Ready, resilient and resourceful defines 2020 in Vaughan
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Innovation, investment and safeguarding citizens’ well-being mark the past year
Despite the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19, the City of Vaughan was ready, resilient and resourceful. This message is at the heart of the following statement issued by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua highlighting the City’s many accomplishments over the last 12 months. The statement coincides with the final day of Council meetings for 2020:
“Today marks the final day of Council meetings for 2020. Let me begin by recognizing my Council colleagues and members of our administration, led by City Manager Jim Harnum, for all that you have done to serve our community during these unprecedented times. Your support, commitment and dedication are appreciated by all.
“As we look back over the past 12 months, we know the challenges the global community faces will be intensely studied by leaders in industry, government and academia. There will be no shortage of stories documented by researchers, journalists and historians. And when it comes time to write the book on Vaughan, ours will be a case study about a City and a people that were ready, resilient and resourceful in facing COVID-19.
“During those early days of the pandemic, and while many places were still grappling as events unfolded, we were alert, ready, and willing to make tough choices. On March 17, Vaughan became the first city in Ontario to declare a state of emergency. This declaration signalled that we would take every possible step to stop this deadly virus. The following day, City Hall and all other municipal facilities were closed to the public.
“Immediate measures were implemented to ensure people's safety and provide relief to residents, families and job creators. We deferred property tax payments and business license renewals, suspended the Municipal Accommodation Tax and cancelled water and wastewater rate increases, to name a few.
“Our teams mobilized. Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service has distributed more than 1,500 COVID-19 safety kits to our most vulnerable citizens. We lead York Region in enforcement. By-law officers and all other available enforcement personnel have increased their presence in our city. Council adopted an Emergency Measures By-law. It grants new authority to me, as Mayor, and to staff, to issue clear, responsive and decisive orders during this state of emergency. Failure to comply is an offence and is subject to fines of up to $100,000.
“Although City Hall remains closed, city-building is reaching new heights. We are using the closure as an opportunity to renovate, upgrade and repair buildings. The steps we take now will result in fewer disruptions for people when the facilities reopen. I want to acknowledge all members of our administration for thinking strategically and for seeing the unseen opportunities presented by our present situation. The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan continues to guide our resourcefulness as we navigate through the impacts of COVID-19.
“Through Alternative Work Arrangements, the work of our corporation continues without disruption. Currently, more than 50 per cent of City employees continue to work from home. We are using the tools of technology to build a resilient future. In 2020, nearly 200 computers were replaced as part of the PC Replacement Program allowing our workforce to be more mobile. Seventy-one percent of eligible desktops for renewal were upgraded to a notebook. This provided staff with the ability to securely work from home and participate in virtual meetings. The IT department decommissioned retired hardware and were able to recover $38,000 from the sale of personal computer assets. Improving the virtual employee experience is about enhancing the virtual citizen experience.
“People choose Vaughan to buy a home, raise a family, earn an education, build a career, start a business, and achieve unrivalled success. An astonishing 97 per cent of citizens say they are happy with their quality of life in Vaughan. For these reasons, I knew that as COVID-19 persisted, city-building had to continue.
“The future is now, and it is mobile. To address this new reality, we ushered in a new era of virtual and digital public services. Arguably, the most notable example of our resourcefulness is how Council, Committee and Task Force meetings are now being delivered. By the end of this year, we will have held 112 electronic-participation meetings. This includes our most recent special meeting to advance anti-racism initiatives and our ongoing meetings of the Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee of Council. As part of our commitment to effective governance and oversight, Council re-established the Audit Committee, which will also meet virtually.
“The public is actively invited and encouraged to participate live in our public meetings via teleconference, telephone or written communication. We have torn down barriers by opening the virtual doors of City Hall for all people to remain full partners in the governing process. We amended the Procedure By-law to make electronic meetings a permanent option. In doing so, we are improving access to democracy for all.
