The July 7th Richmond Hill Council meeting was another unpleasant and chaotic 3 1/2 hour experience filled with constant Point of Order interruptions and continued sniping between council members. The hostilities are escalating and interfering with council meeting proceedings strangling Richmond Hill council on key issues.
Request for Endorsement - Affordable Housing Strategy
Failed on a tied vote
In Favour - DiPaola, Chan, West and Cilevitz
Against - Perrelli, Beros, Muench and Liu
Much of the endless discussion at the meeting centered around the endorsement of the Affordable Housing Strategy. Endorsement of the Strategy provides staff with the necessary direction to pursue the research/consultation that is necessary to advance the City’s goals related to the provision of affordable housing.
Councillors Perrelli, Beros, Muench and Liu seem determined to delay the strategy albeit that they claim to care about affordable housing. They must have aligned their arguments prior to the meeting as all four kept prattling about needing "definitions" saying that they couldn't endorse the strategy without it. Strangely this need for definitions never came up at the 2+ hour May 4th Special Council Meeting where staff presented the draft Affordable Housing Strategy to Council members.
It's unconscionable that the Affordable Housing Strategy was not endorsed today. Without Council's endorsement the Strategy is left in limbo with no way for staff to move forward. Council members have the power to make a difference in many people's lives if only they could look beyond their own petty needs.
Happily Councillor Chan's motion for staff to develop a plan for celebrating the 150th anniversary of Richmond Hill did pass.
All other items on the agenda passed on consent so there was no discussion including the gypsy moth recommendations and the various development application amendments.
View Agenda here and watch recording of Livestream meeting here
Items of Interest include:
LDD (European gypsy moth) Management Options and Recommendations
Request for Endorsement - Affordable Housing Strategy
Request for Approval for the following applications:
Member Motion - Councillor Chan - 150th Anniversary of Richmond Hill
See below if you want to make or submit any comments regarding the agenda items.
Public Comments: The public may submit written correspondence regarding agenda matters by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca. Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. Tuesday July 6th.
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. Tuesday July 6th by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line form. The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as an electronic 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. Tuesday July 6th by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line form. 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.