Subscribe
Council Highlights
Back to SearchRichmond Hill Reviews Ranked Ballot System for Future Municipal Elections
Richmond Hill Council and staff provided comments to the Province of Ontario regarding the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Discussion Paper about the use of ranked ballots in future municipal elections. The Ministry reviews the Municipal Elections Act after each municipal election to determine if changes are required. In May, the Ministry announced it would evaluate the effectiveness of rules regarding campaign financing, third-party advertising, and enforcement and accessibility of municipal elections. It’s also exploring how ranked ballots could be implemented by municipalities, which would allow voters to rank candidates in the order of preference instead of voting for a single candidate. Richmond Hill will provide all comments and suggestions to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Premier, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario and the Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario. The Province’s decision is expected later this year. For more information, contact Gloria Collier, Acting Town Clerk, at 905-747-6363.
Richmond Hill Council and staff provided comments to the Province of Ontario regarding the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s Discussion Paper about the use of ranked ballots in future municipal elections. The Ministry reviews the Municipal Elections Act after each municipal election to determine if changes are required. In May, the Ministry announced it would evaluate the effectiveness of rules regarding campaign financing, third-party advertising, and enforcement and accessibility of municipal elections. It’s also exploring how ranked ballots could be implemented by municipalities, which would allow voters to rank candidates in the order of preference instead of voting for a single candidate. Richmond Hill will provide all comments and suggestions to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Premier, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario and the Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario. The Province’s decision is expected later this year. For more information, contact Gloria Collier, Acting Town Clerk, at 905-747-6363.
Tow Truck Licensing a Success
Richmond Hill’s Tow Truck Licensing By-law (No. 54-13) creates an environment that protects the health and safety of residents, businesses and accident victims; promotes fair business practices; and creates accountability for the tow truck industry. Council approved several administrative amendments to the Tow Truck By-law, including changing the renewal period to July 1 each year, and directed staff to reassess of By-law No. 54-13 in two years. Richmond Hill continues to work closely with the towing industry and York Regional Police to enforce the By-law and has seen a dramatic drop in the complaints about excessive fees for tow truck services since its implementation in July 2014. For more information, contact John DeVries, Director, Regulatory Services, at 905-771-2548.
Richmond Hill’s Tow Truck Licensing By-law (No. 54-13) creates an environment that protects the health and safety of residents, businesses and accident victims; promotes fair business practices; and creates accountability for the tow truck industry. Council approved several administrative amendments to the Tow Truck By-law, including changing the renewal period to July 1 each year, and directed staff to reassess of By-law No. 54-13 in two years. Richmond Hill continues to work closely with the towing industry and York Regional Police to enforce the By-law and has seen a dramatic drop in the complaints about excessive fees for tow truck services since its implementation in July 2014. For more information, contact John DeVries, Director, Regulatory Services, at 905-771-2548.
Two New Community Recreation Facilities Approved to Move Forward
After careful study and consideration, Council approved a third arena ice pad (NHL-sized) and an indoor soccer (FIFA-sized) facility for the Richmond Green Sports Centre. This decision is also in-line with Richmond Hill’s 2013 Recreation Plan that outlines needs with respect to planning and delivery of recreational indoor facilities. With an ever-growing, active community, the demand for recreational sports facilities continues to increase, especially for hockey, skating and soccer. It’s even more important to consider and prepare for the future needs of the community. With registrations at local clubs on the rise and given the need for year-round training and playing options, having adequate indoor facilities is key. In support of the project, a feasibility study was undertaken, which included benchmark analysis and public consultation. The study took into consideration the existing amenities at Richmond Green to determine if an indoor soccer, tennis and third arena pad could be accommodated. It also considered the best locations and configuration for the facilities, along with cost estimates and possible phasing of the project in order to lessen the impacts on services during construction. The funding for the design and construction of the new facilities (estimated to be $68.5 million) will be added to Richmond Hill’s 10-Year Capital Budget Plan. The consolidation of an indoor tennis facility was deferred until the Tennis Strategy is complete. The Richmond Green Sports Centre & Park is currently home to: three outdoor soccer fields; a 26,000-squarefoot indoor sports complex; the Tom Graham Arena Complex (which has two ice pads); three outdoor soccer fields; seven ball diamonds; an outdoor basketball court; a skate park; and a waterplay park, among other unique amenities. It’s host to a number of large-scale special events and tradeshows, too. The indoor soccer facility and arena ice pad are expected to be complete by 2020. For more information, contact Darlene Joslin, Director, Recreation & Culture, at 905-771-2423.
