes a 1.64 per cent increase for the costs of providing town programs and services, and a 2.03 per cent increase in funding for infrastructure renewal. When the town’s portion of the tax bill is combined with the estimated regional and education tax levy, it results in the proposed 1.73 per cent increase on the property tax bill.

The town’s capital budget sets aside funds for both the replacement of aging infrastructure and the construction of new infrastructure. Some of the top capital projects include $5.5 million for road resurfacing and preservation; $4.7 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville; $2.9 million for transit buses; $2.8 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity; $2.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation; and $2.4 million for a fire station in north Oakville.

The Budget Committee also recommended increases to the town’s rates and fees scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2013. Increases are recommended for various town programs and services in order to help fund service delivery including fire prevention and suppression fees; planning and development application fees; harbours and cemeteries fees; sports rental and user fees; room rentals; recreational programming; and transit among others.

The Budget Committee will meet throughout November and December to debate the proposed budget. The public is encouraged to get involved in the budget process through the following opportunities:

• Commission budget presentations on November 15 and 20
• Budget open houses on November 22 at Town Hall, November 26 at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, and December 1 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
• Public delegations on November 21 and December 6
• Budget deliberations on December 13
• Final budget approval by Council on December 17

“Developing a municipal budget is a complex balancing act and we’re encouraging the community to help us find that right balance. We invite residents to join the more than 700 users already engaged in discussion on our Oakville Idea Forum. Share your ideas at oakville.uservoice.com,” added Councillor Adams.

The 2013 Budget Committee will consider all submissions, whether in person, writing, email or through social media as part of their budget deliberations. Residents who wish to appear before the Budget Committee as a delegate should register by emailing townclerk@oakville.ca or calling 905-815-6015. Written comments for the committee can be sent to

Town Clerk
Town of Oakville
1225 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, ON L6H 0H3

Alternately, residents can email their comments to budget@oakville.ca.

All Budget Committee meetings are held at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road and are open to the public. For those who cannot attend the meetings in person, they will be streamed live on TownTV.. To view the 2013 Budget documents or for more information about opportunities to get involved in the budget process visit the 2013 Budget page or email budget@oakville.ca.

Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of
Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Corporate Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

As soon as new information about service disruptions is published on the town’s website, so too is the RSS feed. Subscribers to the feed will receive this information right on their smart phone, computer or tablet.

“Continuously improving communication and customer service benefits everyone," Mayor Rob Burton said. "In a disruption of service, people want direct access to the information they need and we're providing it."

The town’s other RSS feeds include news releases, public notices, Council highlights, upcoming performances at Oakville Centre and videos on TownTV.

To sign up for an RSS feed visit the RSS feeds page. Residents can also stay up-to-date on town information by following @townofoakville on Twitter or liking us on Facebook.

Earlier this year, the town relaunched oakville.ca to improve our customers’ online experience and make it easier to access and share information. The new customer-focused site features a new search tool, improved accessibility, restructured content and navigation, and a translation tool.

Visitors to oakville.ca are invited to provide comments about the website by filling out the website feedback form.

Visitors can also provide feedback through the accessible customer service feedback form.

For news on closures, schedule changes and detours, visit the service disruptions page.

For more information contact:

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Corporate Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

November 12

2013 Budget Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 1:30–3:30 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Overview of the 2013 Operating and Capital Budget
  • Harbours Mooring Slip rates
  • 2013 Rates and Fees

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing item
  • Public meeting for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 1609514 Ontario Inc. (DUNPAR Developments Inc.) at 2158, 2168, 2180, 2192 Trafalgar Road
• Discussion items
  • Old Bronte Road/Khalsa Gate Streetscape Plan – implementation
  • Recommendation report for proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for 112 Ulster Drive
  • Memorial Gardens Canada Limited - Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act application for 3164 Ninth Line
  • Merton (QEW-Bronte Road) Planning Study
  • Notice of intention to demolish 87 Dundas Street East outbuildings

November 13

Site Plan Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent Item
  • By-law 2012-098-a by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (parts 5 and 6, Plan 20R-9043-Lawson Street)
• Discussion items
  • Oakville Wildlife Strategy - implementation status report
  • Optimizing and coordination of town and regional traffic signals
  • Administrative monetary penalties for parking

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
• Acquisition of lands from Region of Halton for Palermo Fire Station - northeast corner of Bronte Road and Pine Glen Road
  • Expropriation of George Street laneway
  • Trafalgar Township Historical Society licence with Town of Oakville for 2431 Dundas Street West
  • Laneway off Church Street between Reynolds Street and Allan Street 
  • Donation of land, Block 117, Plan 20M-706 Woodridge Way (near Ravineview Way)
• Discussion items
  • Tow truck licensing
  • Bronte Harbour Yacht Club licence agreement
  • Follow-up review of Fire Prevention and Public Education

November 15

2013 Budget Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

• Discussion items
  • Union and non-union negotiations update
  • 2013 Budget - Commissioner presentations
  • Harbours business plan impacts - Result of draft agreements with clubs
  • Pilot results - Free transit for seniors
  • Banning smoking on town parkland
  • Emerald Ash Borer rebate for the treatment of private ash trees
  • 2013 RBC Canadian Open event
  • 2013 reporting requirements to comply with Municipal Act 2001, O.Reg. 284/09

November 16

Development Charges Steering Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

• Discussion item
  • 2012 Development Charges background study and by-law

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Becoming a Canadian citizen is a great privilege, and today we are proud that 29 people chose to call Canada their new place of citizenship,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “On behalf of Council, I’d like to welcome these new Canadians to Oakville and encourage them to get involved in the community to see why we call Oakville the most livable town in Canada.”

A representative for MP Terence Young, along with MPP Kevin Flynn, and Mayor Rob Burton welcomed the new citizens before Judge Ted Salci presided over the official ceremony. This is the fourth citizenship ceremony hosted by the Town of Oakville.

“This Council is committed to making Oakville a more inclusive community and our government information as accessible as possible for everyone,” Mayor Burton added. “We invite our new citizens to get involved in local government by attending public meetings, joining community discussions or participating in surveys and focus groups.”

To assist residents who speak a language other than English, the Town of Oakville subscribes to Language Line, an over-the-phone interpretation service that provides interpreters in more than 150 languages. This service ensures that whether in person or by phone, residents will receive great customer service. In addition, the town’s new website uses Google Translate, an online translation tool that allows residents and visitors to read the information provided in the language of their choice.

A number of town departments including the Oakville Public Library (OPL), Recreation and Culture, and Environmental Policy offer a variety of programs and participate in numerous outreach activities to help meet the needs of our diverse residents. These include recreational programs for residents with special needs, information on “living green”, library online resources to improve language skills, as well as workshops that assist children and teens with homework or help newcomers build a career in Canada. The OPL also offers a growing number of print, audio, and DVD materials in languages other than English for both children and adults.

To learn more about the diverse make up of our community, check out the If Oakville was a village of 100 people booklet available at Town Hall, town community centres, libraries, the Halton Multicultural Council, and the Newcomer Information Centre.

For more information:

Rebecca Brookes
Senior Policy Analyst
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext.3689
rbrookes@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Have your pick of baked goods, hand-knitted and sewn items, gently-used jewellery, books, gift baskets, Christmas crafts and more. Don’t forget to visit the tea room and refreshment areas for a break during your shopping spree at all three locations!

Saturday, November 10

Hidden Treasures Bazaar
Iroquois Ridge Older Adult Centre at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre
1051 Glenashton Drive
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 18

Christmas at Colborne Craft Sale and Victorian Tea
Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors
1565 Old Lakeshore Road
Noon to 3 p.m.

Sunday, November 25

Kerr Street Christmas Market
Oakville Seniors Centre
263 Kerr Street
Noon to 3 p.m.

Visit the seniors page for more information about programs and services.

-30-

For more information contact:

Nancy Beddoe
Manager, Seniors Services
Town of Oakville
905-845- 6601, ext. 3976
nbeddoe@oakville.ca

November 6

South Central Public Lands Study Council Sub-committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 1–3:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

November 8

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“This master plan is a forward-thinking long-range planning document that integrates well into our Livable Oakville goals," Mayor Rob Burton said. “This plan determines facility and amenity needs rather than final location or size of these facilities. Public input into the plan played a key role in understanding the needs of our growing community.”

First developed in 2006, the PRLFMP is examined and updated every five years in response to evolving community needs, population growth and capital finances. The 2011 update takes into account changes over the last five years including the acquisition of Joshua’s Creek Arenas, the construction of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex and the recent opening of Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre.

The main recommendations in the 2011 PRLFMP approved by Council include:

• Retention of a single-pad ice arena (rebuilding or refurbishing Oakville Arena) and current park facilities at Trafalgar Park.
• Creation of a community centre for south Oakville including possible provisions for a pool to replace Centennial Pool.
• Creation of a community centre for north Oakville as part of the second phase of the development of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex including a library, gymnasiums, pools, fitness/activity space and provisions for youth and seniors spaces.
• Consideration for the future replacement of the Oakville Senior Citizens’ Recreation Centre on Kerr Street within a new community facility possibly on the Oakville Arena site.
• Relocation of the Cross Street Youth Centre to north of the QEW, and the creation of an additional youth centre in north Oakville (in addition to the space recommended for Sixteen Mile Sports Complex expansion).
• Development of a community hub facility in Palermo Village for multi-use programming.
• Development of additional outdoor facilities including 44 soccer fields, two multi-use fields (artificial turf), 10 ball diamonds, and one cricket pitch. The suggestion was also made to convert under-used ball diamonds to address gaps in tennis courts, splash pad distribution and new skate parks.
• New library branches in Bronte, Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, Trafalgar corridor north of Dundas Street, and Palermo Village.
• Maintenance of an active parkland of 2.2 hectares per 1,000 population.

“This is a strategic and comprehensive plan that focuses on the town’s future facility needs to 2031,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture. “As well as understanding how to best serve our own community, it also compares Oakville to other municipalities and takes into account changes in demographics, growth projections and trends.”

Public consultation included focus groups, stakeholder interviews, feedback forms, and public meetings. Feedback from the South Central Public Lands Study online survey was incorporated into the updated plan.

The PRLFMP is part of Vision 2057, a community framework that brings together all of the towns master plans and other key planning initiatives under four key strategic directions: create it, preserve it, afford it, live it. The next major update to the PRLFMP is scheduled for 2017.

Media contact:

Nina de Vaal
Director, Recreation and Culture
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3112
ndevaal@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

Council has agreed to move forward with authorizing the town’s participation in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s (OLG) Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization Initiative (e-Bingo) following assurances from the Delta Bingo operator and the company’s landlord that video lottery terminals (VLTs) will not be introduced on the site without prior approval of Council. The town has also received assurances from the OLG that VLTs will not be included in the modernization of charitable gaming.

“Residents have told us they do not want VLTs or casinos in Oakville,” Mayor Burton said. “We are very pleased that the agreements reached with Delta Bingo will ensure that the community’s interests are protected, while allowing our charitable organizations to continue to raise valuable funds to benefit the community through the OLG’s e-bingo initiative.”

Launched as a pilot project in 2005 with six e-Bingo sites, the OLG’s revitalization initiative was designed to preserve and enhance bingo revenue for local charitable organizations. In August 2011, Council approved stage one of Oakville’s participation in the e-Bingo initiative after Delta Bingo was selected as one of 15 additional province-wide locations. Currently, over 30 local charities raise funds through events at Delta Bingo.

The motion to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the required Charitable Gaming Centre Municipality Agreement with the OLG received unanimous approval at last night’s Council meeting.

For more information about the e-Bingo initiative visit the OLG website.

For more information contact:

Phil Bouillon
Assistant Clerk
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3093
pbouillon@oakville.ca

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

While Oakville experienced isolated pockets of downed trees and minor power disruptions last night, it appears that the worst of the storm has passed with no significant damage. Environment Canada ended the wind warning for Oakville and surrounding communities as of 6:01 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30.

Town of Oakville crews were out last night and continue to work clearing downed trees, branches and debris to ensure the safety of roads and public spaces. In the case of fallen trees, top priority is given to calls concerning downed power lines and trees blocking primary roads. Town staff continue to field calls from the public and will dispatch crews to assess any new reports of damage.

Fallen/damaged trees on private property are the responsibility of the homeowner and are not responded to by the town unless they impact public lands or roadways. Residents can call 3-1-1 or the Halton Region website for information about Halton Region’s Bulk Brush Call-in Collection service.

Residents are also advised to check roadway catch basin grates near residential properties to ensure they are not blocked with leaves and debris. Conservation Halton continues to warn that stream banks are slippery and dangerous, and reminds residents to stay away from lakes, rivers, creeks and other low-lying areas.

To report any damage on public property during regular business hours call 905-845-6601. To report an after-hours emergency such as fallen trees or blocked catch basins/flooding call 905-845-6606. For damage to private property, residents should contact their insurance service provider.

Please refer to the Environment Canada website for current weather updates.

Media contact

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

“We’re very proud to be recognized by the IEDC as an economic development leader,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The hard work of our business community and Economic Development staff ensures that Oakville is positioned as the choice location for successful businesses.”

The Town of Oakville 2011 Economic Development Annual Report is a comprehensive summary of development activity over the past year. It highlights various local companies, Oakville’s competitive position — relative to 25 area municipalities, economic development initiatives, and a look at development into 2012.

"We recognize the Town of Oakville for creating innovative and successful strategies to promote economic development in this period of global recovery,” said Jay Moon, IEDC chair. “Our awards honour organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. The Town of Oakville demonstrates that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using cutting-edge, effective practices that can be replicated in other communities."

This annual report was initially conceived as a reporting tool for Council, but it has become a key resource for potential investors.

“Oakville has a dynamic cluster of businesses supporting innovation and growth and is a location of choice for over 300 national and international corporate headquarters,” said Dorothy St. George, director, Economic Development for the Town of Oakville. “Just recently, we welcomed Siemens Canada, Canadian Tire Financial Services and PricewaterhouseCoopers to our community.”

The town is also home to Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning — named in 2012 as the top post-secondary school in the world for digital animation. Digital media and animation is one of the four major industry sectors shaping Oakville’s economic development strategy; the other three include professional and financial services, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognizes the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These awards honour organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Media contact

Dorothy St. George
Director, Economic Development
Town of Oakville
905-338-4240
dstgeorge@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“Most deaths due to fire happen at night when everyone is sleeping,” said Gary Laframboise, chief fire prevention officer with the Oakville Fire department. “As a result, we encourage all residents to have a fire escape plan, to practice it often and replace the batteries in their smoke alarms regularly. Sometimes, you only have about a minute or two to escape a fire, so it’s critical that alarms are working properly.”

It is the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your house and outside each sleeping area. For added protection, the Oakville Fire department encourages the installation of smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.

The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms is worn or missing batteries, tampering with, or removing batteries from, a smoke alarm is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.

Residents are encouraged to follow these simple steps when developing their home fire escape plan:

• Ensure all smoke alarms are installed properly and are in working order;
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it often;
• Ensure that all exits are unobstructed and easy to access;
• Practice two ways out of each room, if possible;
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, or others requiring assistance;
• Determine a meeting place outside, where everyone can be accounted for;
• If there’s smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the closest safe exit;
• Call 9-1-1 from outside the home from a cell phone or neighbouring home;
• Once out, stay out! Never re-enter a burning building.

Media contact:

Michael Harrison
Public Education/Special Projects Officer
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 3602
mharrison@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

“Oakville Arena has been part of the town for years and our decision regarding its future was based on resident consultation and community needs,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Council’s decision means we can move forward in determining the option that works best for our residents, our budget and Council’s long-term strategic plan for Oakville.”

Oakville Arena opened its doors and ice pad to residents in 1950 and has been used by families for their ice and hockey needs for generations. Public response through the draft Parks, Recreation, Libraries and Facilities Master Plan (PRLFMP) and the South Central Public Lands Study (SCPLS) revealed that retaining Oakville Arena or building a new single ice pad at Trafalgar Park is supported by the local community.

In 2013 staff will begin developing architectural design concepts for both options based on the arena’s structural review, provision for ice needs, financial and maintenance requirements, heritage considerations, and public input. The funding envelope will be determined through the 10-year capital forecast in the spring.

The PRLFMP and the SCPLS are part of Vision 2057, a community framework that brings together all of the towns master plans and other key planning initiatives under four key strategic directions: create it, preserve it, afford it, live it.

Media contact:

Nina de Vaal
Director, Recreation and Culture
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3112
ndevaal@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

Residents are also encouraged to have 72 hours’ worth of food, water and other essential supplies. Halton Region offers helpful tips and resources to prepare for an emergency on the Halton Region Emergency Preparedness website.

Conservation Halton warns that stream banks are already slippery and dangerous, and is reminding residents to stay away from lakes, rivers, creeks and other low-lying areas where flash-flooding is possible.

Visit oakville.ca for updates or follow us on Twitter @townofoakville or Facebook.

To report an after-hours emergency such as fallen trees or blocked catch basins/flooding, residents should call 905-845-6606. In the case of fallen trees, top priority is given to calls concerning downed power lines and trees blocking primary roads. If required, town crews will be working throughout the night to ensure access for emergency service providers. It should be noted that fallen /damaged trees from private property are typically addressed as a homeowner matter, and are not responded to by the town unless they impact public lands or roadways.

Residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 for any life-threatening or public safety emergencies.

Media contact

Andy Glynn
Deputy Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator
Oakville Fire department
905-338-4251
aglynn@oakville.ca

Gisèle Shaw
Manager, Corporate Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3166
gshaw@oakville.ca

“I was inspired to move forward with this proposal following a conversation with my counterparts at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference earlier this year,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Oakville has always been committed to the full disclosure of individual Members of Council’s COPD expenses. We’ve simply made access to this information easier and more convenient for residents.”

According to the August 30 report brought forward by Mayor Burton and approved by Council on October 9, COPD expenses have always been available to the public by request. Posting the expenses online eliminates the need for official requests and will now be considered routine disclosure as part of Oakville’s government transparency goals.

Each Member of Council’s discretionary COPD expense account has an annual limit of $3,700. The quarterly financial reports include COPD expenses for education/training, participation in community events, ward business, sponsorship opportunities, and the purchase of corporate merchandise.

For more information about Oakville Council please visit the Council page.

Media contact:

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public presentations
  • Mayor Burton will acknowledge the Silver Excellence Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to the Town of Oakville's Economic Development department for their 2011 Economic Development Annual Report.
  • John Vice, Chair and Ken Phillips, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer, Conservation Halton will make a presentation regarding an update of Conservation Halton activities.
• Standing committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, October 23, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, October 23, 2012
• Discussion item
  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities Campaign - Long Term Infrastructure Plan
• New items
  • Canada-China Investment Treaty
  • E-Bingo

October 30 
Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

November 1 
Accessibility Initiatives public meeting
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 7–8:30 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“We’re thrilled to be working with the Town of Oakville on yet another great initiative,” said Scott Mudie, Vice President and General Manager at Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc. “We will continue to work with the Town of Oakville on a number of additional solar projects under the FIT Program.”

The capacity of the solar installation is 60 kW which can power as many as 15 homes in Oakville. The electricity generated by the solar installation will be displayed on an LCD screen at Town Hall in the near future.

“Town Council’s vision for a more livable and sustainable community includes looking at ways to reduce energy use. Partnering with Oakville Hydro in this solar panel initiative is a perfect fit in achieving that goal,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

The Town of Oakville and Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc. will continue to identify opportunities for solar installations at other town facilities through its Corporate Energy Management Plan and Environmental Strategic Plan.

Ontario’s FIT Program is North America’s first comprehensive guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity production. It offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated from renewable sources including: biomass, biogas, landfill gas, on-shore wind, solar, and waterpower.

About Oakville Hydro Corporation

As a trusted utility, Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc., a subsidiary of Oakville Hydro Corporation, has been providing electricity distribution and asset management for the residents of Oakville for over 105 years. We commit to providing more than 64,000 residential and business customers with the best energy and conservation solutions.

Through pacesetting brands, Golden Horseshoe Metering Systems, El-Con Construction and Sandpiper Energy Solutions, subsidiaries of Oakville Hydro Energy Services Inc., customers across southern Ontario are provided with suite metering and meter sealing services, underground utility construction and locating services as well as rental water heater, geo-exchange systems and HVAC solutions. Sandpiper Generation is also an active investor in green renewable electricity generation.
For more information, please visit the Oakville Hydro website.

About the Town of Oakville

A vibrant and impressive community within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Town of Oakville is a beautiful lakeside town with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Founded in 1857, this unique town has become one of the most coveted residential and business centres in Ontario. Home to about 182,500 residents, Oakville provides all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre, while also maintaining its small-town ambiance.

For more information on the town’s environmental projects including the Corporate Energy Management Plan, green power purchase, and sustainable building design procedure, visit the Environment page.

Contact

Cassandra Umbriaco
Communications Specialist
Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc.
905-825-4424
cumbriaco@oakvillehydro.com

Suzanne Madder
Research Policy Analyst
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3910
smadder@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

To create a more livable Oakville, the town has developed a comprehensive strategy that addresses community needs for new parks, recreation, and library facilities now and into the future. Last night, the Community Services Committee (CSC) passed a recommendation to Council for the approval in principle of the draft Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan (PRLFMP) pending the 10 year capital budget forecast.

“Public input throughout this process has been critical,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “By listening to what our residents want and assessing community needs on many levels, we can develop facilities and services that play a vital role in advancing the overall quality of life of our residents.”

In 2011, Council received the draft PRLFMP technical assessment which was developed to assist decision-makers, stakeholders and residents in understanding Oakville’s priorities for additional parks, recreation, and library facilities — and released it for public consultation. Consultation was broad and included focus groups, stakeholder interviews, feedback forms and public meetings. The plan also took into account public feedback from the South Central Public Lands Study online survey.

A recommendation integrated in the updated PRLFMP and included in a separate staff report approved by CSC, proposes that a single pad arena be preserved at Trafalgar Park. Staff recommended that two options be further examined: to refurbish Oakville Arena or demolish it to rebuild a new arena in its place. Subject to Council approval, staff will develop architectural design concepts for both options taking into consideration the arena’s heritage attributes, public input and cost estimates. The funding for all options will be determined through the 10 year capital forecast in spring 2013.

Last year, the draft PRLFMP technical assessment recommended that Oakville Arena be taken out of service, however further consultation revealed support among the local community for retaining ice at this location as well as the creation of a community centre for south-central Oakville.

“The recommendations regarding Oakville Arena and other community facilities for south-central Oakville have been considered carefully by staff in conjunction with our residents,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture. “The draft master plan was developed to determine facility and amenity requirements as the town grows, rather than final location or size of these facilities. In the case of the recreation facilities for south-central Oakville, the location of the recommended community centre will be determined through the South Central Public Lands Study.”

Other recommendations in the draft PRLFMP include:

• Creation of a community centre for south Oakville which possibly includes provisions for a pool to replace Centennial Pool.
• Creation of a community centre for north Oakville as part of the second phase of the development of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex that would include gymnasiums, a library, pools, fitness/activity space and provisions for youth and senior’s space.
• Consideration for the future replacement of the Oakville Senior Citizens’ Recreation Centre on Kerr Street within a new community facility possibly on the Oakville Arena site.
• Relocation of the Cross Street Youth Centre to north of the QEW and the development of an additional youth centre in north Oakville in addition to the space recommended for Sixteen Mile Sports Complex expansion.
• Development of a community hub facility in Palermo Village for multi-use programming.
• Maintenance of an active parkland of 2.2 hectares per 1,000 population.
• Development of additional outdoor facilities including 44 soccer fields, two multi-use fields (artificial turf), 10 ball diamonds, and one cricket pitch. It also suggested converting under-utilized ball diamonds to address gaps in tennis courts, splash pad distribution, and new skate parks.
• New library branches in Bronte, Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, Trafalgar corridor north of Dundas Street and Palermo Village.

The updated 2012 PRCLMP takes into account the changes that have occurred since the approval of the original plan in 2006, such as the acquisition of Joshua’s Creek arenas, the construction of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, and the recent opening of Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. It also identifies timing for new facilities based on many criteria including community needs, demands from growth and affordability.

The draft PRLFMP and Oakville Arena reports will go before Council on October 29. View the staff reports on the October 23 Community Services Committee agenda.

The PRLFMP and the SCPLS are part of Vision 2057: Live It! The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

For more information contact:

Nina de Vaal
Director, Recreation and Culture
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3112
ndevaal@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

The Oakville Museum invites the whole family to its Masquerade at the Museum party this Sunday, October 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your family disguised in your favourite Halloween costumes to an entertaining afternoon at the museum.

“Come discover how Halloween was celebrated in the past,” said Bill Nesbitt, museum supervisor. “Watch an old time magic lantern show, search the mansion for masquerade masks amongst our display of historical costumes, and make your own mask and vintage Halloween ornament.”

The story of Cinderella will be told using a magic lantern and hand-painted glass slides that project images onto a screen. Both the lantern and intricate glass slides belonged to a family who resided in Oakville approximately 100 years ago.

The event costs $5 per person and includes light refreshments.

The Oakville Museum at the Erchless Estate has long been a favourite spot for family Halloween activities. The museum is located at 8 Navy Street in Downtown Oakville, south of Lakeshore Road. For more information, please call 905-338-4400 or visit the Oakville Museum program and events page.

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For more information

Bill Nesbitt
Museum Supervisor
Oakville Museum
905-845-6601 ext. 5016
bnesbitt@oakville.ca

October 22

inZone Subcommittee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 1–3 p.m.

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chambers, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Recommendation report for temporary use by-law extension for Premier Operating Corporation Ltd. (5 Drive In)
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for Zoning By-law Amendment 2012-094 for Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
• Discussion items
  • Notice of intention to demolish 474 Lakeshore Road East
  • Housing information report - File No. 42.02.47
  • Recommendation report for zoning by-law amendment for Peppergate Developments Inc. at 2385-2389 Khalsa Gate

October 23

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chambers, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • A by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (Block 12, Plan 20M-912, and Block 74, Plan 20M-710 - Parkmount Boulevard)
  • By-law 2012-096, being a by-law to amend By-law 1981-66 (The Fire Route By-law) as amended
• Discussion items
  • Draft Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan
  • Report on Oakville Arena
  • Oakville Environmental Fund - Oakville Community Foundation 2011 Report
  • Downtown Oakville parking incentives for the 2012 holiday season
  • Request to change street name for Joshuas Creek Drive to Siemens Boulevard
  • Health Protection Air Quality By-law: New Hospital application for approval
  • Regional road maintenance agreement

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Acquisition of land northwest corner of Water Street at Navy Street (Part of Lot 6, Block 86) - In front of 160 Water Street
• Discussion items
  • Taxicab licensing, security and tariff
  • By-law 2012-091, a by-law to amend Town of Oakville 'Animal' By-law 2010-157
  • Report on Gairloch Gardens
  • Report on Bingo Facilities
  • Policy and procedure update report
  • Rates and fees for Development Engineering Department
  • Committee of Adjustment fees
  • Licensing and By-law Services Report

October 24

Public input meeting on Oakville Harbours mooring rates 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–9 p.m.

