Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

Thursday, October 22, 2020

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

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• W. Emmerson,
• D. Barrow,
• 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,
• and T. Vegh

Staff:

• D. Basso,
• K. Chislett,
• P. Freeman,
• P. Jankowski,
• K. Kurji,
• D. Kuzmyk,
• B. Macgregor,
• E. Mahoney,
• L. Mirabella,
• C. Raynor,
• and M.F. Turner

---

A.

Call to Order

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 9:01 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.

Minutes of Council

C.1

Council Meeting held on September 24, 2020

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on September 24, 2020.

  Carried

D.

Presentations

D.1

York University Markham Centre Campus 

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton

  That Council receive the presentation from Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University.

  Carried

D.2

2020 Budget Companion and Annual Operating Priorities

• Moved by Mayor Quirk
  Seconded by Mayor Hackson

  That Council receive the presentation from Mike Walters, Chief Administrative Officer, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

  Carried

D.3

Policing in a Changing Environment

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That Council receive the presentation from Chief Jim MacSween and Jeffrey Channell, Manager Financial Services, York Regional Police.

  Carried

D.4

Corporate Update #3 - York Region Response to COVID-19

• Moved by Mayor Barrow
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Heath

  That Council receive the presentation from Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

  Carried

E.

Deputations

E.1

Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That Council receive the deputation from Mary ann Colin.

  Carried

F.

Communications

F.1

Communications Related to Item G.1 (October 8, 2020 Committee of the Whole Agenda Item H.2.2 - Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways)

F.1.1

Form Letter Submitted by 60 Individuals in Opposition

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the form letter submissions from 60 individuals.

  Carried

F.1.2

Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Sue Sherban, Ward 6 Councillor, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville dated October 8, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.3

Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Anne Carter, President, Tullis Estates Limited dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.4

Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Mary Muter, Chair, Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation and Vice Chair, Restore Our Water International dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.5

York Region’s Request to Open up Greenbelt Lands

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Geoffrey and Anne Peat dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.6

Green Belt Re: Item H 2.2. Potential for Employment Lands along 400 Series Highways Report

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Cheryl Lewandowski dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.7

October Vote re Item H 2.2 Appropriation of Greenbelt

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Suzanne Shields dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.8

Item H 2.2. Potential for Employment Lands along 400 Series Highways Report

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Frances Critchley-Moore dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.9

H 2.2 Potential for Employments Lands

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Michael Birenbaum dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.10

Employment Lands - Why Can't Business Build in Richmond Hill

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Jay Lennox dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.11

York Region Opens New Attack on Greenbelt

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Norbert Hoeller dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.12

No to Opening the Greenbelt to New Development

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Elizabeth Morin dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.13

Greenbelt

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Judith Tenenbaum dated October 7, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.14

Please Do Not Weaken Our Greenbelt!

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Peter Attfield dated October 8, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.15

Council Meeting for York Region

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Johnny Wideman dated October 9, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.16

Opening Up Greenbelt for Development

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Jeff Karn dated October 12, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.17

Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence dated October 21, 2020 from Debbe Crandall and Graham Whitelaw, Save the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition; Gloria Marsh, Executive Director, York Region Environmental Alliance; Sony Rai, Executive Director, Sustainable Vaughan; Bruce Craig, Chair and Jennifer Anstey, Vice-Chair, Concerned Citizens of King Township.

  Carried

F.1.18

Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Jordan Coates, President, York Region Federation of Agriculture dated October 21, 2020.

  Carried

F.1.19

The Greenbelt is Permanent

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Brenda Hogg, former Regional Councillor dated October 21, 2020.

  Carried

F.2

Information on the Deferred Motion to Directly-Elect the Regional Chair

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council receive the memorandum dated October 15, 2020 from Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

  Carried

F.3

Provincial Budget Consultation

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council receive the memorandum dated October 19, 2020 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

  Carried

F.4

Financial Impacts of COVID-19

• Moved by Mayor Barrow
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council receive the memorandum dated October 19, 2020 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

  Carried

G.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

G.1

Committee of the Whole Meeting - October 8, 2020

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Mayor Pellegrini

  That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on October 8, 2020, except for Item H.2.2 as noted below.

