Council Meeting
Agenda

C#05-25

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 12:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

225 East Beaver Creek Road

Richmond Hill, Ontario

Mayor David West

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

City facilities are open to the public to attend Council and Committee meetings. The public can observe meetings of Council and Committees by attending in-person or by viewing the livestream of the open session part of these meetings which can be accessed on the City’s website (Richmondhill.ca) or on the City’s YouTube page (linked from the City’s homepage).

 

Public Comments: The public may submit written correspondence regarding agenda items by email to [email protected]. Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Comments submitted will be provided to all Members of Council, are considered as public information and will be included on the public agenda posted to the City’s website.

 

Delegations: Any person who wishes to speak to Council on agenda items must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Applications to appear as a delegation can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by using the on-line application form found on Richmondhill.ca. Delegations can be in person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as a delegation. 

 

Public Forum: Any person who wishes to speak to Council on a matter not on the agenda must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Persons wanting to address Council during the Public Forum portion of the meeting must register by sending an email to [email protected] or by using the on-line form found on Richmondhill.ca. Public Forum participation can be in-person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. A maximum of five persons will be allowed to register for the Public Forum on a first come first serve basis.

 

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Land Acknowledgement

We are gathering on lands that have been home to First Nations Peoples from time immemorial. We acknowledge that what we now call Richmond Hill is on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations of the Williams Treaty. We also recognize that we are on part of the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and the Huron Wendat.

We would also like to acknowledge all First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples from across North America, also known as Turtle Island, who now reside in the City of Richmond Hill. We are committed to rebuilding constructive and cooperative relationships.

3.

National Anthem

4.

Public Forum (not exceeding fifteen minutes) 

4.1

Ian Macmillan, 62 Weldrick Road West, regarding a request to have Aquafit classes relocated back to Bayview Hill pool

5.

Council Announcements

6.

Introduction of Emergency/Time Sensitive Matters

7.

Adoption of Agenda

8.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

9.

Adoption of Previous Council Minutes

9.1

Council Public Meeting C#02-25 held February 11, 2025

9.2

Council Meeting C#03-25 held February 12, 2025

10.

Identification of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

11.

Adoption of the Remainder of Agenda Items

12.

Public Hearing(s)

13.

Presentation(s)

14.

Delegation(s)

15.

Committee and Staff Reports

15.1

Minutes - Committee of the Whole Meeting CW#03-25 held February 19, 2025

• That the minutes of Committee of the Whole meeting CW#03-25 held February 19, 2025, be adopted as circulated and the following recommendations be approved:

15.1.1

Minutes - Heritage Richmond Hill meeting HRH#09-24 held December 5, 2024 - (CW Item 11.1)

• a) That the minutes of Heritage Richmond Hill meeting HRH#09-24 held December 5, 2024,  be adopted.

15.1.2

Extract - Heritage Richmond Hill meeting HRH#01-25 held February 6, 2025

15.1.2.1

SRPBS.25.021 - Notice to Demolish the Buildings at 53 St. Laurent Drive - City File D12-07405 - (CW Item 11.2.1)

• a) That staff report SRPBS.25.021 regarding Notice to Demolish the Buildings at 53 St. Laurent Drive - City File D12-07405, be received;

  b) That Council approve the demolition of 53 St. Laurent Drive;

  c) That once the buildings are demolished, 53 St. Laurent Drive be removed from Richmond Hill’s Heritage Register.

15.1.3

SRCS.25.02 - Blue Box Transition - Waste Collection Contract Update - (CW Item 11.4)

• a) That staff report SRCS.25.02 regarding Blue Box Transition - Waste Collection Contract Update, be received;

  b) That the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute any necessary documentation to amend the existing waste collection contract SS-30-17 to remove residential recycling collection services; amend the cost per tonne for organics collection; and enact a 1-year optional contract extension;

  c) That a Request for Proposal (RFP) be issued for the provision of new long-term residential waste collection services commencing in April 2028.

15.1.4

SRCS.25.05 - 2024 Municipal Drinking Water Reporting - (CW Item 11.5)

• a) That staff report SRCS.25.05 containing various 2024 Municipal Drinking Water Reporting documents including the Summary Report required by Schedule 22 of O. Reg. 170/03 be received;

  b) That the “City of Richmond Hill Drinking Water Annual Report 2024” (attached as Appendix 1 to staff report SRCS.25.05) required under Section 11 of O. Reg. 170/03 be received and made available to the public on the City’s website;

  c) That the Quality Management System Report 2024 (attached as Appendix 2 to staff report SRCS.25.05) required by the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, be received.

