Council

That Council convene to a Closed Session pursuant to Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, to discuss a matter pertaining to litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.

That all directions approved during the Closed Session be ratified.

That the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on March 27, 2023 be adopted.

WHEREAS Intimate partner violence (IPV) is physical, sexual and emotional abuse and aggression that occurs in an intimate relationship; AND WHEREAS on the morning of September 22, 2015, Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam were murdered by a former partner; AND WHEREAS on June 28, 2022, a five-person jury established as part of a coroner’s inquest into the events of September 22, 2015 delivered 86 recommendations; AND WHEREAS specific legislation addressing family and domestic violence has been passed by six provinces and three territories; however, Ontario has not implemented this type of legislation; AND WHEREAS the Violence Prevention Coordination Council of Durham (VPCC), which represents 35 local agencies including Luke’s Place, Herizon House, and the Durham Rape Crisis Centre, reported a significant increase in demand for assistance from local IPV support providers on behalf of member Victim Services of Durham Region, with IPV victim support up 32% over four years and sexual violence victim support up 277% over four years; AND WHEREAS the City of Ottawa, Renfrew County, and Lanark County have passed motions declaring an IPV epidemic, and acknowledging the 86 recommendations in the Renfrew County Inquest; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. The Ontario Government declare an IPV epidemic, as per recommendation #1 of the Renfrew County Inquest; and 2. The Region of Durham declare an IPV epidemic and integrate IPV into the Region’s Community Safety and W

1. That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA21-A3 be approved and that the implementing Official Plan Amendment (No. 72), as provided within Attachment 1 to this report, be considered for approval by Council at its meeting of April 17, 2023; 2. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application Z5/21 be approved and that the implementing Zoning By-law, as provided within Attachment 2 to this report, be considered for approval by Council at its meeting of April 17, 2023; and 3. That the Director of Planning and Development Services or their designate be authorized to grant draft approval of the future Draft Plan of Condominium application that may be required to facilitate the future development of the subject lands.

That the report dated April 17, 2023 containing Items of Correspondence be received for information.

That the Community Affairs & Planning Committee Report dated April 3, 2023, be adopted.

That the General Government Committee Report dated April 11, 2023 be adopted.

1. That Council award the contract for Parkette Grounds Maintenance, to Unistar General Inc. in the estimated amount of $142,357.40 (inclusive of all taxes), for a period of 1 year. 2. That Council authorize Staff to renew the contract for an additional four, 1 year periods, pending an analysis and satisfactory performance review at the anniversary date of the contract, in the estimated amount of $621,029.30 (inclusive of all taxes).

1. That this report titled “Stormwater Fee and Credit Policy/By-law Update” be received for information; and 2. That by-laws establishing the Stormwater Fee and Credit Policy and amending the Fees and Charges be presented to Council for approval.

WHEREAS the Town of Ajax offers access to drinking water fountains inside numerous Town facilities, but currently offers very few outdoor water fountains; AND WHEREAS numerous Ajax parks have access to potable water for the purpose of splash pads, wading pools, etc.; AND WHEREAS the Town has two new parks with water access planned in the capital budget to 2030, and four park retrofits to 2032; AND WHEREAS by providing drinking water fountains, the Town can help eliminate the use of plastic water bottle waste in support of our climate change efforts; AND WHEREAS drinking water fountains can also support the health and wellbeing of Ajax residents; AND WHEREAS some drinking water designs double to offer a pet drinking station, which would benefit the thousands of Ajax homes that have a pet; AND WHEREAS the cost of installing a drinking water found where access to potable water already exists is estimated to be between $1,000 to $1,500, not including upkeep, repair, and inspection. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Operations staff include drinking water fountains, where feasible, in the design of new parks with water access and parks with water access that are undergoing upgrades and/or refurbishment, including Exeter Park.

