BRAMPTON PRESENTS AT FCM CONFERENCE
• Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell and Dennis Cutajar, Executive Director of
Economic Development and Public Relations, made a presentation on “Brampton:
a Case for Urban Economic Growth” at the conference of Federation of Canadian
Municipalities, held June 10 to 12 in Montreal. This presentation, which is available
in brochure format and on the City’s Web site, examines Brampton's competitive
edge in the global marketplace and highlights its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
threats, competitiveness, knowledge development and attractiveness.
CATCH THE CITY SPIRIT
• Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell will unveil her “Community Spirit
Team” on Saturday, June 19, 9:30 a.m. at the opening of the Brampton Farmers’
Market. Bob Darling and Sheri Gilmore, of the Community Spirit Team, told Council
the team is a collection of community-minded residents interested in learning
more about events in Brampton. Saturday’s event is an opportunity for people
to sign up to learn more about events going on in the City.
JOINT FORCES TEAM WILL SERVE AND PROTECT CITY
• An Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team, consisting of officers from
Peel Regional Police, members of Brampton Fire and Emergency Services and City
of Brampton By-Law Enforcement Officers, has been reintroduced this summer to
patrol the City’s downtown core. Peel Regional Police Superintendent Blair
Foley told Council police will use foot patrols, bike patrols and plain clothed
police officers in the downtown area during all regular shifts, which includes
nights and weekends. The team, which was initiated at the urging of Regional
Councillors Susan DiMarco and Elaine Moore, will also be involved in events organized
by the Brampton Downtown Business Association. The team will continue until October.
BUOY – WHAT A PARTY
• The Professors Lake Neighbourhood Recreation Advisory Committee will
hold its Annual Professors Lake Beach Party on Saturday, June 26. From 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. there will be events for the entire family, such as an ice cream and
watermelon eating contests, a bouncy tent and ski show. During the evening from
6 p.m. to 1 a.m. there will be adult entertainment, including live performers.
For information, visit www.professorslake.com.
TOUR THE WORLD AT CARABRAM
• From July 9 to 11, residents can tour the world during Carabram, Brampton’s
annual multicultural festival. Held on the second weekend of July in various
locations throughout the City, Carabram attracts thousands of visitors every
year. Established in 1982, Carabram is a non-profit organization dedicated to
the preservation, development and promotion of the cultural heritages of Brampton’s
diverse ethnic communities. This is the 22nd year for the festival, which will
feature 13 pavilions. This year, the City of Brampton will help to promote Carabram
through flyer distribution, facility discounts, newspaper advertising, television
commercials, Web site promotion and transit services.
CITY PROCLAIMS TOURISM WEEK
• City Council has proclaimed the week of June 20 to 26 as Tourism Week
in the City of Brampton. Organized by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada
around the theme Tourism Makes Canada Smile, the week is designed to raise awareness
of the economic and social benefits of the tourism industry. Tourism generates
$52 billion every year, employing 1.6 million Canadians. On Saturday, June 19,
Tourism Brampton will be holding its annual Experience Brampton Tourism Event,
which will be held on Main Street South and at Brampton City Hall from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
BRAMPTON FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES RANKS TOPS IN RESPONSE
• Brampton Fire and Emergency Services has experienced a steady increase
in the demand for pre-hospital care when responding to emergency calls. The Defibrillation
Program was established in 1995. Since then, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services
has provided pre-hospital care to residents, with a direct correlation between
positive patient outcome in a pre-hospital setting and the rapid response times
and high level of training of Brampton’s firefighters. This year, the Region
of Peel experienced a 17.9 per cent survival rate, from pre-hospital ventricular
fibrillation. Since Brampton Fire and Emergency Services acts as a first responder
in many of these calls, this ranks as one of the highest marks Brampton has achieved.
In 2003, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services hired a dedicated Medial Training
Officer, which has improved their ability to train firefighters in advanced medical
skills.
