Reinvigorating ‘traditional’ services

Oct. 24, 2020 10:00 a.m.
City of Vaughan
Free online programming continues to be introduced and enhanced throughout COVID-19

As communities respond to the second wave of COVID-19 and some adapt to modified Stage 2 restrictions, the City of Vaughan continues to offer a multitude of online programs, services, activities, tools and resources for residents and businesses to access from the safety and comfort of home. Although some of the City’s physical doors remain closed, departments across the organization have introduced or enhanced virtual offerings to provide new, efficient and streamlined experiences. By reinvigorating traditional services, enhancing digital platforms and modifying in-person programs, the City is delivering Service Excellence – virtually – throughout the global pandemic.
EVENTS
Some events are resuming virtually, including Vaughan Celebrates Concerts in the Park, the Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony, the month-long Vaughan Culture Days celebration, the annual Remembrance Day event and the Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards. On Sunday, Oct. 25, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua will be presenting the Hon. Jean Augustine with the Key to the City at a virtual event – citizens can tune in to the broadcast at vaughan.ca/live.
 
Other virtual public engagement opportunities are also in the works for city-building projects. Visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more.
 
RECREATION SERVICES
As an alternative to in-person recreational programs, enhanced virtual offerings are underway to keep kids active, engaged, educated and entertained from the safety of home. City instructors are livestreaming popular recreational programs remotely via Zoom, including STEM, French, chess, dance, sports and leadership/volunteerism. A series of educational and music programs are also available for individuals with special needs.
 
The department is also offering virtual Halloween programs for children and youth ages six to 15, so they can celebrate the holiday from the safety of their home. Programs include a Halloween make-up tutorial; no-carve pumpkin decorating; and, a ‘Halloweekend Party’ featuring a virtual haunted house, costume contest, dancing, scavenger hunt and creepy crafts. A modified version of the ‘Halloweekend Party’ led by integration counsellors is planned for children with special needs. Instruction will occur remotely via Zoom and pre-registration is required. A list of required materials and supplies will be emailed to participants in advance. Parent/guardian assistance may be required. These one-day programs will run from Tuesday, oct. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 31, are 1.5 hours in length and cost $8. Registration is still open at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For assistance or additional details, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email reccsd@vaughan.ca.
 
In addition, on Sunday, Oct. 25, Recreation Services will launch an Instagram Halloween pumpkin decorating contest for a chance to win a ‘treat bag’ including a $10 iTunes gift card. To participate, individuals are asked to send in a photo of their painted or carved pumpkin via one of the following methods; send as a direct message to @recvaughan; or post on their own feed using #BootifulVaughan and tagging @recvaughan. The deadline to submit a photo is Friday, Oct. 30 at 12 p.m. The top 10 photos will be shared on Recreation Services' Instagram page  starting on Friday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. so a community voting period can begin. The photo with the most ‘likes’ by Saturday, Oct. 31 at 12 p.m. will be announced as the winner. The ‘treat bag’ will be available for curbside pick-up at a Vaughan community centre of the winner’s choice.
 
Frequent enhancements are also made to the Recreation Services webpage featuring virtual resources for all ages, abilities and areas of interest. Popular programming includes:
  • Vaughan Playschool educational reading, writing, math and science worksheets for children aged three to five years old.
  • easy-to-follow at-home workouts from Vaughan Fitness instructors featured on Recreation Services’ Instagram TV. Full-length classes are also posted to the Recreation Vaughan YouTube channel.
  • general activities such as cooking, arts and crafts, colouring and more.
  • family-friendly online Halloween-themed resources including colouring sheets, mask templates and Vaughan Playhouse worksheets. 
VAUGHAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Although all in-library programs remain cancelled until January 2021, VPL’s fully digital library service continues to be enhanced to engage and educate residents of all ages. The web hub features a variety of free online resources, including eBooks and audiobooks, films and television programs, music streaming services, e-learning courses, bilingual materials and more. Additional content, such as virtual story time, is available daily on VPL’s Instagram. Virtual Halloween-themed activities and events – including a Family Halloween Party and French Reading Club – are also being offered for children of all ages at vaughanpl.info/halloween.
 
Wi-Fi has been extended to reach the parking lot of VPL’s recently reopened resource libraries – Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library – and the Curbside Pickup program will also continue to operate out of the remaining closed branches to provide customers with quick and convenient access. Reserve books and arrange a pick-up date at vaughanpl.info/curbside.
 
