The Council of The Regional Municipality of York
Minutes of the
Meeting Held on December 17, 2015
[Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request
Contact: Regional Clerk’s Office, @email, 18774649675 extension 71320]
Regional Council met at 9:30 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:
D. Barrow, M. Bevilacqua, G. Dawe, V. Hackson, S. Pellegrini, M. Quirk, F. Scarpitti, T. Van Bynen
Regional Councillors:
N. Armstrong, M. Di Biase, M. Ferri, B. Hogg, J. Li, G. Rosati, V. Spatafora, J. Taylor
Staff:
D. Basso, B. Hughes, J. Hulton, D. Kostopoulos, Dr. K. Kurji, B. Macgregor, E. Mahoney, V. Shuttleworth, M.F. Turner, A. Urbanski
Disclosures of Interest
225 2016-2018 Budget – York Regional Police
Mayor Quirk declared an interest in Clause 2 of Committee of the Whole Report No. 19 and Report No. 4 of the Commissioner of Finance regarding the 2016-2018 Regional Budget as it pertains to York Regional Police. This declaration of interest is due to Mayor Quirk’s stepson being a member of York Regional Police and her husband being a retired member of and under contract to York Regional Police.
Mayor Quirk did not take part in any consideration or discussion of or vote on any part of these items.
(See Minute Nos. 227, 228 and 230.)
Minutes
226 Minutes of the Council Meeting Held on November 19, 2015
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Hackson that Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on November 19, 2015 in the form supplied to the Members.
Carried
Presentation and Report
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Council heard the following presentation:
227 2016 to 2018 Regional Budget
Bill Hughes, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer, provided Council with an overview of the proposed 2016-2018 Regional Budget.
The Commissioner indicated that the budget provides for a tax increase of 2.85% in 2016, with an average impact of an additional $63 per household. The outlook includes a proposed tax increase of 2.69% in 2017 and 2.35% in 2018.
Mr. Hughes indicated that the proposed 2016 budget includes $2 billion for operations and $783 million in funding for capital projects. The 10-year capital plan proposes $6.1 billion in spending and is the largest among the regional municipalities and the City of Hamilton.
The Commissioner presented key features of the proposed budget including a robust capital plan, lower debt levels and higher reserve balances. New initiatives anticipated in the next three years include two transitional / emergency housing facilities, 49 new police officers, 52 new paramedics and investment in paramedic response stations.
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Pellegrini that Council receive the presentation.
Carried
(See Minute Nos. 225 and 228.)
228 Report No. 4 of the Commissioner of Finance – 2016 to 2018 Regional Budget
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Pellegrini that Council adopt the recommendations in revised Report No. 4 of the Commissioner of Finance dated December 10, 2015.
Carried
(See Minute Nos. 225 and 227.)
Communications
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Council considered the following communication:
229 Syrian Refugee Resettlement
It was moved by Mayor Hackson, seconded by Regional Councillor Di Biase that Council receive the communication from Adelina Urbanski, Commissioner of Community and Health Services dated December 17, 2015 providing an update on the Government of Canada's plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees.
Carried
Consideration and Adoption of Reports
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230 Report No. 19 of Committee of the Whole – November 26, 2015 Special Meeting
It was moved by Mayor Hackson, seconded by Mayor Dawe that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 19 of Committee of the Whole.
Carried
(See Minute No. 225.)
231 Report No. 20 of Committee of the Whole – December 3, 2015
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Taylor that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 20 of Committee of the Whole.
Carried
232 Report No. 21 of Committee of the Whole – December 10, 2015
It was moved by Regional Councillor Di Biase, seconded by Mayor Barrow that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 21 of Committee of the Whole.
Carried
233 Report No. 1 of the Regional Solicitor – Appointment of an Ombudsman (2016-2021)
It was moved by Mayor Van Bynen, seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 1 of the Regional Solicitor dated December 10, 2015.
Carried
234 Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Transportation Services – Consultant Selection for Environmental Assessment Studies, 16th Avenue from Yonge Street to Woodbine Avenue and 16th Avenue from Woodbine Avenue to York/Durham Line, Town of Richmond Hill and City of Markham
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Li that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 2 of the Commissioner of Transportation Services dated December 8, 2015.
Carried
Introduction and Approval of Bylaws
[Click on the numbers of the following Bylaws to view them]
235 Bylaws
It was moved by Regional Councillor Hogg, seconded by Regional Councillor Taylor that Council approve and enact the following bylaws in the form as noted on the Revised Agenda.
Bylaw No. 2015-73
A bylaw to establish the Court Services Reserve Fund
Bylaw No. 2015-74
A bylaw to establish the University Campus Reserve Fund
Bylaw No. 2015-75
A bylaw to establish the Information Technology Licensing and Software Development Reserve Fund
Bylaw No. 2015-76
A bylaw to establish the Water Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund
Bylaw No. 2015-77
A bylaw to establish the Wastewater Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund
Bylaw No. 2015-78
A bylaw to establish the Capital Asset Replacement Reserve Fund – Water
Bylaw No. 2015-79
A bylaw to establish the Capital Asset Replacement Reserve Fund – Wastewater
Bylaw No. 2015-80
A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. A-231-97-104 - Sick Leave Reserve
Bylaw No. 2015-81
A bylaw to abandon certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Highway 7 (YR 7), City of Markham
Bylaw No. 2015-82
A bylaw to abandon certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Highway 7 (YR 7), City of Markham
Carried
Other Business
236 Appointment to the Audit Committee
It was moved by Mayor Dawe, seconded by Regional Councillor Armstrong that Council confirm the appointment of Regional Councillor Rosati to the Audit Committee.
Carried
(See Minute No. 183 of the Council meeting held on October 15, 2015.)
237 Appointment to the York Regional Police Services Board
Regional Chair Emmerson informed Council that he has appointed Mr. Khalid Usman as a citizen member of the York Regional Police Services Board.
238 GTA Top Employer Award
Regional Chair Emmerson announced that York Region was recognized for the fifth straight year as a top employer in the Greater Toronto Area. The GTA Top Employer award recognizes companies that are leaders in their field for progressive programs, benefits, employee satisfaction and community involvement.
239 Advisory Task Force Meetings
Regional Chair Emmerson expressed to Council that the meetings of the three Advisory Task Forces to date have been very beneficial. Each Task Force will report back to Council in 2016 with its policy recommendations.
Private Session
Council did not convene in private session.
Confirmatory Bylaw
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240 Bylaw 2015-72
It was moved by Mayor Quirk, seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua that Council enact Bylaw No. 2015-72 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on December 17, 2015.
The Council meeting adjourned at 9:53 a.m.
____________
Regional Clerk
Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on January 21, 2016.
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Regional Chair
