 By Pepper Parr
September 22nd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We are going to hear a lot about the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the bid Hamilton is making to have them held in that city.
The original Games were held in Hamilton in 1930 – known then as the British Empire Games.
The Empire no longer exists and if the Games do come to Hamilton for 2026 there is no certainty that there will even be a Commonwealth.
But we digress.
Back in May the Commonwealth Games Federation asked the Hamilton contingent to consider a bid for 2026 because it likely wouldn’t be challenged.
 That got the Hamilton people changing gears and getting really serious – even though the number to pull this off is set at $1.4 BILLION – much of which would come from the federal and provincial levels.
Mayor Meed Ward is meeting with top level lawyers at Gowlings in Hamilton where she will chat with the Paletta people about how Burlington can be part of the pitch that is being made to get the games to Hamilton for 2026. No word on whether this is to be a virtual meeting or in the Gowling Board room that is big enough to let everyone sit six feet apart.
 Bronte Creek Meadows: Zoned as Employment – would an Olympic Village qualify? The Paletta’s have significant property interests in Burlington – some of which are zoned as Employment Lands – what if there were a Games Village on the Meadows on Upper Middle Road where it turns into Burloak.
Bronte Park is right across the street – can you see the picture that is developing?
The Mayor will be meeting with Louis Frapporti, Managing Partner at Gowlings and a huge believer in all things Hamilton.
It will be interesting to hear what the Mayor has to say at the September 28th City Council meeting.
Now if the Mayor would get into the habit of holding regular media events we could put the question to her.
 By Staff
September 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Wrong building, wrong place and miles outside the Official Plan and zoning for the property.
The development was to be located on the west side of Guelph line just south of New Street.
The Staff recommendation was to refuse the application for official plan and zoning by-law amendments submitted by Weston Consulting, on behalf of Valour Capital Inc. for the development of a 13-storey residential building on the property located at 420 Guelph Line.
CARRIED
Council debated this one for more than an hour and urged the developer to do a makeover and perhaps work with an abutting property owner.
The immediate area already has several development applications in the works – five years from now you will probably not recognize the area.
 The developer was asking for too much and the neighbours didn’t like it.
 By Staff
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Isn’t there some kind of limit?
Is this what the city bought into when it approved having cannabis retail locations in the city? We could have said no.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has received an application for a 15th cannabis retail store in Burlington called Verde Luv Inc. The proposed location at 1900 Walkers Line, Unit 7 is now up for public comment.
 People lined up outside a cannabis store in Burlington. This application does not meet the City of Burlington Council approved guidelines. A previous application, currently under review by the AGCO, for a 14th cannabis retail store in Burlington has a proposed location at 3505 Upper Middle Rd., Unit D003 and is within 500m of this applicant’s location. This is “clustering” which is discouraged; each applicant should propose a location that is at least more than 500m from another cannabis retail store in Burlington.
Written comments about the proposed location will be received by the AGCO until Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 and may be submitted online at www.agco.ca/iAGCO. The AGCO will accept submissions from:
• A resident of the municipality in which the proposed store is located
• The municipality representing the area in which the proposed store is located and/or its upper-tier municipality.
Comments submitted to the AGCO should relate to the following matters of public interest:
• Protecting public health and safety
• Protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis
• Preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis
After Oct. 4, the AGCO will consider all written comments and available information to decide whether the application for the proposed store location will be approved.
Currently there are eight licensed cannabis retail stores in Burlington, including three approved since the ACGO moved to an open licensing system for cannabis retail store applications earlier this year. The eight stores include:
• Relm Cannabis Co. 4031 Fairview St. Suite 103
• Corner Cannabis 3007 New St.
• The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co. 1505 Guelph Line, Unit 3-4
• Friendly Stranger Plains Road 1025 and 1059 Plains Rd. E., Unit 3
• Pioneer Cannabis Co. 1200 Brant St., Unit B-004
• mihi 3500 Dundas St., Unit A1B
• Canna Cabana Burlington 2400 Guelph Line, Unit 2
• Welcome Cannabis 1401 Plains Rd., Unit 5
Six additional cannabis retail stores are under review by the AGCO and one is out for comment, including this one.
By Staff
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A Pre-Application Community Meeting will take place this evening between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Millcroft Greens is hosting a virtual consultation meeting this evening to discuss a proposal to redevelop portions of the Millcroft Golf Course. The owners are proposing to develop five (5) parcels of land for residential uses. The intention is to also make design improvements to the existing course layout while retaining an 18-hole golf course.
