Council Meeting Highlights: April 24, 2023

City of Pickering passes 2023 Current & Capital Budgets

Council approved the City’s 2023 Capital & Operating budgets, prioritizing key investments in service, program, and infrastructure needs of our growing community.

• The approved Current Budget is $82,162,832
• The approved Capital Budget is $58,899,668

The City’s portion of the residential property tax bill will increase by 2.44%. This increase, when combined with the Region of Durham and School Board increases, results in an average increase of 5.31 percent on the total property tax bill.

Budget Highlights

• Expansion of the senior’s snow removal program from 500 to 750 registrants
• Increase in seniors property tax grant from $525 to $535
• Expanded Automated Speed Enforcement program
• New events at Millennium Square
• Staff to support a new Office of Affordability
• Funding for the implementation of the digital strategy to include website redevelopment and customized client portals
• Major 2023 Capital Projects: construction of the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre ($40 million total budget), new pickleball and futsal courts at the Pickering Soccer Centre ($902,000), Walnut Lane extension ($2.0 million) and various asphalt resurfacing, reconstruction and culvert replacement projects ($4.6 million)
• Funding for the development of a new Corporate Strategic Plan as well as updates to the Parks & Recreation, Fire and Library Master Plans
• An increase of five positions for front line firefighting staff (Seaton)

Read Report FIN 09-23 for details.

Council receives the 2022 Sustainable Pickering Year-in-Review

Through a Report and Year-in-Review, staff provided a high level, reader-friendly summary that highlights the City’s achievements, events, programs and projects, as they relate to sustainability. The document promotes the efforts of the City of Pickering and its community partners, and serves to inspire others to connect and get involved.
The City of Pickering’s sustainability efforts address a variety of initiatives, including community engagement, pollinators, waste diversion, local food, sustainable development, climate change, natural environment, and more.
Read Report Number: SUS 04-23 for details. 

Council endorses staff comments on the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Durham Regional Official Plan

The Region of Durham asked for comments on its new draft Regional Official Plan. 
The Durham Regional Official Plan guides decisions on long-term growth and development–providing policies to ensure an improved quality of life–and securing the health, safety, convenience and well-being of present and future residents of the region.
A copy of the draft plan can be found on their website, under Envision Durham. It will repeal and replace the existing Durham Regional Official Plan, and includes a new planning horizon to 2051.
In 2019, the Region launched Envision Durham – the Municipal Comprehensive Review of our Official Plan. This review looks at:

• How and where our cities and towns may grow
• How to use and protect our land and resources
• What housing types and job opportunities are needed for our residents
• How people and goods will move across our region and beyond

Read Report Number PLN 08-23 for details and staff comments.

Council approves asphalt resurfacing for various streets

Council approved a net project cost of $3,467,059 to improve 13 streets as identified in the 2016 Road Needs Study.
Streets slated for road resurfacing improvements include:

1. Alder Court
2. Eyer Drive
3. Chapleau Drive
4. Heathside Crescent
5. Vistula Drive
6. Victoria Street
7. Chiron Crescent
8. Listowell Crescent
9. Dellbrook Avenue
10. Jomar Avenue
11. St. Martins Drive
12. Linwood Street
13. Stonehurst Road

Read Report Number ENG 04-23 for details.

Council approves running track replacement at Beverley Morgan Park and St. Mary Park

The existing running tracks at Beverly Morgan Park and St. Mary Park are both showing signs of wear and delamination as they approach end of life. The existing inner curb will also need to be replaced at the Beverly Morgan Park track to help prevent premature deterioration of the new track.
The total net project cost is estimated at $945,045.00 (net of HST rebate).

Council takes official position on an airport in Pickering

(This Notice of Motion was deferred at the February 27, 2023 Council Meeting)
(Resolutions #172/23, #174/23, #175/23, #176/23)
The motion considered that based on KPMG’s conclusion that a sound supply-and-demand business case could not be made for a Pickering airport up to 2036, and based on the City’s declared intention to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the Council for The Corporation of the City of Pickering

1. Does not support an airport on the Pickering Lands;
2. That no further resources and/or funds be utilized to promote an airport on the Pickering Lands; and
3. That the City of Pickering continue to endorse support for a High Frequency Rail option with a station located in Green River as the preferred transportation network.

A copy of this resolution will be forwarded to the Minister of Transport Canada, Omar Alghabra, and to Pickering-Uxbridge MP O’Connell, as well as to MPs Anandasangaree, Carrie, Holland, Jaczek, Turnbull, and O’Toole; to Durham and York regional councils, and to Scarborough East councillors; and to the municipal councils of Ajax, Markham, Oshawa, Scugog, Stouffville, Uxbridge, Vaughan, and Whitby.

View the April 24, 2023 Meeting Video
View the April 24 Meeting Minutes