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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 17, 2026 - Special Council Special Council Meeting Minutes Electronic Meeting June 17, 2026 11:00 AM Chair: Mayor Ashe Present: Mayor K. Ashe Councillor M. Brenner Councillor S. Butt Councillor D. Pickles Councillor M. Nagy Councillor L. Robinson Regrets: Councillor L. Cook Also Present: M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni – Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor J. Eddy – Director, Human Resources L. Gibbs - Director, Community Services K. Heathcote - Director, City Infrastructure R. Holborn - Director, Engineering Services F. Jadoon - Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects S. Karwowski - Director, Finance & Treasurer J. Halsall - Division Head, Finance V. Plouffe - Division Head, Facilities Management & Construction N. Robinson - Deputy Fire Chief S. Cassel – City Clerk J. Bekramchand - Senior Budget & Financial Analyst R. Kumar - Senior Financial Analyst - Development Charges & Capital Management J. Currie - Legislative Coordinator 1 Call to Order/Roll Call The City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participating electronically, save and except Councillor Cook. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. Delegations There were no delegations. Matters for Consideration Director, Finance & Treasurer, Report FIN 09-26 Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build - Development Charge Reduction Program S. Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, appeared before Council via electronic connection and provided an overview of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build - Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP). S. Karwowski stated that the program had two primary purposes, improving housing affordability and supporting targeted economic stimulus. S. Karwowski advised that housing construction had a direct relationship to economic performance, supported skilled trades and related industries, and generated local spending through new residents. S. Karwowski noted that a temporary reduction in development charges would lower upfront costs for builders, improve project viability, and assist those currently constrained by market conditions. A discussion and question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and staff regarding: whether other municipalities were applying to the program and whether any were taking a different approach; • whether municipalities with higher development charge rates would be required to offer deeper reductions to remain competitive; • how the current housing market slowdown and the projected $19 million reduction in development charge revenue would affect the broader consumer economy; • whether reductions in development charges would be passed on to home • 1. 2. 3. 4. 4.1 Special Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2026 2 buyers and whether such reductions would improve housing affordability; why the Seaton Recreation Complex was not included among the recommended projects; • whether the proposed reduction would have an impact on the tax-payer supported portion of the budget, and when a final report regarding the details of the DCRP would be presented to Council; • whether the City could reject the program if it was determined not to be financially advantageous; • concerns regarding financial exposure to taxpayers if the City failed to meet housing targets or if project costs exceeded estimates; • whether staff had calculated the minimum level of benefit required for participation to be financially favourable; • whether a study had been completed comparing the cost of lost revenue against future increases in material and construction costs, including the impact of freezing development charge rates at March 2026 levels; • whether staff had estimated the cumulative financial impact of various provincial policies on the City to date; • whether previous development charge reductions or exemptions had resulted in lower home prices; • what issues were being addressed through reducing development charges, given that Pickering was exceeding housing targets; • whether the Building Faster Fund could be used to offset losses in development charge revenue resulting from the proposed reduction program; • concerns that development and investment could shift to other municipalities with lower costs; and, • that submitting an application would allow the City to obtain program details before making a final decision and did not obligate the City to proceed. • Resolution ##1025/26 Moved By Councillor Pickles Seconded By Councillor Nagy That Report FIN 09-26 regarding the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build - Development Charge Reduction Program be received; 1. That Council direct staff to prepare and submit an application to the Development Charge Reduction Program in the estimated amount of $29.4 million, with the Federal and Provincial governments providing up to 90% of the eligible project costs, and the City of Pickering being responsible for funding the other 10% of the program costs; 2. That Council directs staff to prepare and submit an application to the 3. Special Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2026 3 Development Charge Reduction Program that would include the following capital projects: Seaton Fire Station #3, William Jackson Road & Culvert and Audley Road & Culvert; That the Director, Finance & Treasurer be authorized to adjust the Development Charge Reduction Program dollar submission target amount and corresponding application based on new or revised program information; 4. That Council endorse a residential Development Charge reduction of 30% for a period of three years, conditional upon successful funding approval under the Development Charge Reduction Program and execution of a Transfer Payment Agreement; 5. That Council acknowledge that, as part of the Development Charge Reduction Program current residential Development Charge fees will be frozen at the March 30, 2026 rate, for a period of three years and that the indexing of the residential Development Charge will not be permitted during the rate freeze; 6. That Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director, Finance & Treasurer to negotiate any changes to the Development Charge Reduction Program or to the draft Transfer Payment Agreement, and that the final Transfer Payment Agreement be approved by Council; and, 7. That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. 8. 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 0 1 Carried on a Recorded Vote (5 to 1) Confirmatory By-law Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Nagy That By-law 8272/26, to confirm the proceedings of the June 17, 2026 Special Council Meeting be approved. 5. Special Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2026 4 Carried Adjournment Moved By Councillor Robinson Seconded By Councillor Pickles That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m. ______________________________ Kevin Ashe, Mayor ______________________________ Susan Cassel, City Clerk 6. Special Council Meeting Minutes June 17, 2026 5