 By Pepper Parr
July 8th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
You won’t be able to actually attend a council meeting in September but expect to hear of a report that sets out how council meetings will evolve out of their current virtual format into what has been described as a hybrid set up.
Getting the motion Councillor Stole had onto the table proved awkward for everyone – for once the motion got passed the procedural bylaw that sets out how “walk on” motions are handled everyone was for the idea.
 There was a time when the Council Chamber would be packed with people who were being recognized. When will that day return? We learned that just a few days before the ECG (Emergency Control Group) had been discussing this very matter and opining that it was perhaps a good idea to discuss this.
The Clerk too had been giving this deep thought and advised council earlier in the week that the City Manager had asked that he prepare a report.
We did learn today there are some significant technical challenges in getting people hooked up into one seamless session with some in the chamber and some elsewhere.
The Clerk asked rhetorically who would be able to attend the meetings and the matter of vaccination was brought up.
If you’ve not been completely inoculated entry into any public space should be prohibited.
For some reason the ‘anti-vaxers’ feel that they have the right to threaten the health of everyone else just because they either don’t understand the science or have chosen to see it as junk science.
You can’t go to school if you haven’t been vaccinated for measles. If there are those who are not or don’t want to be vaccinated – let them attend virtually.
 Councillor Nisan congratulated Councillor Stolte for bringing the matter of public attendance to the Standing Committee. There might be some benefit to keeping a virtual component of the public meetings.
Everyone congratulated Councillor Stolte for bringing the matter up – no one apologized to her for making it so hard for her to get the motion on the table. She stood her ground – something the Councillor from ward 1 might learn to do.
Councillor Nisan publicly congratulated Stole for her efforts.
Related news story:
Ward 3 Councillor gives ward 4 Councillor a tough time
 By Staff
July 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington has announced that applications for building permits can now only be sent to the City electronically.
This new online feature will enhance customer service for anyone requiring a building permit and reduce the City’s carbon footprint.
 No more trundling down to city hall – building applications have to be submitted electronically. Applications which were processed before July 5, 2021 will continue to be processed in a hard copy format unless otherwise directed by Building and Bylaw Department staff. If you are unable to submit the application electronically, please contact the Building and Bylaw Department team at 905-335-7731, ext. 7470 or buildingpermits@burlington.ca.
To submit a building permit application online, go to burlington.ca/building.
The online system will make it easier and less time consuming for applicants as they will not need to courier, mail or drop off paper copies of the application.
For City staff, it will mean less printing and paper, improved review process and staff can access applications remotely.
Nick Anastasopoulos, City of Burlington Chief Building Official, commented that, “Throughout the pandemic, staff have been working very hard to get this new electronic system up and running. We’ve heard from residents and the industry that this was a high priority. Reducing our carbon footprint has been a key initiative of the Building and Bylaw Department and the introduction of electronic review will drive this initiative forward. We’re excited to have it in place so as to phase out paper submissions related to building permit applications.”
By Staff
July 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Hugo Breton wanted to set up a business in Canada, more specifically within the Region of Halton.
He had most of his plans in place and was ready to make the move from Latin America where he was the Head of Player Services and Operations for Riot Games.
 Hugo Breton – business coach Breton booked his travel to Ontario for March 2019, right when COVID-19 hit and travel restrictions were implemented. “My plan was to visit the Halton region, find office space, housing and begin networking, but everything was suddenly put on pause,” said Breton.
“Like everyone else, we’ve pivoted and had to be patient,” said Breton. “On June 8, we left Mexico City and finally arrived in Canada. We’ve completed our quarantine and now I’ve started my business coaching practice.”
Hugo has been hosting online business coaching events helping entrepreneurs in Halton navigate the pandemic using proven tools and systems.
With Step 2 of the Reopening Ontario plan coming into effect on June 30, Hugo feels now is the time to pivot, plan and prepare for a business boom.
“Because of the coronavirus, we have businesses in this region that are struggling to stay open or relaunch,” said Breton. “Business coaching was on the rise before the pandemic. Now, our business expertise and guidance has become more important than ever.”
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6 Steps to level-up your Business – Event kick-off details
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST
To register: https://halton.actioncoach.com/6steps/
By Pepper Parr
July 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Running for office with little in the way of a community profile is very hard – but it can be done.
Running for office with little in the way of money is very very hard – but it can be done.
At the federal level there is a tax break for those who donate to an election campaign. A portion of a donation can be deducted from your income tax return.
 Former City Clerk Angela Morgan signs the document that makes the election results official. There is, at this point, nothing similar at the municipal level, however the Municipal Act permits a municipality to put one in place. The Clerk sent Council a report that was discussed at considerable length earlier this week.
Campaign Contribution Rebate Program
The Act provides, but does not mandate, municipalities to pass a by-law to provide rebates to individuals who contributed to a Council candidate’s election campaign.
Rebates are funded through the general revenues of a municipality, in other words rebates would be a tax supported expense.
Municipal campaign contributions are not eligible for income tax rebates, as contributions to Provincial or Federal candidates.
The principle purpose of the program is to encourage participation in municipal elections by reducing the financial burden placed on candidates and campaign donors. A rebate program requires candidates to issue receipts to donors who would then apply for a rebate from the City.
 City Clerk Kevin Arjoon – understands the procedural process exceptionally well. Rebates would only be processed after the election, and after a candidate files their financial statements in compliance with the Act. Participation in the contribution rebate program by candidates is voluntary. A contribution rebate program enables a municipality to reimburse contributions made by individuals to a campaign of a candidate seeking election for Mayor or Councillor. A number of municipalities have implemented a contribution rebate program including the Cities of Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga, Markham, Vaughan, Whitby, Ajax and Oakville.
The criteria for eligibility and rebate formulas varies between municipalities. Likewise, the rebate payout amounts will vary greatly.
A municipal survey was conducted specifically to determine the collective scope and financial impact of contribution rebate programs across Ontario for the 2018 Municipal Election. The results of the survey (there were less than 300 people responding) will be set out in a separate news report.
