Special Council Meeting Revised Agenda

Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 7:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Whitby Town Hall

This meeting will be available for viewing through the Town’s live stream feed while the meeting is in progress. Please visit whitby.ca/CouncilCalendar for more information about the live stream and archived videos.

 

This meeting will be held in a hybrid in-person and virtual format. In accordance with Section 8.1 of Procedure By-law # 8081-24, Members of Council may choose to attend in-person or participate virtually.

 

Should you wish to provide comments regarding a matter being considered below, please submit written correspondence and/or a Delegation Request Form.

 

• To submit written correspondence, please email your correspondence to the Office of the Town Clerk at  by noon on the day of the meeting. Correspondence must include your full name, address, and the item on the agenda that your correspondence is related to.
• To speak during the Council meeting either in-person or virtually, please submit a Delegation Request Form online to the Office of the Town Clerk by 8 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Should you be unable to access a computer, please call 905.430.4300 to speak with a Staff Member in the Office of the Town Clerk.

 

A Revised Agenda may be published on a later date. Late items added or a change to an item will appear with an asterisk beside them.

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1.

Call To Order: The Mayor

2.

Call of the Roll: The Clerk

3.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

4.

Delegations

4.1

Justin Ramoutar, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Centre/Dryden Roundabout Capital Project

Refer to Item 7.6

4.2

Sarah Ferencz, CUPE Local 53 (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Whitby Public Library

Refer to Item 7.8, Item 7.9, and Item 7.10

4.3

Reagan Taylor, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Whitby Public Library

Refer to Item 7.8, Item 7.9, and Item 7.10

4.4

Michael Kramer, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Whitby Public Library

Refer to Item 7.8, Item 7.9, and Item 7.10

4.5

Maria McDonnell, Chair, Station Gallery Board of Directors (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.6

Paul Haber, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery 

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.7

John Di Leonardo, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.8

Vera-Lyn O'Brien, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.9

Donna Villeneuve, Oshawa Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.10

Sean McQuay, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.11

Natasha Serba, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.12

Paulette Goulard, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.13

Judith Tait, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.14

Sarah Shaw, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Station Gallery

Refer to Item 7.11 and Item 7.12

4.15

Wayne and Claire Wright, Residents (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Add Signalized Intersection at Mary Street and Hickory Street

Refer to Item 7.13

4.16

Diane Hammond, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Install speed bumps in front of Perry Street Daycare between Dundas Street and Mary Street

Refer to Item 7.19

4.17

Karrie Hammond, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Install speed bumps in front of Perry Street Daycare between Dundas Street and Mary Street

Refer to Item 7.19

4.18

Jacqueline Forrester, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Install speed bumps in front of Perry Street Daycare between Dundas Street and Mary Street

Refer to Item 7.19

4.19

John Stimpson, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Install speed bump along Seaboard Gate

Refer to Item 7.20

4.20

Mark McGhee, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Council Amendments to the 2026 Budget

4.21

Liam Venner, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Council Amendments to the 2026 Budget

4.22

Karen Spencer, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Council Amendments to the 2026 Budget

5.

Correspondence

5.1

Memorandum from F. Wong, Commissioner of Financial Services/Treasurer, dated November 27, 2025 regarding 2026 Proposed Budget Updates

• Recommendation:

  That the Memorandum from F. Wong, Commissioner of Financial Services/Treasurer, dated November 27, 2025 regarding 2026 Proposed Budget Updates be received for information. 

6.

Items for Consideration

6.1

FS 48-25, Financial Services Department Report

Re: Reporting Requirement Per Ontario Regulation 284/09 – 2026 Budget

• Recommendation:
  1. That Report FS 48-25 be received;
  2. That the full accrual accounting amounts identified in Report FS 48-25, based on the November 7 Mayor’s Proposed Budget, be approved and included as budget figures in the December 31, 2026 audited financial statements; and,
  3. That the Treasurer be authorized to make the required amendments to the budget figures in the Town’s audited financial statements for changes in the 2026 Budget as adopted by Council and for any technical adjustments.

7.

Council Amendments to the 2026 Budget

For more information on the 2026 Budget, please visit connectwhitby.ca/budget.

7.1

Community Services Administration Division Salaries, Wages, and Benefits and Property Tax Revenues

Moved by Councillor Lee
Seconded by Councillor Shahid

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the Mayor declared an interest in accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and has excluded $923,194 of Salaries, Wages, and Benefits and $923,194 of property tax revenues related to the Community Services Administration Division from the Proposed 2026 Budget;

  Whereas staff within the Community Services Administration Division are required for the operation and maintenance of the existing levels of service of the Community Services Department, including the provision of recreational services, park construction and maintenance, garbage collection, winter maintenance of roads and sidewalks;

  Now therefore, be it resolved:

  That $923,194 of Salaries, Wages, and Benefits and $923,194 of property tax revenues be added to the Proposed 2026 Budget related to the Community Services Administration Division resulting in a net impact of $0. 

