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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