Council Highlights from the September 21, 2020 meeting

Council allocates $20,000 in support of diversity initiatives

Clarington Council voted to allocate $20,000 to support the development of a strategic plan for the Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC). The CDAC was established to advise and inform Council on issues of diversity and inequality. In the current global environment, the Committee is focused on supporting the Municipality and providing advice on issues related to anti-black racism as well as racism in general. CDAC is working on a variety of initiatives including the development of a Diversity Lens. This Lens will help to ensure that the Municipality considers issues of diversity in its decision making. In June, the Municipality and CDAC released a joint statement condemning all forms of racism. The Municipality is also working on a communications initiative to provide a platform for residents to share their stories and lived experiences as they relate to racism and other issues. More information will be released in the coming weeks.

Read the resolution allocating funding to CDAC.

Council sets budget guidelines for the Municipality

Clarington Council once again set budget parameters for Municipal staff as they work on preparing the 2021 budget. The Municipal budget is a guiding document that sets out spending guidelines. The approved target for the municipal portion of the levy is 3.55 per cent. This, of course, is just a guideline as the Municipality sets priorities for capital projects and its operating costs. As in past years, the budget will contain a list of items that Council will weigh out and prioritize. Council will look at setting priorities for a variety of essential services including road maintenance, road improvements, fire services, as well as a new recreation complex in South Bowmanville, new playgrounds and trails. The budget target is based on economic forecasts which expect to see a rebounding Canadian economy in 2021.

It is important to note that this is just a target; budget deliberations will begin next year. Stay informed with these key budget dates:

January 29, 2020, Budget Presentation
January 29, 2020, Special General Government Committee session to review the budget for external agencies
February 1, 2020, Special General Government Committee Session where Council considers the draft budget and sets its priorities
February 8, 2020, Council meeting where the budget is ratified

Read report FND-030-20 for more information.

Ward Boundary Review Interim Report received by Council

Clarington Council reviewed the interim results of the Municipality's Ward Boundary Review at the General Government Committee meeting on September 14. The interim report presents preliminary findings report outlines the preliminary findings gathered after extensive data analysis, interviews conducted with Councillors and staff, as well as public feedback.

The Ward Boundary Review Interim Report provides four alternative ward boundary options, including two options that would see an increase in the number of wards and councillors in Clarington.

The second round of public consultation is now underway. Residents are encouraged to review the report and provide feedback on the options through the Ward Boundary Review survey or by attending one of four Public Information Centres being held throughout October and November. Learn more about how to participate at www.clarington.net/WardBoundaryReview.

The final report will be presented to Council for consideration in January 2021.

Clarington Climate Action Update

The Municipality of Clarington is undertaking several large climate change initiatives to adapt to and, in some cases, mitigate the impacts of climate change. In a report outlining the key climate initiatives, Council was informed of the continued to work to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the initiatives outlined in the report include:

The continued development of the Clarington Climate Action Plan (CCAP) to identify and prepare for climate change-related impacts on municipal operations.
Clarington's participation in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program, to establish reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation of round one of the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP I), to develop a region-wide network of electric vehicle charging stations.
Submission of an application for round two of the NRCan Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP II), to develop infrastructure for workplace and corporate electric vehicle charging.
Creation of a community electric vehicle guidance report to inform future electric vehicle decisions.
Development of an electric vehicle infrastructure policy to establish best practices and standards for using municipally owned EV stations.

Read Staff Report PSD-030-20 for details on each initiative.

The next council meeting is Tuesday, October 13, 2020.