Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Meeting #:
Date:	Thursday, March 07, 2019
Time:	9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.
Location:	Council Chambers 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• W. Emmerson,
• D. Barrow,
• M. Bevilacqua,
• J. DiPaola,
• 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,
• J. Hulton,
• P. Jankowski,
• Dr. 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:

“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

None

C.

Presentations

C.1

2018 York Region Transit Annual System Performance Report

• Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Ann-Marie Carroll, General Manager of York Region Transit.

  (See Item E.2.1)

C.2

Environmental Services Operational Due Diligence and Regulatory Update 2018

• Committee of the Whole received the presentation by David Szeptycki, Director of Strategy and Innovation, Environmental Services and Roy Huetl, Director of Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring, Environmental Services.

  (See Items F.1.2, F.2.1 and F.2.2)

C.3

2018 Employment and Industry Report

• Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Paul Bottomley, Manager of Policy, Research and Forecasting, Planning and Economic Development.

  (See Item H.2.2)

D.

Deputations

D.1

Toronto Global Agreement Renewal

• Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Toby Lennox, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Global.

  (See Item H.2.4)

D.2

York Region Transit Annual System Performance Report

• Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Fred Winegust on behalf of Keep York Moving.

  (See Item D.3)

D.3

York Region Transit Annual System Performance Report

• Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Peter Miasek on behalf of Keep York Moving.

  Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation:

  1. That staff be directed to report back in May 2019, presenting additional context regarding direct bus services to the York University campus, including potential future solutions, and continue to engage Keep York Moving.

E.

Transportation Services

E.1

Communications

E.1.1

2019 Toronto Transit Commission Increase to its Greater Toronto Area Weekly Transit Pass

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Paul Jankowski, Commissioner of Transportation Services dated February 27, 2019.

E.1.2

407ETR Future Interchange Options Study Completion

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Todd Coles, City Clerk, City of Vaughan dated February 21, 2019.

E.1.3

Traffic Control Signals at Teston Road and Mosque Gate

• Committee of the Whole referred the communication from Todd Coles, City Clerk, City of Vaughan dated February 21, 2019 to the Council Meeting of March 21, 2019.

E.2

Reports

E.2.1

2018 York Region Transit Annual System Performance Report

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 25, 2019 from the Commissioner of Transportation Services:

  1. Council receive this report for information.

F.

Environmental Services

F.1

Communications

F.1.1

Proposed Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan - Staff Comments Submitted to the Province

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services and Paul Freeman, Chief Planned dated February 22, 2019. 

F.1.2

Update on Water and Wastewater Research and Innovation

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services dated February 22, 2019.

F.2

Reports

F.2.1

2018 Drinking Water Systems Report

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 26, 2019 from the Commissioner of Environmental Services:

  1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerks of the local municipalities, City of Toronto, Regional Municipality of Peel, and the Ontario Chief Drinking Water Inspector (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks).

F.2.2

2018 Integrated Management System Update Report for Water, Wastewater and Waste Management

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Environmental Services:

  1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerks of the local municipalities for information and the Ontario Chief Drinking Water Inspector (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks).

G.

Community and Health Services

G.1

Communications

G.1.1

Markham Inter-Church Committee for Affordable Housing Update

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services dated February 21, 2019.

G.2

Reports

None

H.

Planning and Economic Development

H.1

Communications

H.1.1

City of Markham Comments on Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, City of Markham dated March 6, 2019.

H.1.2

KLM Planning - Proposed Employment Area Conversion Criteria

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Rob Lavecchia, KLM Planning Partners dated March 6, 2019.

  (See Item H.2.3)

H.2

Reports

H.2.1

Economic Development - 2018 Year in Review

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner:

  1. The Economic Development – 2018 Year in Review (Attachment 1) be posted on the york.ca and yorklink.ca websites and circulated by the Regional Clerk to local municipalities, local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, ventureLAB, York Region Arts Council, York University, Seneca College, the Workforce Planning Board and Toronto Global.

H.2.2

2018 Employment and Industry Report

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner:

  1. The York Region 2018 Employment and Industry Report (Attachment 1) be posted on the york.ca and yorklink.ca websites and be circulated by the Regional Clerk to local municipalities, local chambers of commerce, boards of trade, the Workforce Planning Board and Toronto Global.

