Top 5 Need-to-Knows from the Council Meeting on June 29:

1. The Town now requires short-term rentals to have a business license, which includes strict regulations to help ensure they can operate cohesively within the community.
   
   
2. Council approved an updated Animal Control By-law for stronger regulations on the care and control of all animals, including rules around tethering. The Town is establishing its first pet store licensing regime with a key regulation being that cats and dogs can only be sourced for adoption from shelters, humane societies, or recognized animal rescue groups.
   
   
3. In place of summer camps, Newmarket will be providing alternative programming such as small group short programs, camper activity kits and more. 
   
   
4. An Energy and Operational Savings report was presented to Council. This report found that since 2007, the Town of Newmarket was able to achieve a savings of $7,235,995 through the Honeywell Energy Efficiency Projects. This amount is $2,444,651 higher than what was originally estimated.
   
   
5. Newmarket will begin construction on three new bike lanes. New parking by-law amendments were made to support this work.

Here's what happened at the virtual Council Meeting on June 29, 2020:

Regulating Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals (STRs) are a growing industry that allows for temporary accommodation of a dwelling unit, in whole or in part, for up to 28 consecutive days. The growth of this industry has raised concerns regarding negative impacts to neighbourhoods within our community.

To address concerns short-term rentals can pose, the Town will be implementing regulations on short-term rental operators and platforms through the Business License By-law.

New regulations on short-term rentals:

• Every short-term rental requires a business licence and a sign on property to identify they are operating a rental.
• Only one short-term rental is permitted on a lot or within a home.
• One off-street parking space must be available for every bedroom for rent with another for the short-term rental operator.
• Rentals are limited to six guests and up to three bedrooms.
• Rentals must be operated by a permanent resident (someone who lives onsite) who is also required to respond to complaints within two hours.
• During this first phase, only room-rental short-term rentals are permitted to operate. Entire home rentals will be considered when zoning amendments are proposed at the end of 2020.
  
  A demerit point system will be in place, which requires STR operators to comply with all Town by-laws. Licenses can be suspended or revoked if operators do not comply with the by-law. This measure will help ensure short-term rentals can cohesively operate within the community.
  
  For the full list of regulations, please read the Business Licence By-law, licensing fees and short-term rentals staff report.
  
  Town updates Animal Control By-law and establishes rules for pet stores
  
  At the start of 2019, the province changed the role of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). Newmarket, and fellow municipalities, identified a gap in authority to address community concerns related to animal health and welfare.
  
  Following public, industry and Council consultation, the Town has updated its existing 2016 Animal Control By-law based on evolving community expectations. In addition, the Town is establishing its first pet store licensing regime within the overall Business Licence By-law.
  
  Top 3 Changes

• Stronger regulations around tethering to ensure animals can have more movement and access to food, water, shelter and shade. Animals cannot be tethered for more than three hours in a day (consecutive or not) and the chain must be 3 metres or longer.
• Domestic animals (excluding cats or dogs) are permitted to be sold in pet stores but are required to comply with very specific regulations, which include access to food, water, and appropriate caging restrictions
• A cat or dog is only permitted to be sold within a pet store through a facilitated adoption sourced from a municipal or registered animal shelter, a registered humane society, or a recognized animal rescue group.
  
  The Town is exploring options to allow breeders and kennels to operate locally in the future, with strict regulations to ensure the care and safety of animals.
  
  In addition, the Town is moving forward with a "Permitted Animals List" to mirror that of our partnering municipality, Aurora. If any residents currently have pets that are not included in this list, they can reach out to fscott@newmarket.ca to notify the Town and have their pet grandfathered in. Over the next six months, staff will conduct public consultation on which animals should also be included on this list and amend the by-law based on feedback. The list can found on page 14 of the by-law.
  
  Read the full report here.
  
  Summer Camps 2020 Update
  
  The Town of Newmarket will be implementing alternative programming in place of full-day summer camps for the 2020 season. Alternative programming includes family programs, small group short programs, camper activity kits and more.
  
  More information about alternative Recreation programming will be released as soon as possible. Bookmark newmarket.ca/recreation and check back soon for more information.
  
