HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 23, 2020
Council Meeting Minutes
November 23, 2020
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Present:
Mayor David Ryan
Councillors:
D. Pickles
Also Present:
M. Carpino - Interim Chief Administrative Officer
K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO
P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
B. Duffield - (Acting) Director, Community Services
J. Eddy - Director, Human Resources
J. Hagg - Fire Chief
J. Flowers - CEO & Director of Libraries, Pickering Public Library
R. Holborn - Director, Engineering Services
F. Jadoon - Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects
S. Cassel - City Clerk
C. Rose - Chief Planner
R. Perera - Committee Coordinator
K. Ashe
M. Brenner
S. Butt
I. Cumming
B. McLean
1. Roll Call
The City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participating
electronically in accordance with By-law 7771/20.
2. Invocation
Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order and led Council in the saying of the Invocation.
3. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement
Mayor Ryan read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement.
4. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
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5. Adoption of Minutes
Resolution # 456/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
Council Minutes, October 26, 2020
Executive Committee Minutes, November 2, 2020
Planning & Development Committee Minutes, November 2, 2020
Special Council Minutes, November 16, 2020
Carried
6. Presentations
There were no presentations.
7. Delegations
7.1 Patrick McNeil, Chair of the Board of Directors, Elexicon Corporation
Lesley Gallinger, President & CEO, Elexicon Energy
Karen Fisher, Interim President & CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors,
Elexicon Group
Re: Elexicon Merger Update
Patrick McNeil, Chair of the Board of Directors, Elexicon Corporation, Lesley
Gallinger, President & CEO, Elexicon Energy, and Karen Fisher, Interim President
& CEO and Chair of the Board of Directors, Elexicon Group, joined the electronic
meeting via audio connection, to provide an update on Elexicon Corporation’s first
year of operation.
Mr. McNeil, Ms. Gallinger, and Ms. Fisher referred to a PDF presentation
document that was circulated to Members of Council prior to the meeting.
Highlights of the presentation included:
the primary objectives of the merger including sustainable cash flows for
municipal owners, mitigating future rate increases for customers, improving
services to customers, strengthening partnerships with local businesses
and communities, and investing in innovation and growth;
mitigation measures taken by the organization to address the financial
implications of the COVID-19 pandemic including supporting customers,
weekly updates to the Board and employees, curtailing expenditures,
limiting hires, and extending the organization’s line of credit;
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response and management of customers who are unable to pay their
Elexicon bills;
focus on community relations though the Community Report which is
distributed quarterly through the Mayor’s office and on the Elexicon
website;
Elexicon Group’s growth model which is a combination of organic growth
and exploiting expansion opportunities; and,
Elexicon Group’s focus on generating shareholder value and earnings
provided through dividends over time, to supplement the LDC business
model.
A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and Patrick
McNeil, Lesley Gallinger, and Karen Fisher regarding:
the rational behind the deferral of dividends to shareholder municipalities
and the current financial situation of Elexicon as it pertains to customers in
arrears;
the Provincial COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program’s potential to outset
the current 4 million in arrears, and whether the program could be applied
retroactively;
whether the Elexicon Board would be reaching out to the Province to seek
increased support;
whether the funding allocated by the Province through the COVID-19
Energy Assistance Program to assist residential and business owners in
paying their bills had been fully expended;
whether the number of individuals and businesses applying for financial
assistance through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program was a result
of a lack of awareness or the qualifying criteria required by the Province to
partake in the program;
challenges posed to shareholder municipalities in relation to budget
planning processes in awaiting Elexicon’s decision regarding the deferra l of
dividends until the end of the 1st quarter of 2021;
the need for information from Ontario Energy Board to enable Elexicon to
decide on the deferral of the dividends;
the cost to the taxpayers in relation to the rate stabilization support
provided by the Province during the pandemic and the impact to Elexicon’s
revenue business model;
the market rules requiring Elexicon to pay the full energy consumption cost
to the energy producer regardless of payment from the end user to
Elexicon;
whether adjusting the market rules so that the energy producer would incur
50% of the debt incurred by local energy companies, such as Elexicon, to
alleviate some of the debt pressures from customer arrears;
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the governing body that the Elexicon Energy Board is accountable to and
whether the Board is appointed by the Province;
the breakdown of the $4 million in arrears in relation to commercial and
residential customers;
whether the larger financial burden is due to the non-payments being more
from businesses and whether the consumption occurs prior to the collection
of fees;
the frequency in power outages and the related causes;
future plans to diversify the Elexicon Energy Board and the length of term
for the Board;
whether Elexicon had returned to normal time of use rates; and,
the City’s willingness to assist in furthering the discussions with the Ontario
Energy Board to fast-track the decision pertaining to dividends.
