Council Highlights - May 2024

Council highlights gives an overview of important decisions, discussions, and agenda items from Whitby Council meetings. The goal is to give residents a snapshot of the meetings. More information, including Council meeting minutes, can be found at whitby.ca/CouncilCalendar

Public consultation underway on draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Work is progressing on the Town’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. On May 6, Council received the draft plan for information and directed Town staff to proceed with the last phase of community consultation, which is gathering feedback on the draft plan. A final version of the plan will be brought to Council for adoption in fall 2024. Once complete, the plan will guide decision-making related to Whitby’s parks and recreation services through to 2031. Whitby is expected to experience population growth of 25 per cent during that period, particularly in West Whitby and Brooklin. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will provide a road map to prioritize and address community needs and guide future decisions. The plan will focus primarily on parks, open spaces, and recreation programming, services, and facilities, including the marina. Consultation is open until June 21, residents can visit connectwhitby.ca to share feedback.

Revised Procedure Bylaw will include changes based on Council feedback

Council has directed Town staff to bring forward a revised Procedure By-law, that provides improved formatting, structure, and ease of reference and includes “substantive revisions” based on feedback from Council members. Revisions will include a requirement for Council members to provide the Town clerk with the topics of proposed motions 10 days in advance of meetings, and a defined meeting adjournment time of 11 p.m., with matters not considered before adjournment deferred to the next applicable meeting. Changes will also include a registration deadline for delegates of 8 a.m. on the day of a meeting; and hearing of delegates only at Committee of the Whole meetings -- unless a matter is being considered at a regular Council meeting that was not previously considered at Committee of the Whole, or if the staff recommendation is altered by Council at Committee of the Whole.

Draft policy on appointment of deputy mayor coming in June

On May 27, Council directed Town staff to bring forward a draft policy to the June 3 Committee of the Whole meeting on the appointment and responsibilities of the deputy mayor. The draft policy will include the provisions that all local and regional councillors will be eligible to serve as deputy mayor; and that the deputy mayor will be selected by the mayor annually and confirmed by a majority vote of Council. A Town report notes the role of the mayor has evolved over the years, most recently with the granting of Strong Mayor Powers under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act 2001. “In accordance with the changing legislative environment pertaining to the role of the head of Council and the strengthening of mayoral authority, this is an opportune time to reflect on the roles and responsibilities of the mayor, and how they would shape the appointment, role, and responsibilities of the deputy mayor,” the report notes.

New Municipal Accommodation Tax approved

Council has approved a new Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) for Whitby as a way of generating revenue to support local tourism initiatives. A MAT is a local tax levied by municipalities on accommodations such as hotels and motels. Short-term rentals such as VRBO, cabins, and Airbnb will be phased into Whitby’s MAT once the Town’s Short-Term Rental By-law is approved. More than 50 municipalities in Ontario currently have a MAT. The common rate amongst major cities and towns across Ontario is four per cent, which is also what Whitby will charge. The Ontario Restaurant Hotel Motel Association will collect the MAT from accommodation providers and remit it to the Town, starting July 1, 2024. A Whitby MAT webpage will be created with information and frequently asked questions for accommodation providers and visitors. A Town report notes that the MAT “will allow for new strategic projects that support tourism, increase visitor spending, and strengthen the local economy without impacting the property tax-funded budget.”