The Council of The Regional Municipality of York
Minutes of the
Meeting Held on November 15, 2018
[Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request
Contact: Regional Clerk’s Office, @email, 18774649675 extension 71320]
Regional Council met at 10:03 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:
J. Altmann, D. Barrow, M. Bevilacqua, G. Dawe, V. Hackson,
S. Pellegrini, M. Quirk, F. Scarpitti, T. Van Bynen
Regional Councillors:
N. Armstrong, N. Davison, M. Ferri, J. Heath, B. Hogg, J. Jones,
J. Li, G. Rosati, S. Singh, V. Spatafora, J. Taylor
Staff:
D. Basso, K. Chislett, P. Freeman, J. Hulton, P. Jankowski, K. Kurji,
B. Macgregor, E. Mahoney, L. Mirabella, C. Raynor, M.F. Turner
Opening Remarks from Regional Chairman
142 Regional Chair Emmerson made the following remarks:
“I would like to begin today’s meeting by acknowledging that York Region extends over lands originally used and occupied by Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of York Region, I would like to thank First Nations and the Métis for sharing this land.
I would also like to acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.”
143 Regional Chair Emmerson acknowledged Council’s Accomplishments
Regional Chair Emmerson expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Members of Council, York Region’s Chief Administrative Officer, Bruce Macgregor, Members of the Senior Management Team and York Region staff.
Regional Chair Emmerson highlighted some of the many accomplishments made by Regional Council, as follows:
• Significant investments in transportation and related initiatives, including completion of the TTC subway extension into the City of Vaughan
• Ranking first in Ontario in waste diversion
• Establishing Ontario’s first urban national park and the opening of the Bill Fisch Forest Stewardship and Education Centre
• Advancing economic development opportunities and continuing to out-pace national and provincial job growth
• Supporting connectivity initiatives through the establishment of YorkNet
• Opening of Belinda’s Place and the Richmond Hill Hub
• Developing and implementing a Seniors Strategy
• Approving York Region’s first multi-year budget which, along with other financial initiatives, has contributed to the Region’s recent recognition by the CD Howe Institute for Financial Transparency and Good Government
• Updating the Development Charges Bylaw to include a 36 month deferral policy to support purpose-built rental and affordable housing initiatives
Minutes
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144 Minutes of the Council Meeting Held on September 20, 2018
It was moved by Regional Councillor Davison, seconded by Regional Councillor Armstrong that Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on September 20, 2018 in the form supplied to the Members.
Carried
Communications
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145 York Region Staff Input - Proposed Social Assistance Reform
It was moved by Regional Councillor Taylor, seconded by Mayor Dawe that Council receive the communication from Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services dated November 1, 2018.
Carried
146 York Region Staff Response - Bill 4, Cancellation of Cap & Trade Act, 2018
It was moved by Regional Councillor Heath, seconded by Regional Councillor Singh that Council receive the communication from Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Environmental Services and Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated October 18, 2018.
Carried
147 Extension of the Construction Milestone Date for the Start of the York University Markham Centre Campus until December 31, 2019
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Pellegrini that Council receive the communication from Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer dated November 15, 2018.
Carried
Consideration and Adoption of Reports
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148 Report No. 1 of the Commissioner of Environmental Services - Resolution to Expand Mandatory Waste Diversion Programs and Increase Waste Diversion Capacity
It was moved by Regional Councillor Ferri, seconded by Mayor Quirk that Council adopt the recommendations in the report with the following amendments as noted:
Addition to Recommendation 2:
The Regional Clerk also circulate the report to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
Recommendation 3:
That Council request the province to strengthen policies and legislation to require producers to ensure the use of recyclable materials.
Carried
Introduction and Approval of Bylaws
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149 Bylaws
It was moved by Regional Councillor Spatafora, seconded by Regional Councillor Singh that Council approve and enact the following bylaw in the form as noted on the Agenda.
Bylaw No. 2018-71 Yonge Street – Widening and Reconstruction
To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Yonge Street (YR 1), Town of Newmarket and Town of East Gwillimbury
Carried
Motion
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Barrow that Council waive the notice requirements set out in the Procedure Bylaw to permit consideration of the ‘Closure of Buttonville Airport Air Traffic Control Tower’ motion on this date.
Carried with a required 2/3 majority vote
150 Closure of Buttonville Airport Air Traffic Control Tower
It was moved by Mayor Scarpitti, seconded by Mayor Barrow that Council adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, NAV CANADA announced in November 2018 the closure of the Buttonville Airport Air Traffic Control Tower, effective January 3, 2019 and will replace it with a mandatory radio frequency; and,
WHEREAS, located in Markham and in close proximity to the Town of Richmond Hill and running parallel with Highway 404, one of Ontario’s busiest highways, Buttonville Airport lies in a built up residential and business area; and,
WHEREAS, Buttonville Airport is also located on the busiest north/south and east/west air route in Canada and on the main approach to two runways at Pearson, Canada’s largest and busiest airport by aircraft movements. It is approximately 14 nautical miles north of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and approximately 16 nautical miles northeast of Toronto Pearson International Airport; and,
WHEREAS, it was previously understood that there would be a decline in operations and a full closure of the airport in the coming years, Buttonville Airport will remain open for at least five more years and this has caused air traffic volume to increase; and,
WHEREAS, with an increase of aircraft movement, as well as the existing high amount of air traffic in the region due to two nearby international airports, it would pose a safety risk to cease any air traffic control operations at Buttonville Airport;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that York Region deems the closure of the control tower unacceptable and is concerned with the safety risks posed by a closure of the air traffic control tower and would have preferred to have been consulted in the decision by NAV CANADA; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that York Region advise The Honourable Marc Garneau, MP, Minister of Transport, that the Region does not support the closure of the control tower at Buttonville Airport and asks him to intervene to reverse the decision before the closure of the control tower on January 3, 2019; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be circulated to The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister, as well as local MPs and MPPs.
Carried Unanimously
Other Business
151 Introduction of Associate Medical Officers of Health
Regional Chair Emmerson introduced Dr. Alanna Fitzgerald-Husek and Dr. Fareen Karachiwalla as the new Associate Medical Officers of Health for York Region.
152 Scheduling of Shareholder Meetings
Regional Chair Emmerson advised that Shareholder meetings for Housing York Inc., York Telecom Network Inc. and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation will be held on December 13, 2018 following the Regional Council meeting.
153 Recognition of Outgoing Regional Council Members
Regional Chair Emmerson recognized the following seven outgoing Regional Council Members, each of whom addressed Council with their final remarks:
Mayor Justin Altmann (served one term)
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong (served one term)
Regional Councillor Naomi Davison (served two years)
Mayor Geoffrey Dawe (served two terms)
Regional Councillor Brenda Hogg (served five terms)
Regional Councillor Singh (served 1 ½ years)
Regional Councillor Vito Spatafora (served three terms)
Mayor Tony Van Bynen (served four terms)
Regional Chair Emmerson also recognized and congratulated Regional Councillor John Taylor, who will be returning to serve on Regional Council in the capacity of Mayor of the Town of Newmarket.
Regional Chair Emmerson then recognized the contributions of former Regional Councillor Danny Wheeler, who passed away in 2016 and had served on Regional Council for 28 years.
Confirmatory Bylaw
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154 Bylaw No. 2018-72
It was moved by Mayor Van Bynen, seconded by Regional Councillor Hogg that Council enact Bylaw No. 2018-72 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on November 15, 2018.
The Council meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
____________
Regional Clerk
Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Regional Council held on December 13, 2018.
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Regional Chair