BRAMPTON APPROVES PLAN TO MANAGE GEESE
• City Council has approved a plan to manage the Canadian goose population
in Brampton, particularly in Chinguacousy Park, Professors Lake and Loafer’s
Lake. In 2003, Council approved hiring a consultant, Gartner-Lee Ltd., to conduct
an audit of the Canadian goose activity in these three parks and provide a management
and monitoring plan for the future. One of the immediate strategies approved
by City Council was an egg-oiling program, which began in April of 2003.
CITY WILL RUN BMX, SKATEBOARD LESSONS
• The City’s Parks and Recreation Department will take over responsibility
for lessons and programs at citywide Skateboard/BMX parks. Since its inception
in 1999, the Brampton Skateboard Association (BSA) has formed a strong alliance
with the City’s Parks and Recreation Team. The association has provided
assistance to the City in the construction of four Skate, BMX and Inline Parks,
financed by the City. In 2001, the BSA introduced a skateboard lesson program,
followed by BMX lessons in 2002.
CITY AND REGION WORK TO END WEST NILE VIRUS
• The City of Brampton will join forces with the Region of Peel to combat
West Nile Virus (WNV). In 2003, the City of Brampton partnered with the Region
of Peel, City of Mississauga and the Town of Caledon in a strategy to reduce
the risk of residents contracting WNV. The strategy consisted of: public education;
surveillance of dead birds, adult mosquitoes and human cases of WNV; elimination
of standing water; and, applying larvicide to mosquito eggs to more than 75,000
catch basins and surface water areas throughout the Region of Peel. As a result,
Peel experienced lower levels of WNV in 2003. City Council has approved a plan
where the Region of Peel will apply larvicide to 930 catch basins in City parks
and catch basins in June 2004. According to the Ministry of the Environment,
larvicide is not connected with any environmental or health concerns.
COUNCIL CONSIDERS FLOWER CITY PARADE
• Based on the success of the Sesquicentennial Parade, City Council will
review the feasibility of creating a Flower City Parade. Staff have been directed
to begin work on a Parade Event Plan, including detailed logistics, for implementing
a summer parade in 2005.
MAYOR ATTENDS GTA MEETING IN TORONTO
• Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell was one of 28 mayors who attended the Greater
Toronto Area Mayors and Chairs Meeting held by Toronto Mayor David Miller on
March 29 at Toronto City Hall. This meeting was the first time the group has
come together since the province disbanded the Greater Toronto Services Board
in 2001. The agenda included items of common interest including community safety
and growth management. The Region of Durham will host the next meeting.
CITY TO INSTALL SCHOOL SAFETY LIGHTS
• In 2005, Works and Transportation will install flashing 40-km/hr safety
lights at elementary schools that meet the following criteria: a posted speed
limit must by 60 km/hr or less; the roadway must have direct school frontage;
the lane configuration must be four lanes; the average speed on the roadway must
be greater than the average speed for that road classification; and, the flashing
40 km/hr beacons must be a minimum of 300 metres away from the nearest electrical
control device. By-law and funding approval are also required before the lights
can be installed.
COUNCIL APPROVES MASCOT PROGRAM
• Due to the success of Sassy the Sesqui Squirrel, City Council has approved
a new Mascot Program for special City events and community celebrations. In 2003,
Brampton celebrated its 150th anniversary with a number of activities and special
events, including the creation of an anniversary mascot named Sassy. The cuddly
animal mascot was designed to appeal to young children and create awareness of
Brampton’s 150th anniversary in a fun and interactive way. Last year, Sassy
made more than 60 community visits. A one-time budget of $15,000 will be dedicated
to the Mascot Program in 2004 with a recurring budget of $6,000 assigned annually
for performers and maintenance of the costume. The City’s Public Relations
Office will be responsible for designing and constructing the new costume as
well as maintaining the mascot’s schedule.
GO STATION TO EXPAND
• GO Transit has notified the City of Brampton of its plans to expand the
Bramalea Station by 600 more parking spaces, beginning August 2004. The station
has 1,500 parking spaces and is almost at to capacity. In addition, GO Transit
is planning additional rail service from Bramalea to Union Station.
FIRE & LIFE/SAFETY CENTRE CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY
• The City of Brampton’s Fire & Life Safety Centre will celebrate
its first year of operation this May. The centre is located in a 9,000 square
foot building at the southwest corner of Donald M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park.
