Ward 6 Council Meeting - May 20

Ward 6 council on May 20 dealt with the 2026 final levy bylaw and tax rates, received an annual asset management progress report, discussed a proposed telecommunications tower at 1124 Elgin Mills Road East, approved traffic regulation changes, and passed a motion asking Parliament to proclaim February as Chinese Heritage Month in Canada.

Topics Discussed

ASSET MANAGEMENT REPORT

Council discussed the 2026 asset management progress report. Staff said the city's infrastructure replacement value rose from $12.8 billion to $13.8 billion, which David Baldesera described as "an 8% increase." He said, "Our total replacement value has grown by $1 billion since last year's 2025 asset management plan. So last year it was 12.8 billion. This year is now 13.8 billion."

Staff also reported that 85% of assets are in good or very good condition. During the discussion, staff said, "for 2026 this year around 85% of our assets are in good and very good condition. That's about the same as last year."

Council heard that the city faces a funding gap for future infrastructure work. One speaker explained, "So the shortfall simply means that we anticipate we need more money than we have. So that means we won't be able to do everything that is on the list." Councillor Anya Schmidt added, "So the first and most obvious strategy is to increase funding. If we secure more funding, then we can address more of our needs."

Mayor West said asset management requires ongoing upkeep, comparing it to owning a car: "somebody buys you a car and then the maintenance on the car is something that's ongoing after that and that's your responsibility."

PROPOSED TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER AT 1124 ELGIN MILLS ROAD EAST

Council heard a presentation and delegation on a proposed 35-metre monopole-style wireless tower at 1124 Elgin Mills Road East. The applicant said the tower would increase mid-band coverage by 71% in the area. Staff also said, "When it comes to health and safety for telecommunication infrastructure, it is regulated by ISED through safety code 6. And in our analysis, the power density from this site would not exceed 6.2% of the allowable limit."

Councillors focused on the city's limited authority over tower placement and on the tower's location near new homes. Mayor West said, "My understanding of this generally speaking is always that, you know, the city does not really regulate the placement of cell towers. I mean, we kind of do, but really at the end of the day, this is the federal government and what the city does is we look into the planning aspects of the cell tower and including design and, you know, what shrubs you plant at the bottom of the cell tower."

Councillor Davidson asked, "So, in a sense, there's no way for a municipality to stop a tower? Because it's pretty much considered essential infrastructure. Is that about right?" He also suggested looking at whether the tower could be placed farther back on the property instead of at a prominent corner location.

Deputy Mayor Chen said the nearby Don Crest school area would be affected by related parking restrictions and pickup activity, saying, "It'll be interesting to see how it's going to play out ... Where would those parents go in terms of pickup and drop off?" Council deferred the tower matter to the following week and also approved a referral to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to review the telecommunications protocol.

TRAFFIC REGULATION CHANGES

Council separately discussed Item 11.2 on traffic regulation changes after it was pulled by Councillor Thompson. Staff said parking changes on Shelly Road were proposed after complaints from nearby commercial properties that large vehicles were having difficulty turning when on-street parking was permitted. Staff recommended no parking on the north side only.

Council also discussed restrictions near Don Crest Public School, impacts on Blackmore Avenue, and new all-way stop controls, including at Liba and Forestwood. Councillor Thompson questioned the consultation process, asking, "So my question is do we have any ability to change that public consultation process uh that that we're following." Councillor Shu was more direct, saying, "I think it's nonsense if there's a public consultation, but don't take that feedback into consideration. That's that's useless."

Staff said residents would be notified about two weeks before implementation and that the changes would be monitored and adjusted if needed.

2026 FINAL LEVY BYLAW AND TAX RATES

Council adopted Item 11.1, the 2026 Final Levy Bylaw and Tax Rates, with an amended recommendation creating five installment payment dates for residential property owners using the pre-authorized debit program: August 4, September 1, October 1, November 2, and December 1, 2026.

CHINESE HERITAGE MONTH MOTION

Mayor West introduced a motion asking the federal government to recognize February as Chinese Heritage Month across Canada. He said, "I think when I think about Richmond Hill, I think about a very, um, multicultural and diverse, uh, community that we are, and and you know, we have many benefits from that. And, uh, and I think that's good. Um, and I think that this motion really is just about celebrating a group of our friends and neighbors, which is the Chinese community."

The motion passed unanimously.

Motions

• 2026 Final Levy Bylaw and Tax Rates (Item 11.1) — Passed unanimously
• Consent Agenda Items 11.1, 11.5, 11.6 — Adopted unanimously
• Asset Management Progress Report / Presentation (Item 11.3) — Received / carried unanimously
• Radio communications and broadcasting antenna system application at 1124 Elgin Mills Road East (Item 11.4) — Deferred to the following week
• Traffic Regulation Changes (Item 11.2) — Passed unanimously
• Referral to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to review the telecommunications protocol — Passed unanimously
• Motion urging Parliament to proclaim February as Chinese Heritage Month in Canada — Passed unanimously

Attendees

• Mayor West
• Deputy Mayor Chen
• Councillor Thompson
• Councillor Tree
• Councillor Davidson
• Councillor Leu
• Councillor Shu
• Councillor Leo