In support of the Richmond Hill Professional Fire Fighters Association (RHPFFA), Council is requesting the Provincial government review the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act to ensure it more fairly and timely compensates firefighters and their families. Firefighters provide an invaluable service to the public and may risk their own personal safety in order to protect the lives of Town of Richmond Hill residents. Studies have shown that firefighters suffer from an incidence of some cancers and other diseases that is significantly greater than the normal population, and that this may be due to their exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens during the course of fighting fires. The current Act, according to the RHPFFA, can cause a long and onerous battle for the families of firefighters who have fallen ill or passed away due to illness or disease attributable to their work. Council and the RHPFFA feel that this must change. Staff stated that five provinces in Canada and 37 states in the United States have already passed similar legislation to address these concerns. Also, five major cities in Ontario have also previously passed resolutions similar to the Town’s. Council’s resolution will now be forwarded on to the Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premiere of Ontario, Frank Klees, MPP, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their consideration. This recommendation supports the Town’s Strategic Plan goals of “Enhancing Our Healthy & Safe Community” and “Demonstrating Innovative & Responsible Municipal Management.” For more information, contact Shane Baker, Commissioner of Fire & Emergency Services, at (905) 883-5444 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on Monday, October 16, 2006; Staff Report SRFD.06.06, Agenda Item No. 13).

 

In an effort to enhance community safety, Council designated the following four school zone roadways as Community Safety Zones (CSZ): Crosby Avenue from Newkirk Road to Bayview Avenue; Bantry Avenue from west of Red Maple Road to Silver Linden Drive; Weldrick Road West from Springhead Garden to Walmer Road; and Bernard Avenue from Yorkland Street (north leg) to Oldhill Street. Staff undertook a review of the 30 elementary school areas within the Town and, based on the analysis undertaken, these four school zones met the requirements for CSZ designation. In order to be designated as a CSZ, an overall point score is determined by totalling the scores for eight risk factors. As well as meeting these requirements, the potential CSZ must be endorsed by the York Regional Police in order that necessary traffic enforcement efforts are applied to police the new CSZ. Signs will now be erected in the area notifying drivers and pedestrians of the new designations. To date, Council has designated one CSZ along Mill Street from Trench Street to west of Ellery Street in July 2005. By declaring CSZs, all fines for traffic related infraction within these areas are doubled as per the Highway Traffic Act. For more information, contact George Chau, Traffic Engineer, at (905) 771-8800, ext. 3536 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on Monday, October 16, 2006; Staff Report SRE.06.053, Agenda Item No. 23)

Community Shuttle Bus Pilot Project

Council approved funding in the amount of $10,000 for an inter-municipal Community Shuttle Bus Pilot Project which will provide free, door-to-door shuttle service within Richmond Hill and Markham’s two southern business parks (Beaver Creek and Commerce Valley). The Project, which is also supported by the Town of Markham, will serve employees and residents from both municipalities and is aimed at helping to reduce traffic and parking congestion by providing an alternative mode of transportation where there is currently a high amount of commercial and restaurant activity, specifically during midday (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The proposed shuttle could remove up to 150 automobile trips, their associated air impacts and required parking and may introduce the convenience of public transit to those who may not otherwise have had a chance to use it. The new shuttle service will operate in a loop on Thursdays and Fridays for a 16-week period beginning in December 2006. The Community Shuttle Bus Pilot Project is being run in conjunction with York Region Transit and the Smart Commute 404-7 initiative and supports the Town's Strategic Plan and goal of improving our transportation system as well as expanding economic opportunities. For more information, contact George Flint, Development Coordinator, at (905) 771-2455 (From Council Meeting held on October 23, 2006; Staff Report SRE.06.095, Agenda Item 8.0).

 

Richmond Hill’s 2006 Transportation Master Plan Updated

Council approved the recommendations presented by staff which are intended to update the Town's Transportation Master Plan. In February 2006, iTrans Consulting Inc. was retained by the Town to prepare an update to the Town’s Transportation Master Plan. The 2006 Transportation Master Plan provides for a long term strategy that balances the options of future generations while respecting the environment. The plan recommends several initiatives such as: a transportation infrastructure that focuses on the need to move people as opposed to accommodating the single occupant vehicle; road systems in business parks that are adequate to move goods to and from the expressway systems and between business parks; a pedestrian and cycling plan to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are well-served; a Village Core transportation plan to ensure that future rapid transit as well as on-street parking can coexist; Smart Commute 404-7 be an ongoing program and be expanded to the entire Town; and by 2021, an all-day, two-way service on the Richmond Hill GO rail line and the extension of the subway to Highway 7. The objectives of the Transportation Master Plan are to enhance the accessibility of the Town to accommodate its rapidly growing population. For more information, contact Italo Brutto, Commissioner of Engineering & Public Works, at (905) 771-2527 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on Monday, October 16, 2006; Staff Report SRE.06.092, Agenda Item No. 25).

 

 

This was the last Council Meeting before the Municipal Election. The next meeting will be the Inaugural Council Meeting to be held on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. (location yet to be decided). The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council Meeting is Monday, December 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.

 

This document was produced by the Communication Services Division staff at the Town of Richmond Hill. The contents of this summary are intended to be for information purposes only. The actual text of Council resolutions can be found on the Town's Website, www.richmondhill.ca. Copies of staff reports and other correspondence can be obtained from the Council Support Services/Town Clerk Division.