15.1.5

SRIES.25.002 - 2024 - Municipal Infrastructure Assumptions Summary under Delegated Authority - (CW Item 11.6)

• a) That staff report SRIES.25.002 regarding 2024 - Municipal Infrastructure Assumptions Summary under Delegated Authority, be received.

15.1.6

SRPBS.25.012 - Park Naming Report (Heron View Park) - Follow Up - (CW Item 11.7)

• a) That the proposed name “Heron View Park” for the site described in staff report SRPBS.24.092, attached as Appendix 'A' to staff report SRPBS.25.012, be granted final approval.

15.1.7

SRPBS.25.013 - Federation of Canadian Municipalities Community Efficiency Financing Grant for Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program Feasibility Study - (CW Item 11.8)

• a) That staff report SRPBS.25.013 regarding Federation of Canadian Municipalities Community Efficiency Financing Grant for Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program Feasibility Study be received;

  b) That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cities of Richmond Hill and Markham to give effect to the joint Feasibility Study as part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Community Efficiency Financing grant as recommended in staff report SRPBS.25.013, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Planning and Building Services.

15.1.8

SRPBS.25.016 - Request for Approval - Draft Plan of Condominium - 243 Sixteenth Ave. GP Inc. - 243 16th Avenue - City File D05-14003 (Related City Files D01-17007, D02-14013, D03-14002, D06-14038) - (CW Item 11.9)

• a) That the Draft Plan of Condominium application submitted by 243 Sixteenth Ave. GP Inc. known as Block 1, Registered Plan 65M-4689 (municipal address: 243 16th Avenue), City File D05-14003, be draft approved, subject to the following:

  1. that draft approval be subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix “A” to staff report SRPBS.25.016;
  2. that prior to draft approval being granted, the applicant pay the applicable processing fees in accordance with the City’s Tariff of Fees By-law; and,
  3. that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Condominium Agreement referred to in Appendix “A” to staff report SRPBS.25.016, if required.

15.1.9

SRPBS.25.018 - Request for Approval - Private Street Naming Application - Sunny Communities Elgin Mills Inc. - City File AA-24-0055 - (CW Item 11.10)

• a) That staff report SRPBS.25.018 regarding a Street Naming Application submitted by Sunny Communities Elgin Mills Inc. for the lands known as Part of Lot 26, Concession 2, E.Y.S. (municipal address: 1080 Elgin Mills Road East) be approved subject to the following:

  1. That the proposed private streets Gathering Lane (P) and Harry Chadwick Lane (P) be approved in accordance with staff report SRPBS.25.018; and,
  2. That staff be directed to bring forward a by-law to implement the approval of the street names in accordance with staff report SRPBS.25.018.

15.1.10

SRPBS.25.019 - Request for Approval - Private Street Naming Application - 1430518 Ontario Limited - City File AA-24-0062 - (CW Item 11.11)

• a) That staff report SRPBS.25.019 regarding a Street Naming Application submitted by 1430518 Ontario Limited for the lands known as Part of Lot 26, Concession 2, E.Y.S. (municipal address: 0 Elgin Mills Road East) be approved subject to the following:

  1. That the proposed private streets Ernest Mitchell Lane (P), Parfait Lane (P), and Damask Lane (P) be approved in accordance with staff report SRPBS.25.019; and,
  2. That staff be directed to bring forward a by-law to implement the approval of the street names in accordance with staff report SRPBS.25.019.

15.1.11

SRCM.25.04 - Provincial Housing Pledge and Federal Housing Accelerator Fund: Launch of Richmond Hill Centre Zoning By-law - (CW Item 11.12)

• a) That staff report SRCM.25.04 regarding Provincial Housing Pledge and Federal Housing Accelerator Fund: Launch of Richmond Hill Centre Zoning By-law, be received for information.

15.1.12

SRS.25.01 - Conveyance of Easement located at 64 Castleridge Drive from Qing Sun - (CW Item 11.13)

• a) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any and all documents as may be required to implement the conveyance of an easement designated as Part 1 on Reference Plan 65R-41234 as Part 1 (Reference Project No. 24-B8300) from the property at 64 Castleridge Drive upon the written recommendation of the City Manager.

15.1.13

SRCFS.25.001 - Semi Annual Report - Non Competitive Acquisitions - (CW Item 11.14)

• a) That staff report SRCFS.25.001 regarding Semi Annual Report, Non Competitive Acquisitions, be received for information purposes only.