October 25

Public information meeting on North Oakville Trails Plan
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 6:30–8 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville launched its crowdsourcing Idea Forum today, an innovative citizen engagement tool that encourages the community to submit ideas that will make Oakville more livable — and then rank them. The town will pilot the tool with a focus on the 2013 Budget by asking residents and stakeholders to share their ideas on programs and services that are most important to them. Residents are encouraged to post an idea, or vote on others until November 9 on the Oakville Idea Forum.

“Engaging the public always makes sense. We want to focus on areas that residents tell us are important to them,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This new tool will allow us to gain insight and better understand public perceptions. Not only will the results tell us where there is common interest, but it can also be an excellent source of fresh ideas.”

Oakville Idea Forum users can vote on up to ten ideas posted by residents and stakeholders, or they can post their own. All ideas generated will be shared with the Budget Committee for consideration. According to Budget Committee Chair Councillor Tom Adams, Oakville is committed to long-term financial sustainability and is in a strong position to respond to external economic pressures. He reiterated that Council's objective is to keep the total property tax increases in line with inflation.

“Our citizen survey results tell us that 89 per cent of residents surveyed are satisfied with town services,” Councillor Adams said. “We're committed to protecting existing service levels, ensuring that our infrastructure is in a state of good repair, and maintaining Oakville’s low debt level. As part of the budget process, we’ll be working hard to find efficiencies and to enhance the programs and services that residents value most.”

In addition to Oakville’s Idea Forum, the town will seek public input on the 2013 Budget through social media, informal open houses, email feedback, comment cards, and Budget Committee meetings. Hosted by UserVoice, Oakville also plans to use its Idea Forum to engage residents and generate new ideas on a number of topics, projects and initiatives.

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Media contact:

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Waste Reduction Week is all about looking at ways that you can reduce waste at home and the office. As the town celebrates Waste Reduction Week, it takes a look at a number of initiatives that educate and encourage both staff and residents to reduce, reuse and recycle.

“The town is participating in several waste reduction programs as part of its commitment to enhancing the natural environment,” said Cindy Toth, director of Environmental Policy at the Town of Oakville. “Waste Reduction Week is a great way for people to think about ways they can reduce their waste. We encourage all our residents and their families to do their part to help our environment.”

In 2009, the Town of Oakville adopted a Towards Zero Waste Procedure. Through this procedure, town staff diverted an average of 70 per cent of waste from the Halton landfill simply by learning about proper recycling and composting methods. A few initiatives from the procedure included banning plastic water bottles at all town facilities, placing only recycling and compost containers in staff offices — no garbage containers, printing double-sided when possible, and providing recycling boxes and GreenCarts in all public areas and meeting rooms. On average, only 25 per cent of all waste generated at town hall leaves as actual garbage.

The town has also implemented a number of other environmental initiatives that have shown great success over the years:

• Recycled 413 cell phones and collected 11 kilograms of batteries through the Call2Recycle program
• Collected over 200 pounds of wine corks for Jelinek Cork Group to recycle
• Sent 31,056 litres of motor oil for re-refining
• Collected 45 gallons of used anti-freeze from boat owners at the town’s harbours hazardous waste collection site as part of the Clean Marine program
• Saved 51 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in one year by having Oakville Transit refine their used motor oil
• Diverted over 16,000 plastic containers from the landfill since implementing recycling bins at town sports fields
• Joined the Recycling Council of Ontario’s Take Back the Light Program to ensure that all expired fluorescent tubes and bulbs are rid of their mercury content and properly recycled

“There are many ways each of us can help reduce waste,” added Toth. “Individual residents and community organizations can truly make a difference one item at a time.”

For more ideas on how to reduce, reuse and recycle items including ink cartridges, cell phones, computers, glasses, batteries and clothes, visit oakville.ca and search for garbage and recycling or contact the town’s Environmental Policy department at 905-845-6601 or email environment@oakville.ca.

About Waste Reduction Week

Waste Reduction Week in Canada was developed in 2001 by a coalition of 13 recycling councils and sister organizations from across Canada and is delivered each October by the same group. The program’s goal is to inform Canadians about the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices. Waste Reduction Week provides Canadians with information and ideas to reduce waste in all facets of daily living, creating solutions to the many environmental challenges we face.

Media Contact:

Prabh Banga
Environmental Policy Coordinator
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext.3948
pbanga@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-424
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Residents gathered on Saturday in Winston Woods Park to learn more about the town’s fight against the Emerald Ash Borer and to witness the effects of the infestation on Oakville’s ash canopy. Forestry staff from the Town of Oakville led residents through interactive information stations and highlighted which woodlots would be temporarily closed this fall/winter for the removal of dead and dying ash trees to slow the spread of EAB and keep them safe for public enjoyment.

“Oakville has the most aggressive EAB work plan in the country. Over the past two years, we have treated over 5,700 ash trees located on town streets and parks to save them from the threat of EAB. However, we do have public ash trees that are so heavily infested that they cannot be saved. Many of those dead and dying ash trees must be removed this fall to conserve our woodlots and ensure public safety,” said John McNeil, manager, Forestry Services.

Six woodlots in Oakville have been identified for temporary closure over the next few months to remove dead and dying ash trees destroyed by EAB. Perkins Passage Park and Winston Woods Park are the first two scheduled for temporary closure on November 1, subject to weather and ground conditions. Oakville Woods, Sheridan Valley Park, Morrison Valley South and Cornwall Road Sports Park will close around mid-November. No parks should be closed for more than two weeks.

In addition to learning about the EAB and the town’s strategy to combat the infestation, residents also observed authentic horse logging in the woods. In some woodlots bringing in conventional logging machinery will not be possible and traditional horse logging will be necessary.

“Interacting with residents at sessions such as the one today allows us to involve them and talk about why and how we are managing invasive species like EAB,” added McNeil.

Residents can support the town’s efforts by joining the Oakville Canopy Club, a community outreach program that encourages residents to save Oakville’s tree canopy. The club includes a Facebook page, Twitter account, dedicated email address and web pages.

For more information please visit the Emerald Ash Borer page.

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Media contacts:

John McNeil
Manager, Forestry Services
Parks and Open Space
905-845-6601 ext. 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601 ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

October 13

Emerald Ash Borer woodlands conservation information session 
Location: Winston Woods - 2220 Winston Park Drive, 9:30 a.m.–noon

October 16

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chambers, 7–9 p.m.

Managing Your Wild Neighbours information night 
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community Centre, Black Box Room, 2302 Bridge Road, 7–8:30 p.m.

Public meetings for proposed official plan and zoning by-law amendments at 2158, 2168, 2180 and 2192 Trafalgar Road for Dunpar Developments Inc. 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Barrett’s influence and enthusiasm for Oakville’s waterfront began early when, as a member of Oakville’s Planning Board, he discovered a clause in the Planning Act that paved the way to securing much of Oakville’s waterfront for public access. During his 13-year tenure as Mayor of Oakville, Barrett continued to champion the preservation of the town’s beautiful waterfront for the enjoyment of its residents and visitors. His passion for heritage preservation continues today as the current chair of Heritage Oakville.

“As one of the town’s key landmarks and greatest assets, our waterfront park system is something Oakville residents and visitors take enormous pride in,” said Mayor Burton. “It is with great honour that Council announces the naming of our waterfront park system after Mr. Harry Barrett as a tribute to his exceptional contribution to our town.”

Signage marking the new Harry Barrett Waterfront Parks System and providing a brief historical background and explanation of the waterfront trail will be installed at select locations along Oakville’s entire waterfront in the next several months. Oakville’s waterfront parks and trails already named after other individuals or families that have made a significant contribution to the town from a cultural, economic or historical perspective, will remain unchanged.

Oakville has over 30 waterfront properties, covering over 50 hectares, and has over 150 kilometres of trails connecting all sections of the town and its parks. The town continues to acquire and offer publicly accessible waterfront lands where possible.

Media contact:

Chris Mark
Director, Parks and Open Space
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3111
cmark@oakville.ca 

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Show directors, Jan Pike and Barb Tucker know that Oakville has an amazing, engaged and enthusiastic senior community and guarantee a fun show with the very best variety of talent around.

To book your audition time, please email or call Jan at janpike@cogeco.ca or 289-259-9122 or Barb at bjtucker@sympatico.ca or 416-898-8413. Auditions will take place at QEPCCC located on Bridge Road between Bronte and Third Line.

The Spectacular Oakville Senior’s Variety Show will take place on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Oakville Seniors Centre (263 Kerr St.), Sir John Colborne Centre (1565 Old Lakeshore Rd.) and Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (2303 Bridge Rd.) for $20 a person or $150 for a table of eight.

For additional information, please call Sylvia Verdenhalven at 905-399-4662.

For more information:

Nancy Beddoe
Manager Seniors Services
Town of Oakville
905-845- 6601 ext. 3976
nbeddoe@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

October 9

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Site Plan Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–6 p.m.

Special Council Meeting Re: Mayor's Annual Oakville Status Report 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 6–7 p.m.

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, October 2, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, October 2, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee September 11, 2012, Item 8
• Discussion items
  • Oakville Hydro quarterly report
  • Website posting of Council expenses

October 11

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

October 1

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Assumption of Subdivision Plan 20M-1001 - Landmart
• Public hearing item
  • Public Meeting report for a zoning by-law amendment for Mirabelle Developments and Investments Inc. at 497 to 513 Pinegrove Road
• Discussion item
  • Notice of intention to demolish 319 Maple Avenue
  • Advisory Committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — September 18, 2012

October 2

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • Release of Lakefront Road Reservation - 37 Colonial Crescent
• Discussion items 
  • Municipal support for renewable energy projects
  • Implementation of active transportation facilities along River Oaks Boulevard East
  • Town Hall Phase 1 Renovations Plan presentation

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Tax apportionments
  • Applications to cancel, reduce or refund taxes under Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act
  • Sale of land in front of 1063 Sixth Line
  • Expropriations related to the Fourth Line widening and reconstruction project from Speers Road to Wyecroft Road
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events for Halton Learning Foundation
• Discussion items
  • Noise exemption appeal for New Oakville Hospital/3000 Third Line
  • Renewal of external audit services
  • Status of internal audit recommendations

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“The town is excited to officially be a part of Culture Days — joining millions of Canadians who are participating in activities that celebrate the impact of culture in their communities,” Mayor Rob Burton said. "I encourage our residents to come out and enjoy the variety of activities we're offering and engage with the art and culture that enriches our town.”

Planned in partnership with the Oakville Arts Council and other local arts groups, staff at QEPCCC has been busy organizing an amazing line-up of local cultural activities, including:

• The Academy of Music – Oakville Celtic Fiddlers Club
• Learn a stitch, Oakville Fibre Artists
• Clay Critters
• Real Recording Studio in Action

“The Oakville Arts Council is pleased to be working with the town,” said Megan Whittington, executive director. “We know that amazing things can be accomplished when the creative spirit is nurtured. Culture Days offers an opportunity for our artists and arts groups to share and inspire the community.”

A full schedule of events is now available on the Culture Days page.

A national cultural initiative launched in 2010, Culture Days is a collaborative volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities and has featured free, hands-on interactive activities from coast to coast. For more information visit the Culture Days website.

For more information contact:

Sarah Douglas-Murray
Senior Manager, Cultural Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3898
SDouglas-Murray@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

September 26

Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan open house
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

As part of Vision 2057, the Town of Oakville is preparing an update to its Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan. After extensive public consultation this spring, Wednesday evening is the final open house for residents to provide their input on the draft plan that defines the town’s needs for parks, recreation and library facilities.

“We have been impressed with the public input so far, and we encourage all residents to participate so we can identify and understand the future needs of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “It is through consultations such as these that Council advances our vision of being the most livable town in Canada.”

The master plan was developed to assist decision-makers, stakeholders and residents in understanding Oakville’s needs and priorities for additional parks, recreation, and library facilities. The update to the plan takes into account the changes that have occurred since the approval of the original plan in 2006, such as the acquisition of Joshua’s Creek arenas, the construction of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex and the recent opening of Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. It also identifies the timing for new facilities based on many criteria including community needs, demands from growth and affordability.

The open house takes place on Wednesday, September 26 from 7-9 p.m. at Town Hall, in Committee Rooms 1 and 2. The open house will include a staff presentation followed by an open discussion. Residents who wish to learn more about the master plan and provide feedback can send comments to prlfmp@oakville.ca.

“As the town grows, the plan will help us identify facility and amenity provisions for the coming years taking into account available funding,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture. “Consultation with residents and key stakeholders that has taken place to date has played a vital role in the update of the master plan.”

The draft master plan was received by Council in December 2011 and released for public consultation. The updated plan will be presented to Community Services Committee on October 23, 2012. Vision 2057 brings together all of the Town of Oakville’s master plans and other key planning initiatives. Public engagement is a key component of each master plan to ensure that the community takes part in shaping the town’s future leading up to Oakville’s bicentennial in 2057.

For more information visit the Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan page.

“Not only is this garden beautiful to look at, but it will require no watering, fertilizing, pesticides or gas powered equipment to maintain,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We hope that Oakville’s Garden for Life will serve as a model for sustainable gardening throughout the community and encourage others to launch similar projects.”

The 3,000 square foot Anderson Bridge Parkette located at the corner of Forsythe and Rebecca streets was transformed by the OHS and a team of volunteers into an urban oasis with more than 40 native plant species. It features a permeable pathway that allows water and air to move through, in turn reducing run-off and protecting the river below. Blooming from early spring to fall, the garden also supports many pollinators and provides food and shelter for an array of wildlife.

“The Garden for Life nourishes our environment while providing a place of beauty for all visitors to enjoy,” said Catherine Kavassalis from the OHS. “In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly challenged the world to take action to protect the variety of life on our planet by safeguarding regional species diversity. This is our contribution toward that goal.”

The OHS, with support from photographer Freeman Patterson, the Town of Oakville and Halton Region, raised more than $14,000 to create the Garden for Life. Designed by Sean James of Fern Ridge Landscaping, initial planting of the garden began in the spring of 2011. Signage at the parkette showcases the community partnership and will be cited as a successful case study for Oakville’s grassroots naturalization projects.

The Town of Oakville and OHS appreciate the support from volunteers, Halton Region, Fern Ridge Landscaping, David Hawley and Associates, and the Petrie Group for helping to establish the garden. Additional thanks go to Canon Canada, Whole Foods of Oakville, Henry’s, Mississauga Camera Club, Sunrise Senior Living, Genworth Financial, Hauser Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens and Edge Imaging for their support of the Freeman Patterson Event and the OHS Sustainable Gardens Initiatives.

Media Contact

Donna Doyle
Senior Environmental Policy Analyst
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3898
ddoyle@oakville.ca

“What a great day for Oakville,” Mayor Rob Burton said as he presented each Olympian with a gift. “As a community that is a passionate and proud supporter of sports, this is a big thank you to our athletes who are a true inspiration in every way.”

Both Doug Csima and Tera Van Beilen were unavailable to attend, but were represented by their parents at the event.

Check out our Olympian Celebration photos on Facebook.

September 17

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 p.m.

• Standing committee report
  • Community Services Committee — September 11, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee — September 11, 2012
• Discussion items
  • New Oakville Hospital name

September 18

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 2, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Community of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

It’s time to give Oakville’s 2012 Olympic heroes a standing ovation! Come out and join the celebration this Saturday, September 15 in downtown Oakville.

“What a great way to show your hometown pride for Oakville’s Olympic athletes,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This is a big thank you to our athletes who showed a tremendous competitive spirit and were a true inspiration in every way at the London Games.”

The event kicks off at 2 p.m. with a parade along Lakeshore Road starting at Reynolds Street and ending with a reception and autograph session at Centennial Square.

Attending Olympians include Adam van Koeverden, Diana Matheson, Mark Oldershaw and Kyle Jones. Both Douglas Csima and Tera Van Beilen were unavailable to attend, but they will be represented by their parents at the event.

“As a community that is a passionate and proud supporter of recreational sports in Oakville, we hope this celebration will inspire all our athletes to reach for their dreams," added Mayor Burton. "After all, the young athletes of today may be the Olympians of tomorrow."

The parade will include temporary rolling road closures along Lakeshore Road. To accommodate “well-wishers” and to ease traffic congestion into the downtown core, Oakville Transit will be offering a free shuttle service from the Oakville GO Station to nearby Centennial Square. Shuttles leave the Oakville GO Station starting at 1 p.m. and depart from the celebration starting at 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. Accessible parking spaces will be available on Church Street.

Centennial Square is located at the corner of Lakeshore Road and Navy Street, in front of the Oakville Public Library and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.

This celebration is proudly supported by our sponsors Ford Motor Company of Canada and Tim Hortons. A special thanks also goes to Budds Group of Car Dealerships, B&B Decals and Robert Boast-Cornish.

For full information about the event visit the celebrate our Olympians page. You can also follow the town on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Media contact:

Michael Mendel
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3788
mmendel@oakville.ca

September 10

Planning and Development Council (agenda addendum) 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting for zoning by-law amendment and draft plan of subdivision for Green Ginger Developments Inc.
  • Public Meeting #2 for proposed zoning by-law amendment for VGR Investments, Old Bronte Road and Dundas Street West
• Discussion items
  • Recommendation report - Nautical Lakes Investments Inc. Official Plan Amendment (OPA No. 2), Zoning By-law Amendment (Z.1734.04) and Draft Plan of Condominium (24CDM11004/1734)
  • Partial removal of a holding provision for Matam Holdings Inc. 1388 Dundas Street West
  • Notice of intention to demolish 3075 Trafalgar Road
  • Heritage Volunteer Awards nominations
  • Bronte Business Action Plan
  • Old Bronte Road/Khalsa Gate Streetscape Plan implementation

September 11

South Central Public Lands Study Subcommittee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Site Plan Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5 to 7 p.m.

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Release of agreement RO1073687/LT1511397 — 3047–3055 Vega Boulevard
  • By-law 2012-080 – a by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (Sixth Line)
  • By-law Amendment 2012-082 to By-law 1984-1 (Traffic By-law)
• Discussion items
  • Proposed land acquisition — Bronte Harbour
  • Coronation Park — Halton Region Mid-Halton outfall project

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Sale of land in front of 171 Old Upper Middle Road
  • Agreement for licensed attachment to hydro poles
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events — Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events — Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton
• Discussion items
  • Renewal of banking services
  • Progress report and financial results for June 30, 2012
  • Citizen appointment to the Oakville Public Library Board
  • Town Hall Phase 1 Renovations plan
  • 2013 Council and Standing Committee Schedule
  • PRESTO revenue review
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee July 12, 2012

September 13

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7 to 9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

September 6

Public information meeting for Zoning By-law Amendment for 497 to 513 Pinegrove Road
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville treated over 3,000 municipal ash trees this past summer with the biological insecticide TreeAzin™ to protect them against the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The town has now treated all of the 5,700 trees targeted under the town’s ambitious program to save ash trees located on town streets and in town parks. TreeAzin™ is a natural and safe bio-insecticide that provides two years of protection against EAB before it must be reapplied

“Oakville has the most aggressive EAB work plan in the country,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We’re able to treat about 75 per cent of the ash canopy located on streets and in parks because we implemented an early detection program that enabled us to act quickly to fight against the infestation. Council will continue to work towards increasing our canopy cover over the coming years, and strengthening our urban forest’s capacity to deal with invasive species like EAB.”

This year is the tipping point for the EAB population in the Greater Toronto Area, with many untreated trees beginning to decline and die. According to Oakville’s EAB work plan, 25 per cent of Oakville’s public ash trees on streets and parkland must be removed because they are so heavily infested that they cannot be saved. Residents will see town crews continuing the culling and replacing of these trees on streets and parks. The town will begin a pilot project this fall to manage EAB in woodland parks.

“The town plans to replace dead or dying trees with a new species of tree to meet Oakville’s canopy cover objective of 40 per cent by 2057,” said Chris Mark, director, Parks and Open Space.

With most of the town’s estimated 180,000 ash trees located on private property, the town launched the Oakville Canopy Club, a community outreach program that encourages residents to save Oakville’s tree canopy. The club includes a Facebook page, Twitter account, dedicated email address and web pages.

“The town is committed to doing its part to protect municipal trees, but with the majority of treatable ash trees on private property, community support is crucial,” said John McNeil, manager, Forestry Services. “It takes awareness and action from our community to protect these trees.”

To help spread the word, the Oakville Canopy Club was at community events this summer, including Midnight Madness and Ribfest, teaching residents about EAB and encouraging them to hire certified service providers to treat their ash trees. Recently the Oakville Chamber of Commerce joined the Canopy Club and chamber member First Canadian Title treated ash trees on its property at Sheridan Garden Drive. The town also sent a letter in late June to all private residences in Oakville outlining options for managing EAB on private property.

“Feedback from residents on Canopy Club initiatives has been positive, and residents’ enthusiasm for taking steps to protect their trees was made clear through the large number of calls we received about EAB over the summer,” added McNeil.

As part of the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s registration approval of the natural bio-insecticide TreeAzin™ late August is the deadline to treat ash trees in 2012 from the threat of EAB. Residents who saw their public ash tree treated this summer will see town crews return in 2014. Next summer, the town will target the ash trees that were treated in 2011.

More information about managing EAB can be found by visiting the EAB page. Residents can also follow the Oakville Canopy Club on Facebook and Twitter.

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For more information contact:

John McNeil
Manager, Forestry Services
Parks and Open Space Department
905-845-6601 ext.3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Gisèle Shaw
Manager, Corporate Communications
Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3166
gshaw@oakville.ca

Dates and times of Open House Week 2012:

Tuesday, September 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Iroquois Ridge Older Adult Centre
Iroquois Ridge Community Centre
1051 Glenashton Drive
Complimentary refreshments will be served. For details call 905-338-4255, ext. 3745

Wednesday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to noon
Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors
1565 Old Lakeshore Road (Third Line and Lakeshore Road West)
Meet the Teacher session is offered to enable participants to become familiar with instructors before they register for a class. Complimentary refreshments will be served. For details call 905-815-5960.

Thursday, September 6 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Oakville Seniors’ Centre
263 Kerr Street
Complimentary refreshments will be served. For details call 905-815-5966.

Friday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to noon
Queen Elizabeth Park Older Adult Centre
2302 Bridge Road
See what’s happening at the newest location! Complimentary refreshments will be served. For details call 905 845 6601, ext. 4674.

Registration for fall and winter seniors’ services programs begins Friday, September 7 at 9 a.m.

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For more information contact

Nancy Beddoe
Manager, Seniors Services
Town of Oakville
905 845-6601, ext. 3976
nbeddoe@oakville.ca

August 28

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Council would like to congratulate everyone involved in this project,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This award not only recognizes the merits of the initiative in improving efficiencies, it also acknowledges the commitment of staff to think outside the box — wanting to create processes that benefit municipalities across boundaries.”

Kim Dooling, manager, Purchasing and Risk Management at the Town of Oakville, and Charles Whitlock, director, Procurement and Supply Services at the Region of Waterloo and Chair of the TIMS project, accepted the award on behalf of all the municipalities.

“It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the participating municipalities,” said Mr. Whitlock. “This project is a result of supply chain specialists and senior transit staff working together for two years to create a process that works.”

This Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) model reduces administration costs, uses economies of scale to save participating municipalities money, increases efficiency, and reduces the supply chain’s carbon footprint. This new model allows for a more stable and streamlined supply chain, where fluctuations in inventory space and financing are absorbed by the supplier rather than the transit system.

The Peter J. Marshall Innovation Award recognizes municipal governments that have demonstrated excellence in the use of innovative approaches to improve capital and/or operating efficiency, and to generate effectiveness through alternative service delivery initiatives and partnerships.

About the winners

The City of Brampton’s transit system (Brampton Transit) has a fleet of 299 buses with two garages providing over 16 million passenger trips per year.

The City of Burlington’s transit system (Burlington Transit) has a fleet of 52 buses with one garage providing over 1.9 million passenger trips per year.

The City of Hamilton’s transit system (Hamilton Street Railway) has a fleet of 217 buses with one garage providing over 21.2 million passenger trips per year.

The City of London’s Transit Commission (London Transit Commission) has a fleet of 191 buses with two garages providing 22.4 million passenger trips per year.

The Region of Waterloo’s transit system (Grand River Transit) has a fleet of 218 buses with two garages, providing over 19 million passenger trips per year.

The Region of York’s transit system (York Region Transit) has a fleet of 437 buses with four garages providing over 21 million passenger trips per year.

The Town of Oakville’s transit system (Oakville Transit) has a fleet of 89 buses with one garage providing over 2.8 million passenger trips per year.

About AMO

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments. AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system.

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Media contact

Kim Dooling, CPPB
Manager, Purchasing and Risk Management
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext.3087
kdooling@oakville.ca

What better way to end the summer than with the classic sound of bagpipes, the banging of the drums and the energy of Scottish dancers? Oakville Museum and Lockwood Chrysler FIAT are pleased to present the return of the popular Echoes of Erchless on Saturday, August 25. The free concert, featuring traditional Scottish dancing and music on the beautiful grounds of the Oakville Museum, is not to be missed.

“Whether you’re coming by yourself or with the entire clan, it’s a perfect event to listen to some great music while enjoying the stunning setting overlooking the lake,” said Susan Crane, learning and development officer at the Oakville Museum.

Residents are encouraged to bring their blankets or lawn chairs for the 7 p.m. start. The event will kick off with the internationally renowned Halton Regional Police Services Pipes and Drums, followed by Scottish dancing by the Chisholm Dancers and traditional music from the British Isles and Canada. The concert will come to a close at dusk with a special flag lowering ceremony dedicated to Canada’s veterans and serving troops.

The historic buildings of Erchless Estate were once home to Oakville’s founding family but are now the setting for Oakville's community museum. The museum at the Erchless Estate is owned and operated by the Town of Oakville’s Recreation and Culture department, and is located at 8 Navy Street in the heart of downtown Oakville. For more information please visit the Oakville Museum page or call 905-338-4400.

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Media contact

Susan Crane
Learning and Community Development Officer
Museum
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext.5019
scrane@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

To kick start the celebrations, a motorcade will transport the Olympians along Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville to Centennial Square for the official reception and autograph session.

“Oakville’s athletes really stood out in London,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “They trained for years and their hard work paid off. I’m hoping everyone will join me in publicly recognizing their accomplishments by coming out to give them a proper hometown welcome.”