 Current golf course layout.
 Proposed golf course layout.
The meeting will have an interactive format with live questions and answers.
Telephone and video-conferencing participation options will be available. Millcroft Greens is working with representatives of residents’ groups (Millcroft Against Development and We Love Millcroft), city staff, the Mayor and Council to design the format of the meeting.
This consultation meeting is the first step in a comprehensive review of the draft proposal. The purpose of the consultation meeting is for Millcroft Greens to address key questions and obtain community feedback prior to the submission of any development applications.
The City will assist with hosting the meeting in a virtual capacity and the meeting will be hosted and broadcast live from Council Chambers. Councillor Bentivegna and Mayor Meed Ward will be in attendance to listen to the discussion and hear from residents, they also welcome any resident feedback.
Participate On-Line via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94419494959
Webinar ID: 944 1949 4959 (internet connection required – Zoom User Guide available at www.burlington.ca/millcroftgreens)
Participate by Telephone: 1-647-374-4685 (audio only)
By Staff
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board started their second week of having students in the schools – and no serious COVID-19 infections.
As of this morning there were 4 people in three schools who were sent home due to a suspected infection.
Emily Carr, Sunningdale (2 people) and Maple Grove reported people that were sent home. No detail on whether these were all students or if any teachers were involved.
None of the schools were closed.
 Director of Education, Stuart Miller on a ZOOM cal with the Board of Trustees Director of Education Stuart Miller reports that the classes being delivered virtually are working their way through the early stages.
“We had some experience with the software last April, May and part of June when all that was available to students was the virtual classroom.
Now something in excess of 20% of the student population opted for a virtual education. Miller said that a bit of a sense of the new normal was beginning to take shape. The students are back in the classroom and learning new rules and procedures they have to follow.
“Perfect, it isn’t”, said Miller – but then there is no such thing as a perfect classroom situation.
Most of the schools are located in Oakville where all the data matrices are high. Miller was not able to say why the Oakville numbers are consistently high other than that perhaps more Oakville people have returned to work and are using some form of public transit.
Everyone from the Board administration, the trustees , parents, and everyone at the Public Health Unit, are watching the daily numbers very closely.
Toronto and Peel are the dangerous hot spots – the Premier talks loudly about putting parts of the province in another lock-down.
 By Staff
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON’
Halton Police are advising the public that there is an increase in bicycle thefts in the City of Burlington over the past few months.
Theft of bicycles continues to be a concern in Burlington and Halton Police would like to remind the public to ensure their bicycles are locked up when they are left unattended.
Police also encourage citizens to report any suspicious persons.
Locations that have been targeted by bike thieves:
• Burlington GO Stations
• Shopping Centers and Plazas
Police are reminding the public of the following prevention tips:
 A video of what police believe was of a person suspected of stealing bicycles in Burlington at the YMCA • Ensure your unattended bicycle is locked up to an immovable object.
• If possible, select a bike rack with at least two points of contact in order to lock both the frame and wheels..
• Consider removing a tire or seat to discourage would-be-thieves.
• U-locks provide a greater deterrence to theft when compared to cable locks. Consider using (2) locks.
• Lock the bicycle in a well-lit and attended areas whenever possible.
• Ensure your garage door is closed when a bicycle is left inside.
• Document information of the bicycle (have serial number and photo of the bike) to provide to police if required.
• REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO POLICE IMMEDIATELY.
Halton Police have made a number of arrests after bicycles have been stolen in Burlington over the past few months and will continue to target these crimes of opportunity. Community safety is a shared responsibility. If you see suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, please report it immediately.
Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Matt Spina of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2338.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
By Staff
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A Shoe Strike
What is a shoe strike.
First it is taking place on Friday September 25th.
Why?
WHAT: A unique youth organized climate strike inviting everyone in Burlington to join in demanding that all levels of government act immediately on the urgent climate crisis.
HOW: Due to social distancing, the climate strike will be held in a representational manner, with the community invited to share a pair of their SHOES to represent their participation. Shoe Strikes have been effective in several locations and countries around the world. Participants are invited to insert a note inside their shoes to convey their message about why urgent action on climate change is important to them. Youth organizers will summarize the notes and relay them to local political leaders.
NOTE: This will be a silent protest. There will be NO opportunity for speeches or public announcements or political leader photo ops.
