The City of Timmins will host approximately 475 evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation, following a precautionary evacuation of the First Nations community due to flooding on the Albany River. Flights will begin arriving early next week.
The City of Timmins has declared a State of Emergency as a preventive measure to allow for the quick mobilization of municipal support and personnel if required. Upon arrival, all evacuees will be processed and situated by the Stronger Together team before being transported to the Ramada Inn and Microtel Inns and Suites for temporary lodging.
The City of Timmins, in conjunction with Stronger Together, is working with the Provincial Emergency Response Organization (PEOC), Indigenous Service Canada (ISC), Kashechewan leadership, along with community partners and service agencies, to ensure residents of Kashechewan have the support and resources they need while in Timmins.
We ask that motorists traveling along Riverside Drive in the vicinity of Ramada Inn and Microtel Inns and Suites watch for increased pedestrian traffic starting next week.
Amanda Dyer
Timmins Transit is continuing an Earth Day tradition … free bus rides on Saturday, April 22.
Each year, Canadians are asked to join the green revolution. Helping our planet can be as simple as choosing public transportation. The benefits of riding the bus versus driving a private vehicle are well known. On-road transportation in Timmins is responsible for 37.7% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions as identified in the City’s 2019 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. Using public transportation helps lower our emissions and conserve energy and fuel by reducing the number of private vehicles on the road.
But the benefits of public transportation do not stop there.
Did you know?
- Public transit makes our roads safer. Transit operators generally have more driver training, drive at lower speeds, and avoid high-risk driving situations.
- Public transit reduces traffic congestion. This is particularly helpful during busy road construction and maintenance months.
- Public transit improves social equity by providing reliable transportation for all individuals regardless of ability, accessibility, age, or income.
- Public transit increases physical activity. A bus ride often starts and ends with some form of activity (like walking) to and from the bus stop.
On Saturday, April 22 ride the bus for planet earth! It’s free and it’ll give the environment a break. Where will you go?
Amanda Dyer
Timmins Transit is continuing an Earth Day tradition … free bus rides on Saturday, April 22.
Each year, Canadians are asked to join the green revolution. Helping our planet can be as simple as choosing public transportation. The benefits of riding the bus versus driving a private vehicle are well known. On-road transportation in Timmins is responsible for 37.7% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions as identified in the City’s 2019 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. Using public transportation helps lower our emissions and conserve energy and fuel by reducing the number of private vehicles on the road.
But the benefits of public transportation do not stop there.
Did you know?
- Public transit makes our roads safer. Transit operators generally have more driver training, drive at lower speeds, and avoid high-risk driving situations.
- Public transit reduces traffic congestion. This is particularly helpful during busy road construction and maintenance months.
- Public transit improves social equity by providing reliable transportation for all individuals regardless of ability, accessibility, age, or income.
- Public transit increases physical activity. A bus ride often starts and ends with some form of activity (like walking) to and from the bus stop.
On Saturday, April 22 ride the bus for planet earth! It’s free and it’ll give the environment a break. Where will you go?
Amanda Dyer
After a warm weekend with rain, the City’s Public Works Department is mobilizing crews to tackle potholes, frozen culverts, and potential washouts on roads across Timmins. Algonquin Blvd. East, through the downtown core, is particularly pitted and the City is asking commercial vehicles and heavy trucks to start using the Laforest Rd. truck detour now.
“The truck detour will be going into effect once Connecting Link construction starts,” says Ken Krcel, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services. “This section of Algonquin Blvd. East will be fully resurfaced as part of this year’s work, but if we could move the heavier commercial vehicles off the road now, it will help preserve the temporary patches that we’re applying to the potholes on Algonquin Blvd.”
Public Works uses a high-performance cold mix to patch potholes during the spring. It can be applied in all weather conditions, but is susceptible to vehicle traffic, road bed movement, and water. By moving heavier trucks off the Connecting Link now, the hope is to keep the potholes filled until construction starts in the next few weeks. The City’s contractor, Belanger Construction Ltd. is in town this week installing temporary traffic controls. While Algonquin will remain open until Connecting Link construction starts, truck detour signs should be in place by end of week and a notice of detour will be broadcast on Municipal511.
