milton town hall report

Administration & Planning Standing Committee February 13 2012

Mike Cluett

This coming Monday night February 13, 2012 will be the Administration & Planning Standing Committee meeting at Town Hall starting at 7pm.

This Committee consists of five Councillors and the Mayor. Committee members review all reports, formulate policy and make recommendations to Council on matters over which Council has authority under the Municipal Act, the Planning Act and other legislation. Recommendations are made in the areas of corporate administration, personnel, legal issues, planning and finance.

The Administration and Planning Committee reviews the operating and capital budgets as well as various financial matters affecting the Town of Milton.

The agenda for the meeting can be found here.

Some of the highlites inlcude:

  • Public Meeting for zoning amendment for property owned by Zag Properties,
  • Public Meeting for zoning amendment for property owned by Victoria Hill Finance Group
  • Public Meeting for proposed condominium plan owned by Camcast Inc.
  • Technical report for proposed amendment of zoning bylaw for property owned by Durante Enterprises.

As always you can watch online on Monday night at 7pm.  If you have any questions or comments for any of these reports, please email me mike@mikecluett.ca

Velodrome Business Plan Update

Mike Cluett

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the much anticipated Velodrome business plan is slated to be presented to council on January 30th, not the 23rd as I had previously noted.  A deadline extension was given and we should have the report in our hands before that so council members AND the public can review the details before a decision is made.

As many are aware, I have supported moving forward with looking at this proposal from the beginning.  I think its an opportunity for Milton to showcase itself as a tourist attraction and a great location for a world class facility like this.  The goal is to ensure that this facility can be multi purposed before construction starts so it can be used by all Miltonians after the games are done.

I have also stated that the costs of the facility are important to look after so that we dont have a major impact on our tax base.  The numbers are coming and are encouraging from what I have heard to date so stay tuned.  If this project ends up costing Milton taxpayers too much, I wont be supporting it going forward.

If you want to know more about the velodrome, what it is, what it can be and anything else click on my Velodrome FAQ page for more details.  This information is courtesy of www.milton.ca

I also wanted to thank everyone who has sent me emails, phoned me, tweets etc on this issue as your opinion is important to me and will help me with my decision to move forward.  Over the years I have done my best to ensure your input is heard and I do listen to everyone’s point of view on issues like this.  So keep them coming, ask your friends to send feedback to myself and other members of council.  Our job is to listen to you, so please let your views be known.

As always mike@mikecluett.ca and I look forward to your comments.

Milton Velodrome FAQ’s

Mike Cluett

Milton Velodrome FAQ’s

Courtesy of www.milton.ca

What is a Velodrome?

•An arena for track cycling (approximately 120,000 square feet)

•A banked oval track consisting of two 180-degree circular bends, connected by two straights (The straights transition to the circular turn through a moderate easement curve)

Multi-purpose Infield

•The infield (middle) of the track can be used for other recreational/event purposes, such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer and trade shows, and is approximately the size of three basketball courts.

Existing Velodromes

•Carson City Velodrome
•Manchester Velodrome
•Manchester Velodrome, infield event

How was Milton selected as the preferred velodrome site for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games?

September 23, 2011

•Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games committee approached the Town of Milton with the possibility to bid for a permanent velodrome

October 12, 2011

•Toronto 2015 committee invited the Town of Milton to submit Expression of Interest

October 17, 2011

•Milton Council resolution to explore two location options – the Milton Education Village as a permanent location and Derry Green Business Park as a temporary location

November 21, 2011

•Council Report: COMS-047-11

•Indication of support received (including letters from Laurier University, the Canadian Cycling Association and land donation)

•Further direction required from Toronto 2015 to reduce capital cost and local host share

December 5, 2011

•Council Report: COMS-050-11

•Milton Council authorized the Town of Milton to commit to funding local share based on a $40-million project

•Next step identified was to engage Sierra Planning to undertake Business Plan

•Required to report back to Council with results of Business Plan and due diligence process

Where is the money coming from to build the velodrome?

