Town of Newmarket Council Highlights Monday May 6th 2019

On Monday May 6th 2019 Newmarket Council gave formal consent to all matters discussed at our Committee of the whole meeting. You can WATCH, READ AND SHARE the information via this link newmarket.ca/meetings.

“I AM SHARING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE FROM THE MAY 2019 EDITION OF 'NEWMARKET NOW!' SEND YOUR FEEDBACK OR SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS BY SENDING COMMENTS TO COMMUNICATIONS@NEWMARKET.CA”

2018-2022 Council Strategic Priorities
Newmarket Council approved its Council Strategic Priorities for 2018 to 2022. Through an extensive consultation process, which involved various Council interviews, workshops and meetings with Senior staff, Newmarket Council approved the following Council Strategic Priorities:

  • Long-term Financial Sustainability

    • Maintain long-term financial sustainability while ensuring a thriving community.

  • Extraordinary Places and Spaces (priority focus on the Mulock Park)

    • Creating the environment for an engaged, accessible and inclusive community.

  • Safe Transportation (streets)

    • Providing exceptional transportation experiences across all modes through continuous improvement of accessibility, safety and speed reduction.

  • Economic Leadership and Job Creation

    • Attracting, retaining and expanding jobs through innovation, collaboration and urbanization.

  • Vibrancy on Yonge Street, Davis Drive, and Mulock Drive

    • Supporting enhanced to diverse housing, office and retail options.

  • Environmental Stewardship

    • Leading proactive planning and action related to climate change and other environmental initiatives.

Each of the above six pillars have an accompanying number of Strategic Priorities that will form work plans and targets over the 2018 – 2022 Council term. The Strategic Priorities build upon the existing Corporate Mission statement and Corporate Values. Council has also re-affirmed the vision statement to be a community, “Well Beyond the Ordinary”.

Economic Development Update
Newmarket Council received a presentation that highlighted Newmarket’s 2018 Economic Development Year in Review. The presentation showed that employment is up by 1,250 jobs (3%) from 2017 for a total of 42,858 and manufacturing jobs have increased by 23.5% from 4,268 to 5,270 (+1002).

The presentation also provided updates on:

  • The Marketing the Corridors project - which focuses on creating engagement and awareness for Newmarket businesses and future employees as well as highlighting the market for development along Davis Drive and Yonge Street

  • Corporate Visitation Program

  • Newmarket’s successful collaboration with other stakeholders and partners such as York Region, NewMakeIt, CreateIT, Southlake and Venturelab

  • The Town’s goal towards an Intelligent Community while working with the Smart City Council

  • Update on the Newmarket Economic Development Advisory Committee and Economic Development Strategy

2020 Budget Process and Target
Newmarket Council approved the target budget adoption date of December 2, 2019. Key dates for public engagement are:

  • October 15 – the preliminary draft budgets will be presented to Committee of the Whole. This will be the first look at the operating and capital budgets.

  • October 28 – Special Committee of the Whole meetings dedicated to review the capital and rate-supported operating budgets.

  • November 11 – Special Committee of the Whole meetings dedicated to review the tax-supported operating budget.

  • December 2 – this is the target date for approval of the 2020 budget. Council may wish to extend this time for further deliberations.

Newmarket Mayor and members of Council have set the target of a tax levy increase of less than 3 per cent for 2020.

Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, are available under Agendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. For more information or to view the reports, visit newmarket.ca

The Mindful Project Mental Health: Roots|Routes
When: Exhibit - Now until May 25
Where: Newmarket Old Town Hall, Serpa Galleries (460 Botsford Street)
The Town of Newmarket in partnership with The Mindful Project presents themes of the artists past, lived experiences, upbringing, traditions and their choices, life path, journey, triumphs and tribulations. This group art exhibit aims to spark positive conversations and ignite change in social attitudes. Through these featured works, artists and makers express their roots or routes in relation to mental health. In our community gallery, Ocutherapy will offer virtual reality demonstrations to show how technology can help patients with brain injuries rehabilitate and recover.

This is a free exhibit. For gallery hours, visit newmarket.ca/oldtownhall

For more information on The Mindful Project’s Mental Health exhibit and scheduled programming happening in Newmarket, please visit newmarket.ca/mentalhealth.

Wee Fun Wednesdays: Toddlers and Caregivers
When: Now until Wednesday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South)
Drop in with your toddler to socialize, learn and play! Activities will stimulate communication, cooperation and imagination with a different art-making theme. Children will be able to have lots of hands-on playtime with tabletop activities, see our changing displays and make new friends! Cost is $3 per child (cash at the door), suitable for children ages 1 to 3 years old with caregiver supervision required. 
Click here for full schedule of activities
 

Queen Victoria's 200th Anniversary Celebration
When: Saturday, May 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Where: Elman W. Campbell Museum (134 Main Street South)
Cost: Free
Express your creative talents with Scrapbooking, one of Queen Victoria's favourite pastimes and learn about her from a special commemorative display. Experience a slice of royal life through hands-on activities including make & take crafts, activities and enjoy a piece of our Royal Birthday Cake. Don't forget to bring a camera for some great photo opportunities. Suitable for all ages, adult supervision required. Curated by Michelle Clayton-Wood

Moonlight Movies: Wayback Playback Movie - The Wizard of Oz
When: Sunday, May 19 at dusk (approximately 8:45 p.m.)
Where: Fairy Lake Park (off Water Street)
Inclement weather location: Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Hall (200 Doug Duncan Drive)
Enjoy a screening of The Wizard of Oz on a huge inflatable screen, under the stars. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs,  blankets and snacks. Free popcorn will be provided by the Newmarket Scouts.

For more information please visit newmarket.ca/moonlightmovies
 
Sponsored by: TD Bank Group, Expedia Cruise Ship Centers & Royal Caribbean International

Touch-A-Truck 
When: Thursday, May 23 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Robert N. Shelton Operations Centre (1275 Maple Hill Court)
This free, fun, hands-on event allows you to touch, explore and get up-close-and-personal with a variety of different vehicles. Explore some of your favourite trucks such as a fire truck, Zamboni, backhoe, dump truck and more! ​

Sponsored by: Rice Group, Vince’s Market, Cobs Bread, Royalcrest Paving and Contracting, Wolfpack Packaging Inc., ENVI Network and Battlefield Equipment

For more information on Touch-A-Truck 2019, visit newmarket.ca/events

Call for Artwork: Heritage Art Exhibit 2019
Submission Deadline: Friday, May 31
Exhibition Dates: June 10 to August 2
The Town of Newmarket is seeking original two-dimensional artworks created in any medium, no earlier than January 1, 2018. This contest is open to all Ontario residents. To be eligible, the subject of the artwork must focus on the heritage of the Town of Newmarket, including but not limited to the Town's culture, society, economy, history, significant events, architecture or natural environment from the past or in the present. Each individual can submit up to three (3) works in total.

For more information and submission details, visit newmarket.ca/Artat395

For up-to-date weather and/or cancellation details of Town-run outdoor events, call 1-877-752-9936 on the date of the event, 2 hours prior to the start time.



Damaged sod due to sidewalk plows
Residents who have sod damage from the sidewalk snow plow during the winter months, are asked to call the Town of Newmarket's Customer Service department at 905-895-5193 and add their address to the list for sod repair. For more information visit newmarket.ca/sidewalksnowclearing


Firework Safety Tips for your Victoria Day from CYFS

  • Please remember that fireworks are not to be ignited on public property, including parks and open fields/spaces in the Town of Newmarket

  • Residents setting off fireworks may do so only on their own private property or with written permission from the owner of such property and have an 18 metre (59 ft.) frontage on the residential property they are discharging fireworks on

  • Purchase fireworks from a reliable source

  • Carefully read and follow directions on the label of fireworks packaging

  • Only use fireworks outdoors

  • Always have a water source such as a running garden hose or bucket of water handy

  • Never experiment with or make your own fireworks

  • Light only one firework at a time

  • Never set off fireworks during strong winds

  • Never re-light a dud firework. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then soak the dud in a bucket of water

  • Never give fireworks to small children and always have an adult present

  • Never throw or point fireworks at other people

  • The handler should always wear eye protection and never have any part of their body over the firework

  • Remember to be considerate of your neighbours and pets when using fireworks. Only use fireworks between the hours of dusk (approximately 9:30 to 11 p.m.), as the noise may be disturbing to those around you

  • To minimize the risk of fire and burn injury, CYFS recommends attending a public fireworks display hosted by the municipality or other responsible organizations.

For more information, safety tips and links to Town by-laws, visit cyfs.ca

Open House + Workshop: Established Neighbourhood

Compatibility Study

With intensification and redevelopment growing in Newmarket, concerns have been raised regarding the compatibility (design, size, form etc.) of new homes and/or additions to existing homes in the community. This hands-on workshop will allow residents to provide their input and comments on the characteristics of their neighbourhood (name, amenities, key destinations etc.). Feedback gathered will guide the Town in implementing policies to make amendments to the Official Plan that will help retain a neighbourhood’s character.

The goal of this study is to develop an Official Plan Amendment identifying Newmarket neighbourhoods based on the existing characteristics and implement policies that are reflective of the built form to guide new infill residential dwellings and additions to dwellings; addressing community character and compatibility.

The event will be facilitated by Town staff, in consultation with a multi-disciplinary consultant team. Participants will have the opportunity to view display boards and after a brief overview, participate in a group based workshop exercise that will define neighbourhood boundaries, names, key amenities and designations, as well as define key elements of neighbourhood character. 

When: Today - Thursday, May 16 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Ray Twinney Recreation Complex (100 Eagle Street West) - Lounge 2
Information: newmarket.ca

York Durham Sewage System Forcemain Twinning Project Open House
York Region is making improvements to our wastewater system. Work will occur in the Town of Newmarket and include construction of a new forcemain parallel to the existing forcemain. This is known as forcemain twinning. This project will twin the existing forcemain to provide additional wastewater system reliability in Newmarket. Learn more about this project and how it might impact you at two open houses dates:

When: Tuesday, May 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. 
Where: Newmarket Community Centre - Hall 2 - (200 Doug Duncan Drive) 
Information: york.ca/forcemaintwinning

Kelly BroomeComment