Committee of the Whole recessed at 12:08 p.m. and resumed at 1:01 p.m.

H.2.3

Proposed Employment Area Conversion Criteria

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner:

  1. Council endorse the proposed employment area conversion criteria in Attachment 4 to be applied by staff when assessing requests for employment area conversions during the Regional Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) to inform recommendations to Council.
  2. Staff apply the criteria in consultation with local municipal staff and landowners to inform a draft land budget to be considered by Council later this year.
  3. The report be circulated by the Regional Clerk to local municipalities and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

H.2.4

Toronto Global Agreement Renewal

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner:

  1. Council authorize an agreement with Toronto Global to provide foreign direct investment services for a five year term commencing April 1, 2019, subject to:
     
     1. The Federal and Provincial governments and all existing municipal funders committing to funding for the same term at levels at least commensurate with 2018 funding
     2. Toronto Global annually appearing before Council to present investment results and return on investment for York Region
     3. York Region’s funding commitment being reaffirmed annually by Council with consideration to exit the partnership should sufficient results not be achieved
  2. The Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute the agreement.

H.2.5

Community Improvement Project Area for Affordable Rental Housing Incentives

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Planner:

  1. Council enact a bylaw to designate areas identified as “Urban” and “Towns and Villages” in the York Region Official Plan as a Community Improvement Project Area in respect of affordable rental housing
  2. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities, the Ministers of Finance and Municipal Affairs and Housing and BILD-York Chapter

I.

Finance and Administration

I.1

Communications

I.1.1

Town of Aurora Council Resolution - Cannabis Public Use Bylaw

• Committee of the Whole received the communication from Michael De Rond, Town Clerk, Town of Aurora dated March 4, 2019.

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

Delegation of Authority During Council Recess in 2018

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 11, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council receive this report for information.

I.2.2

Disposal of Surplus Assets - 2018

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 21, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council receive this report for information.

I.2.3

Contract Awards including Renewals, Approvals and Emergency Purchases - October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 21, 2019 from the Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council receive this report for information.

I.2.4

Annual Report on Use of Delegated Authority for Representation on Matters before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal 2018

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Regional Solicitor and Commissioner of Finance:

  1. Council receive this report for information.

I.2.5

Contract Award for Esri GIS Software Licences

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 22, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

  1. Council authorize an agreement between the Region, Esri Canada Limited and Esri Inc. for an Esri Enterprise Agreement for York Region’s Geographic Information System software on the following terms:
     
     1. The term of agreement be for 4 years, starting on May 3, 2019 and ending on May 2, 2023
     2. The Region pay Esri Canada Limited a total of $1,100,000 divided into annual payments of $275,000 per year, excluding HST
  2. The Commissioner for Corporate Services be authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the Region.

I.2.6

Acquisition of Land - 211 The Queensway South - Town of Georgina

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated January 30, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

  1. Council approve the acquisition of the interests in land set out in Attachment 1, for the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) Upgrades project, in the Town of Georgina.
  2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transactions.

I.2.7

Acquisition of Land - 20989 2nd Concession Road - Upper York Sewage Solutions - Town of East Gwillimbury

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated January 30, 2019 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

  1. Council approve acquisition of the interests in land set out in Attachment 1, for the proposed water reclamation centre, in the Town of East Gwillimbury.
  2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transactions.

J.

Notice of Motion

None

K.

Other Business

K.1

Comments on Growth Plan, Provincially Significant Employment Lands and Density Targets

• Committee of the Whole referred the submissions from Mayor Scarpitti, Mayor Lovatt, and Regional Councillor Hamilton containing additional proposed comments on the Growth Plan, Provincially Significant Employment Lands, and density targets to the March 21, 2019 Regional Council meeting.