The standard truck detour will allow trucks to bypass Algonquin Blvd. from Shirley St., to Lafleur Dr. and onto Laforest Rd. before reaching Hwy. 655. For more information, see: https://www.timmins.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=11976429&pageId=19443557.
Amanda Dyer
Daytime Snow Removal 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
From April 11 to April 14, 2023, the Public Works Department wishes to inform the public that crews may be doing snow removal.
Tuesday, April 11, Starting 7:30 AM:
Timmins North: Cherry, Patricia, Hart, Howard, Harmony, Burke.
South Porcupine: Shamrock, Bloor and area
Wednesday, April 12, Starting at 7:30 AM:
Timmins South: Belanger, Bannerman.
South Porcupine: Hellen, Helmer, Fern and area
Thursday, April 13, Starting at 7:30 AM:
Timmins South: Middleton, Windsor, Kent.
Schumacher: Bucket loading
Friday, April 14, Starting at 7:30 AM:
Timmins South: Way, Wendy, Montgomery, Columbus.
South Porcupine: Churches and storefronts
Note on the Plan:
The above plan or parts of the plan may be changed at any time and/or delayed if a winter storm is in effect or related to mechanical issues. The snow removal crew will change to a snow plowing operation. Those streets that may not be done will be done on the next available snow removal shift.
Illegal placement of Snow from Residential Property onto Sidewalk and Road:
A reminder that City BYLAW 1993-4162 does not allow a person to place snow from a person’s property and place onto the road or sidewalk.
Posted No Parking Signs Advising Winter Maintenance:
Public Works would like to remind residents that yellow No Parking Signs will be posted to notify that winter maintenance will be taking place for daytime operations. Vehicles not complying with these No Parking signs will be ticketed and towed to allow for snow removal crew to advance.
Winter Parking Ban:
A reminder that the winter parking ban is effect and parking on the street is not permitted on any day, between the hours of 11:30 PM to 7:30 AM, from November 1 through April 30.
Priority Sequence for Snow Removal Operations:
Day Operation:
Snow removal is never done in the area where waste and recycling collection is taken place.
High density residential areas (older section of City: one-ways, narrow streets)
Low density residential areas
Night Operation:
Highway sections;
High density commercial sections;
Main arterial routes
Safety:
A reminder to respect safety signage as the safety of workers is very important.
We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Public Works Department
Stephanie Tessier
Timmins Transit would like to advise the public that this Saturday, April 7, 2023, they will be running a modified Sunday schedule.
Hours of service will not change. Buses will be running from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Routes 901 (east-west), 902 (north-south), 7 (Park Ave.) and 6 (Riverside) will be in service. Changes will be reflected on the Transit Tracker.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Amanda Dyer
A Special Council Meeting has been called for April 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the following:
- Labour relations or employee negotiations
For more information, contact the Clerks Department:
220 Algonquin Blvd. East
Timmins, Ontario
P4N 1B3
[email protected]
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Public Works Department would like to advise the public that a city wide snow plowing operation is planned to begin Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 12.01AM.
Crews will be deployed to plow city streets, rural roads, laneways and parking lots across the city. Some areas may not be plowed overnight and will be plowed during the daytime hours.
We would also like to remind the public that the Winter Parking Ban is in effect. Parking on the street is not permitted on any day between the hours of 11:30 pm to 7:30 am, from November 1 through April 30.
Please note that not all areas will be completed on night shift.
We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.
Public Works Department
Stephanie Tessier
Today, City Council approved the 2023 Budget with an overall net levy increase of 3.26 percent, which includes the municipal contribution to agencies, boards and commissions (ABC’s). This translates to an approximate 2.35 percent tax increase for residential property owners. For a median property assessed at $192,000, this means an increase of approximately $85 per year or $7.08 per month over 2022.
