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Flooding hazards & preparedness measures resources

On Monday, December 2, 200+ residents attended the Flooding Hazards & Preparedness Measures Public Education Centre (PEC) at the Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre. Presentation slides shown during the PEC are available below, as well as other resource materials provided at the December 2 event. This information is also available at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Documents & resources

1. Public Education Centre presentation slides

2. Storm & flood contact information for residents – information sheet

3. Preparing For Flooding – a guide for property owners

4. Emergency flooding handout

5. Emergency power outage handout

6. Insurance for disasters handout

7. Lake Erie Flood Zone Property Lookup Tool

Haldimand County’s New Administration Building On Track For January 2020 Completion

On October 8, 2019, Haldimand County staff presented Council with an update on the new Administration Building’s construction progress. A number of major construction milestones have been reached and the building is on track to be completed by January 2020.

Painting, floor finishes and light fixture/ceiling tile grid installation is currently underway within the building’s interior. Electrical work will continue over the next several weeks, as will landscaping and work on remaining exterior finishes (e.g: composite paneling, landscaping). Furniture deliveries and the overall setup/configuration of the building’s interior will begin in early December. Staff moves and satellite office closures are expected to begin in January 2020.

All services currently available at the County’s satellite offices will be offered at the new administration building, and new online tools will be introduced to provide more 24/7 services to residents. Library branches will be retrofitted with ‘Community Hubs’ – computer and information stations designed to connect resident with County news & online services. Library staff will be available to provide instruction and guidance on how to make use of online services, like how to pay taxes or water bills online.

Satellite office closure information will be announced and communicated to residents later this fall. To ensure service consistency across the County, Community Hubs openings will be coordinated to occur prior to satellite office closures.

The project is within budget and moving along well to substantial completion despite weather delays and impacts related to trades-related workforce disruptions in spring 2019.

More information about the new Central Administration Building – including construction updates – will be shared on the County website and social media channels as the project progresses.

Haldimand County Shortlists Vendors To Deliver County-Wide Broadband Internet Services

In July 2019, at the request of Council, staff released a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) to short-list internet service providers capable of installing broadband infrastructure and facilitating County-wide internet services. Of the four (4) submissions received, three (3) vendors met the requirements outlined in the RFPQ and will progress to the next phase of the selection process.

At the September 23 Council meeting, staff presented Council with a high-level overview of the RFPQ results and received approval to initiate a Negotiated Request for Proposal process (NRFP) with the three successful vendors. Ultimately, negotiations will result in the selection of a successful bidder to install and facilitate internet services throughout all of Haldimand’s communities.

Given the diversity and complexity of the three qualified submissions received during the RFPQ process, the development of the NRFP and subsequent evaluations will be focused on ensuring the best service is obtained at the best value to the County. As such, Council approved obtaining third-party resources to assist staff in facilitating the negotiation process and providing technical expertise with respect to each vendor’s technology proposals & financial capacities. A budget amendment of up to $100,000 was approved and a third party consultant will be brought in to manage the NRFP process from start to finish.

“Council is committed to finding a financially sound, practical solution that makes internet connectivity attainable and sustainable for all,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “We’re taking all steps necessary to ensure we find the right provider that is capable of  delivering these services in the long-term,” he added.

Hewitt also re-iterated Council’s rationale for pursuing an internet service provider independently, outside of the SWIFT (Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology) initiative. “SWIFT’s proposed timeframe – to install high-speed internet to all of Southwestern Ontario by 2040 – was concerning, and Haldimand was placed at the bottom of the project’s priority list,” he noted. “If the County had partnered with SWIFT, there would have been a cost incurred to the County and its taxpayers with no guarantee of an end product.”

The target date to have an agreement in place has not changed and it is anticipated that an agreement will be presented to Council for approval in January of 2020. Project updates will be posted on the County website and social media accounts as they become available.

Haldimand County Adopts 2018-2022 Term Of Council Corporate Priorities

On September 23, 2019, Haldimand County Council formally adopted 8 corporate priorities for the 2018-2022 term. Term of Council Corporate Priorities are a key tool in maintaining strategic organizational focus, managing workload/resources and moving the County forward by prioritizing items that add significant value to the community.

