Mayor Black, having been absent at the end of Council's meeting of September 18, 2003 when Council moved from Private Session to Public Session, made a declaration relating to a certain legal matter involving litigation with the Township of King.  Her declaration was due to the fact that she has a fiduciary duty to both the Township of King and York Region Councils and not due to any pecuniary interest.  She noted that she made this declaration at the September 18, 2003 Private Session, left the meeting and had not taken part in the consideration of or discussion of this item.

Launch of Understanding Barriers:

York Region's First Annual Accessibility Plan

 

Regional Chair Fisch welcomed the members of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee and thanked them for their excellent commitment and contribution.  He also welcomed representatives from the Provincial Accessibility Directorate and from the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.  Regional Chair Fisch later introduced Jeff Adams, former Olympian and Para Olympian, and Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario. 

 

Mr. Adams expressed his thanks and congratulations from the Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario to the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee. He congratulated the Region on the title of its Accessibility Plan, "Understanding Barriers".  The work of York Region's Committee to support the initiatives at the Provincial level is valuable and important to the Province and its communities. Mr. Adams indicated that the York Region Accessibility Plan will help to eliminate existing barriers and prevent new ones, making our communities and Province a better place to live.

 

Regional Councillor Humeniuk, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, introduced and thanked the Committee members�Vice Chair and Regional Councillor Frustaglio, Regional Councillor Wheeler and Regional Chair Fisch, ex officio.  The eight citizen members and their municipalities are: Sharon Abrahams, Richmond Hill; Barbara Caiger, Markham; Kirsten Hill, East Gwillimbury; Robert Hunn, Markham; Wilf Morley, Whitchurch-Stouffville; Mary Ann Proulx, Newmarket; Trish Robichaud, Georgina; and Anwar Yussuf, Vaughan.  Regional Councillor Humeniuk thanked the members for their commitment and extended her thanks to the staff supporting the Committee.

 

Joann Simmons, Commissioner of Community Services and Housing, presented the final version of Understanding Barriers to Council.  She indicated that the Accessibility Plan is an extension of work that was already underway at the Region and represents a beginning of work that remains to be done. She thanked Council, Regional Chair Fisch, Michael Garrett, the Chief Administrative Officer, Police Chief Armand La Barge and all of the staff who have dedicated so much time and effort in making York Region a leader in this area.

Council conducted a public meeting with respect to the passing of a by-law under Part XII of the Municipal Act to set fees to be charged in 2004 for solid waste management services at York Region's Transfer Station located at 23068 Warden Avenue, in the Town of Georgina. No one attended in support of or in opposition to the passing of the by-law.

 

(See Minute No. 165 re. Clause No. 1, Report No. 8 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works and By-law No. A-0336-2003-089.)

Regional Chair Fisch and Regional Councillor Scarpitti congratulated staff for the Region winning the Ontario Professional Planning Institute Awards for Planning Excellence for Vision 2026 and the Performance Measures Workbook.

 

Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner of Planning and Development Services, thanked Council for its vision and courage in approving Vision 2026 and indicated that Regional staff would be implementing it and reporting to Council over the coming years.

It was moved by Mayor Young, seconded by Regional Councillor Wong, that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 18th of September 2003, be confirmed in the form supplied to the Members.

Regional Chair Fisch congratulated Regional Councillor Wong, on behalf of Regional Council, on being elected as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in the recent Provincial election held on October 2, 2003.  Both Regional Chair Fisch and Mayor Cousens thanked Regional Councillor Wong for all of his contributions to the Region and the Town of Markham.  Regional Councillor Wong thanked Council for all its support and said that he was very fortunate to have served on Regional Council for the past six years.

Regional Councillor Frustaglio welcomed back Dr. Jaczek and thanked her for her efforts to be elected in the recent Provincial election, which unfortunately were not successful.

Council considered the following communications:

Connie Mahaffy, Executive Director, Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board, September 23, 2003, requesting that Regional Council pass a resolution to adopt amendments to the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board Fees By-law. 

 

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

WHEREAS pursuant to section 391(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 a Police Services Board may enact by-laws to impose fees and charges for services and activities provided to the public; and

 

WHEREAS on September 17, 2003, the Police Services Board passed a fee by-law which imposes fees and charges for services and activities provided; and

 

WHEREAS section 397(1) requires the municipality to approve, by resolution, the by-law;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Regional Municipality of York approve By-law No. 10-03, a by-law to Repeal and Replace By-law No. 8-96, as amended, to impose fees and charges for services and activities provided by the York Regional Police.