8. Correspondence
8.1 Corr. 51-20
David Crombie, Chair, Greenbelt Council
Re: Regional Economic Roadmap for Recovery
Resolution # 457/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That Corr. 51-20, from David Crombie, Chair, Greenbelt Council, dated October
22, 2020, regarding the Regional Economic Roadmap for Recovery, be received
for information.
Carried
8.2 Corr. 52-20
Kevin Narraway, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk
Town of Whitby
Re: Region of Durham’s Potential Return to Modified Stage 2 COVID-19
Restrictions
Resolution # 458/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That Corr. 52-20, from Kevin Narraway, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy
Clerk, Town of Whitby, dated October 27, 2020, regarding the Region of Durham’s
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Potential Return to Modified Stage 2 COVID-19 Restrictions, be received for
information.
Carried
8.3 Corr. 53-20
The Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance
Ministry of Finance
Re: 2021 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) Allocations
Resolution # 459/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That Corr. 53-20, from The Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, dated
October 29, 2020, regarding the 2021 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund
(OMPF) allocations, be received for information.
Carried
8.4 Corr. 54-20
Ralph Walton, Regional Clerk
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Re: Natural Resources Canada Small Nuclear Reactor Action Plan 2020 (2020-
EDT-9)
Resolution # 460/20
Moved by Councillor McLean
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That Corr. 54-20, from Ralph Walton, Regional Clerk, the Regional Municipality of
Durham, dated October 29, 2020, regarding the Natural Resources Canada Small
Nuclear Reactor Action Plan 2020 (2020-EDT-9), be endorsed.
Carried
8.5 Corr. 55-20
Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario (MFOA)
Re: Provincial Budget 2020: Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover
Members of Council inquired whether Staff would be providing a report to Council
on the impact of the ramifications identified by MFOA as they relate to Pickering,
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with Marisa Carpino, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, advising that Staff would
report back by the December 14, 2020 Council meeting.
Resolution # 461/20
Moved by Councillor McLean
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That Corr. 55-20, from the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario
(MFOA), dated November 5, 2020, regarding the Provincial Budget 2020:
Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, be received for information.
Carried
8.6 Corr. 56-20
Jennifer O'Connell
Member of Parliament, Pickering-Uxbridge
Re: Universal Broadband Fund (UBF)
Members of Council inquired about the status of the ICON program and whether
the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) would help to move this forward. Paul
Bigioni, Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, advised that staff are
currently looking into the benefits of the new Federal funding. He noted that there
was a rapid response stream announced as part of the grant funding and stated
that this may assist in defraying or reducing the cost of the existing ICON
application that was previously approved by Council in August.
Resolution # 462/20
Moved by Councillor McLean
Seconded by Councillor Pickles
That Corr. 56-20, from Jennifer O'Connell, Member of Parliament, dated
November 9, 2020, regarding the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), be referred to
Staff and that a report be brought forward to Council in February 2021 on the
status of the ICON application and the UBF.
Carried
8.7 Corr. 57-20
Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer
City of Pickering
Re: Civic Centre Actual Project Costs-to-Date
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Discussion and a question and answer period ensued between Members of
Council and Marisa Carpino, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, regarding:
whether Staff would be updating Council in December on the costs incurred
to date and expected future costs for the Project;
the current pause in the Project and the plans to bring forward the capital
and operating costs of the City Centre, with a recommendation on how to
move forward based on a financial funding strategy;
putting out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire an independent cost
consultant to determine the full cost of the Projec t using the design work
that had been completed to date with a report back to Council in the Spring
of 2021 seeking approval to move forward;
reporting back on the full Project costs in the third quarter of 2021 and
whether there were any expenses being incurred between now and when
that report is brought forward to Council;
managing debt strategy as it relates to the proposed City Centre project
due to the current unknown financial factors including zero revenue from
the Pickering Casino, uncertainty regarding the dividends from Elexicon,
and the proposed Development Charges;
whether the hiring of the independent cost consultant, to conduct a cost
analysis for the City Centre project, would be the only outstanding expense
for the proposed Project, and whether this RFP would be included in the
2021 Budget;
how the Project would be included in the 2021 Budget without knowing the
full costs; and,
exploring provincial and federal funding opportunities available for projects
that would kick start the economy, such as, the proposed City Centre
project.