Outstanding Olympic results by Oakville athletes include:

• Adam van Koeverden’s silver medal in the men's kayak single (K1) 1000m
• Douglas Csima’s silver medal in the men’s 8 + rowing competition
• Diana Matheson's winning goal and bronze medal as part of the women's soccer team
• Mark Oldershaw’s bronze medal in the men's C-1 1000m
• Kyle Jones as the highest finishing Canadian triathlete in the London Olympics
• Tera Van Beilen’s near berth in the finals of the 100m breaststroke

Residents interested in volunteering at the celebration can contact Elizabeth Tamas at etamas@oakville.ca.

More details will be available soon. You can also follow the town on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

Centennial Square is located at the corner of Lakeshore Road and Navy Street, in front of the Oakville Public Library and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.

Media contact

Michael Mendel
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3788
mmendel@oakville.ca

“We recognize the valuable contribution a vibrant cultural scene makes to our town's livability. By joining other municipalities across Canada we are building awareness of how the arts enrich our communities," Mayor Rob Burton said. "I encourage our residents to come out on the 29th. The variety of activities we're offering is testimony to the artistic and cultural talents in our town."

Planned in partnership with the Oakville Arts Council and other local arts groups, activities scheduled for September 29 include visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and new media. A full schedule of events will be available in September on the town's website.

A national cultural initiative launched in 2010, Culture Days is a collaborative volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities and has featured free, hands-on interactive activities from coast to coast. For more information visit the Culture Days website.

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For more information contact:

Sarah Douglas-Murray
Senior Manager, Cultural Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3898
SDouglas-Murray@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

August 21

Public information meeting on August 21, 2012 for notice of complete application for a zoning by-law amendment and plan of subdivision at 257 and 271 Dundas Street East for Green Ginger Developments Inc.
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1, 7 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Heeding warnings from health and safety experts, Council unanimously approved a by-law amendment last night that makes the Town of Oakville the first municipality in Ontario to ban teens younger than 18 from using tanning equipment in salons. The by-law comes into effect immediately.

The adoption of this amendment, spearheaded by Councillors Ralph Robinson and Pam Damoff, aims to protect youth from the dangers of tanning equipment.

“It's important that young people are aware of the risks associated with UV rays and the skin damage caused by the type of radiation used in tanning equipment,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Council and I acted in 2007 to ban cosmetic use of pesticides and broke the logjam of talk that was blocking action at the province. Perhaps our leadership will make provincial action happen again."

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, delivered by artificial tanning lights, is the most common risk factor for melanoma.

Dermatologist Dr. Sam Hanna, a member of the Canadian Dermatology Association believes that Oakville can lead the change in legislation regarding the dangers of artificial tanning. “Oakville has made history; hopefully leading to similar changes in other municipalities and will urge the Ministry of Health to respond with a province-wide ban."

At the request of Council, the town has also issued a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty and the local Members of Provincial Parliament, endorsing the private member’s bill that would bar anyone under the age of 18 from accessing tanning equipment in Ontario. In addition, the town has requested that Halton Regional Council direct the Chief Medical Officer of Health to address the issue and report back on the potential development of regulations to prohibit the use of tanning equipment by those under the age of 18 years throughout the Region of Halton.

To read the By-law 2012-047/Regulation of Tanning Equipment in Beauty Salons report check out the August 8 Adminstrative Services Committee agenda.

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For more information contact

Phil Bouillon
Clerks Department
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3093
pbouillon@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

Council has delayed its decision regarding Oakville’s participation in the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission’s (OLG) Charitable Bingo and Gaming Revitalization Initiative (e-Bingo) pending further collaboration with partner municipalities. Mayor Rob Burton will lead discussions with the Mayors and Members of Council from other cities to discuss opportunities to develop a standard protocol for seeking changes to the proposed OLG municipal agreement.

“A standard agreement assumes that all partners have the same goals,” Mayor Burton said. “The OLG is firm that it will not incorporate revisions to their standard form agreement to accommodate issues identified by Oakville. As municipalities, we must unite to develop terms that work best for our communities. Unfortunately, without this flexibility, we are in a ‘take it or leave it’ position.”

Following review of the implementation schedule and final Charitable Gaming Centre Municipality Agreement (CGCMA), a number of concerns were identified by Oakville. These include clauses that would permit the OLG to add games at any time without consulting the municipality; a no cancellation policy for the municipality; no authority for the municipality to negotiate terms of agreement; release of the OLG from any liability; and no official definition of electronic gaming.

Similarly, town staff have been directed to contact their municipal counterparts to discuss strategies and share information regarding the e-Bingo initiative. Staff will also investigate timing of the OLG’s Group One Site Implementation Schedule and report back to Council before year-end. Until a decision has been made and in the interest of local charities, Council has directed staff to work with Delta Bingo to enhance its external communications as a reminder to the public that the local bingo hall is still open for business.

Launched as a pilot project in 2005 with six e-Bingo sites, the OLG’s revitalization initiative was designed to preserve and enhance bingo revenue for local charitable organizations. In August 2011, Council approved stage one of Oakville’s participation in the e-Bingo initiative after Delta Bingo was selected as one of 15 additional province-wide locations. For more information about the e-Bingo initiative visit the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission website. To view the e-Bingo report and recommendations read the August 13 Council agenda.

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Media contact

Phil Bouillon
Assistant Clerk
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3093
pbouillon@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

"Our community’s quality of life is a priority for Council. For this reason, the town is committed to improving its aging infrastructure and facilities,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Sites in need of repair and selected for our application are “shovel-ready” and would not otherwise proceed in 2013 without this funding.”

The town projects being submitted in priority sequence are:

• Joshua’s Creek Arenas — updating both ice pads and the seating area, as well as making accessibility improvements to the washroom, sink and shower areas.
• River Oaks Community Centre — refurbishing the community room and making accessibility improvements to the washrooms, change rooms, main lobby counter, fitness and concession counters, and door openers.
• Forster Park — rehabilitating the existing washroom building while increasing accessibility.
• Lakeside Park — renovating the existing washroom facility for accessibility in compliance with the building’s heritage attributes.
• Kinoak Arena — installing a new chiller, new doors and improving the change rooms, washrooms and seating area.

The CIIF was announced by the Government of Canada on July 5 with approximately $50 million earmarked for Ontario projects. All grant applications must be endorsed by Council and submitted by August 24, 2012. The funds are not intended for new projects and must go towards rehabilitating or improving existing community infrastructure by March 31, 2014.

The town expects to learn in the fall if it qualifies for the funding.

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For more information:

Nina de Vaal
Director, Recreation and Culture
Town of Oakville
905-845-660, ext. 3112
ndevaal@oakville.ca

Gisèle Shaw
Manager, Corporate Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3166
gshaw@oakville.ca

August 13

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7. to 10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, August 8, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, August 8, 2012
• Discussion item
  • Council Development Charges Steering Committee
• New business
  • New Oakville Hospital name

August 14

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7. to 10 p.m.

Public information meeting for complete application for a zoning by-law amendment for 338 Dundas Street East Longo Brothers Food Market Inc./MacNaughton Hermsen Britton Clarkson Planning Ltd. 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 2, 7 to 10 p.m.

August 17

Appeals Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 1 to 2 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“We are constantly striving to make information easier to access for our residents,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We hope this list will assist our residents who are hiring contractors for their home or business.”

Business licences for all contractors must be renewed annually and the database will be updated on an ongoing basis. This list includes building renovators as well as contractors that provide driveway paving, drain laying, HVAC, plumbing, fence installation and pool installation services.

“The online list is meant strictly as a resource to aid home and business owners in narrowing their search when looking for trades, and not as a warranted referral service,” said Luis Ferreira, supervisor of Licensing and By-law Services. “Before selecting your contractor, make sure you know exactly what you want done, get at least two or three quotes for the work you require – even small jobs, and ask for references. Recommendations from friends or family is always a good place to start too.”

For information about licensed contractors or to apply for a licence, visit the licensed contractors page.

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For more information contact:

Luis Ferreira
Supervisor of Licensing and By-law Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3256
lferreira@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

August 7

inZone Subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 1. to 3:30 p.m.

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5. to 7 p.m.

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7. to 10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for Zoning By-law Amendment for Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre at 2200 Sawgrass Drive
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for Zoning By-law Amendment at 171 Old Upper Middle Road
• Discussion items
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish 1181 Lakeshore Road East
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish 1005 Dundas Street East
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish 497 Esplanade
  • Heritage Register update - housekeeping items - 306 Lakeshore Road West, 3308 Lakeshore Road West and 1354 Burnhamthorpe Road West

August 8

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7. to 10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • By-law 2012-047 - regulation of tanning equipment in beauty salons
  • e-Bingo update
  • Records retention by-law update

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Dunn Street curbing
  • Offer to purchase 480 Wyecroft Road (town's former transit site)

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“When Oakville Fire arrived on the scene, flames and smoke were already pouring from the building’s roof,” said Oakville Fire Chief Lee Grant. “Working smoke detectors helped avert tragedy in this case, emphasizing why the Oakville Fire department continually encourages homeowners to check and maintain their smoke alarms.”

Working smoke alarms provide the early warning of fire so that people have those extra seconds needed to escape. It’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Yet, all too often the fire services from across the country respond to fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.

Resident Julia Ann McManus told Oakville Fire that she believes the smoke alarms in their home saved her life and the life of her son on Monday night, as their street is typically quiet in the early hours of the morning when the fire broke out, with limited traffic and no neighbours awake to raise the alarm.

Through educational events such as the Fire Prevention Week Kick Off taking place on September 22, the Oakville Fire department stresses the importance of having working smoke alarms, testing them regularly and having a fire escape plan for the entire family.

For more tips on general fire safety and information on how to install and maintain your smoke alarms, please visit the fire safety and guidelines page.

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For more information

Michael Harrison
Public Education/Special Project Officer
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 3602
mharrison@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy 
Senior Communications Advisor 
Strategy, Policy and Communications 
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
emurphy@oakville.ca

The picnic, which commemorates August 1, 1834 – the day slavery was abolished in Canada and throughout the British Empire, will include a number of fun activities, performances and musical fun for the entire family.

“The Emancipation Day Family Picnic honours Oakville’s rich heritage and helps to highlight our place in Canadian history as a safe destination for runaway slaves during the 1850s and 60s,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Each time we celebrate this important milestone, we are reminded of the progressive nature of our community and how privileged we are to live in Canada.”

The following events are scheduled throughout the afternoon, so lawn chairs are a must:

• story circle — ‘Anansi the Spider’, a tale from the Ashanti
• special performance by Tsingory Dance Group
• children’s activities including games and crafts
• performances by the CCAH Steel Band and the Hope Centre Gospel Choir

"The Emancipation Day Picnic dates back to 1850, when African-Canadians from all over Canada would come to Oakville to honour their flight to freedom," said Susan Crane, learning and community development officer for the Oakville Museum. “This year, we are excited to welcome the Tsingory Dance Group who will perform dances from the island of Madagascar. Their energy and passion will be a great addition to the picnic and a vibrant reminder of freedom.”

The CCAH promotes mutual respect among members of the community by providing public education, programs and activities that bridge understanding between ethno cultural groups, institutions and the community.

The Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate is located at 8 Navy Street. For more information on this event, or other Oakville Museum programs and activities, please contact the at 905-338-4400, or visit the Oakville Museum page.

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For more information contact

Susan Crane
Learning and Community Development Officer, Oakville Museum
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 5019
scrane@oakville.ca

July 31

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“With an active sport and recreation community, our goal is to ensure that residents play safely and take the necessary precautions to avoid concussion related injuries,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville. “This education campaign provides all the relevant information about concussion prevention and what to look for if a concussion is suspected.”

As part of the public education and awareness campaign, the town will be hosting public information sessions with sports organizations to educate them about concussion symptoms and signs, prevention tips, and other information specific to head injuries. Organizations interested in booking a Head Education Concussion Awareness information session for their coaches can contact Monica Sulej, Make Your Move program coordinator at 905-845-6601, ext. 3896 or msulej@oavkille.ca.

This initiative was generously funded by Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport Healthy Communities Fund Grant and developed as part of Make Your Move Oakville — the town's public education and awareness program to promote the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles. The concussion awareness pamphlet is available for pick up at all community centres and libraries, or on the concussion awareness page.

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For more information:

Monica Sulej
Make Your Move Coordinator
905-845-6601, ext.3896
msulej@oakville.ca

Emma Murphy 
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-845-6601, ext.3096 
emurphy@oakville.ca

July 24

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

July 26

Public meeting for zoning by-law amendment (temporary use) at 2331 Ninth Line for Premier Operating Corp. Ltd. 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7 to 10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The Oakville Fire department and Halton Police worked quickly with Union Gas officials to resolve natural gas leaks that caused the temporary evacuation of residents from 14 streets in the area of Third Line between Dundas Street and Upper Middle Road. The gas leaks were the result of activated relief valves which are safety mechanisms designed to vent excess pressure in the system.

“Public safety is always our primary concern,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said “Thank you to the Oakville Fire department, Halton Police and Union Gas officials for acting quickly and decisively in managing the gas leaks.”

Although the gas leaks posed no safety risk, some residents were temporarily evacuated for precautionary reasons. The Town of Oakville would like to thank residents for their cooperation during Tuesday's emergency evacuation.

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For more information contact

Andy Glynn
Deputy Fire Chief
Town of Oakville
905-338-4251
aglynn@oakville.ca

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

Unlike grass, which goes dormant during droughts, trees continue to grow and need to be watered regularly to stay healthy. Even one week without rain or watering can result in a tree showing signs of drought stress including wilted, curling or yellowing leaves. A prolonged period of drought can cause trees to suddenly drop branches.

“Trees that are stressed by a lack of water are more susceptible to disease and insect attacks, and they can also become structurally weaker, which can lead to limb dropping and potential property damage,” said John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services at the Town of Oakville. “The best thing homeowners can do to help their trees withstand stress is to water them frequently and take care not to disturb their root systems.”

Tree size influences the volume of water required – the bigger the tree, the more water it needs. Water should be applied slowly with a soaker hose or sprinkler. To reach the tree’s roots, apply water on all sides of the tree outwards from the tree’s drip line (the area of ground beneath the outer-most branches).

Before watering your trees, lawn or garden, check the current water restriction level on the Halton Region website.

Learn more about caring for your trees or join the Oakville Canopy Club by liking us on Facebook and following @OakCanopyClub on Twitter.

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For more information:

John McNeil
Manager, Forestry Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

In a move to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, Council approved a motion on Monday night, put forward by Councillors Pam Damoff and Tom Adams, to ban smoking within nine metres of all town-owned playgrounds, splash pads, tennis courts, basketball courts, skateboard parks and playing fields.

“This just makes sense. Children are at a greater risk and should not be exposed to smoke if we can prevent it. Research shows that children’s immune systems are less developed and their faster breathing rate absorbs more smoke,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This Council is committed to improving air quality in our community to ensure we achieve our vision to be the most livable town in Canada.”

The ban will be enforced under the existing Parks By-law 1999-59 which makes it an offence to smoke in parks where No Smoking signage is posted. This existing signage is typically found on parkland adjacent to high school sites in Oakville. A public awareness campaign will be developed and additional signs will be posted by spring 2013. Staff will develop procedures to support this direction, and any related funding requests will be referred to the 2013 Budget Committee for consideration.

With the serious implications and health effects of second hand smoke becoming clearer, the Town of Oakville joins many other municipalities that have already enacted smoking restrictions, including the cities of Niagara Falls and Hamilton.

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For more information contact

Jane Arnett
Senior Manager, Parks and Open Space
905-815-6601, ext. 3352
jarnett@oakville.ca

Tuesday night Council approved in principle, Switching Gears — the forward-thinking draft update of the Transportation Master Plan that will guide the town’s transportation needs through to 2031. Whether by foot, bike, bus or car, Switching Gears will offer innovative strategies, policies and tools to boldly transform Oakville’s transportation network. More importantly, it challenges the public to rethink their current travel behaviours for more sustainable options.

“Switching Gears will offer an exceptionally detailed level of integration between land use and transportation planning,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Now it’s time for the public to tell us what they think, and how this plan can move us closer to being the most livable town in Canada.”

Council has increased the regulated review and comment period from 30 to 75 days allowing extra time for the pubic to review the draft plan and submit comments up to September 26, 2012. The draft plan is now available on the Switching Gears page or in hard copy, starting July 11, at Town Hall and Central Library.

Creating a more sustainable transportation network over the next 20 years will come at a cost. Council has directed staff to develop a financial plan, based on the current draft, for the implementation of Switching Gears including a review of development charges, public/private partnerships, federal and provincial government assistance in order to minimize the impact to the local tax base.

The financial implications to implement recommendations of Switching Gears will be reviewed and refined as part of the ongoing Development Charges By-law Update initiative and 2013 budget process. Oakville’s net costs can only be established once contribution levels from other funding sources have been established. Growth related funding for transportation is and will continue to be a challenge for municipalities.

Highlights of the draft plan include creation of a more sustainable transportation network, focus on road networks improvements, expansion of transit services and integration of urban design standards.

Switching Gears is one of several Vision 2057 master plans that together with other key planning initiatives, will create a path to a more livable and sustainable Oakville.

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Media contact

David Bloomer
Commissioner, Infrastructure and Transportation Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3300
dbloomer@oakville.ca

July 9

Appeals Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5 to 6 p.m.

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • 2013 Budget Committee, June 26, 2012
  • Community Services Committee July 4, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, July 4, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Recreation and Culture presentation to Council
  • Oakville Hydro report
  • Development charges briefing
  • Item 4 of the Administrative Services Committee minutes of June 12, 2012 on Election Signs Survey
  • Item 10 of the Community Services Committee report of June 12, 2012 on banning smoking on town parkland
  • Vision 2057 and 2012 Strategic Plan Progress Report
  • Final Radiocommunications Protocol

July 10

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

July 12

Accessibility Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7 to 9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Oakville received top honours as the first municipal marina in Ontario to achieve the Clean Marine Partnership’s Five Green Leaf Anchor Diamond rating for its Clean Marine program and overall operation of Oakville and Bronte harbours.

“We’re creating a more sustainable Oakville and this award recognizes how green we've made our harbours,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Residents can be proud that we are operating our harbours at a very high level and protecting them for the future.”

Oakville was previously awarded a Four Green Leaf Anchor rating in 2009. The town improved its status following the implementation of a long list of sustainability initiatives including enhanced lighting at both Oakville and Bronte harbours to reduce overall energy consumption, the addition of a new recycling centre at Bronte Harbour, and the upgrade to hand dryers in the washroom facilities at Bronte and Oakville harbours.

To improve customer service, Oakville also developed a tenant/visitor handbook and boater information guide, and implemented Harbours By-law 2012-007 to establish rules and regulations for safe and efficient operation of vessels within both harbours.

“Harbours staff has been working closely with our Environmental Policy department to achieve a higher Clean Marine rating,” said Heather Turenne, manager of Harbours and Cemeteries. “As one of only seven marinas in Ontario to achieve a Five Green Leaf Anchor Diamond rating — and the first municipal marina, there’s plenty to be proud of. We’ll continue to enhance the sustainability of our harbours in hopes of achieving platinum status.”

Boating Ontario, along with more than 20 marine industry professionals from the Ontario boater and angler associations formed the Clean Marine Partnership in 2001 to develop a voluntary program of environmental best practices for the marine industry. To be recognized, each marina must pass a comprehensive environmental audit to ensure compliance with program standards outlined in the Clean Marine Operations handbook, including fuelling and waste oil, recycling, and energy conservation.

The audit provides the marina with a detailed report on their compliance and converts the results into a five point eco-rating system, with a low of one, and a high of five Green Leaf Anchors. Upgraded standards were added in 2009 to allow additional levels of achievement including gold, diamond and platinum status. There are approximately 120 marinas registered in the Clean Marine Program.

For more information on Oakville's harbours, visit the Harbours page.

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For more information

Heather Turenne
Manager, Harbours and Cemeteries
Parks and Open Space
905-845-6601, ext. 3422
hturenne@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville released its 2011 Annual Report online today showing how the long-term financial sustainability of the community is improving. According to Oakville's audited Consolidated Financial Statements, the town’s net financial assets for 2011 stand at $284 million, up by $25 million since 2010, an increase of 9.6 per cent.

“Our Annual Report is a comprehensive accounting of our work in the last year to create Canada’s most livable town,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

The Annual Report’s Consolidated Financial Statements show Oakville has sufficient assets to fund liabilities and is in a strong financial position.

The annual report also describes last year’s major accomplishments, such as unveiling Vision 2057 — a long-term community building framework for Oakville that will ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the town; kicking off Switching Gears — Oakville’s Transportation Master Plan; launching the Recreation and Libraries Facilities Master Plan update and the Environmental Strategic Plan update; launching the inZone project that develops a new zoning by-law to conform with the town’s popular new Official Plan, Livable Oakville; creating the dynamic Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre; opening a new transit facility; redesigning oakville.ca to improve the way Oakville residents connect with the town; and implementing the Economic Development Strategy that saw several businesses relocate their head offices to Oakville.

“We achieved all this while improving our strong financial position and reducing tax supported debt. In the past, the town incurred debt to meet our infrastructure renewal needs. Our approach is to build strong reserves and meet our infrastructure renewal needs on a pay-as-you-go basis. The town is a leader in matching our transfers to capital infrastructure renewal with the annual depreciation expense,” Mayor Burton said.

The audited financial statements are presented in accordance with the Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards, and prescribed policies issued by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. An annual report with its audited Consolidated Financial Statement presents the financial position of the town and its consolidated entities for the 2011 fiscal year and its achievements.

The 2011 Annual Report can be viewed on the Annual Report page.

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Media contacts

Lynn Horlor
Deputy Treasurer and Director, Financial Operations
905-845-6601, ext. 3056
lhorlor@oakville.ca

Gisèle Shaw
Manager, Corporate Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3166
gshaw@oakville.ca

July 3

inZone Subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5 to 7 p.m.

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Extension to Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval for Silwell Development Limited (Metrontario Group) for Part of Lots 13, 14 & 15, Concession 1 S.D.S.
  • 453 Wedgewood Drive and 1315 Ario Road - Ontario Municipal Board decisions
• Discussion items
  • Notice of Intention to Designate - 39 Jones Street
  • Business Leaders Forum and Corporate Calling
  • Oakville Transportation Master Plan - Switching Gears (2031) Draft Study Report
  • 2012 Trade Mission to China

July 4

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Acquisition of water lot lands from Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Grant of Permanent Easement to the Regional Municipality of Halton on Dundas Street East
  • Sale of Surplus Lands to Fernbrook Homes (Bronte 15) Limited
• Discussion items
  • Environmental Strategic Plan (ESP) - 2011 Implementation Update
  • CUTA Transit Vision 2040
  • Health Protection Air Quality By-law Implementation Status and Air Quality Initiatives Update

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • License Renewal - Glenashton Park - East side of Eighth Line, north of Glenashton Drive
• Discussion items
  • Regulation of Tanning Salons
  • 2011 Municipal Performance Measures (MPMP)
  • Policy and Procedure Update Report
  • Bronte Harbour Yacht Club (BHYC)

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

At Monday’s inaugural Budget Committee meeting, Councillor Tom Adams was unanimously appointed for a fifth consecutive year as Oakville’s Budget Chair. Councillor Adams holds his Master’s in Business Administration from McMaster University and is a former senior risk manager to one of Canada's major financial institutions.

The Budget committee heard from senior staff about forecasted expenditure levels to ensure the total 2013 property tax increase does not exceed current inflation rates.

“Oakville’s finances are very strong,” Mayor Rob Burton said, “thanks to our very low level of tax supported debt and our funding of infrastructure renewal equal to the depreciation of our assets, which takes a lot of pressure off of the property tax.”

As its first order of business, the Budget Committee received the 2013 Budget Directions and 2014 and 2015 Budget Forecast. Plans for a series of fall public open houses, interactive online forums and Budget Committee meetings are underway, with the recommended 2013 budget targeted to go to Council in December.

"Connecting with the public is very important to us,” Budget Chair Councillor Adams explained, “Our goal is simple, make the budget as easy to understand as possible so all constituents can have their say. We plan to intensify our social media and online communication efforts to engage even more Oakville residents.”

Five years ago Oakville was the first Canadian municipality to shift to a fiscal management system called “Performance-Based Program Budgeting (PB2),” also known as budgeting for outcomes. The 2013 budget documents will be released in November. Watch the meeting on TownTV.

Media contact

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director, Financial Planning
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville and Goldmanco Incorporated presented a settlement regarding the redevelopment of the current Bronte Village Mall property to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) last Friday. The OMB decision allows development to move forward under the settlement framework.

“With the OMB appeal now resolved, it provides Goldmanco Incorporated permission to revitalize this site; an important step forward for everyone,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This is an opportunity to see the mall site redeveloped adding more value and vitality to the Bronte area.”

There will be a phased-in approach to the redevelopment of the site with some short and long term goals. Early revitalization will be seen through redevelopment and streetscape improvements; long term goals will ensure development and revitalization of the site is done in accordance with the Livable Oakville Plan. The settlement also protects the opportunity for a food store to remain on the site.

Other highlights of the settlement include:

• A publicly-owned market square along Lakeshore Road creating a focal point for activities
• A publicly-owned parkette along Sovereign Street
• Connections through the site, east/west with an internal driveway and also on the north side connecting the market square and the parkette by way of a publicly owned corridor
• Terracing and courtyards along Sovereign Street respecting the homes on the north side
• Implementation of the policies and objectives of the Livable Oakville Plan

The OMB approved a 14-storey building along Bronte Road and a 10-storey building in the interior of the site. Both buildings will be terraced towards Sovereign Street. Ground floor retail will be permitted in each of the buildings to allow opportunities for new commercial uses fronting onto Bronte Road and the internal pathways. Additional commercial uses will be required to front Lakeshore Road and the town-owned market square.

Development will happen in phases and potentially over the next 20 years due to current long term leases. The west side of the property is expected to develop first with mixed uses while the existing leases are still in effect. The settlement also requires early improvements to the Lakeshore Road and Jones Street frontages.

In the longer term, commercial uses on the east side of the property will be relocated to Lakeshore Road adjacent to the urban square. Townhouses would replace the existing commercial buildings on Sovereign Street.

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Media contact

Dana Anderson
Director, Planning Services
Town of Oakville
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Music, food and fireworks are always part of Canada Day celebrations in Oakville. But rather than put on a neighbourhood or backyard fireworks display, the Town of Oakville’s Fire department encourages residents to enjoy professional fireworks displays held in town.

“Fireworks can be very dangerous if used improperly,” said Michael Harrison, public education officer for the Oakville Fire department. “We strongly recommend that residents use extreme care and follow our safety tips if they are putting on their own fireworks display, but even better, we suggest attending a professionally-organized fireworks event.”