  Carried

  Potential for Employment Lands Along 400 Series Highways

  Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton

  That Council adopt the following recommendations in the report dated September 25, 2020 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:
  

  1. Council reiterate its request to the Province to develop a process
     allowing municipalities to access site-specific strategically located
     employment lands for employment use only, if deemed necessary
     through a Municipal Comprehensive Review.
  2. Council reiterate its request to the Province to consider the extension
     of Great Lake based servicing as an option to service settlement areas
     within the Greenbelt Plan and Oak Ridges Moraine Plan areas.
  3. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and to the Clerks of the local municipalities

  A recorded vote on recommendation 1 was:

  For:  Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Jackson, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati, Scarpitti (15)

  Against: Hamilton, Heath, Mrakas, Quirk, Taylor (5)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Carried

  A recorded vote on recommendations 2 and 3 was:

  For:  Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Hamilton, Jackson, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati, Scarpitti, Taylor (17)

  Against: Heath, Mrakas, Quirk (3)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Carried

G.2

Committee of the Whole Meeting - October 15, 2020

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on October 15, 2020, except for Item F.1 as noted below.

  Carried

  Proposed Employment Area Mapping and Employment Conversions

  Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council adopt Committee of the Whole recommendation 2, except site-specific employment area conversion requests RH10 and V7, as follows:

  2. Council approve site-specific employment area conversion requests RH1, V3, V4, V5, V6, V11, V13, V15, V18, V22, V24, V25, V26 and V30 as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5.

  A recorded vote on recommendation 2, as amended, was:

  For:  Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Hamilton, Heath, Jackson, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati, Scarpitti (18)

  Against: Quirk, Taylor (2)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Carried

  Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton

  That Council refer site-specific employment area conversion request RH10, as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5, to the City of Richmond Hill for additional evaluation and planning and a decision by April 2021.

  A recorded vote was:

  For:  Hamilton, Heath, Jones, Li, Mrakas, Quirk, Scarpitti, Taylor (8)

  Against: Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Jackson, Lovatt, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati (12)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Defeated

  Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council approve site-specific employment area conversion request RH10 as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5.

  A recorded vote was:

  For:  Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Heath, Jackson, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati (13)

  Against: Hamilton, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Quirk, Scarpitti, Taylor (7)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Carried

  Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council refer site-specific employment area conversion request V7, as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5, to the City of Vaughan for additional evaluation and planning and a decision by April 2021.

  A recorded vote was:

  For:  Hamilton, Heath, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Mrakas, Quirk, Scarpitti, Taylor (9)

  Against: Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Jackson, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati (11)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Defeated

  Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council approve site-specific employment area conversion request V7 as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5.

  A recorded vote was:

  For:  Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Heath, Jackson, Lovatt, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati (13)

  Against: Hamilton, Jones, Li, Mrakas, Quirk, Scarpitti, Taylor (7)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Carried

  Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council adopt Committee of the Whole recommendations 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

  Carried

  Council's final decision on this matter is as follows:

  1. Council approve the following site-specific employment area conversion
     requests, which Local Municipal Councils either support or don’t object to, as
     outlined in Attachments 4 and 5:
     a. A1, A2, A3, A8
     b. K2
     c. M5, M6, M9, M13
     d. N1, N2, N3
     e. RH2, RH3, RH6, RH9, RH11
     f. V1, V16, V17, V21, V28
     g. WS1, WS2
  2. Council approve site-specific employment area conversion requests RH1, RH10, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V11, V13, V15, V18, V22, V24, V25, V26 and V30 as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5.
  3. Council refer site-specific employment area conversion requests M3, M4, M7, 
     M8 and M11 as outlined on Attachments 4 and 5 to the City of Markham for a
     decision by April 2021.
  4. Council not approve the following site-specific employment area conversion
     requests that are either not required to accommodate the proposed use
     and/or are not supported by Local Municipal Councils as outlined in
     Attachments 4 and 5:
     a. A4, A5, A6, A7
     b. G1, G2
     c. K1, K3
     d. M2, M12
     e. RH4, RH5, RH7, RH8
     f. V8, V9, V10, V12, V14, V19, V20, V23, V27, V29
  5. Council not approve site-specific employment area conversion request M10 
     as outlined in Attachments 4 and 5.
  6. Council endorse employment areas proposed for designation in the Regional
     Official Plan in Attachment 3, on the basis of Council’s decision on site specific employment area conversion requests.
  7. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and
     Housing and the Clerks of the local municipalities.