The building is modeled after a 19th century fire hall and includes meeting rooms
and workspace for Brampton Fire Prevention and Education teams. At the heart
of the Centre is Stephanie’s Place, a mock home, which demonstrates typical
hazards a family would encounter. Stephanie’s Place is named after the
daughter of world figure skating champion Barbara Underhill who drowned in a
home accident in 1993. Some of the programs offered include Risk Watch for school-aged
children, Remembering When programs for senior citizens, babysitting courses
and other life safety programs. In 2003, staff held 44 sessions and spoke to
935 students. Brampton is among Canada’s largest cities and home to more
than 372,000 people. As a result, it would be possible to host more than 1,000
children each month at the centre. For more information about the Fire and Life
Safety Education Centre, or to arrange a booking, contact 905-458-5404 or e-mail
george.hitchcock@city.brampton.on.ca
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW ARTS CENTRE
• With the vast majority of the tender process for Brampton’s new
Performing Arts Centre (PAC) complete, City Council has approved a revised budget
for the project, which reflects current market prices and detailed engineered
drawings. The first phase of the project, set to start the first week of April,
will involve demolishing a section of the parking garage’s top slab to
install the construction crane and the centre’s orchestra pit. The (PAC)
will host an 850-seat theatre and community space for meetings, small performances
and catering facilities. The new facility will be a cultural and tourist destination
for Brampton and is expected to attract 55,000 visitors a year.
BRAMPTON TO HOST SUPER CITIES WALK
• The City of Brampton will host the Multiple Sclerosis Super Cities Walk
on Sunday, April 18. This is the 12th anniversary of the fundraiser. Last year,
more than 700 participants took part in the walk, raising more than $104,000.
For more information, call 416-922-7538 or visit their website at www.supercitieswalk.com.
BRAMPTON RECEIVES PTSC CERTIFICATE
• The City of Brampton has received a Certificate of Achievement confirming
the City’s compliance to the requirements of the Essential Level of the
Partnership Towards Safer Communities (PTSC). Joe Moore, of Emergency Measures
Ontario, presented the award to Alain Normand, Brampton’s Emergency Measures
Supervisor, on behalf of the province. The City joined PTSC in 2002 after the
Brampton Emergency Management Committee and Brampton City Council agreed to recruit
members for the creation of a joint community/industry committee. The City of
Brampton is the only municipality in Peel to receive this distinction.
PEEL RECEIVES NQI AWARD OF DISTINCTION
• Regional Councillor Gael Miles announced the Region of Peel has received
a National Quality Institute (NQI) award for outstanding direction in: leadership,
planning, customer service and partnership, among other areas. The Region of
Peel is the only municipality in Canada to receive the National Quality Institute
Award.
CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS DOORS OPEN BRAMPTON IN 2004
• The City of Brampton has been invited to participate as a sponsor of
Doors Open Brampton 2004, which will be held in the fall. The first Doors Open
Brampton was held on the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22 in 2002 and was an overwhelming
success. In 2003, the City of Brampton also supported Doors Open Brampton with
the design and production of their guidebook. This year, the City will continue
its support of this event. The 2004 event is planned for the weekend of Sept.
18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. To date, 20 organizations have already
committed to opening their facilities.
CITY OF BRAMPTON TO HOST 2005 ONTARIO PARKS CONFERENCE
• The City of Brampton will host the Ontario Parks Association (OPA) Annual
Education Conference and Annual General Meeting in 2005. The OPA is a provincial
association of more than 700 parks professionals and associates that have been
serving Ontario since 1952. Membership consists of environmental professionals
and citizens from across the province. Brampton has been associated with OPA
for 25 years. The two-day conference is a blend of education, strategic planning,
an annual general meeting and an opportunity for delegates to showcase their
community. More than 170 delegates and their families will be visiting Brampton
during the conference.