At the beginning of each Term of Council, Council holds strategic planning exercises and discussions to identify major initiatives and administrative improvements it wishes to achieve during its tenure. County staff then identify the scope, resources, timing & other logistical matters associated with proposed initiatives and – through a report – seek Council approval of the proposed work program.

The 8 approved Corporate Priorities are, in no particular order:

1) Responding to provincial funding changes
Identify challenges and develop a fiscal strategy in response to the 2019 Ontario budget and
related legislation

2) Growth strategy, Official Plan update & Highway 6 corridor infrastructure
Continue to plan for & address population growth, long-term infrastructure needs and
economic opportunities for the next 20 years

3) High speed, County-wide broadband internet
Facilitate private sector investment to provide County-wide broadband internet infrastructure
& services     

4) Affordable/social housing strategy
Take necessary steps and examine options related to implementing an affordable and social
housing strategy

5) Procurement & contract management enhancements
Develop and implement solutions to enhance procurement and contract management
activities

6) Customer service enhancements
Further develop customer service standards, practices and resources to enhance
convenience and increase accessibility to municipal services

7) Public mobility & transportation
Define & explore potential transportation options to assist residents with travel-related needs

 
8) Major community recreational facility needs & implementation strategy
Identify and prioritize community and recreation needs associated with 20+ year growth
forecast

“These 8 priorities were determined by Council as a whole in response to our communities’ most pressing needs,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “A number of projects and initiatives will stem from these priorities over the next 3 years, all with the end goal of enhancing livability, community vibrancy and the potential for economic growth in all areas of the County,” he noted.

More information regarding the 2018-2022 Term of Council Corporate Priorities, including timing and key milestones are available at HaldimandCounty.ca under ‘Government’ > ‘Council’ and ‘Council Priorities’. This information will be updated annually.

Second Public Education Meeting Set For Lake Erie Shoreline Hazard Mapping And Risk Assessment Study

In 2018, Haldimand County, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) initiated a study to update the Lake Erie shoreline flood, erosion and dynamic beach hazard mapping.

The majority of the work to update the hazard mapping to current mapping and technical standards is now complete. The second of two Public Education Centres (PEC) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Selkirk Centennial Community Centre (34 Main Street West, Selkirk). The first PEC took place in September 2018.

The PEC will follow an open house format. There will be no formal presentations; however, the session will provide an opportunity for landowners and members of the public to learn about the findings of the study, as well as contribute their knowledge of local conditions. County and Conservation Authority staff will be available to answer questions and all members of the public interested in the project are welcome to attend.

This is a technical study to update hazard mapping. Updates to conservation authority shoreline management plans or policies, Haldimand County’s Emergency Response Plan and Official Plan are outside the scope of this project.

The PECs for this project will meet the requirements for public consultation for any resulting amendments to regulated area mapping of Ontario Regulations 150/06, 155/06 and 178/06 made under the Conservation Authorities Act.

Consistent hazard mapping across conservation authority jurisdictions is required to support land use planning and permitting decisions in at-risk communities and flood and erosion-related response and mitigation planning. Current shoreline hazard mapping for the County within LPRCA and GRCA jurisdictions was prepared in the late 1980s – early 1990s, while the mapping within the NPCA jurisdiction was updated in 2010.

The project will also update municipal risk assessment information for shoreline flooding, including inventorying at-risk infrastructure and estimating damage potential. It is anticipated the project will be completed by early 2020.

Haldimand County Named 13th Best Place To Live In Canada By Maclean’s Magazine

On Thursday, August 8, Maclean’s magazine released its list of Canada’s top 25 best communities to live in. Haldimand County – for the first time ever – made the top 25, taking spot #13 on the nation-wide list.

The annual ranking, compiled by Maclean’s, gathers data on 415 communities across the country and calculates which cities and towns offer the best quality of life. Communities were ranked after receiving points based on the following 10 categories: wealth and economy, affordability, health, weather, crime, commute, taxes, demographics, culture and community, and amenities.

