Council of The Regional Municipality of York
Minutes of the
Meeting Held on February 26, 2015
Regional Council met at 9:31 a.m. in the Council Chambers, York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket, with Regional Chair Emmerson presiding.
The following were also in attendance:
Mayors:
J. Altmann, D. Barrow, G. Dawe, V. Hackson, S. Pellegrini, M. Quirk,
F. Scarpitti, T. Van Bynen
Regional Councillors:
N. Armstrong, M. Di Biase, M. Ferri, J. Heath, B. Hogg, J. Jones, J. Li,
G. Rosati, V. Spatafora, J. Taylor, D. Wheeler
Staff:
D. Basso, J. Hulton, B. Hughes, D. Kostopoulos, K. Kurji,
B. Macgregor, E. Mahoney, V. Shuttleworth, M.F. Turner, A. Urbanski
[Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request
Contact: Regional Clerk’s Office, @email, 18774649675 extension 71320]
Disclosures of Interest
28 2015-2018 Budget – York Regional Police
Mayor Quirk declared an interest in the 2015-2018 Budget as it pertains to York Regional Police as her stepson is a member of York Regional Police and her husband is a retired member of York Regional Police. Mayor Quirk did not take part in any consideration or discussion of or vote on any part of this matter.
(See Minute Nos. 32, 38, 40 and 41)
29 2015-2018 Budget – Environmental Services
Regional Councillor Di Biase declared an interest in the 2015-2018 Regional Budget as it pertains to Environmental Services as his children own land in Northeast Vaughan Block 27 which was inherited from their maternal grandfather. Regional Councillor Di Biase did not participate in any consideration or discussion of or vote on any part of this matter.
(See Minute Nos. 32, 36, 37, 40 and 41)
Minutes
30 Minutes of the Council Meeting Held on January 22, 2015
It was moved by Regional Councillor Heath, seconded by Regional Councillor Armstrong that Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on January 22, 2015 in the form supplied to the Members.
Carried
Presentations
Council heard the following presentations:
31 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games
Mayor Scarpitti informed Council that the Pan Am Games bring together 41 countries from the Americas and Caribbean and is the largest sporting event ever held in Canada, engaging 16 municipalities across the GTHA. The scope of the Games includes 10,000 international athletes, coaches and officials participating in 51 sports, with an estimated 250,000 visitors to the GTA. The last time Ontario hosted a major international multi-sport event was at the 1930 Commonwealth Games in Hamilton.
Markham’s Pan Am Centre is the largest investment made outside of Toronto and Hamilton for the Pan Am Games. Markham is hosting five sports, including badminton, table tennis, para table tennis, water polo and golf. The Torch Run comes to Markham on June 27 in an all-day event, to which all members of Council will be invited.
Mayor Scarpitti expressed appreciation to Regional staff and York Regional Police who have been integral in mapping out transportation and security needs for the Games.
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services with the City of Markham presented Council with an overview of the new Markham Pan Am Centre. She provided a summary of Markham’s Community Activation Strategy and discussed opportunities for collaboration across York Region.
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath that Council receive the presentation.
Carried
[The title of the following Presentation is a link that will open the item]
32 2015 – 2018 Regional Budget
Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer, noted that York Region is one of the first municipalities to present a multi-year budget extending over the term of Council. This is the outcome of Council’s direction provided through the strategic planning process over the last term of Council. Mr. Macgregor recognized the major efforts of Commissioner Hughes, as well as the other Commissioners and Regional staff in putting together this first multi-year budget.
Bill Hughes, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer, provided Council with an overview of the proposed 2015-2018 Regional Budget including reductions to ensure that tax increases amount to less than 3% per year.
The Commissioner indicated that the reduced budget provides for a tax increase of 2.97% in 2015, with an average impact of an additional $64 per household. The multi-year outlook includes a tax increase of 2.85% in 2016, 2.69% in 2017 and 2.35% in 2018.
Mr. Hughes indicated that the proposed 2015 budget includes $1.9 billion for operations and $826 million in funding for capital projects. The 10-year capital plan proposes $5.8 billion in spending and is the largest among comparable municipalities.
The Commissioner presented key features of the proposed budget including selected improvements to service levels, a robust capital plan, savings for future capital asset replacement and an improved fiscal strategy to reduce future debt levels and protect the Region’s credit rating.
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Pellegrini that Council receive the presentation.
Carried
(See Minute Nos. 28, 29, 41 and 42)
[The titles of the following Communications and Reports are links that will open the items]
Communications
Council considered the following communications:
33 Appointment of Members to the 2015-2018 York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler that Council receive the communication and private attachment from Adelina Urbanski, Commissioner of Community and Health Services dated February 26, 2015 and appoint the following citizen members to the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the term 2015-2018:
Leslie Bolt
Astley Dennis
Steve Foglia
Kirsten Hill
Lilian Hulme-Smith
Jocelyn Hunt
Linda Jones
Brian Lynch
Frank Maggisano
Sandy Palambo
Judy Phromratsamy
Joann Simmons
Carried
(See Minute No. 52)
34 March - Red Cross Month
It was moved by Regional Councillor Armstrong, seconded by Regional Councillor Hogg that Council receive the communication from Beverly Verwey, Branch Council Chair, Canadian Red Cross dated January 9, 2015, and recognize March as Red Cross Month.
Carried
35 April 2, 2015 - World Autism Day
It was moved by Regional Councillor Armstrong, seconded by Regional Councillor Jones that Council receive the communication from Autism Ontario's Raise the Flag Committee dated January 21, 2015, and recognize April 2, 2015 as World Autism Awareness Day.
Carried
36 Environmental Services Budget – Upper York Sewage Solutions (UYSS) Project - Town of East Gwillimbury
It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that Council receive the resolution from the Town of East Gwillimbury dated February 17, 2015.
Carried
37 Environmental Services Budget – Water and Wastewater Investment Deferrals – BILD
It was moved by Mayor Van Bynen, seconded by Mayor Quirk that Council receive the correspondence from Michael Pozzebon, Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) dated February 18, 2015.
Carried
Consideration and Adoption of Reports
38 Report No. 3 of Committee of the Whole – February 12, 2015
Mayor Quirk declared an interest in Clauses 2 and 7 and did not take part in any consideration or discussion of or vote on any part of these items.
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Taylor that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 3 of Committee of the Whole.
Carried
(See Minute No. 28)
39 Report No. 1 of Audit Committee – February 12, 2015
It was moved by Mayor Hackson, seconded by Mayor Dawe that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 1 of the Audit Committee.
Carried
40 Report No. 4 of Committee of the Whole – February 19, 2015
Mayor Quirk declared an interest in Clause 9 and did not take part in any consideration or discussion of or vote on any part of this item.
Regional Councillor Di Biase declared an interest in Clauses 2 and 9 and did not take part in any consideration or discussion of or vote on any part of these items.
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 4 of Committee of the Whole.
Carried
41 Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance - 2015-2018 Regional Budget
It was moved by Mayor Hackson, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance dated February 25, 2015 as follows:
1. Endorse the 2015 to 2019 Strategic Plan tabled on January 8, 2015.
2. Approve the 2015 operating budget and the 2016 to 2018 outlook tabled on January 22, 2015, as amended by this report and summarized in Attachment 1.
3. Approve 2015 Capital Spending Authority by project as detailed in the 2015 to 2018 Budget book tabled on January 22, 2015.
4. Approve 2015 Capital Spending Authority by program group, as summarized in Attachment 2, and the authority to reallocate funding between projects in a program group as detailed in this report.
5. Approve the incremental debt authority required for the 2015 Capital Spending Authority as specified in Attachment 3.
6. Authorize the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer to:
a) Issue long-term debt financing for capital projects up to the amounts specified in Attachment 3 in accordance with the Capital Financing and Debt Policy;
b) Fund projects that have been approved for debt financing from the debt reduction, development charges and user rate reserves where, in the opinion of the Treasurer, it is prudent to do so;
c) Make any necessary adjustments within the total approved budget to reflect organizational changes, adjustments and any other reallocation of costs; and
d) Fund 2014 unbudgeted sick leave payouts for York Regional Police in an amount of $7,273,903 from the Sick Leave-Police Reserve.
7. Approve the contribution of $132,761,610 for the purpose of meeting the Region’s 2015 sinking and retirement fund obligations.
8. Approve the reallocation of surplus debenture proceeds to other capital projects as detailed in Attachment 4 of this report; and
9. Endorse the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) 3150 reconciliation of the 2015 to 2018 Budget as required under Ontario Regulation 284/09, as amended by this report and summarized in Attachment 5.
A recorded vote on the adoption of the recommendations contained in this report as they pertain to the York Regional Police budget was as follows:
For: Altmann, Armstrong, Barrow, Dawe, Di Biase, Ferri, Hackson, Heath, Hogg, Jones, Li, Pellegrini, Rosati, Scarpitti, Spatafora, Taylor, Van Bynen, Wheeler (18)
Against: (0)
Carried
Mayor Quirk did not take part in the vote as she declared a conflict of interest with regard to York Regional Police (see Minute No. 28).
A recorded vote on the adoption of the recommendations contained in this report as they pertain to the Environmental Services budget was as follows:
For: Altmann, Armstrong, Barrow, Dawe, Ferri, Hackson, Heath, Hogg, Jones, Pellegrini, Quirk, Rosati, Scarpitti, Spatafora, Taylor, Van Bynen, Wheeler (17)
Against: Li (1)
Carried
Regional Councillor Di Biase did not take part in the vote as he declared a conflict of interest with regard to the Environmental Services budget (see Minute No. 29).
A recorded vote on the adoption of the recommendations contained in this report as they pertain to the remainder of the 2015 Regional Budget and 2016-2018 Outlook was as follows:
For: Altmann, Armstrong, Barrow, Dawe, Di Biase, Ferri, Hackson, Heath, Hogg, Jones, Pellegrini, Quirk, Rosati, Scarpitti, Spatafora, Taylor, Van Bynen, Wheeler (18)
Against: Li (1)
Carried
It was moved by Mayor Hackson, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath that Council direct staff to provide an update on the Upper York Sewage Solutions (UYSS) project, the West Vaughan sewage project, the Northeast Vaughan water and wastewater servicing project and all other deferred wastewater capital projects by November 2015. The report should include project status, consultation efforts with local municipal staff and stakeholders, phasing opportunities and prospects for reinstatement in the 2016 or 2017 capital budget forecast.
Carried
(See Minute Nos. 28, 29, 32, 36, 37 and 42)
42 2015 Regional Fiscal Strategy
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Pellegrini that Council adopt the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated February 6, 2015 of the Commissioner of Finance:
1. Council adopt the Fiscal Strategy outlined in this report as part of the 2015 Budget, as adjusted to reflect the adopted 2015 Budget and the 2016-2018 Outlook.
2. Council adopt the 2015 Long Term Debt Management Plan in Attachment 1 of this report, as adjusted to reflect the adopted 2015 Budget and the 2016-2018 Outlook.
Carried
43 Report No. 1 of the Regional Chair - Committee Structure
It was moved by Regional Councillor Rosati, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that Council receive Report No. 1 of the Regional Chair and refer it for consideration at the Regional Council meeting scheduled for September 24, 2015.
Carried
[The numbers of the following Bylaws are links that will open the items]
Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws
44 Bylaws
It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Mayor Altmann that Council approve and enact the following bylaws in the form as noted on the Revised Agenda.
Bylaw No. 2015-8
To levy against the lower-tier municipalities on an interim basis the sums of monies required during the year 2015 for the purposes of The Regional Municipality of York
Bylaw No. 2015-9
A bylaw to establish tax ratios and to specify the percentage by which tax rates are to be reduced for prescribed property subclasses for 2015
Carried
Motions
45 Earth Hour - 2015
It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Mayor Scarpitti:
Whereas climate change is the biggest environmental threat to our planet and a major concern for all Canadians; and
Whereas at exactly 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015, major cities around the world will turn off their lights and electrical power for one hour to raise awareness about climate change and to symbolize that, working together, the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming; and
Whereas the event, called “Earth Hour”, began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as 2.2 million people turned off their lights to take a stand against climate change; and
Whereas since then, it has become an annual, globally observed event; and
Whereas participating in Earth Hour sends a powerful message to every citizen and business around the world that it’s possible to take action on climate change and that switching off our lights and electrical power is just one simple action we can take to help make a difference;
Therefore be it enacted by the Council of The Regional Municipality of York as follows:
That at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015, The Regional Municipality of York will join other municipalities and cities around the world in literally “turning out the lights” by shutting off all non-essential lighting and electrical power in all of its facilities, where feasible, and without jeopardizing safety, for one full hour.
Carried
Notice of Motions
46 Region Administrative Centre Annex Expansion Building
Regional Councillor Jones provided notice of the following motion to be moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Di Biase:
Whereas, we are in the midst of unprecedented growth in our Region; and
Whereas, in a very short time, we have seen our population grow to the point that our population is now larger than the Province of Nova Scotia, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Province of New Brunswick and is about the same as the Province of Saskatchewan; and
Whereas, our population is just over one million one hundred and fifty thousand residents today and is projected in the Provincial Growth Plan to exceed two million residents in the next twenty-five years; and
Whereas, we the elected Council for York Region have a duty and obligation to provide all Regional services to those that need them in as convenient a location as possible; and
Whereas, we are seeing an aging population and more people requiring services that must rely on public transit and would benefit if they had better transit access to the new Regional facility; and
Whereas, we also have an obligation to our employees to have our facilities in a convenient location so that transit is a viable option; and
Whereas, our residents’ needs are changing from the Region providing predominantly hard services such as roads, water, sanitary sewers and treatment systems to a Region that is also becoming increasingly involved in the delivery of public transit, social housing and expanding social services; and
Whereas, the large population of our Region is provided with services such as healthy living services, child and family health services, speech and language therapy, dental and many more social services; and
Whereas, for generations the Town of Newmarket had been the County Seat for the County of York including Toronto, and continues to be the centre of Regional government, which will not change; and
Whereas, about three quarters of the residents we serve reside in the southern portion of the Region and seventy eight per cent of the assessment resides in the City of Vaughan, the Town of Richmond Hill and the City of Markham; and
Whereas, the Provincial Growth Plan recognizes that growth has been and will continue to be centred in the three southern municipalities and has designated three major Growth Centres in the Highway 7 Corridor, the Vaughan Corporate Centre, the Markham City Centre and the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway. There is a fourth Regional Growth Centre designated in Newmarket on Yonge Street and Davis Drive; and
Whereas, the Regional Official Plan also recognizes the tremendous growth and the importance of the node and transit mobility hubs in Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill; and
Whereas, the majority of the planned growth in the Region will be Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in the south, served by the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Mobility Hub. This Hub will be the interface of York Region Transit, Viva, the Yonge Street subway, the Richmond Hill all day GO rail and the MTO 407 High-Speed Rail Transit-Way and possibly the high-speed rail from Quebec City to Windsor Rail Express, that being six individual services interfacing at one location which is unparalleled in this country; and
Whereas, the intersection of Yonge Street and Highway 7 is also where Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill all intersect; and
Whereas, this location has been identified as an Urban Growth Centre and a Major Regional Transit Hub joining the Yonge Street Subway extension, the Richmond Hill GO Train, the Provincial 407 Rail Transit-Way, Viva Yonge Street BRT, Viva Highway 7 BRT and YRT services; and
Whereas, the intersection of Yonge and Highway 7 is central and accessible by public transit to a much larger population than the proposed annex building expansion to the existing Regional headquarters; and
Whereas, there are approved planning permissions in place at the Yonge and Highway 7 intersection to house a major Regional presence and assist in the delivery of services to those that need them in a more convenient location; and
Whereas, this is an ideal location to consolidate other regional, provincial and federal government services in the area to one central and accessible location; and
Whereas, we are faced with budget pressures at present due to growth pressures and the increasing needs of our residents;
Now therefore be it resolved:
That staff be directed to meet with the Highway 7 and Yonge Street landowners to explore building the Regional Administrative Centre Annex in the Richmond Hill Centre/Langstaff Gateway area and to consolidate other Regional leased sites in the area into one building and present options to Council for build to own, lease, or lease to purchase;
And that a report on the progress be presented to Council at the April 2015 meeting of Council.
(Clerk’s Note: This Notice of Motion will be referred to the meeting of the Committee of the Whole on March 12, 2015, as per Council’s Procedure Bylaw.)
Other Business
47 Appointment to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Board of Governors
Regional Chair Emmerson advised Council that he has appointed Mayor Altmann to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Board of Governors.
48 Special Meeting of Regional Council – March 5, 2015
Regional Chair Emmerson advised that there will be a Special Meeting of Regional Council at 9 a.m. on March 5, 2015 to receive public input on the York Region Official Plan 5-Year Review. The Committee of the Whole meeting will commence immediately following the Special Meeting of Regional Council.
49 Transportation Master Plan Task Force
It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath that Council form a Transportation Master Plan Task Force and that staff report back in April 2015 with a draft Terms of Reference.
Carried
Regional Chair Emmerson asked that any members of Council interested in joining the Task Force please forward their name to him for consideration.
50 High Speed Broadband Strategy
Council requested that Mayor Van Bynen and any other interested members of Council be included in discussions with staff regarding the Region’s High Speed Broadband Strategy.
Consideration and Adoption of Private Items
51 Private Session
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler that Council convene in Private Session for the purpose of considering the following.
1. Private Attachment – Appointment of Members to the 2015-2018 York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee – Personal matters about identifiable individuals
2. Update on Rapid Transit Matters – Potential Litigation
Carried
Council met in Private Session at 12:01 p.m. and reconvened in Council at 12:08 p.m.
It was moved by Regional Councillor Di Biase, seconded by Mayor Hackson that Council rise and report from Private Session.
Carried
52 Private Attachment – Appointment of Members to the 2015-2018 York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee
The private attachment was not considered in private session.
(See Minute No. 33)
53 Update on Rapid Transit Matters
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Dawe that Council receive the confidential update by the Chief Administrative Officer.
Carried
Confirmatory Bylaw
54 Bylaw 2015-10
It was moved by Mayor Pellegrini, seconded by Mayor Van Bynen that Council enact Bylaw No. 2015-10 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on February 26, 2015.
The Council meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m.
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Regional Clerk
Minutes to be confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on March 26, 2015.
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Regional Chair
