Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, March 03, 2022

9:00 A.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• W. Emmerson,
• M. Bevilacqua,
• 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,
• T. Vegh,
• and D. West

Staff:

• D. Basso,
• A-M. Carroll,
• K. Chislett,
• P. Freeman,
• D. Kuzmyk,
• B. Macgregor,
• E. Mahoney,
• C. Raynor,
• and K. Strueby

---

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.

Presentations

C.1

Operational Due Diligence and Regulatory Update 2021

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Beth Weir, Director of Operations, Maintenance and Monitoring.

C.2

Draft 2022 Development Charges Bylaw and Background Study

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Kelly Strueby, Acting Commissioner of Finance.

D.

Deputations

D.1

Response to Report on Sex Trafficking

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Robert Vallee, on behalf of Parents Against Child Trafficking - Markham and Richmond Hill.

D.2

Transportation Master Plan and Development Charges

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Irene Ford, Resident.

E.

Transportation Services

E.1

Communications

None

E.2

Reports

E.2.1

2022 Transportation Master Plan - Draft

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 11, 2022 from the Acting Commissioner of Transportation Services:

1. Council receive the draft 2022 Transportation Master Plan.
2. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the local municipalities requesting comments in advance of final approval by Council in June 2022.

E.2.2

Community Safety Zone Bylaw Amendments

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 9, 2022 from the Acting Commissioner of Transportation Services:

1. The Region’s Community Safety Zone bylaw be amended as detailed in Attachment 1 of this report.
2. The Regional Solicitor prepare the necessary bylaw.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerks of the local municipalities, York Regional Police and York Region school boards.

F.

Environmental Services

F.1

Communications

F.1.1

2021 Research and Innovation Update

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum from Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services dated January 18, 2022.

F.1.2

Minister's Annual Report on Drinking Water 2021 and 2020-21 Chief Drinking Water Inspector Annual Report

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the communication from The Honourable David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks dated December 23, 2021.

F.2

Reports

F.2.1

2021 Drinking Water Systems Report

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 9, 2022 from the Commissioner of Environmental Services:

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

F.2.2

2021 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 January 18, 2022 from the Commissioner of Environmental Services:

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

F.2.3

York Region Response Draft Federal Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulation

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 9, 2022 from the Commissioner of Environmental Services:

1. Council endorse comments outlined in Attachment 1, to be submitted to Environment and Climate Change Canada on March 5, 2022.
2. The Regional Clerk circulate this report and submission to the clerks of the local municipalities.

G.

Community and Health Services

G.1

Communications

None

G.2

Reports

G.2.1

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting - February 16, 2022

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting dated February 16, 2022.

H.

Planning and Economic Development

H.1

Communications

H.1.1

Additional Recommendations Provincial Housing Affordability Task Force Report

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated March 1, 2022.

H.2

Reports

H.2.1

Affordable Private Market Housing Implementation Plan Approach and Timelines

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 18, 2022 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

1. Staff be directed to prepare an Affordable Private Market Housing Implementation Plan as described in this report.
2. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the local municipalities, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the York Chapter of BILD.

H.2.2

Minutes - Housing Affordability Task Force Meeting - February 17, 2022

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Housing Affordability Task Force Meeting dated February 17, 2022.

H.2.3

Minutes - Planning Advisory Committee Meeting - February 23, 2022

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting dated February 23, 2022.

I.

Finance and Administration

I.1

Communications

None

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

Draft 2022 Development Charges Bylaw and Background Study

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 18, 2022 from the Acting Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council receive the draft 2022 Development Charges Bylaw and Background Study (Attachment 1).
2. A report be brought forward to the May 26, 2022 meeting of Council recommending the approval of a 2022 Development Charges Bylaw.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities and the Building Industry and Land Development Association – York Chapter (BILD).

I.2.2

2022 Property Tax Ratios

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 18, 2022 from the Acting Commissioner of Finance:

1. The property tax ratios for the 2022 taxation year be as outlined in the table within the report.
2. Council approve a bylaw to implement the tax ratios.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the local municipalities.

I.2.3

2022 Property Tax Rates

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 18, 2022 from the Acting Commissioner of Finance:

1. Regional property tax rates for 2022 be established for the following property classes, as outlined in the table within the report.
2. Local municipalities pay the final two instalments of their 2022 Regional property tax levy on or before September 29, 2022 and December 15, 2022.
3. Notional tax rate calculation adjustment be adopted.
4. Council approve a bylaw to give effect to these recommendations.
5. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities.

