On January 30, RAHB attended and sponsored the Burlington Mayor’s State of the City Address, where RAHB President Kathy Della-Nebbia had the pleasure of introducing Mayor Meed Ward.
In Mayor Meed Ward’s address, she touched upon several topics: community pride, business activity, what has been done, and what is to come.
Business activity: Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force & Burlington One Brand Project
Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force
Mayor Meed Ward discussed how Burlington City Council has implemented the recommendations developed as part of the Mayor’s Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force initiatives. These were developed to help grow and retain business in Burlington, and attract new talent to the city. For more information on the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force, please click the button below:
Burlington One Brand Project
Mayor Meed Ward also discussed that in the near future, Burlington City Council will be launching the Burlington One Brand Project that will help position Burlington to compete for investments, increase tourism and attract new businesses. For more information about the Burlington One Brand Project, please click the button below:
What has been done and what is to come?
Vision to Focus
Mayor Meed Ward discussed how Burlington City Council has broken down the 25-year Strategic Plan into key goals and strategic actions that can be accomplished within the council’s four-year term. For more information on Vision to Focus, please click the button below:
Interim Control Bylaw
Mayor Meed Ward discussed how Burlington wants to control pressures of over development in the downtown core, while remaining open for business. Mayor Meed Ward explained the focus of the Interim Control Bylaw (ICB)*, which froze development in around the major transit stations and Burlington GO Stations for one year. The ICB was focused on height and density. For more information on the ICB, please click the button below:
*To be lifted on March 5, 2020
Climate Action Plan
Mayor Meed Ward discussed how Burlington City Council declared a climate emergency, which has resulted in Burlington creating its first City of Burlington Climate Action Plan. The function of the action plan is to create a net-zero carbon emissions city. For more information about the City of Burlington Climate Action Plan, please click the button below:
2020 Budget
Mayor Meed Ward discussed the approval of the 2020 budget with a 3.99 per cent increase in the City’s portion of property taxes and an overall tax increase of 2.44 per cent – the lowest tax increase in years. For more information on the 2020 budget, please click the button below:
Q&A Session
To end the Burlington Mayor State of the City Address, Mayor Meed Ward answered questions from the crowd. Mayor Meed Ward was asked about housing affordability, and emphasized that it will be the next biggest issue on the horizon for Burlington City Council.