Minutes

Committee of the Whole

-
Council Chambers
17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket
Members:
  • W. Emmerson, 
  • G. Chan, 
  • N. Davison, 
  • S. Del Duca, 
  • J. DiPaola, 
  • M. Ferri, 
  • V. Hackson, 
  • A. Ho, 
  • L. Jackson, 
  • J. Jones, 
  • J. Li, 
  • I. Lovatt, 
  • T. Mrakas, 
  • S. Pellegrini, 
  • M. Quirk, 
  • M. G. Racco, 
  • G. Rosati, 
  • F. Scarpitti, 
  • J. Taylor, 
  • T. Vegh, 
  • and D. West 
Staff:
  • D. Basso, 
  • K. Chislett, 
  • P. Freeman, 
  • D. Kuzmyk, 
  • E. Mahoney, 
  • L. McDowell, 
  • L. Mirabella, 
  • and C. Raynor 

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.

Regional Chair Emmerson made the following remarks:

"We acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land.

We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community."

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Salim Alibhai, Director, Capital Planning & Delivery, Transportation Services, Public Works.

(See Item F.2.1)

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Pina Accardi, Director, Capital Delivery, Water & Wastewater, Public Works.

(See Item G.2.1)

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Lauren Dynes, KLM Planning representing Aurora-Leslie Developments Limited and Messa Properties Inc.

(See Items I.1.3 and I.2.3)

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated April 22, 2024 from Laura McDowell, Commissioner of Public Works.

F.2

 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

  1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report for information to Ontario Ministers of Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Infrastructure, Clerks of the local municipalities, Building Industry and Land Development Association, and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 29, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works and the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council approve the 2024 Corporate Asset Management Plan provided in Attachment 1.
  2. Council approve the updated Corporate Asset Management Policy, outlined in Appendix A, and delegate authority to the Chief Administrative Officer to approve future policy updates.
  3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Ministry of Infrastructure and local municipalities.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Denny Timm, Township Clerk, Township of King dated March 19, 2024.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Stephen Huycke, Director, Legislative Services / City Clerk, City of Richmond Hill dated April 10, 2024.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Chris Gauthier, City Clerk, City of Brantford dated March 28, 2024.

G.2

 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

  1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report for information to the Ontario Ministers of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Municipal Affairs and Housing and Infrastructure, Clerks of the local municipalities, Building Industry and Land Development Association, and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

  1. Council approve the 2024 update to York Region’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (Attachment 1) and associated corporate greenhouse gas emissions targets.
  2. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the local municipalities, Ontario Minister of Energy and the Independent Electricity System Operator Chief Executive Officer for information.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

  1. Council authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to approve matters and execute agreements and other instruments to enable Public Works’ Research and Innovation Program activities and initiatives.
  2. The Regional Solicitor and General Counsel include this delegation of authority in the Delegation Bylaw in the next update to the Delegation Bylaw.
  3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to Clerks of local municipalities.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt and referral to staff the correspondence from Mayor Margaret Quirk and Regional Councillor Naomi Davison, Town of Georgina dated April 4, 2024.

H.2

 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated April 29, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services:

  1. Council approve donation of two decommissioned ambulances to Independent First Nations Alliance Regional Fire Rescue.

Committee of the Whole referred the following recommendations in the report dated April 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services to the May 23, 2024 Regional Council meeting:

  1. Council approve York Region Service Agreement Framework (Attachment 1).
  2. Council authorize Regional staff to negotiate Service Agreements, and any ancillary documents required, with housing providers operating Part VII housing projects under the Housing Services Act, 2011, as they reach the end of mortgages on their buildings, in accordance with Approach for Negotiating York Region Service Agreements (Appendix A).
  3. Council authorize the Commissioner, Community and Health Services to determine, in consultation with the Regional Solicitor, the terms and conditions of Service Agreements, Exit Agreements and any ancillary documents required, in accordance with applicable provincial statutes and regulations.
  4. Council authorize the Commissioner, Community and Health Services to enter into Service Agreements with eligible housing providers, and execute all related documents on business terms satisfactory to the Commissioner and legal terms satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor.
  5. Council authorize the Commissioner, Community and Health Services to enter into Exit Agreements with providers that operate housing projects designated under Part VII and Part VII.1 of the Housing Services Act, 2011 as deemed necessary by the Commissioner, and execute all related documents on business terms satisfactory to the Commissioner and on legal terms satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 30, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services:

  1. Regional Chair write to York Region Members of Provincial Parliament requesting they advocate to the Province of Ontario to:
    1. Establish a sustainable and equitable multi-year funding formula that covers the total cost of operating municipal long-term care homes (including shortfalls met by property taxes, $18.6 million in 2023) and includes a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s ability to contribute to the cost of their care
    2. Provide municipal governments with an option in whether to participate in establishing and maintaining any long-term care home
  2. Regional Clerk circulate this report for information to York Region Members of Provincial Parliament, local municipalities, York Region Human Services Planning Board, Home and Community Care Support Services Central, Ontario Health Teams in York Region, Ontario Health Central Region, AdvantAge Ontario, Ontario Long-Term Care Association, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Todd Coles, City Clerk, City of Vaughan dated April 16, 2024.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Mayor Tom Mrakas, Town of Aurora dated April 30, 2024.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Mark Yarranton, President, KLM Planning dated April 25, 2024.

