Council Meeting Highlights: October 23, 2023

City prepares to launch its Toys for Tickets and Food for Fines Holiday program 

The City’s annual holiday program is back and will run from November 27, 2023 through December 20, 2023.
The program accepts toys or groceries in lieu of payment for parking tickets. Toy or food donations must be dropped off to City Hall, and a receipt must be presented to confirm that the value of the donation equals or exceeds the fine.
Tickets for parking in an accessible parking space are not eligible for the program.
Read Report BYL 07-23 for details.

The Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT) to host Black Joy Holiday Market this Winter Season

From November 24 to 26, 2023, the PABRT will host its second annual Black Joy Holiday Market, featuring local Black-owned businesses.
The event will be hosted in partnership with Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC) and the City of Pickering. It will be integrated into the existing “Winter Nights, City Lights” community initiative hosted by the City on November 24-25, 2023 (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm) and extended for one additional day on November 26, 2023 (12:00 pm to 5:00 pm).
Read Report CAO 10-23 for details.

City Renews DARS program partnership

The City will extend its agreement with DARS Inc. (Dedicated Advocacy Resource Support) for another one-year term, to continue the delivery of shower and hygiene services to support the basic needs of the most vulnerable in our community.
This is consistent with the principles of the Durham Region Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and the City’s efforts to support those objectives locally.
DARS provides community outreach and supports to vulnerable individuals in Pickering.
City staff have identified shower facilities to be available at Chestnut Hills Development Recreation Complex (CHDRC) in the Arena Dressing Rooms of the O’Brien Rink on Wednesday afternoons between 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. DARS Inc. will provide onsite supervision and towel and hygiene packages, and will oversee the use of the facilities.
Read Report CS 27-23 for details.

Council approves Municipal Support Resolution for proposed Battery Energy Storage System site in Pickering

Plus Power, LLC has proposed a Battery Energy Storage System, Trillium Energy Storage, in response to the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) procurement process.
The project site, 2310 Fairport Road, located North of CP Rail and West of Fairport Road, will be used to store a maximum capacity of 300 megawatts of energy in over 200 Lithium-Ion battery packs.
Plus Power, LLC will be participating in the procurement process that requires proposals be submitted in December 2023, along with a Municipal Support Resolution.
The proposal additionally requires a mandatory public open house meeting, which Plus Power, LLC held on September 21, 2023. The Municipal Support Resolution only provides support in principle for a company to submit a proposal to IESO. In the event Plus Power, LLC is awarded the contract from IESO, the company must apply for any permits or approvals under applicable laws and regulations that may be required for the project. The Municipal Support Resolution does not allow the project to bypass any planning and/or development processes.
Read Report ECD 06-23 for details.

Council awards Fire Services Master Plan and Community Risk Assessment project to successful bidder

Council has approved Behr Integrated Solutions Inc. Fire Services Consultants, the top-ranked Proponent, to be awarded this project in the amount of $102,765.00 (excluding hst).
The Fire Services Master Plan and Community Risk Assessment will provide the City with a strategic seven to ten year roadmap to guide future needs with respect to community fire risk, staffing, deployment, station location, and overall ability to respond to community emergencies. The Master Plan will be designed to adapt to changes in the City’s demographics, future growth, and varied building stock profile.
Read Report FIR 04-23 for details.

Council approves recommendations for Noise By-law Updates

Staff recently reviewed and updated the City’s Noise Control By-law following consultation with municipalities in and beyond the Region of Durham, members of the public, and a review of common issues and best practices.
Updates include better clarity around regulation as it relates to construction noise and noise caused by vehicle alarm systems, and revised provisions regarding noise caused by places of worship, work carried out by a municipality or utility company, railroad noise and common household noises.
Read Report BYL 06-23 for details.

Council awards Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Snow Clearing contract to successful bidder

Council has approved Gray’s Landscaping & Snow Removal Inc., the top-ranked proponent, to be awarded a three-year contract for the City’s Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Snow Clearing Program in the amount of $168,017.40 (excluding hst). 
Read Report OPS 25-23 for details.

Council awards Retail Market Study Contract to successful bidder

Council has approved Parcel Economics Inc., the top ranked Proponent, to be awarded this project in the amount of $72,750.00 (excluding hst).
A Retail Market Study will provide an analysis of the present and future state of the retail market in Pickering. This background will assist staff in their review of high priority development applications, as well as long-term land use planning as a component of the City’s forthcoming Official Plan Review exercise.
Read Report PLN 33-23 for details.
View the October 23, 2023 Meeting Video
View the October 23, 2023 Meeting Minutes