The Council of The Regional Municipality of York
Minutes of the
Meeting Held on January 22, 2015
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.
[Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request
Contact: Regional Clerk’s Office, @email, 18774649675 extension 71320]
The following were also in attendance:
Mayors:
Altmann, Barrow, Bevilacqua, Dawe, Hackson, Pellegrini, Quirk, Scarpitti, Van Bynen
Regional Councillors:
Armstrong, Di Biase, Ferri, Heath, Hogg, Jones, Li, Rosati, Spatafora, Taylor, Wheeler
Staff:
Basso, Hulton, Hughes, Kostopoulos, Kurji, Macgregor, Mahoney, Shuttleworth, Turner, Urbanski
Disclosures of Interest
1 Contract Awards Report October 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014
Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Finance
Mayor Scarpitti declared an interest in Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Finance regarding Contract Awards Report October 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014 as it relates to contract T-14-78 due to his brother being employed at Compugen. Mayor Scarpitti did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the part of this item pertaining to contract T-14-78.
(See Minute No. 10.)
Minutes
2 Minutes of the Council Meeting Held on December 18, 2014
It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati that Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on December 18, 2014 in the form supplied to the Members.
Carried
[The titles of the following Presentation, Communications, Reports and Bylaws are links that will open the items]
Presentation
Council heard the following presentation:
3 Proposed 2015-2018 Regional Budget
Bill Hughes, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer, provided Council with an overview of the proposed 2015-2018 Regional Budget and introduced a new budget book format and structure.
The Commissioner presented a multi-year budget to align with the term of Council that seeks approval of the 2015 budget plus an additional 3-year outlook. He noted that multi-year budgeting offers many benefits, including better coordination of strategic priorities and improved fiscal discipline.
Mr. Hughes indicated that the proposed 2015 budget includes $1.9 billion for operations and $826 million in funding for capital projects. This would result in a tax increase of 3.79% in 2015, with an average impact of an additional $81 per household. The multi-year outlook currently provides for a tax increase of 3.34% in 2016, 2.94% in 2017 and 2.35% in 2018.
The Commissioner presented key features of the proposed budget including selected improvements to service levels, more investment in transportation capital and continued investments in growth-related water and wastewater capital with some temporary project deferrals. The proposed budget also includes savings for future capital asset replacement, improved fiscal strategy to reduce future debt levels and measures to protect the Region’s credit rating.
Next steps in the budget review process include a detailed review of Departmental Budgets at Committee of the Whole on February 12 and 19, with consideration for final approval by Council at its meeting on February 26, 2015.
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Van Bynen that Council receive the presentation and refer it to consideration at the Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for February 12, 2015.
Carried
Communications
Council considered the following communications:
4 Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario (IAH) (2014 Extension) Notional Funding Allocation
It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati that Council receive the communication from Janet Hope, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated December 18, 2014.
Carried
5 AMO Research Project - Municipal Infrastructure Investment and Financial Sustainability
It was moved by Mayor Van Bynen, seconded by Regional Councillor Hogg that Council receive the communication from Bill Hughes, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated January 22, 2015.
Carried
6 Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Van Bynen that Council receive the communication from Bill Hughes, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated January 7, 2015 and offer congratulations to Regional staff on receiving the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award.
Carried
7 Initial Impact of the Social Assistance Management System Implementation
It was moved by Regional Councillor Armstrong, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that Council receive the communication from Adelina Urbanski, Commissioner of Community and Health Services dated January 22, 2015.
Carried
Consideration and Adoption of Reports
8 Report No. 1 of Committee of the Whole
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Di Biase that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 1 of Committee of the Whole dated January 8, 2015.
Carried
9 Report No. 2 of Committee of the Whole
It was moved by Mayor Barrow, seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 2 of Committee of the Whole dated January 15, 2015.
Carried
10 Contract Awards Report October 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014
Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Finance
It was moved by Mayor Van Bynen, seconded by Regional Councillor Wheeler that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Finance dated January 20, 2015.
Carried
(See Minute No. 1.)
11 York Region Transit(YRT/Viva) On-board Farebox System Software Maintenance and Support Contract Extension
Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Transportation Services
It was moved by Regional Councillor Jones, seconded by Regional Councillor Spatafora that Council adopt the recommendations in Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Transportation Services dated January 20, 2015.
