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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 4, 1978 - 109 - 26/78 COUNCIL MEETING The Inaugural Meeting of the Pickering Town Council was held on MONDAY, DECEMBER 4th 1978 at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor J. Anderson COUNCILLORS: L. Cahill D. Dickerson G. Fisher N. Geraghty D. Kitchen K. Matheson ALSO PRESENT: N.C. Marshall - Town Manager B. Taylor - Town Clerk (I) MEETING CALLED TO ORDER The Inaugural Meeting of Council was called to order by Mayor Anderson. (II) OATH OF OFFICE OF MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS The Oath of Office of Mayor and Councillors was administered by the Town Clerk. (III) INVOCATION The Invocation was given by the Reverend Gordon D. King. (IV) INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Mayor Anderson introduced members of Council. (V) STATEMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS - NON DEBATABLE Councillor Matheson As the Town of Pickering enters into its sixth year of Regional Government, I am pleased to have been one of your representatives since the beginning and look forward to the next two years which I am sure will be exciting and challenging. When we became part of the Region of Durham in 1974, Pickering was the fourth lar- gest area municipality both in assessment and population, today we are second only to the City of Oshawa. The growth that has - 110 - 26/78 Councillor Matheson's Statement (Continued) occurred in our Town over these years is well balanced and financially sound. This as well as the confidence business has shown in us has made us the envy of the other area muni- cipalities. Parochial attitudes which were quite prevalent at one time do not exist or are starting to disintegrate within the majority of Councillors throughout our Region. Tax increases have been kept to a minimum at the Region, with the two biggest tax demands coming from police and social services, which prior to 1974 were area responsibilities. Region has little control over these because they are dictated by provincial legislation and social services also by economic conditions. I hope to receive your continued support over the next two years in order to represent you strongly and effectively both at the area and regional levels. Councillor Cahill's Statement When I prepared this inaugural message two main thoughts entered my mind: 1. Do I wish this message to be related to my colleagues of Council and staff, or 2. For the general public, and especially the constituents of Ward One. I, therefore, believe that it must be two-fold and to express some of the areas of their concerns, their exploits and their achievements. We have in the past two years with the support of our staff and collective input from our various organizations accumu- lated a wealth of information in a fast growing community which in the final analysis was dealt with here in the Council Chambers. Therefore, as Councillors, we have to ask ourselves "What is success" the accomplishment of knowing we did our job, and being supported in the past election as a tribute of doing our job. This does not mean we can rest on our laurels and "assume" or "take for granted" that is all there is to be done. Knowledge is a very wonderful thing, the knowledge of knowing is beautiful. I, therefore, believe I personally gained a tremendous amount of "known knowledge" of others, from our staff, and my Ward One constituents and I look forward in the next two years of learning more, and having a good co- operative system as we have had in the past. Ward One as I have stated many times before, is unique in several ways. (1) The border of Metro-Toronto and the Durham Region: there have been attempts and I might say, achieve- ments of Metro (the damn bridge for one) to invade the privacy of our Town. - 111 - 26/78 Councillor Cahill's Statement (Continued) There will also be other attempts. However, we have proven that we don't need them, nor in fact do we need the remarks of the Regional Chairman. If the Finance Chairman. would pay attention to Pickering's progress, they would accomplish no tax increases instead of suggesting the Regional Municipali- ties follow their guidelines, of increases. No matter what percentage they are, 5% of $1.00 is not much, 5% of 71 million is another story. Ward One is a combination of urban-rural living and it is my intention while striving to provide the gained knowledge of my profession, my learning experience of Council, and general knowledge, to pledge myself to continue acting on behalf of the constituents of Ward One and the citizens of Pickering as I have done in the past, to create a good balance for our future and continued growth. Councillor Kitchen's Statement First, I would like to congratulate the Mayor and Councillors on their election or acclamation to Council. I hope that we can be as successful in keeping all those wonderful promises we made to the voters as we were successful in being elected. There are many important decisions to be made by us during the next two years, and many important subjects to be broached, some of which I will outline tonight