Okay, good morning everyone. It's Nuri on June 3rd. This is W six councelor Michael Sh and I'm the chair of the committee of the whole meeting today. Now I'm calling to order. We have corum and should be no regrets maybe. So, uh, to start the meeting, any of my colleagues have council announcement? Uh, Mayor West. >> Thank you. >> Working. Yeah. Okay, there we go. Sorry. Uh, thank you very much, everybody. Um, it's not a coincidence that, uh, everybody seems to be wearing red today. Uh, we didn't, well, we did call each other, I guess. Um, this is, uh, today is Red Shirt Day, and it's an annual day to raise awareness and education about accessibility. uh and it's held during uh national accessibility week which is this week. Uh it is a chance to explore our role in removing physical, attitudinal and systemic barriers to uh accessibility and and inclusion. And so today we are all wearing red shirts in support of this important conversation. Uh and this uh national accessibility week continues until June the 6th. Um I'd also like to uh acknowledge several heritage and cultural months of significance. On Monday, we raised the pride flag here at city hall and June the 13th, we will join uh York Region for their annual pride parade. Um, so I would incl uh welcome everybody to come on out and uh be a part of that celebration. It really is a fun uh and and festive occasion and it'll be held in New Market as it always is. Uh June is also indigenous history month and this is a time to recognize the rich cultural heritage and tradition of all first nation and Inuit and Matei people. Um and I'm really happy to report that local indigenous community groups are growing in Richmond Hill. Um we would um encourage everybody to participate in learning about indigenous history. uh which is very interesting and if you're the age that I am at um the history that we necessarily learned in grade nine and grade 10 history is not really the history that we're uh aware of now. So it really is an opportunity to uh understand what happened in Canada before and during uh confederation. Uh but I would encourage you to visit uh either um Miss Miss Guadessa Studio Medicine Garden or attending the June 21st National Indigenous People Day celebration uh or organized by Odeo Connect. And uh thank you very much for these uh indigenous community leaders uh for your active participation in rich in Richmond Hill for that. And finally um there's this little u soccer tournament that's happening uh And uh the FIFA World Cup is coming to Toronto. It's uh certainly got the whole of the GTA in Canada a buzz. And um we as you may well I'm sure everybody on council here knows um we're creating uh different opportunities for people to watch the matches uh connect with neighbors and uh really enjoy the excitement of this tournament together. And I think that's really exciting. Um, two of these watch parties will be located at the new Dave Barrow Square and um, the other uh, place will be at the Richmond Green. So, bring your lawn chair and your passion for the game and um, the details of all these uh, events can be found at the on our website at richmanhill.ca. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Mayor West. Next speaker is Council Thompson. It's Oh, there it goes. Okay. Uh through the chair, I'd like to take a moment to recognize the success of the third annual eco um family fest which took place this Saturday uh this past Saturday at Elgen Barrow Arena and Town Park. Uh the event brought together residents, community organizations, environmental groups, local businesses, sponsors, entertainers, and volunteers for a day focused on sustainability, innovation, environmental education, and community connection. I have already received a great deal of positive feedback from attendees who enjoyed the event and appreciated the opportunity to learn about practical ways they can reduce their environmental footprint while discovering the everchanging new technologies, products, services, and initiatives available within our community. Of course, it certainly did not hurt that we had excellent weather once again. In fact, after three consecutive years of perfect weather on the day we hosted this event, I have come to believe that mother nature has been rewarding us for helping to deliver her message. While I'm sure our federal colleagues may be tempted to take some of the credit, I think she deserves most of it. An event of this scale does not happen without a tremendous amount of support, and I would like to publicly thank city staff for the important role they played in helping make the event a success. In particular, I want to thank Andrew Caldana and Arista Chung, our event coordinators for the outstanding work leading up to and during the event. Their coordination of volunteers, site logistics, security, parking operations, and many moving pace uh pieces required to ensure a safe and successful event was greatly appreciated. Andrew has been involved with Eco Familyfest since its inception three years ago and has helped build a strong foundation for what the event has become today. I would also like to thank Dan Derusio, manager of cultural services for coming through at the 11th hour when we encountered an unexpected setback when our scheduled barbecue cook became unavailable due to health issues. Dan helped identify two members which were Joan and Donna from the uh Richmond Hill Center of the Performing Arts who happen to have their food handling certification and could handle the barbecue duties for us. Joan and Donna ultimately spent five hours behind the barbecue grill cooking all 1,000 plant-based burgers that we served during the event before supplies eventually ran out during the final uh of the event, final hour of the event. Also want to uh thank our MC for the day, Lennena Gurgess from Flexpace. She did an amazing job. I also would like to recognize Marta Estid and uh Esther Collier of Climate Action Richmond Hill, our grassroots community partner and co-host throughout all three years of Eco Family Fest. From the very beginning, Climate Action Richmond Hill has shared the vision of bringing residents together around sustainability, environmental education, climate action, and innovation. their volunteers, ideas, advocacy, and ongoing commitment have played an important role in helping the event grow into what it is today. I would also like to thank all my council colleagues, our members of parliament, our representatives from provincial parliament, deputy fire chief Joe Bennett, Superintendent Colin Alexander of York Regional Police. Oh, and our recent student mayor for a day, Karina, who joined us for the opening ceremonies and participated in the day's activities. I know how busy everyone's schedule can be, and their willingness to attend and support the event was very much appreciated. One of the things I have always appreciated about EcoFamily Fest is is its ability to bring together residents, community organizations, businesses, first responders, elected officials, and community leaders around a common purpose. That participation has helped make the day even more meaningful. But before I conclude, I would also like to recognize two individuals who con whose contributions could easily go unnoticed because they predominantly take place behind the scenes. First, I would like to thank my executive assistant, Nikki Sabet. Over the many months leading up to the event, she invested countless hours coordinating logistics, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, communications, and hundreds of details that must come together for an event of this scale to succeed. Like so many successful community initiatives, much of the work happens long before attendees ever arrive. And Nikki's dedication and professionalism played a role in ensuring everything came together. And finally, I would like to thank my wife. While many people see the public side of events such as this, very few see the support that happens behind the scenes. The time, patience, encouragement, understanding, and countless sacrifices required cannot truly be measured or adequately expressed in words. Simply put, events like this would not be possible without unwavering support. And for that, I am deeply grateful. So after three years of doing this now, it has become clear that there is a tremendous community interest in events that bring people together around sustainability, innovation, environmental education, and practical climate solutions. Saturday's turnout and positive feedback receive are a testament to that interest. So to everyone who played a role in making the event such a success, I thank you. Thank you so much, Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Thompson. Next speaker, Councelor Leo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I too would like to congratulate staff, our event staff for uh uh making uh the watch party possible. I know it's a roller coaster ride and uh you know we won't we didn't get the license until like last Wednesday and uh and they act very fast and I'm very happy and lots of residents already expressed to me that they were very excited and they got to come out and uh and join the watch party and uh and and they have very cute you know photo booth. Um, I got one from uh Council Shu's uh uh soccer event and uh hopefully everybody can can go and take a picture uh with this wonderful um frame with a Richmond Hill on it. And uh also um next is uh Friday is the annual WY barbecue. Um it's the 15th year. Uh hopefully everybody can join. Uh I know there's rain in the forecast, but uh hopefully it will hold until after 9:00. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Leo. Next speaker, W Chen. >> Thank you very much. >> Um, good morning and um before I I was uh going to touch on what I want to say. I want to also congratulate Council Thompson is certainly that uh I'm sure he has a special line to call for sunny weather. Uh happy to be there. Uh just uh building on what council was just talking about. Believe it or not, I was stopping by uh one of these uh places also red uh Tim Hortons and I was stopped by some somebody say deputy mayor are we going to the watch party? When was the first one? So I took the time to say Richmond Green 2 p.m. Not this Friday next week. So it's getting traction and thank you staff and councel new for initiative and putting all together. Uh next I like to last that I would like to say that um it was a very successful um June 1st event. Uh as you know June is a senior month. Uh the Witchman Hill room of Elgen Barrel Arena was fully packed by seniors and uh caregivers and um I was really happy based on feedback because uh not only the attendees, I learned something new too and um I would um like to say this is totally based on my office and volunteer staff and I have the strong support by the from the York Region Senior Strategy York Region Regal police, York Region Paramedic Services, York Region Public Health and York Region Transit as well uh with the uh chief of prevention from our Richmond Hill fire and emergency services and it touches on dental care actually a topic I got lots of calls and it's good to know and many of the attendees uh now know not only is the federal Canada dental plan Ontario also dental plan but more closer to home York region actually operates five committee clinics on dental care if you qualify and one of them the five committee clinics is right here in Richmond Hill. So uh all in all u it was a really um very informative well attended event and it goes to show um I would just uh echo what council Thompson said uh this kind of events uh you can manage with our office office staff and volunteer and serve a very useful purpose in this case for seniors. Thank you very much. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Chen. And next speaker, uh, regional local counselor Jorda. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I just wanted to quickly mention on on June 20th, I'm going to be having our community barbecue at Richmond Green and there are is still reservation uh available. We were we have to cap it at 5,000. We're closely approaching that. So, um you have to register at jodapollo.ca to get your your free food for the event. But all are welcome and um we'll we'll continue to uh you know there'll be food available at the event and and um even if we go over it's there's still a lot of lots of fun free activities for for families. So I encourage everyone to come out on June 20th. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Any other announcement? So now uh uh councelor Derekson. Sorry. >> That's okay. Thank you. Um, I just want to say tomorrow night there's another concert at Lake Wilcox at the picnic uh shelter. It was fantastic last week. It's sunny, it's it's beautiful, it's green, and the music was fantastic. So, come on out to Lake Wilcox tomorrow night for a 7 o'clock concert. And don't forget your parking pass if you're a Richmond Hill resident. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Davidson. Any other announcement? Okay, it's my turn. Uh thank you all my neighbors and visitors came out to W six uh community soccer tournament this past Saturday and we had amazing weather and a great turnout from both neighbors and community or organizations. Uh also a big shout out to all the staff for your hard work behind the scenes and uh special thanks to May West and a few of my colleagues for stopping by to show support. Uh just a reminder again with the FIFA World Cup just around the corner in 10 days, uh don't forget the city will be hosting watch parties for four games starting uh June 12th. So just check out uh uh the city websites for details. And uh once again, I also want to mention today is a red shirt day that brings people together across the country to wear red as a visible show of uh solidarity. And I encourage everyone to take a moment this week to reflect uh on what accessibility and inclusion mean in your role and how we can contribute to building a more inclusive community every day. Those all my comments. Uh there's no any other announcement. So we are moving forward. Introduction of emergency 10 term sensitive matters. Seeing none. So adoption of agenda. We have a 14 items today. uh one presentation, two delegations, 10 staff reports and two correspondences. So may I have a motion to move forward? Uh councelor tree. All those in favor oppose unanimously. Disclosure of peinerary interest and general nature thereof. Oh, councelor Thompson. >> Uh yes, for uh 11.1 uh I'm one of the directors for one of the recipients of the cultural grant. So I need to recuse myself. >> Okay. So uh Okay. Uh councelor tree. >> Yeah. I would like declare claim the conflict interest for the item 11.1 similar as councelor uh Thompson. >> Okay. No problem. So just moving forward. Uh identification of items requiring separate discussion. Uh we have a presentation for item 11.5 and two delegation for item 11.7. So we'll pull those items out. Any other items? Councelor Davidson. >> Thank you. Uh 11.1 11.2 11.3 please. >> 1 2 3. Any other Okay, seeing none. So, uh the consent agenda is 11.4 11.6 11.8 8.9 and 10. Just double check with Mr. CL and also to Oh yes. Okay. So uh may I have a motion to adopt the remainder of the agenda items? May West. Uh all those in favor oppose unanimously. Thank you. Okay. Moving forward. Uh we have no public hearings but we have one presentation. Uh now we have a roof randon and Derek Laauo from the city regarding the resilient Richmond Hill program progressive report. Good morning Mr. Chair, mayor and members of council. Thank you for the opportunity to present today. My name is Ruth Rendan, manager of sustainability, and I am pleased to share an update on the city's resilient Richmond Hill program. As our community continues to grow and experience the impacts of climate change, such as more extreme weather events, increased flooding risk, rising temperatures, it is critical that we take a proactive and coordinated approach to building resilience. The resilient Richmond Hill program is our roadmap to strengthen the city's ability to prepare, respond, and recover from climate related challenges while continuing to protect our residents, our infrastructure, and our natural systems. This work aligns with council's strategic priority and supports a sustainable, safe, and thriving community for both current and future generations. Today's presentation will highlight key progress to date, outline priority actions, and identify opportunities to advance resilience across city operations and the broader community. I'd like to introduce you to Derek Laauo, project manager, climate change and sustainable development, who will provide you with a presentation on our progress. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Ruth. Good morning and uh we're pleased to provide an update on the city's resilient rich program. Today's presentation will highlight key actions undertaken through the resilient rich program since its adoption, some of the challenges and opportunities and the next steps moving forward as a city continues to work towards being more resilient community from a from the projected impacts of climate change. Resilient Richmond Hill was launched in in 2018 as Richmond Hills response to climate change with the ultimate goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resilience to extreme weather, and transitioning to a lowcarbon economy. The three main climate change initiatives were undertaken through resilient rich hill to support these goals, including the climate change framework in 2020, the KU energy enrichments plan in 2021, as well as the accompany climate change conversation toolkit. The city is tackling this major challenge through resilient Richmond Hill with actions that mitigate emissions and adapt to impacts of more extreme weather and in many cases actions that both mitigate and adapt to a changing climate. These actions are often incorporated and interconnected and requires the effort of multiple internal departments and staff as well as external community partnerships, businesses and residents to have meaningful impact. The city's climate change framework is a coordinated approach of corporate climate action organized around six systems making it easier for staff and departments to apply a climate lens make uh climate l develop programs and collaborate on actions based on what they already do. The following slides provide a summary of the accomplishments across all six systems led by multiple departments from 2020 to 2025. The corporate government's uh system provides direction um direction to for the application of a climate lens to decision-m. This has been implemented by embedding climate change into key city plans which help reduce emissions such as the transportation and corporate energy plans adapt to more extreme weather through the parks and asset management plans and those that do both to build resilience including the strategic and official plans. Staff are encouraged to include climate considerations in the council reports. And looking ahead, work will include incorporating climate risks into emergency preparedness as well as beginning to align procurement with sustainability goals. Land use planning is a primary lever to drive on the ground climate action, shaping development, transportation, buildings, and site design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience. In the last 5 years, the city has integrated climate change through the official plan, including OPA 18.3, as well as the ongoing official plan update, the completion of EV charging and micromobility strategies, advancing climate informed mapping, as well as the updated sustaining metrics program to guide lowcarbon resilient uh development. Ongoing priorities include the alignment with evolving provincial policy and regulations, advancing community energy planning to cut building emiss related emissions as well as sprinkling parks and natural heritage systems by expanding tree canopy, enhancing natural areas, and improving storm water management. Embedding climate change into acid management helps protect infrastructure, ensures service reliability, reduces emissions, and maintains financial sustainability. Climate change has been integrated into the asset management plan, protecting over 13 billion in assets via extreme weather risk identification, storm water upgrades, and green infrastructure. Updated IDF curves have been done to plan for higher rainfall intensity. Shade structures have been adding to parks to protect residents from extreme heat. There's ongoing municipal EV vehicle replacements. And the city has completed four net zero facility studies. Ongoing priorities include strengthening climate risk analysis for all asset types, advancing fleet electrification through recommendations of the EV charging strategy, expanding building retrofits, and improving the tracking of climate costs and impacts. The city is also advancing the integrated citywide approach to managing community climate risk, and protecting residents during extreme events. Climate change has been incorporated into the municipal emergency management system and the annual hazard identification and risk assessment that addresses storms, flooding, as well as extreme heat. The city is the city has also identified and operates heating and cooling centers to protect residents in the event of extreme weather. Ongoing priorities include strengthening regional collaboration, improving climate mapping and data, formalizing risk enterprise risk management, as well as expanding resilience measures such as emergency facilities and urban forest planning. Scaling green infrastructure can deliver cost-effective flood protection, increase biodiversity, and support climate resilience in a growing city. This has been delivered through the promotion of rain gardens on public and private lands to manage manage storm water, reduce flood risk, and enhance biodiversity. Through the city's community stewardship program, over 37,000 trees have been planted and more than 23 hectares have been restored, improving ecosystem health and resilience. The city has also initiated a natural heritage strategy and prioritization tool to identify and prioritize opportunities for restoration, connectivity enhancement, land acquisition, and stewardship throughout the city. Building internal capacity and external partnerships help to accelerate communitywide climate action, innovation, and local solutions. Internal actions have included the coffee and climate change series to build staff knowledge, awareness, and collaboration. And external partnerships have been established to the windfall ecology center climate wise business network to reduce building related ghs with the operations center receiving award in 2022 as well as with the TRCA climate ready homes program providing residents with free consultations, workshops, incentives with a focus on energy efficiency and flood resilience. Ongoing priorities include strengthening partnerships for innovation hubs, small business networks, clean tech, as well as advancing advocacy and external funding for local climate priorities. In summary, significant progress has been made in embedding climate change across city operations and planning. Moving forward, staff will be moving from foundational work to coordinated, measurable, scaled action for lowcarbon resilient future. Staff will also be addressing gaps uh that in the framework as well as advancing adaptation planning as part of the broader resilient rich and health program. The community energy emissions plan or seep is a communitydriven lowcarbon pathway with seven program areas to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The following slides provide a summary of accomplishments across all seven program areas led by multiple departments between 2021 and 2025. The transportation transformation program area aims to reduce car dependency by lowering vehicle trips uh trip distances while promoting walking, cycling, transit and shared mobility to cut GH emissions. Actions have included updated standards plans and zoning, adoption of a complete streets framework, expanded cycling and trail networks as well as approving of EV charging and microability strategies. The city has continued to build on this foundation by seeking further opportunities to expand EV charging facility uh charging at city facilities and can advance fleet electrification and major cycling and trail projects. The efficient buildings program area supports the improvement of building uh efficiency by reducing energy use and shifting away from fossil fuels for heating and hot water. Updated sustain. These key actions include the updated sustaining metrics program to encourage the development of energy efficient net zero buildings, enabling gentle density up to four units per lot to support intensification, the completion of the home energy retrofit financing study with the city of Markham, as well as the introduction of incentives for affordable sustainable rental housing through a community improvement plan. Despite the introduction of provincial limits on mandatory green standards, the city continues to support a voluntary measures through the sustainable electric program and has approved over nearly 20 million in conditional funding for three affordable sustainable rental projects. The smart renewable energy program area supports the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, district energy, and clean heating to meet growing electricity demand. Key progress includes the completion of a netzero feasibility study for the Connor building, which will become the city's first netzero ready facility. We've also been advancing local renewable energy by completing a feasibility study for a 320 kilowatt rooftop solar PV system at Tom Graham Marina, as well as strengthening policy direction through the Richmond Hills Center secondary plan and ongoing zoning and official plan updates. The towards zero waste program area supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by cutting waste at the source, expanding organics collection and capturing methane um for renewable natural gas. The city has expanded three stream waste education in multi-residential buildings, engaging over 1,000 residents and has supported the region's new bio uh bofuel facility. The compact community program area supports compact higher density mixed use communities that reduce energy use and prioritize walking and cycling. Through the official plan update process, all growth is directed towards existing built-up areas with a focus on intensification areas such as Young Street, Highway 7, and other infill areas. The municipal leadership program area focuses on climate leadership through new technologies, strategic investments, and innovation in city operations. Key progress has been made through the completion of net zero feasibility studies for four municipal facilities and the approval of the updated community corporate energy plan. The city also continues to pursue limited government funding and partnership opportunities to advance corporate sustainability goals. The natural heritage program area protects green space by directing growth to built up areas while maintaining parks and open spaces that enhance livability and absorb carbon. The city has advanced urban forestry with the completion of an urban forest study and 2024 benchmarking exercise. Planted a significant amount of trees and shrubs and expanded restoration of and woodlock management across parks and natural areas including the David Dunlop Observatory. In summary, since adopting the SEEP, the city has advanced many actions towards the net zero goal by 2050. Some gaps have emerged due to external f factors such as provincial policy regulations, uh economic shifts and changing priorities as well as slower private uh sector adoption. Staff will continue to review and monitor gaps through the resilient Richmond Hill review. That's very quickly directing and directly supporting the implementation of the SEP and specifically action 2.4 four, which speaks to exploring methods to finance and deliver a building energy retrofits. The city of Markham and Richmond Health completed a joint feasibility study supported by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities grant to advance residential energy retrofits. In the short term, is recommended that the city develop an education outreach plan that will coordinate and formalize efforts around existing programs and information that will support homeowners for deeper energy retrofits with the longerterm recommendation to continue exploring opportunities with other levels of government and partners to deliver financial incentives. Further details of this study can be found in agenda item 11.6. The conversation toolkit co-developed with community partners supports a seat by providing accessible information, local data, and helps residents educate others through informed, respectful climate dialogue. The toolkit has been used by the city to engage youth as a key climate partner by supporting student led initiatives at local high schools and the library. And the toolkit has been promoted at the city and community events engaging residents on topics like transportation, home energy, trees, pollinators, and local food. The QA has also been used by workshops uh used in workshops by groups such as at Climate Action Richmond Hill on solutions such as heat heat pumps, solar PV, and EVs and has supported community innovation across all ages, including the Ice Dragons, youth club's energy quest education game. Staff will continue to review and update the toolkit as needed and focus will be on improving digital accessibility as well as tailoring content for different audiences. At the regional level, GHG emissions have remained relatively stable with buildings and transportation making up 97% with pandemic related declines now trending back up. Specifically in Richmond Hills, emissions have decreased approximately 9% from the 2020 2016 seat baseline to 2024, but as shown has risen again post pandemic, reflecting regional trends. In 2024, community GH emissions were comprised of transportation of 50% and buildings of 47% with waste representing the last 3%. Overall, emissions are rebounding, highlighting the need for systematic change beyond behavior and leveraging recovery to advance net zero. Updated projections from York Region and the TRCA show that more that Richmond Hill will face warmer weather conditions and more extreme weather. But to putting this into perspective for Richmond Hill, key impacts and potential implications from these projections include increased flooding and erosion which can lead to higher insurance cost, more extreme heat which can lead to higher air cooling demand and GHG emissions as well as vectorbor diseases like Westnau virus and Lyme disease. Poor air quality from wildfire smokes. If you recall last year with smog days because of outer province as well as northern Ontario wildland fires leading to increased health risks, loss of natural features and infrastructure damage from freeze thaw cycles of road bridges and sidewalks, increased operational and economic pressures including snow clearing and tree removal of tree damage. And these risks are all amplified uh by global factors including invasive species like emerald ashbor, oakwilt and spongy moth. These projections inform adaptation planning through updated infrastructure standards, land use, emergency response and actions uh help improve climate mapping, expanding green space, stronger local food systems, and enhance community health resilience. Very quickly, globally, uh, climate progress is slowing due to weaker cooperation and funding and declining public engagement. Proincially, bills 1798 and 68 have limited municipal authority on green standards, land use, and building emissions. And as a result, the city is shifting to partnerships, communication, as well as volunteer actions as overall progress has become more challenging, requiring adaptive collaborative approaches. Well, the line funding such as grants can deliver strong results and support city initiatives. And the city will continue pursuing external funding to advance actions under the SEP and climate change framework. As well, rising emissions, shifting policy, and legislative demands, and intensifying extreme weather highlight an urgent need to prioritize climate adaptation and long-term resilience. Geopolitical disruptions to oil supply are accelerating the shift to renewable energy and the SE supports a pathway to a lowc carbon economy driving opportunities to create jobs and green industries. Staff will continue leveraging city leadership to advance this function. Since the adoption of resilient Richmond Hill, the city has advanced mitigation through emissions reduction and will moving forward will strengthen adaptation efforts um integrating resilience in corporate and community planning to better address climate risks. Achieving net zero by 2050 will require sustained investment to implement city plans, support lowcarbon buildings, upgrade energy infrastructure, and expand sustainable transportation systems. Staff will continue to strengthen partnerships across economic government, non-government, private sector, indigenous and utility stakeholders to advance a transition to a lowcarbon resilient future. Thank you for the opportunity to present today and we welcome any questions or comments. >> Thank you Mr. Lao for your presentation and my colleagues have comment. Uh council the tree. >> Great. Thank you so much for those thorough report. appreciate all that first put here. I see a lot of the concept new uh new energies and zero waste but I do have one specific item where I want to ask it's only slide 11 regarding to the York region bofuel facilities in 2027. I saw the news. I'm just wondering for entire Ontario, do we have any existing battlefield facility yet or your region is the first one in entire Ontario to present this uh strategy plan here? >> Uh through you, Mr. Chair. Um I'm not sure if um this is the first bio facility. It is one of the newest uh here in the province and it will support the um uh recycling of green and organic waste here in the city and so in decreasing that waste amount but I'm I'm sure at this time this >> yeah I follow you interest because every year we're spending many million dollars sending our waste to shining to us right why don't use that why our locally to generate more energy >> that is a key goal of the bio fuel facility to save those transportation costs to reduce those greenhouse gas emissions as well as saving the recycling the organics here in the region locally to improve those GH emissions. >> Perfect. Okay. For for the purpose of this meeting, I I want to see uh this is only for strategic plan right when it going to be implemented might be take another 10 years. Do do you have any timelines? What exactly in 2027? >> Sorry. >> What exactly in 2027 from your perspective is only planning or start to designing or >> uh the uh through you Mr. chair the BIOS facility will actually become operational in 2027. Uh so it's under construction currently and will become operational in 2027. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you councelor tree and the next speaker uh deput. >> Uh thank you very much um Mr. Chair and thank you staff for the presentation. Uh certainly lots of work uh has been going on. I do notice it's a progress report but it's also doesn't uh hurt to look forward which is the idea which I like at the end say challenges and opportunities. So maybe in terms of the because these are uh comments or question seeking clarification based on presentation. So I'm just going to stick with the order of the slides. on slide number 11. Uh I I like the one on the left hand column if I corre correctly remember the smart renewable um and that talks about um that about potentially getting to um energy policy updates and so on. And I'm wondering that I know this is back five years ago. um looking forward if it could help to shed some thoughts about the potential actually both the compact committee uh on the right hand side as well the smart renewable energy on the left hand side any potential consideration moving forward based on what we know is perhaps uh thinking about the potential of developing a district energy network whereby that you can get into more energy um efficient and also uh helping with cutting down the uh emission and is everything become self-sufficient. So if you don't if you don't have an answer now that's fine. I know it's report but please think ahead and that may be the potential not only to have uh contribute to the energy and emission plan in the future for the city but potentially potentially it could generate revenues for the corporation through you Mr. Chair. through you, Mr. Chair. Uh, thank you. Um, we are as part of our work plan investigating the opportunities to the Richmond Hill uh secondary plan area for district energy. Um it has become quite challenging because as we have learned throughout the the three years that I've been here that there's a lot of work in regards to establishing a a network of players you could say partners working on this establishing a corporation and so on and getting into the grid. Uh so we are under review that is under review and that we also uh taking an approach that through the EBC secondary plan we're also going to be investigating opportunities uh for renewable energy systems in general. We don't want to lock ourselves down to just district energy because of all the you know challenges in regards to that. Uh we are learning from our neighbors such as Markham as well in terms of how it was established. through these lessons learned, we're going to see if there's other opportunities to be more innovative and look at renewable energy systems in general uh maybe geothermal geo exchange as ways to uh be better uh with our renewable energy systems here in Richmond Hill. >> Thank you uh through Mr. Chair. Thank you for the comment. Uh yeah, I'm glad to hear it's promising to hear this a thinking about it. Of course, the challenges otherwise every MP would have one by now. Um so thank you for that. And moving on uh slide number 13 I just want to give compliment and acknowledge yes there are challenges uh in particular trying to get the message out and recognizing diversity in terms of cultures and many other things. And as point out there gaps so I'm think that we all have to work on it together and on slide number 14 um I'm particular pleased to see the communityled initiatives. It looks like uh one of the scenes is actually perhaps uh uh it looks like one of the churches on Young Street. I'm not going to which say which one but but I think that I'm wondering to that end uh through Mr. chair, would it be something considered with um reaching out to the high schools because my understanding is a number of high schools as I I'm aware of in Richmond Hill and many other places in York Region, they have pretty active young students on uh climate change and uh really focus on cutting down emission. So I don't see any one of them here. Maybe that this is only a sample but through Mr. chair. I just want to hear whether in fact schools might have been targeted. Maybe the one on the top I noticed Mr. Lao just point to one. It looks like a classroom but maybe I want to hear response for you Mr. Chair >> engaging the schools and part of high school students. Yeah. >> Yes. Uh through you Mr. Chair. Uh definitely uh we are taking initiatives uh with working with local high schools in regards to our project our education and outreach. Um we've actually received inquiries from actually high schools where we've have gone there and had a little bit of workshops and educating them on climate uh specifically right now focusing on natural heritage um aspects of our work but definitely we're always looking for opportunities to work with high schools. I believe we do have an example in a report of a high school that we did work on our Lady Queen of the World and Bay View Secondary School. So there has been have uh there has been engagement and we're looking forward to working more with the community and the schools to educate our children. Thank you. Thank you for answer and um thank you and I'm glad to hear that and I'm moving on very quickly to the um one of the last two slides and a particular um I want to highlight the one that um challenges we know uh opportunities and the last bullet if I see it right yes green jobs um now I I know it's probably remaining hopeful I remember our previous uh Ontario administration when they brought in the green energy and green economy act. I think the 209 or something. Anyway, um it was talked about 50,000 green jobs would be created. Um it's not meant to be uh sliding any any any any any any administration for that matter but it's big numbers but uh uh I for one have yet to see where those 50,000 green jobs uh in Ontario um that has been uh kind of um uh talked about uh a decade ago. So I'm wonder what extent uh for you Mr. uh Mr. care is an opportunity I realize but where are the potential drivers that we are trying to encourage in the city that might create those green jobs just to the extent you can shed some light it will be helpful for me of maybe for others thank you for Mr. Chair >> you Mr. Mr. Chair, thank you for the question. Um, in the SEEP, it provides uh outlines the lowcarbon economy and different areas of where green jobs could potentially come from. So, we're setting up the foundation basically to set up that ecosystem to if and when the um economy is ready to support that. And so driving lower greenhouse gas emissions and trying to mitigate climate change. Um those actions themselves through all the different program areas as listed including uh the building side uh building energy efficiency the start renewal energy as you mentioned all of those require expertise to do that from the planning stages um the legal side of things uh consultation uh as well as on the ground uh uh workforce who can uh implement and build some of these um actions that we've listed here. So again, the SE outlines the the framework for how these green jobs could could come and it's working again together with our different departments economic development to kind of bring together as a city um the platform to provide the opportunity for these green jobs to come when if and when they're ready. >> Thank you. Because the opportunity is also maybe um we have expertise at econom economic development with team teaming partnering together. So uh Mr. Chair, if you need someone to move a motion to receive with thanks, I'd like to move it. And thank you very much. >> Thank you. Um, any other comment? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Uh, >> question. >> Yes, it's only question on uh orig. Um I just if it's just questions now I I just want to uh I just want to understand there's so much great work being done uh by by Brazilian Richmond Hill and and uh you know a lot of it's a no-brainer that you know we want more efficient homes and heating mechanisms and you know converting bofuels for energy and um a lot of it's great. I just uh um I I just think we're we're um talking about um avoiding a future concern and I see your projections now are going to 2080 about what the what the harm and damage is going to be. So, it it's this is a difficult one for me because when we when we put money towards underground infrastructure, we're given information that says if if we don't spend this money today, we're going to we're going to have these escalating costs in the future to repair um our our infrastructure. And then so when we make decisions normally we're we're contrasting the you know spending today's dollars to to avoid consequences and it's it's normally pretty black and white in a mathematical equation. Now, when we're going to 2080 and what those potential uh temperature and rainfall predictions change, I I just I don't see the the correlating cost that that we're going to. And so as because we're as we're going through this, I have to we have to make a decision as a council to spend dollars today to prevent and and I I I just don't see any tangible rewards for Richmond Hill. It's all it's all an effort to reduce these GHG. I guess I'll ask I'll start my questions there. reducing uh greenhouse gas emissions. That that seems to be the the thrust of this work. So, we're talking about carbon dioxide, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. How how much of the current atmosphere is made up of carbon dioxide >> for you? U Mr. Mr. Chair, unfortunately I don't know those numbers, but I could provide um a response in regards to what we could do now in regards to the work we're doing in our office. >> Okay. Um I' I've heard from some sources that it's 04%. I I think it's a it's a pretty standard scientific fact of what the breakup and the make the makeup and the breakdown of the elements in the air. I think I think it's 04%. Do you know how much Canada as a whole, as the entire country, not not Richmond Hill, but do we know how much Canada contributes to those greenhouse gas emissions? >> Two. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Uh three, Mr. here. Um, appendix um three of the staff report provides a greenhouse gas emission trend for uh globally between 2020 uh 20 2005 to 2024 for the globe uh Canada as well as Ontario. Um and so that the 10X3 chart um shows the trash emissions currently for Canada which has shown a decrease um between 2025 and 2024. So there is progress being made in reducing Canada's overall greenhouse gas emissions. >> Okay. Um now based on those projections how how are we fairing? Are we are we turning the tide? Are we going to change things by 2080? Are these projections like there's no indication of what impact what effect is is there any is there any calculation of what our initiatives are doing here in Richmond Hill uh um to affect the the outcome that that is so concerning about what's going to happen by 2080 >> through you Mr. chair. Um so these projections have been shared with uh various departments here at the city to be used in their work. And so one specific area is our asset management group. Um as reported in um the presentation today, they have incorporated these climate trajecto. So they're addressing our infrastructure against these climate risks and planning uh the repair and um upgrade cycles as necessary with these in mind. So they are applying a climate lens to uh their work in addition to all the other um analysis that they have to do to understand the risks and vulnerabilities to our infrastructure if for example rainfall increases or temperature increases and what that does to city infrastructure and building that into today's work will uh for over the long term protect our infrastructure against uh some of the projections as um projected from these climate impacts. >> Okay, I I appreciate that. It's great. Now um am I naive to think that >> uh excuse me excuse me to uh this part is only for the presentation but not for the staff report. So we'll get back to this item for this to talk about the staff report and the dedication. So can you just ask your question about the staff report after that because it's only for the presentation only this part? >> Well it's the presentation that >> that got me thinking and wanted to ask these questions. I thought it was the right time but uh when we discuss the staff report I can I can maybe um at that time. >> Yeah. Okay. Good. >> So uh is there any other questions for the presentation only? Uh councelor Davidson. >> Thank you. I hope this is the way to ask these questions. Um thank you for the presentation. Would you say that having a strategy like this is consistent with other municipalities and other levels of government in Ontario, York Region, Canada? >> You Mr. Chair? Um yes. I definitely think um the C our program in general right now as it stands it's um working well in regards to how we do work and how we compare to other municipalities. Uh we do have a gap right now where we don't have an a climate adaptation plan and we are aware of that. We're doing work in adaptation looking for uh opportunities there to improve our infrastructure looking at flooding and so on but we're doing it um indirectly through our work. We feel in our group that it's now an opportunity to let's look at at the work that we're doing here at the city comprehensively and we're looking at ways to integrate adaptation with our SEP and our climate framework and that's the work we're going to be doing in the next uh year or so um as we look forward to how we're going to be updating the plans. >> Thank you. Three, Mr. Chair. Uh Mr. here. Would you say that having some kind of climate change strategy is something the residents of Richmond Hill want to see >> through you, Mr. Chair? Uh, definitely. I feel that this is um even through the visual documentation that we have through the plans. It provides a direction in terms of how the city incorporates and does the work and it visualizes it to the community. Um, we're going to be actually taking an approach as well that we're going to be uh being a bit more hands-on grassroots in terms of updating our website, being more plain language, looking at in uh equity uh points of view when we do our messaging for our work. So, I feel that through um the future work that we're doing, we're going to not only improve what we're doing, but it's going to be more visually appealing and available for residents to to understand, too. because that's what we've been learning throughout uh these past uh few uh months is that we need to make sure that we're not looking at scaring uh uh the the community, but we're looking at ways to help them uh become more comfortable with language, looking at ways to uh uh think of the work as what we do as more of a safe uh looking at comfortable uh spaces that they live on and so on. So, yes, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I know predicting weather patterns isn't isn't a well, it is a science actually. You have a lot of numbers here showing increased hot days and all that stuff. What did you base these numbers on to validate having a a climate mitiga, you know, climate mitigation plan? Where did you get those numbers from? >> Um, through you, Mr. Chair. The numbers were provided to us from the Toronto region conservation authority working with the region and also an external organization taff that is also helps with the projections that we have. So their scientific numbers that given to us so that we could understand what the current state is from our review a lot of the mun lower tier municipalities especially with our neighbors here in Markham and von the the numbers are similar right because we have the same uh similar geographical areas. Um, we're going to be working with our