Carried
Introduction and Approval of Bills
12 Bylaws
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Li that Council introduce and approve certain Bills in the form as noted on the Revised Agenda and enact them as Bylaws.
Bylaw No. 2015-1
A bylaw to adopt an Emergency Management Program
Bylaw No. 2015-2
To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Keele Street (Y.R. 6) and Lloydtown/Aurora Road (Y.R. 16) in the Township of King
Bylaw No. 2015-3
To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Major Mackenzie Drive West (R.R. 25) from Weston Road (Y.R. 56) to Islington Avenue (Y.R. 17), in the City of Vaughan
Bylaw No. 2015-4
To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Yonge Street (Y.R. 1) and Highway 7 (Y.R. 7) to Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) in the Town of Richmond Hill
Bylaw No. 2015-5
To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Yonge Street (Y.R. 1) and Major Mackenzie Drive (Y.R. 25) to Gamble Road/19th Avenue (Y.R. 29) in the Town of Richmond Hill
Bylaw No. 2015-6
To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Highway 7 (Y.R. 7), Centre Street (Y.R. 71) and Bathurst Street (Y.R. 38) in the City of Vaughan
Carried
Motions
13 Increase in Membership for Housing York Inc.
It was moved by Mayor Altmann, seconded by Regional Councillor Li:
Whereas the Articles of Arrangement of Housing York Inc. (the “Corporation”) provide that the Corporation shall have a minimum of two (2) directors and a maximum of thirteen (13) directors;
And Whereas by special resolution dated October 18, 2007 the sole shareholder of the Corporation fixed the number of directors of the Corporation at seven (7);
Be it Resolved that:
1. By special resolution the number of directors comprising the Board of Directors of the Corporation is fixed at ten (10).
Carried
14 Regional Express Rail
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua:
Whereas on July 24, 2014 the Ontario Legislature passed the Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (2014 Budget Measures), which included $29 billion in dedicated funding available over the next 10 years for public transit, highways and other priority infrastructure projects across the province through the government's Moving Ontario Forward plan;
And Whereas the Moving Ontario Forward plan will allocate up to $15 billion for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in public transit priorities that address congestion and improve mobility throughout the region, including transforming the GO Transit network to a Regional Express Rail service and drawing projects from the Next Wave of Metrolinx projects included in The Big Move;
And Whereas Council has supported and endorsed major transit expansion projects in York Region, including the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension and the vivaNext bus rapid transit system;
And Whereas Council is in support of the Yonge Subway Extension from Finch Station to Richmond Hill Centre at Highway 7 to address the critical transit needs of its population;
And Whereas York Region, The City of Toronto, Metrolinx and the TTC continue to work collaboratively on the Yonge Relief Network Study in order to ensure a comprehensive assessment of potential solutions for crowding on the Yonge Subway Line;
And Whereas the Provincial transit agency Metrolinx has a work plan for Regional Express Rail which includes developing the service concept (i.e. frequency, type of service), identifying infrastructure needs and developing a phasing strategy to determine the optimal sequencing of delivering Regional Express Rail to all GO rail corridors;
And Whereas the section of Yonge Street from Finch Avenue, in the City of Toronto, to Highway 7, in the City of Markham and the Town of Richmond Hill, is an important missing link in the dedicated regional rapid transit system, which presently requires approximately 1,200 buses per day to meet the public transit demand;
And Whereas the Region is undertaking an update to the Regional Official Plan, to accommodate Amendment 2 to the Provincial Growth Plan (2041 population and employment forecasts), in combination with the Transportation Master Plan Update and Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update in order to complete the provincially mandated Regional Development Charges By-law update by 2017.
Now therefore be it resolved that Council:
1. Request the Provincial government, through its agency Metrolinx, to work collaboratively and in partnership with York Region and all affected municipalities on the development of Regional Express Rail, including the development of Service Concepts, Infrastructure Plans, Business Cases and Phasing Plans.
2. Request the Provincial government and Metrolinx to develop the Service Concept for Regional Express Rail in York Region to accommodate the ultimate 2041 population and employment forecasts presented in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and implement Regional Express Rail to meet the growth in travel demand.
3. Reaffirm that the Yonge Subway Extension to the Richmond Hill-Langstaff Urban Growth Centre will remain a number one priority project in York Region.
4. Request the Provincial government and Metrolinx to confirm that work on the Yonge Network Relief Study be integrated with the work on Regional Express Rail through the development of Service Concepts, Infrastructure Plans and Business Cases.