If residents do decide to make their own fireworks displays, the town has a by-law that regulates the sale and discharge of fireworks. By-Law 2009-056 explains how and under what conditions fireworks can be legally used on private property. Fireworks can be discharged between dusk and 11 p.m. on the day before, the day of, or the day after Canada Day. Some displays require special permission through a permit application.

Residents who chose to use fireworks are encouraged to consider the following safety tips and reminders:

• An adult should be responsible for setting the fireworks off
• Read and follow the directions on label carefully
• Keep water close by
• Set off fireworks away from buildings, trees and dry grass
• Light one firework at a time
• Never re-light a "dud" firework - wait 15-30 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water
• Keep sparklers away from children as they get extremely hot and can cause burns
• Never give fireworks to small children
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket
• Keep onlookers at a safe distance away and upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged

For more information, visit the Fire Safety and Guidelines page.

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Media contact

Michael Harrison
Public Education Officer
Fire Prevention Division
Oakville Fire Department
905-845-6601, ext. 2008
mharrison@oakville.ca

June 24

Motorcycle testing: free public awareness session
Location: Town Hall, main parking lot, noon to 3 p.m.

June 26

2013 Budget Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Discussion items
  • Appointment of 2013 Budget Committee Chair
  • 2013 budget directions and 2014 and 2015 budget forecast

South Central Public Lands Study Council Sub-committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Council and I are thankful that town staff have won so much recognition for their hard work and dedication in creating a more sustainable Oakville,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Council is proud of the quality and dedication of our town staff.”

Council congratulated staff on the following awards:

• Conservation Halton Awards of Excellence - Corporate Award for leadership in biodiversity and environmental initiatives. Oakville was one of the first municipalities in Ontario to adopt an Environmental Strategic Plan (ESP)—a detailed plan that outlines the town’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment. The updated ESP approved by Council in December 2011, provided direction for a number of environmental programs. Oakville was recognized for its wildlife strategy, including the comprehensive Living with Coyotes education initiative. Other noteworthy highlights include a State of the Environment Reporting system that measures the plan’s results, efforts to deal with invasive species, as well as urban forestry initiatives to increase tree canopy cover and improve forest health.
• Partners for Climate Protection ICLEI Award for Milestone 3 in recognition of Oakville’s Corporate and Community energy plans. The Corporate and Local Community energy plans outline necessary actions for the corporation and the community to improve Oakville’s air quality and reduce energy use. Since the program’s inception in 1994, 226 municipalities across Canada have joined the Partners for Climate Protection program. Of these members only 87 have achieved Milestone 3 or better.
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, awarded by the Canada Green Building Council for Oakville’s state-of-the-art Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. The facility earned LEED credits for energy performance, storm water treatment and management, ozone protection, light pollution reduction, thermal control and comfort, indoor air quality and green housekeeping. Sixteen Mile Sports Complex is Oakville’s first municipal building to achieve LEED certification and the first quad pad arena in Canada to earn LEED Gold.
• Smart Commute Gold Workplace, recognized by Halton Region and Metrolinx for Oakville’s successful participation in the region-wide Smart Commute Initiative. The program helps reduce the amount of single occupant vehicles on the road, reduces pollution entering the environment, and supports carpooling, cycling, walking, and public transit initiatives. The gold award was given to Oakville as an outstanding workplace that demonstrates innovation and documented success in encouraging town staff to choose more environmentally friendly ways to get to and from work.
• Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Communities Award from the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, an Ontario-based non-profit organization that promotes bicycling as a mode of transportation, recreation and fitness. Municipalities are judged in five categories of cycling initiatives often referred to as the Five “Es.” These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation and Planning.
• Canadian Public Relations Society Pinnacle Award (Hamilton Chapter); International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Awards: IABC Ovation Award of Excellence (Toronto Chapter), IABC Ovation Award of Merit (Toronto Chapter), IABC Virtuoso Award of Excellence (London Chapter), IABC Virtuoso Award of Merit (London Chapter), and IABC Best of the Best Virtuoso Award (London Chapter) for the Oakville Canopy Club, an innovative community outreach program that encourages residents and businesses to save Oakville’s tree canopy from the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Award winners recognized by Council include:

• Nina de Vaal, Michael Brennan and Sarah Douglas-Murray, Recreation and Culture
• Chris Mark and Janis Olbina, Parks and Open Space
• Shelly Switzer and Saher Fazilat, Facilities and Construction Management
• Cindy Toth, Donna Doyle and Suzanne Madder, Environmental Policy
• Chris Clapham, Engineering and Construction
• Janine Ivings, Jeff Smalley and Brett McNally, Strategy, Policy and Communications

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Media contact:

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

At last night’s meeting Council approved a motion, introduced by Councillors Khan and Damoff, initiating a pilot project that invites seniors, 65 and older, to ride Oakville Transit for free on Mondays starting July 2 and running till September 24, 2012.

“This pilot project gives Council an opportunity to collect valuable data to assess the impact on senior ridership and revenue,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We look forward to receiving feedback back from seniors groups and individuals during this pilot project.”

For many seniors, not having access to transportation or being on a fixed income, isolates them and does not allow them to fully participate as a member of our community.

“I’m glad we are moving forward with this pilot project to offer seniors another travel option to do the things most of us take for granted every day; whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, visiting the local library, or going to a doctor’s appointment,” said Max Khan, Councillor, Ward 6.

“This initiative is our way of recognizing the valuable contributions made by the seniors in our community,” said Pam Damoff, Councillor, Ward 2. “We hope to hear from many seniors about how this one day of free transit really does make a difference in their lives.”

The free transit day for seniors will run every Monday, all day, on all routes within Oakville. Director of Oakville Transit, Barry Cole commented that seniors can ride for free, and no special passes or tickets will be required, but they should carry proper identification should a driver ask for age validation. Cole also invited all seniors, especially those who have never tried riding the bus, to give Oakville Transit a try during this pilot project.

An evaluation of the pilot project will be taken to the 2013 Budget Committee for consideration. Information about the free senior transit day will be available at all town senior centres, libraries, and on the buses. The town invites seniors to complete a questionnaire sharing their experiences during the pilot project. Take the questionnaire today.

If you’re new to Oakville Transit, visit the Oakville Transit website for all routes, schedules and maps. You can also use the Oakville Transit Trip Planner by Google to find your best route.

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Media contact

Barry Cole
Director, Oakville Transit
905-845-6601, ext. 3507
bcole@oakville.ca

June 18

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public presentation
  • Mayor Burton will acknowledge receipt of the following awards and certificates presented to the Town of Oakville:
    • Halton and Metrolinx Smart Commute Workplace – 2012 Gold Award
    • Ministry of Transportation Bicycle Friendly Communities Award – Bronze Level
    • LEED Gold Certification for the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
    • Conservation Halton Awards of Excellence – Corporate Award recognizing Oakville’s biodiversity and environmental initiatives
    • Partners for Climate Protection ICLEI Award for Milestone 3 recognizing the corporate and community energy plan
    • Multiple awards for the Oakville Canopy Club for its communications and community outreach program including:
      • Canadian Public Relations Society Pinnacle Award (Hamilton Chapter)
      • International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Awards:
        • Ovation Award of Excellence (Toronto Chapter)
        • Ovation Award of Merit (Toronto Chapter)
        • Virtuoso Award of Excellence (London Chapter)
        • Virtuoso Award of Merit (London Chapter)
• Standing Committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, June 12, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, June 12, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Update from Halton Healthcare Services regarding the New Oakville Hospital
  • Free Public Transit for Seniors
  • Final Radiocommunications Protocol

June 19

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Public meeting for Zoning By-law Amendment at 171 Old Upper Middle Road
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

June 20

14-Mile Creek Stabilization and Rehabilitation Study Public Information Centre #2
Location: Sir John Colborne Centre, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road, 6 to 8 p.m.

All About Coyotes Information Night
Location: Sir John Colborne Centre, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

June 21

South Central Public Lands Study Information Night
Location: Oakville Arena, Kinsmen Pine Room, 133 Rebecca Street, 7 to 10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Each year, Oakville residents volunteer countless hours that contribute enormously to the life and spirit of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “These volunteers are an integral part of what makes Oakville unique. On behalf of Council, I want to thank them for everything they do. Congratulations to each award winner and all of the nominees for their exceptional leadership and generosity.”

Artist Vanesa Trillia’s award design, which references Oakville’s waterfront landscape and includes the colours and textures of earth and water, were presented to each winner. Trillia is a student from the Ceramics Crafts and Design Program at Sheridan College.

The Weather Network’s Chris Mei, emcee for the night, entertained the audience, while sponsors handed out the following eight awards:

• Access Award sponsored by MEDIchair Halton: Stephen Cull
• Arts Award sponsored by the Oakville Beaver: Jean Grieve
• Environmental Award sponsored by Tim Hortons: Blake Poland
• Group Volunteer Award sponsored by Sun Life Financial: Halton Food for Thought
• Heritage and History Award sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada: George Chisholm
• Individual Volunteer Award sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant: Cheryl Kozak
• Senior Award sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living: Colin Woodcock
• Youth Award sponsored by RBC Royal Bank: Oakville Trafalgar High School Lunch Buddies Club

Since 2002, Oakville’s Community Spirit Awards have recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to the community.

For more information, visit the Community Spirit Awards page.

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For more information, contact

Nancy Beddoe
Steering Committee Chair
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

“Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death in Canada for those 55 years of age and under,” said Mary Ellen Maxwell, manager of Aquatic Services. “In most cases, many had no intention of even going into the water. I can’t stress how important it is for children to learn basic swimming skills.”

Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society survival training program that was developed to teach the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water. It runs during the months of May and June at five pools in Oakville, with each student receiving three one-hour Swim to Survive lessons. The program meets the Canadian Swim to Survive standards: roll into deep water; tread water for one-minute; and, swim 50-metres.

Offered for the first time in 2007, the Swim to Survive program has seen tremendous interest in Oakville, growing from five schools and 250 students in its first year to 30 schools and 1,650 students in 2012.

The program is presented annually in partnership with the Halton District School Board and the Halton District Catholic School Board thanks to a grant that is administered by the Lifesaving Society and covers transportation costs to and from the schools, instructors and aquatic facility rentals.

This year’s participating schools include: Sheridan, Munns, Abbey Lane, Heritage Glen, Montclair, Gladys Speers, W.H. Morden, Maple Grove, Joshua Creek, Brookdale, River Oaks, Forest Trail, Sunningdale, Falgarwood, West Oak, Emily Carr, Captain R. Wilson, Palermo, James Hill, Pilgrimwood, Eastview, Pinegrove, Mother Teresa, Our Lady of Peace, St. Matthew, St. John, St. Michael, St. Andrew, St. Joseph and St. James.

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For more information

Mary Ellen Maxwell
Manager of Aquatic Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3188
mmaxwell@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

“Oakville has the most aggressive EAB management program in the country,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We’re treating approximately 75 per cent of the ash canopy located on town property. We’ve been able to take this approach because we implemented an early detection program that enabled us to act quickly to fight back against the infestation.”

In total, the town is treating approximately 6,000 municipal ash trees on a bi-annual basis for the next 10 years; forty per cent receive treatment in odd years, while 60 per cent receive treatment in even years. TreeAzin™ is a natural and safe bio-insecticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It provides two years of protection against EAB before it must be reapplied.

EAB is now infesting ash trees across the Greater Toronto Area. The invasive pest is responsible for killing tens of millions of ash trees in Canada and the United States since 2002. This year is believed to be a tipping point for the EAB population in the GTA, a time when ash trees will begin to decline rapidly if left untreated.

“With 80 per cent of Oakville’s ash trees located on private property, it’s important for residents to make a decision now about what they want to do with their ash trees,” said John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services. “We’re encouraging residents to treat their trees or have them removed and replaced. If they wait, their ash trees may become too infested to treat.”

During the next few weeks, a letter will be mailed to all Oakville residents updating them on the town’s EAB management program and providing helpful tips on what they can do to protect their ash trees. The town encourages all residents to have a certified arborist assess their ash tree(s) to determine the best treatment option.

In response to the EAB infestation, the town launched the Oakville Canopy Club in 2011. This innovative community outreach program educates residents about EAB and the town’s management program as well as provides the most up-to-date information on what residents can do to protect Oakville’s tree canopy.

For more information, visit the Emerald Ash Borer page.

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For more information

John McNeil, RPF
Manager, Forestry Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Stacey Bowman
Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3849
staceybowman@oakville.ca

Oakville ranks among the top five Canadian cities for resident satisfaction with municipal services according to a recent opinion poll taken by Forum Research Inc. The survey measured resident satisfaction with 14 municipal services in Canada’s 30 largest cities. Oakville scored in the Top 5 along with Quebec City QC, Burnaby BC, Mississauga ON, and Sherbrooke QC. Overall, 37 per cent of the 407 Oakville residents surveyed said they were ‘very satisfied,’ 46 per cent said they were ‘somewhat satisfied,’ 13 per cent said they were ‘somewhat dissatisfied,’ and four per cent said they were ‘very dissatisfied with the municipal services provided by the town’.

"Council is very proud to be recognized as one of Canada's leading municipalities for resident satisfaction," said Mayor Rob Burton. "The results of the survey show that our investment in roads, facilities, parks and other services is valued by our residents. We are seeing proof of our progress towards achieving our vision to be the most livable town in Canada."

Oakville topped the very satisfied scores for road maintenance and repair (31%) followed by Burnaby BC and Brampton ON, and scored second after Quebec City for snow plowing services (40%) and for community centres (49%). Oakville scored in the top three for parks and recreation services (53%) after Quebec City and Sherbrooke. For property taxes and municipal service fees, Oakville tied for third place with Sherbrooke (14%). Overall, Oakville ranked in the Top 10 in 13 services measured.

Forum Research Inc., one of Canada’s leading survey research firms, conducted the interactive voice response telephone survey of 12,319 randomly selected Canadian residents, 18 years or older in May 2012. Other cities surveyed included Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Québec, Halifax, Markham, Longeuil, Burnaby, Richmond, Richmond Hill, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, Brampton, Laval, Gatineau, Windsor, Saskatoon, Oakville, Sudbury, Calgary, Mississauga, Hamilton, Surrey, London, Vaughn, Kitchener, Regina, Burlington and Sherbrooke.

To learn more, download the Form Research Inc. results (pdf, 588 kB).

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Media contact

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

June 9

Let’s be Livable Local Community Sustainability Plan event
Location: Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 11

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Release of Easement HR26264 — Ashley Oaks Emporium Inc.
  • 32 Ennisclare Drive West — Heritage Update
  • Correction of by-laws repealed in error by By-Law 2012-037
• Public hearing item
  • Public meeting for Draft Plan of Subdivision (Phase 2B) and Zoning By-law Amendment for Davis-Minardi Home Corporation east of Neyagawa Boulevard
• Discussion items
  • Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study
  • Recommendation report for proposed Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Condominium (Vacant Land) for Matam Holdings Inc. (Mattamy Development Company) at 1388 Dundas Street West
  • Recommendation report for proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision and Draft Plan of Condominium for Fernbrook Homes (Lakeshore) Ltd. at 1215 Lakeshore Road West
  • Bonusing Procedure
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — May 29, 2012

June 12

South Central Public Lands Study Council Subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Committee rooms 1 and 2, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5 to 7 p.m.

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • By-law Amendment 2012-040 to By-law 1984-1 (the Traffic by‑law)
  • Dorval Drive and Rebecca Street intersection and West Harbour Neighbourhood - request for Traffic Study
  • Patio Licence Agreement — 334 Church Street
• Discussion items
  • Request for fish weighing facilities at Bronte Harbour
  • Marina facility at Bronte Harbour — Oakville Harbours Section
  • Amending agreement with the Oakville Soccer Club for the expansion of the Pine Glen Indoor Soccer Centre
  • Bronte Athletic Field — Oakville Longhorns Football Club
  • Oakville Public Library Strategic Plan 2012–2015
  • Residential on-street permit parking
  • Banning smoking on town parkland
  • Downtown Oakville cultural redevelopment plan — Centennial Square

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee rooms 1 and 2, 7 to 10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events from Home Suite Hope Shared Living Corporation
  • Agreement for licensed attachment to hydro poles
• Discussion items
  • Driving schools
  • Election signs survey
  • Progress report and financial results for March 31, 2012

June 13

Community Spirit Awards
Location: Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, 5:30 p.m.

Midtown Oakville Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study open house 1
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar rooms, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

June 14

Public information meeting for Zoning By-law Amendment at 215 Glenashton Drive Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar rooms, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7 to 9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Let’s be Livable is the theme for this Saturday’s sustainability event hosted by the Town of Oakville at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Let’s be Livable will give residents an opportunity to meet and hear from over 25 organizations on how to make sustainability a part of our everyday life in all areas including economic, cultural, environmental and social. Visit the exhibitors’ area and learn about making your home, your businesses and your community more sustainable.

Residents can share their vision for a sustainable Oakville throughout the day. An artist will be on hand to display these ideas and actions in an illustrative mural. As well, you can video record your ideas to show the community what you are doing.

Make it a family day out with free skating from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. plus chances to win great prizes including an iPad, VIA trip and gift cards. Come share what you are doing to make Oakville the most livable town in Canada!

For all the details and a list of participating exhibitors, visit the Local Community Sustainability Plan page.

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Media contact:

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

“This map reinforces Oakville’s commitment to making active transportation even more accessible for residents,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. “Making cycling and walking opportunities safer and more convenient helps encourage a more active and sustainable community.”

The Cycle, Walk map showcases Oakville’s on-road cycle lanes, off-road multi-use trails for pedestrians and cyclists, trail variations (paved vs. unpaved), bicycle safety and trail etiquette, and wildlife education tips. Also included are recreation hot spots including splash pads, swimming pools, and lookout areas, plus amenities such as parking, washrooms facilities and water fountains.

As part of the scheduled update of the Switching Gears Transportation Master Plan (TMP), the Town of Oakville is in the midst of a public consultation process to help identify community transportation priorities from now until 2031 including pedestrian, cycling and transit.

“Our Switching Gears Transportation Master Plan offers an exceptionally detailed level of integration between land use and transportation planning,” Mayor Burton said. “Our goal is to offer more balanced, efficient and sustainable transportation choices for people, goods and services to move around Oakville.”

Just last month, the Town of Oakville received a bronze award in recognition of building a bicycle-friendly community from Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

The Cycle, Walk Oakville map is available online or in hard copy at community centres, libraries and Town Hall. To view the interactive map and learn about other active programs, visit the Cycle, Walk Oakville page.

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Media contact

Dan Cozzi
Director
Engineering and Construction
905-845-6601, ext. 3303
dcozzi@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

June 2

Energy Conservation Fair and OakvilleGreen Community Garage and Plant Sale
Location: Town Hall, parking lot, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

June 5

Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan open house
Location: Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 7–9 p.m.

June 9

Let’s be Livable Local Community Sustainability Plan event
Location: Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“June is one of the best times of the year to get outside and be active,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Oakville has some of the most beautiful trails and parks in the province. I encourage all residents to go for a walk or enjoy a bike ride this summer with friends and family.”

The official launch of June is Recreation and Parks month takes place on Saturday, June 2, with a short hike at Sheridan Hills Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. The first 50 people will receive a free pedometer from the Make Your Move team for participating. Oakville Cycle & Sports Ltd. will also be on hand from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to educate residents on bike and rider safety. A bike technician will be available to check bikes and make suggestions on anything that needs to be fixed or changed. The first 100 participants will receive a free bell.

“Whether you want to get fit or cool off this summer, June is Recreation and Parks month is a great opportunity to get active,” said Nina da Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture. “We also have plenty of classes and activities for those who want to improve their skills or try something new.”

Residents can enjoy a swim at Lions Outdoor Pool or one of the town’s splash pads that recently opened. There’s also special events planned for youth, including After School Drop-in Sports and Saturday Youth Nights at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. For seniors, the Oakville Senior Citizens’ Recreation Centre at Kerr Street and Iroquois Ridge Older Adult Centre are hosting barbecues, while adult shinny lacrosse and hockey at Joshua’s Creek Arena begins mid-month.

Make Your Move is the Town of Oakville’s public education and awareness program that promotes the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles. The program encourages residents to become more active through various sports and recreational activities.

June is Recreation and Parks month was first proclaimed in 2005 by Parks and Recreation Ontario, the Ontario Parks Association, the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association and Get Active Now. Ontario now has nearly 100 June is Recreation and Parks month ambassadors.

Visit the June is Recreation and Parks month page for a full list of activities and events.

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For more information contact:

Monica Sulej
Make Your Move Program Coordinator
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3896
msulej@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Tickets are $30 per person, including dinner and the awards ceremony. They can be purchased at the Town of Oakville Recreation and Culture department located at 1225 Trafalgar Road or by calling 905-338-4250. Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, June 8, 2012.

The evening also celebrates the generosity of local sponsors who give back to their community.

The 2012 Community Spirit Award sponsors are:

• MEDIchair Halton, sponsor of the Access Award
• The Oakville Beaver, sponsor of the Arts Award
• Tim Hortons, sponsor of the Environmental Award
• Sun Life Financial, sponsor of the Group Volunteer Award
• Genworth Financial Canada, sponsor of the Heritage and History Award
• Paradiso Restaurant, sponsor of the Individual Volunteer Award
• Sunrise Senior Living, sponsor of the Senior Award
• RBC Royal Bank, sponsor of the Youth Award

For more information, visit the Community Service Awards page.

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For more information contact

Nancy Beddoe
Steering Committee Chair
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

May 27

Motorcycle testing: Free public awareness session
Location: Town Hall, parking lot, noon–3 p.m.

May 28

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, May 23, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, May 23, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Human Resources presentation to Council
  • Oakville Hydro 2011 financial statements, directors remuneration, appointment of auditors and by-law approval
  • Funding assistance to municipalities for control and management of the Emerald Ash Borer

May 29

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study
  • Multiple heritage permit applications

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

May 30

Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan open house
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 2–4 p.m.
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–9 p.m.

June 2

Energy Conservation Fair and OakvilleGreen Community Garage and Plant Sale
Location: Town Hall, parking lot, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“North Oakville is unique and there needs to be a focus on maximizing opportunities for tree growth,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This will take careful planning as there will be challenges with introducing these new standards. The long-term benefits, however, will be the sustained ecological health of our community.”

Under the plan, trees are identified as green infrastructure and their location and suitability will now be addressed at the onset of the planning process. Development applications will be required to provide detailed locations and soil volume of all trees in composite utility plans. This ensures the placement of trees will receive equal consideration as the location for the placement of other services, such as water or gas utilities.

Implementation of the plan will occur through amendments to the zoning by-law following a best practices review by staff of other southern Ontario municipalities. Changes to the site plan and subdivision requirements will be reflected in updated conditions of approval. Opportunities to maximize tree canopy coverage will be further strengthened through landscape standards, detailed land use policies, and conceptual plans for new parklands. Tools have been developed to assist staff in accurately assessing existing and proposed canopy coverage for each development site to ensure targets are met.

The plan also outlines updated standards that boost tree planting requirements on parklands, landscape strips, buffer areas, parking lots and storm water management ponds as well as dictates soil depth and volume for medium and large stature trees.

To ensure the successful realization of the new plan, the town acknowledges that it will take a concerted effort. As a result, the plan calls for the establishment of partnerships with community and environmental groups along with other public agencies, levels of government and the private sector to encourage participation in this planning and preservation initiative.

The strategic management plan is one of several master plans included in Vision 2057. Together, with other key planning initiatives, they will shape the town’s future, creating a more livable and sustainable Oakville.

For more information visit the North Oakville Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan page.

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Media contact

Chris Mark
Director, Parks and Open Space
905-845-6601, ext. 3111
cmark@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville is seeking names for a new memorial that will honour local military veterans who served Canada following the Second World War. The new Veterans’ Memorial will sit adjacent to the existing cenotaph at George’s Square and is intended for those who are not included in the First World War or Second World War tributes.

“It’s important to recognize those who proudly serve our country,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Their contributions to the nation should be honoured. We want them to know that the residents of Oakville appreciate them and do not take their service and sacrifice for granted.”

For the purposes of this memorial, a veteran is defined as a man or woman who was living in Oakville at the time of their enlistment; and a man or woman who has served in, or with, one of the three recognized branches of the Canadian Armed Forces including the Army, Navy or Air Force, during an active armed conflict or operational theatre.

Active service members are also eligible, and include those involved in any joint operation coordinated by the United Nations, NATO or similar multi-nation efforts such as Afghanistan.

To submit a name for consideration, please visit the George's Square page to download a nomination form. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, June 29, 2012.

The new memorial, which will be unveiled later this year, will feature a special tribute to Colonel Geoff Parker. An Oakville native, Colonel Parker was killed while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan when a suicide car bomber attacked the International Security Assistance Force convoy he was travelling in. He is the highest-ranking Canadian Forces soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan.

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For more information contact

Janis Olbina
Manager of Park Planning and Development
905-845-6601, ext. 3148
jolbina@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Bridesmaids Revisited, a new exhibition opening at the Oakville Museum, offers that revenge. This light-hearted collection features nearly 50 dresses, including some that are hideous, eccentric or even laughable along with those that are beautiful and some that even stand the test of time.

“While exploring bridesmaid fashion trends of the past, the Oakville Museum’s goal is to encourage the community to come together and share their stories,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “It’s a great way to experience the town’s unique history through an entertaining and educational exhibit.”

Although superficially fun, the exhibition includes a significant research component that investigates and examines bridesmaid traditions and customs over the years as well as the meaning and rationale behind their role. Featuring dresses from every era since 1940, the exhibition includes gowns from a variety of civil and religious ceremonies.

“Many Oakville women own bridesmaids dresses that they’ve spent months preparing to wear,” said Carolyn Cross, curator of collections at the Oakville Museum. “These dresses were then shoved to the back of their closets, never to be seen again once the big day was over. This exhibition gives Oakville women a chance to tell the story of their dress as well as reminisce about the glorious, and let’s be honest, sometimes heinous task of being a bridesmaid.”

Bridesmaids Revisited opens Saturday, June 9 at the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate and runs through May 12, 2013. Located at 8 Navy Street, the museum will be open from 1-4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, starting June 9. Admission is always free. Extended summer hours, noon to 5 p.m., begin June 30 and continue through September 3.

Visit the Oakville Museum exhibits and collections web page for details.

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For more information, contact:

Carolyn Cross
Curator of Collections, Oakville Museum
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 5020
ccross@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

“It’s a simple, but very important message for all Oakville residents,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “One of the town’s most unique features is its beautiful tree canopy. We all must work together to protect and enhance it for future generations. Every tree does matter as every forest begins with just one tree.”

During the final event of Oakville’s Arbor Week activities, Mayor Burton did his part, planting a red oak tree at Postridge Park on Friday morning. He was joined by several Members of Council, staff from the Parks and Open Space department and representatives from Davey Resource Group who sponsored this year’s festivities.