“Staff have further responded with innovative solutions that will ensure the vision set by Council is delivered on. Our digital efforts now mean that people can go online to purchase garbage tags, submit requests for home delivery of blue box and green bin exchanges and order bins for newly built homes. Businesses can register online for the Bulk Water Program, making for a more seamless experience to purchase large volumes of water throughout Vaughan.
“A new digital permitting portal was launched, enabling citizens and building industry professionals to apply, track and pay for permits online. Throughout the declared state of emergency, there has been an increase in building inspections by nearly 10 per cent – compared to the same period a year ago. I am proud to announce that this year the City once again issued more than $1 billion in building permits. Since 2010, more than $13 billion in building permits have been issued.
“Despite the global economic unrest, Vaughan remains a city in demand. Procurement Services has awarded 396 contracts amounting to $78 million. Staff are driving value for money through fair, accountable and competitive practices. This allows Vaughan to move ahead with obtaining the talent, tools and resources necessary to get shovels in the ground and crucial infrastructure projects underway.
“We are making critically important improvements to parks, outdoor spaces and trails right across the city. These improvements matter more now than ever. Citizens want safe, responsible and physically distant activities and experiences to better themselves during the pandemic. The design phase is underway for improvements at West Crossroads Park and Ramsey Armitage Park. Construction of new basketball courts at Napa Valley Park are complete. Construction will begin in the spring at the new Cannes Park. Installation of new playground equipment and basketball amenities are complete at Wade Gate Park. Ongoing visioning and planning for the full development of the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park continues. Once fully complete, North Maple will be larger than New York City's Central Park. Progress continues with the 100-kilometre Vaughan Super Trail initiative.
“Improving mobility, transportation and access to public transit are about meeting the needs of today and tomorrow. We are moving ahead with the Vaughan Transportation Plan and the Integrated Urban Water Plan. We are working with other governments to improve the transportation network and the expansion of Highway 427, the Rutherford GO Station and the Yonge North Subway extension.
“Our administration has reduced budgets on 48 different infrastructure projects, resulting in savings of more than $17 million. Public Works achieved more than $1.8 million in cost savings over the past 12 months. Since 2010, the City has received more than $194 million in grants and payments-in-lieu from the provincial and federal governments. This funding reduces pressure on the property tax base and provides relief to the property taxpayer.
“Fiscal responsibility drives what we do. I brought forward a Member's Resolution requesting a zero per cent property tax rate increase for the 2021 Budget. Vaughan maintains one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. Later tonight, Council will vote on that budget. What we have before us is a financial blueprint that, at its core, respects taxpayers’ hard-earned money while at the same time makes further investments in important city-building priorities.
“This includes $242 million for transportation and mobility for projects like Huntington Road's reconstruction, development of two pedestrian-utility bridges at Pine Valley North, and road extensions in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
“We are investing more than $121 million in capital projects that will shape the future of city-building. These include the new Carrville Community Centre, District Park and Library, and renovations to the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre and to the Maple Community Centre’s office space and library.
“Vaughan is a green city. The 2021 Budget allocates more than $85 million toward environmental stewardship. These initiatives will foster a sustainable future and preserve and protect the natural environment. The two projects include the Black Creek channel renewal and stormwater management improvements throughout the city.
“Safe, modern and reliable infrastructure and low taxes are fundamental to attracting and retaining job-creating investments. Global brands continue to choose Vaughan to remain ahead of the competition.
“In August, I took part in the groundbreaking for Walmart's 550,000-square-foot distribution centre located at Jane Street and Teston Road. Construction is underway. This modern facility is set to open in 2024. In September, Amazon announced a 209,000-square-foot station at Tesma Way had opened, with a 193,000-square-foot facility at Keyes Court scheduled to open in 2021.
“Vaughan is a global destination for growth and investment opportunities. The new vaughanbusiness.ca website has had 60,000 unique visits since its launch in May.
“Our economic development professionals' efforts have also taken a laser-like focus on supporting the local business community through initiatives such as the Vaughan Business Action Plan and the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan. We have seen a 90 per cent increase in business consultations delivered at the onset of the emergency. There has been a 150 per cent increase in repeat consultations provided to businesses since the start of the pandemic. Throughout 2020, more than 5,000 businesses have been trained through seminars and workshops.
