Agenda
Committee of the Whole

Thursday, March 07, 2024

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

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Quorum: 11

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A.

Call to Order

B.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land.

We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.

C.

Disclosures of Interest

D.

Presentations

D.1

York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan

Joseph Petrungaro, Director, Roads, Traffic and Fleet, Public Works

Nelson Costa, Manager, Corridor Control and Safety, Public Works

Constable Todd Snooks, York Regional Police

(See Item F.2.1)

E.

Deputations

​(Subject to the Committee granting deputant status.)

F.

Public Works - Transportation Services

Chair – Mayor Mrakas
Vice-Chair – Mayor Lovatt

Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

Adoption of Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion

F.1

Communications

None

F.2

Reports

F.2.1

York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan

Report dated February 12, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works recommending that: 

1. Council approve York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, included as Attachment 1.
2. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to Clerks of the local municipalities, York Regional Police, York Region school boards and Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. 

G.

Public Works - Environmental Services

Chair – Mayor West
Vice-Chair – Regional Councillor Li

Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

Adoption of Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion

G.1

Communications

G.1.1

Proposed Redistribution Policy for Servicing Allocation

Monica Beattie, Senior Clerk's Coordinator, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville dated January 5, 2024

Recommendation: Receive

G.2

Reports

G.2.1

Wastewater Energy Transfer Agreement with Markham District Energy Inc.

Report dated February 13, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works recommending that:

1. Council authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to negotiate and execute an agreement with Markham District Energy Inc. to implement a wastewater energy transfer system at 8100 Warden Avenue, Markham, subject to the terms and conditions set out in Private Attachment 1, and on business terms satisfactory to the Commissioner of Public Works and on legal terms satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor.
2. Commissioner of Public Works be authorized to execute any future extensions or amendments that may be required.

H.

Community and Health Services

Chair – Regional Councillor Rosati
Vice-Chair – Mayor Quirk

Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

Adoption of Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion

H.1

Communications

None

H.2

Reports

H.2.1

A Place to Thrive: York Region's 2024 to 2027 Plan for Newcomer Inclusion

Report dated February 13, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services recommending that:

1. Council approve A Place to Thrive: York Region’s 2024 to 2027 Plan for Newcomer Inclusion (Attachment 1).
2. The Regional Clerk forward this report and attachment to the Clerks of local municipalities, Newcomer Inclusion Table of York Region, Human Services Planning Board of York Region, and York Region Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group.

H.2.2

2024 to 2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors: Navigating Forward Together

Report dated February 13, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services recommending that:

1. Council approve the 2024 to 2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors: Navigating Forward Together (Attachment 1)
2. Regional Chair write to York Region Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament requesting they advocate to Federal and Provincial governments to seek collaboration, support and further investments to advance five priorities identified in the advocacy agenda of the 2024 to 2027 York Region Plan to Support Seniors: Navigating Forward Together including:
   1. Mandating prevention-focused annual in-home or supported virtual visits with a health professional to proactively connect seniors 75 and older to needed information, health services and community supports
   2. Policy planning and funding across seniors continuum of health and social care that leverages innovative evidence-based approaches to enable seniors to age in the right place for their own needs, circumstances and preferences, including promising practices like Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities and other age friendly supports
   3. Sustainable funding for preventative and responsive Community Paramedicine programs that have proven to assist vulnerable seniors in their homes, and reduce avoidable 911 calls
   4. Investments to sustain, scale and spread programs and supports that enhance seniors access to technology and reduce the digital divide
   5. Establishment of a provincial service system manager or other form of coordinating body to coordinate and align improvements across multiple ministries, sectors and stakeholders supporting seniors
3. Regional Clerk circulate this report for information to York Region Members of Provincial Parliament and Members of Parliament, local municipalities, York Region Human Services Planning Board, Home and Community Care Support Services Central, Ontario Health Teams in York Region, Ontario Health Central Region, AdvantAge Ontario, Ontario Long-Term Care Association, Ontario Community Support Association, Ontario Municipal Social Services Association and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

H.2.3

Approach to Developing York Region's 2025 to 2035 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan

Report dated February 9, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and the Chief Planner recommending that:

1. The Regional Clerk forward this report to local Members of Parliament, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Members of Provincial Parliament and Clerks of the local municipalities.

I.

Planning and Economic Development

Chair – Regional Councillor DiPaola
Vice-Chair – Mayor Scarpitti

Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

Adoption of Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion

I.1

Communications

None

I.2

Reports

None

J.