•$22 million: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games organizing committee

•$19.8 million: Local share (includes 44% of the project cost at $40-million, plus site servicing/parking costs)

◦Town of Milton share confirmed at $3.8 million: Re-allocation of funds for future recreational facilities to serve community needs

◦Milton Education Village commitment at $2.5 million: Town of Milton to finance the Milton Education Village commitment; if timing is delayed, a contingency plan will be developed

◦Private sector partnership commitment at $13.5 million: This includes – pledged donations, sponsorship, in-kind services and fundraising support

•Peter Gilgan/Mattamy Group: $9 million committed

•TD Canada Trust: Tim Hockey and team

•Milton Energy and Generation Solutions

•TSAM Investment Group Inc. •GreenLife Energy

•Local suppliers/consultants

•Legal counsel

Where will the velodrome be located?

•Within the Milton Education Village: Louis St Laurent and Tremaine Road

•Adjacent to proposed location for Laurier University

Planned transportation links to the velodrome location:

•Public transit routes

•Cycling lanes on Tremaine Road

•GO station proposed at new Tremaine Road 401 interchange

•Town undertaking Secondary Plan for Milton Education Village and update to Trails/Cycling Master Plan in 2012

What will the velodrome be used for once the Pan/Parapan American Games are finished?

•Sierra Planning and Management, in cooperation with the JF Group have been retained by the Town to undertake a Milton based business plan for the legacy phase of the facility:

◦Discussions have been initiated with local/regional/national/international cycling groups with meetings, surveys and interviews planned to determine demand for the facility.

◦Discussions will be initiated with local sport organizations for infield use potential.

◦The extent of municipal risk associated with business plan projections will be verified.

•The facility will be used for a number of international, national and provincial competitions, creating a positive economic impact on the business community in Milton.

•There will be a significant opportunity for a high performance and local cycling legacy, as well as community recreational use.

What are the Milton velodrome timelines?

•January 2012: Business plan commenced

•Late January 2012: Report to Milton Council on business plan recommendations

•Late January 2012: Binding agreements to be signed following project approval by Milton Council

•Spring/summer 2012: Ground breaking and construction commences

•Summer 2014: Targeted completion date

•June/July 2015: Pan/Parapan American Games

Town of Milton Seeks Input on Velodrome

Mike Cluett

In keeping with my committment to hearing from residents on important issues that we face, the Town of Milton is looking for your input on the possible velodrome proposal that is coming up for councils review later this month.

This effort accomplishes two things.  One is to get the all important feedback from residents on the direction of the town and second is to clear up any questions you may have about it.  Its no secret that I have been a supporter of the idea as well as getting more information on the velodromes potential, its costs and the long term impact on the town of Milton.  I am not 100 per cent on board with this until we “get the numbers”.

I was supportive of the project with the caveat that the impact on Milton taxpayers be minimal to zero (with no impact being my goal) from day one.  I beleive that with this project in place, it will kick start the much needed approval for the Milton Education Village / Laurier University campus on the west side of town.  You can search my blog for “velodrome” to see more of what has been discussed.

Please take some time to visit the Town’s website and provide your input today so that council can be presented with the full picture on the January 23rd meeting when the decision is to be made.  We want to hear from you.  Click on my link to the right to contact your town councillor if you would like to send us your comments directly.  My email is mike@mikecluett.ca

NEWS RELEASE

January 10, 2012

Town of Milton seeks community input on Velodrome

The Town of Milton invites the community to provide input on the proposed Velodrome through the Town’s website, www.milton.ca .

In December 2011, Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games announced Milton as the preferred site for the Velodrome. A business plan is scheduled to be presented to Council on January 23, 2012 after which Council will decide whether or not to proceed with the Velodrome and hosting the Pan/Parapan Am Games.

“We are looking forward to learning from members of the Milton community how this major facility can best meet their recreational needs,” said Town of Milton Mayor Gord Krantz.  “I encourage everyone to visit our website to find out more about this proposed facility and what it can mean for the Milton community.”

