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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 30, 2021 - Special Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Present: Mayor David Ryan Councillors: K. Ashe M. Brenner S. ButtI. CummingB. McLeanD. Pickles Also Present: M. Carpino -Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley -Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni -Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor S.Douglas-Murray - Director, Community Services B. Duffield -Director, Operations J. Eddy -Director, Human Resources J. Hagg -Fire Chief J. Flowers -CEO & Director of Public Libraries, Pickering Public Library F. Jadoon -Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects S. Karwowski -Director, Finance & Treasurer S. Cassel -City Clerk J. Halsall -Division Head, Finance P. Helgesen -Acting, Division Head, Water Resources & Development Services V.Plouffe -Manager, Facilities Capital Projects C. Blumenberg -Deputy Clerk 1.Roll Call The City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participatingelectronically in accordance with By-law 7771/20. 2.Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3.Delegations 3.1 Matt Bentley Re: Ward Boundary Petition Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Matt Bentley, 4870 Old Brock Road, joined the electronic meeting via audio connection to speak to the Ward Boundary Petition. Mr. Bentley advised that he was representing over a thousand residents who had signed a petition requesting Council to pass a by-law to amend the existing ward boundaries in accordance with one of the three recommended options proposed by the Consultants. Mr. Bentley stated the petition brought together urban and rural residents and highlighted the deficiencies of the current ward system, and encouraged Council to reject the status quo and act on a matter that no longer serves the current and future residents of the City. Mr. Bentley spoke to the Ward Boundary Review process, including the comprehensive public engagement opportunities, and noted the review was based on best practices and case law. He advised the public is looking for effective representation that responds to current and future population trends and needs of the City. Mr. Brentley spoke to the specifics of the Final Consultant Report and highlighted the inequities of the current ward boundary structure, noting that failure to make a change would undermine democracy. He stated that effective representation also equates to ensuring communities of interest have a voice, such as the rural and agricultural communities of the City. Mr. Bentley noted electoral wards should be seen as temporary, not permanent, and that other levels of government routinely review their boundaries. Mr. Bentley noted each of the final ward boundary review options would improve the current flawed system, and thanked organizers for energetically assisting in the petition process, and residents for signing the petition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Bentley encouraged Council to make a ward boundary review decision on one of the proposed final ward options and to do what is right for the future of the City to support a ward boundary change that will ensure Council represents all residents. A brief question and answer period ensued regarding the protection of the rural components of the City, and how in the long term, the rural communities will equate to a small amount of the population. Mr. Bentley stated that as decisions are made, many major issues are directly impacting residents who live in rural communities such as a future Federal airport and hospital lands. Mr. Bentley noted that there is shared interest within rural hamlets and that shared interest will become less visible with the existing ward boundaries. 3.2 Mike Borie Re: Report CAO 05-21 Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity Mike Borie, 1044 Escott Court, joined the electronic meeting via audio connection to speak to Report CAO 05-21, Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity. He noted that the opportunity to build a hospital within the confines of the City of Pickering would be beneficial on many levels, however it should not be built on environmentally sensitive lands. He noted that the proposed 70-acre site may not compete with Whitby's proposed site on Ministry of Transportation land between Lakeridge Road and Hwy 412 at Hwy 407, which has more rapid connections to Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Lakeridge Road, Highways 7, 407 and 412. Mr. Borie noted that the City’s site lacked access to the 400-series highways which could add to the cost of the hospital to tax payers should new highway interchanges be implemented. He stated that other City sites would be more suitable, such as the Seaton Employment Lands. He further added that the Salem Road site is not only on Carruthers Creek headwaters, but is also a Prime Agricultural Area according to the Durham Region Official Plan, and noted that all of northeast Pickering fails at least one of the site criteria posed by Lakeridge Health. Mr. Borie highlighted that consultation with Indigenous Peoples in all plans that concern Indigenous Peoples Treaties and lands is pivotal, and asked if consultations with the appropriate Indigenous People concerning the site selection had occurred. He noted that building on the proposed land would have devastating effects on local wildlife and would expose communities to greater flood risks. Mr. Borie read out the list of the Lakeridge Health criteria for site selection, and stated that the proposed site does not meet 9 of the 11 stated criteria to be properly selected as the site for the new hospital, and encouraged Council to select an environmentally friendly location. 