  Newmarket achieves higher than estimated energy savings as reported through the 2019 Energy and Operational Savings Report
  
  Newmarket Council was provided with an update on the cumulative savings for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Honeywell Energy Efficiency Projects. Since 2007, through a partnership with Honeywell Canada Energy and Environmental Services (EES), the Town's energy and operational savings have amounted to $7,235,995. This amount is $2,444,651 higher than what was originally estimated and proposed by Honeywell.
  
  These savings were achieved through energy retrofits at various Town buildings and facilities, and other upgrades around Town such as LED street lighting, general lighting system upgrades, control system and upgrades, HVAC upgrades and more. Learn more by viewing the full information report.
  

Three new bike lanes will be added this summer / fall

Newmarket Council was provided with a Bicycle Lane 2020 Update. In this update, three new bicycle lanes will be constructed in Newmarket. These include:

1. London Road from Yonge Street to Main Street North
2. Alexander Road from Srigley Street to Davis Drive
3. Bonshaw Avenue from Woodspring Avenue to Gilpin Drive

The bicycle lanes are scheduled to be installed this summer / fall 2020. However the timelines may change due to the impacts of COVID-19.

With the construction of these bike lanes approved, parking by-law amendments were required to be made. For more information on the parking by-law amendments, please view the information report. 

Here's what happened at the June 8 Special Council Meeting:  

Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution and Envi Network update

Ysni Semsedini, President and CEO, Newmarke- Tay Power Distribution Ltd. (NT Power) and Gianni Creta, President, Envi Network provided an update to Newmarket Council. NT Power continues to adapt to COVID-19, while health and safety and continuing to deliver essential power services to their customers remain their top priority. They are working with customers to help manage the financial impacts of COVID-19. This includes mitigating interest, applying deposits to help manage payments, seeking out funding programs and making payment arrangements to help customers get through these unprecedented times.

The Province of Ontario has a number of temporary relief measure in place to support Ontarians impacted by COVID-19, including

• Electricity disconnection ban extended - The ban on electricity disconnections for non-payment has been extended to July 31 for residents and small businesses.
• Time of use pricing, new fixed price available June 1 -To support families, small businesses and farms while Ontario plans for the safe and gradual reopening of the province, the Government of Ontario has introduced a new fixed electricity price of 12.8 ¢/kWh for customers that are on time-of-use prices. Starting June 1, 2020, that price applies to electricity used at all hours of the day, 7 days a week. 
• Bill assistance programs – there are a number of programs available to help low-income consumers and those that are in arrears on their energy bills as a result of COVID-19. Find out more at oeb.ca/billhelp.

Newmarket Council also approved the financial statements, auditors and Board of Directors for NT Power.

For further information, please contact Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution at 905-895-2309

Envi Network

In 2018, The Town worked with Newmarket Hydro Holdings Inc. to launch Envi, a community-owned ultra-high speed broadband network delivering service to municipalities, universities, schools, hospitals and the business sector in Newmarket. Envi is enhancing the Town's broadband infrastructure and improving connectivity and service for the local business community. More reliable, affordable and faster access to the internet is bringing social and economic benefits to businesses in the Newmarket, while also playing an integral role in the Town's economic development strategy.

Highlights:

• 2019 was Envi's first full year in business and they now have over 100 customers in the Newmarket business community
• They have installed 18 km of fibre to date
• Envi has now added voice services and continues 
• Envi is continuing to deliver services through COVID-19 and is working directly with their clients to support them through this time
• Envi will continue to pivot and adapt to the COVID-19 landscape to continue to expand their services
  

Main Street Pedestrian zones and Town-wide patios expansion

Recognizing the significant challenges local merchants and restaurants are facing, the Town of Newmarket is continuing to look for ways to support the local business community during and after COVID-19. Newmarket is committed to moving forward with a modified outdoor patio program when York Region is permitted to move into phase two under provincial guidelines. The Town will work closely with the BIA, the Chamber of Commerce and local restaurants and retailers to create plans that could be put into place quickly when the province announces it is safe to do so. This approach will align with all COVID-19 provincial regulations under the emergency orders and will be guided first and foremost by ensuring the health and safety of patrons, staff and the community. 

