Council Meeting
Agenda

C#04-22

Wednesday, February 09, 2022 at 9:30 A.m. - 12:30 P.m.

(Electronic Meeting pursuant to Section 238(3.3) of the Municipal Act, 2001)

Mayor David West

PUBLIC NOTICE

Due to efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect all individuals, City facilities will not be open to the public to attend Council and Committee meetings until further notice. The public can observe meetings of Council and Committees 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 matters by email to [email protected]. Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. the day before the meeting. Comments submitted will be provided to all Members of Council, considered as public information and noted in the public record.

 

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 the day before the meeting by email to [email protected] or by using the on-line form found on Richmondhill.ca. Public Forum will be by video conference via the internet or telephone only. A maximum of five persons will be allowed to register for the Public Forum on a first come first serve basis.

 

Electronic Delegations: The public may apply to appear as an electronic delegation by video conference or by telephone. Applications to appear as an electronic delegation must be submitted by 12 p.m. the day before the meeting by email to [email protected] or by using the on-line application form found on Richmondhill.ca. The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as an electronic delegation.

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1.

Call to Order/National Anthem

2.

Public Forum (not to exceed 15 minutes) 

3.

Council Announcements

4.

Introduction of Emergency/Time Sensitive Matters

5.

Adoption of Agenda

6.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

7.

Adoption of Previous Council Minutes

7.1

Council Public Meeting C#49-21 held December 1, 2021

7.2

Council Meeting C#50-21 held December 8, 2021

7.3

Special Council Meeting C#01-22 held January 26, 2022

7.4

Special Council Meeting C#03-22 held January 31, 2022

8.

Identification of Items Requiring Separate Discussion

9.

Adoption of Remainder of Agenda Items

10.

Public Hearings

11.

Presentations

11.1

Presentation by Patrick Lee, Director, Policy Planning, and Sybelle von Kursell, Manager, Policy Planning, regarding the Request for Endorsement: Official Plan Update Key Directions - (refer to Items 13.3 and 13.4) 

(Please note this is a 10 minute presentation)

12.

Delegations

12.1

Jeff Dennis, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries, regarding a Request for Notice of Decision for Elgin Mills Cemetery Proposed Niche Building Expansion located at 1591 Elgin Mills Road East - (refer to Item 13.14)

13.

Committee and Staff Reports

13.1

Minutes - Youth Action Committee meetings held September 29, 2021; October 13, 2021; October 27, 2021; and November 10, 2021

• a) That the minutes of Youth Action Committee meetings held September 29, 2021; October 13, 2021; October 27, 2021; and November 10, 2021 be approved.

13.2

Extract - Official Plan Update Committee Meeting OPUC#02-21 held September 21, 2021

13.2.1

Presentation from staff regarding the Official Plan Update, including engagement on the Official Plan to date, planning for change, emerging key directions for the updating of the Official Plan, and next steps - (Item 4.1)

• a) That the presentation from staff regarding the Official Plan Update, be received;

  b) That Council endorse the Official Plan Update next steps and public consultation as generally described in the presentation.

13.3

SRPI.21.118 - Request for Endorsement: Official Plan Update Key Directions - (refer to Item 13.4)

(Referred from the December 8, 2021 Council Meeting)

• a) That Staff Report SRPI.21.118 regarding the Official Plan Update Key Directions be received, and that Council refer all comments back to staff; and

  b) That the Key Directions Report appended to Staff Report SRPI.21.118 as Attachment 1 be endorsed by City Council, and that staff utilize the key directions to guide the update to the City’s Official Plan in support of the City’s 2041 planning vision.

13.4

SRPI.22.012 - Request for Endorsement: Official Plan Update Key Directions Report - Supplementary to SRPI.21.118 - (refer to Item 13.3)

• a) That staff report SRPI.22.012 regarding Request for Endorsement: Official Plan Update Key Directions Report, Supplementary to SRPI.21.118, be received.

