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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 29, 2016 | 10 Town supports increasing Oakville representation by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville Town council has voted to support a Regional by-law aimed at increasing the size of Halton Regional council. The vote, which took place during the Sept. 19 Oakville council meeting, supports increased Regional representation for both Oakville and Milton. The decision will also lead to a change in Oakville's ward boundary system and an increase in the size of Town council. At its May 30 meeting, council unanimously voted to move forward on changing the Council has made a prudent decision in passing this resolution. Expanding Oakville's ward boundary system is essential to ensure Oakville's growing population has fair, effective representation in Town Hall and at the (Halton) Region. Mayor Rob Burton Oakville Oakville's ward boundaries, pending an increase to Regional council's representation. Currently, there are six wards in Oakville, with one local and one Regional councillor per ward, reflecting a Town council of 12 councillors and a mayor. An additional Regional council seat for Oakville means the town's wards will increase from six to seven and change Oakville council's composition from 12 to 14 councillors plus a mayor. To accommodate the new seventh ward, adjustments will be made to all existing ward boundaries, with the exception of Ward 3, with the new boundaries to be used for the 2018 municipal election. "Council has made a prudent decision in passing this resolution," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "Expanding Oakville's ward boundary system is essential to ensure Oakville's growing population has fair, effective representation in Town Hall and at the Region." A report and bylaws to establish the new ward boundaries and increase the size of Town council will go forward to council for final approval later this fall. Residents are invited to review the new ward boundary map by visiting www.oakville.ca/ townhall/ward-boundary-review.html. Questions or comments can be sent to the clerk's department via email at wardboundary@ oakville.ca or by mail to: Town of Oakville ­ Clerk's department, 1225 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville, Ont., L6H 0H3. oakville.ca Notice of Study Commencement Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Flood Mitigation Study Lower Morrison and Lower Wedgewood Creeks, Town of Oakville The study: The Town of Oakville has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the Flood Mitigation Opportunities Study for Lower Morrison and Lower Wedgewood Creeks (ref. Study Area Key Plan). In 2008, the town completed the Town-Wide Flood Prioritization Study which provided an initial review of flood vulnerability helped to identify/characterize flood-prone sites, as well as determine a list of prioritized sites and potential flood solutions. This Class EA will refine the work completed in the townwide study, leading to recommended capital projects for flood mitigation. Amec Foster Wheeler has been retained by the town to complete the study. The process: The study is being conducted in compliance with Schedule `C' of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011 and 2015), which is approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This notice marks the start of the Class EA, a study which will define the problem or opportunity, identify and evaluate alternative solutions, and determine the preferred solution(s) in consultation with the town, regulatory agencies, First Nations, and the public. Consultation with stakeholders (public and agencies) is a key component of the study. Public Information Centre (PICs) will be held to discuss issues related to the project, including alternative solutions, evaluation criteria, environmental impacts and mitigation measures. PIC dates and details will be advertised as the study progresses. Once the study is complete, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be prepared and available for public review and comment. A Notice of Completion will be issued at that stage. Comments: The town would appreciate your questions or comments. You are encouraged to provide your comments so that they may be incorporated into the planning of this project. Public input will be kept on file for use during the study and may be included in study documentation. Contacts: If you have questions or comments related to this study or if you would like to be added to the study mailing list, please contact: Kristina Parker, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Water Resources Engineer Town of Oakville, 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville, ON L6H 0H3 Tel: 905-845-6601, ext. 3889 Fax: 905-338-4414 kristina.parker@oakville.ca Aaron Brouwers, P.Eng. Consultant Project Manager Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure 3215 North Service Road Burlington, ON L7R 3G2 Tel: 905-335-2353 Fax : 905-335-1414 Toll-free: 1-866-751-2353 aaron.brouwers@amecfw.com Information related to the study and consultation process will also be posted on the Town of Oakville's website at oakville.ca/environment/flooding.html. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. This Notice was first issued on September 15, 2016.