Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

Thursday, April 22, 2021

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

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,
• K. Chislett,
• P. Freeman,
• P. Jankowski,
• Dr. K. Kurji,
• D. Kuzmyk,
• B. Macgregor,
• L. Mirabella,
• M. Rabeau,
• C. Raynor,
• D. Szeptycki,
• and M.F. Turner

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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 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.

Minutes of Council

C.1

Council Meeting held on March 25, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Vegh
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

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

  Carried

C.2

Special Council Meeting held on April 15, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Vegh
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Special Council meeting held on April 15, 2021.

  Carried

D.

Presentations

D.1

Corporate Update #5 - York Region Response to COVID-19

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council receive the presentation by Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

  Carried

E.

Deputations

E.1

COVID-19

• Moved by Acting Mayor DiPaola
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Heath

  That Council hear the following six deputations.

  Carried

E.1.1

Joan Parsons

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the deputation from Joan Parsons.

  Carried

E.1.2

Ariana Scarcello

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the deputation from Ariana Scarcello.

  Carried

E.1.3

Laura Rosen Cohen

The deputant was not in attendance.

E.1.4

Vasil Belej

The deputant was not in attendance.

E.1.5

Dayna Gerrard

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the deputation from Dayna Gerrard.

  Carried

E.1.6

Barb Everatt

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the deputation from Barb Everatt.

  Carried

F.

Communications

F.1

Pedestrian Crossover Policy Regional Roads - Update

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the memorandum from Paul Jankowski, Commissioner of Transportation Services dated April 15, 2021.

  Carried

F.2

Update - York Region's Comments on the Province's Consultation on Growing the Size of the Greenbelt, Environmental Registry Posting #019-3136

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council receive the memorandum from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner and Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services dated April 13, 2021 and direct staff to make the following amendments to the submission:

  1. Remove clause 1.
  2. Add that the province should expand the Greenbelt to lands that are not already protected through provincial and municipal legislation and policies.
  Carried

F.3

Provincial Renewal of York Region’s Growth-Related Cost Supplement

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council receive the memorandum from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated April 19, 2021.

  Carried

F.4

Financial Impacts of COVID-19

• Moved by Mayor Lovatt
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That Council receive the memorandum from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated April 20, 2021.

  Carried

F.5

COVID-19

F.5.1

Madeline Rajeas, dated April 20, 2021

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the communication from Madeline Rajeas dated April 20, 2021.

  Carried

F.5.2

Beverly Golden, dated April 20, 2021

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the communication from Beverly Golden dated April 20, 2021.

  Carried

F.5.3

Melanie Konje, dated April 21, 2021

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the communication from Melanie Konje dated April 21, 2021.

  Carried

F.5.4

Erika Allen, dated April 21, 2021

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the communication from Erika Allen dated April 21, 2021.

  Carried

F.5.5

Karthik Raj, dated April 21, 2021

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the communication from Karthik Raj dated April 21, 2021.

  Carried

G.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

G.1

Committee of the Whole Meeting - April 8, 2021

• 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 April 8, 2021.

  Carried

G.2

Minutes - Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee - March 24, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council receive the Minutes of the March 24, 2021 meeting of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee.

  Carried

H.

Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

• Moved by Regional Councillor Chan
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council approve and enact the following bylaws:

H.1

2021-17 - Vivian Road/Mulock Drive (Y.R. 74) Speed Limit

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. R-1343-2002-145 being a bylaw to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Vivian Road/Mulock Drive (Y.R. 74)

H.2

2021-18 - Ninth Line (Y.R. 69) Speed Limit

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 2016-25 being a bylaw to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Ninth Line (Y.R. 69)

H.3

2021-19 - Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) Speed Limit

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. R-1319-2002-121 being a bylaw to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25)

H.4

2021-20 - Langstaff Road (Y.R. 72) Speed Limit

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. R-1342-2002-144 being a bylaw to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Langstaff Road (Y.R. 72)

H.5

2021-21 - King-Vaughan Road/Stouffville Road (Y.R. 14) Speed Limit

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. R-1312-2002-114 being a bylaw to prescribe maximum rates of speed on King-Vaughan Road/Stouffville Road (Y.R. 14)

H.6

2021-22 - Warden Avenue (Y.R. 65) Speed Limit

A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. R-1337-2002-139 being a bylaw to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Warden Avenue (Y.R. 65)

H.7

2021-23 - 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

H.8

2021-24 - Pedestrian Crossovers

A bylaw to implement pedestrian crossovers on certain Regional roads

H.9

2021-25 - Appointment of Area Weed Inspectors

A bylaw to appoint area weed inspectors

H.10

2021-26 - Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation Loan for the Town of Georgina

To authorize the submission of an application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (“OILC”) for financing certain capital works of The Corporation of the Town of Georgina; and to authorize long-term borrowing for such capital works through the issue of debentures by The Regional Municipality of York to OILC

H.11

2021-27 - 2021 Property Tax Rates

A bylaw to set and levy the rates of taxation for Regional general purposes for the year 2021

H.12

2021-28 - Close a Portion of 19th Avenue

A bylaw to stop up and close a portion of 19th Avenue (YR 29), City of Richmond Hill

Carried

I.

