Council Meeting Highlights: June 24, 2024

Mayor Ashe and Fire Chief Boyd recognize Fire Services Training Officer, Jesse Beaudrow, for receiving the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery

The City of Pickering was proud to recognize Fire Services Training Officer, Jesse Beaudrow, for his incredible courage in risking his life to save others.

Officer Beaudrow was recently awarded the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery for his heroism.

While off duty, Officer Beaudrow encountered a fiery head-on collision, and with quick thinking, used a fire extinguisher to slow the intense flames and rescue two badly injured occupants from the burning vehicle, before it became fully engulfed.

The Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery was created in 1976 and honours firefighters who have gone above and beyond to protect and serve their communities.

Only 303 of these medals have been awarded since its inception in 1976, and Officer Beaudrow was presented this medal by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario at a recent ceremony held at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Mayor Ashe and Chief Boyd presented Officer Beaudrow with a Certificate and City pin to recognize and congratulate him for his valiant efforts.

Staff provide project update on Pickering Heritage & Community Centre

Mobilization and construction for this project began in February 2024. The construction project remains on schedule and is anticipated to open for public use in April 2026.

Summary of activity to date:

• Building permits have been issued and site plan approval has been obtained.
• The site has been cleared and preliminary earthworks have begun, with the first footings and foundations currently under construction.
• Temporary power and data relocations have been completed, ensuring ongoing functionality for the rest of the museum site.
• Archaeological work is proceeding. Subject to any findings of significance, and required approvals by authorities having jurisdiction, field work is expected to be completed by the end of June 2024. Construction will expand to this part of the site once approvals have been obtained.
• The Puterbaugh Schoolhouse has been moved to its new location.
• The Harvey House is expected to be relocated before the end of June.

Additional details will be provided in the next milestone report (December 2024).  Read Report CAO 05-24 for details.

Council receives final draft Recreation & Parks - Ten Year Plan (the “Plan”) for information and endorses Arena Strategy

The Plan contains 100 recommendations, and the Arena Strategy contains eight recommendations.

Feedback from residents on the Plan included the following themes:

• Recreation and parks are critical to residents’ well-being.
• New indoor spaces and programs are needed to keep pace with a growing population, especially pools and gymnasiums to support the Seaton community.
• Demand is increasing for outdoor recreation opportunities, such as trail use, racquet sports (tennis/pickleball), skateboarding, basketball, and outdoor skating.
• Youth are seeking more after-school recreation and arts-based activities in accessible/convenient locations.

The Arena Strategy examined the City’s ice infrastructure, reviewed current service levels and usage patterns, and reviewed arena needs over a ten-year time horizon.

Key themes identified included:

• Arena investment is a lower priority for many Pickering residents.
• User groups are satisfied with current service levels.
• The aging infrastructure at Don Beer Arena is a growing concern.
• The pandemic had a negative impact on ice sport participation.
• Organized ice sports are moving from local to regional.

Council passed staff recommendations as amended by Resolution # 514/24 (refer to page 12 of 43 of the Draft Meeting Minutes). Read Report CS 15-24 for details.

Pickering Council awards the design and associated costs required for the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library to renowned design and architecture firm, Perkins & Will Canada Inc.

This state-of-the-art facility, slated for Pickering’s growing community of Seaton, will be the largest project in the City’s history and represent the first multipurpose recreation complex built in Pickering in over 40 years.

Perkins & Will Canada Inc. is a global, interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, with an award-winning portfolio and long-term plan to become the world's leading sustainable design firm.

The firm has more than 75 years of experience creating beautiful and uplifting spaces, specializing in sustainable design and serving a range of clients across both public and private sectors. 

Council passed staff recommendations as amended by Resolution # 523/24 (refer to page 20 of 43 of the Draft Meeting Minutes). Read Report OPS 12-24 for details.

Council approves a shared e-Scooter Pilot Program

Staff will move forward with the Request for Proposal process to select a vendor to undertake and implement a shared e-Scooter pilot program.

The program will advance the recommendations from the City’s Integrated Transportation Master Plan to promote a safe, integrated, and supportive transportation system, and increase opportunities for transit and active transportation.

The program will operate from April to October 2025, depending on weather conditions, beginning April 2025.

Shared e-scooters can be rented from a service provider for a fee per minute or per distance travelled. Such vehicles are typically unlocked using an app and the user must return them to a designated area or risk being charged a monetary penalty. The service providers are responsible for operating and maintaining all of their equipment, including the app required to use the e-scooters.