Several factors should be considered prior to establishing a campaign contribution rebate program including:
Eligibility criteria for candidates to participate in the program
Whether it only applies to Mayor and Councillor candidates
Eligibility criteria for contributors
Whether the program should be limited to only residents of Burlington or open to all residents of Ontario
Minimum contribution amounts
A minimum contribution amount is required to be eligible for the program
Formula for rebate
Whether the formula should be consistent for all contributions or vary depending on the amount of the contribution Maximum rebate amounts
 Marianne Meed Ward filing her nomination papers for the 2014 municipal election while husband Pete photographs the occasion. A maximum rebate amount should be set
Administrative policies and procedures
Whether a candidate should be required to file an audited financial statement in order to be eligible for the program
Whether candidates must register in the program at the time of filing their nomination
Candidates requirement to keep meticulous records of all contributions received
The deadline to file all records and receipts with the City Clerk’s Office
Internal staffing resources required to support the program throughout the election period (before, during and after the election)
Administering a contribution rebate program will require staff resources for program administration, including analyzing financial statements, determining the eligibility of an application for rebate, and processing payment
 City Clerk Kevin Arjoon – surprised at a comment made. Financial impact on Election program and budget
Residents were asked to rate their understanding of how a campaign contribution rebate program works, with 9% responding they had an excellent understanding of the program, and 27% responding they had a good understanding of the program. The majority of the residents therefore indicated they did not have a good understanding of such a program.
Of the 287 contributors for the question, 276 responded whether or not they support for establishing a program.
61% reported they are not supportive of the program, and 39% reported they are supportive.
Reasons for not supporting the program cited include:
A contribution is a contribution and should not be regarded as a way to get a rebate;
It’s taxpayer subsidized;
It sounds very complicated and unnecessary;
Responsibility should be up to the candidate to rally support. The municipalities have greater need for the funds;
There are other ways for people to support candidates.
Needs more transparency, major contributors (and the individuals most likely to benefit from this rebate) are corporate entities/developers/construction firms;
I don’t like that it’s funded through the general revenues of the municipality;
Added cost to administer;
The city should not be involved in the election campaign at all;
We don’t have enough money as it is;
There are higher budget priorities;
Contributes in favour of candidates supported by wealthy voters;
Tax dollars could be going to someone for whom tax payers did not vote.
Reasons for supporting the program cited include:
It removes the financial barrier which definitely negatively affects individuals participating in the election process and increases participation;
A good idea to promote contributions;
Support but consider minimum and maximum values.
Many people think they already get a tax rebate for municipal, because they do for federal/provincial. This would allow consistency with other levels of government and help fundraising, especially for residents who can’t fully fund their own campaigns.
At this time staff is not recommending a campaign contribution rebate program as it’s administratively burdensome and has not definitively demonstrated that it has a greater impact on voter turnout or the number of candidates. Based on the jurisdictional scan, using Oakville as a direct comparator, the program could have a budget impact of approximately $100,000 (just issuing rebates to Burlington residents) which equates to about 20% of the current election budget.
If approved, the cost to administer this program and the rebate amounts would be applied to the tax base and result in a 2022 budget impact. In addition, it is recognized that school board elections are the avenue where many may enter as first-time political candidates. Creating a by-law will benefit Council and Mayoral candidates, which may create inequities with the school board candidates. Should Council wish to explore the possibility of establishing a contribution rebate program for the City of Burlington, it may direct staff to report back with options related to the above considerations.
The Mayor loved the idea – other members of council were a little more hesitant.
More on this when we publish the results of the 20 question survey that less than 300 people responded to – that is not a number on which policy should be based.
 By Staff
July 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday, 22 June 2021 1601hrs., an unknown male suspect attended the LCBO store located at 501 Appleby Line in the City of Burlington and stole two bottles of alcohol valued at $93.55.
 Suspect robs alcohol from two LCBO stores. The same suspect committed another theft (Halton Occurrence #2021-195001) at this same store where he stole another two bottles of alcohol valued at $148.70. Total theft in two occurrences is $242.25.
Suspect: Male, White, in 20’s, approximately 5’10 and 200lbs., wearing a dark blue coloured “Dallas Cowboys” #9, Romo Jersey, dark pants, black running shoes and a blue coloured Dallas Cowboys cap. The suspect had a black coloured backpack. The suspect was wearing a medical mask PPE.
If you have any information on this case, please contact the HRPS or Crime Stoppers.
By Pepper Parr
July 6th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Laura Boyd, Executive Director of Human Resources, gave a presentation to staff on the problems the city is facing attracting the staff needed and keeping the staff they have.
 She did not give them a pretty picture.
It was one of those Receive and File reports that was pushed down the line until September when some hard decisions have to be made on the staffing requirements the city is facing and a budget that could balloon to much more than the 5.47% projection.
The presentation was done in two parts – the discussion and debate and then into a CLOSED session where some of the hard and probably very expensive decisions will be outlined. We never know what is said in CLOSED.
There are 48 positions that have to be filled; there are a number of very senior positions that are expected to take retirement in the not too distant future. At the close of the meeting it was announced that 31 year city veteran Vito Tolone will be retiring on August 27th.
 Almost every department needs additional staff and the brand, the way the City of Burlington is being described, perceived and seen by the public – on social media particularly, is taking a bit of a beating.
Boyd was telling council what the Human Resources Management Risks are and how she proposes they be managed. She explained that the city does not have control of its brand and that from a staffing perspective they were headed for a perfect storm.
The ability to attract great people is going to require “new ideas and approaches”.
Another problem is the ability to retain great employees. Part of the solution is to “engage employees actively; develop them professionally and treat them fairly”.
The presentation was heavy on graphs that put a lot of facts before Council.
