Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

Thursday, March 24, 2022

9:00 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• W. Emmerson, 
• M. Bevilacqua, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• R. Grossi, 
• V. Hackson, 
• D. Hamilton, 
• J. Heath, 
• L. Jackson, 
• J. Jones, 
• J. Li, 
• I. Lovatt, 
• T. Mrakas, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• C. Perrelli, 
• M. Quirk, 
• G. Rosati, 
• F. Scarpitti, 
• J. Taylor, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West

Staff:

• D. Basso, 
• A-M. Carroll, 
• K. Chislett, 
• P. Freeman, 
• D. Kuzmyk, 
• B. Macgregor, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• Dr. B. Pakes, 
• C. Raynor, 
• K. Strueby, 
• and M.F. Turner

---

A.

Call to Order

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and made the following remarks:

“We acknowledge the land we are meeting on today is the traditional territory of many First Nations, including the Chippewas of Georgina Island and the Mississaugas of the Credit.

These lands are now home to many diverse Indigenous peoples.

We also acknowledge that York Region falls under Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties with several Mississauga and Chippewas First Nations.”

B.

Disclosures of Interest

None

C.

Statutory Public Meeting

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that a Statutory Public Meeting is being held as required pursuant to the Development Charges Act, 1997. The purpose of this meeting is for Regional Council to consider a proposed Development Charges Bylaw for the imposition of development charges against all lands, with the exception of those wastewater charges in the Village of Nobleton, under Bylaw 2021-34. 

C.1

Presentation - Draft 2022 Development Charges Bylaw and Background Study

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the presentation by Craig Binning, Hemson Consulting.

  Carried

C.2

Deputations

C.2.1

Elaine Walsh and Michelle Hambly, Hill House Hospice

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor West

  That Council receive the deputation by Elaine Walsh and Michelle Hambly, Hill House Hospice and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.2.2

Matthew Cory, on behalf of East Gwillimbury Whitebelt Landowners Group

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the deputation by Matthew Cory, on behalf of East Gwillimbury Whitebelt Landowners Group and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.2.3

Rob Howe and Randy Grimes on behalf of The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council receive the deputation by Rob Howe and Randy Grimes on behalf of The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.2.4

Councillor Debbie Schaefer, King Township, Ward 5

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Mayor Taylor

  That Council receive the deputation by Ward 5 Councillor Debbie Schaefer, King Township and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.2.5

Susan Sheard, York Region resident

• Moved by Mayor Quirk
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council receive the deputation by Susan Sheard, York Region resident and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.3

Communications

C.3.1

Susan Lloyd Swail, York Region resident dated March 23, 2022

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council receive the communication from Susan Lloyd Swail, York Region resident dated March 23, 2022 and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.3.2

Claire Malcolmson, Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition dated March 23, 2022

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council receive the communication from Claire Malcolmson, Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition dated March 23, 2022 and refer it to staff.

  Carried

C.3.3

Kimberly Beckman, Davies Howe on behalf of various landowners

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council receive the communication from Kimberly Beckman, Davies Howe on behalf of various landowners and refer it to staff.

  Carried

D.

Minutes of Council

D.1

Council Meeting held on February 24, 2022

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on February 24, 2022.

  Carried

E.

Presentations

None

F.

Deputations

None

F.1

Lifting of COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

  That Council receive the deputation by Katherine Grzejszczak, CUPE 905.

  Carried

G.

Communications

G.1

2022 - Year of the Garden

• Moved by Mayor West
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council receive the correspondence from Yolanda Melburn, Deputy Clerk, Township of Alnwick/Haldimand dated February 23, 2022 and recognize 2022 as the Year of the Garden.

  Carried

G.2

Transportation Master Plan & Development Charges By-Law

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

  That Council receive the correspondence from Irene Ford dated March 4, 2022.

  (See Item H.1 - Committee of the Whole Item D.2)

  Carried

G.3

Financial Impacts of COVID-19

• Moved by Mayor Lovatt
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That Council receive the memorandum from Kelly Strueby, Acting Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated March 22, 2022.

  Carried

H.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

H.1

Committee of the Whole Meeting - March 3, 2022

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on March 2, 2022.

