Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

-
Electronic Meeting
Members:
  • W. Emmerson,
  • M. Bevilacqua,
  • G. Chan,
  • 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,
  • and T. Vegh
Staff:
  • D. Basso,
  • A.M. Carroll,
  • K. Chislett,
  • P. Freeman,
  • D. Kuzmyk,
  • J. Li,
  • B. Macgregor,
  • E. Mahoney,
  • Dr. B. Pakes,
  • C. Raynor,
  • and M.F. Turner

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.”

Mayor Quirk declared an interest in Item G.2 - Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes, Item F - York Regional Police (YRP) Budget and Item G.3 - 2022 Regional Budget, YRP Budget, as her husband is a retired YRP officer and is under contract with YRP as a recruiting agent and her stepson is a YRP officer; accordingly, she did not participate in any discussion or voting on this matter.

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Ferri
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Hamilton

    That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on November 25, 2021.

    Carried
  • Moved byMayor Lovatt
    Seconded byMayor Bevilacqua

    That Council receive the presentation by Jason Li, Acting Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

    Carried

None

  • Moved byMayor Quirk
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Grossi

    That Council receive the correspondence from Carolyn Lance, Council Services Coordinator, Town of Georgina dated December 2, 2021.

    Carried
  • Moved byMayor Scarpitti
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Jackson

    That Council receive the correspondence from Danton Thurairajah, Executive Director, Canadian Tamil Congress dated December 3, 2021, and recognize Tamil Heritage Month in January.

    Carried
  • Moved byMayor Lovatt
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Vegh

    That Council receive the correspondence from Sergei Petrov, Executive Director, York Region Arts Council dated December 14, 2021.

    Carried
  • Prior to consideration of the Budget, Council considered the four additional budget-related matters outlined in the memorandum, as follows:

    1.  Painted Crosswalk in Sutton

    Moved by Mayor Quirk
    Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

    That the request for a second Every Child Matters crosswalk in the Sutton community at the intersection of Dalton Road and Black River Road be approved and the 2022 Budget be increased to provide funding in the amount of $45,000 toward the installation of it. 

    Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
    Seconded by Regional Councillor Heath

    That the matter be referred to staff for a report back in Q1 of 2022.

    Defeated

    Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
    Seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton

    That the motion be amended as follows:

    That the request for a second Every Child Matters crosswalk in the Sutton community at the intersection of Dalton Road and Black River Road be approved and staff be directed to fund $45,000 towards its installation from the existing budget.


    That the following clauses be added:

    That staff report back with a policy outlining a process related to funding and location of symbolic crosswalks in the future.

    That the Painted Crosswalk in Sutton be designated as the only ‘Every Child Matters Crosswalk’ funded by York Region.

    Upon the request of a Member, the three clauses in the amendment were voted on separately, as follows:

    For clause 1, a recorded vote was as follows:

    For: Bevilacqua, Chan, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Hamilton, Heath, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Quirk, Rosati, Scarpitti, Taylor, Vegh (19)

    Against: Jackson (1)

    Absent: Perrelli (1)

    Carried

    For clause 2, a recorded vote was as follows:

    For: Bevilacqua, Chan, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Hamilton, Heath, Jackson, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Quirk, Rosati, Scarpitti, Taylor, Vegh (20)

    Absent: Perrelli (1)

    Carried Unanimously by All Members Present

     

    For clause 3, a recorded vote was as follows:

    For: Bevilacqua, Chan, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Heath, Jackson, Jones, Li, Rosati, Scarpitti (11)

    Against: Grossi, Hackson, Hamilton, Lovatt, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Quirk, Taylor, Vegh (9)

    Absent: Perrelli (1)

    Carried

    Moved by Mayor Quirk
    Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

    That the main motion be adopted as amended:

    1. That the request for a second Every Child Matters crosswalk in the Sutton community at the intersection of Dalton Road and Black River Road be approved and staff be directed to fund $45,000 towards its installation from the existing budget.
    2. That staff report back with a policy outlining a process related to funding and location of symbolic crosswalks in the future.
    3. That the Painted Crosswalk in Sutton be designated as the only ‘Every Child Matters Crosswalk’ funded by York Region.