I.2.4

Sex Trafficking - Legislation, Jurisdiction, Enforcement and Victim Support

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 18, 2022 from the Regional Solicitor:

1. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the local municipalities, York Regional Police and the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board.

I.2.5

Compensation for Expropriation - 19th Avenue from Bayview Avenue to Leslie Street - City of Richmond Hill

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 18, 2022 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve the Commissioner of Corporate Services to make offers of compensation to the owners of the lands in the City of Richmond Hill, as set out in Attachment 1, which were acquired in accordance with the Expropriations Act (the “Act”).

J.

Motions

J.1

Review of Regional Winter Maintenance - Roles and Responsibilities

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following motion, as amended:

WHEREAS, the Regional Municipality of York and the City of Vaughan provides service excellence in its winter maintenance operations; and,

WHEREAS, sidewalk obstructions, blockages, and ice buildups are not unique to significant snow accumulations and are a regular occurrence during road clearing operations, and that this has been an ongoing issue throughout the region for the past 20 years; and,

WHEREAS, the Regional Municipality of York received a significant winter event on January 17, 2022 emphasizing current gaps in providing optimized winter maintenance services; and,

WHEREAS, the Region’s response to snow accumulation can include multiple rounds of snowplow clearing from the roadway, including a benching operation to remove snow from the curb line; and,

WHEREAS, as a result of road clearing operations, bridge deck and monolithic sidewalks will often have accumulation inhibiting the ability for pedestrians to safely pass; and,

WHEREAS, as a result of road clearing operations, snow placement causes ice buildup on sidewalks, as well as obstructions and blockages on egresses leading to inability to pedestrians to safety pass and sightline concerns; and,

WHEREAS, regional road sidewalks require a disproportionate amount of time to clear creating delays in clearing residential neighbourhoods; and, 

WHEREAS, the Region has undertaken snow clearing operations on-boulevard bicycle lanes adjacent to regional roads; and,

WHEREAS, it is important and useful to improve the effectiveness of the City’s and Region’s operations, as part of our quest for continuous improvement in providing a demonstrated consistency of services to our residents, businesses, and emergency care centres.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff be directed to undertake a review regarding York Region assuming all winter maintenance including snow clearing on sidewalks adjacent to regional roads, with a preliminary report to be provided to the June 16, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting, including whether it could be done in-house or through a performance based contract. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk be directed to circulate this motion to all York Region municipalities for their review and consideration.

K.

Notice of Motion

None

L.

Other Business

L.1

Transportation and Environmental Services Awards

Regional Chair Emmerson noted the Transportation Services' Intersection Safety Pilot has been recognized by the Ministry of Transportation with the 2021 Road Safety Initiative of the Year Award. Further, it was announced York Region is the proud recipient of the 2022 Susan Wiecek Forestry Education Award from Forests Ontario. Regional Chair Emmerson extended congratulations and thanked all those involved.

L.2

2022 Winter Paralympics

Regional Chair Emmerson extended congratulations and best wishes to athletes of Team Canada participating in the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games beginning March 4.

L.3

National Nutrition Month

Regional Chair Emmerson noted March is National Nutrition Month and highlighted the importance of making informed food choice and developing an overall healthy lifestyle.

L.4

Red Cross Month

Regional Chair Emmerson noted March is Red Cross Month, which is an opportunity to celebrate York Region's long-standing partnership with the Canadian Red Cross.

L.5

Employee Appreciation Day

Regional Chair Emmerson noted March 4 is Employee Appreciation Day and extended his deepest appreciation to York Region and local municipal staff for outstanding work over the past year.

L.6

International Women's Day

Regional Chair Emmerson noted March 8 is International Women's Day, a global initiative to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. Regional Chair Emmerson took a moment to acknowledge all the women who make York Region a great place to live, work and visit.

M.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole did not resolve into Private Session.

M.1

Private Attachment 1 to Item I.2.5. - Compensation for Expropriation - 19th Avenue from Bayview Avenue to Leslie Street - City of Richmond Hill - Acquisition of Land

Committee of the Whole received the private attachment.

N.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 12:07 p.m.