High-Level Summary

The Richmond Hill city council meeting opened with a land acknowledgment and featured announcements of two community events—Voices of the Hill and Spooky Village—plus notes on charitable efforts. No public speakers appeared during the public forum, and no motions were recorded in the transcript; follow-up actions include promoting Voices of the Hill and planning Spooky Village for 2024.

Councillors Present

• Deputy Mayor (name not provided) — chairing the meeting
• Councillor Civus
• Councillor Thompson
• Regional Councillor Depala
• Mayor David West was on business in Ottawa (not present)

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Land Acknowledgment Statement - The meeting began with a land acknowledgment recognizing Indigenous presence in Richmond Hill. The Deputy Mayor stated, “We are committed to rebuilding constructive and cooperative relationships.” This signaled the city’s ongoing reconciliation and inclusivity efforts.

2) Upcoming Event: Voices of the Hill - Councillor Civus announced a council-sponsored event to be held Sunday, November 2, at the Richmond Hill Center for the Performing Arts. The event will feature the Luminous Choir and Opera Review and raise funds for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank and 360 Kids. "If you do join us, please bring a non-perishable item to fill the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank boxes," Civus emphasized. The event is free and includes a catered intermission and door prizes.

3) Community Event: Spooky Village - Councillor Thompson highlighted the success of Spooky Village, hosted by the Richmond Hill BIA, including a Monster Mash Parade with more than 1,200 participants. Thompson noted, "It was a hugely successful event," adding that it united the community and supported local businesses.

4) Charitable Initiatives - Both Voices of the Hill and Spooky Village were framed as charitable and community-building efforts, reflecting the council’s focus on supporting vulnerable populations, promoting local culture, and strengthening civic engagement.

5) Public Forum and Participation - The Deputy Mayor noted there were no public speakers for the public forum segment. This highlighted an opportunity for residents to engage more actively in future meetings to voice concerns or suggestions.

Opportunities for Public Input

• Residents are encouraged to participate in future public forums during council meetings to share views or concerns.
• The Voices of the Hill event invites community members to contribute non-perishable food items for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank.

Motions and Outcomes

• No motions were explicitly discussed or passed in the provided transcript.

Follow-Up Actions

• Promotion and preparation for the Voices of the Hill event on November 2.
• Planning for the next iteration of Spooky Village in 2024.

Notes on File Numbers / Bylaws

• No file numbers or bylaw references were discussed in this meeting segment.