The Velodrome webpage will include information on location, funding, timelines, as well as plans for the Velodrome after the Pan/Parapan Am Games. Public input and comments are invited to be submitted through the webpage and will be accepted until January 18, 2012.

For more information or to provide input, visit www.milton.ca/en/townhall/velodrome.asp . 

– 30 –

For further information, please contact:        

Jennifer Reynolds – Director, Community Services – 905-878-7252, ext. 2180

Liliana Busnello – Communications Specialist – 905-878-7252, ext. 2154

Region of Halton Waste Managment Guide/Collection Calendar Coming Soon

Mike Cluett

2012 Waste Management Guide & Collection Calendar delivered to homes next week

From the Region of Halton website.

The 2012 Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar, which has everything you need to know about waste collection in Halton Region, will be delivered to homes starting January 13. The Calendar is effective February 1 and includes a schedule for Blue Box, GreenCart, garbage, bulk and yard waste collection, information on the Halton Waste Management Site and dates for 2012 special events such as Halton’s popular Compost Give Away.

“The 2012 Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar is a quick reference tool for residents to locate important information about all of Halton’s Waste Management programs,” said Gary Carr, Halton’s Regional Chair. “I encourage everyone to review the calendar to learn more about all of the ways we can work together to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste and continue to extend the life of Halton’s landfill site.”

The 2012 Waste Management Guide and Collection Calendar once again features Halton’s talented young artists who were selected as the Calendar Cover Art Contest winners. This year marked the fourth annual art contest that ran in the fall of 2011 asking children from kindergarten to grade eight to create the 2012 calendar cover using the theme of “you are the difference – reduce, reuse, recycle.” One entry from each of the four Local Municipalities was selected to have their creative design featured on the 2012 calendar cover. Winners include Abril Rebollo from Burlington, Michelle Kozdras and Gabrielle Dimech from Halton Hills, Christine Kilfoil from Milton and Kate Jung (Haram Jung) from Oakville.

If you have not received your Collection Calendar by January 27, please contact Access Halton by dialling 311 or use the online Service Request Tool at www.halton.ca/wastetools. To learn more about waste diversion and receive regular waste collection tips follow us on Twitter @haltonrecycles and read our blog at www.haltonrecycles.ca.

For more information contact Halton Region by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, TTY 905-827-9833 or visit www.halton.ca.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; Ontario Works (formerly social assistance); children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and business development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

Still Waiting at 4TH Line

Mike Cluett

For those residents along 4th Line near Beaty Trail & Menefly Place who are getting increasing frustrated with the detour, you are not alone.  I have over the last few weeks have received a number of complaints from residents in the area who are upset that 4th Line south of Derry towards Clark Blvd has been closed off.

The reason for the closure is that the developer has been doing some tree replacements and some other work in preparation for development at that corner.  This is a piece of land that is close to the new school that will be built (timeline unknown) and a proposed condominium is slated for the area but nothing has been presented to the town in the form of a sight plan yet.  I know residents in the area are concerned about the impact of that development so stay tuned to this blog for more information as it comes available.

The latest delay in the work at on the property is due to weather & soil issues, amongst others.  The new deadline for completion is January 30th and I have been in contact with staff on a regular basis to ensure it stays on schedule.

Here is the notice we received from town staff:

MTE Consultants Inc. has requested that the closure of Fourth Line between Beaty Trail and Menefy Place be extended until January 30, 2012.

The following is a synopsis of the issues that have taken place related to this project which has resulted in construction delays and thus the need for the extension of the road closure.

• Unusual soils conditions and dewater requirements have delayed the installation of the footings for the structure.
• Heavy rainfall events have cost the contractor over a week in down time.
• A 6” gas main was broken during excavation.
• There was a breakdown of the onsite crane used for the culvert installation.

Stay tuned to www.mikecluett.ca for more details as they come.