Safety and Facilities Services Committee

Minutes

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Council Chamber
Present:
  • Councillor Kerr
  • Councillor Lee
  • Councillor Marks
  • Councillor McConkey
  • Mayor Carter
Absent:
  • Councillor Nicholson
Also Present:
  • A. Grant, Commissioner, Safety and Facilities Services
  • L. Davis, Deputy City Clerk
  • K. Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator
  • J. Kelloway, Council-Committee Coordinator
  • S. Prodenzino, Council-Committee Coordinator

Public Meeting

 

Councillor Kerr, Vice Chair called the meeting to order and stated that all members of the Committee were participating from the Chamber except Councillor Nicholson who was absent.

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

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the delegation of Fang Ming Zhao be added to the agenda.

    Carried

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

 

None

Presentations

 

None

Delegations

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the delegation of Fang Ming Zhao be heard.

    Carried

Fang Ming Zhao - Correspondence SF-25-52

 

Fang Ming Zhao addressed the Safety and Facilities Services Committee related to Correspondence SF-25-52 requesting to Amend the Fireworks By-law 59-2014.

Members of Council questioned Fang Ming Zhao.

Referrals from Council

 

None

Reports from Advisory Committees

 

None

Items Requiring Direction

 

SF-25-52 - Correspondence submitted by Fang Ming Zhao concerning a Request to Amend the Fireworks By-law 59-2014 (All Wards)

This item has attachments. 
1.CORR_SF-25-52(1).pdf
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the Safety and Facilities Services Committee recommend to City Council:

    That Correspondence SF-25-52 from Fang Ming Zhao dated October 24, 2025 be received for information.

  • Moved byCouncillor McConkey

    That the Safety and Facilities Services Committee recommend to City Council:

    That Correspondence SF-25-52 from Fang Ming Zhao dated October 24, 2025 be referred to staff to report back in the Second Quarter of 2026 giving consideration of comments and requests of the delegation and questions from the Committee.  

    Affirmative (3)Councillor Kerr, Councillor McConkey, and Councillor Lee
    Negative (2)Mayor Carter, and Councillor Marks
    Absent (1)Councillor Nicholson
    Carried (3 to 2)

Public Consent Agenda

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That all items listed under the heading of Public Consent Agenda for the November 10, 2025 Safety and Facilities Services Committee meeting be adopted as recommended except Items SF-25-54 and SF-25-55.

    Carried

Correspondence with Recommendations

 

Staff Reports/Motions with Recommendations

 

SF-25-53 - Fire Pals Oshawa (All Wards)

This item has attachments. 
1.REPORT_SF-25-53.pdf

  • That the Safety and Facilities Services Committee recommend to City Council:

    That Report SF-25-53, dated November 5, 2025, concerning the enhancement of Fire Pals Oshawa be received for information.

Public Discussion Agenda

 

Matters Excluded from Consent Agenda

 

SF-25-54 - Enhancing Compliance with Municipal Zoning By-laws through the Inclusion of Administrative Penalties in the Planning Act, RSO. 1990, c. P.13 (All Ward

 
  • Moved byCouncillor McConkey

    That the Safety and Facilities Services Committee recommend to City Council:

    Whereas Zoning By-law 60-94, as amended, is a City of Oshawa (“City”) by-law to regulate on a City-wide basis the use of lands, buildings and structures, passed pursuant to Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13 (“Planning Act”); and, 

    Whereas currently the Planning Act provides for a singular enforcement mechanism for contraventions of municipalities’ respective zoning By-laws, requiring charges be laid and convicted under the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.33 (“Provincial Offences Act”), with fines not exceeding $25,000 for persons and $50,000 for corporations, and convictions required for orders of prohibition; and, 

    Whereas during the course of municipal benchmarking and ongoing review of legislation and City By-laws, staff have identified an opportunity within the Planning Act to enhance compliance with municipal zoning By-laws through the establishment of Administrative Penalties as an additional compliance tool to augment Provincial Offences Act fines; and,

    Whereas the establishment of Administrative Penalties in the Planning Act would enable municipalities to more effectively and efficiently ensure compliance with their zoning By-laws as they are proven to promote compliance and deterrence, enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, create flexibility and proportionality while ensuring accessibility and transparency in By-laws in which they are established; 

    Therefore be it resolved that based on Report SF-25-54, dated November 10, 2025 the Province of Ontario be requested to amend the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13 to establish Administrative Penalties as an additional enforcement tool for Municipalities to ensure compliance with their zoning By-laws.