neighbor municipalities to to look at ways where we could um look at cost benefits as too resourcing messaging so that we make sure that we're aligning messaging throughout the York region. Um, I feel that that's an important uh work that we're going to be doing moving forward. >> Thank you. And through Mr. here. Um, is the city approaching this that climate change is real and that climate change can be affected by humans interaction in reducing the damage and that every little bit helps is like what's what's our ethos here >> through you Mr. Chair? Um, that's where we're we're looking at changing the narrative in our messaging in our work right now. It's always been, you know, a few years back, six years ago, it was a climate emergency and it was very uh scary to many residents in terms of how they approach this work. Now, we're going to be taking the approach we're going to be more grassroots and be able to speak uh in a more plain language way to uh our residents. But Maria, did you want to add >> through the chair? If I can just provide a little bit of context from how the program started a couple of years ago. um there the climate change um initiatives have been impacted certainly by changes in government at the upper levels. The seep itself was actually something that was mandated by the province at one point in time and that was one of the drivers for it. Uh when it was uh initiated we had quite a bit of we had really good uptake throughout the city because you did ask about interest from the citizens. In fact, Richmond apparently had one of the most popular um I guess we have probably the widest range of climate change groups in the city um which has now converged into the climate change Richmond Hill but we also had participants from other areas of York region coming to a lot of our workshops and events. So certainly it is something that has uh resonated with our community. Uh with respect to moving forward you know the questions here are how does it fit into the global context? Anything we do towards mitigating climate change is cumulative greenhouse gas emissions. It's all part of it. So it's very difficult for us to measure exactly what our impact and what our our I guess our effect has been. The way we've been doing it through our initiatives is to set targets and we know what kinds of programs and actions that we do. So we monitor the effect of those programs and initiatives and that's really the best we can do in terms of providing tangible data. We know that our part in what we do is having a reduction in our contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. On the flip side, as Ruth had mentioned, we are now trying to deal with the climate change impacts because they are here. The uh the goal globally was to ensure that we we kept it at a level of only one degree Celsius. We are now at 1.5° C increase and reaching towards 2 degrees towards 2080. So we are globally not actually doing a good job. Um, but for our part, we also are responsible for taking a look at the impacts to our infrastructure and to our population. So, the adaptation strategy is something that we are are are setting our minds to to move forward. >> Thank you. I appreciate this whole initiative and I do think it's what people want and we don't know in 10 or 15 years whether this will make a huge difference or not, but we have to try. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. Uh, any other questions? Seeing none. So let's vote to receive this presentation. All those in favor oppose unanimously. Thank you so much. Okay, we have a delegation now. We have two delegations today. Uh the first delegates is Mark Jacobs regarding the proposed zoning blo amendment on 282 292 Els Road West. Mr. Jacobs. Yep. >> Hi. Good morning. Uh Mr. Chair and members of council. My name is Mark Jacobs. I'm an associate with Big Lairy Group. I'm also a registered professional planner as well as the agent for the owner of 282 and 292 Elgen Mills Road West. I'm here to speak on the zoning bylaw amendment and drive plan subdivision applications here before you today. Uh before I begin, I just wanted to um extend my appreciation to staff throughout this entire application process. They've been very supportive of of the proposal. They've been very good at working with us throughout the process and I wish to thank them again for all their efforts throughout this time. Uh in terms of the staff report, I have reviewed it uh the contents as well as recommendations and myself and the owner are in support of staff recommendations for that report. Um there are a few items I do wish to clarify just while I have a few minutes. Um waste pickup will be done uh uh publicly. Uh the driveways have been and the private road have been designed in accordance with uh municipal standards uh to allow for public uh garbage truck or waste pickup vehicles to enter, exit and turn around on the site. So that's all been accommodated and we've worked with staff on ensuring that it that waste pickup is accommodated. Snow storage is also being accommodated as well. it any uh snow plowing or removal will be done uh through private operators that would be contracted out by a future condominium corporation and they will ensure that uh all snow will be removed appropriately so that all future residents have access to their uh individual driveways. Uh in terms of overall access to the the proposed development, uh we have worked with again with uh not only city staff but as as well as regional staff as Elgen Mo Elgen Mills is a regional road. Uh access to the site is proposed to be right in and right out only. Uh we have not we're we're not proposing any left turns into the site or out of the site. Uh um this the site will be signed and marked appropriately to allow for write in write out only as well as the um as the region is working on the future Elgen Mills projects along this stretch of Elgen Mills in front of the property. Um, city staff and the region have had the discussions and we are in support of having the existing center median be extended a little bit further past uh the subject site and this will again ensure that there will be no lefts into the site or lefts out of the site and that is to help with vehicle flow uh on Elen Mills acknowledging that it is uh a busy road at times and um you know it would also help with safety in terms of having no vehicles turn left in and out of the site. Uh lastly, in terms of building heights, the proposed town houses are all three stories. Um there are two blocks fronting Elgen Mills which are noted as four stories in the staff report. That fourth story is just a very small portion that contains basically stairwell and elevator enclosure for access to rooftop ais uh for those units as well as a small mechanical room where there's a furnace and hot water tank. Essentially the the four stories is limited to a small portion within the middle of the units and um in the staff report I believe the final map shows a streetscape elevation where you can see that four-story enclosure kind of set back a bit from the Elgen Mills uh frontage. Um so in essence there are three habitable floors and only that small fourth floor uh for stair enclosure and mechanical rooms. Um that's all the the comments I have. Uh again, you know, we are in support of staff recommendations and uh and and lastly of course always want to again thank staff greatly for all their efforts. Be happy to answer any questions. >> Uh there's no question section just thank you so much. Thank you for your delegations. Thank you so much. Uh the next delegates uh James Bruce Roots on the same item. >> Uh yes. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning to you and Mr. Mayor and fellow members of your uh the council. Um I live about 300 meters as the crow flies northwest from this intersection of Elgen Mills where it meets Shaftsbury and uh Regent. I've been in the neighborhood for about 31 years. I know this intersection only too well because I think doing some simple math, I think I've navigated this intersection something like 14,000 times in in 30 years. And so my single biggest concern was um visav um egress and entry to this complex. Certainly I'm uh very supportive of town houses per se in this neighborhood. So uh that aspect is fine. We're looking at 15 units. I think if I read the the the documentation properly, uh two two spots per uh per unit plus some uh parking for um visitors. So, you might have 30 30 to 35 vehicles coming in and out of this uh out of this complex. And um I want to thank Mr. Jacobs for allaying a number of my vehicle um traffic uh concerns when he indicated that um access would be uh right turn in heading westbound and right turn out uh only turning westbound. Um I note in um document number 11 of the the documents uh the site plan that it indicated a possible um access route running east west from the the the proposed site over to Shaftsbury. I'm not sure what how likely that is to come to fruition. Certainly um if it were to come to fruition, it would um uh I think be an improvement over it not being there. And um what have I got? 10 seconds. >> Yeah. Okay, great. Thank you. Got I got this this countdown clock gives is saying I've got five minutes in perpetuity, which I really like. But anyway, I'll I'll move on. Um notwithstanding what I would take to be the good news of right turn in and right turn out. Um this at times can be a super busy intersection. Sometimes there's 10 or 11 cars waiting to go south uh uh southbound on Shaffbury trying to go uh east on Elgen Mills. It can be a bit of a gong show with of with traffic coming in and out of uh uh the neighborhood for Silver Pine School and so on. My concern is that notwithstanding the right turn in right turn out um we might have people heading east along Elgen Mills um uh wanting to get in doing a Uturn on Elgen Mills and then heading west and then and then ducking in. Um I'm only I'm hopeful that anybody wanting to head east over to Young Street to do shopping would resist the temptation to turn right and go eastbound. I don't know if there's going to be physical uh impediments or barriers that will, you know, not permit that. Um hopefully people will be content to make a handful of right turns and go eastbound on Canyon Hill to get over to Young Street. Um so anyway um just to sum up I guess I would be very interested uh I don't know if there's um if it's going to be decided today or um when a decision is made yes or no visa v this possible um access uh laneway over to Shaffbury how I as a member of the community could find out about that. Um so that's it. So thank you for um consideration of my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ross. Uh, this exhaust our delegation list and now getting to business. So, the first item is 11.5 resilient Richmond Hill progress progress report and I need a motion to re pardon me 11 dedication first. Okay, sorry about that. The first item is 11.7. Uh, yes, regarding the zoning bot amendment on Elgro West in what for? So uh councelor free the floor is yours. Thank >> thank you so much. Thank you so so much for our uh um owners and also planner also our residents come here to um talking about this item we discussed about different things I heard of snow services with collections. Uh also uh I just want uh echo here. So one is for the privacies. So in case of privacy maybe for the city stuff for the privacy this is going to be 15 uh town houses nearby residents need their own privacy. So how we protect that but do we have fans around all those properties block and the visibilities maybe to our maybe commissioner or our director >> uh through you Mr. Chairman. Um I have Deborah here to answer any detailed questions but typically with all these types of developments there is fencing that's required placement of existing tree and to to mitigate any impacts on abuing properties and that they're going through a they will go be going through a site plan process to address those issues. >> Okay. Uh my second question regarding to the traffic we discussing a lot on the AA west so we know there are many projects coming. So um for the Yako region when is there any timeline to to to widen the the agame slope >> through the chair councelor tree um I don't have the exact information it is available on York Region's website but I do recall some intent to widen a portion of Elgen Mills I just can't recall the timing and the stretch but York Region does have some plans for portions of Elgen Mills to be reconstructed at some point in the future. >> Okay, thank you so much. Next one is traffic. I believe just now is unending on traffic. Yesterday I had chance to drive along both shop very region also amuse I look at that property uh I parked there I walk there as well. So from my observation is as you mentioned right in right out is perfect is I won't say it's but it's good approach. The concern as Rose mentioned here is when you get out from that properties if you make a turn in the middle of a mill could be very dangerous to impact both side whenever you side or west side traffic. Uh I saw some other community this is more details I saw other community when you have one in one out at the edge they made a curve designs. So you have curving, you have corral. This way when you make a turn or turn is very challenging. I saw that one on the muse east and b there is one design. So this is more details. I just want to ask for our city and team or directors or or commissioners uh what type of the solutions we can reduce that type of situation to allow to abandoning or preventing the Uturns >> uh through you Mr. Chairman, I I can answer generally. Typically with right in right out driveways, uh there is, for lack of a better description, a pork chop uh that's put in uh it's a concrete median to basically define the right in right out movements and that would limit making dangerous moves out of the site and that's something that would be looked at as part of the design and the final site plan. >> Okay. Also, I see similar con designs on the buses and a muse west. You'll see the bowlers in the middle of the street. So, so it's blocking your turn as well. So, this is only my observation. I'm not asking here. I'm just seeing thinking in the future maybe our director has any other comments to restrict those type of U-turns >> uh through the chair to uh councelor tree. So, I think everything you've heard essentially are the solutions that we would be employing here. the extension of the center median, the right in uh right out only, additional signage, some additional um island features being installed right at the entrance to the development as well. And those would be the main items we would um build into the field to restrict the turning movements to what we want to see and I think those would address most of the delegates uh uh concerns in the field. He is absolutely right. I if we did not employ these things, you would have all of these issues happening. >> Okay, perfect. uh I think uh for the purpose of documentation we discuss item I hope our city do have different security or traffic measures in future uh when we plan uh or approve this this plan so I don't have a further question thank you so much >> so uh councelor do you want to receive this report and move forward that's right >> okay good so next speaker councelor Thompson >> may I Mr. >> Thank you very much go ahead Mr. clarification. Um, you asked the counselor if he wanted to receive this report. I'm trying to understand what the motion was. Was it to receive the report or to the staff recommendations? >> Oh, okay. Staff recommendations. >> Yes, I support uh staff um suggestions. Yes, >> staff recommendations. Thank you. >> Okay, President Thompson, go ahead. >> Okay. Uh thank you through the chair. Um I I I do want to thank both delegates for uh speaking this morning. Um and I noticed uh and also what staff had just mentioned about the uh extension to the uh median going uh along there the types of mitigation measures that are being put in place. Um in the written correspondence that uh Mr. roads had provided. He had also outlined another issue that was there's where this property is right now. The curb lane is a right turn only lane at the moment. So if somebody is coming out of that complex, they're going into a lane that is designated to go uh and turn right on Shaftbury. So in addition to whatever measures the region is putting in place such as the boulevard that you talked about, has there been any discussion in regards to how they plan on uh managing that situation? Because that is like are they planning on making any alterations to that um whole section there? Because right now if somebody comes out of that property their option is you're going only one and that is to go north on Shaftsbury >> through the chair through the chair to councelor Thompson. Uh as commissioner Glennis mentioned uh following today's council meeting should the uh recommendations be approved we'll go through the site plan process and review all of these items specifically. Further to my last comment on the region's website, they are looking to uh rehabilitate Elgen Mills from Baths to Young Street, which generally covers this section, and they say that construction is anticipated for 2027. Again, according to the region's website, these are all the things that would be taken into consideration when ensuring the rightin, right outs, the extension of the islands, and to the extent that there's an existing right turn lane, how that all gets incorporated to ensure uh public safety uh and the safety of uh all road users, vehicles, people uh and the like. >> Okay. Um thank you through the chair. I do appreciate the answer, but it it doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about making a decision because I just don't know what's going to happen. So, I I'm going to leave that as a comment at this point because I certainly would rather know exactly how that's going to play out before making a decision. But those are that's my comment. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Councelor Thompson. Next speaker, Councelor Davidson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have one quick question. Where's the snow storage on this on this development? Because I can tell you in my neighborhood when there was over a 100 centimeters of snow this year, um condo complexes just pushed it on to Richmond Hill Roads and regional roads. So where's the snow? Where's the snow going to be scored >> through you, Mr. Chairman? We're just getting that information >> through the chair to councelor Davidson. It's actually along the front of the property. Uh there's a designated snow storage area. If you take a look at the site plan on the appendices, it actually is labeled snow storage area. >> Right. I saw it's actually it's pretty scant considering and I I mean does the city have any way to prevent condo complexes from moving the snow into public areas which I saw over and over and over this last winter. Is there any way to either find people for doing that for not having enough space or somehow stopping it becoming everyone else's problem? >> Uh through you Mr. Chair to Councelor Davidson. Uh the city does have a highway obstruction bylaw that uh it is an offense to move snow onto a public highway. Uh what residents need to do is report that right away right away so that we can get a bylaw officer on site to address it. >> Thank you. Um and through you Mr. Chair. And what about sidewalks? Because sidewalks were covered by uh cons by condo snow this year as well. >> Through you Mr. Chair? Yes. Um public sidewalk. So there's a distinction between a sidewalk in a condominium which is common element. >> Right. I mean the public like on a public road >> on a public road that's considered part of the highway and it is it's an offense to move snow onto it as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor Davidson. Next speaker deputy mayor Chen. >> Thank you Mr. Chair and thank you u the staff for the comprehensive report and the two delegates. And I appreciate that uh uh this staff are recommending for uh approval if I read it correctly. Um but I I I like the speaker before me or um particular council Thompson. There's a couple things I want to have more information before um so that I can make an informed decision. Yeah. A um if I may u refer to reports specifically and some of the things that highlighted uh by the um both data gazes on the access in all the sites. Uh however, I don't hear anything about parking per se. Um but in the report itself it appears to me um that there will no matter how you crow it there will be very tight maneuvering around the parking. Uh the reason I said that I'm not just saying it um is talking about using angles uh for additional maneu uh maneuvering uh room and so on. So through Mr. Chair perhaps is a uh a question direct to our staff. I know that um our director of um development engineering is here. Help me understand I mean at the end would it be fair to say it's a tight configuration but manageable maybe that's the term through Mr. Chair through you Mr. Chair to uh deputy mayor. Yeah, some of the spaces I believe are a little tight, but they are manageable. They still do meet uh minimum requirements. >> Okay. Um yeah, so but that's how I read the report. But that's why I bit surprised uh um there was not mentioned uh by dedicate or at least one maybe not two of the dedicates. Um and and moving on to I believe page 11 and then is talking about um that's why you need a reciprocal access easement. Um if my am I understood that that particular access easement is to help to give you more room for the not parking in this case the access to Mr. share. That's on page 11 of the report uh through you Mr. Chair to deputy mayor. don't have the information readily available but I believe uh director uh Janetta does pass it over to her >> uh through the chair uh councelor Chen the reciprocal easements are actually to the east and west of the property which will facilitate uh future uh developments should they wish to take on the same form it would allow for access to go across um all of the properties so it's quite common in these infill developments that we get um access future accesses ments in favor of the abuing properties so that when the de uh those properties develop in the same form they'll be able to actually be interconnected. >> Thank you for the answer. So I infer from that is independent kind of from this application on this particular site is for future um development on other side of this site. >> Correct. We we secure them on this site so that uh we have them for future development. >> Right. Um sorry I'm turning uh to page 10 back one page for you Mr. chair I I read somewhere here is that on page 10 I think it's the middle of the page this proposed subdivision is technical in nature I gather everything is technical in nature but then it has another wording I I need some help and clarify limited conditions of draft approval how should I interpret it what does that really mean through Mr. chair >> uh through the chair to council Chen. So, a typical draft plan of subdivision creates multiple uh lots, a public road. A technical plan of subdivision is usually used in this instance where we want to create one development block. It's for typical uh common element uh townhouse developments like this that'll allow for part lock control later on for the individual lots. It also allows for the creation of the uh private road. So you're whereas a you know a typical subdivision would have um very um lengthy conditions of approval that address all public roads, all the public services, um all the lots uh that would go in a typical subdivision. This one is a lot lot more limited because it creates one development block that will be uh subdivided in the future by the condominium. >> Thank you. So um I just want by saying that certainly medium density like town hall's uh development is certainly welcome in particular we we still having a crisising uh affordability and crisis as someone would say it so it's certainly welcome um then um but I I I I honestly feel there are certain challenges in terms of parking are highlighted uh and I hope when it get to uh with the majority of council members In the end, next week we get this approved. I hope the applicant will work uh very closely with our staff to minimize or mitigate anything that either um to extend the parking uh uh um what's the term I I just said uh tight configuration. Uh how to really get more meaningful room if it's at all possible. I'm also glad to hear both the garbage pickup and also the snow removal issue have been touched on. Um so um wish moving forward uh and but all those mitigation measure would be in place. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair and thank you for the answers. >> Thank you Dr. May Chen. Any other question or comments on this item? Seeing none so let's vote on it. All those in favor oppose unanimously. Thank you. >> U Mr. Chair if I may. Um, would it be possible to uh I know that the next item is the resilient Richmond Hill report, but I do have another obligation later today that I cannot avoid and I wondered if it would be possible to move the event strategy first. So, I've got some comments that I need to make on that before I go. >> No problem. Uh, is it okay? >> Is it necessary to move a motion like this? Okay. >> To the uh to the events or sorry, to the um resilient Richmond Hill staff, I I owe you a coffee. So now we talk about the uh event strategy 11.2, right? Okay. So uh you want to move it may >> Oh yeah. Oh okay. Uh councelor Davidson, you want to speak? Yeah. >> Yeah. Just quick question. Um so I appreciate the event strategy. I'm excited to see we're going to have some new things. Um but I am a little concerned about the timeline on some things. I don't know why it would take Can you tell me why it would take four years to have for example a Halloween event in Lake Wilcox considering I guess we're getting rid of about seven counselor events a year which I would think would free up staff to hopefully do new things faster. >> Uh three Mr. Chair uh to Councelor Davidson. So uh we have proposed a a a phase in over the 4-year period of a number of new events that we will be building from the ground up. So uh the on page let's see page five of the report uh there's a list of enhancements to city events that uh we will be taking and we intend to uh invest most of our resources most of our staff resources in doing that next year in 2027 enhancing the existing events and making uh improvements to those uh and then planning for the new events um in the year before they're coming up. So, uh, it's a good comment. We can take it back and see if we can move things forward. Um, but we we're we're, uh, this is the proposal with the resources that we have in place at the time. Uh, I would also note that, uh, some of these events are going to require budget, so we're phasing in the budget uh, requests as we go as well, but um, we can take that away for sure. >> Thank you. And, Mr. Chair, I really like the idea that we're doing smaller things all over the place, too. Like a couple of big things. I think the music festival is a great idea. I think it's going to be huge success and I feel like Richmond Hill already is has a lot of music events. So, I I appreciate that. Yeah. My my my comments will be I'm excited about it. I just I would hope that we could could move these along and and the the gala too that I guess would be a fundraiser. I don't know. I think about people can get maybe I'm naive but people can get a wedding together in two years or less if they have to. So, uh let's start off small maybe. But yeah, I would love to see us move some of the timelines up. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Davidson. Next speaker, councelor Silus. >> Oh, councelor May West. Oh, sorry. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mayor West. >> Um, ju just to be clear, I don't envision anybody getting married at that gallow, but I guess we could tack that on if they would like. >> Um, okay. I first of all, I just want to thank staff for all the work on this and thank council for uh their cooperation in in freeing up the resources by um taking uh allowing the our council events to um to be folded into this event strategy. I I really think it's a step forward. I think I've been saying all along that I think as much as as uh we we do really enjoy our council at events and and I think we should all be proud of the events that we put on, but I think that at the end of the day um freeing up this will give staff much more resources to do things that will give our our um our residents more bang for their buck and and really have some better quality events and more of them. And I think this is the whole um the whole thing that I find exciting about this change because I think at the end of the day, people do really enjoy the events that we put on and I I think that it would enhance our community to have more opportunities to get together and with the >> the uh coming of of Dave Barrow Square and the underutilization of some of the parks that we already have, I think there's an opportunity for us to to leverage those spaces and make them come more alive. I mean, Day Barrow Square, the way I look at it, is really just a stage. It's what we put on the stage that's going to be the value to the community. But, um, so I have the same concern that councelor Davidson has, and I I I know this you're asking for comments. So, here are the comments. Uh, I want it and I want it now. So, um, what I would say is, and I say that tongue and cheek because I realize that there's resources a available, but I think that the faster that we can get some of these new events going, the better. And I and I I fully understand and fully recognize and will fully defend the fact that we can't all have it all now because it would there's logistical issues, there's resource issues, and there's cost issues involved. So, I know that we have to phase some things, but the the fundraising event, I'd like to get that going because the point of that, and we haven't really worked out all the details of this, but the point of the fundraising event is to offer something that we're not offering now. And it will be an event that will raise funds for different things. And I'm I am personally thinking that it would be nice to have some of those funds put aside to do something a bit bigger. uh and and that money could be saved, you know, to put aside every year that we have the fundraising event so that by the end of a four-year period, we can use the collective amount of money to put towards something that's a bit larger. So, I'd like to see that happen quickly. The music event and the Halloween event, like those are just people are chomping at the bit to have th those types of things. Uh the music event in particular, um you know, we've got the Center for the Performing Arts. We're going to have Day Barrel Square momentarily. We've got the whole village core that could and and you know, there's music festivals that are happening in other municipalities that are the same size as us that are bringing people out and are hugely enjoyed. And with the the multicultural nature of our community, we would have an opportunity to bring be brought together uh by so many different music. You know, I was at the a Taiwan event the other day and I'm tapping my toes listening to this these traditional instruments at this event and I'm thinking, why do I love this song so much? And it's like it's Hotel California, but it's but it's like, you know, done in a really orchestral and traditional way. And I mean, that's just one example. But there's so many things that we could be excited about with the music festival. So, I would like that to be sooner. And the Halloween event, I can't imagine a better location than than up in Oakidges for that. And I just I mean even if we started off maybe a little bit smaller on some of those events and grew, I'd rather be more aggressive on the plan and if we have to pull back a little bit, I'd rather do that. Um okay. And then the final thing just in the minute I have left, uh the one thing that I do think we could keep where it is, in fact it could even be moved to 2030 is the winter event. Uh I've spoken to the folks at the Winter Carnival and and they seem to be good with this. um there. I haven't read it over in in detail yet, but the point is it'll give us some time to determine um if there's an opportunity to partner with the Winter Carnival and then maybe ultimately move it to Day Barrel Square. But I think that's a decision that I'd like to see uh be driven by the community given that the Winter Carnival has always been a community event. And I think there's huge opportunities here and I will be I'm delighted to explore some of those possibilities with the committee. But I know that there's also enhancements to this. So in the meantime, there's there's more resources available to help community events be to be supported and also help community events to get started. So I'm I'm really excited about it. I'm really really glad that Thank you, Mr. Chair, for moving this up because I did not want to miss the opportunity um to uh to make my comments uh known on that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor West. Uh next speaker, Councelor Sullivans. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I just want to echo uh what um my two colleagues have already said. My thanks to staff. You have done a a yman's job, yman's work job here uh in getting bringing this together. And I really want to thank you with consulting with us and um and speaking to each of us um and getting our thoughts in in into this what is before us now because it's obvious we were listened to and we were heard and I want to thank you very much for that. I look forward to see what u what comes up in the next term. Um I'm available if anybody wants to speak about the music festival right here. Anybody? And um I I agree with Mayor uh I agree with Mayor West. If if we can bring it forward maybe to summer of 28 if it's possible. Um otherwise, you know, if it's summer of 29, it is. But um I think that um if it's if we can bring it forward, it's an incredible economic driver for the city. Um especially for the village core and all the restaurants and shops along along Young Street above and below the village core. So, a very that is something that's very very important uh to us and the BIA and um uh the fundraising event as well. I I I'm really looking forward to that. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. And um just one question through you uh Mr. Chair to our commissioner. I'm I'm not sure if I missed it in in the report or not, but this is one of one event per term. It's not one event per year. Is that correct? this the gala the fundraising gala. >> Oh interesting through you, Mr. Chair. Uh the gala is intended to be an annual event. That's how we're envisioning it. Yes. Um and while I have the chance, I I just want to say that I think um uh this this strategy and the new plan, I think it is truly transformational for our events. Uh so uh as as staff appreciate the comments that we're hearing for from council as well because uh we think there is opportunity to do something great here and we will do what we can to move forward the events as much as possible. >> Thanks commissioner. I appreciate that. Um I've been to so many of the music festivals um in to in our surrounding um municipalities and they are absolutely fantastic. Um Aurora, Markhamm, uh Stovville, uh Vaughn, they are absolutely wonderful. So, I really look forward to us incorporating that uh within the city. It it's it's going to be terrific. It really is. Um and um so that's all. I just wanted to give my thanks again. Um um it's been a pleasure working with staff on this. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Sus. Uh next speaker, Councelor Thompson. >> Uh thank you very much. Uh through the through the chair. Uh overall, I support the direction of the strategy. I appreciate the work staff have put into developing it and I agree that events play an important role in building community connection and civic pride. However, there is one aspect of the report that I'm struggling with and I think you've all heard my uh morning announcement about Eco Fest over the weekend and you know, we've already heard from staff in regards to uh you know, a resilient Richmond Hill program. Um, what strikes me is that the report repeatedly emphasizes sustainability as a strategic objective. Yet, when you get to the actual list of proposed new events, there is no event that is specifically focused on environmental sustainability, climate action, clean technology, active transportation, energy efficiency, or environmental education. In fact, the report specifically states that the city will continue pursuing opportunities to enhance environmental sustainability, including expanding waste diversion initiatives, increasing environmental education and vendor participation, supporting low emission transportation and technologies, and exploring more sustainable event operations and food uh options. And when I read that language, I really expected to see at least one proposed event that directly reflects those objectives. I want to be clear, I'm not criticizing any of those proposed events. They are definitely worthwhile additions to the city's event portfolio. What I'm questioning is the apparent disconnect between the priorities outlined in the uh in the strategy and the actual event concepts being proposed. I find this particularly difficult to understand because Richmond Hill already has a proven event framework that aligns directly with these objectives. Like I said, it's been growing over the last three years. The framework's right there. So over those past three years, Eco Family Fest has focused on environmental sustainability, climate awareness, clean technology, active transportation, energy efficiency, sustainable food options, and environmental education. It has brought together community organizations, businesses, residents, and industry partners around precisely the themes this report identifies as priorities. Council made a decision earlier this term to move away from councilled events in order to free up staff capacity and strengthen city-led events. And I have come to understand and accept that decision. However, if that was the rationale, I would have expected the city to look carefully at whether there were successful existing event concepts that aligned with the objectives of this strategy and could build upon as part of the city's future event portfolio. So before we embark on four years of new event development, we should first examine whether there is already a proven event concept that aligns with the objectives identified in the strategy. So my purpose today is not to propose a specific amendment or direction just yet. Rather, I would like to better understand staff's thinking. My questions are as follows. Was the possibility of incorporating an environmental sustainability focused city event considered during development of the strategy? If so, what led staff to conclude that it should not form part of the proposed event portfolio? And if not, would staff be open to further discussion with members of council over the coming week regarding ways to uh in ways that an environmental sustainability focused event could be incorporated into the strategy before final approval. Those are my questions. Thank you >> Mr. Chair to uh councelor Thompson. So uh we we have given this a great deal of consideration actually and and by this I mean a a consideration for a city event that has an environmental theme. Um so one of the things we need to think about is or that we've given a lot of thought to is how are we defining a city what is a city event and uh we we we kind of went full circle on this because we acknowledged that there are city events that if you go to appendix A in the event strategy there are more events that are run by the city than just the ones that we are now considering city events. Um and there's a definition of where we landed in terms of what it is is a city event. So one of the things that uh is not considered a city event for this portfolio is something that's program related. So um an event that is is being uh held by a uh a a a different uh division or department in the city because it's related to a program that we run. So examples like the healthy yards event um fire prevention openhouse and week there's all kinds seniors events those kinds of things run by a designated department. So in terms of an environmental event uh we have talked to our colleagues in sustainability and in environmental section and they have been running a smaller event for the last uh two years that's focused on sustainability and I think that I'm I'm I'm maybe uh not speaking out of line when I say they are excited about expanding that event and continuing to run it in future years as an environmentally focused event. So that would happen uh even though it's not considered part of the city's events portfolio which is a portfolio of events that are run exclusively for the purpose of being cultural events and events for events purpose not events for the purpose of advancing a program or uh a city agenda. If that answers your question >> uh through the chair uh it does answer the question. It's not exactly making me feel warm and fuzzy but um uh particularly when the type of effort that has gone into this and not just with me but also with our community partners uh climate action Richmond Hill uh to bring an event to where it is today. And it just seems to me that when you have such a framework that has proven that it's working, it's just grown year over year from year one to where it is today. And I really hate to to think that we're going to lose that momentum. Uh to me, this sounds that we're actually taking a bit of a step backwards. You know, I I'm sorry for saying it that way, but but uh again, those are my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Thompson. Uh, next speaker, Deputy May Chen. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, thank you the uh staff for putting it together. uh I I'm sure as the commissioner still saying that uh gather hours of thoughts and so on to put into a 31 pages strategy um appendix uh in addition to few pages on the report and and and and and I have to uh compliment first is that um why events matter that was stated uh right on introduction page six the strategic plan of Richmond Hill is to build a vibrant and inclusive city of neighbors. And when I scan around the U events on page six and seven, no doubt it would help people to connect. It will both help people to have share pride. Um but I I have to be honest. I I I don't see the other highlights. maybe kind of embedded um the inclusion in that sense. Of course, everyone is welcome to attend all citywide events. No doubt about it. And um in particular uh I like uh Mayor West already said uh moving forward something uh quicker to the extent possible. I do understand the operational complexities logistics. I think any one of us who have uh done events uh um council lead so to speak understand that and I think that would maybe that's opportunity fundraising dollar would be the opportunity to really uh share not just pride but potentially money raise funds that go to uh support other arts and culture. I recall the late mayor Barl have when the theater was first before it uh uh come into reality have the mayor's endowment uh fund on us and culture. So things of that nature but in addition us and culture it could be other things to support um the uh principle of promoting uh more inclusive more diverse kind of things. So there opportunity to build into it. Um one of the things that um I pro have mentioned I hope that maybe can consider after we're looking at four years span not this term next term um is the concept of actually brought in by former uh deputy mayor VTO Spyora I think I mentioned with staff the taste of the hill I mean it could be something else I mean it's not the same as with the same as other things but is really an opportunity to really um uh uh uh uh provide it to the different kind of diverse range of tastes uh I mean in terms of crusine whatever uh I know it's not easy as I'm just saying but it's something to think about uh we after all we have four year period and um and I appreciate um the staff on on on on putting all this and I total concur that Dave Barl sque should uh should be the place where for the committee gathering um uh um for all kinds of things. So, uh, win the carnival moving there is a is a potential idea. Um, and I like this uh music festival and because used to be we have the heritage uh uh uh festival on Young Street between Major Mack and Crosby and and I like I'm sure my colleague Council Darrison would like that Halloween event and more event to be Lake Wilcox Park and um I I think those are good ones and I'm wondering um and in some way I I do see as I I mentioned mentioned earlier uh some of the event may be already and shine the principle of um um for the multicultural kind of groups to participate in music festivals one um I'm also thinking whether in fact at some point in time I really honestly missed the Santa Claus parade and I'm not speaking as a council member as a resident of Richmond over 30 odd years um so to the extent that you're asking for comment so I share you a comment as a resident of Richmond Hill to the extent possible. Uh whether it's on Young Street, whether it's in a in uh uh in a somewhere parking lot. Um but think about it and and and and I a bit surprised there was one event planned in here in the whole year of 2027. Um, and I wonder maybe we're speeding up the fundraising gala as both the mayor and I would kind of saying hopefully that we might have it a bit more event on 2027 so uh we really have a good um beginning of this new term uh whoever is on council then. Thank you very much uh Mr. Chair and uh thank you for hearing my comments and hopefully it's all recorded. >> Thank you Dr. Mitch. Um any other comments? So, it's my turn. Uh, thanks for the great work putting together the report and putting forward a range of events with different themes and formats. Much appreciated. Sounds exciting. Uh, just a quick questions about the council fundraising gala at DDO park in 2029. I'm just curious for any details for this on how that works. For example, is it mean to be a requirement or mandate for members of council to raise fund in support of arts and council initiative? >> Uh through you Mr. Chair uh to yourself. Uh no uh it's it's uh specifically being coordinated and organized and planned by city staff. Um certainly we're hopeful that council members would be there. Um it's it's meant to be a city fundraising event basically. >> It's a city fundraising but not a council fundraising event, >> right? >> Okay. Because the name is a council fundraising. So I'm just alert about this how the funds raising for the art and cultural initiative. So I just a question >> through you. Excellent point. Maybe uh we need a new name for sure. >> Thank you so much. Yes, it's confused. Okay. Uh if this staff report and staff recommendations approved, will all these proposed events proceed without further council discussion for each one in future years? Is it approved? >> Sorry, could you repeat that? >> Yeah. If this staff report and staff recommendation is approved, will all this proposed event proceed without further council discussion in the coming years? >> Uh three through you, Mr. Chair. Uh no. So, uh, most of them would require some element of an operating budget and so council will be pro, uh, will be presenting them to council in the operating budget for approval, uh, with the with the, uh, all of the event funding that we need. >> Okay. So, uh, just the last comment and I have a suggestion because 2028 is a Olympics years. So maybe the city can uh think about to um make one more event on Olympics in our city because sports bring people together and the city will think about this just a comment and a suggestion for the city and maybe we can break against this record on some items. Maybe this is just a comment and suggestion for the city and this is definitely polish our image. I think that's all my comments. Uh so there's no comm uh yes councelor follow round one. >> Um thank you very much. Um I'm just heard um um what the commissioner said. So um I just have a question. So you mentioned about we kind of need some operating budget. So that means that's taxpayer money through through you Mr. Chair. >> Through you Mr. Chair. So the idea is we need we need to have a budget there so that we're secure in moving forward with a council approval to run an event. But we do we do also do sponsorship and fundraising and our hope is that we would cover most of the event costs through that. The city events are very low cost overall. So we're very hopeful that we can cover most of the costs eventually through through um fundraising. >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Council Ailio. uh those uh for round two, right? Okay. So, now we move to round two. Uh we have a councelor Thompson for round two. >> Uh thank you very much. um through the chair. I I think I better elaborate why I'm not feeling a little warm and fuzzy about the response that I heard earlier. And that is that I can't help but feel that because there's a policy about, you know, how programs should run that it pre it should prevent us from looking at what the community is telling us. There is an actual need out there. The reason that Eco Family Fest has been so successful is because people are telling us this is something that they want. So I I really it almost makes me feel that, you know, we shouldn't let policy dictate what's doing right here. And I I hope that my colleagues will uh agree with me that you know when okay let me let me put why I I'm having difficulty with this because the report uses this as one of the priorities throughout the report. This isn't just uh idle here and there. you actually specifically state that in the report that this is what you want to have yet that's not what you're providing. So that's that's my confusion here. I really I really don't understand why that's the case. I mean, you know, we could go with what uh the the chair Shu was saying about sports as an example, but we don't see that referenced as a priority here in the report, but we do about environmental. So, I'm not sure why we don't have this on our list. So, I hope that I'm going to get some uh support through my colleagues because before this comes to council next week, I think I'm going to be looking for an amendment. So, uh, those are my comments. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Thompson. Speaker May West. >> Uh, thank you very much. Um, so just a couple of random things be of to respond to what I've heard. The fundraising event I think is really important because I think it, you know, each of our uh events that we have right now, a lot of them do provide some fundraising. Uh, those will not happen anymore. So there will be a hole and I think that there is an opportunity for us to be able to do some fundraising both for as I mentioned earlier for something a bit larger that we might have to save up for a few years without it costing the taxpayer anything and also uh individual uh charities that are a priority for council. We could uh somehow figure that out. That's to be discussed later, but I just I wanted to mention that um the Santa Claus parade. Uh I agree. I I kind of miss the Santa Claus parade, too. and and you know I I think it's mostly my own uh ego about that because I it's kind of cool riding in the car waving to people and all that stuff. Um however uh I'm I don't mind giving that up because I think that there are possibilities. U the Mary marketplace is a good idea and I think it's been very successful but I think the missing element to that is the visibility of the event and Mary marketplace moved to day barrel square. Now all of a sudden it's right there where lots and lots and lots of people are going to see it. And to be honest, there could still be a parade of sorts built into the the other part of that larger event. And I think that and it won't be like all the way down Young Street, but it'll be uh an event that that has potential. And all of these details have to be worked out. We're not talking about that in this staff report. Um, the second thing I wanted to mention too is that yes, I'm glad Commissioner Steel mentioned that. Yes, there's a cost to having these events. Like there's a cost to almost anything that we do in in the corporation. We're there to deliver services to the residents. But but I think that by doing this the ability for us to do sponsorship for a set of events uh opens up the possibility to do things that we are were not able to do with individual events because we would all do our individual fundraising but now the city can do the fundraising at on a a larger scale to support these events. There still will likely be a cost. I mean, there's a cost to put on our own councilled events because we're still using council uh sorry, staff time to put on the event, but I think in the end, this is a more efficient model of putting the events together. And finally, um I I mean, I hear what councelor Thompson is saying, and listen, I'm I really think I mean, first of all, your event uh was great. Uh it has been great for the last few years. Um and and I've always when I was a counselor, I put on an enviral fest a couple of times, too. not to the scale that you've done, but um but I think it does show what's possible. But what I I am convinced because I've talked to staff in advance of this meeting is that um the the sustainability section there's lots of room to grow in the events that you're doing and I would I would encourage us and in fact I would expect that that will happen. But the other thing about it is that um so we'd have a a few events that the sustainability section would put on, but we would also have at each event we would have environmental booths, environmental focus, environmental everything all the time. And I would be proud of that. We're Richmond Hill. We do a good job on our environment and we're out there educating. We're out there telling people what we can do. So, instead of delivering it in one big um and and very well done event like what councelor Thompson is doing, we're going to take that benefit and we're going to spread it out and we're going to still have environmentally focused events, which we do now even uh and make them bigger, but we're also going to have um at every event, I would hope that we would have uh environment uh environmental focuses in different parts of the event. And and just while I'm on that subject, and also the ability for community notforprofits to also have spaces in our events at either very low cost or zero. And again, it's all about delivering all these things efficiently. And then the last thing I just wanted to say is that like the Olympics, that's a good point, but we respond to those things all the time. I mean, we're doing the FIFA thing, which, you know, due to a motion that councelor Leu made, and that this event strategy does not preclude the possibility of doing kind of oneoff things. I mean, again, if the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup in the next four years, Councelor Thompson, which you know, I mean, him and I talk about this quite often, uh, we would certainly host an event. Now I don't think that's particularly likely to happen but if case it does we will be there. So um anyway I think just to say that that this is the framework of the larger things we're doing but it's not everything we're going to be doing and I think that's the point of the strategy and that's the value of the strategy uh to the to our residents. >> Thank you Mayor West. Any other comment or question on second round? Councelor Sus, >> just a a personal point of order to uh Mayor West's um statement. It's not if, it's when. When when the Maple Leafs win the Standing Cup in the next four years. Thank you. I just wanted the record to show that. >> That's just the best wishes. Okay. Uh any other comments? I seeing none. So, let's vote on it. All those in favor? Oppose. Scaranously. Thank you. So now we get back to the item 11.5 uh which is um yes uh resilient Richmond Hill program progress report. So I need a motion to move it forward uh regional local counselor. I'm happy to move the the receipt of the report and and that's uh >> receive >> well just to clarify is received the staff recommendation right >> the the receive the report and the recommendations B and C I'm sorry I have no uh no objection with that and I I u I I do support these recommendations and basically on page 13 the financial implications are is is very simple as it's stated. There are no direct financial implications resulting from this staff report and it's very good information and it's helpful for us to see the plan that's that's been laid out here. I think it's admirable that we're pursuing uh you know subsequent to our strategic plan um manage managing sustainable growth transportation complete communities municipal infrastructure sustainable design our natural heritage environmental stewardship community participation indigenous engagement um the these are all vital things I I I love what we're doing with our tree canopy in Richmond Hill. I I love the the P preserving our our paths and walkways and the cooperation with the TRCA and and u what we're doing in our natural spaces and it u all all these things are so important. The only the only thing um my concern I have with the report in general is this continue um reference to net zero emissions by 2050 to um to long-term sustainability and progress toward net zero GHG emissions. I and um without without a more extensive look at is that is that truly what we want to do and I because I don't even understand what net zero means. Uh because in Canada we we emit 32 billion u sorry the the amount of greenhouse gases that we emit would require 32 billion trees to absorb those greenhouse gases. Now we have 320 billion trees. We have 10 times the number of trees that we need. We we not only absorb our greenhouse gas emissions but the trees in Canada absorb uh the United States greenhouse gas emissions which are 10 times higher than ours and and the entire Canada and the US is a net zero impact on on the overall global atmosphere and it is a net zero in North America uh right right now. So I I I just I don't understand that that the overall goal here is just reduce greenhouse gases. That that's all I that's that that seems to be the goal. And I don't understand or we could and there's no mention of planting more trees because that's achieves the same result. But there it does acknowledge that there's changes going on in the world right now. There's global changes. Global climate progress has slowed. There's setbacks. international cooperation, reduce climate financing, there's the United States pulled out of the Paris Accord. All of these initiatives are wonderful if the entire world agrees. If if every country says we're going to do our part, every city and town right across the world all says we're going to do our part. We're all going to work together and we're going to make a better global atmosphere. But when country that's 10 times our population says we have no interest in in meeting uh climate targets. We have no interest whatsoever. They're 10 times our population of our country. Never mind Richmond Hill. U all of all of our initiatives are great when it comes to a cleaner, greener environment. And and I'll I'll be the first one to fight for the environment, fight for our natural heritage in Richmond Hill. But when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we're at 400. There's no scientific argument. We're we're at 426 parts per million when it comes to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It it's it's a global number. It's it doesn't change depending on where you are. Pollution affects the world equally because the atmosphere is is the is the same right across the world. You know, pollution affects the immediate atmosphere, but the overall atmosphere, what are we talking about there? If there was a chart that said at 500 parts per million, it's going to cost us x amount of dollars because of increased rainfall. The only the only numbers they see is the TRCA says by 2080 and 55 years from now, we're going to have up to up to 8 to 10% more rain to deal with. We can tackle that. that that's that's that's not something I'm concerned about. That's not something as we go into the into the next term of council and and Canada's facing serious financial crisis, where are we going to cut? Where are we going to look back? Right now, there's no budgetary implications to this report. But as we discuss the next budget, I I think we have to take into account how much effort, money, taxpayer dollars is going into reducing greenhouse emissions in Richmond Hill versus uh other ways in which we can spend those property tax dollars. Thank you. >> Uh thank you, original local counselor Paula. So next speaker, councelor Davidson. >> Thank you to you, Mr. Chair. Um I'm not I I think we could all discuss climate science for a long time, but um I just want to say to staff um my opinion is that even in the last 20 years, we've heard, oh, if we do this, this, and this, we'll try not to raise the temperature worldwide by by uh a degree, and now we've surpassed that, which tells me our best guesses aren't even necessarily accurate. So to me, it doesn't matter what anybody else is doing. The city I live in, I want to see as many trees as possible. I want to see every chance we have to reduce climate change because it's real. It's not just rain. It's people who are dying of heat in Europe and in the US. It's people who can't afford um to air condition their house because it's so hot that many more days. I I feel like this is a huge problem, but it's on us to chip away at it, even if it's just a little bit. And that's our responsibility to represent the people of Richmond Hill. That's what they want. It's not a huge expense uh as we've already mentioned. And to not do so isn't nothing. It's not neutral. It's negligent. We have to do our part. And the fact that we can't see it in 2026 is okay with me because we have a feeling this is the right direction. And you know, other nations are turning away from um vaccines. Well, that would be cheaper in the health care system, too. But it's not the right thing to do. So, we stick to the things that we think will help the bigger picture. It's not always just about home. It's about what can we do to make the world a better place. And I think we all agree that climate change is a problem and whatever we can do, even if it's small, it's our responsibility. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Davidson. Any other comments? Seeing none, so let's vote on it. All those in favor? Oppose? Unanimously. Thank you. So, we're moving forward. We have the two items left. Uh 11.1, we'll go to the 11.1 26 uh community and culture grant program by council >> David. Are we doing 1.1 11.1? Sorry. >> Yeah. >> So, we have two items left. Do you want to take a lunch break first or just keep >> I'm going to be quick. Real quick. >> Oh. Oh no, sorry. No, thank you. I think Mr. Chair, I think two counselors are inquiring what they must do having declared a pecunary interest in this matter. Uh while they certainly uh the legislation is clear, they can just not comment or vote on the matter. So yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. Um am I I can receive the report. I support the report. I just have one quick question through you, Mr. Chair of Staff. I could not find any connection between Victory Chess Club and Richmond Hill. It's located in Atobbico. I tried to see if they had a Facebook page that was Richmond Hill. Why are we giving money to a club that I I can only find is located in Itbico. >> Uh through you, Mr. chair, we will need to look into that. We don't have that information right on hand right now. >> Okay. So, we could talk about it next next week. Okay. Great. Thank you. That's it. >> Okay. Thank you, Councelor Davidson. So, now we move to the last item. Uh 11. >> I'm sorry. >> Just want to come back. >> That's why come back. >> Oh, yes. >> We have to call the vote. >> We have to call the vote. Sorry about I miss it. Um yes, let's vote on it. >> All in favor? Oppose. Very namy. Thank you so much. Okay. So now uh move to the last item 11.3 fireworks. So let's wait for uh councelor Bumson and tree come back to the chambers. Right. >> We have >> we have corum but we have to wait then because it's there's no real interest for this item. >> We have >> Oh we have corum. Okay. Okay. If you are okay with this so so now we're moving forward to this item 11.3. pulled out by councelor Davix as well. >> Thank you. Um and I I will move the re I will move to receive this report, but I do have a couple of questions through you, Mr. Chair. Um to staff, can you please tell me I mean it seems overwhelmingly those consulted are in support of fireworks, keeping fireworks. I I see there's some new enforcement tools, but enforcement is always an issue. Is there anything new here that we can do to stop fireworks? um to to stop them where they don't belong and where we're not going to authorize them. >> Uh whether you're receiving or moving the recommendations. >> Oh, I'll move the recommendation. >> Yeah, >> sorry about that. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Uh so through you, Mr. Chair, to answer the question. So the the the main new enforcement tool that we're proposing in relation to fireworks is the use of the administrative monetary penalty system. Um it is very effective um uh for offensives that are related to private property. So, um, in those cases where we get complaints about people who are lighting off fireworks from their private property, um, when, uh, without a permit or, uh, not on one of those exempt holidays, then it will very much improve our enforcement for those. Um, it will also assist certainly with the main offenses that we hear, which are basically people on the holidays, uh, which are exempted, but taking their fireworks to public places and lighting them off without a permit. That's by far the most common uh offense that we hear about. Um and it will give enforcement officers the ability a better ability to enforce those. Although um it will it it is a difficult thing to enforce. Obviously we can't be in every park in every schoolyard uh all the time. Uh but it will be uh improved. >> Thank you. And three, Mr. Chair. I do think a huge part of this is education because people just think if if they're selling it on the street corner then I can I can set off fireworks. Can you just explain how we might better do a better educating our residents to let them know you know this is not allowed is that is what's the opportunities there? >> Uh three Mr. Chair. So uh as part of every uh bylaw review and implementation of a new bylaw, we do work with our colleagues in communication to develop a communication strategy around that and we will be doing that for the new uh fireworks bylaw as well. So I don't have the details of an education program right now, but I I think we would all agree with you that education is a huge component of this bylaw in particular. >> Thank you. And and I do want to say I think I find sandwich boards really catch the eye when you guys stick them around about the blue box program or anything. So I hope we can invest in really letting people know that they can't just set them off anywhere. There was in fact a grass fire not too long ago at Lake Wilcox because I think somebody a kid set up a fire. So it they can have huge implica implications. So um yeah, I I think we'll do what we can. I think the message is clear from residents though. They do want to be able to celebrate with fireworks. So thank you. Thank you, Councelor Davidson. Next speaker, Councelor Sus. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to staff for uh for bringing this to us for comments. Um I know I've been in discussion with our commissioner for many years about fireworks and how how we can perhaps better regulate if possible. Um so I just have a few comments here. Um let me just look at my notes. I we have one major seller of a licensed seller of of fireworks in Richmond Hill and that's Victory Fireworks just around the corner at uh Sims and East Beaver Creek. And I want to thank Chief Rabburn who's here with us today. I I had um I sent him an email yesterday and I got a superb an answers from him as to how this particular uh commercial unit is regulated, licensed and um um I I want to thank fire for everything that they do here uh in order to ensure um that uh Victory is is in compliance with all of our Ontario fire code and and everything like that. So that's very very important. That being said, Victory Fireworks should be the only place in Richmond Hill to sell fireworks. As far as I'm concerned, they're licensed to do that. There should there should be no pop-ups, no sidewalk sales. I think that um in that way we can um we can not only protect the city, but we can protect everyone in the city as well. Um, nobody knows um how those fireworks being sold at pop-ups or sidewalks uh for the major holidays are being licensed. Do where do they come from? Um there are too many questions. So I'd like to see um Victory made as our uh sole soul um sale point for fireworks in Richmond Hill. um referring to something that uh that councelor Davidson was was talking about um about bylaw officers having enough of them um and uh to go to areas of concern uh when we do permit um fireworks or when we don't uh through the major holidays um in our parks and our greenways and in Ward for the Richville Greenway specifically between um between Weldrickch West and Carville. That's where I get the most complaints uh of illicit fireworks uh um h happening during the major holidays. So, um I think that if we and I'm sure that bylaw knows this and I see our director of BO is here as well. I I I I'm sure that bylaw knows where the actual trouble spots are. I've also had fires um in W 5 as well. So, um grass fires that have been set off by uh by by illicit fireworks. So, um I I believe if as long as by our bylaw department, our enforcement department knows really where these trouble spots are, we can perhaps avoid a lot of the complaints and concerns that come our way as counselors. Um during during the times of um during the times of special of uh holidays that we are allowed to uh have fireworks, um I would still prefer to see drone shows. uh for our very big holidays, uh Canada Day, Victoria Day, all of that. I I think drone shows are so much better. I know they're very expensive, uh but that's a budget concern. I understand. And um hopefully we can start to move a process uh towards that. Those drone shows are incredible. And um I think that they would be even better than fire than fireworks in my opinion. Um the one thing I just wanted to point out, I may have to go to a second round. The one thing I wanted to point out on page on page four of the report where municipal benchmarking of holiday consumer fireworks exemptions is is considered. The second paragraph um all included Victoria Day, Canada Day as the exempt holidays additionally four exempt additional days such as Dvali, New Year's Eve and Luna New Year. Um, absolutely. But I think we're missing one and that is the uh the Persian festival or event of jumping the fire. It's that I have had many um many calls to fire and to bylaw about illicit fire works going off in parking lots, especially around restaurants during this time because we no longer have the jumping the fire event at Richmond Green which we used to have, which was fantastic. So I would like to see if if we're if we're culturally adding Dvali and the Luna New Year, I believe that Persian jump the fire is very important as well. It's it is um it signifies um it signifies renewal and it comes just before uh Narus. So um I would like staff to look at that as well. And I have one more comment. I'll go to a second round. Thank you. >> Good. Uh thank you councelor. Next speaker, councelor Thompson. >> Uh, thank you very much. Um, it's through the chair. I just want to be clear on the motion before I start adding my comments and that is that the motion is just to receive the report at at this point and that uh all comments be directed back to staff. Right. So, I'm trusting that at some future point, we're going to have something come back again that may be different than what we see today. >> Uh through you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that is our process generally for bylaw reviews. We present a draft bylaw that council and the public can comment on and then we evaluate all the comments we receive through that and come back with the final at a later date. >> Okay. Thank you. So, with that said, then I have a bunch of comments. Um, I I feel it'd be beneficial if council could get an overview of the current uh fireworks discharge permit review process because, you know, like including the information required from applicants and the criteria used in evaluating those applications. I think that would be very useful for us to know right off the the get-go. Um this should include whether site inspections are conducted as part of the review process under what circumstances they are required and approximately what percentage of the discharge permit applications actually receive an on-site review. So these are this is the type of information that I think would be helpful for us in making a wholesome decision. I think it would also be worthwhile if we could get information on the number of um oh no I said that uh also getting some clarity on the relationship with the noise bylaw and whether a fireworks discharge permit also authorizes the associated noise resulting from the display or whether separate approvals or exemptions under the city's noise bylaw required. uh and if those separate approvals are required then we would need to know how those processes are also coordinated. Uh one comment that we already received is in regard to the public consultation methodology. I'm not questioning its validity, but if council did wish to obtain statistically representative polling of Richmond Hill residents before making a final decision uh on the future fireworks regulation, then having an indication of what those anticipated costs, timelines, and process requirements might be to me that's something worth considering. So, if we could get that type of information. Um, and then there was a comment about enforcement effectiveness. Um, because it appears that there are concerns around how the proposed um administrative monetary penalty system framework would actually improve enforcement outcomes compared to the current approach. So I don't know what statistics you or or what uh what you're forecasting in that particular area. Uh and it would be worth knowing whether other municipalities have implemented similar enforcement mechanisms and whether they have experienced any measurable improvements in compliance. Uh and then the other thing that crossed my mind in reading the draft bylaw was uh the reference to property owner liability. I would imagine that legal services uh has reviewed this provision, but it does make one wonder how the draft bylaw would be applied in practice, particularly in rental properties or multi-tenant properties where the property owner may not be present at the time of an alleged offense. So, these are types of things that I think would be good for us to know before we make a decision. And then finally, the provision around um wind restrictions. Uh the draft bylaw says it would prohibit the discharge of fireworks where uh wind speeds exceed 40 kilometers an hour. So I think it would be worth having the information on how how residents would be expected to to determine whether conditions exceed the prescribed threshold as well as how compliance of this provision would be assessed and enforced in practice. So uh those are my comments at at this time. I'd appreciate that you take those with you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Thompson. Any other Oh, uh Deputy May Chen. >> Uh thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Uh thank you. Uh initially there's a member's motion. Um now that we have this, uh findings and direction is seeking comments on the recommendation. I'm glad to see that. So we don't see any particular fireworks on this bench here, which is great. Uh I I have to say u staff and thank you for doing it. uh uh what you have been doing in terms of consulting and benchmarking and so on and I I'm glad to see uh five chief is here and also the additional commissioner uh uh uh director of the committee standards are here because we're dealing with education prevention and then enforcement um and for example the uh the recent uh on the victory day and I really appreciate that the city particular fire and uh services um and the emergency services have been um putting up on the social media reminding people before and after the date of Victoria Day. Um so my comment is um everything looks to me in the report is reasonable um pragmatic approach not to prohibit it. All right because um we have seen what happens in other municipalities which I'm not going to name they've been all right but as part on page five and six of report um they might be have other undesirable outcome which mean driving uh some of these activities in terms of selling um the fireworks underground and then people's not not um following the right thing. I would like to stress though I like the part in particularly that the report might not have emphasized it but I I'd like to have when they come back is that a balanced and targeted education um and I use the word targeted because I think council civil alluded to uh there are certain particular um afflocultural groups then for other celebration of a festival uh based on faith based on the culture um they might be um I hope it's not intentionally uh that would be uh having fireworks uh in celebration. So so that to me um in preventing any undesirable outcomes uh and and mitigate and lower the the risk of anything that may be more target uh education. Now I know it might have ramification for resources but nonetheless it's only so many events and probably we can identify. So I hope there's some effort um to put into that and because as stated in the report that even though our bylaw team is very efficient competent but it's but you have to really catch it at the moment and the fireworks will be by the time uh uh uh anyone comes around by officer you know it's finished um so so that's certainly a challenge and I hope that uh what's being recommended here might help in terms of the uh enforcement in particular consequence uh because uh I think in this particular case as I said uh early on uh we need to have a bylaw that will be primatic and it's something that could help uh the city to have a more balanced approach but I honestly feel that targeted education to the degree we could would help to minimize or mitigate any potential risk that might be associated with fireworks is supposed to be celebrating for something. So those are my comments and uh I'm happy to support to receive it and have all comments back to staff. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor Chen. Any other comments? So now my turn for first round. Uh thank uh thanks to the staff for putting the report together. Uh just a few quick questions about this. Uh the report mentions that the fireworks shouldn't be set off when winds exceed 40 kilometers. uh if the weather forecast show condition like that, so would the city issue a citywide notice or ban ahead of Canada Day and Victoria Day like that with the forecast? >> Uh through you, Mr. Chair. Um as as I indicated previously um when we come back with the final report and the final bylaw we will have a communication and education plan and we can deal with that uh that specifically about um but I'm not sure if uh staff have given any thought to that notification about at this point >> I I think we'll come back with with the strategy in as part of the uh implementation program for >> that's good to know. Uh so another one also for the details maybe uh if you can answer just just take that. Uh would the city consider like councelor Davidson said uh to enhancing civil education for example uh by placing a popup no fireworks signage in the parks a few days ahead of Canada Day and Victoria Day like that. Yeah through through yourself Mr. Chair. Uh we have already done that in some parks at some times and we will continue to do that. That will certainly be a component of the education strategy here. >> Okay. Because I've got some report that from the neighbors there's someone just um illegally just display the fireworks in the parks. So I'm just curious about the city's practice. So uh those all my comments on for round one. So anyone for round two? Councelor Silus. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Um just to go back to the A-frames that have that have been mentioned in our parks and greenway areas. There's no question that that will help our enforcement um uh uh management of es especially areas that are that are problematic, known to be problematic. And um I absolutely agree and really like those signs that are put up in the parks uh not only for fireworks but also for garbage. Uh they are ex they are excellent deterrence. Um, I I'm just wondering through you, um, not to put you on the spot, Commissioner, through you, Mr. Chair, um, are individuals who are found, uh, to be throwing illicit fireworks parties in public areas, are they fined? Are they only fined or are can they be arrested as well? >> Through Mr. chair. Under our current bylaw, we only it has only um provincial offenses act offenses. So, uh and and in only part three offenses, what are actually charges? We don't actually have any tickets under our bylaw currently. Uh the we're proposing that the new bylaw will have um penalty notice uh not penalty notice infractions under the administrative monetary penalties. That's that's very good because I think that will inform you know the the youth who are generally involved in these illicit fireworks parties and their parents who will not want to pay extensive fines. Um so the only other thing I wanted to come to is on page five of the report um the top two paragraphs studies show that fireworks can disrupt wildlife behavior cause stress or anxiety in domestic animals due to the sudden noise and light. However, these effects are generally temporary, reduced through mitigation and conditioning measures such as keeping pets indoors during displays. I couldn't agree with that more except that there is also stress that is seen on our domestic animals, on our dogs and our cats and our birds that are inside. They do not go outside. As the mother of many dogs and cats and birds through my life, um I have seen for myself what fireworks can do, whether they're coming from afar or close. Um the animals are terrified. I know of some people who have to give their their dogs or cats sedatives before a known fireworks um uh day is arriving to make sure that they are okay. My cats would go under my bed. My cats would go into into my walk-in closet and hide in my shoes and do anything they can to get away from whatever it was that was so sensitive to them. So, I think we have to have regard we have to have regard for that as well. And and most specifically with regards to wildlife, it most definitely disrupts um our wildlife. um they have no idea what that bang is. Uh they have no idea it's coming and of course the light in the middle of the night is very um is is very disengaging to uh to birds. Uh they will not know when to fly. They will not know where to fly and they can uh they they there are actually reports that birds can die. So, um I I would like to see that really um really looked at intensively as we move into the next step of this. And um I think that it's it's absolutely imperative for us as human beings and stewards of this uh this world and and this particular city that we protect our domestic animals as well as our wildlife. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Cus. Any other for run two? Seeing none. So let's vote on it. So all those in favor oppose car unanimously. Thank you. So moving forward with no other business with no emergency times sensitive matters. So I need a motion to adjourn. Deputy Mayor Chan. All those in favor.