Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

Meeting #:
Date:	Thursday, December 19, 2019
Time:	9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.
Location:	Council Chambers 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

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

Staff:

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

Mayor Quirk declared an interest in the 2020-2022 Regional Budget as it pertains to York Regional Police and the Forestry Operating Budget.

Mayor Quirk declared this conflict because her husband is a retired YRP officer and works part-time for YRP, her stepson is an officer with YRP, and her step grandson may seek employment with the Forestry Division.

Mayor Quirk did not take part in any of the discussion of or vote on these matters.

(See Items G.1, G.2 and G.5.)

C.

Minutes of Council

C.1

Council Meeting held on November 21, 2019

• Moved by Regional Councillor Grossi
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jackson

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on November 21, 2019.

  Carried

D.

Presentations

D.1

2020-2022 Regional Budget

• Moved by Mayor Barrow
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council receive the presentation by Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer

  Carried

E.

Deputations

None

F.

Communications

F.1

Crime Stoppers Awareness Month

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the communication from Leo Ralph, President, Crime Stoppers of York Region, dated December 17, 2019 and recognize January 2020 as Crime Stoppers Month in York Region.

  Carried

F.2

Change to Closed Meeting Investigator Services

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council receive the memorandum from Christopher Raynor, Regional Clerk, dated December 17, 2019.

  Carried

F.3

Acceleration of 16th Avenue (Woodbine to McCowan) Environmental Assessment

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

  That Council receive and refer to staff the communication from Dennis Fortnum, Normandale Community Residents Association, dated December 18, 2019.

  Carried

G.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

G.1

Committee of the Whole Meeting - December 5, 2019

• Mayor Quirk declared a conflict of interest on this item as it relates to the York Regional Police budget and the Forestry Operating Budget, and did not take part in the discussion of or vote on this item as it relates to those matters.

  (See Item B.)

  Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on December 5, 2019.

  Carried

G.2

Committee of the Whole Meeting - December 12, 2019

• Mayor Quirk declared a conflict of interest on this item as it relates to the York Regional Police budget and the Forestry Operating Budget, and did not take part in the discussion of or vote on this item as it relates to those matters.

  (See Item B.)

  Moved by Mayor Barrow
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jones

  That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on December 12, 2019.

  Carried

G.3

Capital Funding Agreement for York University Markham Centre Campus

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt
  1. That Council defer the Capital Funding Agreement for York University Markham Centre Campus Report to Council’s January 2020 meeting or such later meeting at which York University’s presentation to Council will be held.
  2. That Council confirm the Chief Administrative Officer and Regional Treasurer exercise their delegated authority to extend the Construction Milestone (currently set at December 31, 2019) in the September 12, 2014 Memorandum of Understanding between York University and York Region to December 31, 2020.
  Carried

G.4

York Durham Sewage System Operating Agreement Extension

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council adopt the following recommendation in the report dated December 19, 2019 from the Commissioner of Environmental Services and the Chief Administrative Officer: 

  1. Council authorize extending the York Durham Sewage System Operating Agreement under the existing terms with Durham Region for six months commencing January 1, 2020 until June 30, 2020 to allow for finalization of a new operating agreement and the Commissioner of Environmental Services be authorized to execute the necessary documents to extend the Operating Agreement.
  Carried

G.5

2020-2022 Regional Budget

• Mayor Quirk declared a conflict of interest on this item as it relates to the York Regional Police budget and the Forestry Operating Budget. Those matters were voted on separately and Mayor Quirk did not take part in the discussion of or vote on this item as it relates to those matters.

  (See Item B.)

  Moved by Mayor Barrow
  Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

  That Council add the following recommendation to the report dated December 19, 2019 from the Commission of Finance:

  6.   Council authorize staff to provide written notice to terminate the 2009 York Region Hospital Memorandum of Understanding (as per MOU Section 6.3).

  Carried
• Moved by Mayor Barrow
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council adopt the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated December 19, 2019 from the Commission of Finance:

  1. Council approve the operating and capital budgets as follows:
     1. The 2020 operating budget tabled on November 21, 2019 detailed in the 2020 to 2022 Budget book, as amended and summarized in Attachment 1.
     2. The 2020 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority by project and by program group and associated funding sources detailed in the 2020 to 2022 Budget book, as summarized in Attachment 2, and the authority to reallocate funding between projects in a program group as detailed in this report.
  2. Council endorse the 2021 to 2022 operating outlook tabled on November 21, 2019 detailed in the 2020 to 2022 Budget book, as summarized in Attachment 1.
  3. Council approve debt authority and reserve items as follows:
     1. Incremental debt authority of $466.3 million required for 2020 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 $152.5 million to the Sinking Fund Reserve for the purpose of meeting the Region’s 2020 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.
  4. Council endorse the reconciliation of the 2020 Budget to the full accrual basis of accounting, as required under Ontario Regulation 284/09, as summarized in the Budget book.
  5. Council authorize the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer to:
     
     1. Make any necessary adjustments within the total approved 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.
  6. Council authorize staff to provide written notice to terminate the 2009 York Region Hospital Memorandum of Understanding (as per MOU Section 6.3).
  Carried

H.

Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

• Moved by Mayor Lovatt
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council approve and enact the following bylaws:

  Carried

H.1

2019-64 Yonge Street - Widening and Reconstruction (784773 Ontario Limited)

H.2

2019-65 Yonge Street - Widening and Reconstruction (Fetlar Holdings Limited)

I.

Motions

I.1

Roads Capital Acceleration Projects

• Moved by Regional Councillor Rosati
  Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

  That staff report back in early 2020 with opportunities and implications to further accelerate roads capital projects.

  Carried
• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council adopt the following resolution, as amended:

  Whereas, the York Region 2020 to 2022 Transportation Services Budget identifies proposed Roads Capital Acceleration Projects.

  Whereas, City of Vaughan Council brought forward a recommendation, through resolution on May 14, 2019, to consider the following projects and timing of projects for inclusion into the Roads Capital Acceleration Program:

  1. Improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive (from Keele Street to McNaughton/Avro Drive) be expedited to a 2020 construction year
  2. Intersection improvements at Weston Road and Rutherford Road by 2022
  3. Regional funding be provided for the North Maple Community Bridge (33 percent of the total cost)

  Whereas, the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to open in 2020.

  Whereas, Metrolinx has identified improvements to the Maple GO Station, scheduled  to commence in 2020/2021, which will impact traffic along Major Mackenzie Drive.

  Whereas, in a letter dated February 12, 2019 to Regional Council, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services requested that the prioritization of the improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive (from Keele Street to McNaughton/Avro Drive) be reconsidered to improve emergency response.

  Whereas, the Environmental Assessment for the improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive (from Keele Street to McNaughton/Avro Drive) was completed and approved.

  Whereas, the proposed 2020 to 2022 Transportation Services Budget has identified that the improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive (Keele Street to McNaughton/Avro Drive) will not take place until 2024.

  It is therefore recommended:

  1. That York Region staff take the necessary steps to expedite improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive (from Keele Street to McNaughton/Avro Drive).
  2. That funding be made available to support initiating the detailed design of the project in 2020.
  Carried

J.

Notices of Motion to Reconsider

None

K.

Other Business

K.1

GTA Top Employer Award

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that York Region was named a Greater Toronto Top Employer for 2020 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. This award is administered through the Canada Top 100 Employers project and has become the benchmark for workplace best practices.

Regional Chair Emmerson highlighted several reasons York Region was selected as a top employer, including:

• Ongoing support of employee health and well-being
• Opportunities for staff to grow and develop new skills
• Commitment to corporate responsibility
• A diverse and inclusive workplace

Regional Chair Emmerson expressed that this recognition is a testament to the talented team of over 4,000 Regional staff who are dedicated to providing cost effective and quality services to the residents of York Region.

K.2

Council Accomplishments over the Last Decade

Regional Chair Emmerson highlighted some of Council's accomplishments over the last 10 years, including:

• Opening two accessible forest trails
• Opening Belinda’s Place and the Richmond Hill Hub
• Planting more than a million trees
• Exceeding 90% waste reduction for the first time
• Opening the TTC Yonge-University Line One station
• Endorsing the Inclusion Charter for York Region
• Launching the red light camera program
• Making the highest investment in transportation in Council’s history
• Obtaining approved environmental assessment for the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control plant

Regional Chair Emmerson thanked Members of Council and all those who have served on Council over the past decade for their work in building strong, caring, safe communities in York Region.

K.3

Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
  1. That Council appoint Regional Councillor Vegh as Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
  Carried

K.4

Committee of the Whole - January 16, 2020

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
  1. That the Committee of the Whole meetings in January be combined on January 16, 2020.
  2. That the January 23, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting be cancelled.
  Carried

K.5

Housing York Inc. - January 30, 2020

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas
  1. That a Housing York Inc. Board meeting be held immediately following Council on January 30, 2020.
  2. That the February 5, 2020 Housing York Inc. Board meeting be cancelled.
  Carried

L.

Private Session

Council did not resolve into private session.

M.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council enact Bylaw No. 2019-66 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on December 19, 2019.

  Carried

N.

Adjournment

The Council meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.

                                                           
Regional Clerk

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on January 30, 2019.

 

                                                           
Regional Chair