 Shoes can be dropped off in advance at: Rolling Horse Community Cycle (650 Plains Rd E #2) & 2466 Newport St. (a house near Headon Forest Dr.) beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 22nd & up until Thursday, Sept 24th. Shoes can also be placed at the shoe strike location (tent. scheduled at Civic Square, City Hall, Brant Street) between 10am and noon on Sept. 25.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 25 – Shoe drop off from 10am to noon. Silent Shoe Strike display from 12 noon to 2pm. After 2pm shoes will be collected and returned to hosts or donated to a local charity that will distribute them to those in need.
WHO: Similar Shoe Strikes will take place in Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills on the same day, approx. at the same time.
Fridays for Future will be co-ordinating similar Climate Strikes throughout Canada. Locally, organizers come from a cross-section of groups: Burlington Biodiversity Team, Students for Change Halton, BurlingtonGreen Youth Network, Burlington Citizens Concerned about Climate Change (BC4), and local residents.
By Pepper Parr
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
There hasn’t been much in the way of an opportunity to get to know the city’s Clerk.
The job is one of the most critical and powerful at City Hall.
In ranking he comes right after the City Manager on the administration side.
Every bylaw passed by City Council has to be signed by the City Clerk and the Mayor before it has the force of law.
 Burlington City Clerk Kevin Arjoon Kevin Arjoon arrived in Burlington just before the province went into a lock down last March. He came to the city via Halifax where he developed a reputation for being a strong advocate of citizen engagement – something that got a solid going over during Council last week.
With all council meetings being done virtually, the City Clerk is in the Council Chamber for the full Council meeting and is there to advise and interpret.
Arjoon’s approach to the running of Council turns out to be quite a bit different than previous Clerk’s.
We are not certain of the date but in the not too distant past Arjoon sent a memo to members of Council pointing out to them that their questions of Staff and delegations are to be for seeking clarification and not to be advancing a project of their own.
Arjoon is reported to have advised Council members to be in touch with Staff directly for any clarification they might want or need.
He apparently pointed out that agenda management for the current council was out of control with some meetings running for as long as ten hours and on occasion items had to be put over to the next cycle of Standing Committee meetings.
Two Councillors in particular were apparently guilty of wandering all over the place with their questions. Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna and Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns are reported to have been the object of some of the Clerk’s attention.
Bentivegna often seems to be asking questions out of simple curiosity. Kearns, who is a smart woman, often digs a lot deeper into an issue than is necessary.
During the Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) meeting Chair Rory Nisan clamped down on members of council when they wandered.
Councillor Sharman took umbrage with the stiffer protocol Nisan was following. He perhaps thought his two prior terms of office gave him some privileges.
 By Staff
September 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Released last month, Always Remembered, is the sixth book about the Expos to be written by Danny Gallagher, a former Sudbury Star sports reporter and Sudbury Shamrocks baseball player, who called the Nickel City home from the mid-1970s to the mid-‘80s.
 “What I wanted to do was keep the Expos legacy alive with this book,” said Gallagher, reached at his residence in Oshawa, Ont.
“Writing about the past allows the fans to experience all of those feelings from the past in the present, now, and hopefully, it contributes in some way to bringing back baseball to Montreal.”
 The 264-page volume is a collection of vignettes, some short and some longer, from throughout the team’s stay in La Metropole du Quebec. Gallagher zeroed in on some of the most well-known names and events in the history of the Expos, as well as part-timers who played significant roles in their own way.
Burlington Centre on the 26th – Gallagher will be on hand from 1:00 to 1:30.
By Staff
September 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
After a bumpy six month period during which Parks and Recreation had to shut down everything they normally do while the province was put into a lock-down mode – they are now operating an interesting COVID (abundance of caution) program. Registration started yesterday at 9:00 am.
The youth fall recreation programs will be available for online registration starting Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. at burlington.ca/fall. Programs available are for youth ages 0-18 years, school breaks and individuals with disabilities. Programs are available for viewing now at burlington.ca/fall.
Program Information
Fall programs will look different this year due to COVID-19 but have been designed to offer the highest levels of quality, safety and a variety of activities.
Programs will run for three sessions, each three weeks long, starting on Oct. 13, 2020, and include:
• Pre-school (0-5 years) – Offering parents an opportunity to play and create with their little ones, while using both indoor and outdoor space. These programs will give parents and their tots the chance to run and play with our gym equipment, and to create their own works of art. Pre-registration and COVID-19 screenings are required for all programs and participants must attend with a parent or caregiver.
