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COUNCIL

 

OF

 

THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK

 

March 26, 2009

 

Regional Council met at 9:30 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:              Barrow, Black, Emmerson, Grossi, Jackson, Scarpitti, Van Bynen and Young

 

 

Regional            Ferri, Frustaglio, Heath, Hogg, Landon, Rosati, Spatafora, Taylor,

Councillor:         Wheeler and Wong

 

 

Staff:                Davidson, Gordon, Hulton, Kurji, Macgregor, Mahoney, Russell,

                        Simmons and Tuckey

 

 

26        York Region Transit − Co-ordinated Transit Street Furniture Program

(Clause 2 of Transit Committee Report No. 3)

 

Regional Chair Fisch noted that due to the number of communications and deputation requests received relating to this item, it be considered at the next meeting of the Transit Committee.

 

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Mayor Grossi that Clause 2 of Transit Committee Report No. 3 be referred back to staff for a report to the April 16, 2009 meeting of Transit Committee considering the pros and cons of splitting the street furniture advertising component from the bus shelter advertising component of the Co-ordinated Street Furniture Program.

Carried

(See Minutes Nos. 36 and 37.)

 

 

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

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Council then received the following presentations:

 

27        Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)

 

Toby Lennox, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, accompanied by Board Member Scott Cole, provided an update on the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). The presentation included details of some of the passenger/cargo volume and financial challenges facing the GTAA and the GTAA's Four-Step Plan for meeting these challenges. It also briefly covered matters such as landing fees, Buttonville Airport and the Pickering Airport lands.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Hogg, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler, that the presentation be received.

Carried

 

28        2008 United Way Campaign

 

Regional Chair Fisch informed Council that York Region has received the United Way of York Region's Community Fund Spirit Award for the Region's 2008 United Way campaign. He thanked York Region and York Regional Police employees for participating in this year's campaign. The campaign significantly surpassed the ambitious goal of $225,000 by raising $238,500 for the United Way. 

 

Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner of Planning and Development Services and Chair of the United Way employee campaign, then thanked Council, the Chief Administrative Officer, Cordelia Abankwa-Harris - a York Region staff member who is on the United Way Board, the Senior Management Team and Planning and Development Services staff for all of their support and efforts in making this such a successful United Way campaign.

 

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that the presentation be received.

Carried

 

 

29        Central Services Centre Consolidation

(Clause 4 of Finance and Administration Committee Report No. 3)

 

Jim Davidson, Commissioner of Corporate Services, provided an overview of the proposed Central Services Centre consolidation. He reviewed the strategy to consolidate various Regional facilities in Newmarket in order to meet Regional objectives for service delivery.

 

Mr. Davidson noted that consolidating services is projected to result in substantial cost savings over the next twenty years. His presentation provided Council with conceptual drawings showing the proposed Central Services Centre and adjoining buildings in both the short and long term. The next step would be to issue a Request for Proposal for the design phase. Construction would be expected to begin in the spring of 2010.

 

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that the presentation be received.

Carried

                                                           

(See Minute No. 37.)

 

 

30        Sustainable Works!

 

Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services, provided an update on Sustainable Works! in York Region. Commissioner Mahoney noted the many environmental events planned throughout the Region in the near future, including:

 

water efficient gardening seminars and workshops

Ontario Envirothon on April 9 and 16, 2009

the Spring Forest Festival on April 18, 2009

Earth Week, April 20 � 24, 2009

YO Youth On Board April 20-24, 2009

the Adopt-a-Stream Crossing Program in April and May 2009

Compost Awareness Week in May 2009

the grand opening of the Tom Taylor Trail Extension on a date to be determined

Green Up, Clean Up on May 9, 2009

Trees Ontario Volunteer Planting Day on May 9, 2009

Our Greener Side Family Celebration on May 9, 2009

the 11th Annual York Children's Water Festival from May 11 to 15, 2009

National Public Works Week during the week of May 17, 2009

the Rain Barrel Sales Event on May 30, 2009;

 

and various other events throughout the year.

 

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that the presentation be received.

Carried

 

[The following link opens the Minutes page]

 

31        MINUTES

 

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Mayor Black that Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on February 19, 2009 in the form supplied to the Members.

Carried

 

 

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

 

COMMUNICATIONS

           

Council considered the following communications:

 

32        Earth Hour � March 28, 2009 and Energy Conservation Week � May 17-23, 2009

 

Association of Municipalities of Ontario, February 2, 2009, requesting municipal support of Earth Hour on March 28, 2009 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The communication also advised that the Ontario Power Authority is planning a Province-wide Energy Conservation Week from May 17 to 23, 2009.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Regional Councillor Spatafora that Council receive the communication.

Carried

(See Minute No. 34.)

 

 

33        Earth Hour � March 28, 2009

 

Kathy Stranks, Manager, Chair and CAO's Office, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, March 13, 2009, forwarding a resolution approved by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority at its meeting on February 27, 2009, regarding Earth Hour on March 28, 2009 and encouraging all municipalities to participate.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Regional Councillor Spatafora that Council receive the communication.

Carried

(See Minute No. 34.)

 

34        Earth Hour � March 28, 2009 � Resolution

 

Anita Moore, Town Clerk, Town of Newmarket, January 30, 2009, forwarding a resolution adopted by the Town of Newmarket at its meeting on January 26, 2009, regarding Earth Hour on March 28, 2009 and challenging every municipality in the GTA and Hamilton area to exceed the Town of Newmarket's goal.

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Regional Councillor Spatafora that Council receive the communication and further,

 

WHEREAS climate change is the biggest environmental threat to our planet and the number one concern for Canadians;

 

AND WHEREAS at exactly 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009, major cities around the world will turn off their lights 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", a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiative that was officially announced in December 2007 at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, attracted the participation of almost 2.3 million Sydney residents � the equivalent of taking about 50,000 cars off the road for one hour;

 

AND WHEREAS the following year in 2008, Earth Hour became the biggest voluntary power down in history, with some 50 million people around the world switching off their lights for one hour, during which more than 370 municipalities took part in more than 35 countries across seven continents, including Antarctica, and across more than 18 different time zones; and this year the number of cities and towns signed up to Earth Hour 2009 has exceeded the target of 1,000 across 80 countries, involving close to one billion people;

 

AND WHEREAS participating in this historic event sends a powerful message to every citizen and business that The Regional Municipality of York cares about our planet and is willing to take a leadership position against climate change and global warming;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of The Regional Municipality of York as follows:

 

THAT at 8:30 p.m. on March 28, 2009, The Regional Municipality of York will join other cities around the world in literally "turning out the lights" by shutting off all non-essential lighting in all of its facilities, where feasible, and without jeopardizing safety, for one full hour; and,

 

THAT, to be formally recognized around the world as an Earth Hour participant, the appropriate staff register at wwf.ca/Earth Hour, the official website for this initiative.

Carried

 

35        Administrative Professionals' Week � April 20 to 24, 2009

 

Ms. Lynne Spackman, Administrative Professionals' Week Chair, Ontario Division, March 9, 2009, regarding recognition of the week of April 20 to 24, 2009 as Administrative Professionals' Week and Wednesday, April 22, 2009 as Administrative Professionals' Day.

 

It was moved by Mayor Jackson, seconded by Mayor Grossi that Council receive the communication and recognize the week of April 20 to 24, 2009, as Administrative Professionals' Week and Wednesday, April 22, 2009 as Administrative Professionals' Day.

Carried

 

36        York Region Transit − Co-ordinated Transit Street Furniture Program

(Clause 2 of Transit Committee Report No. 3 and Minute Nos. 26 and 37)

 

David Diamond, Diamond & Diamond Law Offices, March 19, 2009

 

Anthony (Tony) Barone, Royal LePage Maximum Realty Corp. Brokerage, March 20, 2009

 

Paul Arato, Arato Design Ass. Inc., March 23, 2009

 

David Gray, President, Creative Outdoor Advertising, March 25, 2009, requesting deputant status and attaching 27 letters from businesses.

 

Chris Paterson, Broker/Manager, Royal LePage, 8854 Yonge Street, March 25, 2009, requesting deputant status

 

Maxine Povering, City of Vaughan resident, March 25, 2009

 

It was moved by Mayor Jackson, seconded by Mayor Scarpitti that Council refer the communications and requests for deputant status to the next meeting of the Transit Committee at 11:00 a.m. on April 16, 2009.

Carried

 

 

37        COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Landon, seconded by Mayor Scarpitti that Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider the following reports:

 

Report No. 2 of the Community Services and Housing Committee

Report No. 3 of the Finance and Administration Committee

Report No. 3 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee

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

Report No. 2 of the Solid Waste Management Committee

Report No. 3 of the Transit Committee

Report No. 3 of the Transportation and Works Committee

Report No. 1 of the Regional Chair

Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance

Carried

 

Regional Chair Fisch chaired the Committee of the Whole.

 

The Committee of the Whole rose and recommended that Council adopt the recommendations in the following reports with amendments as noted:

 

 

[The following links open the Report pages]

 

Report No. 2 of the Community Services and Housing Committee, with the following amendment:

 

Clause 6, regarding Lodging House Licensing and Enforcement Activities, 2008 Compliance Monitoring, was referred to staff to report back to a future meeting of the Committee with additional information regarding the licensing agreements and the provision of ancillary needs in the community.

 

Report No. 3 of the Finance and Administration Committee, with the following amendment:

 

Clause 6, regarding New Lease for Community and Health Services Programs, 16945 Leslie Street, Newmarket, was referred back to the Committee for additional consideration of other suitable locations in the Region.

 

Report No. 3 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, with the following amendments:

 

Clause 1, regarding Planning for Tomorrow � Draft York Region Wellhead Protection Area Policy and Mapping − adoption of the recommendations contained in the report dated February 11, 2009 from the Commissioner of Planning and Development Services and the Commissioner of Environmental Services.

 

Clause 2, regarding Draft Criteria for Building New Communities in York Region − adoption of the recommendations contained in the report dated February 2, 2009 from the Commissioner of Planning and Development Services.

 

Clause 3, Update � Committee Proceedings − received for information.

 

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

 

Report No. 2 of the Solid Waste Management Committee, with the following amendment:

 

Clause 3, regarding Elimination of Plastic Bags from York Region's Source Separated Organics Program − adoption of the recommendations contained in the report dated February 26, 2009, from the Commissioner of Environmental Services, subject to:

 

1. removing the word "pilot" from recommendations 2 and 3; and

 

2. reporting back to a future meeting of the Committee with details on the implementation process for the program.

 

Report No. 3 of the Transit Committee, with the following amendment:

 

Clause 2, regarding York Region Transit Co-ordinated Transit Street Furniture Program Update, was referred back to Committee along with the communications and requests for deputation. (See Minute Nos. 26 and 36.)

 

Report No. 3 of the Transportation and Works Committee

 

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

 

Report No. 1 of the Regional Chair

 

Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance

 

It was moved by Mayor Black, seconded by Regional Councillor Hogg that Council adopt the  recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

Carried

 

 

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

                       

38        BY-LAWS

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Mayor Barrow that Council introduce and approve certain Bills in the form as noted on the Revised Agenda and enact them as By-laws.

 

By-law No. 2009-11

To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Stouffville Road (YR 14), Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

 

By-law No. 2009-12

A By-law to provide for the appointment of an Acting Regional Chair when the Regional Chair is absent.

 

           

39        OTHER BUSINESS

 

Council Workshops

 

Regional Chair Fisch advised that Regional Council will be holding Council Workshops on the following dates:

 

1. April 30, 2009 � regarding Solid Waste Management Issues

 

2. May 28, 2009 � regarding the Transportation Master Plan and the Water and Wastewater Master Plan

 

 

Vaughan Winterlights Competition Award

 

Regional Councillor Ferri informed Council that the City of Vaughan was the winner of the 2008 Winterlights Competition in the 100,000+ population category. Winterlights is the winter edition of the Communities in Bloom program.

 

Regional Chair Fisch extended congratulations on behalf of Council to the citizens and staff of the City of Vaughan.

 

 

40        PRIVATE SESSION

 

It was moved by Mayor Emmerson, seconded by Mayor Grossi that Council convene in Private Session for the purpose of considering the following:

 

1. Private Report of the Solid Waste Management Committee � Green Lane Transportation Contract Conclusion − Security of Municipal Property.

 

2. Private Attachment to Clause 5, Report 3 of the Finance and Administration Committee � New Leased Space at the Tannery Mall for Court Services � Solicitor-Client.

 

3. Private Report of the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and the Commissioner of Corporate Services � Compensation for Medical Officers of Health and Associate Medical Officers of Health � Personal matters about identifiable individuals.

 

4. Verbal Update of the General Manager, York Region Transit � Transit Fare Update � Security of Municipal Property.

Carried

 

Council met in Private Session at 12:16 p.m. and reconvened in Council at 1:06 p.m.

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

41        Compensation for Medical Officers of Health and Associate Medical Officers of Health

 

It was moved by Mayor Van Bynen, seconded by Mayor Black that Council adopt the recommendations contained in the private report of the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and the Commissioner of Corporate Services dated March 25, 2009 as follows:

 

1. Regional Council, as the Board of Health for the Regional Municipality of York, support the submission of the Application and Consent form to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) to enable the Region to establish eligibility for 100% provincial funding for potential compensation for Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) and Associate Medical Officers of Health (AMOHs). 

 

2. Staff report back to Council on the outcome of the findings of the provincial review and the impact on the Regional MOH and AMOH compensation.

Carried

 

The balance of the report to remain private under the provisions of the Municipal Act as it pertains to personal matters about identifiable individuals.

 

 

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

 

42        CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Ferri, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath that Council enact the following by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council.

 

By-law No. 2009-13

To confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on March 26, 2009.

Carried

 

 

 

The Council meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.

 

 

____________

Regional Clerk

 

 

 

 

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on April 23, 2009.

 

 

 

____________

Regional Chair

 

 

 
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