Latest news with #CityStaff
CBC
16-07-2025
- CBC
Nanaimo considers $412K city hall fence to prevent harassment, vandalism
Nanaimo city staff are proposing a $412,000 fence be built around city hall, saying they've endured harassment and vandalism since an overdose prevention site opened next door. Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said the situation isn't uncommon for Nanaimo, and added the city has an obligation to provide a safe workplace.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Toronto city staff scale back proposal for priority transit lanes lane on Dufferin, Bathurst streets
Toronto city staff are curtailing proposed plans for dedicated public transit lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets north of Bloor, according to a report to be considered by council's executive committee later this month. The report, which will be discussed on July 16, recommends bus-only lanes be installed on Dufferin Street from King Street W. up to Bloor Street W. Originally, staff had proposed that the lanes extend up to Eglinton Avenue W. It similarly recommends streetcar-only lanes be installed on Bathurst Street from Lake Shore Boulevard W. north to Bathurst station, except for a stretch between Nassau Street and Dundas Street W., where construction is ongoing at the Toronto Western Hospital. Originally, staff had proposed priority bus lanes from Bathurst station to Eglinton Avenue W. At the committee meeting, city staff will suggest that they report back after Toronto hosts six FIFA World Cup games next year. Staff could make recommendations then on whether or not to extend the priority transit lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin from Bloor Street W. to Eglinton Avenue W. WATCH | Reaction mixed over proposed bus lanes on 2 major Toronto streets: City staff have said the priority lanes would help meet the city's needs during the games, with both Bathurst and Dufferin serving as "critical routes to get people to and from the games." Both proposals sparked mixed reaction from residents in the spring, who raised concerns at virtual town halls over the loss of parking spaces and impact on local businesses. Coun. Dianne Saxe, who represents University-Rosedale, said constituents have told her that they would like to see significant improvements in bus service on Bathurst Street north of Bloor Street W. but also they want to preserve local businesses. "There's about, variously 50, 60 well-loved local businesses, a lot of them owned by people who also live in the immediate vicinity. And they have been really frightened about the prospects for their businesses if people can't park anywhere," Saxe said. Saxe said there is a big problem with the northbound bus in the later afternoon but not with the southbound bus. "We don't have a problem with the bus 24/7. We have a huge problem with the bus, the northbound bus, in the afternoons from about two until seven. Those are five very important hours, but they're not 24 hours," Saxe said. Saxe said she will move a motion at a city council committee meeting in September that the city needs to "unblock the bus" when it is stuck. She said one potential solution is to expand the hours that parking is not permitted on the street to match the hours of heavy traffic. Transit riders 'deserve to have priority,' TTCriders says Andrew Pulsifer, executive director of transit advocacy group TTC Riders, said the group is "really disappointed" that the priority transit lanes will not go all the way to Eglinton Avenue W. Bathurst and Dufferin streets both need dedicated bus lanes north of Bloor, he said. "Well, 35,000 people use the Bathurst line every day, 40,000 use the Dufferin line every day and and they deserve to have priority," he said. Pulsifer said the city has an opportunity to fix the problems but they are not acting on that opportunity. Making dedicated transit lanes will make transit more reliable and make the streets less congested, he added. According to the city staff report, the priority lanes would see 75 parking spaces removed along Dufferin Street and 277 parking spaces on Bathurst Street. Installing priority transit lanes would require an estimated $8 million in capital funding, the city staff report says. If approved by the executive committee, the proposal for the lanes would go before city council. If approved by city council, the report suggests construction on both projects would begin this fall with an estimated completion in the spring of 2026.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Upcoming weather has Massachusetts under an Extreme Heat Warning
Due to the upcoming heat wave Massachusetts is set to experience, the state has been issued an 'Extreme Heat Warning.' The National Weather Service says that it's slated to go into effect for eastern, northeastern, southeastern, and western Massachusetts starting on Sunday at 11 AM until Tuesday at 8 PM. Our weather team expects temperatures to go up into the high 90s, with Tuesday potentially being a record-breaking day in terms of heat. Tuesday is the day to watch. Temperatures are slated to reach 100 degrees, and the heat index may climb, making it feel like 110! Our meteorologists say, 'Records are likely to fall across the region, and outdoor activity should be limited to the early morning or evening hours.' 'With this heat emergency coming as we kick off the summer season, we ask our community members to please take care and prepare accordingly for the extreme heat,' said Mayor Michelle Wu. 'City staff are working to ensure that all residents can have a safe and enjoyable summer. Be sure to stay hydrated, take breaks from working outside, and regularly check in on neighbors, friends, and family.' Mayor Wu and city staff members have also issued the following safety tips to ensure you beat the heat: Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. Keep cool with frequent cool showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans. More tips for cooling down at home can be found here. If you can't avoid being outside, it's critical to take breaks in the shade, drink water constantly — even if you're not thirsty — and watch for warning signs like dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not delay care. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and can exacerbate underlying illnesses. Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing including long sleeve shirts and hats. If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six. Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's specifications. If you are heading to a beach, lake, or pool to beat the heat, swim where lifeguards are present. Always watch children near the water and make sure they're wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Please call or check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities. Please keep pets indoors, hydrated, and cool as asphalt and ground conditions are significantly hotter and unsafe during heat. Some cities, like Worcester, have announced cooling centers at the following locations: Monday, June 23 Worcester Public Library (Main Branch) – 3 Salem Square | 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Worcester Senior Center – 128 Providence St. | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24 Worcester Public Library (Main Branch) – 3 Salem Square | 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Worcester Senior Center – 128 Providence St. | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Worcester 311 Customer Service Center – 799 Main St. | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Vancouver mayor asks staff to look at property tax increase scenarios as low as 0% for 2026
Vancouver's mayor has told city staff to draft a 2026 budget with no property tax increase – raising concerns over the potential for slashed services.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Hamilton dog park shuttered due to concerns over contaminated soil
A City of Hamilton sign is pictured above in this file photo. A Hamilton dog park has been closed as a 'precaution' following concerns about potentially hazardous soil at the site, according to a report from city staff. The Birch Avenue dog park was shuttered after city staff said results from soil samples at the leash-free site found 'exceedances on some criteria of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks current standards for parkland.' In a report sent to city council last week, staff say the soil poses 'no imminent danger to people,' but the impacts on dog health 'remain uncertain.' 'Effective immediately and out of an abundance of caution related to protecting health of dogs, the dog park will be closed to the public until further notice,' the staff report read. 'The fully fenced dog park will be locked and a closure notice sign will be placed at the entrance. These precautionary measures are based on the initial soil screening information.' The soil screening was undertaken following a complaint in May 2024 from an area resident who was concerned that the soil condition was negatively impacting the health of dogs using the park, possibly leading to illness and even death. The dog park, city staff said, opened in 2010 and was previously used as a disposal location for non-hazardous fill, including brick, rubble, and concrete. 'When the park was established, site background studies were reviewed and determined to meet the standards at the time for park use,' the report read. A consultant has been engaged to conduct further review of the tests with a 'dog as the target species in mind,' the report continued. 'Once comprehensive testing and information is available, next steps can be better understood and planned,' staff concluded. 'It is recognized this closure will be an inconvenience and ask for patience while further testing is completed.'