13.5

SRCM.22.01 - Delegated Authority Winter Recess and By-Election Recess Accounting - Reference By-law 86-20 Enacted by Council on June 24, 2020 (December 9, 2021 to February 8, 2022)

• a) That staff report SRCM22.01 regarding Delegated Authority, Winter Recess and By-Election Recess Accounting, be received for information.

13.6

SRFCS.22.003 - Declaration of Vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor

• a) That staff report SRCFS.22.003 regarding Declaration of Vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor, be received;

  b) That Council, pursuant to the requirements of Section 262(1) Municipal Act, 2001, declares the Office of Ward 4 Councillor of the City of Richmond Hill to be vacant as a result of David West’s election to the Office of Mayor on January 24, 2022.

13.7

SRFCS.22.004 - Options to fill the Vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor - (Proposed By-law 25-22, Proposed By-law 26-22 and Proposed By-law 27-22)

• a) That staff report SRCFS.22.004 regarding Options to fill the Vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor, be received;

  b) That Council provide direction on filling the vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor.

13.8

SRCFS.22.002 - Semi Annual Report - Non Competitive Acquisitions

• a) That staff report SRCFS.22.002 regarding Semi Annual Report, Non Competitive Acquisitions, be received for information purposes only.

13.9

SRPI.22.001 - Authorization to Execute Servicing Agreement - Site Plan D06-16091 (related 19T-20003) - 1430518 Ontario Limited - City File D06-16091

• a) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a servicing agreement with 1430518 Ontario Limited for the installation of municipal servicing related to site plan D06-16091, upon the written recommendation of the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services.

13.10

SRPI.22.002 - Authorization to Execute Amending Servicing Agreement - Tralee Development Inc. - City File L03-05001

• a) That, upon the written recommendation from the Commissioner of Planning and Infrastructure, the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an Amending Servicing Agreement with Tralee Development Inc. to revise municipal servicing and land conveyance obligations to reflect current development plans and OMB minutes of settlement.

13.11

SRPI.22.003 - Approval of City Contribution for SWM Retrofit and Authorization to Execute Amending Subdivision Agreement - Subdivision File 19T-07008 - King South Developments Inc. - City File D03-07008

• a) That the City contribution towards the construction of the external stormwater management pond retrofit works required under the subdivision agreement with King South Developments Inc. for Subdivision File 19T-07008, be increased to $997,679.21;

  b) That the source of funding for this City contribution be the Oak Ridges Overall Area Specific Development Charge Reserve;

  c) That, upon the written recommendation from the Commissioner of Planning and Infrastructure, the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an amending Subdivision Agreement with King South Developments Inc. to revise the City contribution towards the construction of the external stormwater management pond retrofit works associated with Subdivision File 19T-07008.

13.12

SRPI.22.014 - Summary Report of 2021 Municipal Infrastructure Assumptions under Delegated Authority

• a) That staff report SRPI.22.014 regarding Summary Report of 2021 Municipal Infrastructure Assumptions under Delegated Authority, be received for information purposes.

13.13

SRPI.22.015 - Request for Approval - Terms of Reference for the Affordable Housing Strategy Implementation Committee

• a) That staff report SRPI.22.015 regarding Request for Approval, Terms of Reference for the Affordable Housing Strategy Implementation Committee, be received;

  b) That Council approve the Terms of Reference provided in Attachment 'A' to staff report SRPI.22.015 in relation to a new Implementation Committee;

  b) That the Clerk’s Office be directed to advertise for the non-Council members of the Implementation Committee;

  c) That Council appoint members for this Implementation Committee at a future meeting of Council.

13.14

Correspondence from Jeff Dennis, Director Development, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries, dated January 13, 2022, regarding a request for Notice of Decision for Elgin Mills Cemetery Proposed Niche Building Expansion - 1591 Elgin Mills Road East

• a) That the correspondence from Jeff Dennis, Director Development, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries, dated January 13, 2022, regarding a Request for Notice of Decision for Elgin Mills Cemetery Proposed Niche Building Expansion located at 1591 Elgin Mills Road East, be received.