SKATE CANADA BRAMPTON CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
• Skate Canada Brampton will be celebrating 50 years in the community by
hosting a carnival on April 16 and 17 at Memorial Arena. Skate Canada Brampton
was first known as the Brampton Figure Skating Club. Since its inception, the
Club has grown from 80 to more than 400 skaters and now offers programs to the
community year-round. The club has been an integral part in the growth of recreation
in Brampton, offering programs to boys and girls encouraging them to develop
skills in figure skating. Skate Canada Brampton and the Chinguacousy Figure Skating
Club take turns each year hosting the year-end carnival. This year the carnival
will be hosted by Skate Canada Brampton with the theme being “Moments Through
Time”.
BRAMPTON HOSTS NWHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
• Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell announced the best in women’s hockey
would be competing in Brampton when the National Women’s Hockey League
(NWHL) holds its Championship Series at the Brampton Centre for Sports and Entertainment
April 9 and 10. This year, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) will be
televising the championship game on April 10 at noon. Brampton has hosted the
NWHL Championship Series for the past four years attracting record crowds.
APRIL IS CLEANUP MONTH IN BRAMPTON
• More than 40,000 residents, representing community groups across the
City, are expected to participate in Brampton Spring Cleanup, held during the
month of April. The City first introduced spring cleanup programs in 1998 to
increase public awareness about the problem that litter was creating in the community.
Since its inception, the program has attracted increasing numbers of participants
who help clean City parks, pathways and green spaces.
VOLUNTEERS APPOINTED TO CITY COMMITTEE
• The City of Brampton has announced the following business volunteers
to its Economic Development standing committee: Dr. Robert Turner, President
of Sheridan College, or his designate; Tim Duffy, General Manager of Siemens
Canada; John Stiefelmeyer, Sales Centre Manager of the Brampton facility of the
Coca Cola Bottling Company; Janet Biggart, Vice President of the Kerbel Group
Inc.; Tony DePascal, Brampton lead of RBC (Royal Bank of Canada); Wayne Waters,
of Waters & Macdonald Associates, and Stephen Rhodes, his designate; Rick
Prouse, from Prouse Dash Crouch, and Dr. Bob Hiscox, his designate; Maria Britto
from Re/Max North Park; and, Joel Reider, from Reinders and Reider Limited. The
new Brampton Economic Development Committee will meet monthly. The committee
consists of 19 members including 10 Councillors and nine business representatives.
The volunteers will be appointed for the period of 2003 to 2006. City Councillor
Sandra Hames is the Chair of Brampton’s Economic Development Committee
and Regional Councillor Elaine Moore is the Vice-chair.
THEATRE MANAGER ELECTED NEW PRESIDENT OF ARTS ASSOCIATION
• Steve Solski, Manager of Art, Culture and Theatre, has been elected as
the 10th president of the Canadian Arts Presenting Association for a two-year
term beginning 2003. Heritage Theatre has been a member of the association, a
Canadian-wide network of arts presenters, since 1996. Members of the association
represent all areas of the performing arts industry including artists, artist
managers, agents and venue managers.
THE CITY OF BRAMPTON PROCLAIMS MARCH 27 AS WORLD THEATRE DAY
• The City of Brampton has proclaimed March 27 as World Theatre Day. The
day provides an opportunity to celebrate the performing arts and is a reminder
of the Theatre’s contribution to understanding human relationships and
encouraging peace in a culturally diverse world.
CITY OFFERS CHILDRENS’ PROGRAMS DURING MARCH BREAK
• The City of Brampton offers a variety of ways to keep children busy during
March break. Programs and activities include: day camps, outdoor activities,
babysitting classes, shinny hockey and bingo. A complete list of the City’s
March break programs can be found in the Parks & Recreation Spring &
Summer 2004 Guide or on the City’s web site at www.city.brampton.on.ca
under Parks and Recreation. Call 905-874-2300 for more information.
BRAMPTON MAYOR REPRESENTS ONTARIO ON FEDERATION BOARD
• Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell announced she was elected to the National
Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) during
its recent meeting in Vancouver. Mayor Fennell becomes one of 15 elected officials
representing Ontario on the FCM Board, which meets three times a year. The Federation
of Canadian Municipalities has been the national voice of municipal government
since 1901 and is dedicated to improving the quality of life in all communities
by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal government. Fennell
announced she would be running for Second Vice-President for the FCM National
Board of Directors when the organization holds its annual general meeting in
May.