Here are a few steps the town is taking to help restaurants respond and adapt to challenges created by COVID-19:

• Patio licensing fees will be waived for 2020
• The Town's current patio program guidelines and regulations will be updated to include more flexibility around hours of operation, encroachment on town lands and any other considerations necessary to accommodate temporary outdoor patios
• Infrastructure, set up and tear down of pedestrian zones that directly involve the use of Town property be funded by the Town for the 2020 season

The Town will continue to work very closely with the local business community to help find solutions to manage the impact of COVID-19. All local business owners are encouraged to contact the Town of Newmarket's Business Assistance Concierge where the team can provide one-on-one support navigating these unchartered waters, including connecting businesses with experienced mentors as part of the Town's Mentorship Access Program.

30-minute parking on Main Street extended until September

In early May, the Town of Newmarket temporarily amended the parking restrictions on Main Street by imposing a 30-minute maximum parking limit to accommodate curbside pickup and delivery. The Town has extended the 30-minute parking on Main Street until September 21  to continue to allow for convenient curbside pickup until first Council meeting in September 21. However, as the COVID-19 landscape continues to change, this amendment may be brought back to Council earlier for discussion. 

This applies to the east and west side of Main Street from Water Street to Davis Drive. Residents who are not using curbside pickup/delivery are asked to use other downtown parking spaces, such as the lot around Market Square (P5-6) and east of Main Street around the Lion's Club (P3) and Riverwalk Commons (P1 & P7) shown in the parking guide.

For more information on other items discussed at the Special Council Meeting on April 27, 2020, please view the
Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, under Agendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. To view live streamed or archived video meetings, visit newmarket.ca/meetings. 

Here's what happened at the Special Council Meeting on May 19, 2020: 

Revised Workplan for 2020 and Q1 2020 Update

Newmarket Council approved a revised Workplan for 2020 projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town has focused its efforts on providing essential services for the community. As a result, a number of projects have been reprioritized.

The revised Workplan for 2020 includes new dates for reports and projects like, Financial Plans and updates, 2021 Fees and Charges, Newmarket's Cultural Master Plan and more.

For a full list of the revised workplan, please view the staff report to Council located at newmarket.ca/meetings

COVID-19 Financial Update

Newmarket Council was provided with an update to the Town's financial situation due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic could create a deficit of up to $8.5 million for the Town's tax-supported operating budget (services, programs and initiatives supported by property taxes). This deficit can be linked to a number of programs and initiatives such as the Financial Relief Program for residents and businesses, the Town's Emergency Response to COVID-19, loss of user fee revenues (facility closures deferral of construction projects etc.), and other operating losses.

The Town is looking for ways to reduce the projected deficit by implementing cost-saving measures such as expense reduction, staffing redeployment, service level reductions and other financial strategies.

Impacts to the rate-supported (services funded by fees and charges) and capital budgets are expected to be much smaller and more manageable.

For more information, please view the staff report to council located at newmarket.ca/meetings

2021 Budget Process and Target

Newmarket Council approved the 2021 Budget process and target dates. It is important to note that the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of emergency may impact 2021 budget decisions.

Please see the proposed 2021 Budget schedule below:

• October 5 – Preliminary draft budgets will be presented to Committee of the Whole. This will be the first look at the operating and capital budgets.
• October 2020 – Special Committee of the Whole meeting dedicated to review the capital and rate-supported operating budget.
• November 2020 – Special Committee of the Whole meetings dedicated to review the tax-supported operating budget.
• December 14 – Target date to approve the 2021 Budget.

As always, community engagement will be very important in helping to shape the 2021 budget. Community engagement and consultation will begin over the summer months with the Town seeking out new and creative ways to engage and interact with the community virtually.

For more information, please view the staff report to Council available at newmarket.ca/meetings

For more information on other items discussed at the Special Council Meeting on April 27, 2020, please view the
Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, under Agendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. To view live streamed or archived video meetings, visit newmarket.ca/meetings. 

