COUNCIL

 

OF

 

THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK

 

April 22, 2004

 

 

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, Di Biase, Grossi, Jones, Sherban and Young.

 

Regional Councillor: Barrow, Ferri, Frustaglio, Heath, Hogg, Jackson, Jones, O'Donnell, Scarpitti, Van Bynen, and Wheeler.

 

Staff: Cartwright, Davidson, Garrett, Hulton, Jaczek, Schipper, Simmons, Tuckey.

 

 

87         MINUTES

 

[The following link opens the Minutes of March 25th]

 

It was moved by Mayor Young, seconded by Mayor Jones, that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 25th day of March 2004, be confirmed in the form supplied to the Members.

Carried.

 

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

88         York Region Firefighters Calendar

 

Alf Beasley, a firefighter from the City of Vaughan, and Shaun Mitchell, a firefighter with Central York Region Firefighters, presented a plaque to Regional Council as a thank you for the Region's support of the second annual Firefighters of York Region Calendar. Counter sales and events related to the sale of these calendars have raised over $300,000 in the past two years.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Mayor Sherban, that the presentation be received.

Carried.

 

89         Persechini Easter Seal Run/Walkathon

 

Karen Baldwin, District Manager � York Region Easter Seal Society made a presentation regarding the Persechini Easter Seal Run/Walkathon.  Ms. Baldwin introduced Amanda Tite, an "Ambassador" and one of the many children who has benefited from this program. This year the event will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2004, beginning at the Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket.  Regional Chair Fisch is the Honorary Chair for this event.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Mayor Sherban, that the presentation be received.

Carried.

 

90         GO Transit 10-Year Growth Plan

 

Gary McNeil, Managing Director, GO Transit, made a presentation regarding GO Transit's 10-Year Growth Plan (2004 � 2014). He indicated that GO's overall ridership has increased from 40.9 million passengers in 2000 to 44.3 million passengers in 2003.  Various projects that benefit residents of York Region have been planned or completed in the past few years in the Bradford corridor and Stouffville corridors.  Funding remains a challenge as GO Transit's capital plan has increased from $1.1 Billion in 2000 to $2.2 Billion in 2004.  (A copy of the presentation is on file in the Office of the Regional Clerk.)

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Regional Councillor Barrow, that the presentation be received with the request that GO Transit continue to update Regional Council regarding its activities on a regular basis.

Carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

[The following links open .pdf files of the Communications]

 

Regional Council proceeded to consider the following communications:

           

91         Alternate Regional Fire Co-ordinator

 

John Molyneaux, Regional Fire Co-ordinator, March 18, 2004, Region of York, regarding an alternate Regional Fire Co-ordinator, attaching a letter dated March 10, 2004 from the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, in support of Fire Chief Tim Beckett being appointed as an alternate Fire Co-ordinator for York Region.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Jones, that the communication be received and that Council appoint Fire Chief Tim Beckett as an Alternate Regional Fire Co-ordinator for York Region.

Carried.

 

92         Expression of Support for the Jewish Community

 

J. D. Leach, City Clerk, City of Vaughan, April 2, 2004, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Council of the City of Vaughan, at its meeting on March 29, 2004, regarding Zero Tolerance of Anti-Semitic Vandalism.

 

It was moved by Mayor Di Biase, seconded by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, that the communication be received and that Regional Council re-affirm its position regarding this issue.

Carried.

(See Minute No. 67, Council Minutes of March 25, 2004.)

 

 

93         Subdivision 19T-03001, East Gwillimbury

(Clause 1 of Planning and Economic Development Committee Report No.4.)

 

Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner of Planning and Development Services and Kees Schipper, Commissioner of Transportation and Works, April 20, 2004, regarding Report No. 2 � OMB Hearing for 19T-03001, East Gwillimbury. 

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Van Bynen, seconded by Mayor Young, that this communication be received.

Carried.

 

94         Markham Board of Trade

 

Ruth Burkholder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Markham Board of Trade, March 25, 2004, regarding York Region roads and requesting deputant status.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Scarpitti, seconded by Regional Councillor O'Donnell, that this communication be received and that deputant status be granted.

 

Carried.

 

DEPUTATION

 

95         Markham Board of Trade

 

Ruth Burkholder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Markham Board of Trade, made a presentation regarding gridlock in the Town of Markham and its effect on businesses.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Sherban that the deputation be received and that the Commissioner of Transportation and Works respond in writing to the Markham Board of Trade's concerns.

Carried.

 

 

96         COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Regional Councillor Jones presented the following reports for the consideration of Council:

 

Report No. 4 of the Community Services and Housing Committee

Report No. 6 of the Finance and Administration Committee

Report No. 4 of the Health and Emergency Medical Services Committee

Report No. 4 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee

Report No. 4 of the Rapid Transit Public/Private Partnership Steering Committee

Report No. 4 of the Solid Waste Management Committee

Report No. 4 of the Transit Committee

Report No. 4 of the Transportation and Works Committee

Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler, that the reports be received and that Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider them.

 

Carried.

 

Regional Chair Fisch chaired the Committee of the Whole.

 

The Committee of the Whole rose after making the following recommendations:

 

[The following links open .html pages of the reports]

 

Report No. 4 of the Community Services and Housing Committee be adopted, without amendment;

 

Report No. 6 of the Finance and Administration Committee be adopted, with the following amendment:

Clause 3, relating to the Telecommunications and Network Strategy, be referred back to the Committee.

 

(In considering Clause 3, Council had before it a slide presentation outlining the Potential of Voice over Internet Protocol Networking at the Region of York.)

 

Clause 5 relating to Heritage Property Tax Relief � please refer to Minutes Nos. 97 and  102 for recorded vote and referral.

Report No. 4 of the Health and Emergency Medical Services Committee be adopted, without amendment;

 

Report No. 4 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee be adopted, without amendment;

 

Report No. 4 of the Rapid Transit Public/Private Partnership Steering Committee be adopted, without amendment;

 

Report No. 4 of the Solid Waste Management Committee be adopted, without amendment;

           

Report No. 4 of the Transit Committee be adopted, with the following amendment:

Clause 1 be amended to provide that The Free Ride Policy, as it applies to members of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB),  also be referred to the area municipalities' Accessibility Advisory Committees for their input and comment.

Report No. 4 of the Transportation and Works Committee be adopted without amendment.

Clause 17, Item 3 relating to Anti-whistling�Regional and Toronto Road Intersections�See Minute No. 98 for recorded vote.

Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance, relating to 2004 Tax Policy Decisions, be referred to a Special Council meeting to be held on Thursday, April 29, 2004, at 9:00 a.m.  

 

 

97         A recorded vote on the adoption of the recommendation in Clause 5 of Finance and Administration Committee Report No. 6, relating to the Heritage Property Tax Relief Program, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole, was as follows:

 

FOR: Bell, Black, Di Biase, Frustaglio, Sherban, Wheeler, Young (7)

 

AGAINST: Barrow, Heath, Jackson, J. Jones, O'Donnell, Scarpitti, Van Bynen (7)

 

Carried.

(See Minute No. 102 for referral.)

 

98         A recorded vote on the adoption of the recommendation in Clause 17, Item 3 of the Transportation and Works Committee, relating to Anti-whistling�Regional and Town Road Intersections, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole, was as follows:

 

FOR: Barrow, Bell, Black, Di Biase, Frustaglio, Jackson, J. Jones, Sherban, Van Bynen, Wheeler, Young (11)

 

AGAINST: Heath, O'Donnell, Scarpitti (3)

Carried.

 

99         It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Mayor Sherban, that Council adopt the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

Carried.

 

100         BY-LAWS

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Bell, that certain Bills be introduced and approved in the form as noted on the Revised Agenda, and enacted as By-laws.

 

[The following links open .pdf files of the By-laws]

 

By-law No. R-1102(ar)-2004-028

To amend By-law No. R-1102-96-100 to prohibit or regulate parking and stopping on Regional Roads

 

By-law No. R-1102(as)-2004-029

To amend By-law No. R-1102-96-100 to prohibit or regulate parking and stopping on Regional Roads

 

By-law No. R-1390-2004-030

To authorize the Commissioner of Transportation and Works to temporarily close portions of Weir's Sideroad (Y.R. 81), McCowan Road (Y.R. 67), Kennedy Road (Y.R. 3) and Aurora Road (Y.R. 15) for the purposes of CN Railway crossing maintenance

 

By-law No. R-1391-2004-031

To authorize the Commissioner of Transportation and Works to temporarily close certain Regional Roads

 

By-law No. R-1392-2004-032

To authorize the temporary closure of part of Kennedy Road (Y.R. 3) in the Town of Markham

 

By-law No. R-1315(a)-2004-033

A By-law to amend By-law No. R-1315-2002-117 being a by-law to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Islington Avenue (Y.R. 17)

 

By-law No. R-1351(a)-2004-034

A By-law to amend By-law No. R-1351-2002-153 being a by-law to prescribe maximum rates of speed on Rutherford Road/16th Avenue (Y.R. 73)

 

By-law No. R-1393-2004-035

To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Teston Road (Y.R. 49) from Weston Road (Y.R. 56) to Bathurst Street (Y.R. 38), in the City of Vaughan

 

By-law No. RD-0512-2004-036

To dedicate certain lands for the purposes of public highways

 

By-law No. R-1394-2004-037

To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the construction of the Markham Pressure District 6 Reservoir, in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

 

Carried.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

101       Solid Waste Management Committee � May 12, 2004

 

Council was advised that the Solid Waste Management Committee meeting scheduled for May 12, 2004 is cancelled and that reports to come forward to that meeting will be presented to the Transportation and Works Committee at its meeting to be held on May 5, 2004.

 

 

102       Heritage Property Tax Relief

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Wheeler, seconded by Regional Councillor Scarpitti, that the matter of the funding for heritage properties be referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee and the Finance and Administration Committee for budget discussions over the course of the next year.

Carried

(See also Minute No. 97.)

 

103       Membership � Information Technology and Transformation Steering Committee

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Van Bynen, that the membership of the Information Technology and Transformation Steering Committee be comprised of the following:

 

                                    Regional Councillor Ferri

                                    Regional Councillor Jones

                                    Regional Councillor O'Donnell

                                    Regional Councillor Van Bynen

                                    Regional Chair Fisch (ex officio)

                                                                                                                                    Carried.

 

104       Recognition of Service � Members of Council

 

Regional Chair Fisch recognized Mayor Bell, Mayor Di Biase and Regional Councillor Wheeler, all of whom have served on Regional Council for 15 years.  He presented each of them with a certificate recognizing their significant contribution to both York Region and their local municipality and thanked them on behalf of all of the constituents of York Region.

 

 

105       Community Living Month

 

In considering this matter, Council had before it a letter (April 12, 2004) from Barbara Bartlett, President, Board of Directors, Community Living Newmarket/Aurora District, Phil Lanzarotta, President, Board of Directors, York South Association for Community Living, and Roy O'Leary, President, Board of Directors, Georgina Association for Community Living, requesting Council's recognition of May 2004 as Community Living Month.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Di Biase, that Council recognize May 2004 as Community Living Month.

Carried.

 

PRIVATE SESSION

 

106       It was moved by Regional Councillor Jackson, seconded by Regional Councillor Jones, that Council convene in Private Session, for the purpose of considering certain property acquisition and legal matters.

Carried.

 

107       Council met in Private Session at 12:20 p.m. and reconvened in open Council at 12:55 p.m.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath, that Council rise and report from Private Session.

Carried.

 

108       Demutualization Litigation

 

It was moved by Mayor Sherban, seconded by Mayor Young, that:

1. Council authorize the retainer of the law firm of Hicks Morley to defend the Action on behalf of the Region.

2. The Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to manage the Action and to instruct legal counsel, as may be required, and to settle the Action on behalf of the Region, if satisfied that the settlement is required in the best interests of the Region or to avoid incurring unnecessary costs or prejudice to the Region.

Carried.

 

109       Appointment�Police Services Board

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, seconded by Mayor Sherban, that Council appoint Barbara Munro as the citizen appointment to the Police Services Board for a term commencing on May 1, 2004 and ending November 30, 2006 and until her successor is appointed in accordance with the Police Services Act.

Carried.

           

           

110       CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

 

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

 

[The following link opens a .pdf file of the By-law]

 

By-law No. M-0705-2004-038

To confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on April 22, 2004.

Carried.

 

The Council meeting adjourned at  12:56 p.m.

                                                                                            ____________________

                                                                                            Regional Clerk

 

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on the 20th day of May, 2004.

                                                                                            ____________________

                                                                                            Regional Chair

 

 

 
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