3.3 Mike Borie Re: Report FIN 13-21 2022 Preliminary Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast Mike Borie, 1044 Escott Court, joined the electronic meeting via audio connection to speak to Report FIN 13-21, 2022 Preliminary Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast. He sought clarification on the justification of the 2022 Preliminary Capital Budget projecting for only a 4 year period, and noted that the norm in other Durham Region municipalities was capital budget forecasts for a 10-year period. Mr. Borie outlined a list of well-known City projects, which included the millennium square to the Pickering Nuclear Plant for the raised boardwalk, the full-sized skateboard park, and the Highway 401 Bridge, and stated that to his knowledge, these projects had not been included in the 2022 Preliminary Budget. Mr. Borie concluded his delegation by stating that the financial picture is incomplete and does not show an honest financial status for a 4-year period. 3.4 Darshan Sritharan Re: Report CAO 05-21 Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity Darshan Sritharan, Pickering Resident, withdrew their delegation request and did not connect to the electronic Special Council Meeting. 3.5 Edward Tait Re: Report CAO 05-21 Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Edward Tait, 2550 Concession 6, joined the electronic meeting via audio connection to speak to Report CAO 05-21, Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity. Mr. Tait stated that although he applauds the idea of a new hospital, he expressed concerns with the Salem Road site location. He commented that there were other more suitable sites in the City, and that with the projected population growth in Seaton, north Pickering seemed an odd choice. He noted that the location is in an environmentally sensitive area at the Carruthers Creek headwaters, further commenting that this area is integral as it contains plant and wildlife that are rare and threatened. Mr. Tait spoke to the obliteration of mating ground for fireflies, noting that fireflies are becoming rare due their habitat being destroyed, and stated there was a need to respect the importance of all living things. He stated that groundwater has to be protected and much has been done in contravention of this wisdom in the name of progress. Mr. Tait stated that these environmental transgressions and not treating the environment correctly, is felt by all, and urged Council to reconsider the Salem Road site and locate the hospital in a site that will not damage the environment. 3.6 Phil Pothen Environmental Defence Re: Report CAO 05-21 Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity Phil Pothen, Environmental Defence, 33 Cecil Street, Toronto, joined the electronic meeting via audio connection to speak to Report CAO 05-21, Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity. He stated that Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities. He noted that the location of the proposed site is an environmental blunder and that many other environmental not-for-profits have expressed opposition to the proposal. Mr. Pothen asked Council to reject the proposal and stated it seems to be transparently veiled as an attempt to build on lands that should not be developed. He stated that the proposed lands are a poor location as they are situated on the headwaters of the Carruthers Creek which is one of the few GTA rivers that retains healthy conditions because it has not crossed a threshold beyond by which development does not impact the Creek, and species can still survive there. Mr. Pothen stated the proposed development of the lands would further threaten endangered species, minimize flooding and erosion controls, and negatively impact water quality. He spoke to the adverse impacts of a hospital on the proposed site, and that the proposal contravenes the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Watershed Plan for Carruthers Creek, and does not meet most of the mandatory selection criteria set out by Lakeridge Health. He questioned the purpose of the 70 acre donation by the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group, and stated that the City should not extend settlement area boundaries and asked Council to reject the Salem site location. Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm A brief question and answer period ensued regarding the report completed by the TRCA on the Carruthers Creek Watershed Plan, and development of white belt lands. Mr. Pothen stated that the TRCA examines these matters with a narrow scope, resulting in a more narrow analysis on a small part of the environmental risks, as per its mandate. Mr. Pothen further commented that Durham Region should not be extending settlement area boundaries into the white belt and should focus its efforts on tackling automobile dependency and gently expanding existing settlement areas, to provide the sustainable lifestyle homeowners want. He reiterated that the Carruthers Creek watershed area should not be developed. 