“At the core of our economic resilience is an educated, hard-working, entrepreneurial and dedicated workforce. The World Economic Forum says that 50 per cent of all employees will need reskilling by 2025. Fortunately, Vaughan is a talent-based city, home to multiple opportunities for learning and development.
“Niagara University – Vaughan's first university – continues to expand graduate program offerings in business administration, finance and information security and digital forensics. Vaughan-based York Entrepreneurship Development Institute is launching new graduate programs that will provide increased access to post-secondary education. We remain the only city outside of Toronto connected by subway service, allowing for better access to the University of Toronto, Ryerson University and York University.
“In October 2019, I signed a memorandum of understanding between the City, York University, Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB to identify transformational opportunities to maximize the best use of lands surrounding the site of the future Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital through a feasibility study. The new $1.7-billion hospital will mark a series of firsts: Vaughan's first hospital, York Region’s first new hospital built in more than 30 years and Canada's first smart technology hospital. My commitment to seeing this hospital built is the reason I chair the Mackenzie Health Foundation's $250-million Ultimate Campaign. To date, $179 million has been raised toward reaching our goal. By year’s end, we will reach close to $200 million.
“Both the City and Vaughan Public Libraries have undertaken no shortage of efforts to help people learn and grow – to safeguard and elevate residents' overall well-being.
“Recreation Services continues to livestream popular programs for the young and young at heart. Classes range from creative and culinary arts – to health, wellness and sports – to science, technology and professional development. Much-anticipated events like Canada Day, Concerts in the Park, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Menorah Lighting ceremonies all took place virtually. People from multiple cities and countries around the world watched online. Vaughan Culture Days 2020 went virtual. It was another success, reaching an audience of more than 50,000 viewers.
“The library continues to be a leader in delivering unprecedented virtual and digital experiences. Members can read more than 4,000 full-content newspapers from 100 countries in 60 languages – access more than 30,000 critically acclaimed films – and stream over 150,000 albums of classical, opera, jazz and world music. The number of people registering for a library card online is up by a remarkable 135 per cent, compared to last year. More than 114,000 items have been borrowed through the curbside pickup program. Vaughan Public Libraries was also the first in Ontario to launch a program of this nature and eliminate late fees.
“Staff are a testament to what it means to be ready, resilient and resourceful. It should come as no surprise that the City is one of the Greater Toronto's Top Employers.
“There has been no shortage of administrative professionals and engaged citizens who go above and beyond in serving our community. A select few make up this year's distinct list of Order of Vaughan recipients. I am proud to announce that four outstanding individuals will be bestowed with the highest honour the City of Vaughan may present. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, we will recognize accomplished business leader, Frank Fazzari – Mackenzie Health Foundation Board Chair, Rina Pillitteri – Mackenzie Health Board Chair, Mark Falbo – and our very own former Acting City Manager, Mary Reali. The entire community is invited to join us for a virtual ceremony at 7 p.m. that evening to honour our recipients.
“As we close out 2020 and look toward the promise of the new year ahead, I want to remind everyone to be safe and vigilant during the holiday season. I also want to thank everyone who contributed to the City's 11th Annual Toy Drive. Your generosity has touched countless lives.
“We must equally remember that this season will not bring joy to everyone. This year, we spread holiday cheer by staying arm's length. Despite these good and responsible intentions, loneliness and solitude are a very real and painful thing – especially for older adults and those who are unwell. Demonstrate your love for family, friends, neighbours and strangers through simple gestures like making a phone call, writing an email or random acts of kindness. Help a small-business owner and support the economy by shopping locally.
“We are all encouraged by the advancement of vaccines but let us never lose sight that this virus remains all too real. Like the healthcare professionals risking their lives for our livelihood, let us all continue to do our part. Remain physically distant, wear a mask, wash your hands and stay home.
“As I said at the onset of this global pandemic – we are in this together, and we will emerge stronger.”
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