 Vacancies by department at mid June 2021
 Where the retirements are going to take place.  The Human Resources compliment now – several contract positions.  The HR department three years from now.  Red line: Average Voluntary Turnover since 2010 = 5.4% Blue is the total turnover, orange is voluntary turnover.  Retention: Voluntary Turnover- Quits plus Retirements by Salary Grade. What is the data telling us? Voluntary turnover is trending beyond historical average. Grades 10 and 11 have a higher rate of quits– losing future leaders. Quits are double retirements in nonunion workforce. Quits and retirements balanced in unionized workforce. First four columns are union, others are pay grades. The demand for people with very specific skills is being faced by every municipality in the province. The salaries that are being asked for would create a situation, explained Boyd, where you would have a staff member earning more than their supervisor. She added that talented people are accepting better offers elsewhere – when they leave we are losing our future leaders.
Boyd said she needed to get a handle on the compensation issue and beef up the HR staffing and improve the IT tools they have. “We are using five different applications and they don’t all work together.
However, it isn’t just having the tools that are needed – there is a cultural shift taking place; a work life balance is now important to the people being hired. The city is realizing that the “focus should be on people” and that all employers have reached a turning point.
The pandemic had an impact on several levels. People found they were able to have more time with their families and at the same time realized that working collaboratively isn’t all that effective when it is done virtually.
Councillor Sharman was surprised to learn that the HR department no longer performs formal annual performance reviews. Boyd said that they found the review process didn’t add much value to HR administration. Sharman clearly didn’t agree with that argument.
The work being done by many of the departments is much more complex. The Planning department is desperate for staff – they need people who have experience with high rise developments. Burlington doesn’t have much experience with that type of concentrated development – and there are several of them that will see the light of day in the next couple of years.
LPAT hearings have become an issue – staff with significant experience are needed to take part in a hearing to make the city’s case.
The strongest thing Burlington has going for it is that it is a nice place to live. The flip side is that it is an expensive place to live.
One of the surprising things heard was that people like working in Burlington because they get to interact with members of city council, which apparently isn’t the practice in most municipalities.
 Laura Boyd – Executive Director Human Resources All the data Boyd presented will be part of the hard look that will be taken in September when detailed reviews of everything the departments deliver in terms of services to the public gets drilled into. Staffing to deliver those services will be a large part of those sessions.
Mayor Meed Ward asked Boyd how many people on the payroll were contract workers – Boyd said she felt a little squeamish – she didn’t have those numbers.
Right now at times it feels like we are playing “wack a mole” going from crisis to crisis to crises with the hiring process. Hiring people virtually hasn’t made the jobs any easier.
Related news stories.
Boyd lays it all out on the table: there is trouble in paradise
 By Pepper Parr
July 6th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
In the art world you look for that promising undiscovered artist and buy their work because you like it and wait for the value of the piece you bought to appreciate.
Making some money is nice but the satisfaction of discovering the artist on your own and making a purchase, maybe a couple, and waiting – and of course enjoying the art for the beauty and talent that spoke to you is what art collecting is really all about.
 Lana Kamaric I have been watching a young artist for a number of years. I first met her at the No Vacancy event that took place in the Village Square a number of years ago; she was standing in the doorway to a space where her work was displayed. When she saw me she darted out and said: “You’re Pepper Parr and I have a bone to pick with you.”
I’ve forgotten what it was she was unhappy about – but I admired the chutzpah and kept in touch. From time to time she would send me samples of her work.
She is into what I call science fiction comic books – she calls it something else. She celebrates The Fourth and likes to dress up as if were Halloween.
 Lana Kamaric on the right at the 2019 Fan Expo. She is part of the Steam Punk Bat Gang Kamaric recently sent us a collection of watercolor works – there were nine pieces in the collection. Several of them impressed me and I wondered if they would be shown anywhere. Then I wondered – is there a space in Burlington where the work done by emerging arts can be displayed. Things are in a mild state of chaos at the AGB – maybe when things settle down the idea can be chatted up.
Kamaric explains what she has been up to: “I accidentally painted a watercolour series.
 “Focus” on paper 12 inches x 12 inches. All the watercolours are the same size “This was a concept I was thinking about a year ago and couldn’t quite figure out. I’m fascinated by the subconscious mind and how it shapes our conscious decisions and wanted to explore that. I now realize the problem was the fact that I was actively thinking about it with my conscious mind. It wasn’t until I stopped thinking and started painting that the idea took shape.
“I was three paintings into the series before I realized what I was doing. What began as an experiment in watercolour portrait techniques quickly became a dive into the human psyche.
 “Questions misplaced” “Watercolours are rebellious and don’t always do what they’re told, but that’s also what makes them fun.
“You can swim upstream and struggle to reach your destination or you can surrender to the current and see where it takes you. This series reminded me to trust the process because it always ends up somewhere interesting.
“I’m currently revisiting the portraits with acrylics to see how the medium will shift the outcome.”
You can reach Lana at lanakamaric@gmail.com. If you like her style and are interested in her doing a commissioned portrait – she will take your call.
By Staff
July 5, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
How well is the Re-Opening going?
Is retail and hospitality recovering?
There were long lines getting into the Mapleview Mall on the weekend. That was some of the good news – but the 17 new infections at the Schlegal Long Term Care residence on Upper Middle Road tells us that there is still strong reason to be very cautious.
When we learn that just 52% of the staff were vaccinated – we ask – how did that happen? Why was that permitted? Have we not learned anything about this virus?
A report on spending levels suggests that the re-open is going to be real.
 Spending in Burlington looks to be better than the other regions
Reports suggest that there is a lot of money out there not being spent and at the same time we learn that the Food Banks struggle a bit to feed people who aren’t back at their jobs yet.
Is there a pent up demand to spend when malls are open?
Canadians accumulated $180 billion (~ $5800 per capita) in extra savings over 2020.
40% of these savings were accumulated by high-income households.
 Is there a better economic story ahead of us? A report from the Bank of Canada suggest there is. 10% saved by low-income households.
At peak, spending is predicted to increase at an annual pace of $500 per Canadian over Q4 2021, injecting roughly $4 billion into the economy that quarter
Most of these savings are expected to be spent on high-contact services, including transportation, accommodation, and food services.