(See Item I.2.3)

I.2

 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated April 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

  1. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, York Region Members of Provincial Parliament, and local municipalities.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 29, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

  1. Council approve the Town of Aurora Official Plan 2024, subject to modifications outlined in Appendix A.
  2. Director of Development Services be authorized to issue Notice of Decision on the Town of Aurora Official Plan 2024.
  3. Staff be authorized to appear before Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the Region’s decision if requested by the Town of Aurora, and the Regional Solicitor, or designate, be authorized to execute Minutes of Settlement, if appropriate.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated April 23, 2024 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated April 23, 2024 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Monica Beattie, Senior Clerk's Coordinator, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville dated April 16, 2024.

J.2

 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated April 25, 2024 from the Chief Administrative Officer:

  1. Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 29, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council approve the write-off of uncollectible accounts totalling $66,441.78.
  2. Council approve proposed changes to the Collection of Accounts policy in Appendix B.
  3. Direct the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer to include interest on late payments to be charged in accordance with the Region’s Collection of Accounts Policy, in Bylaw 2020-04, the Region’s Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. The New Multi-Residential (Municipal Reduction) property subclass be adopted.
  2. The property tax ratios for the 2024 taxation year be established according to the table referred to in the report.
  3. Regional Solicitor be authorized to prepare a bylaw to implement the above tax ratios and adopt the “New Multi-Residential (Municipal Reduction)” property subclass.
  4. Staff be directed to review property tax discounts for the Vacant and Excess Commercial and Industrial Land subclass and provide a recommendation regarding their continued use as part of the 2025 Tax Policy Report.
  5. Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 18, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Regional property tax rates for 2024 be established according to the table referred to in the report.
  2. Local municipalities pay the final two instalments of their 2024 Regional property tax levy on or before September 27, 2024 and December 13, 2024.
  3. Notional tax rate calculation adjustment be adopted.
  4. Regional Solicitor be authorized to prepare a bylaw to implement the above tax rates.
  5. Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities. 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

  1. Council approve the Commissioner of Corporate Services to make offers of compensation to owners of lands in the Cities of Richmond Hill and Vaughan, as set out in Appendix A, which were acquired in accordance with the Expropriations Act (the Act).

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

  1. Council authorize the disposition of land in the Cities of Markham and Vaughan, as described in Appendix A.
  2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to accept and execute the Agreement of Purchase and Sale with terms set out in Private Attachment 1 and all necessary documents to complete the transaction, in accordance with the Region’s Sale and Other Disposition of Regional Lands Policy.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

  1. Council approve an application for approval to expropriate interests in lands set out in Appendix A, required for the Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project, in the City of Vaughan.
  2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the Application for Approval to Expropriate Land and the Notice of Application for Approval to Expropriate Land (the “Notice”) and to serve and publish the Notice, as required under the Expropriations Act (the “Act”).
  3. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to forward to the Chief Inquiry Officer any requests for an inquiry that are received and to represent the Region, as necessary, at an inquiry (Hearing of Necessity) held under the Act.
  4. Council, as approving authority, approve the expropriation of the lands provided there is no Hearing of Necessity requested and not withdrawn in accordance with the Act.
  5. Where approval to expropriate the land is given, the Commissioner of Corporate Services is authorized to register a plan of expropriation and execute and serve any notices required under the Act.
  6. Where approval to expropriate land is given, Council authorize the introduction of the necessary bylaw to give effect to these recommendations.

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated April 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Commissioner of Public Works:

  1. Council approve acquisition of a portion of land at 4302 Baseline Road in the Town of Georgina, as described in Appendix A.
  2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transaction.
  3. Council approve the increase in the 2024 gross capital expenditure and Capital Spending Authority for Forestry Capital program 72610 York Greening Initiative Land Securement and associated funding sources, as described in Private Attachment 1.

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting held on April 17, 2024.

