On Monday, June 7, the Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee will consider a variety of items, including work plans for advisory committees such as the Accessibility, Agricultural and Rural Affairs; Cycling; Heritage; Inclusivity; Mundialization; Seniors; and Sustainable Development committees. The work plans are helpful reports sharing the results from 2020 and highlighting the plan for citizens volunteering on these committees for this year. We encourage you to read the reports and consider becoming involved in one of these committees in future. A need for additional attention toward onboarding and training for committees, and for chairs of committees was identified. On March 31, over 60 committee members participated in a training and onboarding session via MS Teams Live. Information will be posted on the city’s website, committee and board’s page, which will allow access by anyone interested in reading the material. The annual meeting of committee chairs will return and vice-chairs will be included as well. Staff are also “working on building…general civic education materials…that…will help…the general public’s understanding of local government.”

The 2021 capital project closure report notes 503 projects across six categories. Of these, 67 of these projects will be closed if council approves the recommendations, 57 of them cost less than expected and ten of them cost more than expected.

Committee will consider a report from the city clerk presenting a public notice policy. The policy is intended to address the public notice requirements of the Municipal Act, including the information required in the notice. The policy indicates that the city’s website will “be sufficient,” except in those matters requiring direct mail to abutting property owners or circulation within a designated radius. Schedule A to this report is important as it outlines the specific subjects requiring notice.

There is an interesting report providing a government relations update. Funding, advocacy and COVID-19 related information is included, as well as upper-level government budget-related information, conference delegations, and advocacy priorities for this and next year. Two confidential items will be considered as well: a COVID-19 emergency response update and labour relations update.

On Tuesday, June 8, the Community Planning, Regulation and MobilityCommittee will consider amendments to the zoning bylaw 2020. Planning report PL-30-21 proposes removal of a holding zone in Ward 2, and removal of the H-Zone designation from 2023–2059 Ghent Avenue in Ward 2. Building permit revenues and expenses from 2020 are outlined in report BB-06-21 from the chief building official. Feedback is required by the province about land use compatibility guidelines, including odour guideline and compliance policy. A 60-day public comment period began on May 4 and ends July 3. The city’s response is expected to “focus primarily on the draft Land Use Compatibility Guidelines.”

Terms of reference for the major transit station area (MTSA)-specific planning will be considered, and will proceed directly to a special council meeting the same day for consideration.

A significant item being considered by committee that will move directly to the special council meeting is the submission on the Region of Halton’s growth concepts discussion paper. The staff report PL-21-21 indicates that concepts 3A/3B “most closely align with the objectives of the City of Burlington.” This is an important report as it deals with how Halton will grow to 1,100,000 people and 500,000 jobs by 2051.

A report on the options to increase physical distancing on Brant Street is listed in the agenda, but the item “will be distributed under separate cover.” The final item on the agenda is recognition and support to the 2SLGBTQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) community through infrastructure initiatives. The report basically provides direction to staff regarding rainbow crosswalks, pride (rainbow)-themed benches, and expanding the street banner program.

Part two of this month’s committee overview will be provided in a second article, covering the remainder of the committee meetings for this round of meetings.

The regular council meeting to consider the recommendations from these committee meetings will be held on Tuesday, June 22.

Each of these reports is available on https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/Agendas-and-Minutes.asp, by choosing the meeting calendar and clicking on the respective meeting package or addendum.