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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 26, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes Electronic Meeting January 26, 2026 - 07:00 PM Chair: Mayor Ashe Present: Mayor K. Ashe Councillor M. Brenner Councillor S. Butt Councillor L. Cook Councillor M. Nagy Councillor D. Pickles Councillor L. Robinson Regrets: None Also Present: M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni – Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor S. Boyd - Fire Chief J. Eddy - Director, Human Resources L. Gibbs - Director, Community Services K. Heathcote - Director, City Infrastructure R. Holborn - Director, Engineering Services S. Karwowski - Director, Finance & Treasurer S. Cassel – City Clerk J. Litoborski – Division Head, Municipal Law Enforcement Services V. Plouffe - Division Head, Facilities Management & Construction C. Rose - Chief Planner L. Arshad - Manager, Economic Development & Marketing F. Patel - Strategic Initiatives & Corporate Priorities Advisor J. Wallace - Supervisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion D. Machado-Yew Woon - Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion 1 R. Perera – Deputy Clerk Call to Order/Roll Call The City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participating electronically. Playing of O Canada Mayor Ashe asked all Members of Council to rise for the playing of O Canada. Moment of Reflection Mayor Ashe called for a silent moment of reflection. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement Mayor Ashe read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement. Adoption of Minutes Council Minutes, December 15, 2025 (includes Confidential In Camera Minutes under separate cover) Executive Committee Minutes, January 12, 2026 Resolution #921/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Cook That the minutes, Items 5.1 through 5.2, be approved. Carried Disclosure of Interest Councillor Pickles - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Report LEG 03-26 A conflict of interest was declared under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act with respect to Item 10.7, Report LEG 03-26, Retainer of KPMG LLP for Frenchman’s Bay Environmental and Other Due Diligence, on the basis of the involvement of an 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5.1 5.2 6. 6.1 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 2 organization that he was affiliated with. Councillor Pickles did not take part in the discussion or vote on Report LEG 03-26. Councillor Pickles also declared a conflict of interest at the In Camera Session that was held prior to the Regular Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. regarding Report LEG 03-26 and left the virtual meeting room during that portion of the In Camera Session. Presentations There were no presentations. Delegations Shawna Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association (FBNA) Re: Traffic Calming (Refer to Item 11.1) S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association (FBNA), appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Agenda Item 11.1, Traffic Calming. S. Stanleigh described how the neighbourhood looked in 2014 when they first moved to the area, noting that it was quiet and featured an informal gravel promenade. S. Stanleigh added that over the past decade, the area had experienced significant gentrification, increased accessibility improvements, and a surge in year round visitors, particularly in summer months and long weekends. S. Stanleigh outlined how the installation of a formal sidewalk, garbage receptacles, beach access improvements, and park rules had helped with order and safety, yet the popularity of the area had led to a rise in vehicular traffic, including a noticeable pattern of speeding, dangerous driving, loud engine revving late at night, and collisions and near misses witnessed directly in front of their home. S. Stanleigh noted that many families with young children lived on the street, and the long, mostly uninterrupted 1.5 kilometer stretch of West Shore Boulevard, with only a single stop sign near the school on Oklahoma Drive, made the roadway vulnerable to excessive speeding. S. Stanleigh stated their support for initiating a community consultation on traffic calming measures, including speed humps south of Sunrise Avenue. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and S. Stanleigh regarding: whether they would have any objection to the matter not proceeding this evening, in order to consider additional traffic calming options such as speed • 7. 8. 8.1 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 3 cushions and speed tables and to allow for a broader community consultation; and, whether they would support the Motion being broadened to include consultation with emergency services. • Garry Winsor, Pickering Resident Re: Traffic Calming (Refer to Item 11.1) G. Winsor, Pickering Resident, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Agenda Item 11.1, Traffic Calming. G. Winsor addressed Council regarding the persistent speeding problems on West Shore Boulevard and the data collection challenges experienced by Road Watch and explained that Road Watch operated three speed board trailers funded jointly by Pickering and Ajax. G. Winsor stated that the trailer successfully recorded vehicle speeds, however, the memory stick containing the data went