Although there are very few items on Monday's Community & Operations Agenda and only one item on the Safety & Facilities Agenda, they present some very interesting issues.

Imo, there are three that may may generate good discussion, leading to these questions:

1. Will Council members support a homeowner paying for snow/ice melt cable in the sidewalk in front of their home?

2. Will the Committee members support a deeper look into speed cushions on a rural Oshawa road where 85% of the residents on the 1km stretch of road between Thornton and Simcoe just north of Hwy 407 have requested this. More consideration should be given not only to the fact that Clarington has them installed on rural roads with good success. (see picture below taken last spring) and Whitby has them on arterial roads like Robert Attersley and Garden St. (btw speed cushions have an opening for fire truck wheels)

3. Will the Committee support an investigation into implementing Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras on Oshawa local roads?

Note: I support all three.

Enjoy these 2 Fun, Smile Inspiring Festive Events this week in Oshawa!

On Thursday Nov 16th 5-9 PM the BRIGHT & MERRY MARKET
with its Live Entertainment, Crafters, Artists, Food Delights, Trolley for free ride around the downtown,
​ plus THE CITY TREE LIGHTING @ 7pm!

• market vendors along Centre St. S & in Civic Square & inside the RMG
• Artists and Crafters include:  Bunny's Burrow Crochet, Cee Cee The Crafty Diva, Colour Their World, Designed 4 You, Fetching, Flaming Serpent, Grly Prints, Handcrafted JMS, Hand Knit by Moey, Honeybee Candy, Krafty Krissy, Mellona Products, Nicole's Sweary Scrunchies, Rose Swan, Seven Designs, Sometimes StoriesTM, Sweet Legs Ajax with June, TDG Designs, Tea With Crump, The Collective Market, The Witches Craft, Wild Krafts, Windmill Pottery and Woodworks 
• Sample delicious foods like hot soup, jerk chicken, hamburgers, pork skewers, masala poutine and more from our food vendors or pick up some delicious handcrafted treats like krispie treats, cupcakes, cookies and more artisan food vendors.
• Food vendors include Coal Pot Jerk Inc., Cupcake Goodness, Island Grill GTA, Lowlands Fire Food LTD, Masala Box Food Truck, Munchies Gourmet Kettlecorn, Sunny Hotdog, The Table Soups and The Whimsical Crispie Co

then
On Saturday Nov 18 the annual SANTA PARADE OF LIGHTS starting at the Oshawa Centre at 6 PM

​ Looking forward to both!

Rev. Richard Parker's PRAYER:

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict and ask that God may give us peace;
​
For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war.
For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity;
For peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free,
For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious;

Asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace; O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know.

Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future for you are the source of life and hope, now and forever.
 
Rev. Richard Parker's BENEDICTION:

We remember today all those who have come before us and given the greatest gift to our democratic nation - their lives.

Their duty, their honor and their lives are precious gifts that must be given to the future of our country and our families.
 
The duty of our veterans past and present is the fiber of the word Freedom and is stronger by our recognition of service and sacrifice.

We honour that service and sacrifice today and should carry it forward for our children to honour.

Freedom and democracy are the result of all of the most honourable things our country has produced.

Today we stand to remember the most honourable amongst us and we must continue to carry the burden of their sacrifice, lest we lose sight of what true Freedom is.

Today is for remembering - stand in honour of them, walk in their path of duty, remember the cost, and hold in your heart the cause of freedom.
 
 
 
 

Yesterday Council was presented with a proposed 2023 Budget. Mayor Carter & senior staff outlined their goals and department new hires and explanations for budget variances.

The recommended tax rate increase for 2024 is 3.95%.
The Mayor said it started much higher and where it is at now there is no wiggle room left.

Here is the link to the presentation, the Capital and Operating Budgets: https://www.oshawa.ca/en/city-hall/budget.aspx...

Mayor Carter instructed members of Council to have their budget questions submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. Nov 23, 2023.

