Council Meeting

Revised Agenda

Meeting #:C#13-19
Date:
-
Location:
Council Chambers
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario
His Worship
Mayor Dave Barrow

That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting CW#04-19 held March 18, 2019 be adopted as circulated and the following recommendations approved:

  • a) That the minutes of the Youth Action Committee meetings held on January 30, February 13, and February 20, 2019, be adopted as circulated. 

  • a) That Montiel Road (Driscoll Road to Laverock Avenue) be reconstructed as a Local Improvement under the provisions of Ontario Regulation 586/06, as amended, Local Improvement Charges - Priority Lien Status;

    b) That By-law 23-19 for the reconstruction of Montiel Road (Driscoll Road to Laverock Avenue) under Ontario Regulation 586/06, as amended, Local Improvement Charges - Priority Lien Status be enacted.

  • a) That Tampico Road (Driscoll Road to Laverock Avenue) be reconstructed as a Local Improvement under the provisions of Ontario Regulation 586/06, as amended, Local Improvement Charges - Priority Lien Status;

    b) That By-law 24-19 for the reconstruction of Tampico Road (Driscoll Road to Laverock Avenue) under Ontario Regulation 586/06, as amended, Local Improvement Charges - Priority Lien Status be enacted.

  • a) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement made pursuant to Section 27 of the Development Charges Act, 1997 between The Corporation of the Town of Richmond Hill and the Jewish Youth Network for deferral of the payment of the development charges otherwise payable with respect to the proposed development of the Jewish Youth Network Robbins Family Centre upon the recommendation of the Director of Financial Services and Treasurer.

  • a) That the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications submitted by Central Park Homes for lands known as Block 43, Registered Plan 65M-3786 (municipal address: 1335 Elgin Mills Road East), File Numbers D01-16006 and D02-16042, be approved, subject to the following:

    i. That the subject lands be removed from Appendix 7 Existing Neighbourhood Commercial of the Town’s Official Plan to facilitate 23 townhouse units on the subject lands;

    ii. That the subject lands be rezoned from Neighbourhood Commercial (NC) Zone under By-law 38-95, as amended, to Residential Multiple Family One (RM1) under Zoning By-law 66-71, as amended, and that the amending Zoning By-law establish site specific development standards as outlined in staff report SRPRS.19.033;

    iii. That the Official Plan Amendment and amending Zoning By-law, be forwarded to a regular meeting of Council for consideration and enactment;

    iv. That the request by Central Park Homes for 69 persons equivalent (23 townhouse units) servicing allocation for the lands known as Block 43, Registered Plan 65M-3786 (municipal address: 1335 Elgin Mills Road East), be allocated to the subject lands.

    b) That the comments concerning the related Site Plan, File Number D06-17084, be referred back to staff.

  • a) That staff report SRPRS.19.049 regarding a Private Street Naming Application submitted by Stateview Homes (Kings Landing) Inc. for the lands known as Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, Plan 563 and Part of Lots 31 and 32, Plan 202 (municipal addresses: 272, 286, 296 and 298 King Road, and 4, 6 and 8 Parker Avenue) be approved subject to the following:

    i. That the proposed private street names Banshee Lane (P) and Globemaster Lane (P) be approved in accordance with staff report SRPRS.19.049;

    ii. That staff be directed to bring forward a by-law to a regularly scheduled Council meeting to implement the approval of the proposed private names upon finalization of the development applications.

  • a) That the proposed draft Plan of Condominium (Common Element) application submitted by Onefoureight Development Corp. for lands known as Block 1, Plan 65M-4627 (municipal addresses: 9601 and 9611 Bathurst Street), File Number D05-13008 (19CDM(R)-13008), be draft approved subject to the following conditions:

    i. That draft approval be subject to the conditions as set out in Appendix 'A' to staff report SRPRS.19.042;

    ii. That prior to draft approval being granted, the applicant pay the applicable processing fees in accordance with the Town’s Tariff of Fee By-law 65-18;

    iii. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Condominium Agreement referred to in Appendix 'A' to staff report SRPRS.19.042.