Here's what happened at the Special Council Meeting on April 27, 2020: 

Financial Relief Plan for Residents and Businesses during COVID-19

Newmarket Council approved a Financial Relief Program to assist residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Financial Relief Program provides those most affected by the global pandemic by expanding tax and water bill relief to include:

• No penalty and interest charges on property tax payments until January 1, 2021
• Reminder: The Town will continue to withdraw Pre-Authorized Payments (PAP) as scheduled. Those on any PAP Plan are required to notify the Town in writing (email taxes@newmarket.ca) in order to stop all payment withdrawals from their PAP plan. Doing so will remove your participation from the PAP. Those who wish to return to a PAP in the future will need to re-apply and the balance owning on their account must be $0. 
• No penalty and interest charges for late payment of water/wastewater bills until January 1, 2021
• Reducing water and wastewater rates by 4.69 per cent beginning May 1, 2020
• Waiving all Non-Sufficient Fund (NSF) penalties until the end of June 2020
• Deferring the stormwater charges to November 2020
• No penalty and interest charges for all Town accounts receivable including development agreements, leases and sponsorships

Information: newmarket.ca/propertytaxes

Emergency Measures By-law to enforce orders under the Emergency Management Civil Protection Act

Newmarket Council approved a new Emergency Measures By-law. This bylaw was created to support the Town in protecting the health and safety of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Measures By-law will allow the Town to:

• Enforce physical social distancing recommendations by the Province of Ontario (i.e. asking individuals, who are not from the same household, to stay at least 6ft. away from each other when in public areas.)
• Allow the Town to place conditions or requirements for essential businesses to follow in order to operate safely (i.e. limit the number of people in the store at a time to ensure safe physical distancing)  
• Enforce fines established under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act through the Town's Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS). An amendment to the AMPS By-law will allow the Town to process ticket disputes while the Provincial Courts remain closed and create a more efficient process for the Town and residents.

COVID-19 has created unprecedented circumstances that are not addressed within the existing Newmarket By-laws. Having an Emergency Measures By-law will give the town more tools to focus on its number on priority – slowing and stopping the spread of COVID-19. This bylaw will only be in effect until the state of emergency for the Town is lifted.

The Town will always take an education-first approach. Its goal is to ensure everyone understands and follows the existing and new bylaws during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fines are only issued when there is a need to protect the public's health and safety.  

Amendment to the Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS) By-law

Newmarket Council amended the Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS) By-law to include the following bylaws:

• Accessory Dwelling Units By-law 2013-13;
• Animal Control By-law 2016-53;
• By-law 2002-151:
• Schedule 1 (Adult Entertainment Parlours);
• Schedule 2 (Adult Video Stores);
• Schedule 7 (Body Rub Parlours);
• Schedule 15 (Newspaper Boxes);
  
• Clean Yards By-law 2017-63;
• Clothing Donation Bins By-law 2016-33;
  
• Fireworks By-law 2015-18
•  Property Standards By-law 2017-62;
• Second Hand Goods Shops By-law 2008-79;
• Sign By-law 2017-73; and
•  Waste Collection By-law 2017-19.
  

The AMPS By-law was established in September 2019 to deal with parking-related offences. This By-law was introduced to assist over-burdened courts by streamlining ticket disputes and providing the Town a more efficient way to enforce these offences. 

With new emergency orders issued by the Province of Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town is facing some challenges in enforcement because most of the By-laws are administratively handled by the Provincial Offences Act through the court system. 

By including the above stated Newmarket By-laws into the AMPS By-law, the Town will now be able to resolve matters within 30-60 days. This is a shorter timeframe in comparison to the lengthy process of provincial courts (which are currently closed due to COVID-19) and can normally take up to a year to resolve.

For more information, please view the staff report available at newmarket.ca/meetings

Newmarket's response to COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newmarket staff members have been extremely responsive to the changing COVID-19 landscape in order to assist the community. Newmarket's response includes, but is not limited to:

• Activation of the Town's Emergency Operations Centre to ensure that essential services are being maintained for the safety of the community and adjusted to meet the needs and health and safety of staff. 
• Increased daily communications to residents through the Town's communication channels, including a COVID-19 web portal.
• Monitoring Provincial and Federal updates and developing programs that will benefit residents and the municipality
• Establishing a Community Positivity Program - #StandApartTogether to help shine a light on the bright side of Newmarket during these challenging times. 
• Establishing a virtual online hub for residents to enjoy recreation and culture activities at home – Home Sweet Home.

To review the Town's full response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please view the information report.

For more information on other items discussed at the Special Council Meeting on April 27, 2020, please view the
Minutes for the Town of Newmarket Council Meetings, outlining Council decisions, under Agendas, Minutes and Meetings on the Town of Newmarket website. To view live streamed or archived video meetings, visit newmarket.ca/meetings.