 Source:COVID-19, savings and household spending -Bank of Canada(March2021) This would increase the demand for labour and create approximately 30,000 jobs each year until 2023
Ontario Economic Forecast –June 2021
Real GDP in Ontario will grow 5.4% in 2021 and 5.0% in 2022
Growth forecast has been downgraded for two reasons:
1.
Province-wide lockdowns triggered by 3rd wave led to 2.5% decline in employment rates, impacting near-term performance
2.
Global supply chain disruptions in the auto sector will heavily impact this year’s growth
Solid rebound still expected due to re-opening (contingent on vaccination rates), immigration, and strong US recovery
Provincial government spending likely to continue to offer near-term support –expected to reduce spending beginning 2022
Housing market expected to start cooling due to acute affordability issues in and around the GTA, tightening mortgage stress test rules, and high lumber prices
Home sales fell by 25% from March to May
 Tourism Economic Recovery Task Force Report
Tourism has been crippled with predictions suggesting that sector will not return until 2023 at best
•
Ontario’s 2020-2021 Budget includes:
$150 million for Travel Incentives
$100 million for the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program
$100 million in one-time payments through Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant
Tourism is expected to be one of the last industries to recover from the pandemic – potentially past 2024
 By Staff
July 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The City Manager sets the tone for what happens on the administrative side of city hall.
Once there is a clear direction from City Council the city manager knows what his marching orders are and he gets moving.
Every city manager has his own style – they have all been male in Burlington – and that could change in the not too distant future.
In a report to Council today Tim Commisso set how he interprets what he has been ordered to do.
Commisso’s report is lengthy. He ties a large part of his work plan to what has been set out in the city Vision to Focus (V2F) which takes those parts of the 25 year Strategic Plan and determines which parts of that plan are going to be implemented this term of office.
In his comments Commisso refers to a number of tables that the Communications people were not prepared to make available at this point in time.
Commisso puts it this way:
The objectives outlined in this document encompass specific priorities that the City Manager intends to actively pursue and accomplish over the next two years. The objectives encompass both proposed new and existing V2F items (Table 1) with an enhanced focus for 2021/22 being largely on “Our People”, given the importance of this area on the future prosperity and success of the city.
 City Manager Tim Commisso A summary of the key Council outcomes achieved to date and planned for 2021/22 YE is summarized in Table 2 (Organized chronologically by Standing Committee of Council).
For the City Manager, the process of strategic management starts with the development and integration of personal objectives. While the objectives need to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Timebound), they must also be easily understood and regularly communicated to Council and staff as to their performance status.
Clearly articulated objectives anchored by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) represent the foundation for achieving organizational strategic performance. Stated simply, an objective is meaningless without a related measure of progress towards achieving the objective.
As indicated, for 2021/22 my new objectives are focused primarily on “our people” and “our workplace”. The most important or the Wildly Important Goal (WIG) is as follows along with the rationale. Note: the reference to WIG is based on terminology used in the strategy execution methodology outlined in the 4 Disciplines of Execution (Covey, McChesney and Huling –Published 2012).
Objective #1: Improving Workplace Culture including the level of Staff Engagement and Overall Positive Attitudes.
The above goal and KPI(s) are intended to contribute directly to realizing the key outcome of building a distinct and enabling workplace culture, a corporate culture which relies on and leverages very strong existing departmental workplace cultures. To excel strategically, our internal city-wide culture must foster, and support engaged employees to continuously add value by embracing change, driving innovation, and improving city business processes. Today’s leading organizations understand that they need to be more than just satisfied employees, they need to be fully engaged employees. Therefore, led directly by the City Manager and Executive Director of Human Resources, an employee engagement strategy is recommended that:
• regularly and efficiently surveys employees to accurately measure overall engagement levels and attitudes.
• provides informal and formal engagement and learning experiences.
• creates opportunities for employees to feel valued and recognized for their work.
• communicates results, regardless of the outcome, regularly and transparently.
 Commisso spent years at city hall before moving to Thunder Bay, retiring and returning to Burlington to be drafted by the newly elected Mayor who then convinced Council to take the interim out of the title. By utilizing “touch base” engagement surveys, asking the right questions, measuring the right factors with benchmarked results, the city will execute on a strategy to measurably improve employee engagement and in turn, our overall strategic management performance.
IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
The following are three key considerations for implementation of the CM 2021/22 Objectives
1. Review & refine the Objectives and related Strategic Actions
The CM objectives and related strategic actions will be reviewed over the next few months and will be fully integrated with the “refresh” of V2F planned for Q3 2021. Refining the objectives and executing on the strategic actions will be an iterative process recognizing that budget resource needs and organizational capacity may likely be constrained over the next two years. The key for the City Manager will be to work closely with Council and the leadership team and remain focused on achieving measurable progress with each of the objectives.
2. Communicate the Objectives
Effective communication of the objectives is fundamental to both accountability and transparency which is in turn critical to achieving the intended strategic outcomes.
A focus will be given to the following best practices related to communication:
• Focus on the need for change and urgency in the communication. Answer the key question – Why does the organization need to change now?
• Follow-through on communicating the status of the objectives as well the completion of strategic actions with all staff – Be accountable for results.
• Avoid communication that is flat and two-dimensional. Make use of all communications channels, including staff meetings, corporate KPI dash boards, direct email messages and social media.
 As city manager Tim Commisso sits in on the meetings to listen and when they need help he comments. The previous city manager had a much more intrusive style. Commisso is a listener. 3. Integrate Key Objectives into an updated Corporate Performance Evaluation Process
The City Manager must set the example by directly aligning and integrating personal performance objectives with the completion of the City’s key strategic actions in V2F.
As noted in Table 1, a specific objective has been included in the City Manager’s 2021/22 Objectives related to development of a new performance management framework, using a format which is easy to administer and linked directly to individual strategic workplan objectives. Working closely with the leadership team, a realistic target would be to have this framework in place over the next 18-24 months and aligned with the updated non-union job evaluation system. 
By Pepper Parr
July 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year again – setting the budget for 2022 and, from a Council member perspective, keeping an eye on what the budget will do to their re-election prospects.