  • That the following 18 locations be approved for the 2019 Pole Mounted Radar Speed Board program:

    1. North Lake Road (Wood Rim Drive to Wildwood Avenue)
    2. Red Cardinal Trail (Deerwood Crescent to Bloomington Road)
    3. Regatta Avenue (Blackforest Drive to Yonge Street)
    4. Centre Street East (Yonge Street to Pugsley Avenue)
    5. Devonsleigh Boulevard (19th Avenue to Brookwood Drive)
    6. Jefferson Forest Drive (Wings View Gate to the south leg of Shadow Falls Drive)
    7. Clarendon Drive (Spadina Avenue to Boake Trail)
    8. Frank Endean Road (Rushingbrook Drive to Major Mackenzie Drive East)
    9. Toporowski Avenue (Redstone Road to Leslie Street)
    10. Lucas Street (Levendale Road to Trayborn Drive)
    11. Mill Street (Ellery Drive to Trench Street)
    12. Rollinghill Road (Richvalley Crescent to Tower Hill Road)
    13. Garden Avenue (Pearson Road to Yonge Street)
    14. Spruce Avenue (Avenue Road to Yonge Street)
    15. Weldrick Road West (Springhead Gardens to Yonge Street)
    16. Briggs Avenue (Queen College Drive to Valleymede Drive)
    17. Lagani Avenue (Kevi Crescent to Rubin Street)
    18. Red Maple Road (High Tech Road to Bantry Avenue)

- (Proposed By-law 50-19)

  • a) That the Zoning By-law Amendment application submitted by Fifth Avenue (King North) Inc. for lands known as Lots 11 and 12 and Blocks B and C, Plan 484 and Part of Lots 2 and 4, Plan 563 (municipal addresses: 3, 5, 7 and 9 McCachen Street and 300 King Road), File Number D02-16037, be approved, subject to the following:

    i. That the subject lands be rezoned from Residential Urban (RU) Zone under By-law 1275, as amended, and Single Detached Five (R5) Zone under By-law 313-96, as amended, to Semi-Detached One (RD1) Zone and Multiple Residential One (RM1) Zone under By-law 313-96, as amended, and that the amending Zoning By-law establish site-specific development standards for the entirety of the subject lands as outlined in staff report SRPRS.19.052;

    ii. That prior to the amending Zoning By-law being brought forward to a regular meeting of Council for consideration and enactment, confirmation be received that the applicant has registered restrictions over the subject lands under Section 118 of the Land Titles Act;

    iii. That pursuant to Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, Council deem that no further notice be required with respect to any necessary modifications to the draft Zoning By-law to implement the proposed development on the subject lands.

    b) That the authority to assign 125 persons equivalent of additional servicing allocation to the proposed development to be constructed on the subject lands be delegated to the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services subject to the criteria in the Town’s Interim Growth Management Strategy, and that the assigned servicing allocation be released in accordance with the provisions of By-law 109-11;

    c) That all comments concerning the applicant’s Site Plan application (File Number D06-17088) be referred back to staff.

  • a) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute agreements with respect to the improvements to the Town-owned parkland adjacent to 65 Oneida Crescent with all the requisite parties, as described in staff report SRPRS.19.048, upon the written recommendation of the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services.

  • a) That the assumption of the aboveground and belowground municipal services within Plan 65M-4351, (Subdivision File Number 19T-07001) be approved;

    b) That the assumption of the external storm drainage municipal services within the existing Elgin Mills Road West road allowance and within Parts 1 and 2 on Plan 65R-33736 associated with Subdivision File Number 19T-07001, be approved;

    c) That Arten Avenue within Plan 65M-4351 be assumed as public highway;

    d) That reserve Block 16 of Plan 65M-4351 (Subdivision File Number 19T-07001), be established as public highway to form part of Arten Avenue.

