This is the link to the livestream of the March 20th meeting - remember that it will only be live for two weeks.
The evening’s events started with a special working session to hear a presentation from King
Fire & Emergency Services on their Emergency Management Program. Part of Ontario's Provincial Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan, this presentation includes details on how King Services prepares its plan and trains the team.
King Fire & Emergency requests that vulnerable resident or those that might need special assistance in an emergency situation call or email to register: 905-833-2800; hwatson@king.ca.
Mayor's Comments:
• King Township is Certified Bird Friendly – Nature Canada has announced that King is now a certified Bird Friendly City, the 19th municipality in the country. The designation has been developed by Nature Canada to encourage Canadians and municipalities to become safe havens for birds. Previously, King was designated the ninth Bee City in Canada to pollinators. The National Wildlife Federation has also recognized King as being part of the Mayors Monarch Pledge to enhance monarch and pollinator habitat.
• Snow Removal Update – The heavy snow created issues dealing with the windrows left by the plows. Thanks to the Parks staff for working hard to clear it all. They are also in the process of starting the Spring effort to fill in potholes and grade roads and preparation for the rainy conditions coming this week.
• The Mayor’s Celebration of Youth Arts presented by the Art Society of King run until April 13th at the King Township Municipal Centre. Anyone attending the exhibit can vote for their favourite artworks for the People’s Choice Award. The student artist with the most votes wins a $100 Michaels gift card.
• Annual Spring Indoor Yard Sale - Looking to do some spring cleaning? Give your unique items a chance at a new home? The Spring Indoor Community Yard Sale is at the Trisan Centre on Saturday May 6 from 8am until noon. Register now for a table – one table for $20, two tables for $35, and three tables for $45.
• Earth Hour Guided Hikes at Cold Creek - Saturday March 25th from 2pm to 3pm - In celebration of Earth Hour, switch off your lights and join us to explore the Cold Creek trails. This is a family-friendly guided hike. No cost but pre-registration is required.
• Community Grants Open - The Township of King offers grant money to non-profit volunteer community organizations which provide or develop recreation, cultural or social opportunities or enhances environmental opportunities for the residents within the Township of King. To be considered for this grant, Community Organizations are encouraged to apply for the Community Grant Program by the Monday May 1, 2023 deadline.
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
1) Nobleton Lion's Park Redevelopment Strategy
Council endorsed staff’s plan to re-develop the Nobleton Lions Community Park. This is an exciting plan that is the start of a plan to re-establish a community feel in the heart of Nobleton. The full report and graphic rendering is in this document:
The new concept includes:
- Relocation and expansion of the Nobleton Library
- Relocation of the main facility entrance to Highway 27 with improved access and expanded
parking
- Replacement of the Nobleton Outdoor Pool and Ball Hockey Court with a joint wading pool and outdoor ice surface
- Relocation and enhancement of soccer amenities
- Construction of pickleball amenities
- Inclusion of parking for park related uses (baseball and soccer)
- Creation of a performance area for community use/events
With council’s approval, staff will now start the process of consulting with the community to refine the plan.
2) Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and Committee Update
King developed the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) in 2012. As part of the ICSP development, The Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) was created to support the Township’s implementation of the action items associated with the plan over each term of Council. Since then, several other plans have been created or updated so that the original work being done by ICSP is redundant. As such, staff recommended and council endorsed the replacement of SAC with an Environmental Action Team. Staff are now tasked with doing community consultation and developing Terms of Reference.
3) Building Division Year End Report
This report is an overview of 2022 building activity in King. Highlights of the differences between 2021 and 2022 include the following:
• The total number of building permits issued in 2022 increased by 6.25% compared to 2021. This increase is mainly due to the release of the Phase 2 Contract 3 Nobleton Sewer Connection program. This contract allowed for an additional 197 existing homes currently served by an onsite sewage system to connect to Township services. The Building Division issued 95 out of 197 plumbing permit to accommodate these connections.
• Although there was a 40% decrease in the number of residential dwelling building permits issued in 2022, and residential alteration and addition building permits decreased by 25% collectively, the overall amount of permit issued in 2022 is on par for a typical year. Of note is that one single permit was issued for all units of the 6-Storey Mid-rise building, which if created as separate permits would be an increase of over 280 addition permits not currently reflected in the totals.
• Construction values in 2022 doubled in comparison to 2021 with a work value of $300,600,839.33 in 2022 compared to $147,843,658.63 in 2021. This is largely in part to the 6-Storey development and Township recreation building.
• Residential demolition permits remained consistent.
• Commercial and commercial fit-out building permits decreased from 28 in 2021 to 19 in 2022.
In 2022, King increased building permit fees through a public process to recognize the cost to the Municipality for delivery of building services. As a result, revenue from permit fees has increased substantially which has allowed the town to grow the Building Services reserves. The 2021 reserve fund strategy recommended that the balance of the Building Services reserve equal to 1 to 1.5 years of costs related to Building Services budget. The costs for the 2022 Building Services equalled $1.73 million and the reserve is now at $696,706.
4) Procedural By-law Update & Proposed Meeting Schedule Changes
New equipment has been installed in Council Chambers that will now enable hybrid meetings starting with the Public Planning meeting on April 3. This new format now offers the public multiple ways to get involved with Council, including:
1. Emailing written submissions to clerks@king.ca
2. Participating by video-conference at a meeting
3. Participating by phone-in at a meeting
4. Participating in-person at a meeting
5. By watching the live-stream at king.ca/meetings
There were several Procedural By-law Updates and Amendments suggested: - The transition from Committee of the Whole to Council Meeting Only Model which is far less confusing and offers significant efficiencies was approved. - Staff suggested moving council meetings to Tuesday at 2pm but several deputants and members of council (myself included) agreed that this model should not be adopted as many working residents that may want to participate would be excluded.
- Staff suggested that deputations be limited to five minutes, but council requested that this not be adopted so the current 10 minute allotment stands.
- Agendas will now be made available one day earlier on Wednesdays allowing Council and the public more time to review.
NEW BUSINESS
• Jordan Cescolini/Ward 1 – Asked that a review of the cost of implementing windrow clearing program be presented to council.
• Mary Asselstine/Ward 4 - Celebrate Earth Hour at the Dufferin Marsh on March 25th from 8:30-9:30pm. Turn off your lights and meet at the Marsh for hot drinks and marshmallows. Make a lantern and walk with it to the Dufferin Marsh for some stargazing (telescopes and binoculars will be available). Contact Mary Asselstine: 905-939-7544; www.dufferinmarsh.ca
Hi Jennifer, Great redevelopment. By the way try to help my dream come true with the Estate lots Heritage Village with the Bird, Bees, Flowers & Monarch.