7.2

Remove Automated Speed Enforcement from the Capital Forecast

Moved by Councillor Mulcahy
Seconded by Councillor Shahid

• Recommendation:

  Whereas Bill 56, the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025, amends the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) to repeal the section HTA that authorizes the use of automated speed enforcement (ASE) systems; 

  Whereas Bill 56 has now received Royal Assent; 

  Whereas the Town of Whitby’s Proposed 2026 budget includes ASE-related expenditures in the capital forecast starting in 2027; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That that the Proposed 2026 budget be amended to remove ASE-related expenditures from the capital forecast. 

7.3

Reduction in Council Business Expense Budget

Moved by Councillor Lundquist
Seconded by Councillor Mulcahy

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the Town of Whitby Mayor and Council Business Expense budget totals $121,869 in the 2026 Proposed Budget, comprised of the Mayor’s budget $16,653, four Ward Councillors at $13,914 each, and four Regional Councillors at $12,390 each; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the Business Expense Budget for Council be reduced by 50 per cent or $60,934 in the 2026 Proposed Budget, resulting in revised 2026 Business Expense budgets of: 

  1. $8,326.50 for the Mayor;
  2. $6,957.00 for each Ward Councillor;
  3. $6195.00 for each Regional Councillor.

7.4

Reduction in Council Education Expense Budget

Moved by Councillor Lundquist
Seconded by Councillor Mulcahy

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the Town of Whitby’s Corporate Training Budget for Council was $43,240 in the 2025 budget and was reduced by 50 per cent to $21,620 in the 2026 Proposed Budget; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the Corporate Training Budget for Council be further reduced by 50 per cent or $10,810 in the 2026 Proposed Budget. 

7.5

Fire Suppression Overtime Costs

Moved by Councillor Lee
Seconded by Councillor Lundquist

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a $346,000 budget reduction related to Fire Suppression overtime costs; 

  Whereas Whitby Fire and Emergency Services has one of the highest overtime costs in Durham Region at $1,455,141 (or 18,551 hours) in 2024 and $1,384,220 (or 18,107 hours) in 2023; 

  Whereas the Whitby Fire and Emergency Services Department is currently updating the Town’s Fire Master Plan; 

  Whereas the Town’s Fire Master Plan must be reviewed and approved by the Fire Chief, the CAO and the Senior Leadership Team before a Council consideration in 2026; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  1. That in an effort to address the financial pressures caused by overtime costs in the Whitby Fire and Emergency Services Department, the Fire Master Plan update include recommendations on reducing overall Fire Suppression overtime costs for the Town based on best practices, Whitby’s fire suppression complement, geography, and mutual aid agreements from surrounding municipalities, while maintaining a focus on public safety;
  2. That operational changes to address Fire Suppression overtime costs, in advance of Council approval of the Town’s Fire Master Plan, be co-ordinated by the Fire Chief, in consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer and Head of Organizational Effectiveness; and,
  3. That the Fire Chief, jointly with the Head of Organizational Effectiveness and the Town Treasurer, be required to submit an Annual Fire Suppression Overtime Report to Council that includes:
     1. Detailed Cost Breakdown
        1. Total overtime expenditures for fire suppression activities.
        2. Comparison against budgeted overtime allocations.
        3. Year-over-year trend analysis.
     2. Operational Drivers
        1. Explanation of key factors contributing to overtime (e.g., major incidents, staffing shortages, training requirements).
        2. Identification of any recurring patterns or systemic issues.
     3. Performance Metrics
        1. Overtime hours per firefighter compared to industry benchmarks.
        2. Impact on service delivery and response times.
     4. Mitigation Strategies
        1. Actions taken or planned to manage and reduce overtime costs.
        2. Evaluation of alternative staffing models or resource deployment.
     5. Public Accessibility
        1. Publish the report on the Town’s website for public review.

7.6

Centre/Dryden Roundabout Capital Project

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the Town of Whitby’s Capital Forecast in the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a Civic Centre/Dryden Roundabout Capital Project (Project ID 40295801), in the amount of $863,250, to start in 2029;

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be amended to advance the $863,250 Civic Centre/Dryden Roundabout Capital Project to 2026, funded $431,625 from Development Charges (Roads) Reserve Fund and $431,625 from the Growth Reserve. 

