Richmond Hill Council Meeting Wednesday October 13, 2021 at 9:30am
View Revised Agenda here and Meeting Video Part 1 & Part 2 & Part 3 & Part 4 (closed)
Another very long 5 1/2 hour marathon Richmond Hill Council meeting which is still going in Closed Session at 5:30pm.
Key takeaways:
It is confirmed that Richmond Hill voters will be going to a by-election to fill the Mayor's seat and there will be an online voting option.
Thank you to the many engaged residents who delegated and wrote to the Council members about this motion to fill the Mayor's seat. Your Words Mattered!
Councillor Perrelli will be required to fully reimburse the City for his Enviro Day event and that no tax dollars will be used to cover the amount owing of 139,623.30.
Perrelli attempted to have the blue bin motion removed off the agenda and then tried to move it to Closed Session but to no avail.
Surprisingly enough Perrelli did not declare a Pecuniary Interest for this item which it most certainly seemed like it was.
Perrelli also kept alluding to a letter sent by his solicitor last night to all council members about his event.
Perrelli and Beros both argued that his event was in the best interest of the community therefore should be paid for from tax dollars just like any other damaged blue bin exchange.
Councillors DiPaola, Chan, Cilevitz, West, Muench and Liu all voted in favour of Perrelli reimbursing the City for the $140K. Perrelli and Beros voted against.
Thank you to the many engaged residents who delegated and wrote to the Council members about this motion. Once Again Your Words Mattered!
Permeable Pavement Solutions
Although permeable pavement solutions are part of the City's toolbox which was well laid out in the excellent staff report, Councillor Muench attempted to bring forth a long rambling motion about permeable paving solutions which did not pass.
The comprehensive staff report however was accepted.
This was by far the longest part of the meeting (almost 2 hours) primarily with Councillors Beros and Perrelli taking turns verbally punching at Muench with endless questions and interruptions.
The Member Motions for the AED, cenotaph restoration and windrow opt out all passed
Items of Interest Include:
The passing of two By-laws for filling the Mayor's seat. Approval will trigger a by-election.
Clarification on Regional and Local Councillor Enviro Day Event Exemption
To seek Council direction with respect to the intent of the exemption provided for the Enviro Day Event conducted by Regional and Local Councillor Perrelli.
Read CAG Post here and a Call to Action
Response to January 27, 2021 Member Motion - Permeable Pavement Solutions to Address Climate Change, Secondary Suites and Stormwater Management for Driveways, Sidewalks and Parking Lots
The conclusion: staff continue to evaluate new stormwater management tools and methods on an ongoing basis to ensure best management practices are always implemented. Permeable pavers and pavement systems are one of these tools, but they should be considered holistically as part of the overall stormwater management system, which is best implemented through the City policies, programs, standards and practices that are in place or currently underway.
Request for Approval:
Zoning By-law Amendment Application – Yonge Ridge Developments - 13351 and 13359 Yonge Street
Official Plan Amendment Application – Deergate Holdings Inc. – 11546 Leslie Street
Zoning By-law Amendment Application – Elaheh Vaez Fakhri and Behrooz Sabaghpoor Fard – 274 Kerrybrook Drive and 282 Richmond
Member Motion - Regional and Local Councillor Perrelli - Outdoor SaveStation and Automated External Defibrillator Installation at Lake Wilcox Park
That the Council of the City of Richmond Hill approve and authorize staff to take all steps necessary to install the outdoor SaveStation and AED at Lake Wilcox Park
Member Motion - Regional and Local Councillor Perrelli - Improving Windrow Services
That staff be directed to implement a system using snow stakes (tall thin poled you insert in the ground to identify edges that become covered by winter snowfall), known as driveway markers, to identify homes which want to opt out of windrow snow clearing.
Member Motion - Councillor Beros - Richmond Hill Cenotaph Restoration
That city staff be directed to work with the Richmond Hill Legion on cenotaph restoration and potential expansion; and that a budget of 20,000 be set aside from the community enhancement reserve fund for this project.
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 October 12th.
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 October 12th 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 October 12th 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.