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Cis ~0 Report To
_ Executive Committee
T
P1CKERIlyG Report Number: CAO 01-11
Date: January 10, 2011 01
From: Debbie Shields
City Clerk
Subject: Ward Boundary Review
- 2014 Municipal Election
- File: A-2000
Recommendation:
1. That Report CAO 01-11 regarding Resolution #158/10 on the matter of a Ward
Boundary Review be received for information;
2. That a Ward Boundary Review and the election of Regional Councillors at large
not be undertaken at this time.
Executive Summary: This Report is in response to the Notice of Motion presented
at the September 13, 2010 Council meeting. The Notice of Motion requested that the
City Clerk report back to Council on the process and budget required to review the City
of Pickering Ward Boundaries for the 2014 Municipal Election.
Financial Implications: Following an initial review of similar-sized Ontario
municipalities that have recently completed a Ward Boundary Review, the City Clerk
notes that it would cost approximately $30,000 for this project. In order to undertake a
review, this amount would have to be added to the proposed 2011 budget, as well as a
contingency for an OMB hearing should one be received.
Sustainability Implications: There are no sustainability implications.
Background: At the September 13, 2010:Council Meeting, Council endorsed
Resolution #158/10 whereby it was resolved that the Clerk's Office would investigate
the process for reviewing the City of Pickering Ward Boundaries for the 2014 Municipal
Election.
The City Clerk investigated the process for reviewing the City of Pickering Ward
Boundaries and submits the following:
Report CAO 01-11 January 10, 2011
Subject: Ward Boundary Review Page 2
02
The Municipal Elections Act, 2001 S.O. 2001, c. 25 establishes the authority for a
Municipal Council to review the composition of Council, the means whereby Members of
Council are elected and to divide, re-divide or dissolve existing wards. Section 222 of
the Act requires that the municipality must provide notice and hold a minimum of at least
one public meeting. A Ward Boundary Review can be initiated either by the Council, or
by way of a petition to the Council by the electors of the municipality. Given that this is a
Council-initiated ward boundary change, no further reference is made in this Report to
the requirements governing a petition to Council.
The intent of the Ward Boundary Review process that was being proposed is to
undertake a completely public process with the process being undertaken by an
independent, experienced third party. The Consultant would rely on the assistance of
City of Pickering staff, as required. Various public consultations would be conducted
and the creation of Terms of Reference to guide the process. After investigation of other
municipalities that have conducted Ward Boundary, Reviews of a similar nature, it is
estimated that the process would cost approximately $30,000.
With the anticipation of varying rates of population growth across the City, it may be
necessary to look at longer term growth patterns to arrive at a ward structure which will
be sustainable for a number of future Council terms. At this time, a Ward Boundary
Review would be premature considering Duffin Heights and Seaton are still in the early
planning stages and it might be necessary to review Ward Boundaries again once these
areas have been completed. If Council does not believe that a complete Ward Boundary
Review is feasible and/or necessary at this time, the City Clerk could continue to
investigate the possibility of minor ward boundary changes if directed by Council for the
2014 Election.
Attachments:
1. Notice of Motion - City of Pickering Ward Boundary/Governance Model Review for
the 2014 Municipal Election.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Lisa Harker, MPA Debbie Shields
Coordinator, Records & Elections City Clerk
CORP0227-07/01 revised
i
Report CAO 01-11 January 10, 2011
Subject: Ward Boundary Review Page 3
03
DS:lh
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering C' Counci
• 65; 20~®
Tony Prevedel, P. ng.
Chief Administrative Officer
CORP0227-07/01 revised
- i
04
NOTICE OF MOTION
CITY OF PICKERING WARD BOUNDARY/GOVERNANCE MODEL REVIEW
FOR THE 2014 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Resolution #158/10
Moved by Councillor Johnson.
Seconded by Councillor Dickerson
WHEREAS the City of Pickering is a rapidly growing community and it is sound
municipal management practice to evaluate the implications of such growth on local
political representation;
WHEREAS the current ward boundaries were determined approximately 35 years ago
when Pickering had a population of approximately 24,000;
WHEREAS Ward 3 has a population 30% higher than Ward 1 and 2 and 10-15 times
land size;
WHEREAS as significant future population growth is expected in Ward 3 and continued
growth in Ward 1 and 2, Council may find that it is timely to assess the current and
emerging population situation to ensure the appropriate representation for Pickering
citizens and a balanced workload for Councillors for the 2014 Municipal Election;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Council for the City of Pickering approves
the investigation into the process for a ward boundary and governance model review for
the 2014 Municipal Election;
THAT the City of Pickering include consideration of a ward boundary review in the 2011
Budget discussions for the hiring of an independent consultant to review ward
boundaries and to investigate the election of Regional Councillor's being elected at
large; and,
THAT the City Clerk report back to Council in 2011 on the process of reviewing the City
of Pickering Ward Boundaries/Governance Model for the 2014 Municipal Election.
CARRIED