13.15

Proclamation - World Thinking Day - February 22, 2022

(Not Previously Proclaimed in the City of Richmond Hill)

• a) That February 22, 2022, be proclaimed as "World Thinking Day" in the City of Richmond Hill.

14.

Other Business

14.1

Member Motion - Regional and Local Councillor DiPaola - Declare Opposition to the Discriminatory Nature of the Province of Quebec's Bill 21

Moved by:  Regional and Local Councillor DiPaola

• Whereas Fatemeh Anvari, a new Grade 3 teacher at Chelsea Elementary School teacher in Quebec was removed from her classroom teaching post in Quebec for wearing a Hijab;

  Whereas her actions removal was done in violation of Quebec’s Bill 21;

  And whereas Bill 21 contravenes Sections (a) and (b) of the Fundamental Freedoms section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: 

  (a) freedom of conscience and religion;

  (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

  Whereas the Ontario Big City Mayor’s Caucus unanimously passed a motion affirming their position that Bill 21 does not uphold equality of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, as stated in the Charter, and calls on the Parliament of Canada, both government and opposition, to challenge Bill 21 at the Supreme Court;

  Whereas the City of Richmond Hill is a vibrant, multicultural city and strongly supports and embraces diversity, inclusivity and its cultural heritage; 

  Therefore be it resolved that:

  The City of Richmond Hill opposes Bill 21 as discriminatory in nature as it undermines the Fundamental Freedoms of Canadians enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

14.2

Member Motion - Councillor Muench - Outdoor Ice Recreation Expansion

Moved by: Councillor Muench

• WHEREAS The City of Richmond Hill promotes outdoor activity and recreation this winter with three outdoor public skating facilities and those facilities are so popular they are over capacity; and

  WHEREAS members of the public have communicated to and with members of council for more outdoor recreational ice locations; and

  WHEREAS the City of Richmond Hill issued a public statement on January 4, 2021 to advise everyone to stay off the lakes, rivers, ponds and stormwater ponds as the ice may not be safe; and

  WHEREAS Richmond Hill had at least 1 serious storm water pond safety incident in 2020; and

  WHEREAS outdoor ice skating and hockey is a proud Canadian way of life and enjoyed embraced by the young, old and families; and

  WHEREAS we are in a COVID time where outdoor recreational is a must; and

  WHEREAS many municipalities including Brampton, London, Toronto, Innisfil and Cobourg have prioritized, engaged, advocated and promoted outdoor public skating; including during our COVID period.

  THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

  1. Staff investigate and prepare a report for Council to expand our outdoor ice recreation stock by creating a list for recreation skating with the appropriate budget.  This list and budget must also take into consideration, logistics and protocols for at least 1 additional outdoor ice recreation in each of the 6 Richmond Hill Wards for the 2022 / 2023 winter period by July 1, 2022; and

  2. Staff and members of Council communicate to members of the Richmond Hill community the need to have community participation, leadership and any and all assistance to assist in the execution and support of outdoor of a vibrant outdoor ice recreation utilization; and

  3. Staff in the report to Council have options to have community leadership and participation opportunities similar to our “community club” relationships; and

  4. Staff also in the report to Council include the support of private lands to offer outdoor ice recreation in support of our efforts with guidelines, logistics and liability support; and

  5. Staff in their report include an area for insurance cost for the city and for the public participation of outdoor ice recreation management, whereby the opportunity and discussion can evolve where members of the public can manage the outdoor ice without liability to the city and protect the public while allowing outdoor ice stock to be increased; and

  6. Mill pond ice policy of 12 inch minimum for ice thickness be evaluated to in hopes to get more mill pond ice utilization with safety first protocols not being jeopardized; and

  7. A target of a minimum of 10 community “leaders” or “volunteers” must be supporting the outdoor ice recreation in writing; and

  8. Staff, provide in the report to Council the opportunities for fundraising including signing options at outdoor ice recreation to help mitigate the cost of providing the facilities while minimizing the cost burden impacting our municipality.  The report should include necessary information on how and what is needed in our bylaws to accommodate the capacity of our city to provide increased outdoor recreation facilities; and

  9. The staff report should also include any possibility to have expansion of pathways and trails for outdoor ice skating; and

  10. The staff report includes creating a committee to include community and local Councillors to support outdoor ice programs and participation.