which I believe are important to our Town. Two important planning studies should be completed - Frenchman's Bay Area - which is a highly sensitive area environmentally speaking - and very important to the recreational and conser- vation needs in this Town. The Dunbarton, Highbush, Woodlands study has just begun, and this study is particularily important because of the large area of land covered, and the substantial population projected for this area in our Official Plan. Of interest to all of us because of its effect on us regarding energy costs, is the feasibility study now being completed on a local electrical utility for Pickering. A lot of work and planning will have to be, and will be done, in order to realize the January 1,1980 date for the start-up of this utility. Operating staff, facilities, equipment, management - all must be acquired prior to this date to be ready to go on time. The "GO" Transit facility in Pickering must be improved to expedite the movement of traffic entering and exiting; to improve and expand parking facilities; to create a "kiss and ride" traffic lane separate from other uses; to create separate entrances for public vehicles; and to improve the facilities for the comfort of the passengers, which should include heated waiting room, covered platform to protect passengers from weather, and washroom facilities. The Liverpool Road bridge must be widened immediately, and the access improved to include all traffic movements into and from the #401 Highway. , - 112 - 26/78 Councillor Kitchen's Statement (Continued) Because of the inequities in the assessment of the various municipalities in Durham, we in Pickering pay a higher pro- portion of taxes for Regional government and education than any other municipality in the Region. We, as a Town, and our Regional Councillors must persuade the Region and/or the provincial Government to put the market value assessment in effect in Durham. In the area of recreation, we are rapidly approaching the saturation point in the use of our existing facilities. In 1979, I would like to see a start to our proposed Municipal Recreation Complex. I would also like to see some of the services now under Regional responsibility returned, in part, to the local municipalities. Specifically, the local water distribution and sanitary sewers could belocal¡ the main distribution or collector pipes, along with the processing plant would remain with the Region. We must continue to ensure commercial and industrial develop- ment in our Town by having sufficient lands zoned for this use¡ and by continuing our policy requiring residential developers to provide industrial and commercial assessment. Last, but not least, I must make every effort, to communicate with the residents in my ward, newcomers and older residents alike, to be sure that I am cognizant of their problems and needs, and to make sure that they know what is transpiring at the Municipality. With this in mind, I will be publishing a newsletter on a regular basis. Thank you for your help in the past, and I will try my best in the next two years to make Pickering a better place for us all. Councillor Dickerson's Statement When an individual sets out to seek public office, that indi- vidual must first ask himself what he would do if he were elected because that is the question that will ultimately be asked a hundred times. Generally, when a person reflects upon that question seriously for some time, he usually decides it's better not to enter the race. However, there are some of us who do come up with a satisfactory answer - if to no one else, then at least to ourself - and decide to forge ahead. To answer the question of what I will attempt to do in the next two years is to tell you that I will use whatever means are at our disposal to get the Provincial Government moving to correct an intollerable traffic mess that exists at the Liver- pool Road overpass. To tell you that we must press them to get on with the opening of the White's Road interchange. To tell you that we must press our local MPP, who sits on the side of government, that we are tired of waiting, it's time for action. - 113 - 26/78 Councillor Dickerson's Statement (Continued) I would also tell you of my desire to see services in the Dunbarton area¡ of my wish to stop Glenanna Road at Dixie in order to protect the lives of children who must cross that road four times daily to reach school¡ of my wish to provide more parking space for the residents of the Radom Street townhouses¡ of my wish to clean up the parking pro- blems that exist throughout Bay Ridges. But a two year goal is not enough. A person aspiring for public office should also be concerned about what his com- munity will be like ten years down the road. Ten years from now, I would like to see Pickering still have the same atmosphere, the same friendly, flavour that has always existed here. That is why the Dunbarton, Woodlands, Highbush Study cur- rently under way concerns me, as it should every citizen who lives in Pickering, not just those who live in the area directly under study. I am concerned because of the westward growth this study intimates. I do not believe a