Community and Operations Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, June 09, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.m.

Council Chamber

Present:

• Councillor Gray
• Councillor Lee
• Councillor Chapman
• Councillor Neal
• Councillor Nicholson
• Mayor Carter

Also Present:

• Councillor Kerr
• Councillor Giberson
• Councillor McConkey
• K. Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator
• P. Aguilera, Council-Committee Coordinator
• K. Alexander, Commissioner Community and Operations Services
• M. Saulnier, Director, Operations
• B. Mullen, Director, Community Support Services
• M. Harrington, Director, Parks and Roads Operations Services - Interim
• P. Lyon, Director, Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services
• K. Koson, Director, Facility Operations and Maintenance Services
• J. Bartley, Manager, Municipal Parking and Cemetery
• J. Bishop, Manager, Waste Services
• B. Browne, Manager, Programs

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Public Meeting

Councillor Gray called the meeting to order and stated that all members of the Committee were participating from the Chamber except Councillor Nicholson who participated electronically. Also present were Councillors Giberson, Kerr and McConkey who participated from the Chamber.

Land Acknowledgement

The City of Oshawa is situated on lands within the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and the signatories of the Williams Treaties, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations.

We are grateful for the Anishinaabeg who have cared for the land and waters within this territory since time immemorial.

We recognize that Oshawa is steeped in rich Indigenous history and is now present day home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We express gratitude for this diverse group of Indigenous Peoples who continue to care for the land and shape and strengthen our community.

As a municipality, we are committed to understanding the truth of our shared history, acknowledging our role in addressing the negative impacts that colonization continues to have on Indigenous Peoples, developing reciprocal relationships, and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation.

We are all Treaty people.

Additional Agenda Items

None

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None

Presentations

None

Delegations

None

Referrals from Council

None

Reports from Advisory Committees

None

Items Requiring Direction

CO-25-28 - Reduction of Speed on Burk Street (Ward 4)

• Moved by Councillor Lee

  That Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That based on Report CO-25-28 dated June 4, 2025, concerning the reduction of speed on Burk Street, flexible bollards be installed on Burk Street in two locations as identified in Attachment 2 to said report.

  Carried

  Councillor McConkey entered the meeting at 9:33 a.m.

  
  

CO-25-31 - Correspondence submitted by Stacey Duggan-Depmsey and Shawn Dempsey concerning a request for an exemption to the Winter Access By-law 92, 2009, as amended, for the property located at 1315 Macinally Court (Ward 3)

• Moved by Councillor Lee

  That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That based on Correspondence CO-25-31 submitted by Stacey Duggan-Depmsey and Shawn Dempsey concerning a request for an exemption to the Winter Access By-law 92, 2009, as amended, for the property located at 1315 Macinally Court, staff be directed to perform sidewalk snow removal for 1315 Macinally Court because of the circumstances contained in the letter submitted by the home owner.

  Carried

Public Consent Agenda

• Moved by Councillor Lee

  That all items listed under the heading Public Consent Agenda for the June 9, 2025 Community and Operations Services Committee meeting be adopted as recommended except Report CO-25-32.

  Carried

Correspondence with recommendations

See Matters Excluded from Consent Agenda

Staff Reports/Motions with recommendations

CO-25-25 - Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests ("L.EA.F.") Extension of Backyard Tree Planting Program Agreement (All Wards)

• That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  Whereas pursuant to Item CS-20-59 dated October 19, 2020, Council authorized City staff to enter into a joint five (5) year agreement with L.E.A.F. and with the Region of Durham, participating municipalities of the City of Oshawa, Town of Ajax, Town of Whitby, City of Pickering and the Township of Scugog (“Agreement”), for the implementation of the Backyard Tree Planting Program as described in Report CS-20-21 dated March 9, 2020; and,

  Whereas leveraging L.E.A.F’s expertise and capabilities through implementation of the Backyard Tree Planting Program has significantly benefited the Oshawa community by:

  • Providing 300 trees, shrubs, and native garden kits from 2020 to 2024, which exceeded the original five (5) year target goal of 268;
  • Engaging with 187 applicants and participants in the Backyard Tree Planting program, increasing their understanding of proper tree/shrub planting techniques and care practices; and,