    Carried

SF-25-55 - Investigation of Off-Leash Dog Park in Southern Part of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area (Ward 1)

 
  • Moved byCouncillor McConkey

    That the Safety and Facilities Committee recommend to City Council:

    Whereas through Report CS-21-56, Council directed staff to investigate an off-leash dog park and public consultation within the southern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area; and,

    Whereas staff have reviewed the available land within the southern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area and determined that from the allocated Parkette land identified as part of the development there are currently no suitable opportunities due to the limited size and configuration of the allocated open space; and,

    Whereas the development continues to progress in the northern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area, there may be opportunities to explore an appropriate location for an off-leash dog park that meets the City’s Guidelines for Design and Placement of Off-Leash Areas; and,

    Whereas staff will continue to monitor the advancement of development in the northern portion and identify potential sites for future consideration; and,

    Whereas any future proposal for an off-leash dog park will require evaluation of suitable open space/parkland to comply with the City’s guidelines;

    Therefore be it resolved that based on Item SF-25-55 dated November 10, 2025, staff be directed to continue investigating potential opportunities for a fenced in off-leash dog park to be included in a Kedron Part II Neighbourhood Park and not in a Parkette or not in the planned Community Park of the Kedron Part II Planning Area as development advances, and report back to Safety and Facilities Committee with recommendations, including public consultation results and a review of staffing and operational implications as required.

  • Amendment:
    Moved byCouncillor Lee

    That the motion be amended to remove: "or not in the planned Community Park".

  • Moved byCouncillor Lee

    That the amendment to the motion to remove: "or not in the planned Community Park" be withdrawn.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor McConkey

    That the motion concerning a fenced in Off-Leash Dog Park be withdrawn.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor McConkey

    That Item SF-25-55 be referred to staff to provide a map showing shape and location of all parks in Kedron Part II.

    Affirmative (1)Councillor McConkey
    Negative (4)Mayor Carter, Councillor Kerr, Councillor Marks, and Councillor Lee
    Absent (1)Councillor Nicholson
    Lost (1 to 4)
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the Safety and Facilities Committee recommend to City Council:

    Whereas through Report CS-21-56, Council directed staff to investigate an off-leash dog park and public consultation within the southern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area; and,

    Whereas staff have reviewed the available land within the southern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area and determined that from the allocated Parkette land identified as part of the development there are currently no suitable opportunities due to the limited size and configuration of the allocated open space; and,

    Whereas the development continues to progress in the northern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area, there may be opportunities to explore an appropriate location for an off-leash dog park that meets the City’s Guidelines for Design and Placement of Off-Leash Areas; and,

    Whereas staff will continue to monitor the advancement of development in the northern portion and identify potential sites for future consideration; and,

    Whereas any future proposal for an off-leash dog park will require evaluation of suitable open space/parkland to comply with the City’s guidelines;

    Therefore be it resolved that based on Item SF-25-55 dated November 10, 2025, staff be directed to continue investigating potential opportunities for an off-leash dog park in the northern portion of the Kedron Part 2 Planning Area as development advances, and report back to Safety and Facilities Committee with recommendations, including public consultation results and a review of staffing and operational implications as required.

    Carried

Items Introduced by Council Members

 

SF-25-56 - Investigate practices used by other Municipalities when Naming and Renaming Municipal Facilities

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the Safety and Facilities Committee recommend to City Council:

    Whereas City facilities are an important part of the community fabric, and their names reflect Oshawa’s history, geography, and recognition of individuals, communities, and organizations of significance; and

    Whereas the City’s Naming/Renaming Policy (GOV-09-01) establishes the criteria and process for naming City facilities, including public notification and comment following Council discussion of proposed names; and

    Whereas in recent naming reports, Council’s discussion has noted that the public consultation portion of the policy should be reviewed to ensure it meets current expectations and best practices; and

    Whereas public consultation practices vary across municipalities in Ontario, with some undertaking broader or earlier engagement processes when naming or renaming facilities; and

    Whereas benchmarking against other municipalities may identify best practices or opportunities to enhance community engagement within Oshawa’s naming process;

    Therefore be it resolved, that staff be directed to research and benchmark public consultation practices related to naming and renaming municipal facilities in other municipalities, and report back to Safety and Facilities Committee in fourth quarter of 2026.

    Carried

Items Pulled from the Information Package

 

None

Closed Consent Agenda

 

Closed Discussion Agenda

 

Matters Tabled

 

None

Adjournment

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Marks

    That the meeting adjourn at 2:53

    Carried
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