Paul Gill, National Project Coordinator, Waste Reduction Week in Canada, September 10, 2003, requesting the Region of York to support the continued effort to educate the public about waste reduction and declare the week of October 20 � 26th 2003 Waste Reduction Week in Canada.

 

It was moved by Mayor Di Biase, seconded by Mayor Jones, that the communication be received and that Council acknowledge the week of October 20-26th, 2003 as Waste Reduction Week in Canada.

Sid Ryan, President, CUPE Ontario and Shellie Bird, Co-President, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, October 7, 2003, requesting Council to endorse a day of recognition for the many people who work providing care to children.

 

It was moved by Mayor Taylor, seconded by Regional Councillor Wong, that the communication be received and that Council acknowledge November 5th, 2003, as a day of recognition for the many people who work providing care to children.

Carol Layton, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Citizenship, October 7, 2003, commending the Region on the establishment of its Accessibility Advisory Committee and the public consultation on its Accessibility Plan.

 

It was moved by Mayor Taylor, seconded by Regional Councillor Humeniuk, that the communication be received.

Regional Councillor O'Donnell, presented the following reports for the consideration of Council:

 

Report No. 3 of the Audit Committee

Report No. 8 of the Community Services and Housing Committee

Report No. 8 of the Finance and Administration Committee

Report No. 7 of the Health and Emergency Medical Services Committee

Report No. 8 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee

Report No. 9 of the Transportation and Works Committee

Report No. 5 of the Commissioner of Corporate Services

Report No. 8 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works

Report No. 9 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works

Report No. 10 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works

Report No. 11 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works

Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance and the Commissioner of Transportation and Works

Report No. 3 of the Commissioner of Finance and the Commissioner of Transportation and Works 

 

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

Chair Fisch chaired the Committee of the Whole.

 

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

 

[The following links open the Report pages]

 

Report No. 3 of the Audit Committee, be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 8 of the Community Services and Housing Committee, be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 8 of the Finance and Administration Committee, be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 7 of the Health and Emergency Medical Services Committee, be

adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 8 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 9 of the Transportation and Works Committee, be adopted with the following amendments:

Clause 9 regarding Intersection Improvements, Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive be deferred and staff report back to the next meeting of the Transportation and Works Committee in January 2004.

 

Clause 11 regarding Traffic Signal Assessment, Major Mackenzie Drive at the Rowena Development Access, Town of Richmond Hill, be amended to provide that a traffic control signal at an access onto Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) from the proposed Rowena Commercial Development be installed at this time at the cost of the developer.

 

Clause 12 regarding Traffic Signal Assessment Islington Avenue at Thistlewood Avenue, City of Vaughan, be amended by deleting the words "(estimated to be $150,000)" in recommendation 1, so that it reads as follows:

1. A traffic signal at the intersection of Islington Avenue (Y.R. 17) and Thistlewood Avenue be included in the current construction project to widen Islington Avenue, subject to the City of Vaughan agreeing to incur the installation costs and the on-going maintenance costs until such time as the traffic signals become warranted (estimated to be $6,000 annually);

Report No. 5 of the Commissioner of Corporate Services  be adopted without amendment [see also Attachments 1, 2, 3 and 4];

 

Report No. 8 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works  be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 9 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works   be adopted without amendment [see also Attachment 1]:

In considering this matter, Council requested staff to clarify the statement on page 5 of the Report relating to the inclusion of references in the RFP to the possible construction of the facility inside the new Bales Drive Transfer Station or the Georgina Transfer Station if space permits.

Report No. 10 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works be adopted with the following further recommendations [see also Attachments 1 and 2] :

5. The Regional Chair immediately set up a meeting with the Federal Minister of Agriculture and the new Provincial Minister of Natural Resources, involving the City of Vaughan, City of Toronto and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, if possible, to:

(1)  discuss issues around the disposal and quarantine of infested trees;

 

(2)  secure the necessary funding approval for an aggressive program of survey, tree removal, disposal and replacement from the Federal and Provincial Governments;

6.   Staff be requested to report back to the November 20, 2003 Council meeting on funding for this program;

 

7.    Council immediately set aside $500,000, if appropriate, for any action that is necessary in the meantime, and

 

8.    Staff track all associated costs as in SARS in the event there is recovery for them.

Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Finance and the Commissioner of Transportation and Works be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 3 of the Commissioner of Finance and the Commissioner of Transportation and Works be adopted without amendment;

 

Report No. 11 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works  be adopted without amendment;

 

It was moved by Regional Councillor Scarpitti, seconded by Regional Councillor Wong, that Council adopt the recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

It was moved by Mayor Jones, seconded by Mayor Di Biase, 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. RD-0508-2003-086

To dedicate certain lands for the purposes of public highways

 

By-law No. R-1380-2003-087

To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Gamble Road (YR 29) /19th Avenue (YR 29) Town of Richmond Hill

 

By-law No. A-0335-2003-088

To govern the proceedings of Council and its Committees

 

By-law No A-0336-2003-089

To establish fees for the use of the Georgina Waste Transfer Station  

 

By-law No. A-0337-2003-090

To establish an Insurance Claims and Certificate System Reserve Fund

 

By-law No. W-0140-2003-091

To transfer a watermain to the Corporation of the Town of Markham

 

By-law No. R-1381-2003-092

Respecting parking on Keele Street (Y.R. 6) in the Township of King

Regional Chair Fisch noted that Mayor Emmerson, Regional Councillor Landon and Regional Councillor Wong would not be returning after this term and thanked them for their contributions to Regional Council and wished them success in the future. He indicated that there would be a further opportunity to speak on this at Council's meeting of November 20, 2003.

 

Council noted a Regular Council meeting will be held on December 11, 2003, with the incoming Council members.

It was moved by Mayor Di Biase, seconded by Mayor Bell, that:

 

Whereas Kingscraft Studios has requested parking on a temporary basis on the east side of Keele Street (Y.R. 6) from 12 metres south of Elizabeth Grove to a point approximately 153 metres south of King Road (Y.R 11) for the Kingscraft Studio sale between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the following dates:

 

Saturday, November 15, 2003

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Saturday, November 22, 2003

Sunday, November 23, 2003

 

Whereas Regional Council has customarily allowed temporary parking for this event,

 

Be it therefore resolved Regional Council allow parking on a temporary basis on the east side of Keele Street (Y.R. 6) from 12 metres south of Elizabeth Grove to a point approximately 153 metres south of King Road (Y.R. 11) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the following dates.

 

Saturday, November 15, 2003

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Saturday, November 22, 2003

Sunday, November 23, 2003

 

And that the necessary by-law be enacted and passed.

(See By-law No. R-1381-2003-092.)

It was moved by Mayor Taylor, seconded by Mayor Jones, that Council convene in Private Session, for the purpose of considering certain legal matters.

Council met in Private Session at 11:50 a.m. and reconvened in Council at 12:15 p.m.

 

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

It was moved by Mayor Di Biase, seconded by Regional Councillor Frustaglio, that:

 

1. Regional Council approve the expenditure of approximately $1,350,000. or one half of the total actual cost (approximately $2,700,000.) for the equal cost-sharing, on a 50/50 basis, with the City of Vaughan, for roadwork on Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) at the new proposed location for McNaughton Road.

 

2. The funding of $1,350,000 for this project be considered for inclusion in the 2004 Roads Capital Budget.

 

3. The Commissioner of Transportation and Works proceed with the implementation of this project by either:

a) including the works within the tender for the reconstruction of McNaughton Road between Keele Street (Y.R. 6) and Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) and the Regional watermain on McNaughton Road and Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25), administered by York Major Holdings Inc. (YMH)  or,

 

b) making the works the subject of a separate tender.

4. The construction of the Regional road works be implemented by a public tender call in conformance with the general requirements of the Regional Purchasing By-law.

 

5. The Regional Solicitor be authorized to develop an agreement with YMH to facilitate the construction of the Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) roadworks with the reconstruction of McNaughton Road between Keele Street (Y.R. 6) and Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) and the Regional watermain on McNaughton Road and Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) in the event this is required under recommendation 3.

 

6. The Regional Chair and Clerk be authorized to execute this agreement in the event this is required under recommendation 3.

It was moved by Mayor Bell, seconded by Regional Councillor Barrow, that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 11 of the Commissioner of Transportation and Works, as follows:

 

1.    The Regional Chair and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Miller Waste Systems to supply transfer station services for recyclable material, waste and source separated organics at 505 Miller Avenue, Markham for a period of 15 years on the terms, conditions and prices detailed in this report.

 

2.    Regional Council request the Town of Markham and the Ministry of the Environment to expeditiously process all related approval requests from Miller Waste Systems for the construction and operation of the required transfer station.

 

On the request of Mayor Di Biase, a recorded vote on the above motion was as follows:

 

FOR:        Barrow, Bell, Emmerson, Frustaglio, Hogg, Humeniuk, Jones, O'Donnell,  Wheeler, Young - 10

 

AGAINST:    Di Biase, Scarpitti - 2

It was moved by Regional Councillor Scarpitti, seconded by Regional Councillor Hogg, 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-0698-2003-093

To confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on October 16, 2003.

The Council meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on the 20th of November 2003.