Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Meeting #:
Date:	Thursday, February 21, 2019
Time:	9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.
Location:	Council Chambers 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

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

Staff:

• B. Macgregor,
• D. Basso,
• K. Chislett,
• J. Hulton,
• P. Jankowski,
• E. Mahoney,
• L. Mirabella,
• M.F. Turner,
• C. Raynor,
• and P. Freeman

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A.

Call to Order

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

“I would like to begin today’s meeting by acknowledging that York Region extends over lands originally used and occupied by Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of York Region, I would like to thank First Nations and the Métis for sharing this land.

I would also like to acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.”

B.

Disclosures of Interest

2019 Budget - York Regional Police

Mayor Quirk declared an interest in the 2019 York Regional Police (YRP) Budget. This declaration of interest is due to Mayor Quirk’s husband being a retired YRP Officer and working part-time for YRP, and her stepson is also a member of YRP. Mayor Quirk did not take part in any of the discussion or vote on this matter.

(Please refer to Item D)

C.

Deputations

C.1

Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan

Committee of the Whole received the deputation from Don Given, Malone Given Parsons Ltd. on behalf of the North Markham Landowners Group.

(See Item J.4.)

C.2

Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan

Committee of the Whole received the deputation from Peter Van Loan, Aird & Berlis LLP.

(See Item J.4.)

C.3

Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan

Committee of the Whole received the deputation from Matthew Cory, Malone Given Parsons Ltd. on behalf of the Sharon Heights Landowner Group, East Gwillimbury.

(See Item J.4.)

C.4

Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan

Committee of the Whole received the deputation from Ryan Mino-Leahan, KLM Planning Partners Inc. on behalf of Avenue 7 Developments Ltd.

(See Item J.4.)

BUDGET

D.

York Regional Police

D.1

Communication: 2019 York Regional Police Operating and Capital Budgets

• Committee of the Whole received and referred to Item D.4 the communication from Mafalda Avellino, Executive Director, The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board dated November 7, 2018.

D.2

Communication: 2019 and Outlook Police Operating Budget Revisions

• Committee of the Whole received and referred to Item D.4. the communication from Mafalda Avellino, Executive Director, The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board dated February 19, 2019.

   

D.3

Presentation: 2019 to 2022 Budget - York Regional Police

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Eric Jolliffe, Chief of Police, Mayor Virginia Hackson, Chair, York Regional Police Services Board and Jeffrey Channell, Manager, Financial Services, York Regional Police.

(See Item D.4.)

D.4

2019 to 2022 Budget – York Regional Police

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 4, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

  1. The budget as submitted for York Regional Police as follows:
     
     1. The 2019 operating budget and 2020 to 2022 operating outlook as summarized in Attachment 1
     2. The 2019 capital expenditures and the 2019 Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Attachment 2.
  2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration for Council approval on February 28, 2019.

E.

Conservation Authorities

E.1

Presentation: 2019 Budget - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

(See Item E.3.)

E.2

Presentation: 2019 Budget - Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Mike Walters, Chief Administrative Officer, Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority.

(See Item E.3.)

E.3

2019 to 2022 Budget – Conservation Authorities

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 4, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

  1. The budget as submitted for Conservation Authorities as follows:
     
     
     1. The 2019 operating budget and 2020 to 2022 operating outlook as summarized in Attachment 1
        
  2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration for Council approval on February 28, 2019.

Committee of the Whole recessed at 12:19 p.m. and reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

F.

YorkNet

F.1

Presentation: 2019 to 2022 Budget - YorkNet

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Dino Basso, Commissioner, Corporate Services and Laura Bradley, General Manager, YorkNet.

(See Item F.2.)

F.2

2019 to 2022 Budget – YorkNet

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 7, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

  1. The budget as submitted for YorkNet as follows:
     1. The 2019 operating budget and 2020 to 2022 operating outlook as summarized in Attachment 1
     2. The 2019 capital expenditures and the 2019 Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Attachment 2, where expenditures related to the Connect to Innovate (CTI) project are contingent on approval of the Region's CTI application to the federal government.
  2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration for Council approval on February 28, 2019.

G.

Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services

G.1

Presentation: 2019 to 2022 Budget - Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

(See Item G.2.)

G.2

2019 to 2022 Budget – Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 4, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

  1. The budget as submitted for Corporate Management, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Initiatives and Court Services as follows:
     1. The 2019 operating budget and 2020 to 2022 operating outlook as summarized in Attachment 1
     2. The 2019 capital expenditures and the 2019 Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Attachment 2.
  2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration for Council approval on February 28, 2019.

H.

