Special Council Minutes

Monday, February 06, 2023 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Whitby Town Hall

Present:

• Mayor Roy
• Councillor Bozinovski
• Councillor Cardwell
• Councillor Leahy
• Councillor Lee
• Councillor Lundquist
• Councillor Mulcahy
• Councillor Shahid
• Councillor Yamada

Also Present:

• M. Gaskell, Chief Administrative Officer
• S. Klein, Director of Strategic Initiatives
• J. Romano, Commissioner of Community Services
• F. Santaguida, Commissioner of Legal and Enforcement Services/Town Solicitor
• F. Wong, Commissioner of Financial Services/Treasurer
• R. Saunders, Commissioner of Planning and Development
• D. Speed, Head of Operations & Fire Chief
• M. Dodge, Executive Advisor to the Mayor
• C. Harris, Town Clerk
• K. Douglas, Legislative Specialist (Recording Secretary)

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1.

Call To Order: The Mayor

2.

Call of the Roll: The Clerk

3.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

Councillor Mulcahy declared a conflict of interest regarding Item 4.1, 2023 Budget Overview, advising that she owns the Brooklin Town Crier, which is impacted by Decision Item # 29 in the 2023 Budget Book. Chair Mulcahy did not take part in the discussion of matters relating to print advertisement. 

Mayor Roy declared a conflict of interest regarding Item 4.1, 2023 Budget Overview, noting that a family member is employed in the Public Works Department. Mayor Roy did not take part in the discussion of matters relating to Public Works positions or salaries. 

4.

Public Meeting - 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

Councillor Mulcahy, Chair of Finance, provided opening remarks regarding the 2023 Budget and explained the purpose of the Budget Public meeting.

4.1

Presentation - 2023 Budget Overview

F. Wong, Commissioner of Financial Services/Treasurer

F. Wong, Commissioner of Financial Services/Treasurer provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed 2023 Budget. Highlights of the presentation included:

• the 2023 budget process timeline;
• top budget priorities according to Citizen Budget Survey participants, including revitalization of the Downtowns, more green space, and enhanced indoor/outdoor facilities; 
• the impact of inflation on maintaining Town facilities and services, estimated using the Municipal Price Index (MPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI);
• budget reductions, efficiencies, and proposed fee increases to mitigate inflationary and other budget pressures; 
• infrastructure investments impacting the 2023 budget, including the cost to keep existing infrastructure in a state of good repair and the Town's contribution to the growth capital program;
• the financial impact of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act;
• the resources required to service Whitby's projected population growth;
• an overview of the action items included in the Town's Business Plan;
• the financial impact of hiring the proposed 23.01 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions recommended in the Workforce Plan Study, included as a budget decision item;
• assessment growth revenue and user fee increases that help offset budget pressures;
• a summary of the budgetary pressures, investments, and reductions that make up the proposed 2023 Budget;
• a summary of the proposed 2023 Capital Budget, funded by Asset Management Reserves, development charges, the Growth Reserve Fund, long term debt, and other sources such as program reserves, the one time reserve, and external contributions;
• proposed investments in the revitalization of the Downtowns, waterfront and green space, roadways and transportation, infrastructure and facility improvements, and sustainability initiatives;
• programs to support residents, including tax rebate programs, programs for seniors, the Access Program, and support for Regional Programs;
• proposed investments to reduce the Town's annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of the Zero Carbon Whitby Plan;
• the combined 2023 property tax bill increase and its financial impact on the average residential Whitby homeowner;
• the proposed and approved property tax increases of comparator municipalities; and,
• next steps in the 2023 Budget process.

4.2

Delegations

4.2.1

Bryan Widner, Chair of Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Public Meeting - 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

Bryan Widner, Chair of Whitby Sustainability Advisory Committee (WSAC) provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the Committee's support for the Zero Carbon Whitby Plan. Highlights of the presentation included:

• the Town's efforts in formally declaring climate change as an emergency and recognizing the need to take immediate action through the Zero Carbon Whitby Plan and Carbon Costing Strategy;
• the benefits of approving the requested one-time funding for recommended sustainability initiatives; and,
• the potential impacts of deferring implementation of the Zero Carbon Whitby Plan. 