15.1.14

SRCFS.25.005 - Non-Competitive Acquisition of SAP Payroll Upgrade Licenses - (CW Item 11.15)

• a) That staff report SRCFS.25.005 for the Non-Competitive Acquisition of SAP Payroll Upgrade Licenses, Maintenance and Support be received;

  b) That a contract for the provision of licenses required for the upgrade of the City’s Payroll system on the SAP ERP Platform, including the maintenance and support for a term of four (4) years (2025 - 2028) be awarded non-competitively to SAP Canada Inc. for an acquisition value not exceeding $1,734,000 exclusive of taxes, pursuant to Appendix “B” Part I, Sections (b) and (c) of the Procurement By-law 113-16, in order to ensure compatibility with existing SAP S4HANA ERP Platform (S4HANA) software used and maintained by the City of Richmond Hill;

  c) That the Commissioner of Corporate and Financial Services, and upon the recommendations of the Chief Information Officer, be authorized to execute any necessary documentation to affect the procurement of the Licenses and the contract(s).

15.1.15

Correspondence from Ross Vaccaro, 82 Duncan Road, dated February 18, 2025, regarding the proposed Draft Plan of Condominium submitted by 243 Sixteenth Ave. GP Inc. for 243 16th Avenue - (CW Item 11.16)

• a) That the correspondence from Ross Vaccaro, 82 Duncan Road, dated February 18, 2025, regarding the proposed Draft Plan of Condominium submitted by 243 Sixteenth Ave. GP Inc. for 243 16th Avenue, be received.

15.1.16

Member Motion - Councillor Davidson - Richmond Hill's Commitment to Transparency and Accountability - (CW Item 12.1)

• Whereas, the City of Richmond Hill is committed to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the continuous improvement of municipal operations; and

  Whereas, the City strives to deliver services and projects that maximize value for taxpayers while effectively meeting the needs and expectations of the community; and

  Whereas, the City’s continuous improvement initiatives must play a vital role in streamlining operations, improving service delivery, and optimizing the use of taxpayer dollars; and

  Whereas, maintaining transparency and accountability necessitates regular reporting to City Council and residents on efficiencies, cost savings, and service improvements; and

  Whereas, this motion reinforces Council and the City’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the continuous improvement of municipal operations.

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

  1. That staff be directed to prepare a presentation on Richmond Hill’s Continuous Improvement Journey, including but not limited to:

  • Efficiencies identified and implemented;
  • Service improvements achieved;
  • Resulting cost savings and financial impacts;
  • Opportunities for further enhancements;
  • Recommendations for sustaining and expanding continuous improvement efforts across all departments;
  • Ongoing and upcoming projects planned for 2025 and beyond.  

  2. That the staff presentation be presented to Council by April 16, 2025 for review and discussion.

15.2

SRCS.25.01 - Blue Box Collection Changes - Non-Eligible Sources

- Referred from the February 19, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting without recommendation for Council direction

• a) That staff report SRCS.25.01 regarding Blue Box Collection Changes - Non-Eligible Sources, be received;

  b) That the City continue providing recycling collection services, effective January 1, 2026, to:

  1. City Facilities; and,
  2. 88 businesses currently receiving municipal collection in the downtown core Business Improvement Area (BIA).

  c) That a waste management fee of $365 per year be implemented for each of the businesses currently receiving municipal waste collection in the downtown core BIA, effective January 1, 2026;

  d) That the City’s Super Mailbox Recycling Program be terminated effective January 1, 2026;

  e) That recycling collection services be discontinued as of January 1, 2026, from the following:

  1. religious institutions currently receiving service;
  2. non-profit organizations currently receiving service; and,
  3. daycare providers currently receiving service.

  f) That collection of all waste streams be discontinued effective January 1, 2026, from industrial and commercial properties outside of the BIA currently receiving service.

15.3

SRCFS.25.007 - Response to February 12, 2025 Member Motion – Regarding a “Made in Canada” Procurement Policy

• a) That staff report SRCFS.25.007 be received;

  b) That staff be directed to modify current procurement practices to give effect to prioritizing Canadian goods and services by:

  • Increasing the threshold for High Value Acquisition procurement to $133,800 to align with Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) thresholds;
  • Specifying goods or services that are Made In Canada where they are available to meet functional requirements and are within budget for any procurement values below Canada European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Thresholds;

  c) That the City Clerk be authorized to include any by-law or by-laws required to amend the City’s Procurement By-law on a future Council agenda in order to effect the actions set out in b) without any prior consideration;

  d) That staff be directed to explore ways to further support the Richmond Hill business community and;

  e) That staff be directed to continue to monitor the proposed tariffs and report to Council as necessary regarding the impacts to the City. 