 Different artistic expressions • School-Age (6-12 years) – Looking for some fun after school? Whether you want to play a sport casually or let your creativity fly, we have a program for every interest. Learn to play pickleball and disc golf as we make the most of our gyms and parks. If art is more your jam, then join our staff as we explore different artistic expressions. Pre-registration and COVID-19 screenings are required for all programs.
• Teen (11-18 years) – Haber welcomes back No Socks for Ivan on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Youth can come shoot hoops and listen to music.
 Tansley Woods Community Centre There will be limited space in the gym and staff will be monitoring the capacity at all times. Participants can still drop-in for free but must complete a COVID-19 screening prior to accessing the program. If sports are not for you, we have a creative program at Tansley Woods Community Centre on Wednesday evenings. This is a paid program and participants will need to pre-register before attending.
• Individuals with Disabilities (4 years+) – New this year! Welcome to our new opportunities for families to partake in physical activity and socialization at our Brant Hills Community Centre. Play a game in the gym using our equipment or enjoy some passive activities in our program rooms. Pre-registration and COVID-19 screenings are required, and participants must attend with a parent/caregiver or support worker.
 • School Breaks (4 -12 years) – Following the success of our summer camps, join us on days when school is not on! Come enjoy a day of active games, crafts, and awesome activities. Using the same safety guidelines as our summer camp programs, participants will be in small groups with reduced staff-to- participant ratios, and assigned specific equipment and supplies to avoid sharing, and designated areas to maintain physical distancing considerations. Pre-registration and COVID-19 screenings are required.
Recreation Fee Assistance
Recreation is for all, regardless of financial situation. Recreation Fee Assistance is funding made available to resident individuals or families who need help to pay for City of Burlington recreation programs.
For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance. You can also leave a confidential voicemail message at 905-335-7738, ext. 8501 and our staff will return your call to assist you.
Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation Services touted the new program saying: ““Recreation and socialization in a positive environment have significant impacts on kids of all ages. Our redesigned programs will give them opportunities for creativity, socializing and physical activity in a safe, welcoming environment.”
 By Pepper Parr
September 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
They are an 1100 member strong organization that lace up and play the “good old hockey game” on rented ice around the city.
Saturday night was the season opener – it was a lot different than it was last year.
To start – the season at this point is in place for up to Thanksgiving – the COVID infection rate is impacting everything.
Several of the eight divisions got ice time – on ice that wasn’t quite up to the standard most of the players wanted, at least at the Central
 They laced up under street lights and entered the area through different doors – in for those starting – out for those who had played their game. Arena where the players laced up in the dark on plastic chairs set out six feet apart.
A carpet was spread out and there was enough light to get the laces in place.
Many of the players arrived in pickup trucks, got into their shoulder pads, knee pads and jerseys along with the hockey pants and walked over to where the chairs were to lace up their skates.
Players going in to play hockey went in through one set of doors – those who had completed a game came out a different door.
In between the games everything gets wiped down.
The league make up has eight divisions with usually six teams in a division.
Those teams get balanced after 10 games – in a normal season.
COVID normality has changed everything in what is usually a 50 game season.
Scot Cameron who does media for the club, as well as play goalie for one of the teams, was waiting for the ice time his team had been allocated.
 Larry Hallett, goalie for the Black Hawks in the Green Division rolls his equipment out to his vehicle after a 4-0 loss on ice he didn’t think was up to scratch. Larry Hallet, who plays goalie for the Black Hawks in the Green Division, was rolling his pads out to his vehicle and commented on the ice, then ventured into comments on the game he had just played.
“It was 4-0 for the other guys” he said, “the puck seldom left our end of the ice.
“The game was basically over ten minutes after it started – almost every power play resulted in a goal for the other team.”
Larry seemed OK with that. The challenge for these guys was the shape they were in and the length of time since they were last on the ice.
And there is always another game.
By Ray Rivers
September 18th, 2020
MOUNTSBERG, ON
These are scary times especially if you are grandparents. When it comes to educating our youth, no one should doubt that school boards, teachers and maintenance staff are doing the best they can in the circumstances. But then nobody can say the schools are as safe as they could be – or used to be before the pandemic hit us. The circumstances have changed.
Seven months have passed since the schools were shut down as part of the provincial COVID-19 lock-down. The Premier warned us that this was not going away, that we’d have to change how we do things if we are to avoid getting infected. So what about the children? Aside from some widening of the aisles between students’ desks very little seems to have changed.