  Whereas the City’s partnership with L.E.A.F. via the Agreement has provided Oshawa residents and business owners an opportunity to add “more green” to their property at a discounted rate while increasing the City’s tree canopy; and,

  Whereas with the City's $15,000 contribution from its Annual Operating Budget, combined with funding from the Region of Durham, Oshawa property owners saved $330/tree, resulting in a subsidized cost of $220 per tree to be paid by the property owner; and,

  Whereas the L.E.A.F. Agreement is set to expire in June 2025; and,

  Whereas the Region of Durham, alongside other partner municipalities, wish to extend their collaborative efforts with L.E.A.F. through the Backyard Tree Planting Program for an additional two (2) years or to 2027; and,

  Whereas the extension of the Backyard Tree Planting Program is expected to further increase the tree canopy in Oshawa, contributing to a greener and more sustainable urban environment; and,

  Whereas by subsidizing the cost of tree planting, the Backyard Tree Planting Program will provide economic benefits to residents, making it more affordable for them to contribute to the city's green initiatives; and,

  Whereas this partnership supports the Oshawa Strategic Priority Area “Care: Safe & Sustainable Environment” with the goal to manage the impacts on natural assets such as wetlands and waterways and enhance tree canopy;

  Therefore, be it resolved that based on Item CO-25-25 dated June 9, 2025, concerning the extension of the Backyard Tree Planting Program Agreement:

  1. That the Commissioner, Community and Operations Services Department be authorized to execute an agreement with the Region of Durham, participating municipalities and Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (“L.E.A.F.”), in a form and content satisfactory to the Commissioner, of Community and Operations Services Department and the City Solicitor; and,
  2. That $15,000 be recommended for inclusion in Mayor's budget for the years 2026 and 2027 to continue to subsidize costs of the Backyard Tree Planting Program for Oshawa residents.

CO-25-26 - Memorials, Recognizing Unmarked Graves (Ward 4)

• That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  Whereas at the Community and Operations Services Committee meeting of April 24, 2023, Report CO-23-11 dated March 15, 2023 outlining the feasibility of memorializing unmarked graves for Social Service recipients was tabled, and;

  Whereas at its meeting of May 26, 2025, Council referred Report CO-23-11 to staff for an updated report; and,

  Whereas Ontario Regulation 30/11, Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Service Act, 2002, provides that a cemetery operator shall provide a lot and the interment of a Social Service recipient upon receiving written direction from a delivery agent, as defined in the Ontario Works Act, 1997; and,

  Whereas the City of Oshawa receives $1,300 from the delivery agent to provide a service that currently costs approximately $3,275, in accordance with the Fees and Charges By-Law 109-2024, as amended; and,

  Whereas Union Cemetery has provided interments for 102 Social Services recipients; and,

  Whereas fifty-seven (57) of the Social Service interments have been memorialized by the families; and,

  Whereas Union Cemetery has approximately 27,700 interments in total within the 32 acres; and,

  Whereas of the 27,700 interments, approximately sixty (60) to seventy (70) per cent have been memorialized as identified in Report CO-23-11 dated March 15, 2023, leaving thirty (30) to forty (40) per cent unmarked; and,

  Whereas the memorialization of interments is a decision made by the Interment Rights Holder(s) who may have various reasons for not memorializing; and,

  Whereas to staff’s knowledge, no other cemetery operator provides complimentary memorials for Social Service recipient interments; and,

  Whereas to staff’s knowledge, Union Cemetery is the only cemetery in the Region of Durham that offers an online interactive map, allowing users to search for and locate decedents within the cemetery,

  Therefore be it resolved that based on Item CO-25-26 dated June 9, 2025, Union Cemetery continue to recognize all decedents, whether the grave is marked or not, through the online interactive map only.

CO-25-27 - Snow and Ice Clearing on all Park Pathways and Park Parking Lots (All Wards)

• That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That Report CO-25-27 dated June 4, 2025, concerning snow clearing on all park pathways and park parking lots be received for information.