Expect every member of Council to seek re-election with a maybe not for ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns (who has told one of her supporters that she will not run again) and possibly ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna who may find that the work load is not something he wants to take on for four more years. However, he has said publicly that he is planning on running again.
In a Staff report that will be discussed at a city Standing Committee meeting Monday July 5th timelines for the 2022 budget are set out.
Council Workshops –Service Presentations
The budget projections for each of the 38 services the city provides will be reviewed on September 22, 23, 28 & 30, 2021
Budget Overview November 3, 2021
Budget Virtual Town hall November, 2021(TBC)
2022Budget Review & Approval – November 30 &December 2, 2021
Council –2022 Budget Approval December 14, 2021
Council Workshop sessions have been scheduled over 4 days to allow the 38 City Services to present overviews of their business plans to Council. Each of the City Services have been grouped into the 8 sessions by themes somewhat aligned to the Strategic Plan.
 With a projection for a tax increase of more than 5% the historical record looks a little dismal. These workshop presentations will include:
A summary of current financial investment by service
An overview of current service delivery including known financial gaps and service needs
An overview of the asset investment required for service delivery
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
An overview of service goals and objectives
A portion of the presentation on the first day (Session 1) will be set aside to provide an overview of the incremental budget investments including staffing that have been made during this term of Council (2019-2021).
In addition, a portion of the presentation during the last day (Session 8) will include an update on the overall Designing and Evolving Our Organization (DEOO) process.
Reckoning and future direction:
Some of the spending done in the past few years is now going to have to be reckoned with.
This budget is going to be a turning point for the city. The impact of the Interim Control bylaw that stopped approval of projects for a year (it has extended now to whenever the LPAT hearings resolve the appeals made), the creation of an approved but not yet in force Official Plan and the significant number of high rise tower development applications that are challenging the Planning departments ability to do its work on a timely basis.
 The growth of properties that go on the tax base is too low – all the development that has people worried about what their city is going to look like does pay some of the bills. Right now those hi-rise towers are holes in the ground. The success Mayor Meed Ward has had in getting the Urban Growth Boundaries moved well north of the downtown core and getting the province to realize that a bus terminal was not a Major Transit Service Area are wins for which she is not getting the credit she deserves.
The focus on getting high rise housing around the GO stations was aptly described by the Mayor as the creation of the new small cities. Five years from now there will be a number of new city councillors to accommodate the new wards that will have to be created to accommodate the population growth.
While the fight isn’t over yet the desire on the part of the developers to put up tall buildings in the downtown core, especially in that football shaped piece of property between Old Lakeshore Road and Lakeshore Road, is no longer the slam dunk it looked like when the 2014 city council held its last meeting.
Coping with all these changes brings with it challenges that have to be dealt with – they all show up in a budget that also has to cope with the costs of a pandemic.
Fortunately the province has created funding sources that leave Burlington in pretty good financial shape in terms as to what the pandemic has cost the city.
The cost to the hospitality sector has been brutal and a number of operations in that sector will not survive. Retail has also taken a hit.
 It all adds up. The financial fundamentals for Burlington are pretty good; the leadership on the administrative side has been what was needed to get us through the pandemic. Going forward city manager Tim Commisso may not want to continue to handle the day to day grind. He has found his future leadership within the organization and appears to have done a good job of nurturing and developing the administrative talent.
There are a number of senior level retirements coming up – legal and human resources come to mind. The legal department has had difficulty finding talent with an understanding of the way the municipal sector works – it is a world unto itself.
Treasurer Joan Ford should be given medals for the job she has done. Along with a superb level of service Ford has grown the talent within the department to ensure that the financial side continues delivering.
Managing the changes the pandemic has brought about has critically impacted on the way citizens who pay attention to what gets done at city hall are able to participate.
 A simulation based on the available data shows hefty tax rates for the last year in the current term of council and for the first three years of the next term of office. Can they be elected on this platform? Having to go virtual has almost put an end to the kind of delegations citizens would provide. Not being able to be in the room, actually see all the members of council and react to their body language, facial expressions severally limits genuine participation.
We all pay for the lack of thoughtful response from concerned citizens.
 This is your city council in a virtual session. There were no delegations at this meeting. The view does not include all the participants. The Public Board of Education manages to have some of the trustees take part in the meeting by being in the room. Burlington’s city council is close to being at the point where limited public participation could begin – there has been no signal from the members of council that this might be in the offing.
Life is easier when you don’t have to respond to criticism from someone right in front of you – looking you in the eye,
Kind of convenient for them.
By Pepper Parr
July 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 There was a time when the city considered fees for election signs now some council members want to get rid of the things. Karmel Sakran lost in his provincial bid An election without lawn signs?
And a campaign donation rebate program?
And the right to put bumper stickers on your car?
All part of a rather robust conversation at council this morning.
The report from the Office of the Clerk got nicely roasted by several council members – the document from the Clerk appeared to create more questions with few answers.
One of the problems within the Clerk’s Office is that all the top staff are new to the city and not fully aware of some of the really really stupid decisions made by a previous Clerk.
More on this when they return from lunch and a Closed session with outside legal counsel.
By Pepper Parr
July 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Well – there goes that neighbourhood!
Joe Dogs is at risk, the best that can be hoped for if the 26 story development is approved on the site literally next door, there will be an opportunity to quaff a cool one while watching the construction take place yards away.
The Renimmob Properties Limited, a corporation new to the Burlington development scene, has either purchased or obtained options on the property. Approval of the development will be the beginning of a whole new look to the area.
The deep thinkers in the Planning Department have scoped out what they think that part of the city should look like.
 What we all know at the No Frills Plaza is expected to undergo a major change in terms of what is on the site and the uses to which it is put. John Street, which is actually a lane north of Caroline, would be extended through the plaza property and reach Victoria Street.
 Rambo Creek runs through the back end (east side of the plaza property) – the plans call for the creation of a walking trail with park benches and the shifting of the No Frills supermarket closer to Brant Street with large scale (17 storey) housing and underground parking.