H.

Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

H.1

2020-49 Amendment to U-turn Restrictions Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council approve and enact bylaw 2020-49.

  Carried

H.2

2020-50 Amendment to Restriction of Turning Movements Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council approve and enact bylaw 2020-50.

  Carried

H.3

2020-51 Construction of a Mid-Block Crossing Highway 404 and 16th Avenue

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council approve and enact bylaw 2020-51.

  Carried

H.4

2020-53 Lane Designation Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council defer consideration of bylaw 2020-53 to the November 19, 2020 Council meeting for further clarification regarding the implication on the use of e-bikes.

  Carried

I.

Motions

I.1

Direct Election of Regional Chair

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That the Regional Chair be directly elected by an at large election.

  A recorded vote was:

  For:  DiPaola, Hamilton, Jones, Li, Mrakas, Taylor (6)

  Against: Barrow, Bevilacqua, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hackson, Heath, Jackson, Lovatt, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Quirk, Rosati, Scarpitti (14)

  Absent: Vegh (1)

  Defeated

J.

Notices of Motion to Reconsider

None

K.

Other Business

K.1

Agenda Numbering System

The Clerk was requested to examine the issue of duplicate numbering for items listed in the Committee of the Whole minutes and the Council agenda.

K.2

COVID-19 - Modified Stage 2

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that York Region is now in modified stage 2 COVID-19 restrictions, which includes: closure of indoor dining and drinking in restaurants and bars, closure of gyms, fitness centres, cinemas, performing arts and gaming centres, and reduced gathering limits for a minimum of 28 days.

K.3

Thanks Extended to Public Health and York Region

Regional Chair Emmerson extended thanks to York Region staff and the local municipalities for their efforts in putting the health of York Region residents first.

In particular, Regional Chair Emmerson thanked Dr. Kurji, Medical Officer of Health, the dedicated and professional public health staff, long-term care staff, first responders, water and wastewater workers, transit staff, social service providers and staff from all areas of the organization using every resource at their disposal to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

Regional Chair Emmerson also acknowledged the contributions from CUPE 905 and the Ontario Nurses Association.

K.4

Halloween

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that the provincial government issued a guidance advising that door-to-door trick or treating is not recommended and encouraged residents to consider alternatives to traditional Halloween activities.

K.5

Small Business Week

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that this is Small Business Week and encouraged residents and Council to support small businesses in our communities, who are facing unique challenges as they adapt their businesses to ever-changing public health measures.

K.6

Waste Reduction Week

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that October 19-25, 2020 is Waste Reduction Week and that the province and Ministry of Environment are taking steps to strengthen the blue box program.  The program will transition to producer responsibility, expand blue box services to more communities and set the highest diversion targets in North America.

Regional Chair Emmerson advised that over the past several months there has been an increase in single-use masks, gloves and wipes in blue boxes, which should be disposed of in regular garbage.

K.7

United Nations Day

On behalf of Regional Council, Regional Chair Emmerson acknowledged October 24, 2020 as United Nations Day, which marks the 75th anniversary of this global organization dedicated to disaster relief, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping and international unity.

K.8

Mayor Steve Pellegrini - Retirement from City of Brampton

Regional Chair Emmerson recognized the retirement of Mayor Steve Pellegrini from the City of Brampton, where he has worked for more than 30 years, and also congratulated him on over 40 years of municipal government service.

K.9

Special Council/Education Session - December 10, 2020

Regional Chair Emmerson scheduled a Special Council or Education Session on December 10, 2020 regarding the implications of COVID-19 on the 2021 budget.

K.10

Council Education Session - January 21, 2021

Regional Chair Emmerson scheduled a Council Education Session on January 21, 2021 regarding Lands Needs Assessment.

K.11

COVID-19 Update

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

L.

Private Session

None

M.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jones

  That Council enact Bylaw No. 2020-52 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on October 22, 2020.

  Carried

N.

Adjournment

The Council meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m.

                                                           
Regional Clerk

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on November 19, 2020.

 

 

                                                           
Regional Chair