Ajax General Government Committee Meeting

Ajax's General Government Committee focused on long-term financial planning, including a financial sustainability plan built around a 10-year capital program of nearly $740 million. Members also approved the preferred concept for the Ajax Community Centre renovation and a detailed design contract, reviewed stormwater planning, received updates on the Housing Accelerator Fund and the winter warming centre, and approved renaming St. Francis Centre to Ajax Centre for the Arts.

Topics Discussed

1. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Committee reviewed an update to the Financial Sustainability Plan, which staff described as "a key part of the town's financial framework providing a long-term view to support our decisions on infrastructure services and growth and how budgets are funded."

Consultants said the town's 10-year gross capital program totals just under $740 million from 2025 to 2034. Hemson's Christopher Blet told committee, "Quite an extensive amount of capital," adding that "significant increases in spending are needed in order to maintain those levels of service."

The discussion centered on how Ajax would fund that program through taxes, reserves and debt financing. Hemson's Andrew Mirabella said the forecast recognizes "a level of tax increases" and that "infrastructure reserves and debt financing are critical tools here." Kevin Douglas added, "We really need to achieve sustainable annual funding contributions through an infrastructure levy as well as a combination of investment income returns."

Mayor Collier questioned relying on uncertain future revenues, saying, "I don't expect we'll see anything from Alexon for probably close to a decade. And the casino, I mean, who knows?"

2. POLICY CHANGES LINKED TO THE FINANCIAL PLAN

Staff also brought forward policy changes tied to reserves, debt, assessment growth and land sale proceeds.

The mayor proposed amendments including: - creating an investment reserve funded by realized investment revenue above 5%, up to $5 million, - capping annual assessment growth allocation at 75%, with amounts above that directed to the asset management reserve, - keeping a revised reserve spending cap at 70% or $23.5 million, whichever is less, - transferring $8 million in the CI Reserve to the strategic initiatives reserve if it is not already allocated.

One councillor asked whether the existing $8 million balance was already committed: "Why aren't we transferring the $8 million balance is already in there as well? Is that already allocated?"

Rather than adopt the package as presented, committee directed staff to revise the policies and return in June.

3. AJAX COMMUNITY CENTRE RENOVATION

Committee approved the preferred concept plan for the Ajax Community Centre renovation and authorized the project to move into detailed design. Staff said the master plan is being completed through the municipal class environmental assessment process and that approval of the concept allows schedule B work to proceed to detailed design.

The preferred concept includes a west expansion, accessibility improvements, a warm water pool, expanded gym space, pickleball courts, a walking track, fitness and seniors' spaces, and parking changes. Councillor Wei said the west expansion option was "overwhelmingly" preferred by stakeholders and committee members who reviewed it.

Staff said the building's layout reflects several generations of additions, creating accessibility challenges. One presentation noted there is "a great variety even in the ground floor of being at zero all the way up to 1.4 where the banquet hall is and down to minus .7m." C. Tyler Warren confirmed, "The four ice pads are not moving. Correct."

Committee members also raised questions about cost and timing. Director Meredith said council would eventually receive not just capital estimates but also "a business case" covering operating impacts, revenue opportunities and staffing. A later motion awarded the detailed design contract to Diamond Schmitt Architects for $2,861,160 inclusive of taxes.

4. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MASTER PLAN

Committee received an update on the Stormwater Management Master Plan. Megan Dustin said the study is being completed under the municipal class environmental assessment and that schedule B projects can proceed after the master plan is finished.

Consultants said 62.3% of Ajax's urban area currently lacks water quality or quantity control. The plan identifies five new end-of-pipe facilities intended to improve water quality. Staff said the town maintains about 50 stormwater ponds and is assessing future costs, maintenance priorities and low-impact development opportunities.

Discussion also touched on pond maintenance and sediment buildup. Staff explained that dredging is driven by "volume of sediment relative to the permanent pool volume," and that over time a pond can reach a point where it is no longer meeting its water quality function.

5. COMMUNITY SERVICES, HOUSING AND OTHER CORPORATE ITEMS

Committee also discussed several other reports:

• Housing Accelerator Fund update: Staff said three positions funded through the program are expected to continue through the end of 2027, at an approximate cost of $764,000. Staff also reported that $1.44 million has been spent to date on the Pickering Village project, including consultant support for the public-private partnership process.
• Winter warming centre: Councillor Henry said Town Hall's use as a winter warming centre was "a band-aid emergency solution" and asked what would be put in place for next winter because "this is not the answer to the problem for folks being out on the street."
• Lean initiative: Staff said they are developing a program to provide more information on daily work and how staff are using lean tools, and are measuring performance "on a day-to-day basis."
• St. Francis Centre rebranding: Committee approved renaming St. Francis Centre to Ajax Centre for the Arts and received information on anniversary programming.

Motions

Passed

• Financial Sustainability Plan policy revision direction — Staff directed to revise policies based on committee recommendations and return in June.
• ACC Master Plan Renovation Concept Plan / Detailed Design Authorization — Preferred concept approved and authority granted to proceed to detailed design.
• Detailed Design Contract for ACC Renovation Project (OES-2026-10) — Contract awarded to Diamond Schmitt Architects for $2,861,160 inclusive of taxes.
• Accommodation Upgrade Project - Phase 3 (OES-2026-09 / RFT T26036) — Contract award approved.
• Parking Lot Reconstruction (OES-2026-08 / Contract T26038MCC) — Approved.
• St. Francis Centre Renaming — Approved renaming to Ajax Centre for the Arts.

Received for Information

• Financial Sustainability Plan Update / Hemson presentation
• Stormwater Management Master Plan Update (PBS-2026-14)
• Lean Initiative Update
• Housing Accelerator Fund Update (PSA-2026-09)
• Winter Warming Town Hall Update (PSA-20226-10)
• 2025 Annual Investment Report
• St. Francis Centre 15th Anniversary Programming

To Return

• Revised financial policies / land disposition bylaw — Staff to return in June.
• Further infrastructure levy discussion — Additional information to come back at a future meeting.

Attendees

The source notes do not include a full attendance record. Members specifically identified in the discussion were:

• Mayor Collier
• Councillor Henry
• Councillor Bower
• Councillor Tyler Warren
• Councillor Crawford
• Councillor Mort

Staff and presenters specifically identified included: - Christopher Blet, Hemson Consulting Limited - Andrew Mirabella, Hemson Consulting Limited - Kevin Douglas - Dave Meredith - Jackson Christian - Megan Dustin - CEO Baker - Director Romanowski