missing and the data could not be retrieved, preventing formal reporting. G. Winsor added that the City had previously gathered southbound speed data using its own speed board but was uncertain whether those results were still accessible. G. Winsor stated that they regularly witnessed dangerous speeding near the park entrance and believed the community safety zone designation would be more effective if provincial Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras had not been cancelled by the Province, as the safety zone now relied solely on police radar enforcement. G. Winsor expressed support for traffic calming measures such as rubber speed humps, not only on West Shore Boulevard but throughout all community safety zones in Pickering. G. Winsor also suggested that Council consider the road dividing devices used in Scarborough that display real time speeds, as another effective tool to deter fast drivers. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and G. Winsor regarding: whether they would have any objection to the matter not proceeding that evening in order to consider additional traffic calming options such as speed tables and speed cushions and to allow for expanded consultation, including with emergency services, to ensure traffic calming measures did not negatively impact emergency response times; • whether they had any objection to exploring alternatives, including bollards in the centre of the road; and, • whether they would support the consultation covering the entire West Shore • 8.2 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 4 Boulevard corridor from Bayly Street southward. Gabriela Waldron, Pickering Resident Re: Traffic Calming (Refer to Item 11.1) G. Waldron, Pickering Resident, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Agenda Item 11.1, Traffic Calming. G. Waldron recounted numerous dangerous driving incidents they had witnessed over 14 years living at the corner of West Shore Boulevard and Park Crescent. G. Waldron stated that among these were a near tragedy involving a child who ran across the street and slid beneath the tires of a fast moving car, a recent episode of aggressive road rage during a school hour commute when a speeding SUV passed them at high speed, and regular late night occurrences of cars and motorcycles racing through the neighbourhood. G. Waldron also described associated problems including discarded alcohol containers, garbage, suspected drug activity at the beach after dark, stunt driving, burnouts, and even reports of firearm discharges, all of which contributed to residents feeling unsafe in their own community. G. Waldron highlighted the difficulty of capturing license plate numbers at the speeds these vehicles traveled, making Road Watch reports less effective. G. Waldron stressed that, as a highly visited tourist area drawing people from the GTA and beyond, West Shore Boulevard required enhanced protections for the residents who lived with the daily impacts of this behaviour. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and G. Waldron regarding: whether they would be agreeable to postponing the Motion to allow time to examine a wider range of traffic calming options, including speed tables, speed cushions, and expanded locations beyond Sunrise Avenue; • whether they would support referring the Motion to the next Council Meeting with additional wording to incorporate funding considerations and broader consultation; • whether they agreed with consulting emergency services to ensure that traffic calming measures did not negatively impact emergency vehicle response times; • whether they were aware of when the existing speed bumps near the hospital were installed; and, • whether they had been reporting incidents of littering, alcohol containers, and • 8.3 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 5 debris to the City. Report EC 01-26 of the Executive Committee held on January 12, 2026 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Brenner That Report EC 01-26 of the Executive Committee Meeting held on January 12, 2026 be adopted, save and except Item 9.1, Report CAO 01-26 and Item 9.2, Report CLK 01-26. Carried Resolution #922/26 Director, Community Services, Report CS 01-26 Recreation & Parks Ten Year Plan Year One Progress Report Council Decision: That Report CS 01-26 regarding the City of Pickering’s Recreation & Parks Ten Year Plan Annual Report be received for information. Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Report LEG 01-26 Final Assumption of Plan of Subdivision Frontdoor Developments (Pickering) Inc. – Plan of Subdivision 40M-2660 Lots 1 to 40, Plan 40M-2660 Council Decision: That Castle Hill Court within Plan 40M-2660 be assumed for public use;1. That works and services required by the Subdivision Agreement, dated June 19, 2018, within Plan 40M-2660, which are constructed, installed or located on lands dedicated to, or owned by the City, or on lands lying immediately adjacent thereto, including lands that are subject to easements transferred to the City, be accepted and assumed for maintenance; 2. That Frontdoor Developments (Pickering) Inc. be released from the provisions of the Subdivision Agreement and any amendments thereto relating to Plan 3. 9. 9.3 9.4 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 6 40M-2660; and, That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. 4. Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Report LEG 02-26 Final Assumption of Plan of Subdivision Marshall Homes (Copperfield) Ltd. – Plan of Subdivision 40M-2654 Lots 1 to 7, Plan 40M-2654 Council Decision: That Frontier Court within Plan 40M-2654 be assumed for public use;1. That works and services required by the Subdivision Agreement, dated February 5, 2019, within Plan 40M-2654, which are constructed, installed or located on lands dedicated to, or owned by the City, or on lands lying immediately adjacent thereto, including lands that are subject to easements transferred to the City, be accepted and assumed for maintenance; 2. That Marshall Homes (Copperfield) Ltd. be released from the provisions of the Subdivision Agreement and any amendments thereto relating to Plan 40M- 2654; and, 3. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. 4. Chief Administrative Officer, Report CAO 01-26 Corporate Strategic Plan 2025 Annual Progress Report Resolution #923/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Brenner That Report CAO 01-26, regarding Corporate Strategic Plan 2025 Annual Progress Report, be received for information. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X 9.5 9.1 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 7 Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 6 1 0 0 0 Carried on a Recorded Vote (6 to 1) Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Report CLK 01-26 Amendments to the Records Retention By-law and Updates to Records and Privacy Policies Resolution #924/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Brenner That Report CLK 01-26 regarding Amendments to the Records Retention By- law and Updates to Records and Privacy Policies be received; 1. That the draft Records Retention By-law and Schedule included as Attachment 1 to this report be approved and enacted; 2. That the draft ADM 060 Records Management Policy included as Attachment 2 to this report be approved; 3. That the draft ADM 050 Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy included as Attachment 3 to this report be approved; 4. That the draft by-law to designate the City Clerk as the Head under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, included as Attachment 4 to this report, be approved and enacted; and, 5. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. 6. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X 9.2 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 8 Councillor Robinson X Results 6 1 0 0 0 Carried on a Recorded Vote (6 to 1) New and Unfinished Business Chief Administrative Officer, Report CAO 02-26 Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Award for Consulting Services Resolution #925/26 Moved By Councillor Brenner Seconded By Councillor Cook That the proposal submitted by Azmi and Warner Consulting in response to Request for Proposal No. RFP2025-1 for the City of Pickering Anti-Black Racism Action Plan in the amount of $60,000.00 (excluding HST) or $67,800.00 (HST included) be accepted; 1. That the total gross project cost $67,800.00 (HST included), including the proposal, contingency and other associated costs, and the total net project cost of $61,056.00 (net of HST rebate) be approved; 2. That the Director, Finance & Treasurer be authorized to finance the net project cost of $61,056.00 to be funded from Property Taxes (Account 502530.4603), as approved in the 2026 Current Budget; 3. That the Supervisor, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion be authorized to execute the Form of Agreement with the above-mentioned consultant pursuant to Request for Proposal No RFP2025-1; and, 4. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect hereto. 5. Carried Director, Community Services, Report CS 03-26 Emergency Plumbing Repair at the Pickering Civic Complex Resolution #926/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles 10. 10.1 10.2 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 9 Seconded By Councillor Robinson That Report CS 03-26 regarding Emergency Plumbing Repairs at the Pickering Civic Complex be received for information. Carried Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects, Report ECD 01-26 Land Use Review & Economic Analysis of the Pickering Federal Lands Request for Proposal No. RFP2025-24 A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: the current ratio of non-residential to residential taxation base in Pickering;• what potential tax base shift might occur if the Study resulted in more commercial or industrial assessment; • a plain language summary of what the Study aimed to examine, including scope and purpose; • whether the Study would consider urban uses, economic uses, agritourism, farming potential, and related land use options; • whether Council would be directly consulted as part of the Study process;• whether Transport Canada’s formal consultation process had begun, given it was announced in January 2025; • whether any public consultation sessions had been held by the Federal government; • whether the City’s Study would help inform Pickering’s official input into the Federal consultation process; • whether the Study would examine multiple land use possibilities;• whether staff intended to consult neighbouring municipalities given shared borders and regional impacts; • clarification that the Study was intended to prepare Pickering’s informed position before Transport Canada requested formal input; • whether the Study timeline aligned with Federal