majority of the citizen want the feeling of being an extension of Metro. This has already been turned down once in a vote. But we must look to the future of Pickering in every direction and in every phase. Because only in this manner can we pro- vide our staff planners with something to sink their teeth into so that we may all enjoy a better, more prosperous future. Ladies and Gentlemen, in ten years time, I think we all want a Pickering we can be comfortable in and proud of. Councillor Fisher's Statement The 23rd of October was the beginning of the elections, for most it was over on the 13th of November, but for me it wasn't over until today. The official recount came in today at seven votes in my favour. I would like to thank all those who worked so hard for me during the election, especially my family and friends for their encouragement and faith in me. Thanks to every single voter - you can be sure that each of your votes was counted and made a difference. My first two years on Council was definitely a learning exper- ience for me and the knowledge I have gained from that will remain with me the rest of my life. Given the opportunity to continue this experience and to serve my constituents is greatly appreciated. Because the last term was a learning experience for me, I may have not been heard from as much as some of the other Council members. This will not be the case during the coming term. I expect that residents of my ward will come to me directly with their problems and get prompt and satisfying action. Thank you all once again for your support. - 114 - 26/78 Councillor Geraghty's Statement I wish to express my gratitude to the people who worked for me and to those who voted for me in the recent election. I appreciate the faith that they have shown and I will do my utmost to be worthy of their trust. During the last year, I have received a good education in both the operations of a Municipality and the realities of politics. I worked hard to be a good representative and I intend to be an even more effective spokesman during the next 2 years. Some of my priorities are: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) To meet as soon as possible with representatives of all the community and ratepayers associations to discuss their priorities for the coming term. To continue to press for restraint in fiscal matters during these difficult financial times. To achieve a higher level of involvement in planning. To be involved as a municipal representative on the "alternate land use study committee" being organized by the Federal Member of Parliament for the area, for the Pickering Airport Site. To further the study looking into the feasibility of utilizing the waste heat from the Nuclear Plant. To resolve as quickly as possible the matter of the night dumping of Metro garbage in Pickering. These are just a few of the things that will receive atten- tion in the immediate future. I pledge to continue to direct my energies to further the interests of the residents of Ward Three and of the Town of Pickering. (VI) INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF MAYOR JOHN E. ANDERSON I would like to take this opportunity to re-affirm the wel- come extended to those of you who are attending the Inaugural Meeting of the Pickering Council for the 1979-80 term of office. It is refreshing to have this number of interested citizens in attendance at our Council Meeting and it is a rare opportunity that I have to extend greetings to this number of people in the course of our regular Council act- ivities. This evening, I would like to confine my remarks to two principal areas, that being, the accomplishments of the previous Council and of equal importance, the challenges and opportunities available to our present Council. First, a review of the accomplishments over the past couple of years. - 115 - 26/78 Fire During October, we moved into our new Fire Hall on Highway #2, immediately east of Rosebank Road, replacing a facility which represented the first fire hall in the urban portion of the Municipality, a property we have occupied since the early 1950's. In addition, we were successful in selling the former Fire Hall and the proceeds from this sale will be held by the Municipality to provide additional fire facilities. The year 1978 saw the purchase of a future Fire Hall site in the vicinity of Finch Avenue and Dixie Road, which will be developed when the population growth warrants it. Recreation The Town enjoys recreation programs second to none and the success of these programs is measured by the overwhelming response that the Recreation Department receives during our two principal registration programs carried out in the Fall and Spring of each year. It is interesting to note that the priorities of the Town citizens tend to change over the years and we have noticed an obvious fall-off in usage of the Arena during the non- prime times. This has had a noticeable affect on the finan- cial operation of this facility and for the second year in a row we are looking at a deficit as a result of declining revenue. This experience has repeated itself to a lesser extent at the Dunbarton Pool, where