    Carried

    2.  Year-Round 24/7 Operations of Inn from the Cold and Year-Round Overnight Only Out of the Cold Seasonal Shelters

    Moved by Mayor Taylor
    Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

    That Council approve the addition of $983,093 to the 2022 Budget for Year-Round 24/7 Operations of Inn from the Cold Seasonal Shelter, resulting in incremental tax levy increases of 0.08%.

    Moved by Regional Councillor Rosati
    Seconded by Regional Councillor Jackson

    That consideration of the following motion be deferred to the 2023 Budget process and staff be directed to report back on this matter:

    That Council approve the addition of $983,093 to the 2022 Budget for Year-Round 24/7 Operations of Inn from the Cold Seasonal Shelter, resulting in incremental tax levy increases of 0.08%.

    Carried

    3. Financial Support for York Region Arts Council

    Moved by Mayor Lovatt
    Seconded by Mayor Taylor

    That Council approve an allocation of up to $250,000 from the Pandemic Management Reserve Fund for financial support for York Region Arts Council (YRAC), with funds to be released on a quarterly basis pending the outcome of YRAC’s applications for alternative recovery funding. 

    Carried

    4. Additional York Regional Police Staffing

    There were no motions pertaining to this matter.

  • Moved byMayor Bevilacqua
    Seconded byMayor Lovatt

    That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on December 2, 2021.

    Carried
  • Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
    Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

    That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on December 9, 2021, except Item F - York Regional Police budget.

    Carried

    Item F - York Regional Police

    Mayor Quirk declared an interest in this item and did not participate in any discussion or voting on this matter.

    Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
    Seconded by Mayor Pellegrini

    That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on December 9, 2021 - Item F - York Regional Police budget.

    Carried

  • Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
    Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

    1. Council approve the operating and capital budgets, as amended, excluding York Regional Police Services:
      1. The 2022 operating budget, reflecting a tax levy increase of 1.96% as tabled on November 25, 2021, detailed in the 2022 Budget Book, and summarized in Attachment 1.
      2. A Rapid Transit Infrastructure Levy equivalent to a 1% tax levy increase as summarized in Attachment 1.
      3. The 2022 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority by project and by program group and associated funding sources detailed in the 2022 Budget Book, as summarized in Attachment 2, and the authority to reallocate funding between projects within a program group as detailed in this report.
    2. Council approve debt authority and reserve items as follows:
      1. Incremental debt authority of $1.128 billion required for 2022 Capital Spending Authority by project as specified in Column (B) of Attachment 3.
      2. Total debt authority for capital projects up to the amounts specified in Column (C) of Attachment 3 in accordance with the Capital Financing and Debt Policy.
      3. Approve a contribution of $195 million to the Sinking Fund Reserve for the purpose of meeting the Region’s 2022 sinking fund obligations.
      4. Authorize the funding of capital projects that have been previously approved for debt financing from reserves where there are sufficient funds available and at the discretion of the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.
    3. Council endorse the reconciliation of the 2022 Budget to the full accrual basis of accounting, as required under Ontario Regulation 284/09, as summarized in the 2022 Budget Book.
    4. Council authorize the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer to:
      1. Make any necessary adjustments within the total approved net Budget to reflect organizational changes and any other reallocation of costs.
      2. Apply for, accept and adjust the Budget for any additional Provincial and/or Federal funding provided there is no tax levy impact.
      3. Report back to Council in-year, as required, to provide flexibility in capital project implementation to adapt to changing and unforeseen circumstances and to maximize delivery of capital projects.

    Carried Unanimously

     

    Mayor Quirk declared an interest in the following item and did not participate in any discussion or voting on this matter.

    Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
    Seconded by Mayor Pellegrini

    1.    Council approve the operating and capital budgets as follows:

    1. The portions of the 2022 operating budget relating to the York Regional Police Services.
    2. The portions of the 2022 capital expenditures and the 2022 Capital Spending Authority relating to the York Regional Police Services.

    Carried Unanimously

    (See also Item F.4)

  • Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
    Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

    That Clause 5 be added as follows:

    The Regional Clerk be directed to report back with options outlining the potential format of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings upon the lifting of the remaining public health and workplace safety measures.

    Carried

    Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
    Seconded by Mayor Hackson

    That Council adopt the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated November 15, 2021 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Regional Clerk:

    1. The resumption of in-person Council and Committee of the Whole meetings be aligned with the Provincial timetable for lifting the remaining public health and workplace safety measures, which is currently projected as being March 28, 2022.
    2. The Regional Clerk be directed to report back with options outlining the potential format of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings upon the lifting of the remaining public health and workplace safety measures.
    3. The boards of directors of the Region’s three Corporations be encouraged to continue to meet virtually for the remainder of the 2018-2022 Council Term.
    4. The Region’s advisory committees and task forces, that follow the Procedure Bylaw to conduct meetings, continue to meet virtually for the remainder of the 2018-2022 Council Term. 
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Heath
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Hamilton

    That Council adopt the following recommendation in the report dated December 10, 2021 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services recommending that:

    1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerk of the City of Markham.
    Carried
  • Moved byMayor Scarpitti
    Seconded byMayor Hackson

    That Council approve and enact Bylaw No. 2019-110 being a bylaw to establish the Rapid Transit Reserve Fund.

    Carried
  • Moved byMayor Scarpitti
    Seconded byMayor Hackson

    That Council approve and enact Bylaw No. 2021-112 being a bylaw to stop up and close a portion of McCowan Road (YR 67), City of Markham.

    Carried
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Rosati
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Heath

    That Council adopt the following motion:

    WHEREAS the Government of Canada has recently introduced amendments to the Criminal Code (Bill C3) that would make it an offense to harass and/or intimidate employees providing and persons seeking health care services; and,

    WHEREAS Regional healthcare staff and members of the public attending vaccination clinic locations, have been unduly harassed by organized groups and individuals opposed to vaccination;

    THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Regional Council strongly supports the criminalization of harassment and intimidation aimed at health care workers whose actions are critical to protecting our communities and encourages the Government of Canada to enact proposed changes to the Criminal Code swiftly; and,

    BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Regional Clerk be directed to circulate this resolution to Members of Parliament representing York Region ridings.

    Carried

Regional Chair Emmerson provided an overview of COVID-19 over the past year, citing over 60,000 cases and 422 deaths in York Region. Regional Chair Emmerson and Members of Council observed a moment of silence to honour those who lost their lives to this virus.

Dr. Barry Pakes, Medical Officer of Health provided an update on COVID-19 and responded to questions from Members of Council.

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the scheduling of a Council Education Session in January 2022 regarding Yonge North Subway Extension - Transit Oriented Communities (TOC).

Regional Chair Emmerson noted this is the final Council meeting of 2021 and wished everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

Council did not resolve into Private Session.

L.1
Alectra Utilities Power Supply, West Side of Leslie Street, Major Mackenzie Drive to Elgin Mills Road, City of Richmond Hill - Solicitor-Client Privilege
 

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jones
    Seconded byActing Mayor DiPaola

    That Council receive the confidential memorandum from the Acting Commissioner of Transportation Services dated December 9, 2021.

    Carried

L.2
Organizational Review - Labour Relations
 

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jones
    Seconded byActing Mayor DiPaola

    That Council adopt the recommendations in the confidential report from the Chief Administrative Officer dated December 9, 2021.

    Carried
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Grossi
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Hamilton

    That Council enact Bylaw No. 2021-111 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on December 16, 2021.

    Carried

The Council meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.


                                                           
Regional Clerk



Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on January 27, 2022.

 

                                                           
Regional Chair