“We’re proud to support Oakville’s Arbor Week activities,” said Barb Rabicki, Canadian manager at Davey Resource Group. “The town has long been recognized as a leader in urban forest protection. Its staff has worked tirelessly to educate the public about the importance of trees to our environment and Davey Resource Group is honoured to be a part of Oakville’s efforts to promote and protect our urban forest canopy, creating a healthy community for all.”

During the Mayor’s tree planting event, Forestry staff also showcased the results of the town’s Ash Tree Replacement Program by highlighting 50 trees in the park that have been replaced after being destroyed by EAB. Oakville is leading the municipal effort against EAB. The town is managing Canada’s most aggressive EAB treatment program, which includes bi-annual treatment of more than 6,000 public ash trees as well as tree replacement initiatives for those that have been killed by the invasive pest.

Other Arbor Week activities included the sold out Urban Forestry Protection Workshop and Open House, community tree plantings at Joshua Valley Park and Iroquois Shoreline Wood Park as well tree planting events with grade four students at nine local schools.

Visit the Trees & Wood lands page for more information.

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Media contact

John McNeil, RPF
Manager, Forestry Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

May 22

inZone Subcommittee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 1–3:30 p.m.

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing item
  • Public meeting for zoning by-law amendment & draft plan of subdivision for Davis-Minardi Home Corporation west of Neyagawa Boulevard, south of Burnhamthorpe Road
• Discussion items
  • North Oakville Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan
  • Bronte Village Heritage Resources Review and Strategy - updated recommendations
  • Heritage Register update
  • Notice of Intention to Demolish - 383 Pine Avenue
  • Recommendation report for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision for Lower Fourth Ltd., Pendent Development Ltd. At Concession 1, Parts of Lots 16, 17, 18 and 19 N.D.S.
  • Recommendation report for proposed Zoning Amendment Application and Draft Plan of Subdivision for Canada Lands Corporation at Dorval Drive & Rebecca Street

May 23

Community Service Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville and Trafalgar rooms, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Donation of public art
  • Great Lakes Boulevard roadway review

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee rooms 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • 2012 tax rebate for eligible seniors
• Discussion items
  • 2011 consolidated financial statements
  • 2011 audit findings report
  • 2011 development charges reserve fund statement
  • Campaign contribution rebate program
  • Evolution of the road resurfacing program - pavement preservation

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Oakville Town Council voted unanimously last night to maintain the 200 metre setback for radiocommunications facilities, that Council first established in its October 24, 2011 interim protocol, despite Industry Canada officials position that this setback was too onerous. The decision followed three nights of special hearings at which Council heard from numerous experts and members of the public.

“Council and the public listened very respectfully to officials from Health Canada and Industry Canada but were not convinced that it was in the best interests of the community to allow new radiocommunications facilities to be built wherever the industry dictated,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “We want to send a strong message to the federal government that they have to listen to the concerns of citizens of Canada, and not just serve the interests of the industry.”

Mayor Rob Burton introduced the motion to maintain the 200 metre setback. The motion also called for any industry applications to the town for new radiocommunications facilities to include a letter of endorsement from the local Member of Parliament in whose riding the facility would be located.

“Ultimately, radiocommunications facilities are regulated by the federal government, not the municipality and it is appropriate for the Members of Parliament who represent the municipality in Ottawa to take the lead for sharing public concerns with Industry Canada. The town does not have the authority to approve or deny the installation of radiocommunications facilities but Council wants to ensure that our residents have an opportunity to give feedback on these applications,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

For more information on the town’s radiocommunications protocol, visit the Radiocommunications page.

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For more information contact:

Mayor Rob Burton
905-338-4111
rburton@oakville.ca

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

“Support from our corporate partners is key to maintaining and building Oakville’s tree canopy,” said Chris Mark, director, Parks and Open Space. “With a canopy cover target of 40 per cent by 2057, every tree counts and we applaud Holcim for providing these trees and participating in this event.”

Tree plantings are one of many ways in which the town’s Forestry staff are building and enhancing Oakville’s tree canopy. Leaders in the fight against the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) that is attacking ash trees in Ontario, Oakville’s Forestry staff are managing Canada’ most aggressive EAB treatment program, which includes bi-annual treatment of more than 6,000 public ash trees as well as tree replacement initiatives for those that have been killed by the EAB.

“Oakville is renowned for its abundance of beautiful trees and fantastic green spaces,” said Barb Smith, corporate social responsibility coordinator at Holcim (Canada) Inc.’s Mississauga Cement Plant. “We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with the Town of Oakville on this tree planting event. It fits perfectly with our goal of being responsible corporate citizens in the neighbourhoods and communities where we work, and it was a great way to round out our annual Earth month activities.”

Ward 3 Councillor Dave Gittings joined the Joshua’s Creek Residents Association as they planted the seedlings. It was one of two community tree planting events to take place in Oakville last Saturday as red pine seedlings were also planted at Iroquois Shoreline Woods Park.

Holcim (Canada) Inc. is a member of the Holcim Group of companies, one of the major producers of cement and aggregates, as well as ready-mix concrete, asphalt, and related services. Employing 80,000 people worldwide, Holcim Ltd. was founded in 1912 and celebrates its centennial this year. To mark the milestone, Holcim Ltd. has launched the Together for Communities initiative which encourages its employees around the world to volunteer one day in the communities in which it operates in hopes of providing almost 100 years’ worth of service back to these communities.

For more information about Holcim’s Together for Communities initiative or to inquire how your community organization can get involved, visit the Holcim website.

For more information about Oakville's tree canopy visit the Trees & Woodlands page.

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Media contact

Chris Mark
Director, Parks and Open Space
905-845-6601, ext. 3111
cmark@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Access Award – sponsored by MEDIchair Halton

Recognizes individuals, businesses or organizations that have made or are making a significant or ongoing voluntary contribution, beyond legislated requirements, to the well-being and advancement of people with disabilities. 

• Stephen Cull
• Pinegrove Public School (Al Barrett, Lisa Miali, Mikaela DeSilva, and Wynne Ann Huinink)

Arts Award – sponsored by The Oakville Beaver

Recognizes an individual or organization that, through their volunteerism, has contributed to nurturing and enhancing the arts in Oakville.

• David Foster
• Jean Grieve
• Chloe Shackelton

Environmental Award – sponsored by Tim Hortons

Recognizes an individual or organization whose outstanding voluntary contribution of environmental stewardship has helped to enhance or protect Oakville’s environment.

• Nora and Dan Fulcher
• Blake Poland

Group Volunteer Award – sponsored by Sun Life Financial

Recognizes a group of three or more individuals who have come together to volunteer their time toward a shared goal/activity or event involving leadership, innovation and creativity. Activities or events can benefit all ages. 

• Enza Natural Health Centre and Day Spa
• Halton Food For Thought
• Halton Unit Canadian Cancer Society, Transportation Volunteers
• Walls of Hope

Heritage and History Award – sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada

Recognizes an individual or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to Oakville’s heritage and history by aiding in the preservation and celebration of Oakville’s natural, built and cultural heritage.

• George Chisholm

Individual Volunteer Award – sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant

Recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding volunteer contribution towards improving the well-being of Oakville residents of any age group.

• Cheryl Kozak
• Sera Mansueto
• Niki McLaughlin
• George Murray
• Bryan Pryde
• Bob Trillia

Senior Award – sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living

Recognizes a senior (65 years and older) or group that has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the Oakville community.

• Darlene Cox
• Colin Woodcock

Youth Award – sponsored by RBC Royal Bank

Recognizes a youth individual or group (18 years and under) that has made positive contributions towards enriching Oakville’s quality of life.

• Oakville Trafalgar Student Volunteers High School Lunch Buddies Club
• Youth Alpha Leadership Team

Buy your tickets for Community Spirit Awards

The 11th Annual Community Spirit Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 905-338-4250. Each award recipient will receive an original art piece created specifically for the Community Spirit Awards by Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning student Vanesa Trillia.

For more information, visit the Community Spirit Awards page.

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For more information contact

Nancy Beddoe
Steering Committee Chair
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

"This is a great opportunity for families to come out and learn easy ways to be more active, prevent injuries and eat healthier,” said Tricia May, senior manager of Recreation Services. “They’ll also get a chance to participate in fun, interactive activities.”

Healthy Living Ambassadors and health education professionals will be on hand to answer questions and provide up-to-date information on these important issues for Oakville residents.

Each community event takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunningdale Public School will play host on Wednesday, May 16, followed by Oakwood Public School on Thursday, May 17 and W.H. Morden Public School on Wednesday, May 23.

For more information, visit the Make Your Move page.

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For more information contact

Monica Sulej
Make Your Move Program Coordinator
905-845-6601, ext. 3896
msulej@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

May 14

Special Planning and Development Council re: proposed final Radiocommunications Facilities Protocol 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Supplementary Information for the Radiocommunications Facilities Protocol Special meeting
  • Proposed Final Radiocommunications Facilities Protocol

May 15

If required continuation of Special Planning and Development Council re: proposed final Radiocommunications Facilities Protocol 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

May 16

Switching Gears, Transportation Master Plan update open house 
Location: Town Hall, Committee rooms 1 and 2, 6:30–9 p.m.

• Second public open house to discuss the alternative solutions to the long term action plan for the development of the town s transportation system.

May 17

If required continuation of Special Planning and Development Council re: proposed final Radiocommunications Facilities Protocol 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Does your motorcycle pass the test? Beginning July 1, an amendment to the Town of Oakville’s Noise By-Law 2008-098 comes into effect that prohibits excessive motorcycle noise. Find out if your motorcycle complies with the new by-law requirements at a public awareness session hosted by the Town of Oakville and Halton Regional Police on May 27 and June 24. Between noon and 3 p.m. in the main parking lot at Town Hall, owners will be given a chance to test their motorcycles for decibel levels, free of charge, before the by-law is enforced.

“It’s important to note that most motorcycles will comply with the by-law,” said Phil Bouillon, assistant Town Clerk. “Owners should only be concerned if their motorcycle has been un-muffled or had other after-market exhaust systems installed.”

Under the by-law, a motorcycle cannot be operated in Oakville if it emits any sound exceeding 92 decibels (dBA) from the exhaust when it’s idling. Decibel readings will be taken at 50 centimetres from the exhaust by a sound level meter. A train whistle, jackhammer or rock concert generate similar noise levels, typically reaching 90 decibels. Sustained exposure to decibel levels of 90-95 dBA could result in hearing loss.

The change to the by-law is a direct result of concerns raised by residents. The new amendment, passed by Council in December 2011, means individuals who violate the Noise By-law could face a minimum fine of $400.

For more information, visit the Noise and Nuisance Issues page.

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For more information contact

Phil Bouillon
Assistant Town Clerk
905-845-6601, ext. 3093
pbouillon@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

An unexpected and potentially dangerous discovery of a natural gas deposit during a geothermal drilling project in Oakville has led Mayor Rob Burton to write the Province of Ontario urging a moratorium on deep well or borehole drilling for geothermal energy installations until the necessary regulations can be put in place to ensure public safety.

“This Council supports the province’s commitment to promoting renewable energy sources, however, we are very concerned that unregulated drilling poses a serious risk to the safety of our residents,” Mayor Burton said. “Under the Green Energy Act, 2009, the town cannot pass by-laws that would prevent or restrict the installation of ground source energy systems so it is imperative that the province take action.”

The call to action comes following a recent incident in Oakville in which the Fire department was called upon to respond to high levels of natural gas being found in and around a home in the Maplegrove/Lakeshore Road area. The potential source of the gas leak was traced to a recent borehole that had been drilled for a vertical geothermal heating system at a home about 100 metres away. The driller contacted significant volumes of pressured natural gas at a depth of between 380 and 540 feet and this had resulted in natural gas leaking out through the ground.

“We were very fortunate that the gas was discovered and we were able to take action before it built up to levels where it could have become combustible,” said Oakville Fire Chief Lee Grant. “Allowing unregulated drilling in populated areas is a potential recipe for disaster. The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs is joining me in calling for the province to develop regulations governing the drilling of boreholes for the installation of geothermal energy systems.”

The town continues to work with officials from Halton Region and the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources to monitor the leak that took place and ensure a permanent solution is put in place to prevent further gas leaking at this location. Monitoring has been ongoing and recent readings have shown no significant traces of gas remain.

The town will also be developing information materials for residents and contractors who are considering installing a geothermal energy system in Oakville. Given that there are known gas deposits in this area, the town is encouraging drilling contractors to consult with professional geoscientists or professional engineers, have an emergency contingency plan, and follow safety requirements for natural gas drilling.

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For more information

Jane Courtemanche
Director Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext.3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

As part of Vision 2057, the Town of Oakville is preparing an update to its Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan. Three public open houses on May 30 and June 5 offer residents an opportunity to provide their input on the plan that defines the town’s future needs for parks, recreation and library facilities. Residents are encouraged to attend an open house as well as submit their comments through the online feedback form or by email.

“Public input is critical at this stage as the update ensures our provisions for community parks and facilities in Oakville continues to meet local needs, now and in the future,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “These facilities and services play a vital role in advancing the overall quality of life of our residents and their enhancement is a primary objective of Council’s long-term strategic plan.”

The master plan was developed to assist decision-makers, stakeholders and residents in understanding Oakville’s needs and priorities for additional parks, recreation, and library facilities. The update takes into account the changes that have occurred since the approval of the original plan in 2006, such as the acquisition of Joshua’s Creek arenas, the construction of Sixteen Mile Sports Complex and the recent opening of Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. It also identifies the timing for new facilities based on many criteria including community needs, demands from growth and affordability.

“The master plan does a fantastic job in helping us identify facility and amenity needs as the town grows,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture. “Ultimately though, the final decision will depend on town-wide factors such as available funding, development opportunities and the locations of facilities. Further consultation with residents and key stakeholders will also play a vital role”

The first two open houses take place on Wednesday, May 30 from 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. at Town Hall. The final open house will be held on Tuesday, June 5 from 7–9 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. Each open house will be identical in content and include a staff presentation followed by an open discussion.

To learn more about the master plan or to provide comments through the online feedback form, visit the Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan page. Residents can also submit comments by email at prlfmp@oakville.ca.

The draft master plan was received by Council in December 2011 and released for public consultation. The final plan will be presented to Council in the fall of 2012. Vision 2057 brings together all of the Town of Oakville’s master plans and other key planning initiatives. Public engagement is a key component of each master plan to ensure that the community takes part in shaping the town’s future leading up to Oakville’s bicentennial in 2057.

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For more information contact

Nina de Vaal
Director, Recreation and Culture
905-845-6601, ext. 3112
ndevaal@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

With a unanimous vote to keep the status quo until Halton Region awards Oakville an additional seat on Regional Council, the town’s ward boundary review came to an end Monday night when the final report from Dr. Robert J. Williams was received. In its decision, Council recommended a seven-ward system for the town when its Regional Council representation increases in the future.

The decision means that Oakville’s current six-ward system will remain in place for the 2014 municipal election. With the town’s population expected to grow over the next few years, an additional seat on Regional Council is possible as early as the 2018 municipal election, allowing for the implementation of Council’s recommendation.

“Effective representation is fundamental to any ward boundary system,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “With another Regional seat expected, this Council was prudent in its decision to re-draw the ward boundary map only once: when a seven-ward option is required.”

The seven-ward option recommended by Council uses Sixteen Mile Creek as the chief east-west boundary up to Dundas Street. The QEW serves as a significant north-south boundary for most wards, with Trafalgar Road the boundary from the QEW to Dundas Street. The new seventh ward is created north of Dundas Street with Burlington as the boundary to the west and the planned extension of Eighth Line to the east.

The 2011-12 Oakville’s ward boundary review began in May 2011. Council confirmed three guiding principles for the review in February 2012 that were prioritized in the following order: one, effective representation; two, the protection of communities of interest and neighbourhoods; and three, consideration of physical features as natural boundaries. Council also confirmed the federal numerical standard of 25 per cent as an acceptable percentage variation in population size among the wards and asked that Sixteen Mile Creek and Trafalgar Road be recognized as ward boundaries where possible.

Significant consultation with Oakville residents played an important role in the review and included four public information sessions and a special meeting of Council. Staff also collected feedback through the ward boundary review website, comment cards and email submissions. Dr. Williams, the consultant who led the review, is a professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Waterloo.

For more information on Oakville’s ward boundary review, visit the Ward Boundary Review page.

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For more information contact

Kim Galione
Election and Special Projects Manager
905-815-6030
kgalione@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

May 7

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, May 1, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, May 1, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Ward Boundary Review - Final Report
  • Oakville Hydro report

May 8

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

May 9

Appeals Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.

May 10

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“The town’s current wards haven’t changed since 1990,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “As a result, a ward boundary review was both timely and important to ensure that all residents and businesses are represented on Council through an effective and equitable system. I want to thank all of the residents who took part in the process. Your input and feedback is very important.”

Dr. Williams, professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, began Oakville’s ward boundary review last fall. In his report to Council, he will identify three suitable ward boundary configurations for consideration. Once a configuration is approved, the new ward boundaries will be in place for the 2014 municipal election.

Significant consultation with Oakville residents played a key role in the ward boundary review process and included four public information sessions and a special meeting of Council. Staff also collected feedback from residents through the Ward Boundary Review page, comment cards and email submissions.

The report from Dr. Williams will be available on the Agendas and Minutes page on Friday, May 4.

Oakville's existing wards vary significantly in population size. Expected growth, particularly in new communities in north Oakville, further increases these discrepancies and therefore a review was needed.

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For more information contact

Kim Galione
Election and Special Projects Manager
905-815-6030
kgalione@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

April 30

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for proposed Official Plan Amendment to the Livable Oakville Plan (Housekeeping Matters)
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for Draft Plan of Condominium, Bronte Creek Community Ltd (Phase 6) at 2495 Colonel William Drive
  • Public meeting for Fernbrook Homes (Lakeshore) Ltd. at 1215 Lakeshore Road West for a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision and Draft Plan of Condominium
• Discussion items
  • Burlington Official Plan Amendment No. 55
  • Recommendation report for Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for Bot Holdings Limited at 4105 Regional Road 25
  • A by-law to repeal by-laws from 1988 to 1994 that exempt certain lands from Part Lot Control
  • Recommendation report for Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment for 1458408 Ontario Ltd. at 331 Sheddon Avenue

May 1

Site Plan Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • By-law 2012-029 - A by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (Part 1, Plan 20R-1982 - Lakeshore Road West)
  • By-law 2012-033 - A by-law to dedicate certain land as part of a public highway (Part 2, Plan 20R-12353 - Oak Park Boulevard; Parts 1, 2 and 3, Plan 20R-12060, and Parts 9, 10 and 11, Plan 20R-12353 - Taunton Road)
  • By-law 2012-020, being a by-law to amend By-law 1981-66 (The Fire Route By-law), as amended
• Discussion items
  • No-stopping restrictions in front of 2403 Khalsa Gate
  • 2011 Annual Water Resources Program and Monitoring Report
  • 2011 Shoreline Inventory and Assessment Study

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • 2012 tax levy by-law
  • 2012 budgets for Business Improvement Areas
  • License renewals with Hydro One Networks Inc.
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events - Burl-Oak Theatre Group
• Discussion items
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Compliance update
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee 2011 Accomplishments and 2012 Work Plan
  • Delegation of authority for utility easements

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Since the launch of our corporate Twitter account, we have been closely monitoring online feedback from Oakville Transit users. People are choosing social media to connect with us and we want to be part of those conversations,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We want our customers to know that we’re listening and taking their comments seriously.”

Staff from Oakville Transit will monitor the @OakvilleTransit Twitter account during regular business hours and track comments through the approved Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools in place. Oakville Transit also plans to use Twitter to solicit public input about new and existing transit programs and services.

“We work hard to offer efficient public transportation throughout Oakville, but inevitably delays happen,” Barry Cole, director of Oakville Transit explained. “Tweeting at us might not make the bus show up any sooner, but through the power of Twitter we can let our customers know about anticipated delays or route changes in advance so they can plan ahead. And of course, compliments, complaints, questions or comments are encouraged to generate conversation.”

On May 6, Oakville Transit will introduce several service improvements on routes 10, 32 and 19. Transit customers can visit the Transit website for specific details about the schedule changes and how they may impact their regular transit routes.

Last month, Oakville Transit launched its new online transit trip planner in collaboration with Google. The online trip planner uses Oakville Transit’s scheduling data to help riders plan their outing. Users simply enter a starting point and final destination, date of travel, and starting time, then click Get Directions. Google will display route options, walking times and even connections across municipal borders.

The Town of Oakville continues to investigate new ways to enhance its online social media presence and can currently be found on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to Oakville’s various RSS feeds including updates from Oakville Transit visit the RSS page.

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Media contact

Barry Cole
Director, Oakville Transit
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3507
bcole@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Online Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

April 24

Property Standards Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 2–4 p.m.

April 25

South Central Public Lands Study Subcommittee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms1 and 2, 1–3 p.m.

Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study Public Meeting 
Location: Lusk Hall, St. John’s United Church, 262 Randall Street, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville announced today that it had completed its acquisition of three surplus Halton District School Board sites at a total cost of $12.84 million. The three sites are: Brantwood School at 221 Allan Street, Chisholm School at 165 Charnwood Avenue and Linbrook School at 1079 Linbrook Road.

“These school sites have played an important role within their neighbourhoods and Council is very pleased that the town will have control over the future possible uses of these lands,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The town looks forward to working with the community to complete a comprehensive land use study to help identify public needs and potential opportunities for these lands that will support Council’s vision to be the most livable town in Canada.”

The three former school sites are part of the town’s recently announced South Central Public Lands Study. The study will also include the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital lands, Oakville Arena and Trafalgar Park. The town’s draft Parks, Recreation and Libraries Facilities Master Plan has identified the need for a small scale community centre south of the QEW.

“The town is very fortunate to have the opportunity to align recreational and community needs with additional public lands becoming available within established neighbourhoods,” said Dana Anderson, the town’s director, Planning Services. “We look forward to working closely with the community to determine the future best uses for these properties.”

A Council sub-committee has been established for the South Central Public Lands Study and a meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2012 to review the work plan and draft consultation strategy for the project.

“We expect to be out meeting with the community within the next month,” noted Ms. Anderson. “Aligning the public consultation for the South Central Public Lands Study with the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Facilities Master Plan will provide the public with the opportunity to contribute to creating sustainable neighbourhoods for the future.”

The South Central Public Lands Study is one of the studies under Vision 2057: Live It! The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

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Media contact

Dana Anderson
Director, Planning Services
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Jane Courtemanche
Director, Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

“Council and I are proud of the agreement reached between the town and Edgemere Estates,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Creating public access to our waterfront and expanding our trail systems meets our goal of creating a sustainable community, and ensures future generations can enjoy this beautiful area.”

As part of the settlement agreement, Edgemere Estate Limited dedicated a 15 metre wide linear strip of waterfront property together with connecting pathways. A public park and trail system will be constructed and paid for by the builder.

Edgemere Estate Limited will construct 10, 2.5 storey elegant residential buildings, each containing three units at 1502 Lakeshore Road East. Development of the waterfront access and trails will be phased-in as the homes are constructed. In addition, a number of heritage buildings and landscape elements on the Edgemere property will be preserved and maintained by Edgemere Estates Limited.

Town staff will continue to work with Edgemere Estates Limited throughout the construction process.

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For more information contact

Dana Anderson
Director of Planning Services
905-815-6020
danderson@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Research and experience has shown the two most significant things the Town of Oakville can do to reduce direct public interaction with coyotes is education and the removal of coyote attractants such as food. Town Council is supporting two new initiatives — an online coyote reporting system and a by-law amendment to prevent coyotes from being fed on public land.

Residents can now visit oakville.ca and complete the coyote reporting form letting town staff know about unusual coyote encounters. Unusual incidents would include a coyote that approaches you, interacts or attacks pets that are on-leash or one that is displaying bold behaviour. You can also report people who are directly or indirectly feeding coyotes, and garbage that is left in neighbourhoods or overflowing in town containers. The reporting system will give town staff the ability to address issues regarding coyotes before conflict situations arise.

“The Town of Oakville continues to take a leadership role in creating a comprehensive coyote education and conflict reduction program to address public concern over coyotes,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This new reporting system will give the town valuable information on coyotes in our community and manage risk.”

The existing parks by-law prohibits the feeding of waterfowl such as ducks and geese in public spaces. A new by-law amendment, approved by Town Council last night, makes it an offence for anyone to feed coyotes on public land. On private property, the feeding of coyotes is covered under Section 5.1.1.1 of the property standards by-law which prohibits conditions that may lead to the harbouring of “…rodents, vermin or other pests.”

“Preventing conflicts before they occur is the basis of our coyote management program,” said Cindy Toth, director, Environmental Policy for the town. “In addition to education, the new reporting system and by-law amendment are just two of the many town initiatives that address the concerns of our residents.”

The town has also recently:

• Partnered with OakvilleGreen to provide workshops to schools. These workshops provide basic coyote information and safety measures to students ranging from grades 1 to 12.
• Trained town staff on coyote safety and awareness.
• Partnered with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (who run an internationally recognized “living with coyotes” program for the Greater Vancouver Regional District) to develop a coyote management plan and initiatives under the town’s Oakville Wildlife Strategy.
• Posted signs in parks and along trails where coyotes are known to frequent. More signs will be installed as needed.
• Installed wildlife-proof lids on garbage cans in high-risk trails and parks. Cans are labelled with the town’s phone number and residents are directed to call if garbage is overflowing.

The town’s coyote management initiatives are a first for Ontario and support Council’s goal to be the most livable town in Canada. Visit the Coyotes page for details.

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Media contact

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@akville.ca

Featuring more than 40 exhibitors and vendors, the fair offers residents a wide-range of information and education about home support programs and transportation services as well as ways to enhance individual health, safety and well-being. Experts from a variety of service agencies, local businesses and government services will be on-hand to answer questions and provide specific information for Oakville seniors.

“The fair is intended to be a one-stop shop for residents,” said Nancy Beddoe, Oakville’s manager of Seniors Services. “Participants can walk around, pick up brochures and speak face-to-face with representatives throughout the day. Whether you’re trying to find out information for your parents or yourself, we think you’ll find everything you could want and more at the fair.”

Hosted by the town’s Senior Working Action Group, the Successfully Mapping Your Future Seniors Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 5 at the Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre, located at 1565 Old Lakeshore Road. Admission to the fair is free and the first 200 attendees will receive a reusable shopping bag courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Visit the Seniors page for more information.

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For more information contact

Nancy Beddoe
Manager, Adult and Seniors Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
nbeddoe@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

“The Oakville Clean Sweep program is all about keeping Oakville beautiful,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “From sweeping roads and sidewalks to picking up litter along roadways and on trails, keeping our town clean is a community responsibility. It shows how much we care for our community and our environment and moves us one step closer to achieving our vision of being the most livable town in Canada.”