Highlights:

$48.9M for new Capital Budget projects
$208.8M revenue for Operating budget
Total Gross Expenses included in the operating budget are $215,336,400
Oshawa currently has $34.7M principal outstanding external debenture debt
A new debenture $8.5M and a new Inter Fund Note $271K are proposed to be added which will result in, by the end of 2024, the City's external debt being $38.5M   

$1.1B infrastructure deficit forecast for next 9 years (which does not include the TCC ($9.5M for HVAC, elevators, arena, improvement requirements)
$13.57M to Reserves (an increase of $1.74M over the 2023 budget).

There are budget cuts to the Tribute Community's Centre and the OSCC of 2%, other cuts include the City's Advisory Committees
On December 1st Council will meet again on the 2024 Budget to consider amendments. Mayor Carter indicated he will decide within 9 days subsequent whether he will veto any amendments Council proposes. Then, should Council have any proposed resolutions to override any budget items vetoed by the Mayor, a final 2024 budget meeting will be held on December 15, 2023.

There are 4 applications on the Wednesday Nov 15th 6 p.m. C of A Agenda. Included are 2 for accessory apartments with reduced parking (one being for tandem parking). Note the application for a convenience store to be added to the gas station property at the s/w corner of Simcoe St and Bloor St will also be  subject to site plan approval. 
https://calendar.oshawa.ca/default/Detail/2023-11-15-1800-Committee-of-Adjustment

Happy to report that last week the long awaited stop sign on Greenhill Avenue, between Wilson Road and Harmony Road at Clearbrook Drive was installed.

Last year I personally surveyed the corner property owners at Chilliwack, Clearbrook and Jack Glenn about the need for a stop sign. Staff advised Clearbrook Drive was the best location. However, there is still a serious concern about the safety of children crossing Jack Glenn St where the other east end of the school entrance/exit is located and where the school buses  make the pedestrian crossing at school start and dismissal times  especially problematic. City staff have agreed to attend at the intersection to inspect the situation again next Thursday around the 2:30 p.m. dismissal time. It seems a pedestrian crosswalk would make it safer! Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions at my city email rmcconkey@oshawa.ca or phone 905 436-5615

TWO more Public Information Centres (PICs) are being held concerning the BUS RAPID TRANSIT ON SIMCOE ST in Oshawa:
 Monday, October 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. Jubilee Pavilion Banquet and Conference Centre, 55 Lakeview Park Ave, Oshawa
and
 Wednesday, November 01, from 6 to 8 p.m. Oshawa Golf and Curling Club, 160 Alexandra St., Oshawa
​
The Region received around $6M from the federal government to investigate and present a supportive rapid transit service strategy that will maximize infrastructure investment along Simcoe Street and the Initial Business Case (IBC) that will support future funding applications.

These PICs will allow the Region to gather feedback from the public on the preferred rapid transit concept plan. The same information will be presented at both events for members of the public to drop in and learn more. 

It seems the anticipated time and costs between 2 choices from the preliminary 10 km phase (from the planned new GO stop) to Winchester Rd. are:
1/ for 2 lanes designated solely for buses on Simcoe St. - $400M and anticipated to take 5 to 7 years
2/ for a 10 km gondola with 10 stops (one every 1km) - $500M anticipated to take 3 to 5 years

The Region of Durham is conducting a VIRTUAL PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC) starting this week UNTIL NOVEMBER 23, 2023 reviewing the  existing sanitary sewer infrastructure and capacity in north Oshawa & north Whitby to plan for any necessary system upgrades needed to handle increased flows from the planned new growth areas.  The public can send feedback to Patricia Casco, Project Manager, Engineering Planning & Studies Region of Durham – Works Department 905-668-4113 ext. 3568 Patricia.Casco@durham.ca

For detailed info see Notice and 24 slides below or watch YouTube video here: 
​Virtual PIC - North Whitby and North Oshawa Sanitary Sewer Diversion Strategy Municipal Class EA - YouTube

Also posting here my summary of the 9:30 am Oshawa Corporate & Finance Committee Agenda summary and here is a link with more details to it https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
​

With the start of the new school year, there will be an increase in the number of children walking and biking near schools. For the protection of pedestrians and drivers, motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in school zones and to obey the posted speed limits, no parking, and no stopping signs.