  • a) That the Town owned lands, described as Part 1 and 2 on Plan 65R- 37926, be established as public highway to form part of Turtle Court;

    b) That the following reserve blocks be established as public highway:

    Block 154, Plan 65M-3753 (to form part of Worthington Avenue)

    Block 50, Plan 65M-4559 (to form part of Wellman Drive)

    Block 46, Plan 65M-4559 (to form part of Wellman Drive)

    Block 47, Pan 65M-4559 (to form part of Worthington Avenue)

  • a) That the assumption of the aboveground and belowground municipal services within Plan 65M-4409, (Subdivision File Number 19T-09005), be approved;

    b) That the assumption of the external aboveground and belowground municipal services within the existing Day Lily Crescent road allowance, Birch Avenue road allowance and within Part 1 on Plan 65R-34417 associated with Subdivision File Number 19T-09005, be approved;

    c) That Day Lily Crescent within Plan 65M-4409 be assumed as public highway;

    d) That reserve Block 15 of Plan 65M-4172 (Subdivision File Number 19T-04005), be established as public highway to form part of Day Lily Crescent.

  • a) That the assumption of the aboveground and belowground municipal services within Plan 65M-3934 (Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 1), be approved;

    b) That the assumption of the external aboveground and belowground municipal services within the Gamble Road road allowance, associated with Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 1, be approved;

    d) That the assumption of the external aboveground and belowground municipal services within the Alamo Heights Drive, Rothbury Road, and Colesbrook Road road allowances, associated with Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 1, be approved;

    e) That Colesbrook Road, Aikenhead Avenue, Alamo Heights Drive and Maffey Crescent, within the limits of Plan 65M-3934 (Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 1), be assumed as public highway;

    f) That the following reserve blocks be established as public highway:

    1. Blocks 34, 36 and 37, Plan 65M-3934 (to form part of Colesbrook Road)
    2. Blocks 35, 38, 39 and 42, Plan 65M-3934 (to form part of Aikenhead Avenue)
    3. Blocks 40 and 41, Plan 65M-3934 (to form part of Alamo Heights Drive)
    4. Block 43, Plan 65M-3934 (to form part of Maffey Crescent)
    5. Blocks 29, and 45, Plan 65M-3934 (to form part of Rothbury Road)
  • a) That the assumption of the aboveground and belowground municipal services within Plan 65M-4108 (Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 2), be approved;

    b) That the assumption of the external aboveground and belowground municipal services within the Rothbury Road and Colesbrook Road road allowances related to Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 2, be approved;

    c) That Aikenhead Avenue, Wiley Avenue, Froud Drive, Hawkes Drive and Wellwood Street, within the limits of Plan 65M-4108 (Subdivision File Number 19T-94026, Phase 2), be assumed as public highway;

    d) That the following reserve blocks be established as public highway:

    1. Blocks 143, 144, 145 and 146, Plan 65M-4108 (to form part of Aikenhead Avenue)
    2. Block 137, Plan 65M-4108 (to form part of Colesbrook Road)

File Numbers D01-17007, D02-14013, D03-14002 - (CW Item 11.17)

  • a) That staff report SRPRS.19.043 be received for information purposes;

    b) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal be advised as follows:

    i. That Council supports in principle the revised Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision, Draft Plan of Condominium and Site Plan applications submitted by 2522772 Ontario Inc. (c/o Zen Homes Inc.) for lands known as Part of Lot 12, Plan 3806 (municipal address: 243 16th Avenue), File Numbers D01-17007, D02-14013, D03-14002, D05-14003 and D06-14038, as described and for the reasons set out in staff report SRPRS.19.043, subject to the following:

    (a) That the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment be substantially in accordance with Appendices C and D, respectively, to Staff Report SRPRS.19.043 to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services;

    (b) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal withhold the issuance of its Final Order with respect to the Zoning By-law Amendment application until such time as the Town advises the Tribunal that:

    (i) the applicant’s Site Plan application has been finalized to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services;

    (ii) the applicant has registered restrictions over the subject lands under Section 118 of the Land Titles Act to the satisfaction of the Town; and,

    (iii) the applicant has paid the applicable processing fee in accordance with the Town’s Tariff of Fees By-law;

    (c) That the draft Plan of Subdivision attached as Map 4 to staff report SRPRS.19.043 be draft approved, subject to the conditions of draft approval as set out in Appendix ‘E’ hereto and the payment of the applicable processing fee in accordance with the Town’s Tariff of Fees By-law;

    (d) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal delegate authority to the Town to clear conditions of draft plan approval and to issue final subdivision approval for the proposed development;

    (e) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal withhold the issuance of its Final Order with respect to the draft Plan of Condominium application until such time as the Town advises the Tribunal that:

    (i) all conditions of draft plan approval have been received from Town departments and external agencies, and a consolidated set of draft plan conditions has been prepared;

    (ii) the applicant’s Site Plan application has been finalized to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services; and,

    (iii) the applicant has paid the applicable processing fee in accordance with the Town’s Tariff of Fees By-law;

    (f) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal delegate authority to the Town to clear conditions of draft plan approval and to issue final condominium approval for the proposed development; and,

    (g) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal withhold the issuance of its Final Order with respect to the Site Plan application until such time as the Town advises the Tribunal that a Site Plan Agreement has been approved by the Town.

    c) That the authority to assign 29.33 persons equivalent of additional servicing allocation to the proposed development to be constructed on the subject lands be delegated to the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services subject to the criteria in the Town’s Interim Growth Management Strategy, and that the assigned servicing allocation be released in accordance with the provisions of By-law 109-11;

    d) That the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services be authorized to approve and execute any agreements or documentation as necessary to implement the revised development proposal described in staff report SRPRS.19.043;

    e) That appropriate Town staff be directed to appear at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in support of Council’s position concerning the subject applications.

  • a) That Council approves entry into and execution of an agreement with Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. for the sharing of natural gas consumption data for the Town of Richmond Hill.

  • a) That the “Summary Report” of Richmond Hill’s drinking water system, as set out in staff report SRCS.19.09 and as required under Schedule 22 of O.Reg. 170/03, be received;

    b) That the “Town of Richmond Hill 2018 Annual Report” regulatory reporting for municipal drinking water systems as contained in Appendix '1' to staff report SRCS.19.09 and as required under Section 11 of O.Reg. 170/03, be received;

    c) That the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks 2018 Inspection Report for Richmond Hill’s drinking water system, as contained in Appendix '2' to staff report SRCS.19.09, be received;

    d) That updates and information regarding the Quality Management System 2018 Annual Report, as contained in Appendix '3' to staff report SRCS.19.09, be received;

    e) That Richmond Hill’s Quality Management System “Operational Plan”, version 5.0 as contained in Appendix '4' to staff report SRCS.19.09, be endorsed by Council.

  • Whereas Section 151 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the Council of the Town of Richmond Hill to pass by-laws for licensing, regulating and governing of any business wholly or partly carried on within the municipality;

    Whereas Airbnb and short-term rental properties in residential areas have proliferated in Richmond Hill and these types of business have resulted in nuisances such as excessive noises, and concerns about fire safety and the alleged mischief conduct;

    Whereas a number of Canadian municipalities such as the Cities of Richmond, Toronto and Vancouver have taken steps to regulate the Airbnb rental businesses in view of the proliferation of such short-term rental market; and the City of Calgary has proposed to introduce business licenses for short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb;

    Whereas the Airbnb company stated in its submission to the House of Commons’ Finance Committee in 2018 that the company “want to be regulated” as reported;

    Whereas Airbnb and short-term rentals are not subject to the licensing and regulation by the Town of Richmond Hill at this time;

    Now therefore the Council of Richmond Hill resolves the following:

    That staff be directed to examine the feasibility of passing a by-law to licence, regulate and govern Airbnb and short-term rental accommodations in the Town of Richmond Hill, and to report back to Council no later than November 18, 2019; and

    That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the York Regional Council, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, local Members of Provincial Parliament and Members of Parliament, Richmond Hill Board of Trade and Toronto & Region Board of Trade.