Resolution # 463/20
Moved by Councillor McLean
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That Corr. 57-20, from Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, dated
October 1, 2020, regarding the Civic Centre Actual Project Costs-to-Date, be
received for information.
Carried
8.8 Corr. 58-20
The Honourable Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
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Re: Advancing Accessibility in Ontario: Improving Understanding and Awareness
about Accessibility
Resolution # 464/20
Moved by Councillor Brenner
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
1. That Corr. 58-20, from The Honourable Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors
and Accessibility, dated November 3, 2020, regarding Advancing
Accessibility in Ontario: Improving Understanding and Awareness about
Accessibility, be received for information; and,
2. That Corr. 58-20 be referred to the Pickering Accessibility Advisory
Committee for their review.
Carried
9. Report EC 2020-08 of the Executive Committee held on November 2, 2020
9.1 Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Report BYL 04-20
PetSmart Charities Adoption Partner Program
- Approval to Sign Agreement
Council Decision:
1. That the PetSmart Charities Adoption Partner Program agreement be
approved;
2. That the attached PetSmart Charities Adoption Partner Agreement be
executed on the City’s behalf by the Mayor and City Clerk; and,
3. That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions
necessary to implement the recommendations in this report.
9.2 Director, Engineering Services, Report ENG 05-20
Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park
- Master Plan Update
Council Decision:
1. That the Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park Master Plan Update as set
out in Attachment #1 be endorsed by Council;
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2. That City staff be directed to coordinate with the Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority to prepare the detailed design in preparation for
construction;
3. That City staff consider including funds in the 2021 Parks Capital Budget to
complete the detailed design and implementation of the Master Plan;
4. That a copy of this report be forwarded to the Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority for their inf ormation, and that they be advised of
Council’s decision on this matter; and,
5. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take
the necessary actions as indicated in this report.
9.3 Director, Engineering Services, Report ENG 12-20
Beachfront Park Rehabilitation & Needs Assessment
- Work Plan Status Report
Council Decision:
1. That Report ENG 12-20 regarding a Work Plan Status Report for
Beachfront Park, as a follow-up to Report ENG 13-19 and in response to
Resolutions #196/19 & 197/19, be received for information;
2. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take
the necessary actions as indicated in this report; and,
3. That Staff be directed to report back to the Executive Committee in March
2021, with the roll out plan for the public engagement process and a status
update on the project.
9.4 Director, Finance & Treasurer, Report FIN 13-20
2021 Interim Levy and Interim Tax Instalment Due Dates
Council Decision:
1. That an interim property tax levy be adopted for all realty property classes
for 2021;
2. That the interim property tax levy instalment due dates be February 24 and
April 28, 2021;
3. That the attached draft by-law, providing for the imposition of the taxes, be
enacted; and,
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4. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the
necessary actions as indicated in this report.
9.5 Director, Finance & Treasurer, Report FIN 14-20
2020 Year End Audit (Interim)
Council Decision:
1. That the Audit Service Plan as submitted by Deloitte LLP, set out in
Attachment 1 to this report, be received for information; and,
2. That the Interim Chief Administrative Officer and the Director, Finance &
Treasurer be authorized to sign the confirmation of change to the master
services agreement on behalf of the City.
Resolution # 465/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Butt
That Report EC 2020-08 of the Executive Committee Meeting held on November
2, 2020 be adopted, save and except Item 9.6.
Carried
9.6 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 23-20
Street Naming Policy
- Council Endorsement
Members of Council inquired whether the font size for new street signs could be
enlarged to address visual concerns when reading the signs. Kyle Bentley,
Director, City Development & CBO, advised that Staff would look into the current
sign standards and opportunities for improvement.