Municipal Law Enforcement Officers will be enforcing no parking and stopping regulations and other violations in the vicinity of schools to ensure pedestrian safety. Please be aware of traffic signs and do not park in fire routes. Additionally, motorists are urged not block or obstruct sidewalks or driveway access.

No Stopping Zones

• may not be used for the purpose of picking-up or dropping-off school children;
• are established in a limited number of locations, where the stopping of a vehicle will create a traffic hazard, congestion or interfere with the use of a school crossing; and,
• the fines for stopping violations escalate on each infraction ($60, $80, $100).

No Parking Zones

• may be used for picking up or dropping off school children, only when the children are actively entering/exiting the vehicle;
• does not allow a vehicle to be parked while drivers wait for their children; and,
• the fine for a parking violations escalate on each infraction ($40, $60, $80) depending on location ($100, $120, $140 for illegally parking in a fire route)

School Crossing Zones

• Abide by the City’s Crossing Guards three-whistle system:

1. 1. First Whistle: The school crossing guard blows the first whistle, enters the roadway, holds up the stop sign, and ensures traffic has stopped. Children and pedestrians stay on the sidewalk until the school crossing guard blows the second whistle.
   2. Second Whistle: The school crossing guard blows the second whistle when it is safe for the children and pedestrians to cross.
   3. Third Whistle: When the children have safely crossed the roadway, the school crossing guard leaves the roadway. Once safely off the road, the guard blows the third whistle to signify the crossing has ended and traffic can proceed.

• Be observant of children when in a school area and be ready to stop at all times
• Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding
• Reduce speed in schools zones
• Stop when a stop paddle is held up by a crossing guard
• Obey school bus flashers
• Obey yield, stop, traffic signal controls, and traffic signs
• Be mindful of children walking around your vehicle and of other vehicles

School Bus Loading Zones

• designated for the exclusive use of school buses or vehicles under contract to the Boards of Education;
• drivers cannot stop or park within this zone for any reason including the pick-up or drop-off of students; and,
• the fines for stopping in school bus loading zones escalate with each infraction ($45, $65, $85).

Community Safety Zones

• are designated sections of roadway where public safety is of special concern, including in and around schools;
• have increased penalties for violations, including speeding and careless driving-related offences; and that
• Durham Regional Police Service increases its presence in these areas and enforces the Community Safety Zone regulations, as well as conduct enforcement projects in conjunction with Municipal Law Enforcement.

The Free, Popular & Fun Annual Kars on King event is happening from 3:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. TODAY in downtown Oshawa!
There's something for everyone - classic cars, live entertainment and a Family Zone.
Note that some road closures start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m.

Note also that the Canadian Automotive Museum will be open FREE to the public from 4pm to 7pm today during the Kars on King event with the Livingroom Mobile Art Studio for crafting fun & face painting & balloon twisting in Family Zone @ Memorial Park.
​
Looking for more classic cars this weekend? Check out AutoFest at Oshawa's Lakeview Park on August 26 & 27 https://autofestoshawa.com/schedule/

Today I received the positive email below from one of my constituents who had called and complained about the problems with Oshawa's Swimming Registration on Tuesday:

“I just wanted to let you know I registered today for skating and another children’s sports program with no issues. I am very impressed by how quickly they found a resolution to the problem from swimming registration on Tuesday.”
 
It was good to hear about the improvement, how the general fall programs and winter holiday camps schedule that opened at 9 a.m. August 24th for arts and crafts, dance, music, fitness went much more smoothly.

To address the high demand for Fall programs, the City's IT staff implemented a queuing system for online program registration. Today, when visiting activeOshawa Online the process had community members placed in a queue to make the registration more quick and convenient. 