Yes, there are the masks and the single cohorts and the managed crowd control, coming and going. But the students, for the most part, are still captive and crowded within their inadequately ventilated classroom environment for most of their day – another petrie dish for the virus and another opportunity for viral transmission.
 Leo taking part in a class exercise So when my wife and I had heard that school would be returning pretty much business-as-usual, we reached out to the parents of our youngest grandchildren and offered to help with their children’s grade 2 and 4 French immersion schooling. There are in excess of 20,000 children who receive homeschooling every year in Ontario, so we’d be in good company, we thought.
Fortunately the education ministry had announced that parents could opt out of sending their children back to the classroom and engage in their program of online or distance learning instead. Students would pretty much get their regular course load but learn at home rather than trucking off to school. The Halton Board sent out requests to parents asking them to opt for the option of their choice.
Teachers, apparently some also teaching regular classes, would appear online through the application of Google online conferencing tools, mainly Google Meet and Google Classroom. Teachers use various media to assist in their online teaching and students are even invited to submit contributions, such as, photos.
There are three teaching blocks of 100 minutes each covering the 8:45 am to 3:05 pm day, and duplicating the essence of what would be learned in a regular classroom. Students may even be given homework assignments. And the online platform allows students to see their teacher as well a number of fellow students, making the experience feel a little less remote.
When we undertook to invite the children to our house we expected that we would be heavily involved in preparing classes. Both of us do have some pedagogical training. As it turns out our role is little more than supervision and coaching as the teachers do the heavy lifting of bringing the curriculum to life on the small screen.
How is it going? Well there was some minor stumbling at the beginning, something one should expect with the introduction of this new way of conducting regular classroom instruction. But the students appear to be excited about what they are doing. And the teachers, in our experience, have been wonderful, clearly competent, enthusiastic and responsive to the needs of the students and their coaches.
While being able to conduct regular classes online sounds pretty amazing, the truth is the technology is still not as user friendly as it could be. But the biggest problem is the size of the online classes. There are close to thirty students in each of the children’s classes.
 Bea doing math. It is impossible to practically see all of one’s classmates on a computer screen. And so it is a difficult for the teacher to stay on top of what everyone is doing. And that makes it a huge challenge for effective immersion language training, for example.
Going through the roster of students can take an inordinate amount of time and that can be really boring to those waiting their turn. Students can lose interest and drift off, even with the best of teachers. And that is the big fear – that students will lose interest, shut down, and their performance will reflect that failing.
This is the same problem one sees in over overcrowded regular classrooms only magnified by the remote learning complication. The solution is obvious – hire more teachers for distance learning. In a country where the unemployment rate is currently above 10% and governments are spilling money like rain water, you’d think this was more than possible.
Of course teachers need some training and a program to follow but this is not rocket science – unless they actually are teaching rocket science. And of course experience counts. But our children are the future, why wouldn’t we want to invest more in their education?
Distance Learning –
Online Learning –
 Ray Rivers usually writes about politics and the environment. His grandchildren are doing elementary school as distant learners.
 By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
About once a month – there is this tour de force that takes place at a Standing Committee.
Sheila Jones, the former City Auditor, found herself going toe to toe with a member of Council. The Councillor lost.
 Sheila Jones: Executive Director of Strategy, Risk and Accountability. The difference of opinion had to do with just how much information Jones was prepared to release when all hell was breaking loose over the Customer Relation Management software that had gone off the tracks and was badly in need of some resuscitation.
That occasion was the first time we saw the feistiness that is very much a part of the Jones persona. It wasn’t something we saw in her as a shy auditor.
City Manager Tim Commisso was in the process of redesigning his senior management team; every city manager seems to need to do a re-ordering of the Colonels in his army. Jones got chosen in a competition for an Executive Director of Strategy, Risk and Accountability.
Several months before her appointment Jones led Council and Staff in a workshop session on risk and strategy. She acted like a cheerleader – pushing the importance of risk when creating a strategy. That kind of positive push is seldom seen at city hall.
When COVID-19 hit the world Commisso wisely put Jones in a command role. She pulls together the data she needs from throughout the departments – she knows their role, the department strengths and weakness – she used to audit them.
Earlier today she took council through a review of where things stood given the COVID environment – financially, and the status of the work being done by each department.