16.

Other Business

16.1

Member Motion - Councillor Cilevitz - Motion to Request the Redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure Funding

• Moved by:  Councillor Cilevitz

  Whereas municipalities face growing infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and other critical services, which are essential to community well-being and economic development; and

  Whereas the current sources of municipal revenue, including property taxes and user fees, are insufficient to meet these increasing demands for infrastructure investment; and

  Whereas the Province of Ontario currently collects the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property transactions in municipalities across the province, generating significant revenue that is not directly shared with municipalities; and

  Whereas the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs; and

  Whereas redistributing a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers; and

  Whereas a redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure initiatives, supporting local economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents; and

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved:

  a) That Richmond Hill Council formally requests the Provincial Government to consider redistributing a portion of the Land Transfer Tax collected on property transactions to municipalities;

  b) That Richmond Hill Council calls on the Federal Government to allocate a percentage of the GST collected on property sales to municipalities;

  c) That this redistribution of the Land Transfer Tax and GST should be structured to provide predictable and sustainable funding to municipalities, allowing for better long-term planning and investment in infrastructure projects that benefit local communities, thus ensuring that local governments receive a fair share of the revenue to address critical infrastructure and program delivery needs;

  d) That this initiative be in addition to the efforts made by OBCM and AMO in addressing the funding shortfall of municipalities in a targeted and individualized manner to ensure funding sources are sustainable for all services provided by municipalities including mental health and homelessness.

  e) That copies of this resolution be forwarded to Prime Minister of Canada and local Members of Parliament (MPs), and to the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) following the Provincial Election on February 27, 2025

  f) That copies of this resolution be forwarded to all 444 Municipalities in Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for their endorsement and advocacy.

17.

Emergency/Time Sensitive Matters

18.

By-laws

18.1

By-law 2-25 - A By-law to Designate 13 Church Street South (Graham-Young House) Under the Ontario Heritage Act

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held February 12, 2025 - (Staff Report SRPBS.25.006)

18.2

By-law 3-25 - A By-law to Designate 11644 Leslie Street (Horner House) Under the Ontario Heritage Act

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held October 23, 2024 (Staff Report SRPBS.24.081)

18.3

By-law 4-25 - A By-law to Designate 159 Mill Street (Thomas Smith House) Under the Ontario Heritage Act 

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held on October 23, 2024 (Staff Report SRPBS.24.082)

18.4

By-law 5-25 - A By-law to Designate 55 Richmond Street (Maple Villa) Under the Ontario Heritage Act 

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held on October 23, 2024 (Staff report SRPBS.24.083)

18.5

By-law 6-25 - A By-law to Designate 35 Wright Street (Enfield: The Edith (Littlefield) and Harry Endean House) Under the Ontario Heritage Act

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held on October 23, 2024 (Staff report SRPBS.24.084)

18.6

By-law 15-25 - A By-law to Assign Names to Certain Private Roads 

Explanation: Previously adopted through Delegated Authority on August 20, 2021 (Staff Report SRCM.21.013)

18.7

By-law 16-25 - A By-law to Remove Certain Lands from Part Lot Control

Explanation: Sedgewick Property Inc. - 28 Mace Avenue - PLC-24-0013

18.8

By-law 17-25 - A By-law to Remove Certain Lands from Part Lot Control 

Explanation: Leslie Richmond Development Limited - 1521 19th Avenue and 11491 Leslie Street - PLC-24-0008

18.9

By-law 18-25 - A By-law to Establish Lands as Public Highway 

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held April 28, 2021 - (Delegated Authority - Staff Report SRPI.21.038)

18.10

By-law 35-25 - A By-law to Remove Certain Lands from Part Lot Control

Explanation: King East Developments Inc. - 156 Seguin Street - PLC-25-0001

19.

Closed Session

19.1

Resolution to Move Into Closed Session and General Nature Thereof:

• That Council move into Closed Session:

  a) To consider matters relating to labour relations or employee negotiations with respect to the Salaried Employees Association (SEA) Negotiations, pursuant to Section 239(2)(d) of the Municipal Act, 2001.

19.2

Resolution to Reconvene in Open Session

19.3

Adoption of the Recommendations Arising from the Closed Session Meeting (if required)

20.

By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of Council at this Meeting

20.1

By-law 36-25

21.

Adjournment