Council Highlights from the October 13, 2020 meeting

Council approves $750,000 to pay for railway safety improvements to stop train whistles at Cobbledick and Bennett Road crossings

Clarington Council earmarked $750,000 to pay for safety improvements needed at the Cobbledick and Bennett Road railway crossings in Clarington to stop train whistles in those areas. The money will be drawn from the Rate Stabilization Fund. Wilmot Creek residents have petitioned Council for several years to eliminate the noise pollution associated with the train whistles.

The cost of making these safety improvements to both crossings combined is more than $1.3 million. Clarington staff will apply for funding through Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Improvement Program to help cover the remaining portion of the overall cost.

The work needed includes improvements to the warning system, which are mandated before Transport Canada will consider train whistle cessation for those crossings. It also includes various other safety measures, such as road improvements and fencing.

Council asked staff to report back on funding options for the whistle cessation in July. Report FND-029-20 Whistle Cessation Funding Options outlines the various options Council considered before making its decision. Report EDG-013-20 outlines the upgrades needed to the crossings as well as a detailed breakdown of the costs.

Council approves a first-of-its-kind Clarington-made COVID-19 Community Improvement Program

Clarington Council approved a COVID-19 Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that will assist businesses to reopen and remain open with the proper safety precautions needed as mandated by the Province. Council has earmarked $1 million to this improvement plan that will help provide funding to businesses that had to make physical improvements to protect both staff and patrons during COVID-19. The Clarington-developed COVID-19 CIP is the first of its kind and provides much-needed help to many local businesses that have incurred severe financial strain as a result of the pandemic.

To qualify for the funding, businesses will need to apply and pass a means test to ensure that the financial incentives available through the COVID-19 CIP are directed toward those businesses hardest hit. Under the means test, qualifying businesses must demonstrate a 30 per cent revenue loss compared to a defined pre-pandemic period.

Businesses who qualify for the COVID-19 CIP include:

Retail stores, food services, art and entertainment services, personal care services, and registered medical practitioners such as massage therapists and chiropractors.

Businesses who do not qualify for funding under the approved COVID-19 CIP include:

Any business deemed essential that remained open during the pandemic: grocery stores, drug stores, doctors’ offices, or national/international franchises and chain corporations.

The COVID-19 CIP lists several financial incentives to support the investments that qualifying businesses are making to incorporate safety improvements including physical distancing, business adaptation, ventilation upgrades, expanded outdoor operations, and technology improvements.

As mandated by legislation, there is a 20-day appeal period before the COVID-19 CIP comes into effect. Staff will be processing applications, but funding will not be dispensed until the appeal period is over.

Businesses are encouraged to apply online for the COVID-19 CIP grant programs. Clarington staff will determine which businesses qualify and may reach out for additional information. Clarington has developed a COVID-19 CIP Information Sheet, which outlines the eligibility criteria and financial incentives available under the program. Applicants can also visit our website for up-to-date information on program, www.clarington.net/financialsupport.

Read staff recommendation report PSD-040-20 for more details on the COVID-19 CIP.

The next council meeting is Monday, November 2, 2020.