If and when it is completed it will be a neighbourhood unto itself with a storied pub part of it. All Joe Dogs has to do is issue patrons hard hats and hope everyone survives.
A couple of blocks to the north is the the Molinaro proposed development that will take up three corners of the Brant – Ghent intersection.
Both the Molinaro and the Renimmob developments are well north of what is seen as the downtown core. What they will do is create a much more vibrant community along Brant and meet the growth targets the province requires.
Even further north there are the properties that surround the GO station with the right to put up structures of almost any height – those proposed properties comply with the existing Official Plan and zoning in the area.
The graphic below shows what is in the works and what exists in that mid part of Brant street.
There is more to this story – tune in for part two on Monday.
 By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns reports that her “office regularly receives ongoing concerns and questions about the progress on this property.”
She is referring to the property bounded by John, Caroline, Elizabeth and Maria that currently has a 24-story condominium. The original development plan was to include an above ground parking garage and a medical office at the north end along Caroline.
 The tower on the left has been constructed and is occupied. Some of the underground work for the garage is completed. The medical building is reported to be part of an application for additional height. “I agree with residents that this matter has gone on much too long” reported Kearns in her most recent Newsletter.
“Since the onset of my term as Ward 2 Councillor, I continue to advocate on behalf of the community to have this project move forward. In response to many inquiries, see the following chart recently received from the City’s Legal Department. As soon as my office is in receipt of information of progress on this site, we will be sure to share with residents.”
This development was problematic from the day it got to the city Planning department. The council at the time had concerns about the development being completed and put in a clause that would ding the developer for $300,000 if the developer failed to deliver on schedule.
 Much of this was well before Kearns began to care a hoot about what happened in the ward.
In the data the Councillor refers to there is a chart with questions and answers reported to have come from the legal department.
Never seen responses like this from the Office of the Solicitor for the Corporation of Burlington.
In a September 2017 news story the Gazette reported:
“… John Street construction site is to include a public garage and a medical centre – they will follow the construction of the condominium. Medica One or the Carriage Gate project – pick the name you like best – will go up at the top of John Street and consist of a medical offices building, an above ground garage and an apartment/condo complex. It will bring significant change to the intersection and drive redevelopment of the plaza to the immediate north, A transit hub a couple of blocks to the south then makes a lot of sense.
The city expected all three projects to rise at the same time – and were worried enough about the construction actually taking place that they had the developer commit to coughing up $300,000 if the project doesn’t proceed by March of 2020.
City hall does appear to fully appreciate the market forces the developer has to contend with. The utility poles will disappear – all the cable will be underground. Getting that decision in place was no simple matter.
 A portion of Mario was closed during construction of the Berkley. Not many developers get that kind of leeway. .
Carriage Gate, the developer, has had their share of grief with both the city and Burlington Hydro over the existence of utility poles on John Street. A hydro line had to be pulled in from Lakeshore Road to the site – an expensive job. There was much discussion over whether or not all the hydro wires would be underground.
The developer was prepared to pay for the cost of burying the cable in front of their project but wasn’t prepared to pay for the cost of burying the cable for every foot of the distance from Lakeshore Road.
And they didn’t like the price for doing the work that Burlington Hydro had put on the table.
It’s getting resolved – with the developer trying hard to keep the lawyers out of the room.
When completed John Street will take on a much different look. Other developers have already begun to acquire and assemble property on the street.
As construction continues the planners are looking for ways to improve the look of the rest of the street and bring more activity to the area.
Not much has changed.
Related news stories:
Is eight going to become 18?
By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
There is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel we are in.
And it has the sweet sound of a saxophone and the voice of a brilliant jazz vocalist.
 I got curious yesterday and wondered if things were improving enough for some of the traditional summer entertainment fare to return – so I sent a note to the folks at the Performing Arts Centre, where Tammy Fox runs the show, asking if the Jazz on the Patio might return in August.
 Plans are underway for Jazz on the Patio at the Performing Arts Centre Here it is – straight from the horse’s mouth:
“Yes, it’s looking positive for outdoor concerts on The plaza for August. Planning is underway. Can’t wait!!”
And neither can we.
By Staff
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Beachway is getting a lot of attention these days.
Lovely part of the city – just find a parking spot when you get there.
In the not too distant future we should be seeing some local art to brighten the place up
The city sent out a Request for Proposals for Temporary Public Art Signs at The Beachway
Deadline: Friday July 30, 2021
Budget: $500 (design only), 15 commissions available
Here’s the fine print:
The City of Burlington public art program is launching a temporary art project, RE:DE(SIGN) as part of the 2021 Culture Days. Running from September 24 – October 24, Culture Days is 4 weeks of arts and culture experiences indoors, outdoors and online.
 This quiet path was once where two railway tracks carried freight from Burlington to the rest of the world. Freeman Station was one of the stops. This project will commission 15 Burlington artists to create small-scale works that will be installed on signposts along the Waterfront Trail, stretching from Beachway Park to the Lift Bridge. This project will provide trail users with a safe and accessible way to enjoy art and to learn more about the amazing creators in our community. Each artwork will be accompanied with a profile of the artist.
This call is open to Burlington-based artists and is open to all art forms that can be presented in a sign format. This includes, but is not limited to: visual art, graphic art, photography, poetry, writing, etc. Sound-based work such as music, spoken word, theatre, etc. may also be presented using QR codes.
Project Goals
The theme for the 2021 Culture Days is RE:IMAGINE. Arts and culture emerged as a lifeline of joy, providing gifts of colour, hope, and reprieve needed to make it through this past year. Collectively, we’re imagining what a post-pandemic world could look like and how we can each contribute to that picture being brighter. Through that lens, Culture Days has chosen RE:IMAGINE as the very apt 2021 theme.
RE:IMAGINE signals a positive turning point – the commitment to building tangible change into the future of arts and culture.
Artists submitting proposals for RE:DE(SIGN) should take inspiration from the RE:IMAGINE theme.