The Oakville Clean Sweep litter clean up event is an easy way to do your part for Earth Week. Free garbage bag and glove kits can be picked from the following town facilities, courtesy of Glad:

• Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road
• Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, 1051 Glenashton Drive
• Glen Abbey Community Centre, 1415 Third Line
• River Oaks Community Centre, 2400 Sixth Line
• Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, 3070 Neyagawa Boulevard
• QEPCCC, 2302 Bridge Road

If you have more than 10 people in your group, please contact serviceoakville@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601 so we can have your Glad kits ready for you to pick up. Garbage bags can be put out on your regular garbage collection day, and recycle what you can. If you think you’ll collect more than the limit of six garbage bags per household, please email serviceoakville@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601 to make arrangements for garbage pickup.

Residents who cannot participate in the Oakville Clean Sweep cleanup day are encouraged to take part in the town-wide Earth Week clean up on Saturday, April 21, hosted by the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights. Over 25 nature sites are already designated as cleanup locations. For more information on cleanup site locations or to register contact OCCPEH at 905-849-5501, info@oakvillepeacecentre.org or visit the OCCPEH website.

Other town litter and Clean Sweep initiatives include: loose leaf collection, running April 16 to 27 in designated areas; the Adopt-a-Road/Park/Trail campaign; Oakville Blooms — a sponsorship program of town medians and boulevards; and later this month, roads, boulevards and sidewalks will be swept using a more environmentally friendly dustless/waterless street sweeper. Visit the Clean Sweep page for more details.

For more information, contact:

Enrico Scalera
Director, Roads and Works Operations
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3315
escalera@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

The Community Spirit Awards are presented annually to Oakville residents, groups, organizations and businesses who make a positive impact on the community by demonstrating ongoing leadership, involvement and dedication to the town.

"Oakville is full of dedicated residents who care deeply about the community," Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. "We want to hear their stories. We want to celebrate their commitment and outstanding contributions to making Oakville a great place to live for everyone."

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 13, 2012 in the following eight categories:

• Access Award, sponsored by MEDIchair Halton
• Arts Award, sponsored by The Oakville Beaver
• Environmental Award, sponsored by Tim Hortons
• Group Volunteer Award, sponsored by Sun Life Financial
• Heritage and History Award, sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada
• Individual Volunteer Award, sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant
• Senior Award, sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living
• Youth Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank

Nominations are available at all town facilities and libraries. They can also be completed on the Community Spirit Awards page.

The 11th Annual Community Spirit Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 905-338-4250. Each award recipients will receive an original art piece created specifically for the Community Spirit Awards by Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning student Vanesa Trillia.

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For more information contact:

Nancy Beddoe
Steering Committee Chair
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

April 10

Planning and Development Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Public meeting report for proposed zoning by-law amendment for William and Maureen Brown at 112 Ulster Drive
  • Public meeting and recommendation report for proposed Official Plan Amendment to the Livable Oakville Plan (Housekeeping Matters)
• Discussion items
  • North Oakville East Trails Plan - sub-committee recommendations
  • Old Bronte Road/Khalsa Gate streetscape plan
  • Proposed removal of Holding "H" Provision for Fernbrook Homes (Bronte 15) Ltd. at 3047 Lakeshore Road West
  • Recommendation report zoning by-law amendment for 1371975 Ontario Inc. at 3113 Upper Middle Road
  • Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District study status update
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — March 27, 2012

April 11

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • 2012 Emerald Ash Borer update report
  • Local community sustainability plan

Administrative Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Charitable gaming centre municipality agreement/e-Bingo
  • Policy and procedure update report
  • Internal Audit 2011 Annual Report
  • 2011 year end financial results and surplus disposition
  • Citizen appointments to Accessibility Advisory Committee and Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee — March 8, 2012

April 12

Accessibility Advisory Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

“Everything we can do to conserve energy has positive results for our community and beyond,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Council and I are very proud of everyone who participated in Earth Hour. Your commitment to creating a better community and better environment is what will make us the most livable town in Canada.”

The town shut off non-essential lighting where possible, including parking lots and marquee signage, at Town Hall, central operations, southeast depot, the greenhouse, community centres, Oakville Transit, libraries, the Oakville Centre Performing Arts, pools and arenas.

Oakville Hydro used an Independent Electricity System Operator to evaluate Earth Hour’s success by comparing last year’s energy consumption to this year’s use over the same day and time. The five per cent reduction in energy consumption was also accompanied by an estimated peak load reduction of 2.7 MW.

“Earth Hour is such a fantastic annual event and a fun way for the entire community to support conservation,” said Rob Lister, President and CEO at Oakville Hydro. “Conserving energy is one step in the right direction towards building a sustainable future and, once again, Oakville residents showed their support.”

Earth Hour is a global lights-out initiative created by the World Wildlife Fund to demand action on climate change.

Visit the Oakville Hydro website for year round energy conservation tips.

The town is involved in a number of energy conservation initiatives including:

• Hosting the Annual Energy Conservation Fair on June 2, 2012
• Installing solar panels at Town Hall this spring
• Upgrading the Building Automation Systems at large town facilities
• Positioning Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre as a LEED Silver contender

The town also received a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Award earlier this year for sustainable building design procedure, energy management, and LEED readiness for the new Oakville Transit facility and Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.

For more information on the town’s many energy conservation initiatives visit the Energy Conservation page.

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For more information, contact

Suzanne Madder
Research Policy Analyst
905-845-6601, ext. 3910
smadder@oakville.ca

“Earning the town’s first LEED certification is a great accomplishment for our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Preserving and enhancing our environment is a key priority for this Council. Building sustainable town facilities makes economic sense as it allows us to reduce our operating costs. It also ensures we’ve reduced our impact on the environment, creating a better and greener future.”

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The Canada Green Building Council, which encourages and facilitates the development of sustainable buildings in Canada, evaluated Sixteen Mile Sports Complex according to six LEED categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor air quality, and innovation and design.

“We designed Sixteen Mile Sports Complex anticipating LEED Silver certification,” said Community Services Commissioner Domenic Lunardo. “But, through the hard work of our staff in the Recreation and Culture, Parks and Open Space, and Facilities and Construction Management departments, we were able to earn additional points, becoming Oakville’s first municipal building to achieve LEED certification as well as the first quad pad arena in Canada to earn LEED Gold.”

Sixteen Mile Sports Complex earned LEED credits for energy performance, storm water treatment and management, ozone protection, light pollution reduction, thermal control and comfort, indoor air quality and green housekeeping. Other LEED highlights included:

• Optimized energy performance: achieved energy cost savings of 42%
• Construction waste management: 76% of the site’s construction materials were diverted from landfill
• Regional materials: 47% of construction materials were regionally manufactured and extracted
• Water use: achieved a 42% reduction over baseline fixture performance requirements
• Recycled materials: 36% of the construction materials used contain recycled content

“Thousands visit Sixteen Mile Sports Complex each week, taking part in everything from free skates to figure skating lessons, from sledge hockey to speed skating and games and practices for all levels of hockey from Timbit hockey to Junior A,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture. “The LEED-certified design ensures residents will benefit from the facilities at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex for many years to come.”

Located at 3070 Neyagawa Boulevard, Sixteen Mile Sports Complex is a fully-accessible building that features one Olympic-sized pad with seamless glass and seating for up to 1,500 spectators. It also includes three NHL-sized ice pads, 22 change rooms, three community rooms and two practice pads. Construction of the 196,000 square foot facility began in 2008. The building, which opened in September 2010, was designed by PBK Architects and built by EllisDon for a total cost of $38 million.

Through the Livable Oakville Official Plan and Sustainable Building Design Procedure, the town has many policies and programs in place to ensure municipal-owned buildings are as green as possible. These initiatives provide leadership to the community and demonstrate best practices in green building. The official plan and procedure, which came into effect in 2009, requires new town buildings over 500 square metres to be built to achieve LEED Silver Certification. Green building design and construction adheres to Council’s strategic goals of enhancing the town’s natural, cultural, social and economic environments.

Visit the Livable Oakville page for more information on the official plan.

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Media contact

Nina de Vaal
Director, Recreation and Culture
905-845-6601, ext. 3112
ndevaal@oakville.ca 

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

March 31

Emerald Ash Borer drop-in open house
Location: Oakville Arena, Pine Room, 133 Rebecca Street, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

April 3

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

"We all want a clean and green Oakville, and our Parks and Open Space staff make this happen,” Mayor Rob Burton said. "They plant our trees, maintain our playgrounds and playing fields, lay the foundation for new parks and protect our tree canopy from such threats as the Emerald Ash Borer.”

Parks maintenance staff provides maintenance and winter control for Oakville’s 150 kilometres of trails, pathways, bridges and stairs as well as parking lots at community centres, arenas and senior centres. They also coordinate turf management for 200 neighbourhood parks, 140 playgrounds, 75 tennis courts and 62 soccer fields.

Leaders in the fight against the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation that is destroying Oakville’s ash tree canopy, forestry staff are managing Canada’s most aggressive EAB treatment program, which includes bi-annual treatment of more than 6,000 public ash trees. Harbours staff provides marine services for the town’s two harbours, including more than 500 mooring slips. Cemetery maintenance staff cares for one active and seven historic pioneer properties, while the park planning and development team is always looking to design or rehabilitate Oakville parklands and infrastructure.

The Parks and Open Space department also provides turf maintenance on Oakville’s regional roads and all Halton District School Board sites. It conducts annual removal of tree branches around electrical wires for Oakville Hydro and in partnership with the local Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s), manages horticultural beautification programs in downtown Oakville and the Kerr Street and Bronte shopping areas.

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Media contact

Chris Mark
Director, Parks and Open Space
905-845-6601, ext. 3111
cmark@oakville.ca 

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Visitors got the chance to explore the new one-of-a-kind building that opened with a full schedule of events including performances, demonstrations, classes, drop-in activities and swimming. There was also lots of food, time to tour the art gallery and museum as well as meet with many of the arts and cultural groups that will now call QEPCCC home.

“What a great day for Oakville,” Mayor Rob Burton said on Saturday. “This new facility symbolizes our goal to be the most livable town in Canada and its opening clearly demonstrates our continued progress towards that goal. We couldn’t have made it happen without the foresight of Council, the hard work of our staff and the continued support of local residents.”

Located at 2302 Bridge Road, QEPCCC offers more than 144,000 square feet of active living space, making it one of the largest venues in Canada to house such a diverse collection of recreation, arts and cultural opportunities. It also provides a vibrant space for artists, musicians, performers, and cultural and heritage groups to work and perform.

QEPCCC offers inspiring classes, workshops, camps, drop-in activities and events for all ages and abilities. The facility boasts an aquatics centre, two gymnasia, a youth centre, an older adult centre, dance studios, a recording studio, fine arts studios, a rehearsal hall, black box theatre, gallery, museum space, and more.

Visit the QEPCCC page for more information or  to register for a program.

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For more information contact

Sarah Douglas-Murray
Senior Manager, Cultural Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3007
sdouglas-murray@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

“Every Oakville resident can make a difference in reducing our ecological footprint and Earth Hour is one easy way to take that first step,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

Earth Hour is a global lights-out initiative created by the World Wildlife Fund to demand action on climate change.

Join the world team! Sign up on the World Wildlife Fund website. Turn off the lights, turn down the thermostat, unplug the TV, DVD player, microwave, clock radio and computer...and enjoy the quiet. You can also visit the Oakville Hydro website for year round energy conservation tips.

Staff will work to reduce energy consumption at town facilities during Earth Hour without compromising public safety or interfering with town services. Measures will include turning off lighting in facilities and parking lots, and marquee signage where possible at Town Hall, central operations, southeast depot, the greenhouse, community centres, libraries, the Oakville Centre Performing Arts, pools and arenas.

Oakville Hydro will measure the impact of Earth Hour initiatives in our community and will provide the results of the town’s participation.

The town is involved in a number of energy conservation initiatives including:

• Hosting the annual Energy Conservation Fair on June 2, 2012
• Installing solar panels at Town Hall this spring
• Upgrading the Building Automation Systems at large town facilities
• Positioning Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre as a LEED Silver contender

The town also received a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Award earlier this year for sustainable building design procedure, energy management, and LEED readiness for the new Oakville Transit facility and Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. For more information on the town’s many energy conservation initiatives visit the Energy Conservation page.

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For more information, contact:

Suzanne Madder
Research Policy Analyst
905-845-6601, ext. 3910
smadder@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

March 24

Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre grand opening 
Location: 2302 Bridge Road, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

March 26

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing committee reports
  • Community Services Committee, March 20, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, March 20, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Parks and Open Space - departmental presentation
  • Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union
• New business introduced for discussion at the April 16, 2012 Council
  • Casino location in GTA
  • Separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin waterways
  • Provincial payment-in-lieu of taxes
  • Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)

March 27

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Ward Boundary Review Public Information Session
Location: Town Hall, Committee Rooms 1 and 2, 7 p.m.

March 28

Public Information Centre: McCraney Street reconstruction — Sixth Line to Montclair Drive
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 6–8 p.m.

March 31

Emerald Ash Borer drop-in open house
Location: Oakville Arena, Pine Room, 133 Rebecca Street, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Designed specifically for first responders, the new tactical communications system allows emergency personnel to quickly and easily establish communications from a remote location. It can also be used in cases where there is a collapse or breakdown in regular communication infrastructure.

“Communications, particularly in times of crisis, is critical for first responders,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “This new system allows our fire department to improve its on-site communications and enhance their connection with other responding agencies in an emergency.”

With a simple push of a button, the system provides secure telephone and two-way radio communications as well as creates a WiFi hotspot for on-site computer operations under any conditions. It can also be expanded in the future as new needs are identified and new capabilities become available.

“The new tactical communications system will be an integral part of the new Oakville Fire Department Command Unit,” said Oakville Fire Chief Lee Grant. “It gives us the confidence to know that no matter what the conditions, we’ll be able to respond effectively to serve Oakville residents.”

JEPP is administered by Public Safety Canada and was established in October 1980 to enhance the national capacity to respond to all types of emergencies and to enhance the resiliency of critical infrastructure.

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For more information

Andy Glynn
Deputy Fire Chief
905-338-4251
aglynn@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communication Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Finding your way across town on Oakville Transit just got easier. Oakville Transit officially launched its new online transit trip planner in collaboration with Google. You can find the Oakville Transit Trip Planner on the Oakville Transit website.

“We’re very excited to bring this service to Oakville. This will certainly help our residents and visitors find their way around town on Oakville Transit,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Council is committed to improving transit in every way possible and by working with Google, we can now offer a tool that makes taking the bus that much easier. This is yet another step in the evolution of Oakville Transit.”

The online trip planner is powered by Google and uses Oakville Transit’s scheduling data to help riders plan their trip. You simply enter a starting point and final destination, date of travel, and starting time, then click Get Directions. Google will display route options, walking times and even connections across municipal borders.

“For our regular transit customers, this service will give them our transit schedules at their fingertips. For anyone who has not yet tried Oakville Transit, this is the time to try it. It’s easy to use and takes the guessing game out of which route to take,” said Barry Cole, director of Oakville Transit.

Oakville Transit Trip Planner by Google can also be accessed on mobile devices (such as iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile) making checking schedules or switching bus routes easy and convenient.

To encourage the public to try out the new online trip planner, Oakville Transit is hosting a virtual scavenger hunt with a chance to win great prizes. From March 26 to April 20, correctly answer all the scavenger hunt questions and your name will be entered into a draw to win an iPad, a PRESTO travel pack, or a bicycle. For extra chances to win one of 10, $25 PRESTO cards, upload your photo, on or near a bus at any one of the scavenger hunt locations, to Facebook or tweet it to @townofoakville. The winners’ names will be posted online the week of April 23, 2012. For contest details visit the Oakville Transit website.

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Media contact

Barry Cole
Director, Oakville Transit
905-845-6601, ext. 3507
bcole@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

At Monday night’s meeting, staff presented Council with a proposed final protocol for radiocommunications facilities that clearly outlines the town’s role as limited to providing comment to Industry Canada on facility design, siting on a lot, and public consultation. Staff has taken an evidence-based approach to the protocol thoroughly reviewing the town’s opportunities to maximize its role within existing jurisdictional limits.

To allow the public additional time to review the material and provide further input, Council referred the proposed final radiocommunications facilities protocol to a special meeting of Planning and Development Council to be arranged during a week where no other council or standing committee meetings are scheduled. Meeting details will be posted on the town’s website.

“Industry Canada has the sole responsibility to approve radiocommunications facilities, but we're looking to see if we can create an approach to make it worthwhile being part of Industry Canada's process,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Council will consider staff’s presentation and delegation comments prior to making any decision on this new protocol; in the meantime, the interim protocol remains in effect.”

Staff’s presentation noted that while the town has no approval authority on radiocommunications towers, it can establish a protocol that sets out the expected process for consultation and expectations for design and lot siting for non-exempt facilities and provide these as comments to Industry Canada. Exempted facilities include towers less than 15 metres in height and any antenna added to an existing building or structure (including a tower replacement) that does not increase the height of that building or structure by more than 25 per cent.

Industry Canada has in place specific health and safety standards that have been established by Health Canada. While Industry Canada has made it very clear that setback restrictions related to health issues are explicitly outside of the town’s jurisdiction, many of the comments heard by Council wanted the town to be in a position to bring these health concerns to the attention of Industry Canada. Health experts are welcome to address Council and the public at the special meeting of Planning and Development Council.

The following proposed changes from the interim protocol were recommended by town staff:

• Reduce the 200 metre setback from all sensitive land uses including residential, to 20 metres from schools and daycares to ensure public consultation
• A revised policy identifying the difference between a radio licence and spectrum licence
• An addition to the Land Use Authorities clause that recognizes the multiple organizations within Oakville that are consulted on these installations
• A new final section calling for two post-construction documents to be submitted to the town
• Request a copy of the Safety Code 6 Site Validation report from the proponent/facility operator – power density calculation request
• Clarify facility design policies and preferences
• Replace Municipal Letter of Concurrence with a Letter of Municipal Comments on urban design and public consultation in a proponent’s submission requirements

“The proposed protocol allows the town to provide reasonable and relevant comments to Industry Canada and ensures appropriate public consultation will take place within the scope of our jurisdiction,” said Jane Clohecy, Commissioner, Planning and Development at the town. “Industry Canada has clearly indicated that they will not accept a blanket refusal approach by municipalities because their mandate is to ensure communities have access to wireless services. The proposed protocol will ensure the community still has the opportunity to influence the Industry Canada’s decision-making process within our limited sphere of influence.”

The proposed final protocol is not an endorsement of radiocommunications facilities in Oakville, but instead strongly states a position on how these facilities should look, and how our residents should be engaged. For more information on radiocommunications, visit the Radiocommunications page.

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Media contact:

Jane Clohecy
Commissioner, Planning and Development
905-338-4243
jclohecy@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Looking for better transportation options to get you from point A to B in Oakville? Whether by foot, bike, bus or car, the town wants to hear from you. As part of the scheduled update of its Switching Gears Transportation Master Plan (TMP), the Town of Oakville is surveying residents to help identify community transportation priorities from now until 2031.

“Switching Gears offers an exceptionally detailed level of integration between land use and transportation planning. This plan will help identify Oakville’s transportation needs and consider a diverse range of options to satisfy future travel demands,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Our goal is to offer more balanced, efficient and sustainable transportation choices for people, goods and services to move around Oakville. Public input is key to helping us focus on transportation priorities that matter most to our community.”

Feedback received from the Switching Gears TMP survey will allow the town to better understand how residents travel to work, home and extracurricular activities. Questions will explore a variety of travel options including transit, walking, cycling and carpooling with the hopes of revealing current transportation trends in Oakville.

To connect with residents, the town will be conducting surveys at various public hotspots throughout Oakville during the week of March 19. Residents are also encouraged to submit comments and suggestions at tmp@oakville.ca or share their ideas on Facebook or Tweet @townofoakville.

The final plan will reflect current demands and ensure future transportation systems match growth and development in Oakville. To complete the online survey, or for details about the Switching Gears Transportation Master Plan, visit the Transportation Master Plan page.

Switching Gears is one of several Vision 2057 master plans that together with other key planning initiatives, will create a path to a more livable and sustainable Oakville into the future. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

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For more information

Dan Cozzi
Director, Engineering and Construction
905-845-6601, ext. 3303
dcozzi@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-338-4244 
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Last night, Council received a detailed terms of reference for the South Central Public Lands Study. With the terms of reference in place, the town can now consult the public and its key stakeholders about the study to determine the most appropriate land uses for potential surplus sites south of the QEW.

“There are a number of unique sites within south Oakville that will require more detailed examination and consideration,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Existing facilities, changing demographics and the impact of recent planning documents and new legislation will all have a significant impact on our next steps. This is why public consultation is so important.”

With limited opportunities to accommodate public uses and meet community needs in developed areas such as south central Oakville, a comprehensive land use study is required to develop evaluation criteria for all potential sites, and assess various land use options for each site. In addition, the town’s Parks, Recreation and Library Facilities Master Plan (PRLFMP) which addresses Oakville’s current and future parks, recreation and library infrastructure needs, has identified an opportunity for a smaller-scale community centre south of the QEW.

The South Central Public Lands Study will be rolled out in five phases over the next several months. The first phase, scheduled to begin this spring, will see staff assessing candidate sites south of the QEW based on community needs and to accommodate the PRLFMP study. Facilities and sites being evaluated include the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital lands, and surplus schools (Linbrook, Chisholm, Brantwood) in southeast Oakville. The Oakville Arena and surrounding Trafalgar Park are also identified for the study although not considered surplus sites. Additional sites may also be recommended as part of the PRLFMP consultation process.

Public feedback will play a significant role in the study. Broad-based consultation through workshops, as well as targeted consultation with stakeholders will take place this spring and fall. Community input into the PRLFMP study will also be taken into consideration. In addition, a Council Sub-Committee made up of the Mayor and Members of Council from Wards 2 and 3, has been established to advise and provide input to staff on the content, options and public input process.

A recommendation report will go before Council at the end of the year. The South Central Public Lands Study is one of the studies under Vision 2057: Live It! The Vision 2057 master plans, together with other key planning initiatives will create a more livable and sustainable Oakville. For more information visit the Vision 2057 page.

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Media contact:

Diane Childs
Manager, Long Range Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3986
dchilds@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“A prescribed burn is a deliberately set and carefully controlled low fire that consumes dried leaves and invasive exotic shrubs, but doesn’t harm larger trees,” said John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services. “Oak trees grow more vigorously after a prescribed burn and each of our successful burns encourages the natural regeneration of our white and red oak woodlands that were impacted by oak decline in 2003.”

The prescribed burn requires several hours to complete, but lasts only one day. During this time, ISW Park will be closed to the public, and notices will be placed at all entrances advising users of the park’s closure.

Smoke from the prescribed burn should not disturb surrounding neighbourhoods, however, it is possible that some smoke may reach residential areas near ISW Park. Residents with asthma or sensitivity to poison ivy or smoke may wish to limit their exposure by staying indoors, keeping their windows closed or leaving the immediate area surrounding the park.

Lands and Forests Consulting Ltd. will carry out the prescribed burn with a qualified crew. Town staff will assist with the burn, and the Oakville Fire department will be on site in a standby capacity. Upon completion of the burn, Forestry staff will patrol the area ensuring that all smouldering debris is properly extinguished.

This is the fifth prescribed burn at ISW Park and the first since 2008. A prescribed burn was called in May 2011, however, due to weather conditions, it was cancelled. Since 2005, the town has performed successful prescribed burns that resulted in a reduction of invasive plants, such as buckthorn seedlings and honeysuckle. Overall improvements to the growing conditions within the prescribed burn area have also been seen, specifically with oak regeneration.

For more information about the prescribed burn please call the Town of Oakville’s Forestry Section at 905-845-6601, ext. 3947.

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For more information:

Candace Karandiuk
Supervisor, Forest Health
905-845-6601, ext. 3947
ckarandiuk@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communication Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

March 19

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • North Oakville Governmental Authority and Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment
  • Proposed official plan amendment, zoning by-law amendment and plan of condominium for Nautical Lakes Investments Inc. at 455 Nautical Boulevard
  • Proposed zoning amendment for Peppergate Developments Inc. at 2385 and 2389 Khalsa Gate
• Discussion items
  • Draft plan of vacant land condominium application for Public Storage Canada Company
  • Proposed final Radiocommunications Facilities Protocol
  • North Oakville Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan
  • South Central Public Lands Study - Terms of Reference
  • Council Subcommittee: South Central Public Lands Study

March 20

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Letter of request from Canadian National Railway
• Discussion items
  • Halton Court Services 2012 Business Plan and Budget
  • Fleet maintenance agreement with Oakville Hydro
• Advisory committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee (February 16, 2012)

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Harbours - seasonal launch passes
  • 2012 Streetlight Capital Program
  • 2012 Pedestrian Crossover Conversion Program
• Discussion items
  • Parks Recreation Library Facilities Master Plan consultation update
  • 2011 Oakville road system report
  • Environmental Sustainability Policy, EN-GEN-001, status report
  • Parking Operations 2011 Annual Report

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville’s new recreation, arts and cultural hub – Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) opens Saturday, March 24 with a full day of free activities and events for the entire family. The grand opening celebrations, which run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the one-of-a-kind building, will feature a wide-range of performances, demonstrations, classes, drop-in activities and workshops. There will also be plenty of time to explore the new facility and meet with many of the arts and cultural groups that call QEPCCC home.

Located at 2302 Bridge Road, QEPCCC has more than 144,000 square feet of activity space, making it one of the largest venues in Canada to house such a diverse collection of artistic, cultural and active living opportunities. It also provides a vibrant space for artists, musicians, performers, and cultural and heritage groups to live and work.

“The opening of QEPCCC represents a great milestone for our town,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “QEPCCC is symbolic of our unanimous vision as Council for Oakville to be the most livable town in Canada. It is the latest facility in Council’s plan to catch up with the needs created by the growth we’ve experienced. In fact, during the two terms of Council beginning in 2006, we have added 800,000 square feet of space to the town’s 1.1 million square feet of facilities – that’s more than a 70 per cent increase.”

QEPCCC offers inspiring programs for all ages and abilities including classes, workshops, camps and drop-in activities. The facility boasts an aquatics centre, two gymnasia, a youth centre, an older adult centre, dance studios, a recording studio, fine arts studios, a rehearsal hall, black box theatre, gallery, museum space, and more.

“Oakville is a community rich in arts, culture and heritage; this new facility demonstrates the town’s innovative leadership in seeking diverse and inclusive solutions to the needs of its citizens,” said Victoria Behune, president of the Oakville Arts Council. “QEPCCC provides an opportunity to showcase the talents of Oakville citizens, while encouraging others to participate and explore their personal creativity through activities at the centre.”