  • Whereas the Town of Richmond Hill wants to signal to millennials that we are active in the emerging digital economy wherein digital currency has become an acceptable method of payment for virtually all goods and services including real estate, motor vehicles and online purchasing.

    Whereas, according to the Bank of Canada, greater than 5% of Canadians are currently holding and using some form of digital currency.

    Whereas accepting digital currency results in several advantages for our residents including significantly lower transaction fees, faster processing times, and greater options for management of their monetary instruments.

    Whereas the Town of Richmond Hill achieves numerous economic development benefits from participating in the “new money” economy including attracting and retaining younger generation residents, positioning the Town as leading edge and technologically advanced, creating new business, marketing and public relations opportunities and reducing the Town’s processing fees.

    Whereas on May 14, 2018, Seminole County, Florida became the first in North America to accept digital currency as payment for taxes and driver’s licence fees.

    Whereas on November 26, 2018 Ohio became the first state to allow taxes to be paid in digital currency.

    Whereas on December 11, 2018 the City of Calgary launched the “Calgary Digital Dollar” to boost its local economy.

    Whereas today municipal election candidates can already accept donations in digital currency in Canada.

    Whereas municipalities and government agencies across Canada will soon be accepting digital currency for payments.

    And whereas the Town of Innisfil is currently considering embarking on a pilot project to accept digital currency as payment for its municipal services.

    Therefore Be It Resolved that staff report back on the feasibility of accepting digital currency as a method of payment for property taxes, services, levies and fees.

(Deferred from the March 18, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting)

  • a) That staff report SRCS.19.08 regarding the Grass and Weeds By-law be received;

    b) That the existing Long Grass and Weeds By-law 217-96, being Chapter 1025 of the Town of Richmond Hill Municipal Code, and all subsequent amendments be repealed, and, that the Grass and Weeds By-Law 31-19 attached as Appendix '1' to staff report SRCS.19.08 be enacted.

(Not previously proclaimed in the Town of Richmond Hill)

  • a) That April 2019 be proclaimed Be A Donor Month in the Town of Richmond Hill;

    b) That April 7, 2019 be proclaimed Green Shirt Day in the Town of Richmond Hill.

13.7

  • That the following correspondence regarding the Member Motion submitted by Councillor West regarding Land Acknowledgement be received:

    1. Joel Clements, Ward 2 resident, dated February 12, 2019

    2. Len Chapman, former resident of Richmond Hill, February 14, 2019

    3. Brigitte Zwarych, 81 Bond Crescent, dated February 22, 2019

    4. Tom Tsiang, 47 Laverock Avenue, dated February 23, 2019

    5. Howard A. Doughty, 10 Cheval Court, dated February 24, 2019

    6. Jessica Spano, Ward 1 resident, dated February 26, 2019

    7. Kian Farahani, 62 Steepleview Crescent, dated February 26, 2019

    8. Shalini Konanur, 221 Strathearn Avenue, dated March 7, 2019

    9. Flo McLellan, 53 Harmony Hill Crescent, dated March 10, 2019

    10. Gale and Roger May, 19 Carat Crescent, dated March 16, 2019

    11. Duncan James Jeffrey, Minister, Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, dated March 18, 2019

    12. Stephen Chait, Tina Cotrupi and family, 82 Wright Street, dated March 19, 2019

    13. Mary Ann and Peter Veira, 242 Blue Grass Boulevard, dated March 20, 2019

  • a) That the correspondence regarding the Member Motion submitted by Councillor Beros regarding Town to City be received:

    1. Shelagh Harris, 26 Bridgeford Street South, dated March 15, 2019

    2. Steve McCallum, 98 Sweet Water Crescent, dated March 17, 2019

  • a) That the following correspondence regarding the Member Motion submitted by Councillor West regarding Land Acknowledgement be received:

    1. Angie Ortlieb-Sinopoli, 102 Shirrick Drive, received March 21, 2019

    2. Kathryn Humphrey, Class Teacher, Toronto Waldorf School, dated March 22, 2019

    3. Pauline Hwang, 1114-9471 Yonge Street, dated March 22, 2019

    4. Monica Woodley, 307-309 Major Mackenzie Drive East, dated March 22, 2019

    5. Sam Sinopoli, 102 Shirrick Drive, dated March 23, 2019

    6. Melinda Ferlisi, 128 Kersey Crescent, dated March 23, 2019

    7. Sharon Sajan, 27 Idyllwood Avenue, dated March 23, 2019

    8. Robyn Stevan, High School English/Drama Teacher, Toronto Waldorf School, dated March 24, 2019

    9. Rhonny Russman, 141 Carrington Drive, dated March 25, 2019

    10. Jaclyn Wong, Teacher, York Region District School Board, dated March 25, 2019

  • a) That the correspondence regarding the Member Motion submitted by Councillor Beros regarding Town to City be received:

    1. Howard A. Doughty, 10 Cheval Court, dated March 24, 2019

    2. Neil Zaph, 133 Hall Street, dated March 25, 2019

  • a) That the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) be advised as follows:

    i) That Council supports the revised development proposal as generally depicted on Map 3 hereto associated with the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications submitted by T-York 7 Holding Ltd. for lands known as Part of Block 2, Registered Plan 65M-2287 (municipal addresses: 157, 159, 161, 162, 163 and 165 York Boulevard), File Numbers D01-16004 and D02-16031 for the principle reasons outlined in staff report SRPRS.19.073;

    ii) That the LPAT be requested to approve the Official Plan Amendment substantially in accordance with the attached Appendix 'B' to staff report SRPRS.19.073; and,

    iii) That the LPAT be requested to approve Zoning By-law 27-19, substantially in accordance with the attached Appendix 'C' to staff report SRPRS.19.073.

    b) That appropriate Town staff be directed to appear at the LPAT in support of Council’s position concerning the subject applications; and,

    c) That Council delegate authority to the Commissioner of Planning and Regulatory Services to provide all instructions to staff lawyers and for outside legal counsel retained by the Town with respect to any planning matter before the LPAT which has been considered by Council,  save and except where Council has authorized the Town Solicitor to retain external land use planning experts in support of a position taken by Council at the LPAT.

  • Whereas in a unanimous decision on April 15th, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that reciting a prayer at council meetings infringes on freedom of conscience and religion;

    Whereas on May 11th, 2015 Richmond Hill Council discussed alternatives to opening Council meetings with Prayer;

    Whereas on May 11th, 2015 Councillor Beros and Councillor Muench brought forward a motion proposing that Canada’s national anthem be sung at the beginning of Council meetings;

    Whereas on May 11th, 2015 in a recorded vote Councillor Beros, Councillor Liu, Councillor Muench, Councillor Chan voted in favour;

    Whereas the two Regional Councillors that voted against the motion were replaced after the last municipal election;

    Whereas other municipalities and jurisdictions, such as the City of Toronto, sing Canada’s national anthem prior to their meetings;

    Whereas Canadian identity and national symbols such as the Canadian national anthem unite all Canadians and provide a joint sense of pride;

    Therefore Be It Resolved that this issue be placed on the March 25, 2019 Council meeting agenda;

    Therefore Be It Further Resolved that the time between now to March 25, 2019, be used for Councillors, Regional Councillors, and the Mayor, to communicate with their residents and give them an opportunity to learn more about this issue and to have their opinion heard, before Council makes a decision.