This year’s budget increase can be attributed to an escalation in construction costs, with the City taking on the Golden Manor redevelopment project this year, and high costs in social services, health, and policing. To offset some of the increase, City Council opted to draw money from the City’s tax stabilization reserve and remove any council requests greater than $200,000.
Operating Budget
The City’s 2023 Net Operating Budget is $35,602,649 reflecting a net increase of $347,821, and is used to support municipal services like road maintenance, waste management, and public transit.
Cost drivers for Public Works continues to be an increase in material costs. Asphalt prices have increased by 27.5 percent; both the cost of salt and snow removal contractors have increased by at least 10 percent; traffic paint has increased by 30 percent; and fuel prices have gone up approximately 59 percent.
Capital Budget
The City’s tax supported contribution of $10,131,926 towards a total capital budget of approximately $29.7 million, includes an increase of $707,263 and is used to maintain, repair and replace municipal assets like roadways, bridges, municipal parks, and public transportation.
Many of the City’s capital projects are identified in the City’s Asset Management Plan, updated in 2022, and the Municipal Long-Term Financial Plan, implemented in 2020. The capital budget weighs current need against future growth and expansion.
2023 Budget Highlights Include:
• $20.8 million towards Connecting Link reconstruction - $10 million of total cost from provincial funding
• $4.9 million for various transit-related projects including terminal renovations, bus replacements, and farebox system software – offset with external funding
• $1.5 million for “grind and pave” road resurfacing
• $1.4 million for street lights and culvert replacements.
• $1 million debt repayment for Golden Manor – lessens impact when full payment is required in 2024.
• $950,000 for Public Works site upgrade design and purchase of an asphalt recycler and brine storage facility.
• $800,000 for recreation upgrades including continued development of the skateboard park and re-surfacing of the multi-use pad at Melview park.
• $500,000 for road upgrades to Government Rd. N. including pulverization, grading and surface treatment.
• $450,000 for landfill site orientation, improvements, and soil management facility development.
• $175,000 for Porcupine River Bridge design – funded by reserve.
Quotes:
“Creating a municipal budget that balances operating costs with future planning and investment is always a challenge,” says Mayor Michelle Boileau. “Council worked to minimize the impact to rate payers by eliminating council requests over $200,000, allocating funds from the City’s tax stabilization reserve, and prioritizing projects that will see a greater long-term return.
“Council is also committed to addressing key concerns that are impacting the well-being of residents today. That is why you will see a portion of the City’s Municipal Accommodations Tax set aside to explore options that support public safety. We are working with staff to determine the feasibility of expanding the City’s CIP Safety Improvement Grant and adding overnight private security and street outreach programs within the community.”
“While the City’s operating expenses are increasing due to higher material, utility, and labour costs, we have attempted to keep the overall impact in check,” says Dave Landers, Chief Administrative Officer. “This year’s budget captures the added cost of maintaining municipal services, while leaving room to invest in the programs and services that will move Timmins forward.”
Amanda Dyer
The City of Timmins Public Works is declaring a Significant Weather Event effective Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. and issued under the provisions of the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways (O.Reg 239).
According to a Special Weather Statement issued by Environment Canada, conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight with the possibility of 5 to 10 cm of snow or ice pellets, changing to freezing rain on Wednesday morning with ice accretion possible. Strong winds gusts may occur up to 60 km/h and surfaces such as highways, roads, and parking lots may become slippery.
Based on this forecast, we anticipate delays in the plowing and sanding/salting of some city streets and roads along with city sidewalks. Uncertainty remains regarding the track of this weather system, which could change the location of the freezing rain and snowfall amounts. City resources will be deployed when deemed appropriate and when safe to do so.
We also remind residents that the Winter Parking Ban is in effect and parking on the street is not permitted on any day, between the hours of 11:30 pm to 7:30 am, from November 1 through April 30 unless otherwise posted. Residents are also reminded that City BYLAW 1993-4162 does not allow a person to place snow from a person’s property onto the road or sidewalk.
We thank you for your cooperation in this matter. An additional notice will be posted to declare the end of the Significant Weather Event. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
Amanda Dyer
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