Electronic Special Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number: 1

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 3:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Ritch Lau
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Juanita Nathan
• Councillor Isa Lee

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of People Services
• Morgan Jones, Commissioner, Community Services
• Joseph Silva, Treasurer
• Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk
• Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk
• Hristina Giantsopoulos, Election/Council & Committee Coordinator

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

The meeting of Special Council convened at 3:15 PM on January 16, 2024. Mayor Frank Scarpitti presided.

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

4.

LOCAL WARD COUNCILLOR REMUNERATION (7.0)

C. Storto, ext. 4737

Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of People Services, provided a Powerpoint presentation outlining the elected officials’ salaries of comparator municipalities and advised how remuneration increases for City of Markham elected officials have been handled in the past.

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  1. That all Council Members receive the proposed remuneration increase; and,
  2. That the remuneration for all Council Members be referred to a Citizen Review Committee to review and report back on appropriate increase.

  Regional Councillor Jim Jones left the meeting prior to the debate on this matter.  An alternate Mover and Seconder put forth the motion.
  Council consented to separate the clauses for voting purposes. 
• Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the remuneration for all Council Members be referred to a Citizen Review Committee to review and report back on an appropriate increase.
• Lost on a Recorded Vote

  (see Recorded Vote as follows)

  Recorded Vote (8:4):
  NAYS:  Councillor Karen Rea, Councillor Juanita Nathan, Councillor Keith Irish, Councillor Reid McAlpine, Councillor Isa Lee, Councillor Ritch Lau, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Councillor Andrew Keyes (8)
  YEAS: Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Alan Ho, Regional Councillor Joe Li (4)
  ABSENT:  Regional Councillor Jim Jones (1)

  Regional Councillor Jim Jones rejoined the meeting remotely.
• Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That all Council Members receive the proposed remuneration increase.
• Lost on a Recorded Vote

  (see Recorded Vote as follows)

   Recorded Vote (9:4):

  NAYS:  Councillor Juanita Nathan, Councillor Andrew Keyes, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Councillor Reid McAlpine, Councillor Isa Lee, Councillor Karen Rea, Councillor Ritch Lau, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Councillor Keith Irish (9)

  YEAS: Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Regional Councillor Alan Ho, Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, Regional Councillor Joe Li (4)
• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the Presentation titled “Local Ward Councillor Remuneration” be received; and, 
  2. That the remuneration for the eight Local Ward Councillors be increased to $93,882 effective January 1, 2024; and, 
  3. That the current remuneration for the Mayor and Regional Councillors be maintained; and further, 
  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to these resolutions.
  Carried by Recorded Vote
• Carried by Recorded Vote

  (See following for Recorded Vote)

  Recorded Vote (9:4):

  YEAS:  Councillor Juanita Nathan, Councillor Ritch Lau, Councillor Karen Rea, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Deputy Mayor Michael Chan, Councillor Andrew Keyes, Councillor Reid McAlpine, Councillor Keith Irish, Councillor Isa Lee (9)

  NAYS: Regional Councillor Joe Li, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Alan Ho (4)
  
  

5.

CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

• Moved by Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded by Councillor Ritch Lau

  That By-law 2024-1 be given three readings and enacted.

  Three Readings

  BY-LAW 2024-1 BY-LAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2024.

  Carried

6.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho

  That the Council meeting be adjourned at 4:10 PM.

  Carried