Committee of the Whole determined the following motion from Regional Councillor Jackson, notice of which was received on May 9, 2024, will be considered at the June 13, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting:

WHEREAS on October 13, 1989, development applications for an Official Plan amendment and Zoning By-law amendment (OP.58.89 and Z.127.89) (collectively, the “Applications”), were filed with the then Town of Vaughan to facilitate the establishment of a residential subdivision on 11641 Dufferin Street and 11490 Bathurst Street (the “Property”);

WHEREAS the Applications predate the Region’s Official Plan; therefore, subject to the Clergy Principle, the Applications need not conform to any version of the current or previous Region Official Plans;

WHEREAS on March 8, 2004, the City Council passed a resolution stating that “the [Applications] are open and are considered “transitional” applications according to the definition under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act/Plan”;

WHEREAS on February 1, 2023, the owner of the Property filed appeals to the OLT due to the City’s failure to make a decision on the Applications (OLT Case No. 23-000254) (the “Appeal”).  Regional Council resolved that the Region shall not participate in this Appeal;

WHEREAS the Region is satisfied that the Appeal before the OLT is valid. In the event there is some procedural concern about the initiation of the proceeding by appeal, to remove any misapprehension about the OLT’s jurisdiction, the Region has been asked to make a referral of the same matter;

WHEREAS no later than April 6, 2023, the Region received the Applications and Appeal;

WHEREAS to date, Regional comments have been completed and there are no outstanding Regional fees in relation to the Applications (respectively, Regional Files Nos. ZBA.23.V.0030 and LOPA.23.V.0017);

WHEREAS the City is supportive of having the matters before the OLT resolved efficiently without any cloud on the OLT’s jurisdiction to do so;

WHEREAS on May 9, 2024, the owner of the Property requested that the Region refer OP.58.89 (Region File No. LOPA.23.V.0017) to the OLT, and be consolidated with the ongoing Appeal.  The owner states the following reasons for the referral:

    1. The City Council has failed to make a decision on the Applications;
    2. The Applications have regard to the matters of Provincial interest set out at section 2 of the Planning Act; 
    3. The Applications are consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement;
    4. The Applications conform to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe;
    5. The Applications comply to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act;
    6. The proposed development will contribute to the overall achievement of the goals and objectives of the Official Plan; 
    7. The Applications would permit a development on the Property which represents good land use planning that is in the public interest; and
    8. Such additional reasons as may be submitted by counsel and permitted by the Tribunal.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

    1. Council hereby refers OP.58.89 to the OLT; and, if necessary, gives retroactive effect to the referral to before the filing of the Appeal.
    2. Council hereby resolves that this referral be dealt with together with the existing Appeal before the OLT.

Regional Chair Emmerson recognized the following observances and days of significance in May:

  • Jewish Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month, and Dutch Heritage Month
  • National Physicians Day and First Responders Day - May 1, 2024 - Recognizes many frontline and emergency workers who dedicate their lives to public service and protection of our health, safety, and well being.
  • National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People (Red Dress Day) - May 5, 2024
  • Emergency Preparedness Week - May 5 to 11, 2024 - An opportunity to increase awareness of the top hazards and risks in our communities and remind residents of the steps they can take to prepare for emergency.
  • National Nursing Week - May 6 to 12, 2024 - An opportunity to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and commitment of nurses across our communities.
  • 55th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week - May 6 to 12, 2024 - Recognizes the vital services performed by Municipal and Deputy Clerks to support the legislative functions of Council.

Committee of the Whole resolved into private session at 11:24 a.m. At 12:16 p.m. Committee of the Whole resumed in public session and reported the following:

M.1
Disposition of Overdue Provincial Offences Act Fines - Solicitor-Client Privilege

 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the confidential recommendation in the report dated April 30, 2024 from the Regional Solicitor and General Counsel. Report remains private.

M.2
Private Att 1 to Item H.2.3 - Municipal Operation of Long-Term Care Homes - Labour Relations

 

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment. Attachment remains private.

M.3
Private Att 1 to Item J.2.5 - Compensation for Expropriation Widening and Reconstruction of Bathurst St from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Dr - City of Richmond Hill and City of Vaughan - Land Acquisition

 

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment. Attachment remains private.

M.4
Private Att 1 to Item J.2.6 - Disposition of Land - Yonge North Subway Extension - City of Markham and City of Vaughan - Disposition of Land

 

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment. Attachment remains private.

M.5
Private Att 1 to Item J.2.8 - Greening Strategy - Environmental Land Protection and Preservation - Acquisition of Land, 4302 Baseline Road, Town of Georgina - Acquisition of Land

 

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment. Attachment remains private.

M.6
Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 (Bill 185) – Proposed Changes to Planning Act, 1990, Municipal Act, 2001 and Provincial Planning Statement - Labour Relations

 

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the confidential presentation.

M.7
Bill 185 - Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 – Pending Changes to Planning Act and Proposed Provincial Planning Statement - Solicitor-Client Privilege

 

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private memorandum dated May 7, 2024 from Dan Kuzmyk, Regional Solicitor and General Counsel. Memorandum remains private.

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 12:17 p.m.

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