Finance and Administration

Chair – Mayor Pellegrini
Vice-Chair – Mayor Del Duca

Determination of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

Adoption of Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion

J.1

Communications

J.1.1

Proclamation Request - World Down Syndrome Day - March 21, 2024

Giovanna Arduini-Arcella, President, Down Syndrome Association of York Region dated February 7, 2024

Recommendation: Recognize March 21, 2024 as World Down Syndrome Day

J.1.2

Contract Awards from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023

Memorandum dated February 9, 2024 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer

Recommendation: Receive

J.2

Reports

J.2.1

Review and Update of Council-Approved Policies

Report dated February 21, 2024 from the Chief Administrative Officer recommending that:

1. Council approve proposed updates to the following policies as outlined in Appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H:
   1. Accessibility Policy
   2. Advertising on York Region Transit Vehicles and Property Policy
   3. Delegation of Powers and Duties of Regional Council Policy
   4. Investment Policy
   5. Special Events on Regional Roads Policy
   6. Transit Lost and Found Policy
   7. Transit Vehicle Charters Policy
   8. York Region Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Policy Framework
2. Council rescind the following policies:
   1. Custody of Documents Policy
   2. Copies of Records and Agendas to the Public Policy
   3. Employee Commuting Option Policy
   4. Municipal Freedom and Protection of Privacy Act Policy
3. Council convert the following policies to administrative policies:
   1. Archives Policy
   2. Corporate Purchasing Card Policy

J.2.2

Contract Awards and Amendments Requiring Council Approval

Report dated February 9, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance recommending that: 

1. Council approve the new non-standard procurements, extensions, and increases described in Appendix A and Private Attachment 1.
2. Council authorize the Signing Authorities in Table 6 of this Report to execute the related contracts and instruments for the purchases in Appendix A and Private Attachment 1.

J.2.3

Go Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 - Regulatory Recommendations

Report dated February 23, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance recommending that:

1. Council approve the recommendations in Table 2 of this report as well the recommendations below, in response to the regulatory framework for the new Station Contribution Fee, under the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023, requesting the Province:
   1. Clarify that a Station Contribution Fee can be levied on either a municipal-wide or area-specific basis, specifically:
      1. that the decision to levy the charge on a municipal-wide, or area-specific, basis, be at the sole discretion of municipal council;
      2. any associated mapping, in support of the benefitting area, being at the discretion of the municipal council and as part of the background study process.
   2. Align eligible capital costs with the Development Charges Act, 1997, and specifically include land and all studies-related costs.
   3. Clarify that municipalities be given latitude in developing the associated rate structure, including the ability to employ a differentiated rate.  
   4. Clarify development cost offsets, that municipalities levying the new fee will be required to provide developers, need not be commensurate/equal to additional costs associated with the new fee, specifically:
      1. that in a two-tier jurisdiction, where the upper-tier municipality levies the fee, a local municipal offset would satisfy this requirement;
      2. that the methodology for calculating municipal offsets, and which offsets are to be used, form part of the associated background study and be at the sole discretion of a municipal council.
   5. Allow a municipal council to determine additional exemptions in consultation with the development industry (and other interested stakeholders), and form part of the background study and bylaw;
      1. that any revenue reductions, resulting from any exemptions, can be funded by future development.
2. Outside of the regulatory framework, the Province be requested to clarify:
   1. how a municipality is prescribed to be eligible to levy the fee and that, once prescribed, there is no ability for developers to ‘opt out’ of participation;
   2. that the new Station Contribution Fee does not represent a shift in funding responsibilities for new GO Transit Stations, from the Province to developers and municipalities.
3. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Transportation, local Members of Provincial Parliament, and the local municipalities.

J.2.4

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - February 21, 2024

Recommendation: Receive

K.

Notice of Motion

K.1

Proposed Motion from Mayor Mrakas

Notice is given of Mayor Mrakas's intention to bring the following motion forward for consideration at a future Council meeting:

WHEREAS York Region has recently adopted a true hybrid work policy where 60% of the staff will work only 50% of their work week on site;

WHEREAS Regional office buildings, including the 422,000 square foot Regional Head Office on Yonge Street will now, as a consequence, have sizeable areas of under and unused taxpayer funded office space available for other purposes;
 
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. 1. Regional Staff be directed to undertake a review of all Regionally-owned buildings for the purposes of identifying those that are under and/or unused and provide an analysis of those that can be potentially repurposed for other regional priorities including supportive housing.

L.

Other Business

M.

Private Session

M.1

Private Attachment 1 to Item G.2.1 - Wastewater Energy Transfer Agreement with Markham District Energy Inc. - Information Supplied in Confidence and Negotiations

Recommendation: Receive private attachment. Attachment remains private.

M.2

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.1.2 - Contract Awards from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 - Security of Property

Recommendation: Receive private attachment. Attachment remains private.

M.3

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.2.2 - Contract Awards and Amendments Requiring Council Approval - Security of Property

Recommendation: Receive private attachment. Attachment remains private.

N.

Adjournment