Lessons Learned from Ice Storm 2013
Richmond Hill is well-prepared for any emergency. Council received a presentation about emergency preparedness and lessons learned from the December 2013 ice storm. The ice storm was a significant event for Richmond Hill that underscored the importance of being prepared for any emergency situation – both municipally and personally. Being prepared is a priority for Richmond Hill and, as such, tests its emergency plan annually through mock exercises. Residents are always encouraged to prepare themselves and their families (including pets!) for an emergency by creating 72-Hour Emergency Kits and an emergency plan, because emergencies can happen at any time and without warning. Ice Storm 2013 resulted in severe and prolonged power outages and hazardous conditions on roads, sidewalks and extreme tree damage on both public and private property. The total ice storm recovery cost to Richmond Hill is estimated to be $7 million. The three lessons learned from the December ice storm - clearly defined roles and responsibilities, effective communications and strengthened partnerships - will be actioned to ensure Richmond Hill continues to be prepared to respond to any emergency or significant future event. For more information, contact Bryan Burbidge, Deputy Fire Chief - Support Services, at 905-780-2897.

Ontario One Call (ON1Call) Service Agreement
Council approved a service agreement with Ontario One Call (ON1Call) to operate a call centre on behalf of all owners of underground infrastructure, including Richmond Hill. The call centre will receive and coordinate utility locate requests from contractors and homeowners who call before they dig, ensuring their safety by checking for buried Town-owned water, storm and wastewater pipes and other utilities, helping to reduce damage to such infrastructure. The agreement between Richmond Hill and ON1Call, as required by the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act 2012, will come into effect on Thursday, June 19. It will assist with resource management by meeting regulatory requirements for protecting the health and safety of contractors and residents. Residents wishing to know who to call before they dig should visit RichmondHill.ca. To learn more about this agreement, contact Grant Taylor, Director, Public Works Operations, at 905-780-2966.

Ensuring an Accessible Town
Ensuring its programs, services and facilities are accessible to all residents and visitors is a priority for Richmond Hill. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, Council approved Richmond Hill’s 2014 Accessibility Plan Status Report. The Act requires municipalities to prepare an annual report detailing the progress of the initiatives identified in their multi-year accessibility plans; Richmond Hill’s 2013-2017 multi-year accessibility plan was approved by Council in February 2013. Richmond Hill’s Plan outlines key activities and initiatives that its departments are carrying out to make programs and services more accessible. People with disabilities are a significant and growing part of the population in Ontario. More than 15 per cent of Ontarians have a disability and this number will increase as the population ages. Moving forward, Richmond Hill will continue to meet the accessibility requirements outlined in both the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, aiming to provide goods and services in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities, while ensuring integration and equality of opportunity. To learn more about the accessibility initiatives undertaken in 2013 (such as implementing a new accessibility planning process and adopting a new Accessibility Policy) and those scheduled for 2014 (e.g. launching new accommodation procedures and revising current accessibility training offerings), visit RichmondHill.ca/Accessibility and click on the 2014 Accessibility Plan Status Report. For more information, contact Donna McLarty, Director, Council Support Service/Town Clerk, at 905-771-2529.

Revised Richmond Hill Heritage Grant Program
Maintaining Richmond Hill’s heritage properties promotes a sense of identity and place and celebrates Richmond Hill’s unique places. As such, Council approved the revised Richmond Hill Heritage Grant Program Application guidelines. The current funding program was established in 1990 and has not been revised since 1996. The Richmond Hill Heritage Fund promotes good conservation practices and encourages residents to repair and preserve designated heritage resources through financial incentives to assist with the costs associated with conservation work. Council approved increasing the grant amount from $2,000 to $5,000 per property per year. The Heritage Fund will maintain an annual funding level of $30,000 and now includes a maximum of six grants a year. For more information, contact Matthew Somerville, Heritage & Urban Design Planner, at 905-771-5529.

2014 Community Grants Program
To assist with carrying out much-needed services in support of Richmond Hill residents, nine local community organizations will receive a share of $21,750 in grants. Designed to provide funding for community-based groups and projects annually, organizations may apply for funding for a specific event or short-term operating needs, accompanied by a summary of the work they provide and why there is a need for monetary support. Many of this year’s recipients involve youth and reflect the cultural diversity of Richmond Hill, including Wilderness Life Skills for Youth Inc., Beginning Again Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill K9 Klub. For a full list of this year’s recipients, visit RichmondHill.ca/Meeting and refer to the staff report. To learn more about future grants, visit RichmondHill.ca/CommunityGrants. For more information, contact Carol Kelly, Investments & Grants Analyst, at 905-771-2401.

Richmond Hill Staff are Strokes Ahead of the Rest!
The Lifesaving Society of Canada recognized Richmond Hill’s Aquatic staff for being strokes ahead of the rest and receiving the 2013 David W. Pretty Cup. The award is presented annually to the municipality with the largest lifesaving program in a community with a population of 100,000 to 250,000. The Lifesaving Society is a full-service provider of programs, products and services, such as public education, aquatic safety management and lifesaving sport. The goal is to educate the community about drowning prevention. These measures are an important part of the recreation and culture program available to Richmond Hill residents. This is the ninth consecutive year Richmond Hill’s Aquatics Section has been presented with this award. For more information, contact Darlene Joslin, Director, Recreation & Culture, at 905-771-2423.