deadlines;• whether public feedback would be collected and whether this was separate from the public engagement process by the Federal Government; • whether it would be more prudent to seek stakeholder and agency feedback prior to spending public funds on consultants; and, • concern regarding spending money on an economic and land use study risking the reopening of long settled questions around protected lands and the • 10.3 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 10 former airport lands. Resolution #927/26 Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Nagy That the proposal submitted by SGL Planning & Design Inc. in response to Request for Proposal RFP202524 to undertake the Land Use Review & Economic Analysis of the Pickering Federal Lands, in the amount of $79,114.00 (net HST) or $87,852.00 (HST included) be accepted; 1. That the total gross project cost of $87,852.00 (HST included) and total net project cost of $79,114.00 (net HST) be approved, in accordance with Section 10.04 (c), as the assignment is over $50,000.00; 2. That the Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects be authorized to execute the Form of Agreement with the above mentioned consultant pursuant for Proposal RFP2025-24; 3. That the Director, Finance & Treasurer be authorized to finance the net project cost of $79,114.00 (net HST) consisting of $70,000.00 funded from property tax supported operating budget (account number 10050.502230), as approved in the 2026 Budget, and additional $9,114.00 funded from the same source to address the project overage; and, 4. That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary actions as indicated within this report. 5. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 6 1 0 0 0 Carried on a Recorded Vote (6 to 1) Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 11 Director, Engineering Services, Report ENG 01-26 Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Measures Guidelines Request for Proposal No. RFP2025-22 A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: the timeline for completion of the Study and why this Study required approximately one year to complete; • whether the City already had an existing process or protocols for traffic calming and whether these had been followed in previous years; • whether staff had been reviewing traffic calming guidelines used by other municipalities and whether other Durham municipalities maintained comparable toolkits or practices; • whether the Study would impact traffic calming requirements in new communities; • the importance of updating traffic calming approaches, particularly since the removal of ASE cameras which had led to increased speeding in several neighbourhoods; • the need to consider interim pilot projects before the final report returned to Council to help gather data and public feedback; • justification for the high cost of the Study and whether City staff could undertake the Study and associated work; • clarification that the consultancy team included qualified engineers from all fields capable of developing best practice recommendations; • whether the Study would examine area specific conditions;• whether the Study would consider agricultural vehicles and hamlet specific conditions, given that rural areas experienced unique traffic dynamics; and, • concerns about the length of time required to complete the Study and whether the schedule could be shortened given the City’s rapid growth and increasing traffic safety concerns. • Resolution #928/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Butt That the proposal submitted by CIMA+ in response to Request for Proposal No. RFP2025-22 for the Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Measures Guidelines in the amount of $136,410.00 (net HST) or $151,476.50 (HST included) be accepted; 1. 10.4 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 12 That the total gross project cost of $166,624.00 (HST included) including the fee amount and other associated costs and the total net project cost of $150,050.00 (net HST) be approved; 2. That Council authorize the Director, Finance & Treasurer to finance the total net project cost of $150,050.00 (net HST) as follows; An amount of $135,045.00 of the approved project cost, as identified in the 2025 Development Charges Background Study and included in the 2026 Current Budget, be funded by a transfer from the Development Charges – Other Services Related to a Highway Reserve Fund; a. An amount of $15,005.00 of the approved project cost, as identified in the 2025 Development Charges Background Study and included in the 2026 Current Budget be funded from Property Taxes; b. 3. That the Director, Engineering Services be authorized to enter into and execute the Form of Agreement with CIMA+ pursuant to Request for Proposal No. RFP2025-22; and, 4. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations indicated in this report. 5. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 6 1 0 0 0 Carried on a Recorded Vote (6 to 1) Fire Chief, Report FIR 01-26 Supply and Delivery of Demo Unit Aerial Apparatus RFQQ2025-26 A brief discussion ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding delivery timelines for the demo aerial apparatus with staff confirming that while standard apparatus procurement now required 36 to 48 months, the demo unit would be 10.5 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 13 delivered significantly sooner, meeting all operational requirements, and being under budget. Resolution #929/26 Moved By Councillor Brenner Seconded By Councillor Butt That the quotation submitted by Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd. in response to Request for Quotation RFQQ2025-26 for the Supply and Delivery of One Demo Unit Aerial Apparatus, in the amount of $2,251,306.00 (excluding HST) or $2,543,975.00.00 (HST included) be accepted; 1. That the total gross project cost of $2,773,941.00 (HST included) and the total net project cost of $2,498,020.00 (net of HST rebate) be approved; and, 2. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary actions as indicated in this report. 3. Carried Director, City Infrastructure, Report INF 01-26 Environmental Registry of Ontario Postings: 019-7891 Proposed Environmental Assessment Regulation for Municipal Infrastructure City of Pickering Comments on ERO Posting Resolution #930/26 Moved By Councillor Robinson Seconded By Councillor Cook That Council endorse the comments contained in Report INF 01-26, as the City of Pickering’s detailed comments on the Environmental Registry of Ontario Posting ERO 019-7891; and; 1. That Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to submit the Council endorsed comments on the identified ERO to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website by the February 3, 2026 deadline. 2. Carried Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Report LEG 03-26 Retainer of KPMG LLP for Frenchman’s Bay Environmental and Other Due Diligence 10.6 10.7 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 14 Councillor Pickles declared a conflict on this item. ( A conflict of interest was declared under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act with respect to Item 10.7, Report LEG 03-26, Retainer of KPMG LLP for Frenchman’s Bay Environmental and Other Due Diligence, on the basis of the involvement of an organization that he was affiliated with. Councillor Pickles did not take part in the discussion or vote on Report LEG 03-26. Councillor Pickles also declared a conflict of interest at the In Camera Session that was held prior to the Regular Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. regarding Report LEG 03-26 and left the virtual meeting room during that portion of the In Camera Session. ) A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: what risks were associated with moving forward with the due diligence process and the hiring of KPMG; • how much funding was required from senior levels of government and whether the purchase would be unable to proceed if the City did not receive Provincial and Federal funding; • prior requests for Provincial reimbursement related to Cherrywood and whether the Province had made the City whole; • concern regarding proceeding without written confirmation of external funding and whether there was a way to pause the process until firm commitments were received from either the Province or the Federal government; • clarification on the latest possible date by which the City could begin work with KPMG while still meeting the June 1 conditional deadline; and, • concern regarding financial risk and the number of projects that the City had already committed to completing. • Resolution #931/26 Moved By Councillor Cook Seconded By Councillor Nagy That Council approve the hiring of KPMG for consulting and professional services regarding the City’s purchase of Frenchman’s Bay, understanding that senior government funding required to complete the purchase is not yet in place, such services to include environmental sampling, testing and analysis, business and financial analysis and advice, in an amount of $401,715.00 (HST included) or $361,756.80 (net HST rebate) be accepted in accordance with Purchasing Policy 10.03 (c); 1. That the Director, Finance & Treasurer be authorized to finance the net HST 2. Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 15 project cost of $361,756.80 from a transfer from the Rate Stabilization Reserve (account 408007.11100); and, That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. 3. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 5 1 0 1 0 Carried on a Recorded Vote (5 to 1) Motions and Notice of Motions Traffic Calming Moved By Councillor Brenner Seconded By Councillor Butt WHEREAS, community road safety is a priority for the City of Pickering and its residents; And Whereas, the province of Ontario and municipalities across Ontario recognizes the need for traffic calming, in an effort to address potential risks associated with speeding vehicles in our communities; Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering directs through the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer: That staff commence a community consultation to implement traffic calming rubber speed humps no later than May 2026, subject to community support on the following roads: 1. The north-south portion of Pine Grove Avenue, from Pine Grove Park south to Valley Ridge Crescent/ Hogarth Street; • Liverpool Road, south of Bayly Street;• West Shore Boulevard, south of Sunrise Avenue; and,• 11. 11.1 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 16 Fawndale Road.