BRAMPTON REQUESTS CHANGE TO LEGISLATION
• The City of Brampton has requested the Province of Ontario amend the
Development Charges Act (1997) and Ontario Regulation 82/98, which would help
municipalities improve funding for development-related municipal infrastructure
(to the level contained within the 1989 Development Charges Act). City Council
wants the legislation amended to help fund hospitals, cultural facilities such
as theatres, administrative space and parkland. Council has requested the Minister
of Municipal Affairs meet with Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell to discuss the time
needed and the mechanism required for this legislative change.
BRAMPTON TO TAKE PART IN WORLD CONFERENCE
• As a member of the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA), the City
of Brampton will be participating in the 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE) World Conference. The event will be held March 8 to 11 in Detroit, Michigan.
The City’s Economic Development Office will use this event to promote its
International Marketing Strategy.
CITY OFFERS SPECIAL DEAL TO GARDEN SHOW
• Councillor John Hutton announced the City of Brampton is offering a special
entry deal to Canada Blooms 2004, which includes admission and transportation
on Sunday, March 7, only. Tickets are $15 and are available at any City of Brampton
Parks and Recreation Centre, until March 5, and the fourth floor of 24 Queen
St. E., until March 4. Regular admission is $18. Buses leave City Hall at 9:30
and 11:30 a.m. and return by 3:45 and 5:45 p.m. Last year, Brampton won the National
Post Peoples Choice Award. For more information, call 905-874-2300. Seating is
limited.
COUNCIL HALTS RING ROAD AT FOUR CORNERS
• City Council has turned down a proposal to construct a one-way continuous
ring road in the downtown four corners. Some of the potential problems include
traffic congestion, delays in emergency vehicle response times and pedestrian
safety. Works and Transportation is not recommending any change to downtown roads
until after construction of the Performing Arts Centre and the Nelson Square
Parking Garage expansion and John Street development are complete.
BRAMPTON TO CONSTRUCT THREE RECREATION CENTRES BY 2008
• Over the next three years, the City of Brampton plans on constructing
three multi-purpose recreation centres, opening in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Each
of the recreation centres will contain facilities programmed to provide opportunities
to residents throughout the City while being sensitive to local neighbourhoods.
Parks and Recreation staff was asked to evaluate the addition of a new pool at
the future Torbram/Sandalwood site. Staff is not recommending construction of
a new pool since statistics indicate the three pools south of the proposed site
show a decrease in participation over the past three years. Instead, the recreation
centre at Torbram/Sandalwood will include: one ice rink, one indoor-soccer facility,
community room space and an indoor or outdoor skateboard/BMX bike facility.
CITY OF BRAMPTON OFFERS PLENTY TO DO DURING THE MARCH BREAK
• During March Break, Parks and Recreation offers a number of activities,
including theatre productions, drop-in activities, arts and crafts, swimming,
skating and a new program called Go Girl, designed to promote physical activity
with girls 12 to 16 years. To let people know what’s happening, Parks and
Recreation will be distributing 65,000 copies of its Holiday Planner - March
Break 2004 in all of the City’s recreation centres, schools and libraries.
CITY OF BRAMPTON MAINTAINS EXISTING SNOW CLEARING POLICY
• The City of Brampton will continue with its existing snow clearing policy
and will not implement a driveway-clearing program. Although there are some municipalities
in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that offer driveway clearing, there are many
restrictions to the service. In Toronto, if parked cars are on either side of
the driveway, or on-street parking is allowed, the service is not provided. In
Vaughan, there is a three-hour wait between the roadway and driveway being cleared
and residents are advised to shovel their driveway if they need to leave immediately.
Like Toronto, there is no obligation for the contractor to return if parked cars
obstruct the machines. In Markham and Richmond Hill, driveway snow clearing is
only offered to seniors and physically challenged people. Brampton already offers
a financial assistance subsidy to seniors and physically challenged people who
have difficulty clearing snow. If a customized service for driveway clearing
was implemented, staff estimates it would cost $160 to $200 per person, or $3.4
million (based on 2002 costs).