2019 Regional Fiscal Strategy

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 8, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

  1. Council adopt the updated fiscal strategy as outlined in this report.
  2. Council affirm the 2019 Long-Term Debt Management Plan shown as Attachment 1 to this report.
  3. Council authorize payments from the following reserves to repay tax levy and rate-supported debt originally intended to be refinanced in 2019:

     Reserve                                                           Amount

     • Debt Reduction Reserve                          $5,870,069.50
     • Capital Asset Replacement – Water          $1,785,712.38
     • Capital Asset Replacement – Wastewater  $25,660,706.58
       
       
  4. Council rename the University Campus Reserve as the Innovation Investment Reserve and broaden its purpose to include funding to external parties for Council approved initiatives. Tax levy appropriations made through the annual budget process would fund this reserve.
  5. Council establish the following new reserve funds:
  1. Cannabis Contingency Reserve – to fund unanticipated operating and capital costs related to the legalization of recreational cannabis. Tax levy appropriations made through the annual budget process would fund this reserve.
  2. Waste Management Stabilization Reserve – to fund fluctuations in recycling material market prices and other costs identified as part of the budget process. A $30 million transfer from the Solid Waste Management Reserve and surplus revenues resulting from higher than budgeted commodity prices for blue box materials would fund this reserve.
  3. Rapid Transit Reserve – to fund rapid transit projects to be identified in a future Council report. Tax levy savings as a result of funding from the Integrated Bilateral Agreement - Public Transit Stream, would be contributed to this reserve. The funding of the Rapid Transit Reserve would be contingent upon York Region’s successful negotiation of an agreement with the provincial and federal governments. 
  6. Council approve technical amendments to the following policies:
  1. The Capital Financing and Debt Policy to permit greater flexibility with respect to the minimum amount that the Region keeps in its development charges reserves by reducing the requirement from one year to a range of between 75 to 100% of one year’s principal and interest, as detailed in this report.
  2. The Surplus Management Policy to add the Group Benefits as part of the contingent liability reserves that are funded through the surplus allocation process, as detailed in this report.
  7. The Regional Solicitor be authorized to prepare, amend and/or repeal the necessary bylaws.

I.

Infrastructure Acceleration Reserve Option

I.1

Presentation: Infrastructure Acceleration Reserve Option

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Laura Mirabella, Commissioner, Finance and Regional Treasurer.

(See Item I.2.)

I.2

Infrastructure Acceleration Reserve Option

• Committee of the Whole recommends

  1. Receipt of the report dated February 8, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer
  2. Staff report back with additional information on non-tax supported options for funding the proposed 1% Infrastructure Acceleration Reserve Fund.

OTHER ITEMS

J.

Planning and Economic Development

Committee of the Whole recessed at 4:25 p.m. and reconvened at 4:30 p.m.

J.1

Presentation: Regional Staff Review and Comments on Growth Plan Amendment 1

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Paul Freeman, Chief Planner.

(See Item J.3.)

J.2

Communication: York Region Staff Comments on the “Increasing Housing Supply in Ontario” Consultation

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated February 21, 2019.

J.3

Communication: Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan

• Committee of the Whole received and referred to Item J.3 the communication from Kim D.G. Alexander-Cook, King City dated February 20, 2019.

J.4

Comments on Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan

• Committee of the Whole referred consideration of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 8, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner to the February 28, 2019 Regional Council meeting:

  1. Council endorse this report and Attachments 1 and 2 as the Region’s submission to the Province in response to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) postings: Proposed Amendment to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017 (ERO # 013-4504), Proposed Framework for Provincially Significant Employment Zones (ERO # 013-4506), Proposed Modifications to O.Reg. 311/06 (Transitional Matters – Growth Plans) (ERO # 013-4505) and Proposed Modifications to O.Reg. 525/97 (Exemption from Approval – Official Plan Amendments) (ERO 013-4507).
  2. The Regional Clerk forward this report and attachments to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Clerks of the local municipalities and the Clerks of the other upper and single-tier municipalities in the GTHA.

K.

Finance and Administration

K.1

Communications

None.

K.2

Report

K.2.1

Capital Financing for the Town of Georgina

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations contained in the report dated February 8, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer, subject to the receipt of the necessary supporting documents from the Town of Georgina:

  1. Council approve a debenture issuance on behalf of the Town of Georgina in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000, and for a term not to exceed 10 years, to fund the water and wastewater infrastructure project, identified in Table 1 of this report.
  2. The Regional Chair and Regional Treasurer be authorized to execute the necessary documents, subject to review by Legal Services.

L.

Notice of Motion

None.

M.

Other Business

None.

N.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 5:48 p.m.