Both the Region of Durham and City of Pickering have By-laws regulating the use of e-scooters.  

Read Report ENG 09-24 for details.

Council approves new Advertising Policy

The Advertising Standards Policy establishes clear criteria for the acceptance or rejection of advertising opportunities within the City of Pickering. By implementing this policy, City staff will be equipped with guidelines to make informed decisions regarding advertising placements. This framework aims to optimize communication effectiveness, while minimizing the potential risks of being associated with inappropriate third-party content.

The development and implementation of the Advertising Standards Policy within the City of Pickering are critical measures to safeguard the City's reputation and uphold its brand integrity. This policy establishes clear criteria and is designed to ensure that all advertising initiatives align closely with Pickering's core values and commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Read Report CAO 04-24 for details.

Council approves Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to fund, create, and deliver a family physician recruitment program in Durham

The Durham Family Physician Recruitment Strategy, endorsed by Regional Council in January of 2024, identifies a shortage of approximately 145 family physicians, impacting nearly 180,000 Durham residents, 26,025 of which are Pickering residents.

The Strategy recommends the creation of a program to attract and retain family medicine trainees and family physicians to Durham, and the hiring of a full-time permanent family physician recruiter by the Durham Ontario Health Team (DOHT).

The City of Pickering’s share of the cost of the MOU will be $3,913.00 (HST included) in 2024, and the agreement cost in 2025 is estimated to be $16,008.00 (HST included).

Read Report ECD 02-24 for details.

Staff provide update on status of dedicated outdoor pickleball facility in Diana, Princess of Wales Park

Staff updated Council on the ongoing negotiations to receive approval from Hydro One Networks Inc. (HONI), with respect to the construction of a dedicated pickleball facility in Diana, Princess of Wales Park. Staff have had preliminary discussions with HONI, have prepared a design for the proposed pickleball facility, and have made a submission to HONI for their review and comment.

Read Report ENG 12-24 for details, including a concept plan.

Staff present 2023 Sustainable Year-in-Review

The City of Pickering’s sustainability efforts address a variety of initiatives from community engagement, urban agriculture, sustainable development, climate change, natural environment, waste diversion, energy efficiency, and more.

Staff delivered both in-person, and virtual events and programs, that enabled the community to participate in tree plantings, pollinator projects, litter cleanups, the Pickering Farmers’ Market, educational webinars, and more.

Read Report SUS 08-24 for details.

Artist, Linfeng Zhou, awarded poppy marker public art commission

Staff have consulted with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 606 on the suitability, design, and material to be used for the Remembrance Day poppy sidewalk markers on 11 light posts throughout Esplanade Park.

Statement from the artist: “The design proposal titled Crimson Inflorescence seeks to capture the multifaceted symbolism of the poppy in the context of remembrance. By integrating light posts as the stems, the installation evokes the natural elegance and rapid growth of these iconic flowers. As visitors traverse the pathway lined with light posts adorned with these crimson blooms, they encounter a powerful visual narrative. This solemn display is not merely visually striking but also emotionally resonant, prompting reflection on sacrifice, memory, and gratitude. The installation transforms Esplanade Park into an enchanted space that not only commemorates an aggregation of stories and memories but also fosters hope for peace and prosperity.”

The artist will begin fabrication with an estimated installation date of October 2024.

Read Report CS 19-24 for details.

City of Pickering and Town of Whitby partner on pre-approved design program for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Staff were authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town of Whitby for the sharing of resources for the preparation of building drawings, pre-approved under the Ontario Building Code, for detached Additional Dwelling Units (ADU’s). The goal of this program is to create an expedited path for the public to select designs and receive building permit approval for detached ADUs.

Following changes to Provincial legislation through Bill 109 and Bill 23, all municipalities
in Ontario are required to permit two ADUs “as-of-right” on most residential properties in
urban areas. They may also consider these types of dwellings in rural areas. This includes basement apartments and standalone dwelling units.

Staff from Whitby and Pickering have developed a work plan for collaboration on the review and pre-approval of building designs for detached ADUs. The City of Pickering would provide the staff resources to undertake the necessary plan review of the drawings, while the Town of Whitby would provide financial resources, through their Housing Accelerator Fund grant, to compensate design professionals for the preparation of the design drawings.

Read Report PLN 20-24 for details.