• Motion Withdrawn Amend Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Snow Clearing Program A discussion and question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: the existing practice of dispatching the Program only after a 5 centimetre snowfall and concerns regarding its alignment with the City’s by-laws requiring residents to clear ice and snow within 24 hours; • the cumulative effect of multiple smaller snowfalls and whether the current threshold adequately responded to such conditions; • safety concerns related to ice buildup at snowfall levels below 5 centimetres and the associated risks for seniors and persons with disabilities; • program subscription levels, noting that the City budgeted for approximately 700 homes with a large number of spaces still being open, and the resulting availability of unspent funds; • whether Pickering’s service model met or exceeded service levels offered by other lakeshore municipalities, and confirmation that Pickering generally provided the same or better service related to snow clearing in the Region; • the estimated additional cost to lower the snowfall threshold from 5 centimetres to 3 centimetres and whether this cost was already included in the 2026 approved budget; • clarification that the Program was not operated on a full cost recovery basis and that revenues collected fell significantly short of program delivery costs; • whether lowering the service threshold would require higher participant fees for seniors and the potential affordability impacts of any increase; • whether staff supported modifying the Program criteria mid-season and staff’s indication that no service level enhancement had been identified as necessary at this time; • concerns that changing the threshold mid-season would create inconsistencies with the City’s 5 centimetre standard for sidewalk clearing and could represent poor public policy practice within an approved budget year; • that the 2 centimetre difference between 5 centimetres and 3 centimetres may not justify additional operational or financial burden within the current season; • the need for increased communication and awareness of the existing Program as many eligible seniors were not aware the Program remained open for registration; • consideration for future program improvements, including exploring cumulative • 11.2 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 17 snowfall triggers and clarifying operational responses to freezing rain events and flash freeze conditions; undertaking a comprehensive Program review, including best practice research, bench marking, a survey of current and former program users, and exploration of options for next winter; • whether seniors contacted the City when snowfall was less than 5 centimetres and how such inquiries were managed within the structure of the contracted service model; and, • referring the Motion to the next Council Meeting.• Moved By Councillor Brenner Seconded By Councillor Butt WHEREAS, the City of Pickering offers senior citizens and people with a permanent physical or cognitive disability a snow clearing service in order to assist them with their sidewalk snow clearing responsibilities, and access to their homes; And Whereas, the current dispatch threshold of 5 cm does not always align with the day-to-day safety needs of seniors and/or persons with disabilities particularly during periods of light, repeated snowfall, drifting, and freeze–thaw conditions that create icy, slippery surfaces even when total accumulation is below 5 cm; And Whereas, seniors and persons with disabilities are at-risk during “small” events that quickly pack down and turn to ice; And Whereas, more frequent servicing of the property reduces slip-and-fall risk, and improves accessibility, better mobility and independence; And Whereas, enhanced clearing further supports residents getting to medical appointments, pharmacies, transit, and essential errands; And Whereas, the current and historical service volumes of 450 homes are below the targeted 750 homes that the program can accommodate; Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering directs through the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer: That the Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Snow Clearing program lower the current program trigger threshold from 5 cm to 3 cm as a pilot project for the remainder of the 2025-2026 winter season (ending April 1, 2026); 1. That the pilot project be subject to the Contractor’s ability to provide this enhanced level of service and change in contractual obligations at the same cost per service call; 2. That the pilot project be subject to the same user fees reflected in the Summary of Fees & Charges 2025 & 2026; 3. That, based on the number of registered participants for the 2025-2026 winter season, this change is financially accommodated with available funds in the 4. Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 18 adopted 2026 current budget; and, That staff report back to Council in Q4 2026 with a post pilot project report and staff recommendations to the Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Snow Clearing program for the 2026-2027 winter season and 2027 current budget. 