HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 10, 2020Cty oh
DICKERING
Executive Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2020
Electronic Meeting — 2:00 pm
Chair: Councillor Butt
Present:
Deputy Mayor Kevin Ashe
Councillors:
K. Ashe
M. Brenner
S. Butt
I. Cumming
B. McLean
D. Pickles
Absent:
Mayor David Ryan
Also Present:
M. Carpino
K. Bentley
P. Bigioni
B. Duffield
J. Eddy
J. Flowers
R. Holborn
F. Jadoon
S. Karwowski
J. Yoshida
S. Cassel
A. Haniff
L. Harker
1. Roll Call
- Interim Chief Administrative Officer
- Director, City Development & CBO
- Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor
- (Acting) Director, Community Services
- Director, Human Resources
- CEO & Director of Libraries, Pickering Public
- Director, Engineering Services
- Director, Economic Development & Strategic
- Director, Finance & Treasurer
- (Acting) Fire Chief
- City Clerk
- Senior Economic Development Officer
- Deputy Clerk
Library
Projects
The City Clerk certified that all Members of Committee were present and participating
electronically in accordance with By-law 7771/20, with the exception of Mayor Ryan who
was absent due to illness.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Delegations
1
Cty oh
DICKERING
Executive Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2020
Electronic Meeting — 2:00 pm
Chair: Councillor Butt
There were no delegations.
4. Matters for Consideration
4.1 Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects, Report CAO 04-20
Economic Status of Local Businesses in Pickering During COVID-19
Fiaz Jadoon, Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects, appeared
before the Committee to provide an overview of Report CAO 04-20. Mr. Jadoon
noted that this report was authored in response to a letter from MPP Jennifer
French, and by Members of Council requesting a report outlining the economic
status of businesses in Pickering. He noted that several businesses in Pickering
have been significantly affected by COVID-19, including some permanent
closures, and that some businesses did receive Federal and Provincial funding.
Mr. Jadoon noted that Staff reached out to local businesses through social media
and newsletters to receive feedback, and that some of the concerns expressed
were that some businesses did not originally qualify for the various funding
programs available until the programs were expanded. He advised Member of the
Committee that staff have also been engaging with smaller businesses and home
based businesses, and are collaborating with the Durham Region Association of
Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs to strengthen local and community
partnerships, and are working towards a virtual business expo in the Fall. Mr.
Jadoon noted that the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses has been
significant, but that he is encouraged to see the economic recovery.
A question and answer period ensued regarding whether Council would be
receiving quarterly or semi-annual updates as to the economic status of local
businesses to understand which businesses had closed and which had remained
open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Jadoon stated that Staff have discussed
methods of tracking this data as it is not readily available and that to date, much of
the information has been obtained through relationships with the local businesses.
Mr. Jadoon responded to further questions regarding contacts with the Business
Advisory Centre of Durham, noting that the City is actively involved with a number
of local organizations.
Recommendation:
Moved by Councillor McLean
Seconded by Councillor Brenner
That report CAO 04-20 regarding the economic status of local businesses in
Pickering during COVID-19 be received for information.
2
Cty oh
DICKERING
Executive Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2020
Electronic Meeting — 2:00 pm
Chair: Councillor Butt
Carried Later in the Meeting
(See Following Motion)
Moved by Councillor Brenner
Seconded by Councillor Pickles
That the main motion be amended by adding the following as a new Item 2 and
the recommendation renumbered accordingly:
That Staff be directed to provide an update to Council on the economic status of
local businesses in Pickering, based on the data available, at the December 14,
2020 Meeting.
Carried
The Main Motion, as Amended, was then Carried
4.2 Director, Finance & Treasurer, Report FIN 11-20
COVID-19 Impact on Taxation Services
A question and answer period ensued regarding the increase in property tax
arrears in relation to the impacts of COVID-19. Further questions were raised
regarding the Pre -Authorized Payment plan for property taxes and what penalties
residents may have accrued if they went off the Plan to take advantage of the
payment deferrals.
Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, advised Members of the
Committee that any residents that went off the pre -authorized payment plan did
not incur any penalties. Mr. Karwowski further noted that the pre -authorized plan
is the best payment plan as it spreads tax payments over 12 months and
encouraged residents who do not currently partake in the program to sign-up.
Mr. Karwowski responded to further questions from Members of the Committee
regarding the amount of penalty and interest revenue lost from the waiving of tax
penalties for the months of May and June. Mr. Karwowski responded stating that
approximately $500,000 has been lost thus far and further noted that financial
assistance programs such as the 6 month mortgage deferral and Canadian
Emergency Response Benefit will be expiring in the near future and that the
impact of the elimination of these programs is not known at this time as it relates
to collection of taxes.
Recommendation:
3
Cty oh
DICKERING
Executive Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 10, 2020
Electronic Meeting — 2:00 pm
Chair: Councillor Butt
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Brenner
It is recommended that Report FIN 11-20, from the Director, Finance & Treasurer
regarding COVID-19 Impact on Taxation Services be received for information.
Carried
5. Other Business
5.1 Discussion ensued regarding the announcement relating to the Investing in
Canada Infrastructure Program: COVID-19 Resilience stream, noting that the
funding could assist the City with pathways, intercommunity transit systems,
transportation projects under the green infrastructure stream, trails, and rural and
northern infrastructure as it relates to broadband. It was further noted that this
would involve the City Development Department for Sustainable Pickering,
Engineering Services for trails and transportation, and the Finance Department to
ensure the funds are available to be utilized within the projected budget for 2021.
Moved by Councillor Brenner
Seconded by Councillor McLean
That the Director, City Development & CBO, Director, Engineering Services, and
Director, Finance & Treasurer be directed to bring forward a report regarding the
Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: COVID-19 Resilience stream, no later
than the November 2, 2020 Executive Committee Meeting.
Carried
5.2 Councillor McLean noted the number of calls from residents regarding increased
power outages, and requested that Councillor Cumming, as the Mayor's Designate
on the Elexicon Energy Board, obtain information regarding the locations and
number of outages in Pickering and provide this information to Members of
Council.
6. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Brenner
Seconded by Councillor Cumming
That the meeting be adjourned.
The meeting adjourned at 2:23 p.m.
4
Carried