Council Meeting Highlights: November 27, 2023

Council unanimously passes motion calling for Peace and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Council unanimously passed a motion calling for peace and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
This motion asks Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to call for an extension of the ceasefire in order to facilitate discussions on ending the war, release of all hostages, augment the flow of humanitarian aid, and bring permanent, lasting peace to the region.
The motion also condemns all acts of antisemitism, anti-Palestinian racism, and Islamophobia in the community, which have escalated since the onset of this crisis.
The City of Pickering commits to ensuring Pickering is just, safe, and welcoming for all.

Council endorses OPG's request to support the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station units 5 to 8

Pickering Council endorses Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) request to support the refurbishment of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Units 5 to 8 to the end of 2026, to ensure a stable supply of clean and reliable electricity.
Mayor Ashe will send a letter of support on behalf of the City of Pickering to Jon Franke, Senior Vice President, Pickering Nuclear, Ontario Power Generation

City strengthens fire protection services with Automatic Aid Agreement

Council approved the Ajax-Pickering Automatic Aid Agreement, between Pickering Fire Services and Ajax Fire Services, subject to minor revisions as may be required by the Fire Chief and the Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor.
The Automatic Aid Agreement will enable each municipality’s Fire Service to promptly respond to incidents that may arise in areas of another municipality where the local Fire Service may not be able to respond as swiftly.
These areas encompass portions of the 401 and 407 highways, as well as select areas in the north section of Ajax, and the south area of Pickering.
Assistance may be in the form of fire suppression, rescue or emergency services, or any combination of them, and includes assistance with hazardous materials incidents.
The Automatic Aid Agreement is an excellent example of municipal cooperation, and a win-win situation for both municipalities. 

Council approves 2024 Schedule of Community Festivals and Events in Esplanade Park

Council approved the following staff recommendations as it pertains to the 2024 schedule of community festivals and events in Esplanade Park:

1. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Rotary Club of Pickering Rotary from June 12 – 24, 2024 for Pickering Ribfest.
2. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Carea Community Health Centre on June 21, 2024 for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
3. That Council authorize staff to use a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Canadian Food Truck Festivals from August 8 – 12, 2024.
4. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Pickering on August 13 & 20 (rain date) for a Sing-A-Long.
5. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Affiliation for Inspiring Youth Upliftment Enterprise on August 17 & 25 (rain date) for a Movie Night.
6. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Indo-Canadian Cultural Association of Durham Inc. on August 18 for a Festival of India’s Independence.
7. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit for the use of Esplanade Park by Ontario Conservative Electoral District Association on August 24 for MPP Bethlenfalvy’s Community BBQ.

Council approves consulting services for creation of Highway Access Management Plan for Highway 7

Council approved the hiring of BA Consulting Group Ltd. to complete a Highway Access Management Plan for Highway 7 (Pickering Innovation Corridor).
The Pickering Innovation Corridor (located between York Durham Line, Brock Road, and Highway 7) is projected to be home to approximately 18,800 jobs in the coming years.
With Highway 7 being a high-speed two-lane major arterial provincial highway with limited access points/planned intersections for vehicular and truck movements, it is expected to generate significant constraints for existing and future users of the employment lands.
The Highway Access Management Plan will set out the proposed intersection configurations and private access points along Highway 7, addressing the immediate needs of developments in the innovation corridor while considering future growth.
Read Report ECD 07-23 for details. 

Provincial grant helps City transition to paperless development applications

In 2022, the City of Pickering was successful in receiving funding from the Province of Ontario through the Streamline Development Approval Fund.
The following initiatives were undertaken in several key areas of focus to implement an online public portal for City Development permit applications, and to streamline the process:

1. Implemented customized ‘MyCity’ Public Permit Application Portal Software, including online document and drawing submission, and online payment integration
2. Accelerated AMANDA (Records Management Software) folder modernization
3. Installed supporting Information Technology servers, hardware, and software
4. Obtained custom Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software widget, enabling spatially integrated public development application notifications
5. Designed and deployed ‘MyPickering’ public portal mobile application
6. Expanded licensing and use of Digital Permit Markup and Collaboration Software
7. Deployed Mobile Staff ‘Inspection App’ which enables electronic reporting and City records management software setup and integration
8. Created and published online application support guides and videos
9. Secured project management, tracking, and technical support consultants, and temporary planning support staff (including diversity internship positions)

Moving the City’s records intake into a digital process allows for faster and more comprehensive responses to inquiries from the public.
Read Report BLD 02-23 for details.
View the November 27, 2023 Meeting Video