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Home My WebLink AboutCAO 09-24 Report to Council Report Number: CAO 09-24 Date: December 16, 2024 From: Marisa Carpino Chief Administrative Officer Subject: Pickering’s 25th Anniversary of becoming a City - File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1. That Report CAO 09-24 regarding Pickering’s 25th Anniversary of becoming a City be received for information. Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to advise Mayor and Council of the plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Pickering becoming a City on January 1, 2025. While arguably not as significant or historic as Pickering’s bicentennial, it will be a noteworthy milestone, celebrating the growth and evolution that have shaped the vibrant, progressive community we know today. This report outlines the City’s plan to commemorate this occasion, including initiatives designed to raise awareness and foster community engagement throughout the year. The goal is to honour the City’s history, reflect on its achievements, and strengthen connections among residents, reinforcing Pickering's identity and unity as we look forward to the future. Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Foster an Engaged & Informed Community; and Lead & Advocate for Environmental Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency. Financial Implications: While the 25th anniversary of becoming a City is a notable milestone, efforts have been made to minimize the budget impact. For example, the City will not be organizing standalone anniversary events or programming. Rather, staff will largely be integrating 25th anniversary messaging and branding into existing events and programs to commemorate this milestone. The City will fund a new banner for the exterior of the Chestnut Hill Development Recreation Complex utilizing existing funds in the 2025 Current Budget (Cultural Services). Also, the City will plant a total of 25 silver maple trees (8 in each of the three wards and 1 in Esplanade Park) funded by third party reserve funds in the 2025 Current Budget (Parks). CAO 09-24 December 16, 2024 Subject: Pickering’s 25th Anniversary of becoming A City Page 2 Staff will also utilize our existing corporate owned resources such as the website, social media channels, digital LED signs, and email signatures to promote the 25th anniversary on a more regular and/or day-to-day basis. Staff will introduce 25th anniversary branded digital letterhead for electronic correspondence and give consideration to a limited print batch of stationery. Initiatives in the 2025 Current Budget that reflect one-time additional costs are: • $3,500 to the Mayor’s New Year’s Levee to enhance the décor and programming • $10,000 for 25th anniversary banners that will be placed on either side of the City crest at the front of City Hall Discussion: On January 1, 2000, Pickering officially became a City. Leading up to this date, the Pickering 2000 Millennium Committee, comprised of Council and staff, worked diligently to plan an ambitious, year-long celebration that generated excitement, pride, and unity. As part of these festivities, Pickering aligned its efforts with global celebrations to welcome the new millennium. In recognition of its historic status as the first new City of the 21st century, Pickering officially trademarked the name “Millennium City” in Canada. While the excitement of the millennium has since passed, these efforts played a critical role in helping to forge a new identity, vision, and sense of purpose for Pickering, laying the foundation for the dynamic, progressive, and leading City we are today. While the 25th anniversary of becoming a City may not be as significant and historic as Pickering’s bicentennial in 2011, it will prove to be a noteworthy milestone to promote and celebrate. Being mindful of budget and staff resources, we will largely be integrating 25th anniversary messaging and branding into existing events and programs to commemorate this milestone. A. City Events and Mayor’s New Year’s Levee While all City of Pickering events in 2025 will incorporate the 25th anniversary theme, the official launch will take place at the Mayor’s New Year’s Levee. As per past events, the 2025 Mayor’s New Year’s Levee will usher in the new year with an afternoon of live entertainment and family fun activities. For 2025, the City will invite former Mayors, Councillors, and CAOs to join our current Mayor and Members of Council to recognize, reminisce, and celebrate the past quarter of a century. CAO 09-24 December 16, 2024 Subject: Pickering’s 25th Anniversary of becoming A City Page 3 B. 25th Anniversary Banners In celebration of the City of Pickering’s 25th anniversary of becoming a City, new temporary banners will grace the exteriors of both the Pickering City Hall Clock Tower and the exterior façade of Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Created by a local artist, the temporary banners will reflect and honour Pickering’s growth and rich history. In 2022, artist Zuna Amir created the artwork ‘Community Complex’ to celebrate frontline workers and first responders, following the COVID-19 pandemic. This large banner has hung on the exterior façade of the CHDRC for three years and will be replaced with the new 25th anniversary banner. Anticipated for installation in spring 2025, staff have completed a call to artists and have short- listed 3 Pickering-based artists from a pool of 16 submissions. The three artist concepts were shared at the Winter Wonderland event in Millennium Square on December 14th for community feedback. Community feedback has been provided to the three short-listed artists who will submit a final concept design. The final three designs will be promoted through an in-person and online poll, allowing Pickering residents to vote on their favourite concept to represent Pickering’s 25th anniversary. C. Spring planting of 25 Silver Maple Trees Silver, traditionally associated with 25-year milestones, is a symbol of strength and resilience - qualities that reflect the heart of our community. To mark this milestone, the City will plant a total of 25 silver maple trees across all three wards, including Esplanade Park. These trees will serve as a living and lasting legacy that will take root and flourish for generations to come. This act of planting embodies beauty, sustainability, commitment, and growth, honouring our past while nurturing the promise of tomorrow. D. Digital Memory Board An online space will be created at Let’s Talk Pickering.ca/25years to celebrate the City’s 25th Anniversary and foster community engagement. Residents will be invited to share their favourite memories, photos, and experiences in Pickering, creating a collective record that brings people together. This initiative will not only highlight key moments from the past 25 years, but also provide an opportunity for new residents to learn about Pickering’s heritage, culture, and history through the eyes of their neighbours, deepening connections and enriching their understanding of the community’s legacy. E. Branding To mark the 25th anniversary, we will introduce a temporary secondary identifier to visually highlight this milestone throughout the year. This design highlights Pickering's landmark City Hall and clocktower - an architectural landmark serving as a symbol of governance, CAO 09-24 December 16, 2024 Subject: Pickering’s 25th Anniversary of becoming A City Page 4 community, and public service. The clock itself represents the passage of time, which is very fitting in a milestone year. The water and trees pay tribute to Pickering's strategic objective of leading environmental innovation and resilience by recognizing the importance of the natural environment as an integral part of any complete, world-class City. Council, staff, and members of the public continue to collaborate on meaningful initiatives that work to preserve, protect, and enhance Pickering’s natural heritage features including our beautiful trails, parks and open space, urban forests, and the jewel of the city – our shimmering waterfront. The pedestrian bridge, recognized by Guiness World Records, is an icon of engineering and sustainability for millions of residents, drivers, passengers, and transit users. Not only does it physically connect our communities, but it also connects our past to our present and to our bright future. This identifier will be featured on all of the promotional materials the City produces next year to create a consistent and recognizable theme. It will be used in official communications, staff email signatures, and electronic templates to promote pride and unity, ensuring residents and visitors can easily engage with the celebration and appreciate Pickering’s journey over the past 25 years. F. Communications The City will use its owned communications channels to promote its 25th Anniversary of becoming a City. Materials will include the new secondary identifier, as well as a call to action to visit the project page and share resident perspectives and experiences. Communication Tactics and Channels include: • Facility roll-up banners (to be rotated throughout City Hall, Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, George Ashe Library & Community Cetre, East Shore Community Centre, Central Library, and Claremont Library) • Website home page banner CAO 09-24 December 16, 2024 Subject: Pickering’s 25th Anniversary of becoming A City Page 5 •Media Relations to leverage third-party platforms and resources to help promote this milestone •Social Media Campaign (one post per week rotating between general awareness and fun facts) •Digital Community Signs Attachment: None Prepared By: Mark Guinto Division Head, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications MG:as Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Original Signed By: Original Signed By: