The Council of
The Regional Municipality of York
Minutes of the
Inaugural Meeting held on December 6, 2018
[Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request
Contact: Regional Clerk’s Office, @email, 18774649675 extension 71320]
The Inaugural Meeting of Regional Council for the term of office December 1, 2018 to November 14, 2022 was convened at 7:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers, York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket.
Pipe Major Sergeant Grant Rutherford of York Regional Police led the procession into the Council Chambers.
The following members of Council were in attendance:
Mayor Dave Barrow, Town of Richmond Hill
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, City of Vaughan
Mayor Virginia Hackson, Town of East Gwillimbury
Mayor Iain Lovatt, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Mayor Tom Mrakas, Town of Aurora
Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Township of King
Mayor Margaret Quirk, Town of Georgina
Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham
Mayor John Taylor, Town of Newmarket
Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola, Town of Richmond Hill
Regional Councillor Mario Ferri, City of Vaughan
Regional Councillor Robert Grossi, Town of Georgina
Regional Councillor Don Hamilton, City of Markham
Regional Councillor Jack Heath, City of Markham
Regional Councillor Linda Jackson, City of Vaughan
Regional Councillor Jim Jones, City of Markham
Regional Councillor Joe Li, City of Markham
Regional Councillor Carmine Perrelli, Town of Richmond Hill
Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, City of Vaughan
Regional Councillor Tom Vegh, Town of Newmarket
155 National Anthem
Tammi Roberts led the singing of the National Anthem.
156 Regional Clerk’s Remarks
Christopher Raynor, Regional Clerk, began the meeting by acknowledging that York Region extends over lands originally used and occupied by Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of York Region, he thanked First Nations and the Métis for sharing this land. He also acknowledged the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.
The Regional Clerk advised Council that it is his privilege and responsibility under the Municipal Act, 2001 to be the Presiding Officer until Council appoints the Regional Chair.
The Regional Clerk welcomed all present and extended congratulations to Members of Council on their recent election. He introduced special guests Pastor Dr. Mansfield Edwards, Chaplain of York Regional Police, and Joy Hulton, Regional Solicitor.
157 Statutory Requirements
The Regional Clerk advised that statutory requirements have been completed, including the filing of Certificates of Election by the Clerk of each of the nine local municipalities, and the signing a Declaration of Office by each Member of Council. He then called the meeting to order.
158 Prayer of Invocation
Pastor Dr. Mansfield Edwards, Chaplain of York Regional Police, led a Prayer of Invocation.
159 Declarations of Office
Joy Hulton, Regional Solicitor, led the elected Members of Council in a recitation of their Declarations of Office.
160 Process for Appointment of Regional Chair
The Regional Clerk advised it was in order to proceed with the appointment of the Regional Chair. He indicated that under the Municipal Act, 2001 Council will appoint a Regional Chair for the four-year term. The Regional Chair can be a Member of Council or any other eligible person nominated and seconded by two Members of Council.
The Regional Clerk then provided a brief overview of the process to be followed for the appointment of the Regional Chair.
161 Public or Private Vote for Regional Chair
The Regional Clerk asked for a motion for either a public or a private vote for the election of the Regional Chair.
It was moved by Regional Councillor Perrelli, seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton that all votes for the election of the Regional Chair be public.
Carried
162 Nominations
The Regional Clerk declared nominations to be open for the Office of Regional Chair. He advised that one completed Nomination Form was received prior to the start of the meeting. The Nomination Form indicated that Mayor Barrow wished to nominate Wayne Emmerson for the position of Regional Chair, seconded by Mayor Hackson, which they each confirmed. Mr. Emmerson consented to the nomination.
The Regional Clerk asked on three separate occasions if there were any further nominations for the Office of Regional Chair. No further nominations were received.
163 Appointment of Regional Chair
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Pellegrini, that nominations for the Office of Regional Chair be closed and that Wayne Emmerson be appointed as Regional Chair.
Carried Unanimously
164 Remarks of Mover and Seconder
Mayor Barrow and Mayor Hackson each made brief remarks commending Wayne Emmerson for his leadership and strong commitment to the people of York Region.
165 Swearing-in of Regional Chair
Joy Hulton, Regional Solicitor, administered the required Declaration of Office to Wayne Emmerson. The Regional Clerk placed the Chain of Office on Regional Chair Emmerson and then Regional Chair Emmerson assumed the chair.
166 Introductions by Regional Chair
Regional Chair Emmerson introduced former members of Regional Council in attendance, including:
Geoff Dawe
John Rogers
Naomi Davison
Phyllis Morris
Carole Bell
Gordon Landon
Stan Daurio
Ralph Aselin
Nirmala Armstrong
James Young
Tom Taylor
Tony Van Bynen
Al Duffy
Brenda Hogg
Vito Spatafora
Fran Sainsbury
Sue Sherban
Deb Schulte
Regional Chair Emmerson also recognized York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe, Deputy Chief Tom Carrique, Deputy Chief André Crawford and Deputy Chief Robertson Rouse.
167 Regional Chair’s Inaugural Address
In his inaugural address to Council, Regional Chair Emmerson congratulated Members of Council on their election, and indicated how honoured and appreciative he is to be appointed Regional Chair.
Regional Chair Emmerson thanked Lina Bigioni, Chief of Staff, and all those that helped with organizing this inaugural meeting. He praised Ms. Bigioni for being an integral part of the Region for over 20 years, and thanked her for her assistance and kindness.
Regional Chair Emmerson provided an overview of opportunities and challenges for Council over the next four years, including extending the Yonge Subway, integrating the transit fare system, increasing rental housing, expanding broadband, protecting the environment and keeping communities safe.
Regional Chair Emmerson thanked all York Region staff for their hard work helping to make York Region great. He thanked Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Macgregor and the Senior Management Team for quality presentations and detailed reports so Regional Council can make informed decisions on all issues.
168 Remarks by Members of Council
Each Member of Council introduced their guests and made a few remarks regarding the opportunities and challenges facing the Region in the coming term.
169 Remarks by the Chief Administrative Officer
Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer, congratulated Regional Chair Emmerson on his appointment and Members of Council on their election. He indicated that York Regional staff are looking forward to continuing their work serving Council and the residents of York Region under this Council’s leadership.
Mr. Macgregor introduced members of the Senior Management Team, including:
Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services
Dr. Karim Kurji, Medical Officer of Health
Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services
Paul Freeman, Chief Planner
Paul Jankowski, Commissioner of Transportation Services
Mary-Frances Turner, President, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
Dino Basso, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Joy Hulton, Regional Solicitor
Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer
Mr. Macgregor also recognized Chris Spearen, Acting General Manager of York Region Paramedic and Senior Services, Ian Laing, Chief of Central York Fire Services, Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University, and Rick Leary, CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission.
170 Confirmatory Bylaw 2018-73
[Click on the number of the following Bylaw to view it]
It was moved by Mayor Bevilacqua, seconded by Mayor Hackson that Council enact Bylaw No. 2018-73 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on December 6, 2018.
The Council meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
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Regional Clerk
Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on December 13, 2018.
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Regional Chair