Resolution # 466/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Butt
1. That Council endorse the Street Naming Policy, as set out in the revised
Appendix I attached to the Memorandum from the Director, City
Development & CBO, dated October 29, 2020, subject to minor revisions
acceptable to the Director, City Development & CBO; and,
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2. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be au thorized to take the
necessary actions as indicated in this report.
Carried
10. Report PD 2020-08 of the Planning & Development Committee held on November 2,
2020
10.1 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 22-20
Draft Plan of Subdivision Application SP-2019-02
Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 07/19
Oak Hill Developments Ltd. and White-Pine General Contractors Ltd.
Lots 60 and 61, Plan 418
(467 and 471 Rosebank Road)
Brief discussion ensued regarding the amendment to By-law 7793/20, included as
Item 13.3 on the agenda, which was discussed at the November 2, 2020 Planning
& Development Committee Meeting, noting that an amendment would be needed
to Item 2 of the recommendation for PLN 22-20.
Resolution # 467/20
Moved by Councillor Brenner
Seconded by Councillor Pickles
Council Decision:
1. That Draft Plan of Subdivision Application SP-2019-02, submitted by Oak
Hill Developments Ltd. and White-Pine General Contractors Ltd., on lands
being Lots 60 and 61, Plan 418, to establish a residential plan of
subdivision consisting of 8 lots for detached dwellings as shown on
Attachment #4 to Report PLN 22-20, and the implementing conditions of
approval, as set out in Appendix I, be endorsed;
2. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application A 07/19, submitted by Oak Hill
Developments Ltd. and White-Pine General Contractors Ltd., to implement
Draft Plan of Subdivision SP 2019-02 on lands being Lots 60 and 61, Plan
418, be approved, and that the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as set out
in Appendix II to Report PLN 22-20 be forwarded to Council for enactment;
3. That Amendment 8 to the Rosebank Neighbourhood Development
Guidelines – Precinct No. 3, to allow an exception permitting minimum lot
frontages of 12.2 metres for 4 lots fronting Gillmoss Road to implement
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Draft Plan of Subdivision SP-2019-02, be endorsed as set out in Appendix
III; and,
4. That Informational Revision 27 to the Pickering Official Plan Rosebank,
Neighbourhood Map 11, to delete the proposed new northerly extension of
Dunn Crescent to intersect with the future easterly extension of Gillmoss
Road, as set out in Appendix IV, be approved.
Carried Later in the Meeting (See Following Motion)
Resolution # 468/20
Moved by Councillor Ashe
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That item 2 of the main motion be amended to strike out “as set out in Appendix II
to Report PLN 22-20”.
Carried
The Main Motion, as Amended, was then Carried
11. Reports – New and Unfinished Business
11.1 Director, Engineering Services, Report ENG 13-20
Consulting Services for Detailed Design for the New Highway 401 Road Crossing
to Connect Notion Road to Squires Beach Road
Resolution # 469/20
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
1. That Council approve the hiring of AECOM Canada Ltd. for the Detailed
Design Services of the new Highway 401 road crossing to connect Notion
Road to Squires Beach Road in accordance with Purchasing Policy 10.03
(c) as the assignment has a value above $50,000.00 and a competitive
process is not being followed, and is therefore subject to the additional
approval of Council;
2. That the fee proposal dated November 6, 2020 submitted by AECOM
Canada Ltd. for the Detailed Design Services for the new Highway 401
road crossing to connect Notion Road to Squires Beach Road in the
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amount of $3,284,320.14 (HST included) excluding provisional items be
accepted;
3. That the total gross project cost $3,862,677.00 (HST included), including
the proposal amount and other associated costs, and the total net project
cost of $3,478,460.00 (net of HST rebate) be accepted;
4. That the Director, Finance & Treasurer be authorized to finance the
estimated net project cost of $3,478,460.00 as follows:
a) The sum of $1,000,000.00 as approved in the 2020 Development
Projects (DC Funded) Capital Budget to be funded from a Third Party
Contribution be increased to $1,391,384.00;
b) The sum of $500,000.00 as approved in the 2020 Development
Projects (DC Funded) Capital Budget to be funded from the DC
Transportation Services Reserve Fund be increased to $1,600,092.00;
c) The sum of $500,000.00 as approved in the 2020 Development
Projects (DC Funded) Capital Budget to be funded from the Roads &
Bridges Reserve Fund be revised to an Internal Loan in the amount of
$486,000.00 for a term not exceeding two years, and the balance sum
of $984.00 from property taxes;
5. That award of the proposal to AECOM Canada Ltd. be subject to the City of
Pickering and Pickering Developments Inc. entering into a cost sharing
agreement with respect to funding of the project;
6. That the appropriate City staff be authorized to execute a Professional
Services Agreement between the City of Pickering and AECOM Canada
Ltd. in a form satisfactory to the Director, Corporate Services & City
Solicitor and Director, Finance & Treasurer;
7. That AECOM Canada Ltd. be approved, in principle, to provide construction
administration services required to monitor and execute the construction
contract with the approved contractor when a tender has been awarded,
subject to review and acceptance of the scope of work and associated fee
at that time; and,
8. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take
the necessary actions as indicated in this report.