5. Direct staff to facilitate the work of the Provincial government and Metrolinx on Regional Express Rail in York Region and jointly develop the public outreach and engagement strategy for planning, design, construction and operation of Regional Express Rail.
Carried
Other Business
15 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) - Green Municipal Fund
Regional Councillor Heath advised Council that he made a motion at the FCM Board meeting to examine an increase to the Green Municipal Fund that assists municipalities achieve outcomes that respond to local sustainability challenges.
Regional Councillor Heath requested that any local municipality in support of an increase to the Fund send him an e-mail detailing how the Fund could benefit their municipality.
16 Appointment to the Housing York Inc. Board of Directors
Regional Chair Emmerson advised Council that he has appointed Mayor Dawe, Mayor Hackson and Mayor Quirk to the Housing York Inc. Board of Directors for the term of Council.
17 Appointment to the Human Services Planning Board
Regional Chair Emmerson advised Council that he has appointed Regional Councillor Ferri to the Human Services Planning Board for the term of Council.
18 Standing Committees
Regional Chair Emmerson advised that at Council’s meeting on February 26, 2015 he will present two options on Council’s committee structure moving forward: continue with Committee of the Whole or change back to Standing Committees.
If Council were to vote to change back to Standing Committees, Committee meetings would generally be held on the first and second Thursdays of the month, Regional Council meetings would be on the third Thursday, and the fourth Thursday of the month would be held for Council Education Sessions and Workshops, as required.
19 Professional Soccer Team in Vaughan
Regional Chair Emmerson congratulated Mayor Bevilacqua on his recent announcement that the City of Vaughan is going to host a professional soccer team. The new team is named “TFC2” and it will compete in the USL PRO league
20 Pan American Games
Regional Chair Emmerson announced that executives from the Pan American Games will be presenting to Regional Council at its February meeting.
21 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) – Update on Request for Additional Member
Regional Councillor Jones asked for update on Council’s request to the TRCA to add an additional Board member for York Region so that the number of representatives is six, in accordance with the Conservation Authorities Act.
Regional Councillor Di Biase confirmed that the TRCA Board received the request and that TRCA staff is in the process of conducting a review and will report back to the Board.
Consideration and Adoption of Private Items
22 Private Session
It was moved by Mayor Hackson, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath that Council convene in Private Session for the purpose of considering the following.
1. Cost Recovery of Damages: Highway 427 - Litigation and Solicitor-Client Privilege
2. Cost Recovery of Damages: Bathurst Street - Potential Litigation
3. Disputed Water Billings - Litigation or Potential Litigation
4. Authorization to Negotiate Land Acquisition - Town of Georgina - Proposed Acquisition of Land
Carried
Council met in Private Session at 11:30 a.m. and reconvened in Council at 11:47 a.m.
It was moved by Regional Councillor Armstrong, seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri that Council rise and report from Private Session.
Carried
23 Cost Recovery of Damages: Highway 427
It was moved by Regional Councillor Di Biase, seconded by Regional Councillor Heath that Council receive the private report of Committee of the Whole dated January 8, 2015.
Carried
24 Cost Recovery of Damages: Bathurst Street
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Mayor Dawe that Council adopt the confidential recommendations contained in the private report of Committee of the Whole dated January 8, 2015 and that the Regional Solicitor report back to Council upon final resolution of this matter.
Carried
25 Disputed Water Billings
It was moved by Regional Councillor Wheeler, seconded by Regional Councillor Hogg that Council adopt the confidential recommendations contained in the private report of Committee of the Whole dated January 15, 2015 and that the Chief Administrative Officer report back to Council on the outcome of this dispute.
Carried
26 Authorization to Negotiate Land Acquisition - Town of Georgina
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati that Council adopt the recommendation contained in the private report of Committee of the Whole dated January 15, 2015 as follows:
1. Council authorize the Commissioner of Corporate Services to negotiate acquisition of the subject lands.
Carried
Confirmatory Bylaw
27 Bylaw 2015-7
It was moved by Regional Councillor Hogg, seconded by Mayor Quirk that Council enact Bylaw No. 2015-7 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on January 22, 2015.
Carried
The Council meeting adjourned at 11:49 a.m.
____________
Regional Clerk
Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on February 26, 2015.
____________
Regional Chair