CO-25-29- Veteran's Walks (Ward 4)

• That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  Whereas pursuant to Item CO-25-16 dated April 28, 2025, City Council directed staff, in consultation with the representatives from Oshawa’s Veterans’ organizations used to determine Veteran Street Names, to investigate and explore a suitable "Veterans Crosswalk" design to be placed in an appropriate location (or locations) adjacent to Memorial Park; and,

  Whereas Memorial Park is located within an area bounded at four (4) intersections by Regional Roads; and,

  Whereas the Region of Durham (“Region”) denied the City’s request for approval to install a Veterans Crosswalk at these intersections; and,

  Whereas the Region cited concerns with maintaining consistent pavement markings and the long-term maintenance requirements; and,

  Whereas as a result of the Region denying this request, City staff have explored and considered alternative solutions within Memorial Park; and,

  Whereas City staff have now determined and are recommending the installation of multiple stenciled maple leaves through the north south crossing of Simcoe St and John St as well as the north south crossing of Metcalf St and Simcoe, with accompanying signage that would honour the nation’s Veterans; and,

  Whereas staff are waiting for the Region to approve the stenciled leaf installation proposal; and,

  Whereas City staff have coordinated with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 and the Region of Durham regarding the proposed design; and,

  Whereas the estimated cost for the design and graphic installation can be funded by the Parks and Roads 2025 Operating Budget;

  Therefore, be it resolved that based on Item CO-25-29 dated June 9, 2025, concerning the veterans sidewalk:

  1. That subject to Regional approval staff be authorized to install multiple stenciled maple leaves through the north south crossing of Simcoe St and John St as well as the north south crossing of Metcalf St and Simcoe St, with the accompanying signage honouring the nation’s Veterans at Memorial Park; and,
  2. That Regional approval is denied, staff be authorized to install multiple stenciled leaves on municipal sidewalk surrounding and within Memorial Park.

CO-25-30 - Community and Operations Services Committee Outstanding Items Status Report - Second Quarter 2025 (All Wards)

• That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That Report CO-25-30, dated June 4, 2025 being the Community and Operations Services Committee’s Outstanding Items List Status Report for the second quarter of 2025, be received for information. 

Public Discussion Agenda

Matters Excluded from the Consent Agenda

CO-25-32 - Correspondence submitted by Noah Edwards concerning a Request to add Obstructed Number Plates as a Parking Violation (All Wards)

• Moved by Councillor Chapman

  That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  Whereas City of Oshawa’s Legal team has stated there is no provision or regulation in the Highway Traffic Act that would delegate enforcement of Section 13 to lower-tier municipalities and their enforcement teams;

  Therefore, be it resolved that based on Correspondence CO-25-32 submitted by Noah Edwards concerning a Request to add Obstructed Number Plates as a Parking Violation:

  1. That Correspondence CO-25-32 be received for information; and, 
  2. That Noah Edwards be so advised. 
  Carried

Items Introduced by Council Members

CO-25-33 - Request to Install larger Stop Sign and Traffic Calming Bollards  (Ward 1) 

• Moved by Councillor Neal

  That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That a larger Stop Signs be installed at the corner of Askew Court and Ormond Drive; and ,

  That traffic calming bollards be installed on Ormond Drive both north and south of Coldstream Drive.
• Moved by Councillor Chapman

  That the Community and Operations Services Committee recommend to City Council:

  That based on Item CO-25-33 concerning a request to install larger Stop Sign and Traffic Calming Bollards, the following be referred to staff for a report:

  "That a larger Stop Signs be installed at the corner of Askew Court and Ormond Drive; and,

  That traffic calming bollards be installed on Ormond Drive both north and south of Coldstream Drive."

  Carried

Items Pulled from the Information Package

None

Closed Consent Agenda

Closed Correspondence with recommendations

None

Closed Staff Reports/Motions with recommendations

None

Closed Discussion Agenda

Matters Excluded from the Consent Agenda

None

Items Requiring Direction

None

Matters Tabled

None

Adjournment

• Moved by Councillor Chapman

  That the meeting adjourn at 9:47 a.m.

  Carried