QEPCCC sits on the former site of Queen Elizabeth Park High School (QEP). One of the centre’s most unique elements is how the frame and structure of the high school building were salvaged and incorporated into the new design. Architects maintained 90 per cent of the high school’s original structure, including the floors, walls and framing. Minor interior changes were made to adapt the high school layout, creating a welcoming environment that intuitively directs traffic flow throughout the building. Labs and classrooms were transformed into multipurpose and active living spaces. The swimming pool was upgraded with new tiles, a state-of-the-art mechanical system, fully accessible and family change rooms as well as an impressive wall of windows to take advantage of outdoor lighting. The two gymnasia were also upgraded with new finishes.

Planning for QEPCCC began in 2005 following the town’s purchase of QEP from the Halton District School Board. The site, first constructed in 1971, was declared surplus by the school board in 2004. With a total redevelopment cost of $27 million, Oakville needed to be innovative in its approach to the creation of QEPCCC. The town subdivided and sold several lots on the perimeter of the site to offset the amount of capital funding required. It also secured $7.4 million in funding from the provincial government as part of the budget surplus of 2007-08.

Since taking ownership of the QEP site, the town has worked extensively with a wide range of community and cultural groups to develop the centre’s space plan. Groups were consulted on the design, layout, storage, facility needs and usage, as well as programming, concession operations and space requirements. This input resulted in significant community support for QEPCCC and created a strong desire amongst the user groups to ensure QEPCCC remains supportive and nurturing of creativity, innovation and community building.

Visit the QEPCCC page for more information.

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For more information contact

Sarah Douglas-Murray
Senior Manager, Cultural Services
289-242-9927
sdouglas-murray@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

The Town of Oakville will be seeking input from residents at two public information sessions on Thursday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Several ward boundary options will be presented at the meetings and feedback from the public will be requested.

“The ward boundary review will determine how future ward boundaries are designed to ensure that all residents and businesses are represented on Council through an effective and equitable system,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We value public opinion and gathering feedback is a critical step in the review process. I encourage all residents to come out and participate.”

During a special meeting of Council on February 21, three guiding principles for the review were prioritized: one, effective representation; two, the protection of communities of interest and neighbourhoods; and three, consideration of physical features as natural boundaries.

Council also confirmed that the federal numerical standard of 25 per cent is an acceptable percentage variation in population size among the wards and that Sixteen Mile Creek and Trafalgar Road be recognized as ward boundaries, where possible. Finally, Council resolved not to restrict options for determining the northern boundary of the south Oakville wards to maintain flexibility.

Oakville’s current wards vary significantly in population size. Expected growth will further increase these discrepancies, particularly in new communities in north Oakville. As a result, a ward boundary review was launched last fall.

For further information regarding the ward boundary review, please visit the Ward Boundary Review page.

Dr. Robert J. Williams, professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, is leading the town’s consultation process. His final report, with recommendations for Council’s consideration, will be presented on May 7, 2012.

The final determination of Oakville’s ward boundaries will be implemented for the 2014 municipal election.

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For more information contact

Kim Galione
Election and Special Projects Manager
905-815-6030
kgalione@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Time magazine has placed the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on its Top10 List of Evil Animals. This invasive pest knows no boundaries and is working hard to destroy Oakville’s ash tree population. If you want to learn about treatment options and find out how you can join the community battle against EAB, come to the Town of Oakville’s EAB Drop-in Open House on Saturday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Pine Room at Oakville Arena.

This interactive open house will educate residents about the town’s proposed EAB Strategic Management Plan, teach participants how to identify ash trees and recognize signs of EAB infestation as well as demonstrate the town’s current science-based approach for managing EAB.

Oakville is proud to be leading the municipal effort against EAB with one of the most aggressive Ash Tree Treatment Programs in Canada. The program includes treatment for nearly 6,000 street and park trees. With 180,000 private and public ash trees at risk, the town was the first municipality in Canada to complete an early warning detection project that accurately maps EAB in Oakville.

“Given that 80 per cent of Oakville’s treatable ash trees are located on private property, we encourage residents and businesses to take action now to protect their trees and prevent the spread,” said John McNeil, manager of Forestry Services. “This open house will give residents the tools and know-how on what they can do to help.”

How does EAB strike?

The metallic, green-coloured beetle destroys an ash tree’s vascular system by tunnelling its way underneath the bark and killing it within several years if left untreated.

Want to do more?

Join the Oakville Canopy Club, an innovative community outreach program that encourages residents to save Oakville’s tree canopy from the threat of EAB. You can also follow the Canopy Club on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information visit the EAB page.

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For more information

John McNeil, RPF
Manager, Forestry Services
905-845-6601, ext. 3395
jmcneil@oakville.ca

Colin Briscoe, ISA Certified Arborist #ON-1038 T
EAB Seasonal Lead Hand
905-845-6601, ext.3467
cbriscoe@oakville.ca

“Most deaths due to fire happen at night when everyone is sleeping,” said Gary Laframboise, chief fire prevention officer with the Oakville Fire department. “As a result, we encourage all residents to have a fire escape plan, to practice it often and replace the batteries in their smoke alarms regularly. Sometimes, you only have about a minute or two to escape a fire, so it’s critical that alarms are working properly.”

It is the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your house and outside each sleeping area. For added protection, the Oakville Fire department encourages the installation of smoke alarms inside all bedrooms. Residents and property owners are also reminded to replace smoke alarms every 10 years to ensure they work correctly.

The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms is worn or missing batteries, which removes the protective benefits of the alarm. Tampering with, or removing batteries from, a smoke alarm is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.

Residents are encouraged to follow these simple steps for home fire escape planning:

• Ensure all smoke alarms are installed properly and are in working order;
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it often;
• Ensure that all exits are unobstructed and easy to access;
• Practice two ways out of each room, if possible;
• Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or others requiring assistance;
• Determine a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for;
• If there’s smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the closest safe exit;
• Call 9-1-1 from outside the home from a cell phone or neighbouring home;
• Once out, stay out! Never re-enter a burning building.

To learn more about the maintenance of smoke alarms and home fire safety, visit Fire Safety page.

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For more information

Gary Laframboise
Chief Fire Prevention Officer
905-845-6601, ext. 2008
glaframboise@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser 
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Keeping the total property tax increase in line with inflation, Oakville Council unanimously approved a 6.55 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 2.93 per cent. This means an average home assessed at $400,000 will pay an additional $112 per year or $2.15 per week.

“This budget continues our progress in catching up and keeping up with the infrastructure and facility needs of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We have healthy reserves because we’re controlling costs. We have preserved and added services and we're cutting debt. We’re living within our means and making each dollar go farther to offer even greater value. Together we’re creating the most livable town in Canada.”

Approximately one-half of Oakville’s 6.55 per cent increase will go toward maintaining services, one-third to existing infrastructure renewal, and one-sixth to the operation of new infrastructure including Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. When the town’s portion of the tax bill is combined with the regional and education tax levy, it results in the proposed 2.93 per cent increase on the overall property tax bill.

Sixty-one per cent of this year’s $239 million operating budget is funded by property taxes, down five per cent from 2003. Twenty-two per cent of the operating budget is funded by fees and charges for town-provided services. Other non-taxpayer sources funds the remaining expenses.

“We said we would keep the overall tax increase in line with inflation and we did this without cutting services or adding new debt. Unlike other municipalities, Oakville is renewing its infrastructure at the same rate as it depreciates,” Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams said. “We will not mortgage the future of our town, children or grandchildren by letting our infrastructure decay. We’re protecting Oakville by building long-term financial strength.”

Transportation initiatives make up the most significant portion of the nearly $72 million capital budget and continue to be a priority for Council and Oakville residents. Top capital projects for 2012 are $10.1 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity to keep cars and buses moving, and $4.8 million for road resurfacing.

Other capital projects include $11 million for the acquisition of the downtown Oakville post office site, $6 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville including an interim fire station, and $1.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

Council’s objective is to deliver overall property tax increases in line with inflation or below for 2013 and 2014. For more information visit the 2012 Budget page.

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Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of  Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Oakville Town Council passed its first harbours by-law at last night’s Council meeting. Harbours By-law 2012-007 establishes rules and regulations to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the harbours.

The by-law comes after public feedback was gathered late last year through several channels including two public meetings.

“As a lakeside community our harbours are valuable assets,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. “They play a key role in our history and heritage, connecting residents to the waterfront. In many ways, the harbours are a symbol of our town. It is important that we keep them safe and protect them for the future.”

The new by-law ensures efficient and safe operation at town harbours, providing clarity and written documentation for all users of the harbours. It also establishes rules around the operational uses of town harbours, including: moorings; launch, haul and storage; vessel operations; care of harbours; and contractor regulations.

The Town of Oakville’s Parks and Open Space department, through its Harbours Section, operates two harbours: Oakville Harbour on Sixteen Mile Creek and Bronte Harbour on Twelve Mile Creek. In addition to managing operations, it is responsible for overseeing the administration and enforcement of licensing.

For more information on the Town of Oakville’s harbours visit the Harbours page.

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For more information contact

Heather Turenne
Manager, Harbours and Cemeteries
905-845-6601, ext. 3422
hturenne@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Would you like to recognize a friend or colleague for their volunteer efforts? Nominations are now open for the Town of Oakville’s Community Spirit Awards. This is your chance to nominate an individual, group, organization or business that positively contributes to the life and spirit of our neighbourhoods and town.

“Every year Oakville residents spend countless hours volunteering their time to make our town better,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. “We want to hear about these outstanding individuals and groups, tell their stories and celebrate their contributions to our town. I encourage all residents to nominate a friend, colleague, neighbour or group that they appreciate and admire.”

The Community Spirit Awards are presented annually to those who demonstrate ongoing leadership, dedication and involvement in Oakville. What better way to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of someone you know than by nominating them for a Community Spirit Award.

Nominations are now available and will be accepted until Friday, April 13, 2012 in the following eight categories:

• Access Award, sponsored by MEDIchair Halton
• Arts Award, sponsored by The Oakville Beaver
• Environmental Award, sponsored by Tim Hortons
• Group Volunteer Award, sponsored by Sun Life Financial
• Heritage and History Award, sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada
• Individual Volunteer Award, sponsored by Paradiso Restaurant
• Senior Award, sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living
• Youth Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank

Nomination forms are available for pick-up at all town facilities and library branches or they can be completed on the Community Spirit Awards page.

The 11th Annual Community Spirit Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre. Award recipients will receive a unique original art piece created by a Sheridan College student that is specifically designed for the Community Spirit Awards.

For more information about Oakville’s Community Spirit Awards, its categories and/or nomination requirements, visit the Community Spirit Awards page.

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For more information contact

Nancy Beddoe
Steering Committee Chair
905-845-6601, ext. 3976
csa@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

At the Town Council meeting last night, Oakville Hydro presented the Town of Oakville with a cheque for $36,816 for improving the energy efficiency at Town Hall. Replacing the 30 year-old chiller and upgrading the Building Automation System (BAS) were important energy conservation projects and eligible for incentives through the Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) custom program.

“The town has partnered with Oakville Hydro on a number of energy conservation initiatives to ensure we are realizing maximum energy efficiencies in all our buildings,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Conserving energy today is not only beneficial to our bottom line, but to our environment and community as a whole.”

“Discussions surrounding upgrading both the chiller and BAS began in 2010,” explained Julie Millington, Vice President of Customer Services and Organizational Development at Oakville Hydro. “It’s wonderful to see many months of hard work rewarded.”

The new chiller and BAS were integrated into the facility in the spring of 2011 with both fully functional by summer 2011. Facility energy information was collected to determine the energy savings from the new system and finalize the incentive amount for the Town of Oakville.

“It was determined that the facility’s summer demand savings with the new chiller and building automation system was 55kW, with an energy saving of 35,033kWh this past summer,” explained Rob Lister, President and CEO of Oakville Hydro.

This improvement resulted in an incentive of $36,816 for the upgrades and also contributed to Oakville Hydro's targets for peak demand and energy savings. “We’re very proud of the work done by all involved in this worthy conservation project,” Mr. Lister continued.

Oakville Hydro and the Town of Oakville encourage all residents to learn how they can conserve energy. For more information, please visit the Oakville Hydro website and click on the Conservation banner.

Mark your calendar for the town’s Energy Conservation Fair, June 2, 2012.

About Oakville Hydro

Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. (Oakville Hydro) is a local electricity distribution company in Ontario, delivering power to homes and businesses in the Town of Oakville. For more information about Oakville Hydro, please visit the Oakville Hydro website or call 905-825-9400.

About the Ontario Power Authority and saveONenergy

The saveONenergy conservation programs for home and business are offered through your local electric utility and funded through the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and are designed to make it easier than ever to manage your electricity use. For more information, please visit the Save on Energy website or contact your local utility. Join thousands of Ontarians who are already making a difference in their homes, and businesses.

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For more information

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

Cassandra Umbriaco
Communications Specialist
Oakville Hydro
905-825-4424
cumbriaco@oakvillehydro.com

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

March 5

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Standing Committee reports
  • 2012 Budget Committee, February 9, 2012 — Council will approve 2012 Budget. The Budget Committee recommended a 6.55 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 2.9 per cent.
  • Community Services Committee, February 28, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, February 28, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Oakville Hydro quarterly update
• Notice of Motions
  • On-street parking prohibitions - Douglas Avenue
  • Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with the European Union

March 6

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

March 8

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Town Council members welcomed Oakville Ontario Heritage Trust award recipients at a ceremony held at Town Hall last night. Eight Oakville residents were recognized for their valuable contribution to preserving local heritage.

“Preserving our heritage is an important part of Oakville’s vision of being the most livable town in Canada, and we’re proud of all the recipients who have dedicated their time and talents to keeping our history alive,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

The Oakville residents recognized by the Ontario Heritage Trust this year are:

• Margaret Buxton — 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement for sustained volunteer contributions to community heritage over a period of 25 years or more
• Evelyn Bullied — Lifetime Achievement Award for her support of Oakville heritage for over 20 years
• Julian Ryder — Built Heritage Conservation Award for his ongoing advocacy for the conservation of Oakville’s heritage
• Karen Brock — Natural Heritage Award for her commitment to preserving Oakville’s natural heritage
• Lt. Glenn Woolfrey — Cultural Heritage Award for her dedication to honouring Oakville’s cultural heritage
• Allison Bishop, Julia Barber and Evan Formosa — Young Heritage Leader’s Cultural Heritage Category for their commitment to celebrating Oakville’s heritage through their work with the Oakville-Trafalgar High School National School Vigil Project

The Ontario Heritage Trust, the province's lead heritage agency, is dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's rich and varied heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. The Heritage Community Recognition program and Young Heritage Leaders program awards volunteers and youth in all communities across Ontario for their work in preserving, protecting and promoting local heritage.

The Town of Oakville has been actively preserving its heritage for more than six decades, beginning with efforts to conserve Oakville's first post office from 1949 to 1951. The Town of Oakville’s 1962 official plan incorporated heritage policies that helped ensure that over 90 per cent of Oakville’s historic buildings continue to exist today. Over the years the town has acquired a number of heritage properties to ensure their preservation, the most significant being the Erchless Estate, the estate of Oakville's founding family, the Chisholms.

Currently, the town is leading a number of heritage initiatives including the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study and the Bronte Heritage Resources Review and Strategy. The objective of the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation and District Study is to consider the downtown heritage resources and depending on Council direction, create a plan that will identify existing heritage resources, and provide guidelines that will preserve heritage resources, manage change and guide future development in the area. Community engagement is integral to this study. Visit the Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study for more information.

For the Bronte Heritage Resources Review and Strategy, community feedback will help determine the tools that will be used to preserve Bronte’s heritage resources. Visit the Bronte Heritage Study page for more information.

For more information on Oakville’s heritage initiatives visit the Heritage Planning page.

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Contact Information

Susan Schappert
Heritage Planner
905-845-6601, ext. 3870
sschappert@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

The Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate will be closed for construction for approximately six weeks following its annual March Break festivities. During this time, the building will undergo some necessary updates, including the replacement of its aging heating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system as well as upgrades to make the museum more accessible.

The new high-efficiency HVAC system will provide a more comfortable environment for visitors and staff as well as significantly reduce energy consumption. It will also create a stable environment for the preservation of the museum’s artifacts that are on display or in storage.

The museum’s entrance will be completely updated, making the ground floor of the building more accessible with the addition of a new accessible family washroom. The construction also includes cosmetic improvements to the lobby and existing washrooms.

“This Council is committed to preserving the heritage resources of our community,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate does a great job of showcasing the town’s history. We are pleased that these renovations will help preserve historical artifacts and enhance the experience for current and future visitors.”

During construction, residents and visitors can still enjoy the museum’s work with two brand new exhibitions beginning March 24 at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC). Returning Home: A Carrie Hillyard Retrospective is presented in partnership with guest curator Gordon Spragg and will be housed in the art gallery. The exhibit is the first major retrospective of work by the late Canadian painter, tracing Hillyard’s career as a 13-year-old artist, to her accomplished paintings produced over four decades later. Queen Elizabeth Park High School: Rediscovering the Spirit is the museum’s first exhibit in its new space at QEPCCC. A nostalgic look back at the institution that previously occupied the site, the exhibit features community photographs, uniforms, trophies, yearbooks, pins and stories that contributed to the legacy of the school.

The museum will also offer a special Pioneer Life school program in partnership with the Oakville Historical Society during construction. The program will run out of Thomas House and the Old Post Office.

The Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate reopens in May with Bridesmaids Revisited! This light-hearted exhibition offers Oakville women a chance to tell their dress’ side of the story and showcases bridesmaid dresses from every era, including gowns from a variety of civil and religious ceremonies.

For more information visit the Oakville Museum page.

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For more information contact:

Bill Nesbitt
Supervisor, Museum
905-845-6601, ext. 5016
kgalione@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

February 27

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Economic Development 2011 Annual Report
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — February 14, 2012

February 28

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent item
  • 2011 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses paid to Members of Council and Committees
• Discussion item
  • Parking Enforcement Review
• Advisory Committee minutes
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee — January 12, 2012

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion item
  • OTMH Area Parking Study Update
  • Cemetery By-law 2012-011 - A by-law to establish rules and regulations for Town of Oakville Cemeteries
  • Harbours By-law 2012-007 - A by-law to establish rules and regulations for Town of Oakville Harbours
  • 2012 Road Resurfacing Program

February 29

Public Information Meeting on proposed Official Plan & Zoning By-law Amendments for 331 Sheddon Avenue
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–10 p.m.

March 1

Design Options Workshop - Current Hospital Lands
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Looking for a new way to get involved locally? Here’s your chance! Oakville Town Council is encouraging residents to take part on two of its advisory committees.

Applications are now being accepted for vacancies on the following committees:

• Accessibility Advisory Committee (three positions available)
• Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee (two positions available)

Each of these committees plays an important role in shaping Oakville for the future.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee works to ensure the town complies with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). One of the responsibilities of the Heritage Oakville Committee is to make recommendations to Town Council on the identification and protection of heritage resources across Oakville.

For more information, including full committee descriptions and responsibilities, application forms or the appointment procedure, visit the Boards and Committees page or contact the Clerk’s department at 905-815-6015 or townclerk@oakville.ca.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 9, 2012.

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For more information

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Five important elements of Oakville’s ward boundary review were confirmed at a special meeting of Council on Tuesday night. Council provided feedback to Dr. Robert J. Williams, the consultant leading the review, to enable further analysis of the ward boundary options.

Council confirmed the federal numerical standard of 25 per cent as an acceptable percentage variation in population size among the wards. Council also determined that, where possible, Sixteen Mile Creek and Trafalgar Road be recognized as ward boundaries.

To establish boundaries between northern and southern wards, Council requested that options not be restricted to either the Queen Elizabeth Way or Upper Middle Road to ensure that the boundary determination is flexible.

Council also ranked its ward boundary evaluation criteria in the following order: one, effective representation; two, protection of communities of interest and neighbourhoods; three, consideration of physical features as natural boundaries.

Finally, having established these directions, Council requested that a number of further map options be presented when Dr. Williams submits his final report on Oakville’s ward boundary review to Council on May 7, 2012.

“Council is pleased with the progress we’ve made so far in the ward boundary review,” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said. “As the process continues, all of Council looks forward to, and encourages, additional input and participation from residents.”

To date, public feedback has been obtained through email, an online survey, and two public information sessions. An opportunity for further public input will be provided next month with information sessions scheduled for 7 p.m. at Town Hall on March 22 and 27.

Oakville’s current wards vary significantly in population size. Expected growth, particularly in new communities in north Oakville, will further increase these discrepancies. Last year, the town launched a ward boundary review to determine how future ward boundaries should be designated to ensure all residents and businesses are equally and effectively represented.

The final determination of Oakville’s ward boundaries will be implemented for the 2014 municipal election.

For further information regarding the ward boundary review, please visit the Ward Boundary Review page.

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For more information contact:

Kim Galione
Election and Special Projects Manager
905-815-6030
kgalione@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

February 20

Family Day
Location: Various town facilities all day long

• Come enjoy free family activities at one of our town facilities

February 21

Special Council Meeting re: Ward Boundary Review 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion item
  • Ward Boundary Review
• Visit the Ward Boundary Review page for details

Committee of Adjustment 
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

February 23

North Oakville East Trails Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7:30–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Mark your calendars! Oakville families are encouraged to join us on Monday, February 20 for the fourth annual Make Your Move Family Day. Build your traditions with us on this special day filled with tons of free activities and fun events for families.

“This Council has made it a priority to provide Oakville families with the programs, services and facilities they value,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Family Day provides a unique opportunity for residents of all ages and abilities to explore our many arts, recreation or cultural programs and enjoy some free family fun.”

Family Day 2012 features plenty of free activities and special events designed to exercise your mind, body and spirit. Participate in a variety of classes, including Zumba, Boxing, Pilates and Karate or check out the Scottish Country Dancers at the Oakville Museum. You can also enjoy Family Storytime at the Oakville Public Library or get your picture taken on a Zamboni at River Oaks Community Centre or a fire truck at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. Thanks to Tim Hortons, there’s also plenty of free swimming and ice time at participating pools and arenas.

You can also take in a show at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. The pre-registered shows – Morgan’s Journey or Gear Music Performance Workshop – are free, but seating is limited so tickets should be reserved in advance by calling the Box Office at 905-815-2021 or by booking on the Oakville Centre website.

“Make Your Move Family Day is a great way to spend quality time together,” said Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville. “This is your chance to make new friends, and connect with your family and community. You’ll also enjoy the benefits of healthy living and get a chance to try something new with all of the free activities being offered.”

Topper’s Pizza or M&M Meat Shop barbecue lunch, and drinks supplied by Pepsico will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glen Abbey, Iroquois Ridge and River Oaks community centres. Topper’s Pizza will also be available during this time at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. All proceeds will go to the town's Recreation Connection Fund. The fund helps families in need participate in recreation programs.

Family Day locations:

• Glen Abbey Community Centre and Library
• Iroquois Ridge Community Centre and Library
• River Oaks Community Centre
• Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
• Oakville Museum
• Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
• Joshua’s Creek Arenas
• Kinoak Arena
• Maple Grove Arena
• Oakville Arena
• Centennial Pool
• Central Library
• Peter Gilgan Family YMCA

Visit the Family Day page for a full schedule of events or pick-up a Family Day guide at Town Hall, one of our community centres or libraries, or at the Peter Gilgan Family YMCA.

Make Your Move Family Day is proudly sponsored by Genworth Financial Canada, Tim Hortons, M&M Meat Shop, Topper’s Pizza, Pepsico and Whole Foods Market.

Make Your Move Oakville is the town's public education and awareness program to promote the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles and encourage residents to become more active through participation in various sport and recreational activities.

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For more information contact

Sarah Douglas-Murray
Supervisor, Sponsorship and Marketing
289-242-9927 (Event Day)
sdouglas-murray@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

The special meeting of Council on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall will focus on two questions: what is an acceptable percentage variation in population size among the wards, and how many new ward design options should be brought forward as part of the consultant’s final report on Oakville’s ward boundary review.

“Council authorized the review because the size of our wards has become so lopsided,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The largest ward has more than twice the population of the smallest.”

To date, public feedback has been obtained through email, an online survey and two public information sessions. Two additional public information sessions will be scheduled in March or April. Public delegations will be welcome at the special meeting of Council, added Mayor Burton.

Dr. Robert J. Williams, professor emeritus of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, is leading the town’s consultation process. He will present a final report with recommendations for Council’s consideration in May. The final determination of Oakville’s ward boundaries will be implemented in time for the 2014 municipal election.

Oakville’s existing wards vary significantly in population. Expected growth, particularly in the new communities in North Oakville, will further increase these discrepancies. In 2011, the town launched a ward boundary review to determine how future ward boundaries should be designated so residents and businesses are equally and effectively represented on Council.

For further information visit the Ward Boundary Review page.

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For more information contact

Kim Galione
Election and Special Projects Manager
905-815-6030
kgalione@oakville.ca

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

Town Council was presented with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Sustainable Communities Award in the category of Green Buildings and Initiatives at last night’s Council meeting.

“The town has an important role to play in our community as a leader in environmental initiatives — especially in our buildings,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “We have a goal to cut the ecological footprint of existing municipal buildings while ensuring that new facilities meet cutting-edge standards of efficiency.”

The town received the award for the new Oakville Transit facility and the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex (SMSC). The construction of these two buildings followed an innovative town policy that requires new municipal buildings larger than 500 m² to achieve LEED® Silver certification. The town was also acknowledged for its Sustainable Building Procedure and Sustainable Design Guidelines for retrofitting and maintaining all town facilities, and its’ Corporate Energy Management Plan.

Specific elements of the LEED® standards for these two new facilities include:

• Heating other areas of the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex with heat recovered from the rink
  refrigeration system
• Reducing storm water runoff by 50% due to permeable paving at the transit facility
• Diverting more than 75% of construction waste from landfill when building the transit facility

Oakville was one of the first municipalities to develop detailed guidelines for sustainable design and construction. The Sustainable Design Guidelines were approved by Council in 2010 as part of the town’s Green Building Design Procedure and outline sustainable practices for preventative maintenance, renovations, and facility operations. Through these guidelines, the town can reduce greenhouse gases and use of non-renewable resources, improve energy efficiency, and implement a life-cycle costing process.

The FCM Sustainable Communities Award recognizes municipal projects across Canada that demonstrate excellence in environmental responsibility. The Town of Oakville’s submission was one of 80 received this year and the only winner in the Building category.

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Media contact

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens 
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-338-4244 
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

Achieving Council direction to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation, Oakville’s 2012 Budget Committee recommended a 6.55 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 2.9 per cent. This means an average home assessed at $400,000 will pay an additional $112 per year or $2.15 per week. Council will consider the recommendation on Monday, March 5.

