Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, December 07, 2023

9:00 A.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• W. Emmerson, 
• G. Chan, 
• M. Chan, 
• N. Davison, 
• S. Del Duca, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• A. Ho, 
• B. Johns, 
• J. Jones, 
• J. Li, 
• I. Lovatt, 
• T. Mrakas, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• M. Quirk, 
• G. Rosati, 
• F. Scarpitti, 
• J. Taylor, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West 

Staff:

• D. Basso, 
• K. Chislett, 
• P. Freeman, 
• D. Kuzmyk, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• C. Raynor, 
• and D. Szeptycki 

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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:

"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."

A.1

Declaration of Office - Alternate Member of Regional Council – Town of East Gwillimbury

Regional Chair Emmerson welcomed Town of East Gwillimbury Councillor Brian Johns to Regional Council. Councillor Johns, who is the alternate regional representative for the Town of East Gwillimbury, orally recited his Declaration of Office.

B.

Disclosures of Interest

Mayor Quirk declared an interest regarding the York Regional Police Services budget and clause 12 of the 2024 Regional Fiscal Strategy report recommendations as her husband is a retired police officer and her stepson is an officer with York Regional Police. Mayor Quirk did not participate in any discussion or voting on these matters.

(See Items F.2 and I.2.1)

C.

Deputations

None

BUDGET

D.

Presentations

D.1

Proposed 2024 to 2026 Regional Budget - Introduction for Committee of the Whole Week 2

Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer provided an introduction to the proposed 2024 to 2026 Committee of the Whole Week 2 budgets.

E.

Conservation Authorities

E.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 Budget - Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Rob Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer, Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority.

(See Item E.3)

E.2

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 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.3

2024 to 2026 Budget - Conservation Authorities

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated November 24, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for Conservation Authorities as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

F.

York Regional Police

F.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 Budget - York Regional Police

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Jim MacSween, Chief, York Regional Police and Jeffrey Channell, Executive Director, Financial Services and Administration.

(See Item F.2)

F.2

2024 to 2026 Budget - York Regional Police

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 24, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance: 

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for York Regional Police as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A.
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B
2. Committee of the Whole consider recommending an increase to 2025 and 2026 operating outlook to accommodate additional staffing resources as endorsed by the York Regional Police Services Board and reflected in the York Regional Police budget presentation to Committee of the Whole.
3. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

(Mayor Quirk did not take part in the discussion or vote on this matter.)

G.

YorkNet Inc.

G.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 Budget - YorkNet Inc.

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Laura Bradley, General Manager, York Telecom Network.

(See Item G.2)

G.2

2024 to 2026 Budget - YorkNet

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 24, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance: 

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for YorkNet as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A.
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

H.

Corporate Management, Courts and Tribunal Services and Other Corporate Items

H.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 Budget - Corporate Management, Court and Tribunal Services and other Corporate Items

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer.

(See Item H.2)

H.2

2024 to 2026 Budget - Corporate Management, Court and Tribunal Services and Other Corporate Items

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 24, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance: 

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for Corporate Management, Court and Tribunal Services and other Corporate Items as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A.
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

OTHER ITEMS

I.

Finance and Administration

I.1

Communications

I.1.1

Contract Awards from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated November 24, 2023 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

I.1.2

Yonge North Subway Extension Tunneling Contract - Request for Proposals (RFP)

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Phil Verster, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metrolinx dated December 1, 2023.

I.1.3

Comments regarding 2024 to 2026 Regional Budget

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the communication from Jean-Francois Obregon dated December 5, 2023.

I.1.4

Town of East Gwillimbury - Appointment of an Alternate Member of Regional Council

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Tara Lajevardi, Municipal Clerk/Director of Legislative Services, Town of East Gwillimbury dated December 6, 2023.

I.1.5

Communication regarding Curated North Inc., 17, 19, 21, and 23 Morgan Avenue, Ontario Land Tribunal Appeals of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt and referral to staff the correspondence from Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, City of Markham dated November 29, 2023 for more information regarding the appeals. 

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

2024 Regional Fiscal Strategy

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 24, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance: 

1. Council adopt the 2024 Fiscal Strategy outlined in this report.
2. Council affirm the 2024 Long-Term Debt Management Plan, shown as Attachment 1 to this report.
3. Council authorize contributions to the development charges reserve accounts equivalent to amounts not being collected as a result of provincial legislation (e.g. Bill 23) as follows:
   1. For shortfalls in collections for property tax supported services, from the Tax Levy Development Reserve.
   2. For shortfalls in collections for rate supported services, from the Rate Supported Development Reserve.
4. For the purposes of interpreting section 4.2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, as amended, and associated regulations, Council direct staff that when considering a mixed-use building or structure developed by a non-profit corporation, as defined under the Development Charges Act, 1997, the residential portion of the building or structure be eligible for an exemption from development charges.
5. Council direct staff to accelerate a comprehensive, Region-wide update to the Region's 2022 Development Charges Bylaw to 2026 to help address funding challenges associated with accelerated growth expectations arising from local municipal housing targets.
6. Council direct staff, when reviewing servicing requests to accommodate unplanned or accelerated growth approved by the Province, to apply key principles shown on Table 3.
7. Council approve an amendment to the Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy to direct tax levy surplus first to the Tax Levy Development Reserve to fund the tax levy portion of development charge collection shortfalls resulting from Bill 23 exemptions, phase-ins, discounts, or the like, as shown on Table 5.
8. Council authorize annual contributions, as needed, from Water and Wastewater Rate Stabilization reserves to the Rate Supported Development Reserve to fund development charge collection shortfalls resulting from Bill 23 exemptions, phase-ins, discounts, or the like, starting in 2024.
9. Council authorize transfers, totalling $105 million, between reserve funds shown on Table 7.
10. Council endorse the proposed Roads Capital Acceleration Reserve repayment schedule shown on Table 6.
11. Council authorize a suspension of the $1 million annual contribution limit for the Courts Services Reserve, until such time as its reserve target of $5 million is reached.
12. Council authorize closing of the following reserves with any remaining balances transferred to the Debt Reduction Reserve:
    1. Cannabis Contingency Reserve
    2. Police – OMERS Reserve.
13. The Province be requested to permit upper-tier municipalities be eligible for funding under the Building Faster Fund.
14. Council authorize the Regional Solicitor to prepare and/or amend the necessary bylaws.

(Cause 12 was voted on separately. Mayor Quirk did not take part in the discussion or vote.)

J.

Notice of Motion

J.1

Ontario Land Tribunal hearing regarding Case No. OLT-23-000758

Mayor Lovatt gave notice of his intention to bring forward a motion to the December 21, 2023 Council meeting to request Regional staff to appear at the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing in support of OPA 155 - 12749 and 12875 Tenth Line, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Case No. OLT-23-000758.

K.

Other Business

K.1

Rescheduling of Housing Affordability Task Force Meeting

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the rescheduling of the Housing Affordability Task Force meeting from December 14, 2023 to January 11, 2024 immediately following Committee of the Whole.

K.2

Observances and Days of Significance

Regional Chair Emmerson noted the following observances and days of significance:

• The eight days of Hanukkah beginning at sundown this evening. 
• December 10, 2023 is International Human Rights Day.

L.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole resolved into private session at 12:06 p.m. At 12:29 p.m. Committee of the Whole resumed in public session and reported the following:

L.1

Private Attachment 1 to Item I.1.1 - Contract Awards from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 - Security of Property

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

L.2

Private Attachment 1 to Item I.2.1 - 2024 Regional Fiscal Strategy - Solicitor Client-Privilege and Potential Litigation

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

M.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 12:32 p.m.