After careful study and consideration, Council approved a third arena ice pad (NHL-sized) and an indoor soccer (FIFA-sized) facility for the Richmond Green Sports Centre. This decision is also in-line with Richmond Hill’s 2013 Recreation Plan that outlines needs with respect to planning and delivery of recreational indoor facilities. With an ever-growing, active community, the demand for recreational sports facilities continues to increase, especially for hockey, skating and soccer. It’s even more important to consider and prepare for the future needs of the community. With registrations at local clubs on the rise and given the need for year-round training and playing options, having adequate indoor facilities is key. In support of the project, a feasibility study was undertaken, which included benchmark analysis and public consultation. The study took into consideration the existing amenities at Richmond Green to determine if an indoor soccer, tennis and third arena pad could be accommodated. It also considered the best locations and configuration for the facilities, along with cost estimates and possible phasing of the project in order to lessen the impacts on services during construction. The funding for the design and construction of the new facilities (estimated to be $68.5 million) will be added to Richmond Hill’s 10-Year Capital Budget Plan. The consolidation of an indoor tennis facility was deferred until the Tennis Strategy is complete. The Richmond Green Sports Centre & Park is currently home to: three outdoor soccer fields; a 26,000-squarefoot indoor sports complex; the Tom Graham Arena Complex (which has two ice pads); three outdoor soccer fields; seven ball diamonds; an outdoor basketball court; a skate park; and a waterplay park, among other unique amenities. It’s host to a number of large-scale special events and tradeshows, too. The indoor soccer facility and arena ice pad are expected to be complete by 2020. For more information, contact Darlene Joslin, Director, Recreation & Culture, at 905-771-2423.
Proclamation of Terry Fox Day
Council proclaimed the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day - the traditional date of the annual Terry Fox Run. Richmond Hill will also honour Terry Fox and the 35th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope with the unveiling of the Terry Fox Tribute this September. Internationally acclaimed artist Radoslaw Kudlinski is creating the tribute in collaboration with Anna Passakas. Together they form the multidisciplinary art collective Blue Republic. Their work includes installations at Pearson International Airport, World Youth Day 2002 and the winning sculpture in Norway’s Peer Gynt International Sculpture Competition. The Tribute will be unveiled in Ransom Park during a community celebration on Yonge Street on Saturday, September 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. More than 700 residents participated in public consultations in 2012 to determine the direction for the Tribute. For more information contact Lise Conde, Project Manager, at 905-747-6410.
Council proclaimed the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day - the traditional date of the annual Terry Fox Run. Richmond Hill will also honour Terry Fox and the 35th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope with the unveiling of the Terry Fox Tribute this September. Internationally acclaimed artist Radoslaw Kudlinski is creating the tribute in collaboration with Anna Passakas. Together they form the multidisciplinary art collective Blue Republic. Their work includes installations at Pearson International Airport, World Youth Day 2002 and the winning sculpture in Norway’s Peer Gynt International Sculpture Competition. The Tribute will be unveiled in Ransom Park during a community celebration on Yonge Street on Saturday, September 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. More than 700 residents participated in public consultations in 2012 to determine the direction for the Tribute. For more information contact Lise Conde, Project Manager, at 905-747-6410.