3.7 Judith Mann Re: Report CAO 05-21 Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity Judith Mann, 485 Whitevale Road, joined the electronic meeting via audio connection to speak to Report CAO 05-21, Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity. She expressed her agreement with the previous delegates and noted the importance of the Carruthers Creek headwaters. She further added that the proposed lands are not adequate for a hospital, and that the same mistakes, made with the lower Duffin Creek wetlands, should not be repeated. 4.Matters for Consideration 4.1 Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects, Report CAO 05-21Lakeridge Health – New Hospital Opportunity Discussion and a question and answer period ensued between Members of Council, Fiaz Jadoon, Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects, and Kyle Bentley, Director, City Development & CBO regarding: •support for the new hospital amongst residents, and how the location isideal and viable, based on future population growth in the City; •the Durham Region ‘Envision Durham’ process which determines whereurban boundaries will be expanded, including the need for mixed housingoptions; •how a City the size of Pickering deserves a hospital and the urgent need forone; •the process of the working group and donation of land resulting in a win-winfor Lakeridge Health and taxpayers of Durham Region and Ontario; •comments regarding the prime farmland in the area and the impacts ofchemical fertilizers and chemical insecticides used by the agricultural sectoron the lands; Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm •how there is a need to bring technology and innovation in medicine toCanada, and the opportunities the new hospital could afford in this regard; •how the COVID-19 Pandemic has exasperated ICU beds and the need formore; •the need for more trauma centres in Durham Region to address severe life threatening injuries to residents, eliminating the need to be transferred toToronto hospitals which can result in catastrophic loss of valuable time insaving a life; •the timelines of the release of the RFP and hospital build out; •the eleven Lakeridge Health site selection criteria being considered whenevaluating potential sites for the proposed future hospital, and how the Citymeets such criteria; •confirmation that the lands are not located in an environmentally sensitivearea as designated by the Durham Region Official Plan, and notcharacterized as part of the Greenbelt Natural Heritage System ordesignated as Prime Agricultural Area as defined by the Durham RegionOfficial Plan; •clarification that the white belt discussion corresponds with Seatonbecoming substantially developed by 2030 which coincides with theestablishment of the hospital, should the City be successful in beingawarded the site; •how the new hospital will serve the needs of residents in Pickering,Uxbridge, and parts of York Region; •how from a Planning perspective, there have been a series of reports regarding ‘Envision Durham’, and that a comprehensive report would beforthcoming to the Planning & Development Committee this fall regardingurban boundary expansions; •confirmation that North-East Pickering has been identified as white belt lands by the Region and Province, and excluded from the greenbelt and optimal for the urban area expansion; •how the Lakeridge Health Panel will be making a decision on the new sitein Durham Region before the end of the year, with the new hospital being opened in 2027/2028; and, •how the proposed site is taking advantage of a growth plan that theProvince has already made available. Resolution # 658/21 Moved by Councillor Ashe Seconded by Councillor Cumming 1. That in accordance with Purchasing Policy Item 10.03 (c), the proposal submitted by HOK in the amount of $195,000.00, dated July 27, 2021 andDeloitte LLP in the amount of $85,425.00, dated August 11, 2021, Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm respectively, to develop a compelling and comprehensive response to the anticipated RFP release for a new hospital in Durham Region in the amount of $316,880.25 (HST included), and the net project cost of $285,360.00 (net of HST rebate) be accepted; 2. That Council authorize the Director, Finance & Treasurer to finance the net project cost of $285,360.00 as follows: a. The sum of $142,680.00 to be charged to the General Government Consulting account (2126.2392.0000); and, b. The sum of $142,680.00 to be funded from the North East PickeringLandowners Group; 3.That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take thenecessary actions as indicated in this report; and, 4.That the City Clerk forward a copy of Report Number CAO 05-21 to the North East Pickering’s Landowner’s Group. Carried Unanimously on a Recorded Vote 4.2 Memorandum from the City Clerk Re: Ward Boundary Petition A brief discussion ensued between Members of Council regarding: •the timing of the ward boundary review and proposed changes, and the strong voice of the residents who had signed the petition; •how the community came together during