“For all of us who live in and appreciate Haldimand County, this recognition is a testament to what we already know. Our proximity to nature, incredibly dedicated citizens, cultural & heritage assets, low tax rates, economic development potential and extensive recreation opportunities all contribute to the exceptional quality of life we’ve been recognized for,” stated Mayor Ken Hewitt.

“This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of County staff and all of the residents and businesses that make Haldimand County such a vibrant & welcoming place. On behalf of Council, thank you,” he added.

Maclean’s full list of community rankings can be found on the Maclean’s website.

New Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre Opening To The Public August 6th

On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, the new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre at 19 Talbot St. West will open to the public. All library and museum services will be available on this ‘soft-open’ date, however, visitors should note that minor finishing touches (such as accent lighting, paint touch-ups and landscaping) will be ongoing for a few more weeks. A more formal ‘ribbon-cutting’ ceremony is being planned for a later date.

Construction on the new 6,455 square foot library and heritage centre in the heart of Cayuga’s downtown core began in June 2018. The new, fully integrated and accessible building is now home to both library and museum collections and programs as well as research services, which will provide visitors with an extremely unique learning and cultural experience.

Both library and museum staff and their respective Boards are excited to be able share this leading edge facility and have been working hard to ensure the new space is welcoming, warm and enriching for all ages. The first heritage exhibit on display, titled Back to Our Roots, features a number of artifacts from Haldimand County’s very first museum exhibit dating back to 1933 – which was located in a 22 square foot room within the existing Cayuga Courthouse.

Community consultations regarding the future of the old library & museum site – which will be developed into public parklands – will continue into the fall. Further opportunities to provide input into their design and development will be communicated to residents in the coming weeks.

More information on the new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre, including hours of operation and services offered, is available at haldimandcounty.ca/cayugalhc.

Council, Staff Taking Steps To Deliver County-Wide Broadband Internet Service

Haldimand County Council is moving forward with its commitment to bringing affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to all residents. On July 16, 2019, staff released a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) to short-list internet service providers capable of installing broadband infrastructure and facilitating County-wide internet services.

The Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) is an invitation by Haldimand County to prospective bidders to submit proposals outlining their qualifications and experience. In order to make the RFPQ short list, bidders must demonstrate their ability – across multiple evaluation criteria – to facilitate County-wide internet services in the long-term. Bidders who meet the requirements outlined in the RFPQ and receive a passing score will be allowed to progress to the final selection stage.

It is anticipated that at the conclusion of the RFPQ process, staff will report back to Council and seek direction to initiate a Negotiated Request for Proposal process (NRFP) with a shortlisted number of proponents. Ultimately, negotiations will result in the selection of a successful bidder to install and facilitate internet services throughout all of Haldimand’s communities.

“This is an important step in making affordable, reliable high-speed internet available to all residents,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “A reliable internet connection is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Everyone in Haldimand County deserves access to this vital and basic service, whether it’s to stay connected with family, take care of day-to-day tasks, complete an online course or sustain a business,” Hewitt noted.

Community consultations will take place as the project progresses to obtain resident input, assess needs and address questions or concerns related to broadband internet service.

“We are committed to finding a financially sound, practical solution that makes internet connectivity attainable and sustainable for all. We’ll keep the public informed and engaged as the project moves forward,” added Mayor Hewitt.

The approximate project timeline – as listed in the RFPQ – is as follows:

Key MilestonesEstimated Commencement DateEstimated End Date
Issue RFPQJuly 16, 2019August 16, 2019
Evaluate RFPQ ProponentsAugust 19, 2019August 22, 2019
Issue NRFP to qualified biddersSeptember 24, 2019October 29, 2019
Evaluate NRFPOctober 30, 2019November 4, 2019
Enter Negotiations with shortlisted three (3) proponentsNovember 5, 2019November 26, 2019
Report to Council for approval of recommended bidderDecember 16, 2019December 16, 2019
Construction*Spring 2020*January 2025

 

*Timelines are established based on a tentative contract execution date of January 2020 and are subject to change.