  Carried

H.2

Continuation of Electronic Participation and Resumption of In-Person Council Meetings

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt
  1. That Council endorse the ‘blended’ hybrid option, as outlined in the report dated March 15, 2022 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Regional Clerk, for all Council and Committee of the Whole meetings to potentially commence in May 2022.
  2. That staff be directed to report back to the April 28, 2022 Council meeting with amendments to Procedure Bylaw 2018-59 to facilitate the ‘blended’ hybrid option.
  Carried

H.3

2021 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council and Local Board Appointees

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council adopt the following recommendation in the report dated March 24, 2022 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council receive this report for information.
  Carried

I.

Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

• Moved by Regional Councillor Vegh
  Seconded by Mayor West

  That Council approve and enact the following bylaws:

I.1

2022-08 - 2022 Property Tax Ratios

A bylaw to establish tax ratios and to specify the percentage by which tax rates are to be reduced for prescribed property subclasses for 2022

I.2

2022-09 - 2022 Property Tax Rates

A bylaw to set and levy the rates of taxation for Regional general purposes for the year 2022

I.3

2022-10 - Uniform Water Service Rate

A bylaw to establish charges for the uniform water service rate

I.4

2022-11 - Uniform Wastewater Service Rate

A bylaw to establish charges for the uniform wastewater service rate 

I.5

2022-12 - Amendment to Lane Designation Bylaw

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 2020-53 being a bylaw to designate lanes on Regional roads for the exclusive use of certain classes of vehicles

I.6

2022-14 - Community Safety Zones

A bylaw to designate parts of Regional roads as Community Safety Zones

Carried

J.

Motions

None

K.

Notices of Motion to Reconsider

None

L.

Other Business

L.1

York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Meeting - April 13, 2022

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the start time of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation meeting on April 13, 2022 will be 8 a.m.

L.2

Special Committee of the Whole Meeting - May 12, 2022

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that a Special Committee of the Whole meeting will be scheduled on May 12, 2022 for the Municipal Comprehensive Review.

L.3

Housing York Inc. Board Meeting - May 12, 2022

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that a decision will be made in April regarding whether the Housing York Inc. Board meeting scheduled on May 12, 2022 will be rescheduled or cancelled.

L.4

COVID-19 Update

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Vegh

  That Council receive the update on COVID-19 from Dr. Barry Pakes, York Region Medical Officer of Health.

  Carried

L.5

ClimateWise Business Network 2021 Municipal Energy Strategy Award

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that York Region is the recipient of the ClimateWise Business Network 2021 Municipal Energy Strategy Award, which recognizes York Region’s Energy and Demand Management Plan to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2051.

L.6

International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that March 21, 2022 was International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This United Nations observance calls on governments and citizens around the world to mobilize for equality and dignity and to find concrete ways to fight racism and racial discrimination.

L.7

International Day of Forests

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that March 21, 2022 was International Day of Forests to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of forestry and trees. 

L.8

World Down Syndrome Day

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that March 21, 2022 was World Down Syndrome Day. This global awareness day has been observed by the United Nations since 2021 and advocates for the rights of people with Down Syndrome.

L.9

World Water Day

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that March 22, 2022 was World Water Day, focused on the importance of groundwater as an essential part of our water systems.

L.10

Earth Hour

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that on March 26, 2022 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., York Region will join residents and businesses around the world and turn off all non-essential lights for Earth Hour.

M.

Private Session

• ​​Council resolved into private session at 1:12 p.m. At 1:35 p.m. Council resumed in public session and reported the following:

   

M.1

Organizational Review - Labour Relations and Identifiable Person

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Mayor Taylor

  That Council adopt the confidential recommendations, which will be made public by no later than April 15, 2022.

  On April 6, 2022, the following motion was disclosed publicly:

  That Council approve the appointment of Erin Mahoney as Commissioner of Public Works.

  Carried

M.2

Provincial Employment Services Transformation Update – Labour Relations

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Mayor Taylor

  That Council adopt the confidential recommendations in the private report.

  Carried

N.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor DiPaola

  That Council enact Bylaw No. 2022-13 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on March 24, 2022.

  Carried

O.

Adjournment

The Council meeting adjourned at 1:38 p.m.

                                                           
Regional Clerk

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on April 28, 2022.

 

                                                           
Regional Chair