 The Art work will be placed along the Waterfront Trail right up to the canal. Additionally, the artwork should:
Be easily legible to pedestrian traffic, artwork that incorporates text must adhere to AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) guidelines.
The artwork must be suitable for presentation in a public space, for all ages (i.e., the artwork may not contain profanity, hate speech, graphic imagery, etc.)
Important! Please read the full Call for Artists document (Click HERE to download PDF) before submitting an application as this contains important project details and application instructions.
Submit your Application Online
Applications may be submitted online, using Submittable. Click HERE to start your online application. You will need to create a free account to use Submittable. Please contact Kim Selman, 905-515-9334 or kim@cobaltconnects.ca if you need assistance with your application.
The Beachway is a storied part of Burlington. It was once a self-sustaining community of several thousand people. You can search the Gazette Archives for stories on what life was like in that community
 By Staff
July 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
After such an unusual year, local non-profit Bandology has some news that will hit all the right notes for keen young musicians. Their fifth annual Band Camp for teens will run a modified in-person, physically distanced camp this summer on July 12-16. A similar Band Camp Junior for kids ages 6-12 will run at the same time.
With the provincial government confirming that day camps may run this summer, Bandology has tweaked its usual concert band format to switch to handheld instruments instead. The potential to spread aerosol particles via blowing into instruments could be too risky, similar to school music programs which have not allowed blowing or singing this past year.
 A Bandology class in the Music Room at King’s Christian Collegiate in north Oakville However, the modified Band Camp will utilize a wide variety of handheld instruments, including drumline, ukulele, boomwhackers, bucket drumming and much more, all designed to keep kids interested and engaged. Plus, there’ll be music games and activities, plus special guests and performers. Above all, campers will have the opportunity to interact and hang out with other young musicians.
“This has been a tough year for everyone, but especially for kids used to hanging out in the music room,” said Lisa Michaels, co-founder of Bandology. “Social isolation and mental health are real issues that can be addressed by giving kids the chance to be together in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Bandology will observe all government protocols, including frequent hand washing and sanitization, physical distancing, mask indoors and small cohorts of campers. They will shift the majority of their programming outside, to reduce risk and extend opportunities for fresh air and play.
Parents can register their children online at bandology.ca. Band Camp V is for students in grades 7-12 while Band Camp Junior is for kids ages 6-12. Both camps run July 12-16 and are held at King’s Christian Collegiate in north Oakville. There is also a virtual option for those who would rather participate at a distance, with Band Camp Online running July 26-30.
Bandology provides other opportunities for young musicians to play, including the Play A Gig Online program, which gives kids and adults the chance to perform online, in either a live or pre-recorded format. Bandology also works to promote and advocate for the long-term value of music education.
By Maddy Van Clieaf
July 1, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music and the City of Burlington got together to let people hear some of the Sound as part of Canada Day Celebrations.
The smell of funnel cake, strums of guitar and thump of the bass that consumes Spencer Smith Park when the Sound is live was missing but local bands old and new, from Carly Rae Jepson to the Spoons, Terri Clark, and Lonestar to the rising group Grandson, the Sound of Music is where family, friends and music lovers join together to celebrate the vibrant arts scene in Burlington and beyond.
Instead of enjoying the cool breeze and unavoidable mud coating the bottom of every pair of sneakers- for it’s not the Sound of Music without rainfall beforehand- the authentic sound of Burlington can be heard from the comfort of your living room.
 Hayley Verrall Uploaded onto soundofmusic.ca, (CLICK HERE) a video with live performances from nine different local bands and performers can be streamed. The mix of performers comprises fresh faces Abby J Hall and Hayley Verrall, with Burlington staples Bliss and Suzie McNeil. The artists perform both original pieces and covers of famous CANCON songs from the likes of Blue Rodeo and Joni Mitchell.
Included in the music stream are interviews from previous festivals, introducing a wave of nostalgia and reminiscing past years. The online format can’t fully capture the magical ambiance of roaring crowds and mosh pits, but it highlights rising local talent and gives a taste of what is to come. Anticipation for upcoming SOM festivals vibrates through the live stream.
 Suzie McNeil In addition to the live stream, the Sound of Music has put together a Spotify playlist full of Canadian hits available here. There is also an interactive music experience through QR codes scattered about hiking trails and public spaces.
Andrea Ruthart, Kakisheway, from White Bear Treaty number 4, Cree Nation, made an impactful guest appearance to speak about the Hope for Healing project, helped by the City of Burlington. She and other Indigenous community members spoke on the meaning of reconciliation and the Indigenous song performed at Spencer Smith the day prior.
“This started with burning sweetgrass and blessing the land, and a song, which is also a prayer and a blessing, and a poem, and a call to action. The song was about the fire dance; it was about being seen and heard, which the indigenous community in our country for decades was not. “Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explained, “Music is a way to bridge that.”
The segment is sincere, although no Indigenous music was played or performed during the live stream. While the City of Burlington is celebrating, Indigenous communities in Canada are choosing not to recognize Canada Day this year to reflect and mourn the tragedy of residential schools and their legacy, which continues to plague Canada.
For Indigenous voices in the community to be heard and recognized, they need to be played and celebrated. The Sound of Music offers a large platform to do just that. Without true change and recognition of Indigenous artists in Burlington, the path to reconciliation will be a long one in the arts sphere.
By Pepper Parr
July 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
We think there is a Sound of Music program for Canada Day – and we think it starts at 10:00 am but we are not certain.
The SoM web site has a lot of promises and build up to the events for the day but there is no schedule.
Here is what we do have:
“Tomorrow it’s a day filled with local artists, playlist tunes and big announcements of Summer shows ahead. Follow our social feeds and the website beginning at 10:00am.”
 This is the sound stage for the 2021 Sound of Music Festival. We understand the events are taking place in the Sound of Music studio at Nuvo One – best we can give you at this point is a link and hope it gets you some groovy music.
 This is the plan – the link to the site is set out above. Good Luck. One of the SoM fans put it this way:
 Madeleine Van Clieaf, Maddy to everyone, is part of a group of students working at the Gazette as part of the Local Journalism Initiative funded by the federal government. Maddy is a second year journalism student at Carleton University and will return to class in the fall.