a pandemic across the City toadvocate for a change to one of the options as recommended by theConsultants; and, •how effective representation rests with the community, and theachievement of this through a ward boundary change. Resolution # 659/21 Moved by Councillor Cumming Seconded by Councillor Pickles That Resolution #624/21, adopted at the June 28, 2021 Meeting of Council, pertaining to Report CLK 03-21, and maintaining the existing ward boundaries for the City of Pickering be rescinded. Carried on a Two-Thirds Vote Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Resolution # 660/21 Moved by Councillor Cumming Seconded by Councillor Pickles 1.That the Ward Boundary Petition, submitted on July 22, 2021, requestingCouncil pass a by-law to amend its Ward Boundaries, consistent with one of the three recommendations set out in the 2020/2021 Ward BoundaryReview Final Report, submitted by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.,in association with Dr. Robert J. Williams, be received; 2.That Final Option 2, as outlined in the 2020/2021 Ward Boundary ReviewFinal Report, be approved; and, 3.That the Clerk be directed to bring forward the applicable By-law to changethe ward boundaries at the September 27, 2021 Council Meeting forenactment. Carried Unanimously on a Recorded Vote 4.3 Director, Finance & Treasurer, Report FIN 13-21 2022 Preliminary Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council, Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, and City Staff regarding: •the timing and budget of several capital work projects such as the Highway401 Notion Road Bridge, and Beachfront Park Master Plan -Phase 1, andthe Finch Avenue South Side multi-use path; •the timing and construction of Sandy Beach Road reconstruction and stormsewer installation multi-year project; •the drainage study in Claremont, and confirmation that when the results of the drainage study are complete, there is flexibility in the capital budgetplan to include said work; •the plans to review the debt load, and processes in place to reduce debtthrough the use of grant funding, Development Charges (DC) study, and revenue from the now open Casino; •update on the new proposed animal shelter and process to secure a sitewith Transport Canada; •growth related debt financing and the difference between City share andreserves; •confirmation the casino revenue fund projections have not beenincorporated into the 2022 Preliminary Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast; Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm •how the City needs to be prudent and have plans to overcome unforeseenevents, while striking a balance of affordability and continuing to invest in infrastructure; •the Highway 401 Notion Road Bridge, and the status of the cost sharingagreements. Marisa Carpino, Chief Administrative Officer, confirmed thedraft agreement had been shared with the third party, and the details of the agreement would be brought forward to Council in the future; •the resurfacing of the Kinsmen Park tennis courts, and the status ofdiscussions with the community group to install a dome on the tennis courtsfor use in the winter; and, •the inclusion of the City Centre and its impact on borrowing and tax payersin the future report to Council in October, including the operational costs ofthe various facilities associated with the project. Resolution # 661/21 Moved by Councillor Pickles Seconded by Councillor Butt 1.That the 2022 Preliminary Draft Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast, set out in Attachment 1 to this report, be received for information; 2.That Council endorse, in principle, the use of the 2022 Preliminary DraftCapital Budget and Four Year Forecast for financial planning purposes as itrelates to the development of the Five Year financial plan; and 3.That the appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the necessary actions as indicated in this report. Carried Later in the Meeting (See Following Motion) Resolution # 662/21 Moved by Councillor McLean Seconded by Councillor Brenner That Report FIN 13-21, 2022 Preliminary Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast, be referred to the October Meeting of Council where the City Centre Report would be presented. Lost on a Recorded Vote as Follows: Yes Councillor Brenner Councillor McLean No Councillor Ashe Councillor Butt Councillor Cumming Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Councillor Pickles Mayor Ryan The Main Motion, was then Carried 5.By-laws 5.1 By-law 7868/21 Being a by-law to amend By-law 7591/17, which regulates election signs in the City of Pickering. Resolution # 663/21 Moved by Councillor Butt Seconded by Councillor Pickles That By-law Number 7868/21 be approved. Carried 6.Confirmation By-law By-law Number 7869/21 Councillor Brenner, seconded by Councillor Cumming moved for leave to introduce a by-law of the City of Pickering to confirm the proceedings of August 30, 2021. Carried 7.Adjournment Moved by Councillor McLean Seconded by Councillor Cumming That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 9:04 pm. Dated this 30th of August, 2021. Special Council Meeting Minutes August 30, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Original Signed By: David Ryan, Mayor Original Signed By: Susan Cassel, City Clerk