There will be a public meeting / information session on the proposed Velodrome on Thursday January 26, 2012 at the Milton Sports Centre in room number 3 from 7pm to 9pm. Thanks to Regional Councillor Colin Best for booking the room.
Over the last few weeks we have received a lot of feedback from residents and a definite interest in a public session on this issue. The report will be made available that day online so interested people will be able to download and read it. We will have information available to answer any questions and take in any concerns you might have.
I think today was the last day you could submit comments online to be included for consideration in the business plan that is set to be presented to council officially on January 30th, but this will give people an opportunity to read the report and have any questions or concerns answered before council makes its final decision.
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.
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.
I am very encouraged to see the progress in the development of the Target Distribution Centre. This project will continue to bring in more jobs to our area and hopefully spearhead the increase in business development in Milton. This article is from the Milton Canadian Champion.
Again for those who missed the special council meeting last night regarding the velodrome issue, please click the following link. More details and comments to come. If you have any questions or concerns please email me mike.cluett@milton.ca
Council overwhelmingly endorsed a commitment to move forward as the Pan Am velodrome’s preferred site during last night’s special council meeting.Council voted nine to two in favour of committing to funding 44 per cent of the costs of the velodrome, with only Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson and Ward 4 Councillor Rick Malboeuf voting against the staff-supported recommendation.
While it’s looking like a strong possibility world-renowned bikers from across the Americas will be descending on Milton during the 2015 Pan Am Games, a business plan will have to be worked out before council enters into a binding agreement with Pan Am organizers over the estimated $40 million facility.
“You hear that other municipalities tried and turned it down, so why are we moving forward with it,” said Ward 6 Councillor Mike Cluett. “We have a good working relationship with the private sector. That’s the only way this project will move forward. This is going to put a big spotlight on the town of Milton and that’s exactly what we want to do. We want to bring people to Milton.”
If approved by council, Milton will be on the hook for $17.6 million in velodrome funding, plus the cost of land and servicing the site.
Council was presented with letters of support from Mattamy Homes and TD Canada Trust, to name a few, during last night’s meeting.
Mattamy President and CEO Peter Gilgan has committed $7 million in pledged donations and $2 million for exclusive naming rights of the velodrome. Gilgan and Tim Hockey, TD Canada Trust president and CEO, also pledged support to rally behind a $3 million fundraising campaign.
“We recognize that the establishment of a permanent velodrome in Milton, already a hot bed of cycling, is a ‘game-changer’ for the sport in Canada,” wrote Hockey in a letter to the Town.
Staff will take the next month or so to work out a business plan that will identify any financial risks the Town may face in hosting facility and verify a cycling legacy in Milton.
Council will decide whether to give the project the final stamp of approval or not once the business plan is presented sometime early next year.
The Town has hired Sierra Planning and Management, the same firm that developed the Hamilton velodrome business plan, to draft the Milton version at a cost of no more than $95,000.
Malboeuf questioned the cost of the business plan. “How much money is it to edit out Hamilton and put in Milton?” he asked.
However, staff said the plan must be drafted using Milton data and taking into account the shared amenities and partnerships with the Milton Education Village, the planned site for the velodrome.
Malboeuf insisted since the velodrome debate came to light, he hasn’t heard any support for it from residents. “My concern is any time government gets involved in something, it doesn’t come out as planned…should something happen and the fundraising doesn’t come about, it’s the people of Milton who are on the hook.”
But Mayor Gord Krantz, who’s remained a strong supporter of the facility, said the velodrome would put Milton on the map.
Milton to pursue Pan Am Games velodrome
MILTON Town council is pedalling forward with the idea of the 2015 Pan Am Games velodrome being built here after Hamilton and Vaughan parked their interests over funding questions.
Council voted 9-2 Monday night to accept a report from community services director Jennifer Reynolds to have staff look at the scheme — but with strings attached.
They committed to funding the local share of $17.6 million required for the indoor cycling facility, but only if the project cost does not exceed $40 million.
They committed to hiring a consultant to prepare a business plan — Sierra Planning and Management, which did a report for Hamilton — but not to spend any more than $95,000 for it and any other analysis. Council was told the due diligence could take four to six weeks.