the impact of private swimming pools has played an important role in the declining use of this pool by the public in general. This has certain- ly not affected the actual swimming program, but, rather exposed the pool to declining revenues from non-program usage. There has been some feeling by various Ratepayer Groups and Associations that special consideration should be given to them and normal operating charges associated with facilities waived in the interests of supporting the particular agency involved. I would like to emphasize that one of the primary reasons for the availability of the many facilities and pro- grams offered to the residents of this community is because of our pay-as-you-go policy and it would be most unfortunate to see this policy weakened by special interest groups. It is only proper that those deriving the benefit of the use of a facility should pay the cost of operating that facility. Planning In the Planning area, the past two years have seen the com- pletion of a number of major Community Plans in the Town, the most significant of which has to be the completion of the Community Plan for the Town Centre and its ultimate approval by Council. Community Plans have also been com- pleted for Fairport, the Brock Industrial Area and the Rosebank Community. The final draft for the Community Plans for Liverpool Community, the Frenchman's Bay Area and the Hamlet of Claremont will be considered by Council in the immediate future. The Community Plan for the Dun- barton, Woodlands, Highbush Area is well under way and should see completion towards the Summer of 1979. - 116 - 26/78 Mayor Anderson's Statement (Continued) With the completion of these Plans, the residents of the Municipality can be assured that all future development in the major urban areas of the Town will progress in an order- ly and proper fashion, with all communities and subdivisions completely integrated and forming a part of the greater whole. The Grandfather of all of this community planning is the District Plan or Official Plan for the Town of Pickering, which has been adopted by both Council and the Region of Durham and is presently before the Minister of Housing for approval. It should be appreciated that each of the indi- vidual Community Plans form a part of the overall District Plan for the Town. The presence of these Plans assures the residents of this Municipality that all future Plans of Subdivision will follow the broad guidelines established in the Community Plans, all of which reflected a high ele- ment of public participation. It is interesting to note that the growth of the Municipality has been very significant in the Industrial and Commercial sector, whereas the Residential sector has dropped noticeably. This reflects the completion of most of the subdivisions initiated in late 1973 and the construction of the industrial and commercial assessment envisaged in the Subdivision Agree- ments contemplated at that time. Whilst only 218 building permits were issued up to the end of October of this year for residential construction, a significant increase in assessment has evolved to date. Up to October 31st 1978 the value of new construction in the Industrial Area repre- sents $4,970,989.00 whilst construction in the Commercial Area totals $5,584,306.00. To this must be added the impact of the construction in the Institutional Area, representing essentially the Water Pollution Control Plant and the Nuclear Plant, where the current value of building permits in these areas totals $4,107,900.00. It can be readily seen by a drive through our Industrial Area the encouraging development that is taking place. This is in spite of the fact that the Industrial/Commercial market is very tight at the present time. Much of the new construction in the Industrial Area is of a speculative nature where the property owners have expressed their confidence in the potential of the Town of Pickering and have put up buildings without the benefit of prior lease arrangements. They are obviously satisfied that there is a good future in Pickering and are confident that they will be able to lease the space that is presently being constructed. I find it particularly satisfying that in spite of the accom- plishments noted, the Municipality has been able to accomplish this growth without any significant increase in taxes over the past five years. In actual fact, the only increase in the local mill rate since 1974 has been a one-half mill levy imposed to maintain an annual contribution to our Reserve Account for the provision of major capital facilities. A good example of the use to which such funds are put was the payment for the Fire Hall which I mentioned previously. The entire cost was recov- ered from a Reserve Account. The significance of this, of course, is that by paying for facilities from our existing reserves, we are not obliged to borrow funds or go to the debenture market. Thus the Ratepayers are obtaining their - 117 - 26/78 Mayor Anderson's Statement (Continued) facilities at a cost significantly below what would be the case in earlier years. At the present time one could expect to pay almost two-and-one-half times