Staff also clarified that:
1.      The software registration application upgrade that went live earlier this month was not the cause of the Tuesday August 22nd swimming registration performance issues. "It was actually part of the proactive efforts to improve functionality and performance.
2.      The Moneris issue was due to their automatic anti-fraud systems that were blocking transactions due to excessive volume and multiple card retries."
As stated previously, "staff are committed to identifying solutions  and delivering improved customer service."

Below are pages 30 and 31  from the Active Oshawa Recreation Guide with examples of the fall and winter programs offered: 
https://issuu.com/cityofoshawa/docs/activeoshawa_fall_2023_winter_2024_recreation_guid?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

The above pictures of a 20 year old tree hacked down Sunday night, July 9, 2023 in Coldstream Park, with lots of neighbour comments about kids misdeeds and criminal activities, were posted Monday morning on a north-east Oshawa community social media group page.

Mayor Carter, only last month, with DRPS Inspector Saliba and members of Council in attendance spoke passionate words about the consequences for vandalism in a press conference at the Human Rights Garden in Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park (where the light posts were smashed and paint poured on the park sign). Two of the three perpetrators were charged.

I am hopeful a similar strong effort can be made to find whoever caused this damage to Coldstream Park. A repeat of the message needs to be spread that such bad behaviour as felling a live park tree and the wanton destruction of public assets will not be tolerated.

This large park between two schools unfortunately has little shade. For some reason the trees planted 20 years ago have been slow to grow and not well positioned. In 2014, years before I was elected, and again during the last term of council, residents made delegations about the need to improve this park due to its inadequate amenities for the large residential catchment area it serves.

I’ve previously messaged senior staff about the concerns related to misdeeds in the park and the level of neighbours' concerns. In exchanges  with Oshawa Mayor, Parks staff and DRPS I expressed hope the response to this situation will reassure families that the City cares and is proactive.​

Besides 'marking' the Northwood Business Park could be done costing much less and more effectively with riders on the Conlin Rd and Thornton Rd. area street signs. That would free up the $880,000 in Development Charges Reserves for a new or redeveloped City neighbourhood park with splash pad, playground equipment and shade canopy over park tables and benches!

Meanwhile, it is embarrassing to think members of Council would renege on an agreement and staff recommendation to allow the dedicated community group to gather donations for an Oshawa sign to be placed in the King and Centre St. parkette. 

Today is the last Region of Durham Council meeting until September. On the Agenda is a report coming up on the Automated Speed Enforcement camera program. It includes a request that MTO consider some changes that would open up the program to consider sites beyond school zones and community safety zones and lessen some of the signage requirements.
https://calendar.durham.ca/.../e48aeb7f-bd65-465c-bf64...

The fact the Region now has produced this latest report bodes well for the City of Oshawa getting around to approving ASE program on Oshawa local roads. During the last term of Council, the Mayor and some Councillors were hesitant to have any discussion on speed cameras on Oshawa local roads, saying they wanted to wait until they had more information from the Region on its success and costs. Meanwhile Ajax and Pickering went ahead and installed speed cameras on their local roads.

Although I am not on Region Council, I learned from Region staff that prior to the report being on the Council Agenda today, the discussion took place during the June 14 th Region Committee of the Whole meeting, and the two recommendations were made by Clarington Mayor Foster. Here is the link to the video of the COW June 14 meeting https://www.eventstream.ca/events/durham-region ...looking into it you can hear the discussion which starts at 1:18 on the video... I listened for a bit, there were comments about maximizing this tool for public safety and that other municipalities are attempting to make the same changes.

Adrian Foster moved the motion and Granville Anderson seconded it. Then Ajax Councillor Marilyn Crawforth , the Mayor of Brock and Brian Nicholson spoke, as well as the Acting Commissioner of Region Works. It sounded pretty fair, the 'relaxing' of the areas where the AES can be located and reducing the 90 'WARNING" sign that the camera is coming seems reasonable.