WASTE SERVICES
Residents can receive customized notifications about their collections by downloading the Recycle Coach mobile app. To ensure that waste is collected, comply with the safe set-out requirements at vaughan.ca/waste. Bins containing materials that do not comply will be tagged and left behind. For one-on-one video coaching on how to divert more materials into blue boxes and green bins, book a Waste-less Virtual Visit session by contacting Access Vaughan at  905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
While the City’s Joint Operations Centre remains closed for in-person visits, residents can purchase garbage tags and exchange a broken City bin by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
 
The Public Works department has also launched a pilot project using Quick Response (QR) Codes to alert staff about full garbage cans in City parks. Residents can scan the code found on the garbage can using their smartphone to notify City staff when it is full and needs to be emptied. Regular waste collection of these bins will continue, but the codes allow residents to alert the City when additional cleaning is required. These bins – which are being piloted in select parks –have smaller openings that help deter animals from getting inside as well as illegal household dumping.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings are continuing. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more about how to participate virtually, including speaking live to Council via teleconference or telephone. Email or written communications are also accepted. Citizens can watch the meetings by tuning in to the live broadcast at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
 
PLANNING AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT
The City’s Building Standards department has launched a new digital permitting portal enabling citizens and building industry professionals to apply, track and pay for permits online. Discover the portal at vaughan.ca/PermitPortal.
 
Additional online permitting options launched by the Development Engineering department for pools, grading for sheds, home additions and more can now be submitted and approved through the platform at vaughan.ca/DEPermits.
 
The City’s Development Planning and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) teams have innovated their processes to ensure planning approvals and shovel-ready projects can move forward during the pandemic. These include digital new development applications, electronic-participation Pre-Application Consultations and virtual Heritage Vaughan and Design Review Panel meetings. The VMC Parks and Wayfinding Master Plan is also underway – citizens can get involved by providing feedback on an open spaces, parks and navigation strategy for the downtown core. Take the survey until Tuesday, Nov. 4 at vaughan.ca/VMCParks.
 
BY-LAW AND COMPLIANCE, ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Online payments of administrative monetary penalties, such as parking tickets, can be made via payvaughanticket.com. To arrange an alternative method of payment or schedule a dispute appointment, call 905-832-2281 within 15 days of receiving it. At the time of call, individuals will be asked their preferred option for a screening – phone or online. If an online screening is requested, an online form will be sent via email. Once completed, the Screenings Officer will review the information and inform the resident of the decision via email, in addition to any applicable next steps.
 
On-street, visitor and overnight parking permits can be attained online at vaughan.ca/parking. Permits are also required for licensed establishments looking to create a patio or expand their current patio to accommodate physical distancing requirements. To begin the process, licensed businesses must complete an online registration (PDF) form. Additional information and eligibility requirements are available on the City’s website. For all other permitting inquiries, including for special event, filming and lottery, contact 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.  
 
VAUGHAN ANIMAL SERVICES
While the Vaughan Animal Services shelter remains closed, residents can purchase pet tags and licenses online. For individuals interested in adoption or pet recovery services, contact 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca to book an appointment.
 
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
Virtual programs and new services are being offered to further support local businesses, including:
  • the vaughanbusiness.ca website with a dedicated COVID-19 information page.
  • virtual business advisory services to support with registering a business, business planning, accessing government assistance programs and more. Local businesses can access these services through this online form.
  • sector-specific eNewsletters to keep businesses up to date on government announcements, funding and relevant programming. Businesses can subscribe here.
  • online resources such as the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign and the Open For Business webpage.
  • access to all events and webinars hosted virtually for businesses across York Region via vaughanbusiness.ca/events.
  • season two of the Vaughan Rising Podcast, which examines the resilience of Vaughan’s business community and talks to leaders who are pivoting, innovating and doing what it takes to make it through to the other side of the pandemic.
  • the Activate!Vaughan Health Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, Mackenzie Health, the Mackenzie Innovation Institute, SE Health, Sterling Industries, The HUB and ventureLAB. Entrepreneurs participating in the program will present innovative business solutions that will deliver high-quality, effective and patient-focused care. 
OTHER SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS
Many services continue to be offered online or via telephone, including:
  • kid-friendly pollinator activities, which include a scavenger hunt, crossword puzzle and a Whose Home? interactive game.
  • the City’s Art Integration Collection in a digital art gallery on Flickr, which features the 77 art acquisitions by local and GTA-based artists housed permanently in the collection.
  • the Service Vaughan reporting tool at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan for non-emergency service requests about garbage, roads, traffic lights and more.
  • visitvaughan.ca – a new visitor website that offers an exploration of all there is to see and do in Vaughan. The “explore online now, visit later” platform, developed in partnership with the Tourism Vaughan Corporation and Central Counties Tourism, offers interactive content, including museum tours, cooking lessons, educational webinars, roller-coaster rides and more.  
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Residents can also visit:
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