Project updates will be posted on the County website and social media accounts as they become available.

Haldimand County Launching New Online E-Bidding System September 3

Haldimand County is making the switch to an online e-bidding system on September 3, 2019. The new system simplifies the procurement process for vendors and contractors and makes it easy to receive bid opportunities, addenda notifications, site meeting reminders, bid results & more.

The new system – called bids&tenders – provides vendors with a number of online, self-serve options. With the launch of the new system, tenders, proposals & prequalifications will be posted and available exclusively on bids&tenders free of charge. The bids&tenders system provides a custom vendor dashboard that displays all active and relevant opportunities.

At this time, there will be no change to the actual bid document submission process.

Haldimand County is offering two training sessions for vendors, with hands-on demonstrations and account setup assistance. Interested parties are asked to bring their own device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc). Vendors may choose from one of the following drop-in training sessions:

Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Time: 1p.m. OR 6p.m.
Location: Haldimand County Fire Station 4 (11 Thorburn Street, Cayuga ON N0A 1E0)

The training sessions are optional and geared towards vendors who wish to learn more about bids&tenders features or require help setting up their account. There is no cost to attend and no RSVP is required. Anyone seeking further information about the bids&tenders system or Haldimand County procurement practices may e-mail purchasing@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

A Fresh New Look: Haldimand County Council Approves New Corporate Logo And Brand

In April 2019, Council reviewed a proposed new logo and brand as part of its approved Economic Development Strategy. After deliberation and some suggested modifications to the concept, Council additionally approved staff recommendations to adopt the logo for corporate use.

Creating a new brand and logo to market the County was identified as a priority in 2017 following the development of comprehensive economic development & tourism strategies. The Council-approved strategies outlined the need for a strong brand to raise the County’s profile and differentiate it in the minds of prospective investors, visitors and businesses to foster economic growth.

In 2018, the County received funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Rural Economic Development Fund to conduct the brand strategy. Hamilton-based consultants CQNS were retained to lead the brand strategy’s development, which included multiple stages of research and stakeholder engagement including online/telephone surveys, the formation of a brand steering committee and public meetings held within each community.

During the development of the new Economic Development & Tourism brand, an opportunity to update the Haldimand County corporate logo was identified. For the past 18 years, the County has had a Coat of Arms (used for formal business) as well as a logo (used for marketing and communication purposes). The County’s corporate logo usage policy – instituted in 2001 – acknowledged that the logo would have a limited lifespan and require periodic updating.

The new logo provides a fresh new look for Haldimand County and portrays the county’s natural beauty while symbolizing its potential as a great place to live, work and play. “A cohesive, contemporary corporate identity helps portray the benefits of our community to residents, businesses, investors and visitors,” said Don Boyle, Haldimand County’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Haldimand County has evolved significantly since 2001 & the new logo reflects our community’s increased vibrancy, dynamism & potential,” he added.

Part of the re-brand involved the creation of a new tagline that celebrates what makes
Haldimand a unique destination for both visitors and prospective investors. The new Economic Development & Tourism tagline – Real. Potential. – speaks to two key elements of Haldimand County’s character: authenticity and opportunity.

Real is just how we live. It is about authentic and sincere experiences with people who are proud of who they are and what they have created.

Potential is our promise. We want to show people what Haldimand County is – a place where you can create a new business, have unique experiences and make a real impact.

“This is an exciting change and marks a turning point in the way we communicate the benefits of the County,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “While our commitment to the business community in Haldimand will not change, there is incredible potential to grow. Cities and surrounding regions throughout Ontario are marketing themselves directly and in defined, refreshed ways; the new branding puts Haldimand in a position to compete for those opportunities,” he continued.

The new logo will be rolled out incrementally. Replacement of roadside and building signage, as well as updates to County publications bearing the old logo, will occur gradually over time to minimize costs. The majority of County assets and materials will be updated as they are re-ordered, re-printed or replaced.

For more information about the new logo and brand visit HaldimandCounty.ca/HCbrand.

Funding for the brand strategy was provided by the Government of Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Fund.