Regional Council met at 9:35 a.m. in the Council Chambers, York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket, with Regional Chair Fisch presiding.

The following were present at this Meeting:

Mayor:    Bell, Black, Cousens, Emmerson, Holec and Jones

Regional Councillor:    Barrow, Frustaglio, Rosati, Wheeler and Wong

Staff:    Hill, Norton, Schipper, Tuckey, Wilson, Woolhead, Zablocki

 

PUBLIC MEETING

Council considered the following communications from the Councils of the area municipalities:

129 Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk, Town of Markham, June 25, 2003, forwarding Clause 10 of Report No. 42 adopted by the Council of the Town of Markham at its meeting on June 24, 2003-- requesting an exemption for all retail businesses in the Town of Markham on Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day, 2003;

Sheila Birrell, Town Clerk, Town of Markham, June 26, 2003, forwarding Clause 10 of Report No. 43 adopted by the Council of the Town of Markham at its meeting on June 24, 2003, declaring Civic Holiday, Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day weekends as "Special Event Days";

Robert C. Prowse, Town Clerk, Town of Richmond Hill, June 27, 2003, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the Town of Richmond Hill at its meeting on June 24, 2003, requesting an exemption for all retail businesses in the Town of Richmond Hill on Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day, 2003;

J. D. Leach, City Clerk, City of Vaughan, July 4, 2003, forwarding Minute No. 155 adopted by the Council of the City of Vaughan at its meeting on June 23, 2003, requesting an exemption for all retail businesses in the City of Vaughan on Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day, 2003;

Carolyn Lance, Administrative Assistant to the Town Clerk, Town of Georgina, July 7, 2003, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the Town of Georgina at its meeting on June 23, 2003, requesting the status quo to remain, permitting all retail businesses in the Town of Georgina to remain open on all statutory holidays except Christmas Day and New Year's Day;

Daisy Downs, Deputy Clerk, Town of East Gwillimbury, July 8, 2003, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the Town of East Gwillimbury at its meeting on July 7, 2003, requesting a specific exemption for the Queensville Antique Mall, 20091 Woodbine Avenue for 2003 and future years;

Chris Somerville, Clerk, Township of King, July 9, 2003, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the Township of King at its meeting on July 7, 2003, indicating that no action is required on behalf of the Township of King;

Michele Kennedy, Town Clerk, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, July 9, 2003, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville at its meeting on June 23, 2003, requesting an exemption for all retail businesses in the Town of Whtichurch-Stouffville on Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, 2003;

Dianne Barnes, Council Co-ordinator, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, July 15, 2003, forwarding an amendment to the resolution adopted by the Council of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville at its meeting on June 23, 2003; deleting the request for an exemption on Christmas Day, 2003; and

Bob Panizza, Director of Corporate Services/Town Clerk, Town of Aurora, July 16, 2003, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the Town of Aurora at its meeting on June 15, 2003, indicating that it does not support Region-wide exemptions for retail businesses.

It was moved by Mayor Cousens, seconded by Mayor Holec, that Council receive these communications.

130 Council also considered the following communications from members of the public:

Robin May, July 10, 2003, requesting deputant status

It was moved by Mayor Bell, seconded by Mayor Black, that Council receive this communication and grant deputant status.

131 Wendy Hoehne, July 15, 2003, requesting deputant status

It was moved by Regional Councillor Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Jones, that Council receive this communication and grant deputant status.

132 James Puddy, July 10, 2003

It was moved by Regional Councillor Rosati, seconded by Regional Councillor Barrow, that Council receive this communication.

133 Tracy Lefler, attaching a petition on behalf of Canadian Tire Retail employees containing about 70 signatures in opposition to the proposed by-law.

It was moved by Mayor Cousens, seconded by Mayor Emmerson, that Council receive the communication and petition.

134 Allan Dodds, who indicated orally that he wished to make a deputation.

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Mayor Cousens, that Council receive this request and grant deputant status.

135 Council then heard the deputations from the following people in opposition to the proposed by-law:

Robin May;

Wendy Hoehne, (who filed a petition contained about 400 signatures of people in opposition to the proposed by-law); and

Allan Dodds.

It was moved by Mayor Cousens, seconded by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, that Council receive the deputations and petition.

It was moved by Regional Councillor Wong, seconded by Mayor Holec, that Council consider Report No. 4 of the Commissioner of Corporate Services.

137 It was moved by Mayor Cousens, seconded by Mayor Holec, that Council:

1. receive Report No. 4 of the Commissioner of Corporate Services and:

By-law No. LI-0008(g)-2003-068      To authorize certain exemptions under the Retail Business Holidays Act

Council approved the introduction of the following additional items:

139 Temporary Closure—Kennedy Road

It was moved by Mayor Cousens, seconded by Regional Councillor Wong, that:

Regional Council approve the temporary closure of Kennedy Road between Clayton Drive and Steeles Avenue between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on August 3, 2003, for the purpose of the Asian Festival.

And that this approval be subject to the usual conditions of approval by the Commissioner of Transportation and Works,

And that Regional Council pass the necessary By-Law to give effect to this.

140 It was moved by Regional Councillor Wong, seconded by Mayor Cousens, that Council pass By-law No. R-1376-2003-069 to authorize the temporary closure of part of Kennedy Road (Y.R. 3) between Clayton Drive and Steeles Avenue between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on August 3, 2003.

It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Mayor Emmerson, that Council convene in Private Session, for the purpose of considering a legal matter.

Council met in Private Session at 10:07 a.m. and arose to open Council at 10:18 a.m.

142 Settlement of Uninsured Civil Actions

It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler, that:

1. During the period July 17, 2003 to September 18, 2003, the Regional Chair and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to settle any uninsured civil actions made by or against the Regional Municipality of York, and instruct legal counsel.

2. The exercise of this authority be subject to the following:

(a) the Regional Chair and Chief Administrative Officer being satisfied that the authorization to settle the action is required in the best interest of the Regional Corporation or to avoid incurring unnecessary costs or prejudice to the Regional Corporation;

(b) a memorandum outlining the necessity of such a settlement be submitted to the Regional Chair and Chief Administrative Officer by Legal Services, which memorandum will include Legal Services' recommendation concerning the proposed settlement;

(c) Legal Services prepare or approve and execute any documents that are required to give effect to the settlement of the action under the authority; and

(d) A report be submitted to Regional Council at its meeting on September 18, 2003 to advise of the settlement of any uninsured civil action under the authority.

143 CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

It was moved by Mayor Holec, seconded by Mayor Jones, that the following by-law be enacted to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council.

By-law No. M-0696-2003-070      To confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on July 17, 2003.

The Council meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on the 18th of September 2003.