DRPS does not issue 90 day warning that they are going to be enforcing the rules of the road and making public the days and locations where they will be handing out tickets, so why have a 90 day warning sign? Although the motion is to reduce the 90 day warning to no more than 10, some said why give any notice, if drivers fail to follow the speed in front of a school or run a red light do you think they have a right to complain that they didn't know the camera would be there?

The Commissioner said that clearly the problem with the system has to do with the logjam at the City of Toronto PROCESSING CENTRE. The City of Ottawa is now talking about having its own Processing Centre, which could help free up space at Toronto's.

As so many municipalities are wanting to double their cameras, in the future the Commissioner said Durham may look at having its own.
But, to keep the costs down and avoid a proliferation of these cameras, the simple answer is for drivers to follow the rules of the road.

The presentation at the start of the meeting was interesting. Melissa Hutchinson, Project Manager Region Health Dept. and Beth Brannon the Senior Director Mental Health and Addictions Lakeridge speaking to the complex issues and having broad approaches, including harm reduction (which is about keeping the person alive at the moment) and long term treatment for change, but said desire or being open to change has to come from the individual first. The overdose fatality rate is down. but still having 360 overdose calls a year, and each overdose costs $4,000 per call. ​

In closed session there were four delegations appealing to Council to permit the demolition of the Robert McLaughlin house at 195 Simcoe St. It has been a long time since the fire April 2019, and the owners not maintaining the property.

​Council voted unanimously to support the original Heritage Oshawa decision and proceed to trial in support of the heritage context of the building and against a demolition.​



​







*            *                *

Good to have some of my Notices of Motion approved.

The first one,  seconded by Councillor Kerr was to improve the way the City addresses  the high weeds and long grass problem on the City's 'unassumed roads'. This was approved to go to the Economic Development Committee for staff to investigate.

Whereas the city picks up waste and clears snow on unassumed roads, but does not cut boulevards and court circles; and

Whereas there are Oshawans living on unassumed roads in subdivisions for five plus years that have repeatedly called when the boulevard and court circle grass and weeds are so high the fire hydrants are not visible;
Now therefore, staff investigate the current process and the benefit of the cutting of grass on unassumed roads and being reimbursed by the developer.

​
*        *            *

Another one, seconded by Councillor Lee was concerning the excessive amount of dust and unfortunate lack of commitment to the Mud and Dust Control By-law by developers. Not only is the dust affecting the health of residents living in the vicinity, but also presents a danger to drivers along Conlin Rd. and Ritson Rd N. when finding vision impaired on the road by thick clouds of dust.

That staff investigate the Dust and Mud Control By-law to ensure there is a prominent section to ensure the City and various developers involved in Part II Plans have a signed comprehensive strategy plan in place for dust and mud control enforcement.

Those who have been negatively impacted by the excessive amount of dust flowing off the lands north of Conlin Rd that were stripped of vegetation last year may want to submit an email to clerks@oshawa.ca to be added to the September meeting agenda. This way the other members of Council can learn details about the problem. I understand from staff the policy is that when vegetation has been stripped from the land for more than a month steps should be taken for revegetation. For enforcement to be more effective and not so easily dismissed by the large scale developers, a clear commitment to a comprehensive strategy seems to be needed, especially since Oshawa North is going to have ongoing major construction with its Part II plans for some time.

*             *                    *

​The third one, seconded by Councillor Giberson unfortunately was not approved by Council. Here is the simple, straightforward motion:
   That PowerPoint presentations made at Council meetings or at Special Council meetings be added afterwards to the City website calendar.

Last month among some interesting power point presentations, example, Lakeridge Hospital's, and the Spark Centre's at the May 29, 2023 Council meeting,  and another good one by Amanda O'Rourke, Executive Director of 880 Cities.org at the May 31, 2023 Special Council meeting. At the conclusion of Amanda O'Rourke's presentation, before Councillors asked her  questions, the Mayor clearly said thank you for the 70 slide deck you have provided to us "I know the slide deck will also be made available to the public". But it was not added as an additional item like the PowerPoint slides presented at Planning Act Public meetings.