“We’re in a strong financial position and have healthy reserves because we’re controlling costs. We have preserved services and have added no new debt,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “This budget ensures the long-term financial sustainability of our community and offers exceptional value for taxpayer dollars.”

The costs driving up the town’s $239 million operating budget by 6.55 per cent are: inflationary pressures (3.55 per cent), incurred costs of operating and maintaining new facilities (2 per cent), and costs associated with infrastructure renewal (2.1 per cent). These costs are partly offset by assessment growth of 1.15 per cent resulting in the 6.55 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill. When the town’s portion of the tax bill is combined with the regional and education tax levy, it results in the proposed 2.9 per cent increase on the overall property tax bill.

The Budget Committee recommended a $39.4 million transfer to reserves and capital budgets to fund infrastructure renewal. This reflects 2012 amortization expenses estimated at $39.5 million. According to Nancy Sully, deputy treasurer and director of Financial Planning and Policy, these transfers help to maintain the town’s infrastructure in a state of good repair.

“Unlike other municipalities, Oakville is renewing its infrastructure at the same rate as it depreciates,” said Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “We’re being proactive. We’re not mortgaging the future of our town by postponing the maintenance of our infrastructure. We are also in a good position to meet our goal of keeping overall tax increases in line with inflation or less for 2013 and 2014.”

Some of the top capital projects influencing this year’s budget are: $10.1 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity to keep cars and buses moving; $6 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville including an interim fire station; $4.8 million for road resurfacing; and $1.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. The proposed increase also includes previous financial commitments for road pavement improvements, parks maintenance and operating the new Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre.

Over the past two weeks, the Budget Committee heard from public delegations requesting both funding increases and decreases to various town programs and services. Oakville Transit was a hot topic for delegations with many suggesting service reductions to cut costs.

The Budget Committee recommended various transit adjustments including modified routes and reduced evening service that would result in a savings of $79,000 in 2012 with an annualized impact of $158,000. According to Barry Cole, director of Oakville Transit, the route changes are also expected to improve transit ridership and efficiency.

A further $63,500 in service efficiency reductions is also being recommended. The Budget Committee did not recommend closing the greenhouse or reducing bulk leaf collection.

Residents who wish to appear before Council as a delegate at the March 5 meeting should register at townclerk@oakville.ca or call 905-815-6015. For more information visit the 2012 Budget page.

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Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Online Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

February 13

Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Development Engineering presentation to Council
  • Oakville Hydro report
• Standing Committee Minutes
  • 2012 Budget Committee, February 2 and 7, 2012
  • Community Services Committee, February 7, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, February 7, 2012

February 14

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

February 15

Bronte Village Heritage Resources Review and Strategy public meeting
Location: Walton Memorial United Church, 2489 Lakeshore Road West, 7 p.m.

February 16

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–9 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

Research and experience gained by other municipalities dealing with coyotes has shown the two most significant things the town can do to reduce issues with coyotes is education and the removal of coyote attractants. The town has designed a comprehensive program to address both of these issues. Key elements of the town’s program are:

• Working with the MNR to train town and humane society staff and police to better understand the difference between normal and abnormal coyote behaviour to help determine risk and when to intervene
• Adopting a protocol to respond quickly when intervention is required
• Adopting stronger penalties for feeding of coyotes and dumping of garbage in town ravines and parks
• Posting signs in areas where coyotes have been seen so people won’t be surprised by their presence and will know what to do if one is encountered
• Establishing a reporting system to allow the public to report incidents of unusual coyote behaviour or incidents where coyotes are being fed
• Installing wildlife-proof lids on town garbage bins in areas where problems exist
• Providing a phone number on garbage bins in parks so that residents can call the town to empty overflowing garbage. Residents will be reminded to not dump household garbage into town bins as this will encourage coyotes to frequent these areas
• Working with schools in Oakville to provide education on what to do if you see a coyote
• Continuing to provide information at www.oakville.ca on how to safely coexist with coyotes
• Working with Halton Region to educate the public on proper storage of their green bin and compost

“The town takes any animal incident seriously, whether it’s a coyote or a dog bite,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “The town is prepared to take action when a specific coyote begins to exhibit problem behaviour and we work with MNR staff to be able to respond quickly before a problem becomes worse.”

Incidents of coyote attacks on people are extremely rare. Halton Public Health reports that in 2009–2010 there were no reported incidents of coyotes biting or scratching a person. In comparison, a total of 281 incidents occurred with cats and 222 with dogs.

The town has information available on its website for those wanting to know more about coyotes. Key things to keep in mind about coyotes:

• February is mating season, which means coyotes are more active during this time, making them more visible
• If you encounter a coyote, make noise and make yourself seem even bigger. An average adult coyote is about 35 pounds and will be intimidated by people. While they may stop and observe, they will eventually run
• Do not run away or turn your back on them. A coyote is hardwired to chase. Stand your ground and then back slowly away while making loud noises
• Coyotes cannot distinguish between a small pet and their prey. When you’re walking your dog, keep them on a short leash. Cats should not be left outdoors alone
• If you feel your personal safety is immediately at risk call 911

A video tape of Tuesday night’s presentation and a list of questions and answers from the public meeting will be available on the featured wildlife page. The town’s Wildlife Strategy is also available for review.

Media contact

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens 
Senior Communications Advisor 
905-338-4244 
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“On behalf of all Oakville residents, we thank the OSO for this donation,” Mayor Burton said. “Arts and cultural groups, like the OSO, strengthen Oakville’s sense of identity and play an important role in helping our town achieve its vision of becoming the most livable town in Canada.”

The new acoustic shell, valued at more than $100,000, serves two purposes: one, it balances and blends onstage sound, allowing musicians to better hear themselves play; two, it blends and projects the sound further into the audience, enhancing the acoustic experience. Thanks to the OSO’s donation, the new portable shell will be available for use by many of the acoustic performers at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.

“We’re excited to bring this new acoustic shell to Oakville,” said OSO chairman Simon Scott. “Without the generous support of Jean and Ian Grieve, this donation wouldn’t have been possible. I hope it’s loud and clear how thankful we are for this state-of-the-art equipment.”

Mrs. Grieve provided the funding to OSO for the acoustic shell. The donation was made in her name, and the name of her late husband, Ian. The Grieves have always been strong supporters of the symphony. Jean plays in the cello section of the orchestra and was a founding member of the symphony 44 years ago. She is also a founding supporter of other musical groups in Oakville, including the Oakville Suzuki Association, which provides instrumental education training to children.

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Media contact

Kimberly Moser
Senior Communications Advisor
905-845-6601, ext. 3096
kmoser@oakville.ca

February 6

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Heritage Planning Work Plan 2012-2014
  • Urban Design Manual (Part A): Terms of Reference
  • Council Subcommittee: inZone
  • Midtown Oakville implementation projects
• Advisory Committee Minutes
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee — January 24, 2012

February 7

2012 Budget Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • 2012 Budget

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5–7 p.m.

Community Services Committee 
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Darlington Trail on-street parking
  • Third Line bike lane options - Dundas Street to New North Oakville Transportation Corridor

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 1 and 2, 7–10 p.m.

• Consent items
  • Application to conduct charitable lottery events – The Thomas P Jasinski Scholarship Fund for Business Students
  • By-law 2012-006, a by-law to authorize the temporary borrowing for 2012
  • Second amending agreement — Cherokee Oakville Limited Partnership
  • Tax apportionments
• Discussion items
  • Liquor licensing
  • Final report of task force to consider options to advisory committees
  • Appointments to advisory committees — Accessibility Advisory Committee, Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee and Property Standards Committee

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

February 8

Public Information Meeting - Zoning By-law Amendment, Plan of Subdivision/Condominium — 1215 Lakeshore Road West
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7–10 p.m.

Public Information Meeting - Zoning By-law Amendment - 112 Ulster Drive 
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7–8:30 p.m.

February 9

2012 Budget Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Sixth Line EA Study funding increase
  • Budget deliberations

North Oakville East Trails Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room and Trafalgar Room, 7–10 p.m.

• Discussion item
  • Public delegations re: North Oakville East Trails Plan

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The free P.A. Day community skates, sponsored by RBC, take place at the following locations and times on Friday, February 3:

Glen Abbey Community Centre — 10 to 11:15 a.m.
Kinoak Arena — 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Oakville Arena — 1 to 2:45 p.m.
River Oaks Community Centre — 3 to 4:45 p.m.
Maple Grove Arena — 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
Sixteen Mile Sports Complex with Olympian Jennifer Botterill (women’s hockey) — 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

Please be advised that helmets are strongly recommended for all recreational public skates. Capacity restrictions apply to all skates. For a complete listing of the Town of Oakville’s arenas or to view a schedule of recreation programs, visit the P.A. Day skates page.

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Media Contact

Sarah Douglas-Murray
Supervisor, Sponsorship and Marketing
905-845-6601, ext. 3841
sdouglas-murray@oakville.ca

January 30

Budget Twitter Q and A
Location: Tweet @townofoakville, 7-9 p.m.

January 31

Coyote information night
Location: St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre, 1280 Dundas Street, 7–9 p.m.

February 2

2012 Budget Committee
Location: Council Chamber, Town Hall, 7–10 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or News and Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

The town made great progress in 2011 toward implementing Council’s strategic work plan, with most key initiatives either underway or completed, Council heard at its meeting of January 23, 2012. Staff highlighted that several master plans and major land use studies launched in 2011 are continuing in 2012 and these diverse but interconnected studies are being brought together under the town’s Vision 2057 community planning framework to help achieve Council’s vision for Oakville to be the most livable town in Canada.

“Like any corporation, the Town of Oakville succeeds if it is working toward a long range vision and plan,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We are pleased with the progress that staff has made in 2011 in implementing our strategic work plan for this term of Council. We look forward to working together with our residents, business community and other stakeholders to complete our Vision 2057 community planning framework.”

Vision 2057, which was launched last October, covers four major areas: Create it — which includes zoning, urban design and land use studies to support the town’s official plan, Livable Oakville; Preserve it — which considers how the town will protect and preserve the town’s natural, social, and cultural heritage; Afford it — which covers the work being undertaken to ensure that both the present and future are affordable, including maximizing development charges to the extent possible under provincial legislation to make growth pay for itself; and finally, Live it — which covers the many factors that go into making a community livable, including initiatives to support culture, recreation, parks, harbours, economic development, libraries, transportation and fire.

Council also received the final draft of the town’s Public Engagement Guide, which creates guidelines to help achieve Council’s goal to enhance public involvement in local government. The guide is built upon the key principles for public engagement approved by Council in 2010 and identifies many different opportunities to build trust and confidence in local government.

“There is no one single approach to public engagement that the town can employ to meet the needs of the entire community,” said Jane Courtemanche, director, Strategy, Policy and Communications. “This guide will help staff to identify the right approach for any particular issue, as well as to help the town implement new techniques that we haven’t tried before.”

Ms. Courtemanche noted the town’s upcoming Twitter budget open house on Monday, January 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. as a prime example of a new approach to try to engage members of the community who may not usually come out to a public meeting, but still have a valuable contribution to make to local government.

“Oakville residents, business and stakeholders all have an important role to play in local government,” Mayor Burton added. “Whether helping the town to establish long-term guiding principles for sustainability, or getting involved in the town’s annual budget process, I'm always interested in hearing from people on how we can best meet the needs of the community.”

Since 2007, Oakville has adopted a mission-driven approach to strategic planning that converts the town’s vision, mission and values into strategic goals. Council then determines on an annual basis which goals require the greatest attention. For 2012, council has maintained the same eight areas of focus:

• To be the most livable town in Canada
• To enhance our economic environment
• To enhance our social environment
• To be fiscally sustainable
• To be environmentally sustainable
• To provide outstanding service to our residents and businesses
• To continuously improve our programs and services
• To be accountable in everything we do

Learn more about Council’s 2011–2014 Strategic Work Plan, Vision 2057 and the town’s Public Engagement Guide.

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Media contacts

Jane Courtemanche
Director of Strategy, Policy and
Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

“It is very rare that a piece of property this large comes on the market in downtown Oakville so it’s not surprising that major developers were interested in the site,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Council felt very strongly that it was in the best interests of the downtown that this site be maintained in the public domain as it provides us with greater control and flexibility in implementing our strategic vision for a successful and thriving downtown commercial district.”

Mayor Burton indicated that the site would be used to provide additional parking for the downtown until its future use is determined.

“The town has been building up its parking reserve for many years to help fund the purchase of additional land for parking in the downtown commercial district,” Mayor Burton noted. “We will be able to fully finance the purchase cost through our parking reserves and ongoing revenues from the town’s parking operations and so this purchase will not affect the town’s property taxes.”

The town hired external consultants to conduct a land appraisal to determine both the current market value and future liquidity of the site.

“This Council is committed to the long-term financial sustainability of the town so we wanted to be confident that the town’s offer to purchase reflected fair market value for the site, and to be equally confident that if the site was declared surplus in the future, it would still maintain its value,” Mayor Burton added.

The town had expressed interest in acquiring this site since the 1990s but Canada Post only made it available for sale this past year. The town will take ownership of the property on April 2, 2012.

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Media contacts

Jane Courtemanche
Director of Strategy, Policy and Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3038
jcourtemanche@oakville.ca

“This new street naming procedure complements Council’s ongoing work in heritage preservation. It ensures our community recognizes and celebrates its history and people,” Mayor Rob Burton said.

Generally, street names need to be agreed upon between the town and the developer, are one word in length, should be easy to spell, pronounce, and follow a theme. With the new procedure, heritage street names and commemorative street names will be incorporated into new developments. The use of heritage names will reflect the historical significance of the area.

Also new to Oakville, is the naming of a street after a local veteran. The town is obtaining permission to use the poppy symbol on street signs that honour a veteran.

The new street naming procedure was endorsed by the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee in December 2011, and will take effect immediately.

More information on this new procedure is available in the January 17, 2012, Administrative Services Committee report from the agendas and minutes section on this site.

Media contacts:

Dan Cozzi
Director, Engineering and Construction
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext.3303
dcozzi@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor 
Town of Oakville 
905-338-4244 
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

An online survey is available from the election sign survey page from January 25 to February 10, 2012 to collect public opinion on the display of election signs on town property (along streets). Currently, election signs are permitted to be displayed 30 days in advance of a polling date and can be placed along all public streets with certain restrictions related to safety.

The feedback from this survey will be shared with Council in early 2012 to help them make a decision about the display of elections signs along public roads and making changes to the sign by-law. This will not affect election signs displayed on private property.

For more information contact Erik Zutis at ezutis@oakville.ca or 905-845-6601, ext. 3317.

Media contact:

Dan Cozzi
Director, Engineering and Construction
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext.3303
dcozzi@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

“In a spirit of innovation, we are taking the concept of a telephone town hall meeting to Twitter,” said Mayor Burton. “We'll see if the fast, fluid nature of social media opens up a chance for new participation from people too busy for the traditional, more formal styles of participation in meetings.”

Town staff presented Oakville’s proposed 2012 operating and capital budgets to the Budget Committee on January 16, achieving Council's direction to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation. Town staff recommended a 6.7 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 3 per cent.

The proposed tax increase protects existing program and service levels and would see residential property taxes increase by $29 per $100,000 of assessment. The increase includes previous financial commitments for road pavement improvements, parks maintenance and operating the new Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre.

“Using the power of Twitter allows us to engage a broader demographic of Oakville taxpayers,” said Councillor Adams. “This is new territory for the town and we’re excited to see what happens. We hope our constituents take advantage of this opportunity to chat with us.”

If Twitter’s not currently bookmarked on your favourites list, then simply email us at budget2012@oakville.ca with your questions and we’ll post the answers online. All resident input will be shared with the Budget Committee as part of their budget deliberations.

For those who prefer face-to-face meetings, check out our drop-in open houses for a chance to see where the proposed 3 per cent total tax bill increase will be spent. Budget Chair Councillor Tom Adams and staff will be on site to answer any questions.

Tuesday, January 24; 7 to 8 p.m.; Woodside Library, 1274 Rebecca Street
Thursday, January 26; 7 to 8 p.m.; Committee Room 1, Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road

Or have your say at the 2012 Budget Committee meetings located in Council Chamber at Town Hall on:

Thursday, February 2; 7 to 10 p.m.; Delegations
Tuesday, February 7; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Delegations
Thursday, February 9; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Deliberations
Tuesday, February 14 (as required); 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Deliberations
Monday, March 5; 7 p.m.; Council Approval

Residents who wish to appear before the Budget Committee as a delegate should register at townclerk@oakville.ca or call 905-815-6015. For those who cannot attend the Budget Committee meetings in person, they will be video-streamed live on TownTV.

For more information visit the 2012 Budget page.

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Media contacts:
Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of
Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca

Janine Ivings
Online Communications Advisor
Corporate Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

January 23

Council 
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7-10 p.m.

• Standing Committee Reports
  • 2012 Budget Committee, January 16, 2012
  • 2012 Budget Committee, January 19, 2012
  • Community Services Committee, January 17, 2012
  • Administrative Services Committee, January 17, 2012
• Discussion items
  • Update on the 2011-2014 Strategic Plan and the town's Public Engagement Guide

January 24

Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7–10 p.m.

2012 Budget Open House 
Location: Woodside Library, 7–8 p.m.

January 25

Advisory Committee Replacement Options Task Force
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 9–10:30 a.m.

January 26

2012 Budget Open House 
Location: Committee Room 1, Town Hall, 7–8 p.m.

What's Happening at Town Hall provides an overview of upcoming Town of Oakville meetings and other events. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For agendas and copies of reports, please visit Agendas and Minutes. For more information and additional upcoming meetings, please visit the Council Calendar or Public Notices.

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For more information

Kathy Patrick
Supervisor, Council and Committee Services
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 4235
kpatrick@oakville.ca

To help residents better understand coyotes in our community, the Town of Oakville will be hosting a coyote information night, Tuesday, January 31 from 7-9 p.m. at St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre, 1280 Dundas Street West.

This information night will provide residents with facts about coyotes, ways to critically evaluate wildlife news stories, and offer steps to ensure a peaceful coexistence with our local wildlife. A Ministry of Natural Resources coyote expert will be a featured speaker, and the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) will also be participating to help address community concerns.

Coyotes are regularly sighted in Oakville along our ravines and parklands. The coyotes are present throughout the year, but over the winter months, you may hear about increased sightings for several reasons:

• Coyotes mate in January and February, which means coyotes are more active during this time, making them more visible
• Coyotes feel more comfortable roaming in residential neighbourhoods in the winter as there are fewer people outside
• Coyotes can be spotted in parks and ravines more easily in the winter months as there is less foliage for them to hide behind

Generally, coyotes are shy animals. They exist in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter. Therefore, it is imperative to keep these simple tips in mind:

• Never feed a coyote. Feeding encourages more aggressive behaviour
• Do not approach a coyote as it will encourage them to return and overtime they will lose their fear of humans
• If you encounter a coyote, make noise and act aggressively towards it. Do not run away or turn your back on them. A coyote is hardwired to run from aggressive actions. While they may stop and observe, they will eventually run
• While walking pets (particularly in winter and spring) please keep them leashed for safety. Cats should not be left outdoors alone.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) helps landowners and municipalities deal with human-wildlife conflicts by providing information on managing problem animals and making referrals to appropriate agencies and wildlife control agents. The town will be working closely with the MNR and OMHS to collect information that will help determine why recent coyote incidents occurred.

For more information on coyotes, visit the featured wildlife page.

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Media contact

Cindy Toth
Director, Environmental Policy 
905-845-6601, ext. 3299
ctoth@oakville.ca

Mary Jo Milhomens
Senior Communications Advisor
905-338-4244
mmilhomens@oakville.ca

As the primary source of information for municipal programs and services, the Town of Oakville unveiled its newly revamped oakville.ca today, introducing new features, new functionality and new opportunities for the public to connect with their local government.

“Our new website will simplify our customers’ online relationship with the Town of Oakville. Residents told us they wanted quick and easy access to important information,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Our team has done an excellent job at taking oakville.ca in a positive direction. I look forward to seeing how our community interacts with the new tools we’ve developed with them in mind.”

Oakville has also increased its social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to enhance the way residents can interact with the Town of Oakville.

Oakville’s new customer-focused website offers multiple ways to explore the site and find information. Quick links and intuitive headings direct users to frequently visited pages. New and enhanced features include:

• New search tool
• New look and feel
• Improved accessibility
• Restructured content and navigation categories
• Translation tool
• Links to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter
• Easier access to RSS feeds
• New event and meeting calendar
• Integration of content from previously existing sites
• Adaptability to support future advances in technology

The new oakville.ca was developed to improve the customers’ experience with the town, making it easier to access and share information. To engage Oakville’s diverse communities, web accessibility standards and guidelines were given special consideration and will continue to be a top priority.

“As websites are always changing, we will continue to enhance our site to meet the changing needs of our residents, businesses and visitors,” said Jane Courtemanche, director, Strategy, Policy and Communications. “We look forward to expanding our use of social media tools to build new relationships with the community and providing even more interactive engagement opportunities.”

In the 2011 Citizen Survey, 65 per cent of respondents identified the website as their preferred way to access information about the town.

Provide your feedback on the new oakville.ca by filling out the website feedback form.

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For more information:

Janine Ivings
Online Communications Advisor
Town of Oakville
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

Town staff presented Oakville’s proposed 2012 operating and capital budgets to the Budget Committee today, achieving Council's direction to keep the total property tax increase in line with inflation. Town staff recommended a 6.7 per cent increase to the town’s portion of the tax bill for an overall property tax increase of 3 per cent. The proposed increase will help maintain existing programs and services, and ensure that appropriate funding is allocated to keep Oakville’s infrastructure in a state of good repair. Additional funding for road pavement improvements, parks maintenance and operating the new Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre was also highlighted.

“This budget reflects the goals and objectives of Council’s comprehensive four-year work plan developed to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of our community,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “This is a responsible budget that focuses on living within our means. This Council is committed to controlling growth, resolving our facilities deficit and offering good value for your tax dollar, not cutting the programs and services valued by our tax payers.”

Staff is recommending a $282 million combined budget for operating and capital requirements. The proposed 3 per cent overall tax increase would see residential property taxes increase by $29 per $100,000 of assessment. A home assessed at $400,000 will pay an additional $115 per year or $2.21 per week.

“The Town of Oakville is in a very good financial position. We have healthy reserves and have avoided excessive debt. I’m pleased that the recommended budget keeps the total property tax increase to the rate of inflation, avoids major service cuts and includes no new debt,” said Budget Committee Chair Councillor Tom Adams. “We're committed to safeguarding Oakville’s debt level so we can strategically and appropriately plan for the future.”

According to the budget presentation from town Deputy Treasurer and Director of Financial Planning Nancy Sully, the costs driving the town’s 2012 budget are: inflationary pressures (3.7 per cent), incurred costs of operating and maintaining new facilities (2 per cent), and the costs associated with infrastructure growth and renewal (2.1 per cent). These costs drive the town’s portion of the tax bill up by 6.7 per cent after assessment growth of 1.15 per cent. When the town’s portion of the tax bill is combined with the regional and education tax levy, it results in the proposed 3 per cent increase on the property tax bill.

The town’s capital budget sets aside funds for both the replacement of aging infrastructure and the construction of new infrastructure. Some of the top capital projects include $10.1 million for the expansion of Oakville’s road capacity; $6 million for a new maintenance and operations facility in north Oakville including an interim fire station; $4.8 million for road rehabilitation; and $1.5 million to battle the Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

“This budget balances the needs of our community while maintaining Council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,” explained Sully. “Our pre-budget consultation shows that the public is willing to accept moderate tax increases to maintain valued town services, but they want to know that their tax dollars are being spent wisely. Our program-based, performance-based budgeting will help to demonstrate our accountability for effective and efficient program spending.”

Sully also indicated that staff has identified some potential savings from those areas where the town provides enhanced levels of services in comparison to other municipalities should the Budget Committee want to reduce the tax levy even further. “Town commissioners will provide more information on these opportunities at the next Budget Committee meeting scheduled for January 19, 2012.”

The Budget Committee will meet throughout January and February to debate the proposed budget. The public is encouraged to get involved in the budget process through the following opportunities:

• Commission budget presentations on January 19 and 20 (as required)
• Budget open houses on January 18 at Glen Abby Library, January 24 at Woodside Library and January 26 at Town Hall
• Twitter Budget Question and Answer session on January 30
• Public delegations on February 2 and 7
• Budget deliberations on February 9 and 14 (as required)
• Final budget approval by Council on March 5

The 2012 Budget Committee will consider all submissions, whether in person, writing, email or online as part of their budget deliberations. Residents who wish to appear before the Budget Committee as a delegate should register at townclerk@oakville.ca or call 905-815-6015. Written comments for the committee can be sent to:

Town Clerk
Town of Oakville
1225 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, ON L6H 0H3

Alternately, residents can email their comments to budget2012@oakville.ca.

All Budget Committee meetings are held at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road and are open to the public. For those who cannot attend the meetings in person, they will be streamed live on TownTV. To view the 2012 Budget Book or for more information about opportunities to get involved in the budget process visit the 2012 Budget page or email budget2012@oakville.ca.

Two members of the Oakville Budget Committee, Mayor Burton and Councillor Adams, also served on the Halton Budget Review Committee. The regional budget was approved in December 2011.

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Media contacts

Nancy Sully
Deputy Treasurer and Director of
Financial Planning
905-845-6601, ext. 3143
nsully@oakville.ca 

Janine Ivings
Senior Communications Advisor
Corporate Communications
905-845-6601, ext. 3005
jivings@oakville.ca

January 16

2012 Budget Committee
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Overview of the 2012 Operating and Capital Budget
  • 2012 Pre-Budget Consultation

Planning and Development Council
Location: Town Hall, Council Chamber, 7-10 p.m.

• Public hearing items
  • Draft plan of subdivision for 2087 Upper Middle Road East by Winston Park West Employment Lands
  • Proposed zoning amendment application and draft plan of subdivision for Dorval Drive and Rebecca Street, from Canada Lands Corporation
• Discussion item
  • Zoning by-law amendment at Oak Park Boulevard and Taunton Road for Silwell Developments Limited
• Advisory committee meeting
  • Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee - December 13, 2011

January 17

North Oakville East Trails Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 2:30-4 p.m.

Site Plan Committee
Location: Town Hall, Trafalgar Room, 5-7 p.m.

Community Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Oakville Room, 7-10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • Amendments to the Model Municipal Access Agreement
  • Active Transportation Capital Program - 2012 Projects

Administrative Services Committee
Location: Town Hall, Committee Room 2, 7-10 p.m.

• Discussion items
  • 2011 Audit Plan
  • Relationship between PSAB Financial Statements and Municipal Budgeting
  • Street Naming Procedure
• Advisory committee meeting
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee - December 8, 2011