City Council meeting overview package for August 24, 2026

• Receiving for information an alternative fuel study for transit vehicles and deferring until the 2026-2030 Council term consideration of recommendations for the introduction of hybrid diesel-electric buses and battery-electric buses for the Peterborough Transit fleet;
• The Peterborough Housing Corporation 2024/25 Annual Report and the Peterborough Housing Corporation audited financial statements for 2024 and 2025;
• Endorsing the Community Safety and Well-being Plan 2026-2030;
• Delegating authority to the Commissioner of Community Services and their delegates with respect to animal care and welfare support operations at the Riverview Park and Zoo, within the City Council-approved budget, to maintain compliance with Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums governance requirements;
• Improvements to Park Street North between Sherbrooke Street and Wolseley Street, including reducing the speed limit, pavement marking changes, and adding bike lanes to a section;
• Awarding the RFP for Integrity Commissioner Services to David Boghosian of Boghosian & Allen LLP for a four-year term ending December 31, 2030 with an option for up to an additional three years, and a recommendation to extend the appointment of John Ewart of Ewart O'Dwyer as Integrity Commissioner for a term expiring December 31, 2030 with an option for up to an additional three years;
• An information report on the City of Peterborough's fleet replacement reserve strategy for municipal operations;
• Submitting a formal request that Transport Canada provide written confirmation that it agrees with NAV CANADA's Aeronautical Study for Air Traffic Services at Peterborough Regional Airport and that NAV CANADA provide an implementation plan;
• Providing $25,000 to One City Community Development Services to deliver an eight-week Community Stewardship - Clean Streets pilot program cleaning initiative in the vicinity of the One City shelter and downtown areas;
• A notice of motion on licensing to direct staff to report back to Council on options to prohibit, outside of Strategic Growth Areas, the separate rental of more than one bedroom within a dwelling unit, except within legally established self-contained residential units or additional residential units that comply with applicable requirements and that the report identify any legal limitations on the City's authority and recommend the strongest legally defensible zoning, licensing and enforcement measures available; and that staff also report on whether, as an alternative to restricting room-by-room rentals, rentals above an appropriate threshold could be subject to enhanced licensing, inspection, property-management and safety requirements, including increased cost-recovery fees and escalating penalties for non-compliance;
• A notice of motion on City security to direct staff to report back to Council for the 2027 budget on options to improve safety and enforcement in City parks and facilities;
• A notice of motion that the City support the Auto Mayors Caucus' continued efforts to highlight the automotive sector's local economic impact, including jobs, supply chains, and community stability, while supporting the automotive ecosystem through business retention and economic development efforts;
• Report of closed session - that staff be directed to proceed as outlined in closed session report of the Commissioner, Legislative Services, regarding a potential land acquisition; and
• Report of closed session - that staff be directed to proceed as outlined in closed session report of the Commissioner, Finance and Corporate Support Services, respecting a naming right.

Transit vehicle alternative fuel study

Council endorsed receiving for information an alternative fuel study for transit vehicles and deferring until the 2026-2030 Council term consideration of recommendations for the introduction of hybrid diesel-electric buses and battery-electric buses for the Peterborough Transit fleet.

Council endorsed deferring the following recommendations until the next Council term:

• That hybrid diesel-electric buses be used as an interim technology alongside battery-electric buses until advances in batter technology support rapid charging;
• That battery-electric buses be selected as the preferred alternative fuel type for future fleet purchases to decarbonize corporate greenhouse gas emissions;
• A two-vehicle battery-electric bus pilot be planned and included for consideration in the 2030 Capital Budget or after completion of the new Transit Garage to gather real world data on battery-electric bus handling capabilities and operational costs; and
• That subject to available budgets, the future Monaghan Transit Garage be arranged to be battery-electric-bus ready by incorporating necessary features.

The Alternative Fuel Study completed by Arcadis assessed battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas, hybrid, and diesel bus technologies to determine the most feasible pathway to reduce Peterborough Transit fleet emissions and support the City’s corporate net-zero GHG target by 2050.

Battery-electric buses (BEB) are recommended as the preferred long-term alternative fuel technology because they provide the greatest projected GHG reduction potential, with an all-BEB fleet estimated to reduce emissions by approximately 46.2% by 2050 compared to diesel.