WHEREAS to improve enjoyment of the waterfront for Ajax residents, the Town offers an annual waterfront parking permit program from May to September; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax has a proud military history, serving as the home of the largest shell filling plant in the British Commonwealth during World War II, was named in honour of the Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Ajax and has celebrated veterans who served aboard the ship by naming local streets in their honour; AND WHEREAS Ajax desires to further honour veterans and their commitment and service to Canada. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Vehicles with an Ontario Veteran graphic licence plate be permitted to park in designated parking areas at Rotary Park, Central Waterfront, and Paradise Beach without obtaining a resident waterfront parking permit beginning with the 2023 season; and 2. By-law Services staff bring forward an amending by-law to the May 15, 2023, Council meeting to implement the necessary changes; and Town of Ajax Council Meeting – April 17, 2023 3. By-law Services and Communications staff update the information on the waterfront parking permit program information contained on the Town’s website to communicate the change to the Ajax community.

WHEREAS the homeless crisis is taking a devastating toll on families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario; AND WHEREAS the Built for Zero Report Card, a monthly snapshot of homelessness in Durham Region, identifies at least 286 people were experiencing homelessness in January 2023, including 43 in Ajax; AND WHEREAS the homelessness crisis is the result of the under investment and poor policy choices of successive provincial governments; AND WHEREAS homelessness requires a range of housing, social service, and health solutions from government; AND WHEREAS homelessness is felt most at the level of local government and the residents that they serve and while municipalities are doing their part, they do not have the resources, capacity or tools to address this complex challenge; AND WHEREAS Ajax is addressing the homelessness issue by providing space to the Region for a temporary emergency shelter, as well as through the Homelessness Task Force, programs and services at the Ajax Library, the Ajax Locker Program, and various partnerships, all in addition to the hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed to homelessness issues through the Ajax Mayor’s Gala; AND WHEREAS the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is calling for leadership and urgent action from the provincial government on an emergency basis to develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Ontario. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RES

WHEREAS Ontario is facing a housing crisis and more can be done to ensure that new and existing housing units serve their intended use, which is to provide stable affordable housing options to the people of this province; AND WHEREAS short term rental (STR) properties are sometimes prone to nuisances impacting others’ enjoyment of their properties, notably in Ajax, noise, waste, excessive Town of Ajax Council Meeting – April 17, 2023 parking needs, and violence; AND WHEREAS in rural tourist destinations , locals have found themselves prices out of the housing market because landlords find it more profitable to list as an STR; AND WHEREAS other provincial governments are stepping into the monitoring and enforcement of short term rentals, including Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland which require STRs to register, or attain a business licence or permit in order to list with popular short term rental companies like Airbnb, and Vrbo; AND WHEREAS STR hosts are also required to register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on what they earn; AND WHEREAS requiring licencing for Ontario’s STR market is a logical next step; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Ajax Council requests that the Province of Ontario establish a short term rental licencing and enforcement system; and 2. This motion be circulated to the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, AJAX MPP Patrice Barnes, lower-tier municipalities in D

WHEREAS Section 214.1 of the Highway Traffic Act empowers municipalities to establish Community Safety Zones (CSZ) by by-law; AND WHEREAS Council approved a process to establish CSZs on February 24, 2020; AND WHEREAS the process directs that CSZs should only be implemented in locations where public safety is of special concern, with a rating system was established to assess potential CSZs on the basis of nine risk criteria, or at the discretion of Town staff or Council; AND WHEREAS the number of schools fronting a road segment is one of the criteria used to assess potential CSZs; AND WHEREAS other criteria used to assess potential CSZs include areas fronting or in the vicinity of community parks and playground, community centres, hospitals, seniors residents, and generally locations where public safety is of special concern; AND WHEREAS Ajax currently has 14 CSZs; AND WHEREAS of the 37 schools in Ajax, a large number are not in designated CSZs; AND WHEREAS the Town can improve overall community safety by implementing CSZs in all school zones. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Council directs Transportation staff undertake the work necessary to implement CSZs in all school zones by the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, including: a. Bringing forward any necessary by-law amendments required to implement Council’s direction; and b. Identifying signage needs to Operations staff to facilitate the installation of all signage in accordance with the requirements of the High

That By-law numbers 11-2023 to 19-2023 be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That By-law number 20-2023 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Ajax at its meeting held on April 17, 2023, be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That the April 17, 2023 meeting of the Council of the Town of Ajax be adjourned (9:58 p.m.)