Council Meeting Highlights: April 29, 2025

Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee Presents 2024 Year End Report & 2025 Work Plan

The Committee detailed its 2024 activities, including implementation of the City’s Community Safety & Well-Being (CSWB) Plan, priorities, and action items, participation in the creation of a Homelessness Subcommittee, and more. 

Refer to Cor. 03-25 for details.

City to install all-way stop at Sapphire Drive and Azalea Avenue/Kingpeak Crescent

Area residents have expressed safety concerns with the intersection of Sapphire Drive and Azalea Avenue/Kingpeak Crescent with respect to pedestrian safety and sightlines. 

As such, based on the results of the review, proximity of Rick Johnson Memorial Park, and plans for a future school adjacent to the park, staff recommend an all-way stop be placed at the intersection of Sapphire Drive and Azalea Avenue/Kingpeak Crescent to create a point where pedestrians can cross the road safely.

Read Report ENG 05-25 for details.

Council approves preparation for detailed design of stormwater management (SWM) pond cleanouts

The City’s Stormwater Management Facilities Asset Management Plan has identified the Chickadee SWM Pond and the Dixie Estates 2 SWM Pond as cleanout priorities. 

Staff recommended proceeding with design and approvals of this work in 2025, followed by construction in 2026.  The total gross project cost is $144,837.00 (HST included), including the fee amount and other associated costs.

Read Report ENG 06-25 for details.

City amends Traffic and Parking By-law to address parking concerns on Alpine Lane, Beaton Way, Pebble Court and Tanzer Court

The amendments to By-law 6604/05 will allow for the inclusion of stopping and parking restrictions and will support concerns from area residents and overall traffic safety.

The supply and installation of No Parking and No Stopping signs and posts will be accommodated within the 2025 Roads Current Budget. 

Read Report ENG 08-25 for details.

City to update Urban Forest Study and Tree Canopy Assessment

The City of Pickering will engage the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to update its Urban Forest Study and conduct a Tree Canopy Cover Assessment.

Originally completed in 2012 by TRCA, the study now requires an update to reflect current conditions and account for changes brought on by urban growth, including the development of the Seaton community.

Objectives of the study:

• to assess land cover and canopy cover distribution
• to quantify the current species composition, size and condition
• to quantify the ecosystem services and benefits provided by the urban forest
• to assess the change in canopy distribution and urban forest structure since the 2012 study
• to assess the vulnerability and key factors relating to the forest’s health from climate change risks and invasive plant cover

Read Report ENG 07-25 for details.

Council approves Asset Management Data Governance Policy & Procedure

This policy describes the procedures required to control the collection, quality, and management of asset data during an asset’s lifecycle for the purposes of implementing the City’s Asset Management Plan. It also defines the roles and responsibilities of municipal staff that are involved in the collection and management of asset data.

As well, it ensures that the City has the proper knowledge and information to make sound, evidence-based decisions regarding the management of municipal assets.

Read Report FIN 05-25 for details.

Council approves Licence Agreement with Open Studio Art Café

This agreement allows for the temporary use of City Property, adjacent to 617 Liverpool Road, to operate a seasonal patio between the City of Pickering and Open Studio Art Café, from May 1, 2025 until November 30, 2025. 

Open Studio Art Café is located at 617 Liverpool Road in Pickering’s popular tourism destination, Nautical Village.

Read Report ECD 03-25 for details.

Council approves 2025 Tax Rates and Final Tax Due Dates

The approved tax rates are required to raise the levy approved in the 2025 Current Budget and to levy taxes for the School Boards and for the Region of Durham. 

The City’s approved 2025 Budget provided for a property tax levy increase of 3.75% over last year, which translates into a 1.15% increase in the City’s share of the total residential property tax bill. This increase, when combined with the Region and the School Boards, results in an average increase of 5.35% on the total residential property tax bill.

The due dates (excluding Payment in Lieu properties), are July 29, 2025 and October 29, 2025. These due dates are one month later than in recent years, thereby providing property owners one additional month to pay their taxes for the final two tax due dates, without incurring late penalties or interest charges. 

Read Report FIN 06-25 for details.

City to Designate G.M. Forsyth House under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act

The property located at 5113 Brock Road in Claremont, known as the G.M. Forsyth House, has been evaluated under Ontario Regulation 9/06 and deemed to hold significant cultural heritage value for its architectural features, historical associations, and contextual significance. The Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee endorsed the designation at its meeting on February 28, 2024.

While Council initially passed a resolution to designate the property on November 25, 2024, the formal Notice of Intention to Designate has been reissued to ensure compliance with the Ontario Heritage Act’s requirements for proper service and notification.

Read Report PLN 11-25 for details.

Council passes Notice of Motion in response to U.S. Tariff Threats

Refer to Resolution #716/25 for details.

City Council requests: 

1. That the City of Pickering align its procurement strategies with any legislation or direction to municipalities that may be issued formally by the federal or provincial government in response to tariffs imposed by the U.S., to support a unified, cross-Canada approach that effectively leverages the considerable buying power of municipalities to support a broader trade and economic strategy in Canada;
2. That the City of Pickering calls on the Federal and Provincial governments to take action to remove inter-provincial trade barriers between provinces as a response to U.S. tariffs and support Canadian businesses;
3. That Council directs staff to adopt procurement strategies that prioritize Canadian and other non-U.S. goods and services over those of the U.S., where feasible;
4. That City Departments conduct a thorough review of purchased goods and services to ensure, where possible, Canadian or Non-American goods, services or product standards are adopted;
5. That the City of Pickering will engage, through the Economic Development & Strategic Projects Department, with local businesses and stakeholders to understand the potential impacts of proposed tariffs and to collaborate on strategies to strengthen the local economy;
6. That the Director Finance & Treasurer be directed to approve amendments to the City’s Purchasing Policy thresholds that would allow City staff more flexibility to support local businesses, particularly for low-dollar purchases of goods and services, and directly solicit bids from domestic suppliers, where applicable, while ensuring continued compliance with the Canadian Trade Agreements;
7. That the Director Finance & Treasurer be delegated authority to approve contract extensions in situations where negotiating an extension is favourable to obtaining bids, during this time of uncertainty, or where supply or pricing is likely to be impacted, and that this delegated authority be in effect for the duration of the 2025 budget year;
8. That the Director Finance & Treasurer be delegated authority to approve additional financing, specifically related to tariffs and retaliatory issues where current contracts or bids come in over budget or require an increase, that would otherwise require Council approval unless the additional funding relies on reserves or reserve funds, and that this delegated authority be in effect for the duration of the 2025 budget year; and, 
9. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, all Durham MPs, all Durham MPPs, and Durham Region Council. 

April 22, 2025 Special Meeting of Council

Council received the findings of the public engagement process for the design of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library for information and considered other staff recommendations outlined in the report. The project is on pause and staff will provide a project update to Council in September 2025. Read Report CAO 05-25 for details.

View the April 22, 2025 Meeting Minutes

View the April 29, 2025 Meeting Minutes

View the April 29, 2025 Meeting Agenda