Nova’s Ark requests bylaw exemption, discussion to continue in January

At the Dec. 11 Committee of the Whole meeting, several delegations were heard related to a request from Nova’s Ark for an exemption from the Town of Whitby’s Prohibited and Regulated Animals Bylaw. Due to the volume of delegations, the committee voted to end the meeting at 11 p.m. and resume delegations on this issue at the Jan. 8 Committee of the Whole meeting. Nova’s Ark is a registered charity based in Whitby that provides programs for people of all abilities, including animal-assisted therapy.  According to a May 2023 inventory provided by Nova’s Ark, there are 355 animals on site, 74 of which violate the Town’s Prohibited and Regulated Animals Bylaw, including wolves, pythons, a lynx, serval, and bobcat. After consulting with industry professionals, considering public submissions, and reviewing emergency procedures and response plans from Nova’s Ark, Town staff are recommending that the bylaw exemption not be granted to permit the keeping of the 74 prohibited animals.  This recommendation only impacts the keeping of prohibited animals, not the ongoing operation of Nova’s Ark. Council is expected to vote on the exemption request at its meeting on Jan. 29.

A report received by Council on Dec. 18 highlights some of the Town’s winter maintenance improvements for 2024. These include adding three additional plowing routes through the expansion of contracted services and piloting a new liquid de-icer in addition to the conventional salt brine, regular and treated salt. The new de-icer will be used in January and February when temperatures are the coldest – it is designed to resist re-freeze for longer periods, especially when applied on hills, bridge decks, high collision intersections, and rural open areas. The Town will also be using a new platform for weather forecasting to improve real-time data. The MeteoRoutes app includes weather forecasting for atmospheric conditions, as well as road surface conditions, and helps identify the type of treatment materials needed, spread rates, and prioritization of routing. The app provides information in real-time integrating the Town’s Road Weather Information Station located at Brawley Road as well as validation from a live on-duty meteorologist. A report from Town staff notes changes achieved through collective bargaining allow for the extension of the workday without initiating a full callout procedure, increasing efficiency in service delivery, and maximizing available driver hours. The cost of the improvements has been incorporated into the Town’s operating and capital budgets.

Town staff directed to prepare 2024 budget with a target five per cent increase

Council has directed Town staff to prepare Whitby’s 2024 Budget with a target increase of five per cent. The impact of the budgetary target on an average home, assessed at $503,000, is an increase of approximately $105 per year for the essential services provided by the Town. As a next step, staff will refine service levels, programs, and investments in the proposed 2024 Budget in order to meet this target. Council will receive more details, including specific 2024 budget pressures, new programs, and staffing information, in January. Community input will be gathered from Jan. 22 to Feb. 7 through ConnectWhitby.ca/Budget  A public meeting for community input is scheduled for Feb. 5 and a special Council meeting is planned for Feb. 15 for final approval of the 2024 Budget. 

Council endorses Phase 2 of Whitby’s Climate Emergency Response Plan

Council has endorsed, in principle, the Whitby Climate Emergency Response Plan - Phase 2: Mitigation. In 2019, Whitby Council formally declared climate change an emergency, recognizing the need to take immediate action to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Emergency Response Plan is divided into two phases: Phase 1: Resilience and Phase 2: Mitigation. Phase 1, which was approved by Council in September 2022, identifies risks, like heat and flooding, to better prepare for future climate-related events. Phase 2 focuses on climate change mitigation and identifying actions to reach the Town’s target of net-zero emissions by 2045. Extensive community engagement helped inform the plan with feedback from 250 members of the public, including representatives from the Town and Region of Durham staff, residents, youth, non-profit organizations, and equity-deserving community members. By endorsing the mitigation plan, the Town is fulfilling its commitment to several national and global pledges including Partners for Climate Protection, the Global Covenant of Mayors, and Race to Zero.

Update on Culture Strategy actions in 2023 and plans for 2024

Council has received an update on the status of the Town’s Culture Strategy, a 10-year plan adopted in March 2021. The strategy focuses on the role and impact of the creative economy for community-building and economic development. It includes five directions, 20 goals, and 75 actions. Since being adopted, a total of 40 actions have been undertaken. A report from Town staff received by Council on Dec. 18 outlines actions completed in 2023 and projects for 2024. Examples of actions completed in 2023 include: the launch of the second Whitby Food Guide in May 2023; new Culture Pop-ups hosted during summer 2023 such as Paint Night in the Park and Salsa at Sunset; installation of QR code decals on the Whitby Arts Trail; introduction of a new Instagram handle @explorewhitby; and a renewed contract with the Canadian Musicians Co-operative to support the Town’s Community Performance Program. Planned projects for 2024 include: approval of a Public Art Policy by Council in early 2024, development of a culinary walking tour to support the Whitby Food Guide, collaboration on a Brewery Tour with local breweries and Central Counties Tourism; addition of two new Music in the Park events; and launch of a Cultural Speaker Series.

Habitat for Humanity looks to acquire Town-owned land for affordable housing

Habitat for Humanity has provided the Town of Whitby with an Expression of Interest in acquiring Town-owned land at Dunlop Street and Hickory Street for the purpose of developing affordable housing. A preliminary concept plan includes 27 affordable housing units on the Hickory Street site and 21 units on the Dunlop Street East site, for a total of 48 three-bedroom units, each with parking and private outdoor space. The concept plan also includes 650 square metres of community space on the Dunlop Site. On Dec. 18, Council directed Town staff to report back on the Expression of Interest, including an appraised value for the donated land.

Council has approved an amendment to the Town’s Traffic By-law to implement a permanent “no parking” restriction on some residential streets near Brooklin High School between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday from September to June. The amendment applies to Braddock Court, Whitmore Court, and Leithridge Crescent. This is similar to restrictions in place on residential streets surrounding Henry Street High School and Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute. The change is in response to community concerns about students parking unsafely on residential streets.

Council endorses resolution condemning acts of hate 

On Dec. 18 Council supported a resolution expressing the “resolute belief that all acts of hate, racism, and discrimination, including antisemitism and islamophobia, are abhorrent and have no place in our community or society.” The motion calls on all levels of government, public officials, and members of the community to work together in developing policies, programs, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate all acts of hate, racism, and discrimination, with a specific focus on addressing antisemitism and islamophobia. The motion will be shared with the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, the Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham area municipalities, and all Durham MPs and MPPs.