Stopping and starting a meeting video is not at all the same as clicking through PDF slides and sharing them with others. Last term Council approved my motion to make the slide decks presented at the Planning Act Public meetings available on the City website. Why not do the same with slide presented at all  Council meetings? 

*                *              *

A couple other matters approved, and not approved by Council:
The extension of the City's partnership with the community led Oshawa Sign Project members regrettably was not approved.
Councillor Giberson, Councillor Gray and myself voted in support of the extension. I say it is regrettable considering how serious the team of Oshawa residents were about the project, facilitated by a individual with years of exceptional marketing, who piloted McDonald's fundraising for Ronald McDonald House in Canada in the early 1980s. I witnessed the support from others for a landmark Oshawa sign like the ones Toronto, Hamilton, Barrie and many other municipalities have.  One Councillor claiming ‘taxpayers funding the $80K maintenance cost’ as his objection. However, this amount was something City Staff proposed and never considered an amount carved in stone. The Councillor's comments in my opinion were demeaning to a well-organized community initiative and especially hard to reconcile with the fact that all City assets require maintenance.  In fact, only 2 minutes before he spoke against the OSHAWA Sign Project to be paid for bay gifted funds raised by volunteers, the Councillor and other members of Council in the same meeting chose to approve an extraordinary $880,000.00 for 4 signs marking the Northwood business park! ($880,000.00 from development charge funds which the City could have contributed to the Community Centre planned for the same area at Thornton and Britannia Rd. rather than glorifying a storage unit 'business' park  (where Brocolini, Pantaloni and Martin Brower are constructing  warehouse storage facilities. 

First, the Columbus Part II  plan.  6 delegations shone a light on a lot of questionable background goings on. The delegations expressed their concerns about Report ED-23-117,  which is the latest, very large growth plan coming to the prime agricultural zoned lands north of Hwy 407 in the City of Oshawa.

Soon to be added to the City's Official plan as Columbus Part II, it is planned for around 30,000 new residents, (coming on the heels of the 11 plans of subdivision in Kedron Part II (north of Taunton Rd, east of Ritson Rd. approved last term of Council which will see around 25,000 new residents added to Oshawa's expanding population.
​
The Positive: by a slim 4-3 majority the Columbus Part II Plan vote was deferred until the next Council meeting, which is October 2nd. (Councillor Nicholson and I had made declarations of interest so couldn't vote and the Mayor and Councillor Marks were absent for the vote) 

The 6 delegations spoke against the Land Use and Road Plan the developers and City staff were expecting to have approved at the meeting.

Imo it is shocking and does not constitute good planning to learn how the developers, who own over 80% of the vast Columbus area  have gone ahead and redesignated at least 5 private property owner'ss lands without consultation (see map below where I added dots to indicate developer owned land).

Adding Storm Water Management Ponds (SWM) to land that the developers don't own, imo is not only an erosion of property writes, but Not Good Planning considering it seems some of these developers are expecting the private property owners to sell to allow this. But when the private owner is unwilling to sell, (and two are indicating they can't be bought off) where do the SWM ponds go then? Answer: where they should be, on the developer's own property.

The map below where I've added the developers names and the dots, is the June 2023 Land Use and Road Plan Map showing all the Columbus property parcels delineated.

In my opinion, it is inexcusable that the public was not given this map showing the property parcels.

The map in Report ED-23-117 which Council was to pass  at the June 26th Council meeting was from May, 2023 and shows NO property boundaries.

(I asked staff a couple weeks ago to add the property lines to the May 2023 map. When I received the new map last week I added dots to indicate the land owned by developers, and numbers indicating the names of the eleven developers.)

Note that the majority of the land North of Columbus Rd. South of Howden is owned by Sorbara/Tribute,
East of Simcoe St is Setcon, and Menkes
West of Simcoe St is Valley Mead -(current owner of the Columbus Golf Course),
Halloway Holdings, and
276 Columbus Rd. W.
South of Columbus Rd. are the others, including Setcon, G8 Investments, Oxford, Tercot, and Delpark Homes and Mykinder.