Welcome

Chapter 1 Incoming Events in December 2024:

Boynton House Shop and Gallery - Artists' Co op Richmond Hill

The Artists' Co-op Richmond Hill is thrilled to announce our 3RD YEAR bringing you an extraordinary holiday shopping experience at the historic Boynton House, on Elgin Mills Road, just inside the entrance to Richmond Green Park.

• Wednesday, December 4, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Thursday, December 5, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Friday, December 6, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday, December 7, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Sunday, December 8, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, December 11, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Friday, December 13, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday, December 14, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Sunday, December 15, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, December 18, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Thursday, December 19, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday, December 21, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Sunday, December 22, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, December 25, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Thursday, December 26, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Friday, December 27, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Saturday, December 28, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Sunday, December 29, 2024 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Gigantic Jupiter

Join us as Jupiter will make its closest approach to Earth in 59 years - an astronomical arrangement known as opposition. Astronomers will have views through telescopes (weather dependent), interesting facts and stories about Jupiter, special guests, and fun activities.

Viewing of Jupiter and other celestial objects will be provided using alternate telescopes set up outside, as weather permits. Ages 7 years and up (participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult).

Pre-registration is required.https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=Gigantic%20Jupiter&viewMode=list

• Friday, December 6, 2024 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
• Saturday, December 7, 2024 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Address: Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive, L4C 1T3

55+ Choir Concert - A Holiday Fantasia

Enjoy an afternoon of entertainment by the McConaghy Centre Choir conducted by Jessica V. Kun. This concert is open to all ages. Light Refreshments will be served.

Register in advance. Tickets will also be sold at the door. https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/104725?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true&_ga=2.70016080.177285188.1732122869-1210243634.1707176039

Date: Sunday, December 8, 2024 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Address: McConaghy Centre – 10100 Yonge St.

Richmond Hill Seniors Coffee Chat

Join us to discuss a wide range of topics that are important to you! Grab a cup of coffee and spend some time socializing with friends. Registration is required for this free event. 

Register for the December 18 Coffee Chat

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Address: McConaghy Centre – 10100 Yonge St.

Afternoon Tea

Come together for a memorable afternoon, where the enchanting ambiance of the Gardenview Room, galleries and Amos Wright Park harmonizes with the delightful sandwiches, scones and sweet treats, all accompanied by captivating entertainment. Choose from our exclusive tea blends.

Reservations are required.  https://forms.richmondhill.ca/Community-Services/Afternoon-Tea-Reservation-Request

• Saturday, December 7, 2024 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Saturday, December 14, 2024 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church St North, L4C 3E6

Chapter 2 Community, City and Regional Service Changes 

Highway 404 Road Crossing Between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive. York Region is building a four-lane road across Highway 404 to improve connectivity and accommodate growth. This project is being completed in partnership with the City of Markham and City of Richmond Hill, and in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Timeline:  Highway 404 road crossing construction started in summer 2023 and is expected to be complete in early 2026.

In progress and planned 

• Crews are building the overpass structure connecting the new road crossing on the east and west side of Highway 404 
• A retaining wall is taking shape on the Rouge River bridge; riverbanks are stable and ready for planting 
• On Cachet Woods Court, work is being done to connect the road to the future road crossing; sanitary and storm services have been extended and the road is being built up 
• Road widening continues on Markland Street and Orlando Avenue; sewer and watermain work is expected to start in the coming weeks 

Stay informed:

• Visit york.ca/Hwy404Crossing for project updates and information
• Follow @YorkRegionGovt on Facebook and X
• Send inquiries to transportation@york.ca quoting “Highway 404 Road Crossing” 

The overall 2025  budget increasing per residential household: 

Flooding / StormWater budget: 

The 2014 to 2024 planned cumulative rate increase was 537% compared to the actual cumulative rate increase of 131%, as a direct result of previous years’ required rate increases not implemented through annual budget deliberations. Consequently, capital projects had been deferred, resulting in significant capital needs over the next five years, and creating pressure on future stormwater management rate increases. 

Automated Speed Enforcement

The following is an anticipated timeline for implementation of the ASE program:

2024 Q4

•    Endorsement of ASE program utilizing Newmarket’s JPC and internal AMPS adjudication

•    Enactment of the Administrative Penalties for Automated Enforcement Bylaw

•    Approval to execute all necessary agreements (JPC, MTO, MAG)

2025 capital request and approval for PO payment and adjudication process management software

2025  Q1-Q3

•    Execute necessary agreements

•    Determine recommended camera sites

•    Software purchase/configuration

•    Privacy Impact Assessment to ensure alignment with the Municipal Freedom of

•    Information and Protection Act and appropriate management of confidential

•    information (including license plate data)

•    Development of a comprehensive public awareness plan, which includes the

•    required 90 day “Coming Soon Signs” and issuance of warning tickets

2025 Q4

•    Approval of ASE site specifics (including number and location of sites)

•    Endorsement of activation timelines

•    Approval of comprehensive public awareness plan

2026 Capital and Operating Budget requests and approvals

2026 Q1

•    Implementation of comprehensive public awareness plan

•    Installation of 90 day “Coming Soon” signs

•    Issuance of warning notices

2026 Q2

•    ASE Go Live at specific site

Corporate Energy Plan:

The City of Richmond Hill operates and maintains 60 facilities including community centres, pools, arenas, libraries, and administrative buildings. These facilities consume a significant amount of energy, costing approximately $4.3 million per year, and emitting 6,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually.

The 2024 Corporate Energy Plan includes a total of 85 energy conservation and net zero measures to be implemented over the next five years. These measures have a current estimated capital value of approximately $5.1M (2024 dollars). Once implemented, these are expected to provide energy savings equivalent to 14.8 percent of current consumption, resulting in $677,000 per year in cost avoidance and a reduction in GHG emissions of 930 tonnes per year.

https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=66050

Water Service:

In October 2012, in accordance with RFQ 79-12, Neptune Technology Group Canada  Co. (Neptune), was awarded a contract for a technology upgrade of water meters from  analog to digital. Digital water meters offer added functionality including leak detection  warning and data storage within the meter for three months of consumption data. The upgrade of water meters, which began in November 2012, is substantially complete with less than 300 remaining accounts still requiring manual touchpad reading. 

Substantial completion of the water meter replacement program has positioned  Richmond Hill to improve services by transitioning to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter reading. The contract award will allow Neptune to continue to supply metering equipment and services through 2026 including the continued expansion of AMI network. The AMI reading network has been implemented over the last three years and has been installed in strategic locations across the City to ensure optimal coverage. Currently, 34 AMI collectors have been deployed and are reading over 35,000 water meters daily with over 70% read success rate every 30 days. The City is leading in the Industry with over  99% of our customers receiving a bill based on actual reading of meters. 

The total amount of the proposed two-year award of $ 3,000,000 exclusive of H.S.T. is funded from a combination of funding from the 2025 Draft Capital Budget, 2025 Draft Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Budget and savings from prior year approved Capital Budget. The 2026 allocation will be subject to approval of 2026 Capital and Operating budgets.