  • Whereas the population in the Town of Richmond Hill has been growing rapidly at a steady rate sitting at a population of 195,022 in 2016 and is currently over 200,000 becoming York Region's third most populous municipality;

    Whereas a community’s designation reinforces its position, especially when dealing with other municipalities and levels of government;

    Whereas a community’s status can affect the obtainability of resources when vying for projects such as the expansion of Subway Lines or Corporate Head Offices;

    Whereas the term “Town” is usually used to describe a place with a population of fewer than 100,000 residents;

    Whereas the term “City” is used to describe a large or important town; 

    Whereas Richmond Hill has considerably more than 100,000 residents, and, is a large and important Town;

    Therefore Be It Resolved that this issue be placed on the March 25, 2019 Council meeting agenda;

    Therefore Be It Further Resolved that the time between now to March 25, 2019, be used for Councillors, Regional Councillors, and the Mayor, to communicate with their residents and give them an opportunity to learn more about this issue and to have their opinion heard, before Council makes a decision.

(Referred from the February 11, 2019 Council meeting)

  • Whereas Indigenous People have lived on the lands we now call Richmond Hill for many centuries and have made, and continue to make, very important contributions to Richmond Hill and to our country of Canada.

    Whereas the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report outlines many actions that Canadians can, and must take, in order to repair our past relationships with Indigenous Communities.

    Whereas “an important first step toward reconciliation is recognizing the existence of Indigenous people. A shared understanding of how our collective past brought us to where we are today will help us walk together into a better future”.

    Whereas since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission tabled its final report, an increasing number of organizations and communities are working to make a positive change in our relationship with Indigenous Communities. These communities are demonstrating their commitment to reconciliation by reciting a Land Acknowledgement to begin meetings and public gatherings.

    Whereas residents of Richmond Hill have expressed a strong desire to pursue Truth and Reconciliation, as was evidenced in the October 2017 event, that took place in Richmond Hill, called The Secret Path: Walking Towards Reconciliation, and also in activities and policies of many faith based organizations.

    Whereas a Land Acknowledgement to begin Council meetings is consistent with actions that we have collectively taken in Richmond Hill in the past few years including the passing of a Council motion in 2018 to honour local Indigenous Communities with dedicating a park or community space in recognition of the important past and present Indigenous contribution to our community, and country.

    Whereas according to the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO), “Traditional land acknowledgement statements are increasingly being used in Canada by governments, schools, post-secondary institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other civil institutions as a practice of reconciliation aimed at recognizing the traditional or treaty territories of Indigenous peoples. The statements are typically made at the introduction of meetings, gatherings, events, or presentations”.

    Whereas by opening Council meetings with a Land Acknowledgment, Richmond Hill Council would be demonstrating that we are building a community that is contributing in a positive way to reconciliation efforts in Canada.

    Therefore Be It Resolved that the following proposed Land Acknowledgement be added to the opening of Richmond Hill Council Meetings beginning with the meeting on February 25, 2019.

    Land Acknowledgement

    We would like to start by acknowledging that we are on the traditional territories of the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples, whose presence here continues to this day. We would also like to acknowledge the land we are on is at the meeting place of two treaties, the lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and those of the First Nations of the Williams Treaty. We would thank them and other Indigenous peoples for sharing this land with us.

    We acknowledge this land and people because the first step to reconciliation is recognizing the existence of Indigenous people. A shared understanding of how our collective past brought us to where we are today will help us walk together into a better future.

  • a) That consideration of the Member Motion regarding Indigenous Land Acknowledgement be deferred to the March 25, 2019 Council meeting.

16.

Explanation: Approved by Council at its meeting held February 25, 2019 (2370637 Ontario Ltd. - 56 and 58 Maple Grove Avenue - File Number D02-18002)

a) To consider personal matters about identifiable individuals, including municipal or local board employees with respect to the citizen appointment process for the Heritage Richmond Hill Committee (Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001).

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