On occasion she refers (not defers) to Commisso for a comment.
 Sheila Jones, second from the right – went to to toe with a council member – we saw real leadership. In the past couple of months we hear less and less from Commisso. The pace for him has been brutal – it certainly wasn’t what he thought he was taking on when he was asked to serve as the interim city manager when James Ridge was shown the door.
Commisso had worked for the city for a number of years earlier in his municipal career – he knew where all the bones were buried. This was going to be a another layer of income for his retirement years.
 Commisso raising his hand – not something we see very often. He tends to be quiet, laid back and delegates much of the time. Then COVID hit the fan – and his world changed. And he really didn’t have that great a team in place. There was some baggage that he had to pack and ship out. And some of his stronger people had to leave their jobs – behavioral issues.
In his re-design Commisso found this gem – did he know how well Jones would serve?
Hard to tell but there is no denying that she has a firm grip on the wheel and is determining the course much of the time.
Hard to find a negative word about the woman.
The question that comes to mind is this: what is the city going to do when the Commisso contract comes to an end. It won’t (shouldn’t) be extended.
 Some much needed energy and positivity from Sheila Jones. Is Sheila Jones a possible next city manager?
Why not – Hamilton has a woman doing the job – and based on what we have seen so far Sheila Jones could (and should) lead.
Would she be able to work with Mayor Meed Ward? Not that many woman find they can work with this Mayor; her very competitive nature and habit of using up all the oxygen in a room makes it difficult at times.
Mayor Meed Ward has other political mountains to climb – Jones could make her look very good allowing the Mayor claim she made it all possible as she moves on to the provincial level.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The number was put on the table.
Wait for it.
4.95 % as a “possible” tax increase.
 A tax increase of 4.5% just did not taste all that good. But when the numbers were added up – it was at least in the wind. Mayor Meed Ward wanted to make sure that the number was not something council was signing off on – that was not the kind of tax increase that she wanted to be known for.
Treasurer Joan Ford made it clear that she wasn’t chiseling that number in stone.
She did say that: ”If there is no room to cut anywhere we don’t want you to be surprised – and think we didn’t tell you.”
The Mayor also said that she didn’t want to even think in terms of reducing service levels – she wanted to be able to increase service levels.
That would be called sucking and blowing on the same water hose.
 By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ice pad to be used as a COVID testing location? There has been complaint upon complaint about the length of time it takes to get a COVID-19 test and then about how long it takes to get the results.
 Simple procedure – takes minute or two – testing backlog is big. The city is working with the hospital to use one of the rinks at Nelson to use as a place tests can be done.
For reasons that are not at all clear – this has become a hush hush matter.
During a Standing Committee meeting earlier today Director of Parks and Recreation said an announcement would be made “very soon”.
By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The city will be short about $2.9 million with its 2019-20 budget but there is enough money in various reserve funds to get us through.
The concern is with the 2020-21 budget – assuming we are still dealing with COVID-19 – which the Mayor is certain we will be dealing with into 2022.
 Director of Finance Joan Ford City Treasurer Joan Ford laid out the numbers.
 This is the money the city didn’t get.  Where the city was able to save; normal expenses that were lower and funding available from other levels of government. There was a fair amount of good news. Tax collections for the period ending in April were at 97%.
There is adequate tax revenue to meet the day-to-day costs.
On the down side, the revenue loss was $18.5 million
Money that didn’t have to be spent was $9.5 million leaving a balance of $9 million as the shortfall.
There was some federal money – from the Safe Start Funds – $6.1 million which got the shortfall to that $2.9 million level.
Treasurer Ford and City Manager Tim Commisso both made mention of additional funding from the federal government.
Some interesting questions were asked. Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna wondered aloud what would happen to the malls when some (perhaps many) of the tenants turned in their keys.
Treasurer Ford explained that it is the mall corporation that is taxed – they collect from their tenants – but it is the mall that is responsible for paying the taxes.
 Tax collections are holding. The biggest hits to the city on the revenue side were Parks and Recreation fees that couldn’t be collected – programs had to be cancelled. Transit had a serious shortfall – ridership fell badly.
The city collects all the taxes – including the Regional tax levy and the Board of Education levy.
The city was able to hang on to those funds for a period of time. The money collected for the Boards of Education has to be paid in December. No word yet on just how much has to be paid.
By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It was to be the last of the meetings where the public could learn more about the Scoped Review of the Revisions to the approved but not yet adopted Official Plan.
