You asked, we answered
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Access Vaughan answers the top five resident questions received in October
Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all resident inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all resident inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Every month, the City releases popular questions and answers received and responded to by Access Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries received in October.
1. How do I renew my vehicular business licence (e.g. tow truck and taxicab)
While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public until further notice, applicants have three options for submitting new or renewal licence applications:
- By mail: Address the application to By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services, Vaughan City Hall, Level 100, 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1.
- By the drop-boxes located at the entrances of Vaughan City Hall: If submitting an application by mail or the drop-box, please enclose the payment in the form of a cheque made payable to the City of Vaughan.
- By email: Email bylaw@vaughan.ca along with scanned copies of required documentation. Please ensure the application or email indicates a contact phone number for staff to collect the payment.
2. Where do I get property tax information?
Final billing due dates for all properties were extended as part of the City’s COVID-19 relief measures. The 2020 final residential property tax bills that are normally billed in June and due in July, August and September, were billed in July with the following due dates: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 (first installment), Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 (second installment) and Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 (third installment). Visit vaughan.ca/PropertyTax to learn more about online banking, mail or pre-authorized payment programs available.
3. What recreational facilities and amenities are open and closed?
The City of Vaughan has been taking a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to reopening facilities and amenities. Below is a list of recreational facilities and amenities that are open under strict health and safety measures:
- Arenas (by permit only with additional protocols: number of people on the ice at one time will be 10 with no spectators)
- Indoor pools (aquafitness, recreational and length swimming is available by registration only)
- Off-leash dog park
- Premium/artificial fields and diamonds (open until Nov. 30 by permit only, but subject to close earlier due to weather conditions)
- Parking lots in parks adjacent to synthetic soccer fields (open until Nov. 30, but subject to close earlier due to weather conditions)
- Picnic tables and gazebos
- Sports fields and baseball diamonds
- Trails
- Vaughan Public Libraries resource libraries: Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library
Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and take precautions when visiting reopened facilities and amenities. A complete list of reopenings in the city can be viewed at vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan.
4. Can I exchange my City of Vaughan branded blue and green bins and purchase garbage tags?
In response to COVID-19, the Joint Operations Centre is closed to the public until further notice. As a result, the City is offering a temporary bin exchange program by home delivery, which allows residents to replace broken City-issued blue and green bins that have the City logo through home delivery. To request an exchange and arrange a delivery, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Visit vaughan.ca/waste for more information.
Further, the City is also selling garbage tags over the telephone through Access Vaughan. Residents may call 905-832-2281 to place an order and tags will be mailed out. Payment can be made over the telephone through Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
For waste collection days, it is important to remember the City offers an online sorting tool to help residents understand what waste items go where. The Recycle Coach app for mobile phones is also available for download. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized waste schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week. Residents can also download the waste guide (PDF), which also provides a detailed list of what waste belongs in each bin (recycling, organics or garbage).
5. Where do I report sick or injured wildlife?
If a sick or injured wild animal is spotted, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. If calling after hours, please press “0” to reach the after-hours dispatch team. Officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to calls about sick or injured wildlife. Residents should contact private wildlife companies to deal with healthy wildlife that is causing a nuisance on private property.
In terms of coyotes, the community has a big role to play to help minimize negative interactions:
- Never feed or approach a coyote or any wild animal.
- Do not feed domestic pets outside.
- Supervise pets – they should not be left unattended in the yard and dogs must be on a leash when on a walk. Cats are safest when kept indoors.
- Remove food sources such as household garbage/compost and bird feeders that attract rodents and vermin – which coyotes search for to eat. Keep outdoor barbecues clean.
- Place waste out only on the morning of collection day (waste must be out by 7 a.m.).
- Properly dispose of pet waste.
Remember, if you encounter a coyote, stay a good distance away and keep pets on a leash. If the coyote approaches:
- Stop. Pick up small children and pets
- Shout loudly, wave arms high in the air or snap plastic bags
- Back away slowly while remaining calm
- Never run or turn your back on a coyote
Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
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