the construction cost of a facility if the Town were obliged to borrow the funds to construct it. This is a clear cut example of the excellent financial manage- ment which is being exercised by the Municipality and the staff in particular. I will now turn to some thoughts on the future of the Munici- pality and the challenges that it presents. I have mentioned the varying priorities that our citizens place on the various components of Recreation in the Munici- pality. Probably one of the greatest challenges facing the Municipality in the coming two years will be the formulation of the policy governing the initial phase of the Recreation Complex. This recognizes that the major thrust of our capital expenditure in the next few years will centre around the Recreation Complex. The planning that must precede the con- struction of this facility should be addressed in the immediate future. certainly one area that does require attention is the need for a major meeting facility capable of supporting Commun- ity Groups in the order of 400 or 500 people. Another significant challenge will be the continued efforts of the Municipality in restraining the growth of taxes at the local level. It is an interesting parallel that the anti- growth proponents within the Town are equally as strong in their position that taxes should not grow. Without growth, our assessment base is stabilized and our ability to absorb increasing costs as a result of the maintenance of existing levels of services no longer exists. Being a service industry, our operational costs, of necessity, are extremely labour- intensive and like the citizens that they serve, our employees expect annual increases in their remuneration to compensate for the ever-spiralling inflation that they are exposed to. Municipal activities are constantly being monitored with a view towards controlling costs, but, there are only so many efficiencies that can be implemented before the level of service must be cut. This is particularly true in the Parks area where the Municipality has assumed the responsibility for the maintenance of significant acreages of parkland over the past two or three years. Our increasing population has ne- cessitated demands for additional garbage trucks, more fire- fighters and firefighting equipment and increasing urban road mileage requiring maintenance. All of the items are growth orientated and highly labour-intensive. Another area in which the Municipality is facing serious challenges is the continuation of the present Dial-A-Bus system. The rapid urbanization of the Municipality is taxing the limit of the Dial-A-Bus system to its breaking point and major decisions will have to be made in the immediate future as to whether or not the Municipality can continue to operate the Dial-A-Bus System in its present form or whether other alternatives will have to be looked at. The citizens of the Town are indeed fortunate to have a transportation system as sophisticated as the Dial-A-Bus and it would be most unfortun- ate if its future was jeopardized. - 118 - 26/78 Mayor Anderson's Statement (Continued) Conclusion In summary, I might say that the Municipality is blessed with enormous natural resources as well as a highly qualified and experienced staff to assist the Members of Council in formu- lating the necessary policy that will guide the Municipality in the coming months. I might also say that we are indeed fortunate that we operate under a highly efficient Council-Manager System, which gives the elected representative an opportunity to spend the critical time necessary in the formulation and definition of policy directives. Leaving the technical staff to carry out the day to day activities of the Municipality, frees the elected re- presentative to explore with his constituents the various areas of policy requiring definition and the establishment of meaningful goals for the future growth of the Municipality. In addition, the Municipality is blessed with many years of experience both at the political and administrative level which puts me in mind of a story of a young man who came for an interview with a Bank President: "Tell me, sir, how did you become so successful?" "Two words." "And what were they sir?" "Right decisions." "How do you make right decisions?" "One word.. .experience." "And how do you get experience?" "Two words." "And what are they?" "Wrong decisions." Thank you very much Ladies and Gentlemen for sharing with me this evening some of my thoughts. (VII) CONFIRMATION BY-LAW 917/78 Councillor Kitchen, seconded by Councillor Matheson moved for leave to introduce a By-law of the Town of Pickering to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Pickering at its meeting held on the 4th day of December 1978, and that same be now read a first, second and third time and that the same be now finally passed and that the Mayor and Clerk sign the same and that the Seal of the Corporation be thereto affixed. CARRIED - 119 - 26/78 By-law read a first, second and third time and finally passed. (VIII) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at the hour of 8:10 p.m. Dated December 11th 1978 ~a;~ ¿f~¿f-:L~ /'/¿ ~ Clerk