7.7

Boot Reimbursement for Crossing Guards

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas crossing guards are reimbursed up-to $75 per year for rain and winter boots; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the maximum reimbursement for crossing guard rain and winter boots be doubled, to $150 per year, and the Proposed 2026 Budget be increased by $5,850.

7.8

Whitby Public Library Operating Grant

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a $187,260 reduction to the Whitby Public Library’s annual operating grant from the Town; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $187,260 with the additional property tax funding to be allocated to the Town’s operating grant for the Whitby Public Library thereby restoring the grant to be $6,525,196 annually. 

7.9

Additional Funding for Whitby Public Library to Open Branches 7 days a week

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas not all Whitby Public Library branches are open 7 days a week; 

  Whereas the Town of Whitby provides the Whitby Public Library an annual operating grant and the allocation of resources is determined by the Whitby Public Library Board; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  1. That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $150,473 with the additional property tax funding to be allocated to the Town’s operating grant for the Whitby Public Library; and,
  2. That the Whitby Public Library Board be requested to allocate this additional funding to allow all library branches to be open 7 days a week, except statutory holidays, in 2026. 

7.10

Additional Funding for Whitby Public Library for Inflationary Pressures and Contractual Commitments

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas a zero per cent increase or a decrease to the Town’s annual operating grant for the Whitby Public Library does not account for higher costs related to inflationary and contractual budget pressures; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $139,000 with the additional property tax funding to be allocated to the Town’s operating grant for the Whitby Public Library to offset inflationary and contractual budget pressures. 

7.11

Station Gallery Operating Grant

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a $16,594 reduction to the Station Gallery’s annual operating grant from the Town; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $16,594 with the additional property tax funding to be allocated to the Town’s operating grant for Station Gallery thereby restoring the grant to be $572,223 annually. 

7.12

Increase the 2026 Operating Grant for Station Gallery to include a cost of living increase

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas a zero per cent increase or a decrease to the Town’s annual operating grant for the Station Gallery does not account for higher costs related to inflationary and cost of living budget pressures; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $17,167 with the additional property tax funding to be allocated to the Town’s 2026 operating grant for the Station Gallery. 

7.13

Add Signalized Intersection at Mary Street and Hickory Street

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $500,000 of additional property tax funding for a signalized intersection at Mary Street and Hickory Street capital project, to be installed by the Region of Durham. 

7.14

Remove $1.8 M of Incremental Asset Management Funding

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a $1,800,000 increase to the funding of the Town’s Municipal Asset Management Plan to keep the Town’s aging infrastructure in a state of good repair;

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the incremental increase of $1,800,000 for Asset Management be removed from the 2026 Proposed Budget. 

7.15

Remove $1.2 M of Incremental Asset Management Funding

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a $1,800,000 increase to the funding of the Town’s Municipal Asset Management Plan to keep the Town’s aging infrastructure in a state of good repair; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be reduced by $1,200,000 by reducing the proposed incremental funding for Asset Management from $1,800,000 to $600,000. 

7.16

Remove $600,000 of Incremental Asset Management Funding

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a $1,800,000 increase to the funding of the Town’s Municipal Asset Management Plan to keep the Town’s aging infrastructure in a state of good repair;

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be reduced by $600,000 by reducing the proposed incremental funding for Asset Management from $1,800,000 to $1,200,000. 

7.17

Additional Funding for the Accessibility Committee

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $10,000 to be allocated to the Accessibility Committee to have more educational and community involvement directed by the committee. 

7.18

Funding for 12 Summer Student Positions

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the 2026 Proposed Budget includes a removal of 12 summer student positions from across the corporation as one of the budget reductions resulting in the proposed 3.49 per cent (from 3.99 per cent) budget increase; 

  Now therefore, be it resolved: 

  That $180,829 be added back to the 2026 Proposed Budget to restore and fund the 12 summer student positions.

7.19

Install speed bumps in front of Perry Street Daycare between Dundas Street and Mary Street

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $17,000 of additional property tax funding for a capital project to install two speed bumps in front of the Perry Street Daycare, between Dundas and Mary Street. 

7.20

Install speed bump along Seaboard Gate

Moved by Councillor Leahy
Seconded by Councillor Yamada

• Recommendation:

  That the 2026 Proposed Budget be increased by $8,500 of additional property tax funding for a capital project to install a speed bump on Seaboard Gate.

8.

Confirmatory By-law

• Recommendation:

  That leave be granted to introduce a by-law and to dispense with the reading of the by-law by the Clerk to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Town of Whitby at its special meeting held on November 27, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. and the same be considered read and passed and that the Mayor and the Clerk sign the same and the Seal of the Corporation be thereto affixed.

9.

Adjournment

• Recommendation:

  That the meeting adjourn.