The primary challenge of an all-BEB fleet is the time required to refuel buses at rates that will not degrade and age the battery. With the aim to preserve battery longevity and health, charging rates are capped which results in some buses taking longer to fully recharge before the next morning dispatch. To address this issue, Peterborough Transit would need an additional seven buses to ensure fleet operability with an all-BEB fleet.

The total capital and operating costs for the current diesel-fueled transit fleet through 2050 is projected to be $307.07 million, while the cost for a batter-electric bus fleet for the same period is projected to be $324.82 million.

The preferred battery-electric-bus-and-hybrid-diesel-electric-bus fleet composition identified in the Study is estimated to have a total cost of ownership of $321.75 million by 2050.

Peterborough Housing Corporation annual report

Council endorsed the Peterborough Housing Corporation 2024/25 Annual Report and the Peterborough Housing Corporation audited financial statements for 2024 and 2025.

Peterborough Housing Corporation operates as a separate corporation where the City is the sole shareholder.

Council endorsed the following documents:

• The Peterborough Housing Corporation 2024/25 Annual Report
• The Peterborough Housing Corporation 2024 and 2025 Audited Financial Statements

Community Safety and Well-being Plan

Council endorsed the Community Safety and Well-being Plan 2026-2030.

The Plan will be submitted to the Solicitor General of Ontario to meet requirements under the Safer Ontario Act. The Safer Ontario Act requires municipalities to renew their Community Safety and Well-being Plan (CSWB Plan) every four years. The Peterborough CSWB Plan was due for renewal in July 2026.

The Priority Areas identified in the proposed CSWB Plan include:

• Inclusion & Belonging
• Housing & Homelessness
• Poverty & Income Security
• Healthcare & Mental Health
• Substance Use & Addictions
• Children, Youth & Families
• Public Safety
• Active Transportation

Riverview Park and Zoo animal care authority

Council endorsed delegating authority to the Commissioner of Community Services and their delegates with respect to animal care and welfare support operations at the Riverview Park and Zoo (RPZ), within the City Council-approved budget, to maintain compliance with Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) governance requirements.

Operational decisions affecting animal care and welfare at the RPZ, including animal collection, veterinary care, animal transfers, enrichment, emergency response, and other daily management decisions (Animal Care Decisions), must be made by the institution's qualified animal care professionals to meet the regulatory requirements and standards under the CAZA accreditation program.

CAZA accreditation demonstrates that a zoo meets recognized Canadian standards for animal welfare, professional operations, conservation, education, safety, and governance. It provides independent assurance that the facility is accountable to established professional standards and supports responsible animal stewardship, public safety, and conservation-focused operations. Accreditation also strengthens credibility with visitors, municipal partners, funders, and other institutions, while enabling participation in collaborative conservation, research, and animal management programs.

The RPZ is a longstanding member of CAZA. CAZA is an organization founded in 1975 that is dedicated to setting and upholding the highest standards in animal welfare, veterinary care, ethical conservation, and scientific research. CAZA represents over 30 leading zoological parks, aquariums, museums, and science centres across Canada.

Park Street North improvements

Council endorsed improvements to Park Street North between Sherbrooke Street and Wolseley Street, including reducing the speed limit, changes to on-street parking, new pavement markings, and adding bike lanes to a section.

For the section of Park Street North from Wolsely Street to Charlotte Street, the recommended changes include:

• Introducing bike lanes with a painted buffer
• Reducing posted speeds to 40 kilometres per hour
• Restricting on-street parking
• Improving pedestrian comfort through added separation from vehicles

For the section of Park Street North from Charlotte Street to Sherbrooke Street, the recommended direction includes:

• Maintaining on-street parking
• Pavement markings to visually designate space
• Reducing the posted speed to 30 kilometres per hour

The recommended improvements serve to enhance safety and mobility for all modes of travel along a key corridor in the city’s central area. Dedicated space for people on bikes along the corridor will gently narrow lane widths and buffer curbside pedestrian activities from moving vehicles. Vehicle flow and volumes will be maintained, while vehicle speeds will be mitigated through the design elements and posted speed reductions.

Fleet replacement reserve strategy

Council endorsed receiving an information report on the City of Peterborough's fleet replacement reserve strategy for municipal operations.