BRAMPTON TOPS UNITED WAY FUNDRAISING GOAL
• The City of Brampton wrapped up its annual fundraising campaign for the
United Way of Peel exceeding its campaign goal with a record-breaking $81,265.66.
John Wright, Commissioner of Management and Administrative Services, and Joe
Pimentel, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, co-chaired this year’s
campaign. The campaign received a major boost from Mayor Susan Fennell, who donated
$40,000 from her third annual Golf Classic. Campaign organizers planned a number
of events this year to raise money.
HORTICULTURAL GROUP HONOURS GARDENERS
• The Brampton Horticultural Society presented the City’s gardening
team with the J.A. Carroll Memorial Trophy for its outstanding contribution to
horticulture. City gardeners Bernice Radtke and Scott Webster also received individual
awards for their work in 2003. Radtke won for a floral display at the Parks Service
Centre on Orenda Road and for a display in Kingnoll Park. Webster won for a floral
display at the southwest corner of Bovaird Drive and Dixie Road.
BRAMPTON BLOOMS AT ANNUAL GARDEN SHOW
• More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the eighth annual Canada
Blooms Flower and Garden Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre March 3
to 7. In 2003, the City of Brampton captured the National Post People’s
Choice Award and will compete again this year for the coveted title. The theme
of this year’s show is “Tides of Time” and the City’s
designers used the theme of travel to represent the passage of time. Brampton’s
display is created around a replica of the City’s original train station.
Once again this year, the City of Brampton will offer a special ticket price
of $15 per person for show admission and transportation to Canada Blooms on Sunday
March 7. Buses will depart at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and return at 3:45 p.m.
and 4:45 p.m. Tickets are available from any Parks and Recreation registration
location until Friday, March 5, or at the Parks and Recreation Department on
the fourth floor at 24 Queen St. E. until Thursday, March 4. For more information,
visit the City’s website at www.city.brampton.on.ca.
CITY NAMES CITIZEN APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL
• The City of Brampton has appointed the following people to serve on committees
of Council: Committee of Adjustment – John Pappain, Bruce Reed, Derrick
Coke, Patrice Noe and Doug Billet, Brampton Clean City – Bruce Beamer,
David Burnett, Jason Egbuna, Patrick McLeavey, Leslie Rose, Junaid Shah, Sadaqat
Sheikh, Doug Whillans and Fraser K. Williamson, Brampton Heritage Board –
John Armstrong, Michael Avis, Stephen Collie, Warren Hope, Glen McTavish, Robert
Payne, Sharon Peet, Maureen Sim, Lynda Voegtle and Pat Willowby, Brampton Safety
Council – Douglas Chase, Peter Dunster, Allwyn Fernandes, Daphne Gabriel,
Cheryl Jamieson, Davis Lewis and Michael Moffat, Churchville Heritage Committee
– Marion Bartlett, Harry Blackburn, Louis Chan, Anna DeRooy, William T.
Rea. Kathy Pask Ruttan and Kathy Woods, Fenceviewers – Douglas Godlington,
James Pace, Murray Van Halem, Leslie Wilson and Raymond Ramdayal, Property Standards
Committee – Avtar Aujla, John Cutruzzola, Steve Dunford, Baljit Gosal and
Reg Taggart, GTAA Consultative Committee – Doug Thwaites, GTAA Noise Management
Committee – Brad Green and Jim Medeiros. Interviews were recently held
for the current term of office, which ends on Nov. 30, 2006.
BRAMPTON BANS CAMERA PHONES IN FACILITY CHANGE ROOMS
• Council has banned the use of camera phones, cell phones and other electronic
devices in all City of Brampton facility change rooms. Over the past few years,
there has been increasing public awareness and concern over violation of personal
privacy, particularly with the introduction of portable video cameras and camera
devices. Signs will be posted in all City of Brampton facilities asking people
to immediately tell staff if anyone is observed using a phone or other electronic
device in a change room.
WHITE SPRUCE PARK HOME TO CITY’S FIRST DISC GOLF COURSE
• The City of Brampton has opened its first Disc Golf Site at White Spruce
Park. Over the past eight months, City employees have been working with the Disc
Golf Group and course designer Glenn Forbes to make the course a reality. The
site will not impact the ball diamond or off leash park. An inaugural game was
held Jan. 25 to open the site.