Motions

I.1

COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council reinforce the following motion, as previously adopted on January 28, 2021:

  WHEREAS York Region is home to one of the most diverse populations in Canada with residents identifying with more than 230 distinct ethnic origins; and

  WHEREAS International travel is a driving force behind elevated cases of COVID-19 in York Region, Ontario and Canada; and

  WHEREAS confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants have been identified and York Region has one of the highest concentrations; and

  WHEREAS scientific data indicates variant strains of COVID-19 have higher transmission rates;

  THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that York Regional Council request the Government of Canada to implement greater travel restriction and/or prohibit travel from countries with high volumes of COVID-19 variants.

  BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Federal Government require passengers on international flights to have additional mandatory testing upon arrival at international airports in Canada.

  Carried

I.2

Re-opening of Outdoor Recreational Amenities

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  WHEREAS Medical evidence indicates outdoor recreational activities are vital for mental and physical health; and

  WHEREAS During times of lockdown or stay-at-home orders, mental and physical activity are vital to the well-being of residents; and

  WHEREAS Current provincial stay-at-home orders prohibit the use of outdoor recreational amenities; and

  WHEREAS York Region Medical Officer of Health Dr. Karim Kurji, along with other medical professionals, agree that when safely executed, outdoor activity does not contribute to the transmission of COVID-19.

  THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That York Regional Council write to the Government of Ontario and Premier Ford to request the reopening of as many outdoor recreational amenities as possible in York Region and across the province for non-organized sport activities.

  Carried

J.

Notices of Motion to Reconsider

None

K.

Other Business

K.1

COVID-19 Update

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region Medical Officer of Health provided a verbal update on the status of COVID-19 vaccines and responded to questions from Members of Council.

K.2

Farewell to Paul Jankowski - Commissioner of Transportation Services

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that Paul Jankowski, Commissioner of Transportation Services is leaving the Region for the position of Chief Executive Officer at the newly created Metropolitan Transit Services Commission in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mr. Jankowski enjoyed two tenures at York Region in between time with the City of Vaughan and in 2020 was recognized as the Public Works Leader of the Year. Over the past five years with the Region he has overseen some of the largest transportation initiatives in the Region’s 50-year history. 

Regional Chair Emmerson, on behalf of Council, and Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of all staff, wished Mr. Jankowski well in his new role and expressed their deepest appreciation for his dedication and commitment to York Region.

K.3

Housing Affordability Task Force

Regional Chair Emmerson suggested the establishment of a Housing Affordability Task Force requesting that each of the local Mayors (or their designate) sit on the Task Force to represent their municipality.  Regional Chair Emmerson requested an email be sent to Lina Bigioni, Chief of Staff early next week to confirm the representative.

K.4

Re-Appointment to Canadian National Exhibition Association

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the re-appointment of Regional Councillor Robert Grossi as the York Region representative on the Canadian National Exhibition Association.

K.5

Earth Day

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that April 22, 2021 is Earth Day, which is a world-wide environmental movement to increase appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment and to support environmental protection.

K.6

Administrative Professionals Day

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that April 21, 2021 was Administrative Professionals Day and, on behalf of Council, thanked the many administrative professionals at York Region and in each of the local municipalities for their ongoing dedication and professionalism.

K.7

National Day of Mourning

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that April 28, 2021 is the National Day of Mourning, to pay respects and remember the thousands of workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents.

K.8

Emergency Preparedness Week

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that May 2 to 8, 2021 is Emergency Preparedness Week across Canada, which is an opportunity to increase awareness and remind residents what they can do to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.

K.9

Mental Health Awareness Week

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that May 3 to 9, 2021 is Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada, sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association. This year’s theme is Get Real and focuses on understanding our emotions while also celebrating, protecting and promoting mental health.

L.

Private Session

• Moved by Mayor Quirk
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council resolve into Private Session at 12:13 p.m.

  Carried

  Council resumed in Public Session at 2:06 p.m. and reported the following:

L.1

Update on Regional Corporations - Solicitor-Client Privilege and Labour Relations

(Deferred from April 15, 2021 Special Council Meeting)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That staff pursue Option 3 as outlined in the private report.

   

  A recorded vote was as follows:

  For: Emmerson, Grossi, Hackson, Hamilton, Jackson, Lovatt, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Quirk, Rosati (11)

  Against: Bevilacqua, Chan, DiPaola, Ferri, Heath, Jones, Li, Scarpitti, Taylor, Vegh (10)

  Carried

L.2

2020 Annual Report - Regional Solicitor's Use of Delegated Authority - Litigation

• Moved by Acting Mayor DiPaola
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Vegh

  That Council receive the private report from the Regional Solicitor dated March 25, 2021.

  Carried

L.3

Disposition of Land - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Lands - Northwest Corner of Steeles Avenue and Ninth Line - City of Markham - Disposition of Land

• Moved by Acting Mayor DiPaola
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Vegh

  That Council adopt the following recommendations in the private report of the Commissioner of Corporate Services dated March 26, 2021.

  1. Council approve the proceeds from the sale of land by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) identified in Private Attachment 1, be accepted by the Region, and directed to the Land Securement Reserve for future environmental land securement.
  2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute all necessary documents to complete the process.
  Carried

M.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Regional Councillor Grossi
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council enact Bylaw No. 2021-29 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on April 22, 2021.

  Carried

N.

Adjournment

The Council meeting adjourned at 2:33 p.m.

                                                           
Regional Clerk

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on May 27, 2021.

 

                                                           
Regional Chair