5. Note: The disposition of this matter was determined through the referral motion below: Resolution #932/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Brenner That motion be referred to the February 23, 2026 Council Meeting to refine the motion based on the issues raised during the January 26, 2026 Council Meeting. Carried By-laws Resolution #933/26 Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Pickles That By-law Numbers 8223/26 through 8229/26 be approved, save and except By-laws 8223/26 and 8224/26. Carried By-law 8225/26 Being a by-law to appoint Gavin Irvine as Municipal Law Enforcement Officer for the purpose of enforcing the by-laws of The Corporation of the City of Pickering. By-law 8226/26 Being a by-law to establish Part Lot 29, Concession 4 and Part of the Road Allowance between Lots 28 and 29, Concession 4, closed by PI22182, designated as Parts 1 and 2, Plan 40R-33115, as public highway. By-law 8227/26 Being a by-law to name Part of Lots 18 and 19, Concession 8 and Part of the Road Allowance between Lots 18 and 19, Concession 8, being Parts 1, 2 and 3, 40R- 32199; Part of the Road Allowance between Lots 18 and 19, Concession 9, being 12. 12.3 12.4 12.5 Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 19 Part 1, Plan 40R-32692; Part of Lot 18, Concession 9 and Part of the Road Allowance between Lots 18 and 19, Concession 9, being Part 1, Plan 40R-32693; Part of Lot 28, Registered Plan 98 and Part of Lots 17 and 18, Concession 9, being Part 1, Plan 40R-32956. (Old Brock Road) By-law 8228/26 Being a by-law to exempt Blocks 249, 250, 253, Plan 40M-2756; Part Block 255, Plan 40M-2756 being Parts 1 and 2, Plan 40R-32590 and Part Block 256, Plan 40M-2756 being Parts 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, Plan 40R-32590, Pickering from the part lot control provisions of the Planning Act. By-law 8229/26 Being a by-law to exempt Lots 174, 175, 178 to 182, 185, 187, 224 to 227 and Blocks 288 to 321, Plan 40M-2758, from the part lot control provisions of the Planning Act. By-law 8223/26 Being a by-law to establish retention periods for records of The Corporation of the City of Pickering. Resolution #934/26 Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Pickles That By-law Number 8223/26 be approved. Carried By-law 8224/26 Being a by-law to designate a Head of The Corporation of the City of Pickering for the purposes of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Resolution #935/26 Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Pickles That By-law Number 8224/26 be approved. Carried Confidential Council - Public Report 12.6 12.7 12.1 12.2 13. Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 20 Mayor Ashe stated that prior to the Regular Meeting of Council, an In-camera session was held at 6:00 pm in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act and the Procedure By-law to consider matters pertaining to the retainer of KPMG LLP for Frenchman’s Bay environmental and other due diligence and a citizen appointment to the Pickering Anti- Black Racism Taskforce. The matters were discussed in closed session to receive advice subject to solicitor-client privilege to discuss personal matters about an identifiable individual. Citizen Appointment to the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT) Resolution #936/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Cook That Christine Bussue be appointed to the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce for a term ending on November 14, 2026, or until a successor is appointed Carried Regional Councillor Updates There were no updates from Regional Councillors. Other Business Councillor Brenner raised concerns regarding excessive snow accumulation throughout the City and asked staff about current procedures for snow removal, noting that some piles were reaching hazardous heights and that newer neighbourhoods, such as Seaton, lacked adequate snow storage space. K. Heathcote, Director, City Infrastructure, advised that while the City had no formal snow removal policy, staff did remove snow in select high priority areas, such as bridge decks and certain cul-de-sacs, and transported the snow to the Operations Centre as needed. K. Heathcote also noted that a new ribbon-style snowblower attachment had been approved for purchase to improve future removal operations. Councillor Brenner emphasized the need to consider snow storage capacity in future development planning. • Councillor Brenner gave Notice of a Motion regarding Durham Region Transit (DRT) service on Granite Court. • Councillor Brenner gave Notice of a Motion regarding Durham Region Transit (DRT) service to the new Dorsey Community Centre. • Councillor Brenner gave Notice of a Motion regarding opposing a Metrolinx proposal • 13.1 14. 15. Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 21 for no left turns from Rosebank Road onto Rodd Avenue at the rail crossing. Councillor Cook encouraged residents to support Special Olympics athletes by purchasing a special donut at Tim Hortons locations across Ontario starting January 30, 2026. • Councillor Cook announced that a community information session on situational awareness and community safety best practices would be hosted by Councillors Cook, Brenner, and Nagy on February 10, 2026 at the Pickering Central Library auditorium, with further details to be shared on social media. • Confirmatory By-law Moved By Councillor Cook Seconded By Councillor Pickles That By-law 8230/26, to confirm the proceedings of the January 26, 2026 Council Meeting be approved. Carried Adjournment Moved By Councillor Robinson Seconded By Councillor Nagy That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 9:49 p.m. Dated this 26th day of January, 2026. ______________________________ Kevin Ashe, Mayor ______________________________ Susan Cassel, City Clerk 16. 17. Council Meeting Minutes January 26, 2026 22