BRAMPTON REQUESTS PROVINCIAL MEETING
• Brampton City Council has called for Mayor Susan Fennell to meet with
Premier Dalton McGuinty and John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal
Affairs, to address Brampton’s concerns about Mississauga separating from
the Region of Peel and to confirm what the Province intends to do with Mississauga’s
position on restructuring in Peel. Council requested the meeting after receiving
a report by Hemson Consulting Ltd. analyzing the key issues for Brampton regarding
municipal restructuring. The Hemson Report was first presented to Council at
a workshop held Jan. 12, 2004.
BRAMPTON COUNCIL BEGINS BUDGET TALKS
• Brampton City Council holds budget deliberations Jan. 26 in the Council
Committee Room at City Hall. The budget is expected to go before Council for
approval Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. All budget meetings are open to the public and residents
are invited to submit written comments to the City Clerk’s Office, Brampton
City Hall, 2 Wellington St. W., Brampton, Ontario, L6Y 4R2. Written comments
will be received until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2004.
COUNCIL PAYS TRIBUTE TO FIRE VOLUNTEERS
• City Council and Brampton Fire and Emergency Services thanked a team
of 14 firefighters from the Castlemore Volunteer Fire Station in northeast Brampton
for their dedication and commitment to providing exemplary emergency service
to the community. The Castlemore Volunteer Fire Station closed on Dec. 31 after
the City of Brampton hired 65 new firefighter positions and opened three new
fire stations. The Castlemore Volunteer Fire Station had been operating since
1982. Volunteer firefighters respond to emergencies such as motor vehicle accidents,
rescues, fires, medical calls and hazardous material incidents across the City.
Brampton Fire and Emergency Services held a special reception for the volunteer
firefighters on Jan. 29.
CITY RECEIVES FUNDING FOR ACCESSIBLE AREA
• Derek Wilson, of the Investors Group, presented the City with a $3,000
cheque for an all-accessible playground in Donald M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park.
The money was collected last summer during the Thursday night Investors Group
Concert Series at Gage Park.
MAYORS DISCUSS KEY ISSUES AT LUMCO MEETING IN BRAMPTON
• Mayor Susan Fennell announced Brampton recently hosted the Large Urban
Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) to discuss key issues facing this province’s
biggest urban centres. As a result, two resolutions were passed at last Friday’s
meeting. The first encourages the provincial government to remove the exclusions
and discounts imposed by the government on the Development Charges Act, allowing
municipalities to collect a hospital levy and levies for hard and soft services.
The second resolution encourages the provincial government to work with the Association
of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to forge a three-way agreement allowing revenue
sharing between the Federal Government and municipalities.
COUNCIL APPROVES LEASE WITH ROYAL CANDIAN LEGION BRANCH 15
• City Council has approved a lease with Branch 15 of the Royal Canadian
Legion to lease Alder Lea House on Elizabeth Street at $2,000 per month for the
period from July 2003 to July 2004. Council has already approved moving the Legion
to the Centennial Recreation Centre, provided seniors’ programs are transferred
to a building at the former Ontario Provincial Police property. The transfer
is likely to happen by the end of this year and the Legion will have to rent
Alder Lea House until Centennial Recreation Centre becomes available.
CITY AWARDS TRANSIT CONTRACT
• City Council has awarded a Request for Proposals (RFP), for the exclusive
rights to sell advertising for Brampton Transit on passenger transit shelters,
to Sambrook Media Corporation. The RFP was issued to Sambrook because their proposal
would provide the highest revenue potential to the City. Sambrook was recently
awarded the contract for interior and exterior bus and bus wrap advertising.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHANGES STRUCTURE
• Council has approved the new composition of Brampton’s Economic
Development Committee to include 18 members with 10 Council representatives and
eight volunteers appointed from the business community. The Chair and Vice-Chair
will be selected from City Council, and the committee will be a standing committee
of Council. The committee will meet once a month. City staff will prepare a Terms
of Reference for the committee outlining its mandate, objectives and responsibilities.