The reserve strategy includes all City departments except for Fire and Police Services which are funded and managed separately. The plan is based on a rolling 10-year forecast that sets out the timing and future costs for fleet replacement that optimizes asset value, minimizes overall costs and ensures the appropriate assets are available when needed to meet service level needs.

The average per resident annual investment based on available Asset Management Plans to maintain the fleet as reporting in this table is approximately $85 per resident. Peterborough’s reported investment is $55 per resident which includes an allowance for grant funding. The direct tax and rate supported investment for the City is $33 per resident which represents the sustainable funding contribution where future grant contributions may not necessarily be sustained.

The 2026 approved budget for reserve contributions for Public Works fleet was $2.1 million and for Transit was $700,000 for a total contribution of $2.8 million. Grant funding for Transit fleet replacement was $550,000 for the same year.

When considering the average per resident investment of $85, Peterborough’s estimated annual fleet investment should be approaching $7.1 million based on 2021 population or $8.5 million for an estimated 2026 population of 100,461 persons, and a 2036 target of $9.4 million.

There are significant cost pressures being experienced in the public works and transit fleet replacement forecasts and past funding models were not designed to incorporate significant cost pressures that have been experienced in the past 10 years.

The report provides background information on fleet management and future funding needs that may impact fleet composition, which will help inform the 2027 Budget deliberations.

Aeronautical study for air traffic services

Council endorsed submitting a formal request that Transport Canada provide written confirmation that it agrees with NAV CANADA's Aeronautical Study for Air Traffic Services at Peterborough Regional Airport and that NAV CANADA provide an implementation plan.

NAV CANADA initiated its Aeronautical Study in 2023, followed by a series of stakeholder consultations in 2024. The assessment concluded on March 31, 2025, with proposed service changes advanced to Transport Canada for regulatory review. 

The City has been advised that Transport Canada has completed its regulatory review; however, formal written confirmation has not yet been received. The next step is a coordinated implementation plan that identifies responsibilities, interim risk-mitigation measures, key milestones, and a target in-service date.

The City has since been advised that an enhanced on-site air traffic service is considered necessary and is engaging with NAV CANADA regarding next steps. NAV CANADA is responsible for developing the implementation schedule in coordination with Transport Canada, and the Airport.

Peterborough Regional Airport has entered a new stage of growth and operational maturity, supported by expanding flight-training activity and its broader role as an aviation and aerospace hub serving Peterborough and the eastern Greater Toronto Area.

Aircraft movements increased by approximately 30% over the most recent rolling 12-month period, and annual activity is projected to exceed 80,000 movements as the new flight-training program becomes fully established. This growth supports aviation employment, business expansion, and the City’s broader regional economic-development objectives.

Peterborough Regional Airport is a municipally owned regional aviation and aerospace asset serving aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, flight training and education, charter, corporate, emergency, and general aviation activities. The Airport is home to more than 20 aviation and aerospace-related businesses and supports more than 550 direct jobs in the local economy. 

In 2025, Peterborough Regional Airport recorded 57,641 aircraft movements, representing the combined number of takeoff and landings. Over the past 10 years, the Airport has averaged approximately 50,000 movements annually.

One City Clean Team initiative

Council endorsed providing $25,000 to One City Community Development Services to deliver an eight-week Community Stewardship - Clean Streets pilot program cleaning initiative in the vicinity of the One City shelter and downtown areas.

The pilot program will be funded from existing funding for waste collection and operations.

The City continues to explore approaches to address the impacts of homelessness on neighbourhoods and public spaces while strengthening relationships among people experiencing homelessness, residents, businesses, service organizations and the broader community.

The One City Clean Team initiative would create opportunities for individuals facing barriers to traditional employment, including people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to contribute directly to the betterment of the neighborhoods and public spaces where they live, spend time and connect with community”. Through visible, supervised work, participants would play an active role in creating cleaner, safer, and more welcoming shared spaces while building positive connections with residents, businesses and community organizations.

Staff propose an eight-week pilot in fall 2026 focused initially on the blocks surrounding the Trinity building and the downtown area bounded by Hunter Street, Charlotte Street, Park Street and Water Street. The City investment of $25,000 would seed the program and confirm the stewardship model. Based on the results, Staff would return to Council in early 2027 with recommendations regarding next steps, including opportunities to expand the model into other identified areas of need through financial participation from businesses, community organizations and other partners.

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