Councillors also agreed Mayor Gordon Krantz would not sign any agreements with senior government levels and 2015 organizers until completion of the business plan and verification of operating costs, community use and cycling legacy needs.
Milton staff had been lukewarm to the velodrome idea after Hamilton turned it down, but the town lately received letters of financial assistance — or what Reynolds called “significant commitments” — from the private sector. This included a promise from Mattamy Homes president and CEO Peter Gilgan to donate $7 million from his firms and foundation, plus $2 million for naming rights.
The proposed site for the velodrome is in the Milton Education Village, where the town is hoping to locate a Wilfrid Laurier University campus, at Tremaine and Derry roads.
Krantz and Councillor Mike Cluett were excited about what the velodrome will mean for Milton, with Cluett saying it was a good investment, would create jobs “and will definitely put Milton on the map.”
Both men said, however, it would not be going forward without support from the private sector.
“The only way this project can move forward is with co-operation from the private sector,” Cluett added. “It helps lessen the burden on the taxpayer.”
Reynolds’ report outlined $19.8 million coming from the “host” community. She said $3.8 million would come from the town, $7 million from Gilgan, $2 million from naming rights, $3 million from a fundraising campaign, $2.5 million from the education village partner (not confirmed) and $1.5 million from in-kind capital.
Councillor Rick Malboeuf, who had opposed the velodrome at the outset last month, complimented staff on the report. He said, however, all calls he got from residents were against Milton getting involved and that his comfort level had still not been met.
“My concern is that when governments get involved with something, it doesn’t come out as planned,” added Malboeuf.
Murray Noble, senior vice-president of infrastructure for the 2015 Games, attended the meeting. In a letter to council, he said Games officials would work closely with town staff over the next four to six weeks as the velodrome plan is finalized.
Voting to proceed were Krantz, regional councillors Colin Best and Tony Lambert, and councillors Cluett, Sharon Barkley, Rick Di Lorenzo, Zeeshan Hamid, Arnold Huffman and Cindy Lunau. Voting against were Malboeuf and Greg Nelson.
It’s that time of year again Milton. No, not the long lines at the shopping malls, the honing of Christmas lists of your kids and the never ending list of holiday parties to attend. Its budget time at the Town of Milton.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is a fun time for your local councillor as well. Over the last year I have talked with you on what your budget priorities are. This past summer myself along with a number of other councillors sat down with you to discuss the issues you found to be important. I have received close to 100 emails over the course of the year of you letting me know what you would like to see.
All of the comments received were sent to staff and what you will see here is a list of the budget documents. This budget will come before council on December 12 and 13th for review/debate/approval. Members of the public are more than welcome, and encouraged to take part in this process as well. If you’d like to know how you can be a part of this important process, please email me mike@mikecluett.ca for more details.
Over the course of the next week or so as I dive into these documents, drink lots of coffee and find more dark circles under my eyes due to lack of sleep, I will be posting more details, my thoughts and attempt to get as many of your comments ready for the budget committee meeting on the 12th. If you want a hard copy of the budget, they can be purchased at Milton Town Hall as well. Email me for details.
A quick overview of the budget will find that it recommends at 4.18% increase in the tax rate. That doesn’t mean your taxes will go up by that amount, its the rate of increase in budget spending. In the past I have stated I wouldn’t support a budget with an increase over the rate of inflation and I look to keep that same commitment here. That rate doesn’t include education, the Region of Halton, the Library levy or DBIA.
I’ll post more details on what can be done to reduce the impact of the tax increase in the coming days. Again, if you have any questions at all, please email or call me anytime. With over 400 pages in the budget document, odds are I will be up late reading it.
Here are the links online from www.milton.ca for the 2012 Budget Documents
Operating and Capital Budgets
The Town’s annual budget is developed by staff in consideration of the guidelines approved by Council in July and input received from the public. Council deliberates and approves the budget in December of each year ensuring an approved budget is in place for the start of the new year.
Construction is now well underway at the new Target distribution centre site on Boston Church Road, just north of Hwy. 401.