Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, March 11, 2021

9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• W. Emmerson,
• M. Bevilacqua,
• Councillor 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,
• S. Kennedy,
• Dr. K. Kurji,
• D. Kuzmyk,
• 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 Item F related to the 2021 to 2022 York Regional Police (YRP) Budget, as her husband is a retired YRP officer and works under contract with YRP and her stepson is a YRP officer.

C.

Deputations

None

BUDGET

D.

Budget Introduction

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

E.

Conservation Authorities

E.1

Presentation: 2021 Budget - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer and Michael Tolensky, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

E.2

Presentation: 2021 Budget - Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Rob Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer and Mark Critch, General Manager, Corporate and Financial Services, Lake Simcoe and Region Conservation Authority.

E.3

Report: 2021 to 2022 Budget - Conservation Authorities

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 23, 2021 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommend the budget as submitted for Conservation Authorities as follows:
   1. The 2021 operating budget and the 2022 operating outlook, as summarized in Attachment 1.
      
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on March 25, 2021.

F.

York Regional Police

F.1

Presentation: 2021 to 2022 Budget - York Regional Police

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Mayor Virginia Hackson, Chair, York Regional Police Services Board, Jim MacSween, Chief, York Regional Police and Jeffrey Channell, Manager, Financial Services, York Regional Police.

F.2

Communication: 2021 Police Operating and Capital Budgets

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the communication from Mafalda Avellino, Executive Director, The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board dated December 1, 2020.

F.3

Report: 2021 to 2022 Budget - York Regional Police

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 23, 2021 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommend the budget as submitted for York Regional Police Services as follows:
   1. The 2021 operating budget and the 2022 operating outlook, as summarized in Attachment 1.
   2. The 2021 capital expenditures and the 2021 Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Attachment 2.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on March 25, 2021.

Committee of the Whole recessed at 12:07 p.m. and reconvened at 12:47 p.m.

G.

YorkNet

G.1

Presentation: 2021 to 2022 Budget - YorkNet

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Laura Bradley, General Manager, YorkNet.

G.2

Report: 2021 to 2022 Budget - YorkNet

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 23, 2021 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommend the budget as submitted for YorkNet as follows:
   1. The 2021 operating budget and the 2022 operating outlook, as summarized in Attachment 1.
   2. The 2021 capital expenditures and the 2021 Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Attachment 2.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on March 25, 2021.

H.

Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services

H.1

Presentation: 2021 to 2022 Budget - Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

H.2

Report: 2021 to 2022 Budget - Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 23, 2021 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommend the budget as submitted for Corporate Management and Governance, Financial Initiatives, External Partners and Court Services as follows:
   1. The 2021 operating budget and the 2022 operating outlook, as summarized in Attachment 1.
   2. The 2021 capital expenditures and the 2021 Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Attachment 2.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on March 25, 2021.

H.3

Memorandum: Proposed Update to 2021-2022 Regional Budget

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated March 9, 2021.

OTHER ITEMS

I.

Finance and Administration

I.1

2021 Regional Fiscal Strategy

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated March 3, 2021 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council adopt the updated fiscal strategy that is outlined in this report.
2. Council adopt the 2021 Long-Term Debt Management Plan, shown as Attachment 1 to this report.
3. Council adopt the resolution shown as Attachment 2 requesting the Province to:
   1. Make changes to the Development Charges Act as outlined in this report to ensure that benefitting development fairly contributes to the cost of the Yonge Subway Extension
   2. Renew the growth-related cost supplement component of York Region’s Annual Repayment Limit that will expire on December 31, 2021
4. Council authorize the early repayment of $18,657,698 of tax levy and user rate debt originally due to be refinanced in 2021, from the following reserves:
   1. Debt Reduction Reserve - $8,714,376
   2. Capital Asset Replacement – Water - $667,230
   3. Capital Asset Replacement – Wastewater - $9,276,092
5. Council authorize the transfer of funds from the following reserves to YorkNet:
   1. Up to $1,203,570 of contributions that were previously made by YorkNet to the General Capital Reserve, to its Capital Asset Replacement Reserve; and
   2. Up to $459,976 of contributions that were previously made by YorkNet to the Tax Stabilization Reserve, to its Stabilization Reserve
6. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to Building Industry and Land Development Association - York Chapter.
7. That staff be directed to develop a policy limiting access to the growth-related cost supplement to the Annual Repayment Limit for purposes related only to the Yonge Subway Extension and staff evaluate the potential implications of this policy in relation to the Region’s overall fiscal strategy and other objectives.

I.2

2021 Property Tax Ratios

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 24, 2021 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. The property tax ratios for the 2021 taxation year be as outlined in the report.
2. Council approve a bylaw to implement the tax ratios.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the local municipalities.

J.

Planning and Economic Development

J.1

Minutes - York Region Planning Advisory Committee - February 17, 2021

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the York Region Planning Advisory Committee meeting on February 17, 2021.

K.

Notice of Motion

None

L.

Other Business

L.1

Motion - Budget Review

Committee recommends adoption of the following motion:

That staff review the Budget, given the approximate $17 million in transit and the $21 million in Safe Restart program funding, to achieve a 0% tax levy increase in 2021 and provide 1.54% ($18.3 million) incremental contribution to reserves.

L.2

COVID-19 Update

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region Medical Officer of Health provided an update on the status of COVID-19 vaccinations and responded to questions from Members of Committee of the Whole.

L.3

National Day of Observance for COVID-19

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that today, March 11, 2021 marks the one year anniversary of the World Health Organization's declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. On behalf of Regional Council and the Region's 1.2 million residents, Regional Chair Emmerson offered deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives to COVID-19. Members of Council and staff joined in a moment of silence.

L.4

Special Council Meeting - March 18, 2021

Regional Chair Emmerson announced a Special Council Meeting on March 18, 2021 beginning at 9 a.m. to consider:

1. Proposed 2051 Forecast and Land Needs Assessment
2. Update on Minister Zoning Orders (MZO) in York Region
3. Bradford Bypass Project
4. GTA West Transportation Corridor Project
5. COVID-19 Update

L.5

YorkNet Board Meeting - Rescheduling

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the rescheduling of the YorkNet Board of Directors meeting from April 22 to April 7, 2021 at 11 a.m. following the Housing York Inc. Board of Directors meeting.

M.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole deferred the following matter to the March 25, 2021 Regional Council private session.

M.1

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

Deferred from February 25, 2021 Council Private Session.

N.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 3:53 p.m.