Carried
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12. Motions and Notice of Motions
There were no notices of motion.
13. By-laws
13.1 By-law 7792/20
Being a by-law for the collection of taxes and to establish the instalment due
dates for the Interim Levy 2021.
13.2 By-law 7793/20
Being a By-law to amend Restricted Area (Zoning) By law 2511, as amended, to
implement the Official Plan of the City of Pickering, Region of Durham, being Lots
60 and 61, Plan 418, City of Pickering. (A 07/19)
13.3 By-law 7794/20
Being a By-law to adopt Amendment 39 to the Official Plan for the City of
Pickering. (OPA 18-002/P)
13.4 By-law 7795/20
Being a By-law to amend Schedule A of By-law 7362/14 appointing Inspectors.
13.5 By-law 7796/20
Being a By-law to amend By-law 7769/20 that assigned certain functions, duties
and authorities to the Director, City Development, or designate.
Resolution # 470/20
Moved by Councillor Butt
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That By-law Nos. 7792/20 through 7796/20 be approved.
Carried
14. Confidential Council – Public Report
Mayor Ryan stated that prior to the Regular Council Meeting, an In-camera session was
held at 6:00 p.m. in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act and Procedure
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By-law 7665/18 to hear a verbal update from the (Acting) Director, Community Services
and Corporate Security Specialist regarding a Corporate Security Update. He further
stated that Council also received a verbal update from the Interim CAO and Director,
Economic Development & Strategic Projects regarding an update on a land purchase
with Infrastructure Ontario within the Innovation Corridor and provided direction to Staff.
Carried 14.1 Verbal Update from the Interim CAO and Director, Economic Development &
Strategic Projects.
Re: Update on Land Purchase with Infrastructure Ontario within the Innovation
Corridor
Resolution # 471/20
Moved by Councillor Cumming
Seconded by Councillor Butt
That the confidential recommendation considered at the In -Camera Session of
Council, held at 6:00 pm on November 23, 2020, be approved.
Carried
15. Other Business
15.1 Councillor McLean inquired about the beaver dams in Pine Creek and whether
there would be a flood risk if the last dam were to remain until early spring. Brian
Duffield, (Acting) Director, Community Services, advised that there would be a
flood risk upstream if Pickering were to receive a 25 year storm and that Staff in
Sustainability were exploring beaver mitigation measures.
15.2 Councillor Brenner inquired about the emergency funding provided to
municipalities for COVID-19 and requested an update on the $1.9m received by
the City and the breakdown of how those fu nds were being used. Marisa Carpino,
Interim CAO, advised that she would follow up with staff regarding providing this
information to Council.
15.3 Councillor Brenner gave notice that he would be bringing forward two Notices of
Motion regarding Bill 229 as it related to changes to the Conservation Authority
Act, and providing direction to Staff as part of the Planning Policy Review to
incorporate the spirit and intent of the Williams Treaty and the Gun Shot Treaty.
16. Confirmation By-law
By-law Number 7797/20
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Councillor McLean, seconded by Councillor Pickles moved for leave to introduce a By-
law of the City of Pickering to confirm the proceedings of November 23, 2020.
Carried
17. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Ashe
Seconded by Councillor Brenner
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.
Dated this 23rd of November, 2020.
David Ryan, Mayor
Susan Cassel, City Clerk