This is the plan that was voted on during the closing days of the 2014 – 18 city council that was then turned back by the Region where it has to be approved.
When the document was returned to the city the new council had an opportunity to make additional changes that were more in line with the new agenda.
The document that was being prepared now has 21 appendices, the latest of which was released shortly before the meeting.
The document will go to a meeting of Council where it will be heavily debated. That meeting is on September 30th.
On the 6th of October it goes to city council again and will be voted upon.
 This is a map of the Growth Framework with the Neighbourhood centres shown.  This is the map with the Urban Growth Centre boundaries in place and each of the precincts colour coded. This map has gone through numerous revisions. . The public was introduced to where the neighbourhood centres are to be located. There are eight of them.
It will be passed at city council. Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman might vote against it.
It then goes to the Region where it has to be approved.
Then back to Burlington city council where any last minute touch ups get done – it then becomes the law of the land.
Unless of course it is appealed to the Local Planning Act Tribunal.
Last night the public got to see some new maps.
By Pepper Parr
September 16th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Another one.
 The Adi brothers – probably the largest developer in this city – certainly the most aggressive. This one is planned for the Aldershot community – part of the now underway Station West – developer is the ADI Group.
Billed as a Pre-application Consultation Virtual Meeting the ADI Development Group is exploring the opportunity to transform 1120 Cooke Boulevard into a transit oriented community.
Station West is to the east of this latest proposal; ADI has always planned additional structures on the site.
If ADI Development Group chooses to pursue this redevelopment, it would require an amendment to the City of Burlington Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
The pre-application consultation is scheduled to seek community feedback that will assist in shaping the future proposal. The current design options will require an amendment to the City of Burlington’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw. The current Official Plan designation of the site is Mixed Use Corridor, and the current Zoning is Mixed Use Corridor.
 
No development applications have been submitted to the City of Burlington at this time, and the City has not made any decisions on this proposal.
A Pre-application Community meeting has been scheduled to discuss this potential redevelopment, so that public can provide feedback to Adi Development Group at this early stage.
The Pre-Application Community Meeting will take place:
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Participate Online via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91873809076
Webinar ID: 918 7380 9076
(Internet connection required – Zoom User Guide available at www.burlington.ca/1120cooke)
Participate by Telephone- (audio only) 647-374-4685
During the meeting, City planning staff will provide an overview of the development application review process and opportunities for public participation in the process. Adi Development Group will provide an overview of their redevelopment plans.
This proposed development consists of two different design options for community feedback. The first of which consists of three towers with heights ranging from 29 to 39 storeys, and the second option consists of four towers with heights ranging from 18 to 39 storeys. Both options yield the same approximate number of units, 1,258.
 Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith standing on the spot where the proposed development would be built. Cranes in the background are putting up Station West. There will be a question and answer session to share your thoughts about the proposal with Adi Development Group. Councillor Kelvin Galbraith and the Mayor will also be in attendance to hear your input.
 Nautique – the legal fight over this tower revealed just how creative lawyers for developers can be. It was the existence of a bus terminal, smaller than most kitchens that made it possible. Planning blew the OMB hearing – the developer got everything they wanted. Residents can subscribe to the proposed development’s webpage at Burlington.ca/ development projects to receive any updates about this proposal.
The meeting is not going to result in any decisions; it is an opportunity for the developer to hear what the public thinks and for the public to see what the developer has in mind.
These meetings are now required by the city before a development application can be submitted. Comments made at the meeting are recorded and become part of the application when it is filed.
ADI is a major development in Burlington. The Nautique at the intersection of Martha and Lakeshore Road is now underway.
Station West is well underway – this most recent proposed development is really a part of the very large Station West plan.
 Early site plan for Station West that is now under construction. The Cooke Street towers would be to the left of this project.
By Pepper Parr
September 16th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
This one will come as a bit of a shock.
Earlier today Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith are reported to have taken part in or just announced that there was to be a Pre-Application public meeting on October 1st at 7 pm related to a new development at 1134-1167 Plains Road planned by the Molinaro Group.
The city approved a new protocol for the announcement and public engagement in new developments.
 Four structures with heights of 37 and 25 storeys. While yet to be approved by Council – that comes later in the month – this development proposal is an example of what city council wants to see in the way developments are presented to the public.
At this stage the development is an idea – nothing has been taken to the Planning department.
It’s a big development. Will it result in a supermarket in the west end?
 Site location.
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