4.2.2

Akuah Frempong, Congress of Black Women - Oshawa/Whitby Chapter (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Public Meeting - 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

Akuah Frempong, Congress of Black Women - Oshawa/Whitby Chapter, provided an overview of the organization's initiatives. Ms. Frempong commended the Town's efforts to improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), including a new IDEA Specialist position. She requested that additional funding be allocated toward community events in support of DEI. 

A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council, Ms. Frempong, and Staff regarding:

• whether the Congress of Black Women is willing to collaborate with the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (WDIAC);
• funding and other resources allocated toward third-party cultural events, Town led events, and Town sponsored events;
• past cultural events supported by the Town, including the Town led National Indigenous People's Day;   
• the number of requests received by the Town concerning support for cultural events; and,
• Culture Plan goals and initiatives. 

It was the consensus of Council to hear Item 4.2.4, delegation from Ashley Collins, at this time. 

4.2.3

George Gadanidis, Resident (In-Person Attendance)

Re: Public Meeting - 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

George Gadanidis provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the road culvert located under Dryden Boulevard. Highlights of the presentation included:

• the risk of flooding caused by the current culvert design;
• an overview of communication between Mr. Gadanidis, the Town's consultant, and Staff to date;
• proposed upgrades to the Anderson Street culvert included in the Town's budget; and,
• requested investments to resolve issues relating to the Dryden Boulevard culvert.

4.2.4

Ashley Collins, North Pringle Creek Residents Association (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Public Meeting - 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

Ashley Collins appeared on behalf of the North Pringle Creek Residents Association to discuss flooding concerns relating to the road culvert located under Dryden Boulevard. Ms. Collins requested that funding be allocated in the 2023 Budget toward converting the Dryden Boulevard culvert from a double to single culvert. She requested this work be completed in unison with upgrades to the Anderson Street culvert. Ms. Collins explained the potential risks associated with leaving the culvert in its current state and noted findings of the 2018 Pringle Creek Study. 

It was the consensus of Council to hear Item 4.2.3, delegation from George Gadanidis, at this time.

4.2.5

Dr. Janette M. Hughes, Resident (Virtual Attendance)

Re: Public Meeting - 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

Dr. Janette M. Hughes appeared before Council to express her concern for the safety of residents and local school students due to the flooding risks associated with the existing Dryden Boulevard culvert. Dr. Hughes explained that the culvert is susceptible to the effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions, and requested that it be upgraded. 

4.2.6

Question and Answer period between Council and Staff

A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and Staff regarding:

• limiting the impact of the one-time funding to the Zero Carbon Revolving Reserve Fund on property taxes; 
• the impact of the Anderson Street culvert upgrades on the Dryden Boulevard culvert and surrounding neighbourhood; 
• the benefits of converting the Economic Development Officer position to permanent; 
• clarification regarding the requested funding and resources required to implement the Economic Development Strategy;
• the financial impact of 2023 budget decision items on future budgets, including the long-term impact of hiring new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions;
• clarification regarding proposed investments in the Downtowns, including cycling facilities;
• costs associated with pickleball enhancements at Cullen Central Park;   
• the estimated salary savings due to vacancies;
• working with Staff to prepare amendments to budget decision items, including those impacting the proposed new FTE positions;
• identifying the impact of budget reductions on service levels; 
• the costs and benefits associated with hiring an additional Whitby Public Library Human Resources Associate; 
• the current number of Whitby Public Library FTE positions;
• the process of allocating the annual grant to the Whitby Public Library; 
• roadway safety measures included in the proposed 2023 Budget, and whether the Traffic Calming Action Plan will focus on improvements across the entire Town;
• the distribution of resources in accordance with the Traffic Calming Action Plan, and whether speed cameras were included as a traffic calming measure; 
• the financial impact of reducing the proposed property tax increase by 0.5%;
• grant funding to offset the financial impact of summer student positions; and,
• whether Members of Council should identify the proposed FTE positions they wish to exclude from the 2023 Budget.

5.

Adjournment

• Moved by Councillor Shahid
  Seconded by Councillor Cardwell

  That the meeting adjourn.

  Carried

  The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.