  A motion to reconsider the February 28, 2019 Regional Council decision regarding this matter would need to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote to enable consideration of the three submissions outlined below:

  Submission from Mayor Scarpitti

  1. “Be it resolved that the Regional Municipality of York request that the provincial government not include provincially significant employment zones in the Growth Plan, the current level of protections in the 2017 Growth Plan with respect to upper-tier official plans should be maintained, including the prohibition of institutional and sensitive land uses in employment areas that would have qualified as ‘prime employment areas’. 
  2. That in the event provincially significant employment zones remain in the Growth Plan it is requested that, prior to providing recommendations on mapping changes, Regional staff be provided the opportunity for further discussion with Provincial staff regarding the criteria for selection of the mapped employment areas, the intent and use of the PSEZ, and refinement to the mapping to reflect local planning considerations. 
  3. And further, that if provincially significant employment zones are included in the Growth Plan, staff support the inclusion of provincially significant employment zones in MTSAs in principle; however, provincially significant employment zones are not supported within MTSAs east of Warden Avenue in the Markham Centre Urban Growth Centre. 
  4. And further, that the Regional Municipality of York advise the provincial government that we have removed our request to designate the Future Employment Area in the City of Markham’s 2014 Official Plan as a provincially significant employment area.”

  Submission from Mayor Lovatt

  “Whereas Highway 404 is one of the most significant pieces of infrastructure for people and major goods movement in York Region;

  Whereas the lands along the Highway 404 corridor are highly valued for employment growth;

  Whereas the majority of the undeveloped lands along Highway 404 are considered a buffer between key natural heritage features and settlement areas by the provincial plans;

  Whereas freezing miles of land as a buffer to protect the natural heritage features in this area is not only unnecessary, but also a huge waste of municipal and provincial investment and economic development opportunities;

  Whereas not all industrial developments are a threat to the environment;

  Whereas the Town has a shortage of Industrial and Commercial assessment;

  Whereas York Region has a very well-established and effective land use planning system that requires proposed industrial developments to undertake rigorous studies and thorough assessments to ensure there is no adverse environmental impact; and

  Whereas the provincial review of the Growth Plan is a superb opportunity for York Region to identify new and attractive employments lands for growth and convert existing less desirable employment lands to other uses.

  Therefore be it resolved

  That Regional Council request the province to designate the lands on the east side of Highway 404 in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, as identified in the attached map, Provincially Significant Employment Zone through Amendment #1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2017).”

  Submission from Regional Councillor Hamilton

  “Whereas, Regional Council adopted comments to forward to the Province regarding ‘Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan’ at its Regional Council meeting on February 28, 2019, and

  Whereas, Regional Council directed staff to bring forward any additional comments for consideration at its Committee of the Whole meeting on March 7th, 2019:

  Therefore be it resolved that:

  1. The Regional Municipality of York make additional comment to the Government of Ontario to amend the proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe as follows: 
  2. Amend proposed policy 2.2.7.2 to set the minimum density target for York Region’s designated greenfield area to 50 residents and jobs per hectare.”

K.2

YTN Telecom Network Inc. Board - Amendment to Meeting Schedule

Regional Chair Emmerson announced amendments to the YTN Telecom Network Inc. Board Meeting schedule with remaining 2019 meetings to be held in April, June, September and November of 2019.

K.3

Planning Advisory Committee Meetings

Regional Chair Emmerson reminded Members of Council that the first meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee will be held March 20, 2019 and suggested Mayor Mrakas chair the meetings.

K.4

Housing York Inc. Board - Amendment to Meeting Schedule

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that the April 3, 2019 meeting of the Housing York Inc. Board will be cancelled and replaced with a tour of Housing York Inc. facilities from 8 a.m. to approximately 12:30 p.m.

L.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole resolved into Private Session at 1:42 p.m. At 1:47 p.m. Committee of the Whole resumed in Public Session and reported the following:

L.1

2018 Annual Report - Regional Solicitor’s Use of Delegated Authority - Litigation

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the recommendation contained in the confidential report of the Regional Solicitor dated February 19, 2019 and that the report be forwarded for consideration at Council's private session on March 21, 2019.

L.2

Disposition of Matters Under the Purchasing Bylaw 2018 Annual Report - Litigation

• Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the recommendation contained in the confidential report of the Regional Solicitor dated February 19, 2019 and that the report be forwarded for consideration at Council's private session on March 21, 2019.

L.3

Private Attachment 1 to Item I.2.6 - Acquisition of Land - 211 The Queensway South - Town of Georgina - Acquisition of Land

• Committee of the Whole received the private attachment referred to in Item 1.2.6

L.4

Private Attachment 1 to Item I.2.7 - Acquisition of Land - 20989 2nd Concession Road - Upper York Sewage Solutions - Town of East Gwillimbury - Acquisition of Land

• Committee of the Whole received the private attachment referred to in Item 1.2.7

M.

Adjournment

The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m.