Maddy graduated from Assumption High School and was a member of the Burlington Teen Tour Band
 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Art Gallery Board moved with dispatch in finding an Interim Executive Director for a minimum of six months while the Board does a thorough search for a full time Executive Director
 Lina Jabra; new interim Executive Director at the Art Gallery of Burlington Lina Jabra will join the AGB on Tuesday, July 6th, and remain in this position for a minimum of six months while the Board undertakes a search for a permanent CEO.
“The Board is very excited to welcome Lina to our organization,” said Jane Depraitere, AGB Board Chair. “Her experience in the arts sector including staff and volunteer leadership, her demonstrated strengths in community and audience engagement, and her commitment to innovation highlighting diversity and inclusion will help position the AGB for success during this transition period as we move forward”, said Ms. Depraitere.
Lina brings over twenty years of experience in the not-for-profit arts and culture sector. She is a graduate of the BFA program at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC and completed Executive Education Certificates in both Art and Non-Profit Management from Ohio’s Case Western Reserve University.
Since 1988 Lina has served with Arts-based organizations both as Executive Director as well as Management Consultant, including the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in Toronto, VSA Arts of New Mexico, Through the Flower Foundation (TTF) attached to artist Judy Chicago in New Mexico, and the Ontario Clay and Glass Association in Toronto.
 Visitor to the Art Gallery looks closely at a painting listed in the auction catalogue. Lina said: “The Art Gallery of Burlington’s dedication to supporting and transforming the appreciation and love of art for all communities aligns with my experience and interest in the arts and art education, community building, and innovative programming, within a caring, collaborative and creative environment. I look forward to working with the AGB’s staff, volunteers, Board, members and all stakeholders in this exciting role”.
By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The community battle to keep the current Robert Bateman High school functioning at some level within the community has been won.
 Bateman parents fought hard to keep the high school open. The parents with students attending the school were not able to keep the high school open – the bulk of the high school program got transferred to Nelson High School.
The Bateman parents were not wrong.
Ward 5 trustee Amy Collard, Ward 5 said “I have championed the idea of moving Gary Allan High School to the Bateman site since the decision to close Bateman was made in 2017, and I am very pleased to see the Board moving in this direction. The continued presence of a secondary school in southeast Burlington is good for the community.”
 Trustee Collard was consistent in her efforts over a five year period that the school site be retained for public use. Collard fought consistently to keep as much of the school operations in the community. At their June 2 meeting, Halton District School Board trustees approved a plan to relocate Gary Allan Learning Centre to Robert Bateman High School, both located in Burlington, and declare the remainder of the Robert Bateman High School facility surplus to its needs and to circulate it for purchase to other public agencies according to Ontario Regulation 444/98. This regulation sets out who can purchase or lease school property declared surplus and in what order expressions of interest are dealt.
As part of its disposition strategy of the former Robert Bateman High School property, the Board seeks to retain a long-term interest of approximately 45,000 square feet within the facility to accommodate Gary Allan Learning Centre, which provides adult, alternative and continuing education programs, and language instruction programs for newcomers, among others.
The plan to retain an interest in the facility is to ensure that the Board continues to maintain a visible and continued presence in the Southeast Burlington area, and continue offering and operating important educational programs within the community.
Through the Ontario Regulation 444/98 circulation process, public agencies will have the opportunity to submit their interest in retaining the remaining area of the facility of approximately 167,000 square feet to operate for their own uses in collaboration with the Board.
Public agencies include any government and/or educational entity that has jurisdiction within the area in which the school is located. The remaining Robert Bateman HS facility will be offered to prospective public agencies as a shared ownership, or as a long term lease back arrangement with the Board for up to 25 years on a cost recovery basis.
Burlington Marianne Meed Ward has had her eye on the property as well. Her ideas parallel those of Trustee Collard.
City Council is fully supportive of the City taking the important next step of formally submitting an expression of interest to purchase the Robert Bateman site now that the Halton District School Board (HDSB) has declared the site surplus.
 The building is in good shape, has a city owned swimming pool attached to it and a large sports field with a track at the rear. The City’s expression of interest will include the exploration of a partnership with Brock University to offer post-secondary programming on this site. The Burlington Economic Development Corporation has been the lead on that part of the file. Anita Cassidy has been working with Brock University on this.
In addition to exploring a relationship with Brock, the City also plans to partner with other institutions, ensuring that there is an adaptive reuse strategy for the site. This includes the Burlington Library relocating its Appleby Line branch to this location to develop a hub for learning and education.
Trustee Collard was very interested in having the school serve as a site where people new to Canada go for help in adjusting to how things are done in Ontario.
The Recreation Centre which is attached to the east side of the high school only adds to the outcome.
This acquisition would push forward key objectives laid out in the City of Burlington’s 25-year strategic plan. Key pillars of this Plan include making Burlington a city that grows through attracting talent, good jobs and economic opportunity to the community.
The Burlington Economic Development Corporation has been working with Brock University for some time. Setting them up at the Bateman site is a perfect fit.
 Former ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster as she signs the 20 year $1.3 million naming rights deal with Chris Haber lead partner of a Burlington law firm. Chris Glenn, Director of Parks and Recreation witnesses the “steal of a deal”. What we are seeing in this situation is much like the opening of the new high school and Library in Alton Village. The addition of a recreation centre resulted in a fully rounded community centre with a commercial driving school office on site. All it needed was a coffee shop and a dry cleaner to make it complete.
There is a very large sports field and track at the back of the school that will serve all the interests.
The issue will be to ensure that they do not give the “hub” a name that will come back to embarrass us all.
Naming rights were sold for the Alton set up – if naming rights are sold for Bateman location please ensure that the city gets a better deal. The price Haber paid for the naming rights was close to a steal.
Related news stories
Haber takes the naming rights
Collard fights to keep Bateman High school open.
The fight to keep Bateman open got a little dirty
Brock University decides they like Burlington better than Hamilton
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