Ajax Town Council held a virtual meeting focused on labour agreements, event planning at the fairgrounds, and several finance and infrastructure items. Council ratified a three-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 54—“effective April 1st, 2025 to March 31st, 2028”—and approved related compensation changes for other staff groups. Council also approved a site-specific exemption to the municipal alcohol policy for indoor-only World Cup viewing events at the fairgrounds.

A major discussion centred on parking and neighbourhood impacts from a FIFA World Cup tourism kickoff event at the fairgrounds. Director Clarry said attendance is expected to be “upwards to between 500 and 1,000 people,” compared with “approximately 5,000 attendees” at the fairgrounds opening. Council also approved a deferral of $7.7 million in development charges for two rental projects; staff said that amount is “about 90% of the total DCs” collected in 2025. Council received updates on asset management priorities and environmental initiatives, including a 28,500-tree planting program tied to wetland restoration.

Topics Discussed

FIFA World Cup Event and Parking Concerns

Council discussed a FIFA World Cup tourism kickoff event planned at the fairgrounds, with Director Clarry estimating attendance “upwards to between 500 and 1,000 people,” calling it “a good trial run.” Clarry contrasted it with the fairgrounds opening that drew “approximately 5,000 attendees,” and said the town is “not implementing those formal restrictions that we saw the last time.”

Instead of new restrictions, staff said the town will send direct communication letters to neighbouring homes, extend invitations to nearby residents, and encourage walking and cycling. Councillor Henry questioned whether the expected turnout could still overwhelm the area, saying “500 vehicles is still 500 vehicles.” Staff said parking monitors and bylaw officers will patrol and enforce existing rules, including the three-hour limit, and noted the gym space in the facility has been blocked off to reduce parking demand.

Council also approved a site-specific exemption to the municipal alcohol policy to allow indoor-only alcohol service for Canadian World Cup match viewing events on June 18 and June 24, with temporary fencing planned to separate the venue from the children’s play area.

Development Charges Deferral and Financial Impact

Council approved a deferral of $7.7 million in development charges in 2026 for the Medallion and Matrix residential rental projects. In response to a question from Regional Councillor Crawford, staff said the deferral represents “about 90% of the total DCs” collected in 2025. The deferral is structured as six installments beginning at first occupancy and continuing annually for five years.

Council also reviewed year-end financial results, including a $732,000 surplus. Staff pointed to a $2 million WSIB rebate and higher-than-expected tax penalties and interest as key drivers. Council also heard that the town has collected $16.3 million through the infrastructure levy since 2023; Finance Director Julie said the levy “is actually not invested” and is used annually to fund the capital program. Staff also noted the stabilization reserve can be used for weather-related events and must be topped up to about 5% of net revenues under current policy.

Asset Management and Infrastructure Priorities

Council received the 2026 Corporate Asset Management Progress Report identifying $40 million in high-risk assets. Staff said the two largest components are facilities and roads: “approximately half of it is related to facilities… almost 20 million dollars,” and “approximately 10 million would be associated to… the road network,” according to Mr. Meredith. Staff said the Ajax Community Centre is a major driver of the facilities risk profile.

Council also discussed how detailed the town’s asset tracking is. Deputy Mayor Lee asked, “How granular are we with our asset management?” Staff said the municipality tracks components down to $5,000 and is shifting from age-based to condition-based assessments, with remaining inspections expected to be completed within 1–2 years.

Traffic and Parking Bylaw Amendments

Council deferred the traffic bylaw amendments item (File PDS-2026-10) to the next meeting so staff could prepare responses.

Several councillors raised location-specific parking and speeding concerns. Regional Councillor Crawford pressed for a no-parking sign at 11 Coomer Drive, saying, “I have been working on this literally since before the last budget and the last bylaw manager,” and adding, “It’s a matter of a stick and a sign and put it up. That’s it.” Staff responded that the location does not meet safety standards due to spacing between driveways and its position on a bend.

Councillor Henry raised concerns about speeding and school-area safety, including the view that “I feel people should be walking to school as opposed to getting bus to school or driven to school.” Councillor Moran requested no-parking signs on McGill Drive between Sullivan Drive and Domini Drive, citing safety issues on the downhill stretch. Director Romanowski said the parking master plan “is not approved in the budget” and is forecast for 2027, leaving the decision to a future council.

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives

Council received the sixth annual update on environmental sustainability and climate change initiatives. Staff reported wetland restoration work and a large planting program: 28,500 native trees and shrubs across wetland restoration sites through 2026 and into spring 2027. Council also heard updates on energy and emissions trends, EV charger usage growth, and the Mature Tree Conservation Program, which provided rebates to residents for maintenance of privately owned mature trees.

Motions

Passed: - Ratification of three-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 54 (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028) and salary/benefit enhancements for exempt employees, non-union staff, and part-time workers (File CSD 2026-13) - Site-specific exemption to municipal alcohol policy for indoor World Cup viewing events at the fairgrounds (File PSA 2026-06) - 2027 indexing of municipal development charges (File FIN 2026-07) - Deferral of $7.7 million in development charges for Medallion and Matrix residential rental projects (File FIN-2026-06)

Deferred: - Traffic bylaw amendments updating schedules 1, 10, and 22 (File PDS-2026-10) — deferred to next Council meeting

Attendees

• Mayor Collier
• Deputy Mayor Lee
• Regional Councillor Crawford
• Regional Councillor Dies
• Regional Councillor D’Amico (dropped off call during proceedings)
• Councillor Henry
• Councillor Bower
• Councillor Taylor Morin
• Councillor Moran
• Councillor Wheaton