14.3

Member Motion - Councillor Chan - Online Voting for the October 2022 Election

Moved by: Councillor Chan

• WHEREAS the City of Richmond Hill had conducted the School Board Trustee By-election in October 2020 with online voting exclusively without any incidents;

  WHEREAS the City of Richmond Hill has completed the Mayoral By-election in January 2022 with online voting along with in-person voting;

  WHEREAS 93% of voters who casted their ballots in the Mayoral By-election chose to vote online between January 18 and January 24, 2022;

  WHEREAS the overall turnout rate at 32% in the Mayoral By-election in January 2022 exceeds that of the 2018 municipal election at 26%;

  WHEREAS it is desirable to have a higher turnout rate among voters for the 2022 municipal election to be held in October 2022;  

  WHEREAS online voting has been demonstrated as the preferred choice of voters in Richmond Hill and helped to result in an increase of turnout rate as it provides a fast, convenient and secure way for voters to cast their ballots at any time without travelling to voting centres;

  WHEREAS the City elections team has shown to be capable of conducting online voting competently and effectively in the School Board Trustee By-election in October 2020 and the Mayoral By-election in January 2022;

  WHEREAS it is deemed advisable to demonstrate Council’s commitment to promote a higher turnout rate among voters at municipal elections in support of higher levels of voters’ participation in the democratic process;

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1) The Council reconsider its June 9, 2021 decision not to authorize the use of Internet Voting for municipal elections.

  2) That Council authorize, pursuant to Section 42(1)b) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996,  the use of Internet Voting as an alternative voting method (in addition to Optical Scan Vote Tabulators) for municipal elections and by-elections.

  3) That the City Clerk be directed to place the necessary by-laws authorizing the use of Internet Voting, as an additional voting method in addition to Optical Scan Vote Tabulators, for municipal elections on a future Council agenda for enactment.

  4) That any additional costs to conduct the 2022 Municipal Elections using both Internet Voting and Optical Scan Vote Tabulators, including the cost of additional temporary contract employees, that cannot be accommodated in the approved 2022 election budget be funded by the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve.

15.

Emergency/Time Sensitive Matters

16.

By-laws

16.1

Bylaw 1-22 - A By-law to assume aboveground and belowground municipal services; assume lands as public highway; and establish lands as public highway

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

16.2

Bylaw 9-22 - A By-law to assume aboveground and belowground municipal services

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

16.3

By-law 10-22 - A By-law to assume aboveground and belowground municipal services; assume lands as public highway; and establish lands as public highway

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

16.4

By-law 16-22 - A By-law to Permanently Stop-up and Close a portion of Aida Place, Part of Aida Place, Plan M-807, designated as Parts 1 – 4, Plan 65R-39646, Richmond Hill

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held December 8, 2021 (Staff Report SRS.21.08)

16.5

By-law 25-22 - A By-Law to requiring a By-election to be held to fill the vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor

Explanation: Item 13.7

16.6

By-law 26-22 - A By-Law to authorize the use of alternative voting methods, namely internet voting (also known as online voting), for the By-election being held in the City of Richmond Hill to fill the vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor

Explanation: Item 13.7

16.7

By-law 27-22 - A By-Law to authorize the use of alternative voting methods, namely internet voting (also known as online voting), for the By-election being held in the City of Richmond Hill to fill the vacancy in the Office of Ward 4 Councillor

Explanation: Item 13.7

17.

Closed Session

18.

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

18.1

By-law 32-22

19.

Adjournment