Recap: Council Meeting - September 24
- Marian
- Sep 24
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Council Meeting Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 9:30am
Meeting Agenda: Meeting Agenda
Watch Council Meeting: Watch Meeting
Recap:
All agenda items were approved at this week’s Council meeting. Items approved include stronger safety at child-focused sites, and the Micromobility Strategy.
Key Discussions
Transit Updates
York Region Transit outlined the 2026 service plan, including more frequent buses on major routes, expanded on-demand transit (like ride-hailing but public), and better communication to boost ridership in suburban areas like Oak Ridges.
Integrity Commissioner’s Report
The Integrity Commissioner, Suzanne Craig, presented the 2024-2025 annual report, discussing informal and formal complaints received.
A notable formal complaint under investigation involved concerns of nepotism and unauthorized access to municipal offices involving Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola's spouse.
Although no breach of the Code of Conduct was found against the council member, the Commissioner recommended policy enhancements in council office staffing, access, and nepotism to prevent future issues.
The report sparked extensive council discussion on transparency, privacy, policy clarity, and the delicate balance between accountability and personal privacy.
Councillor Davidson emphasized the importance of accountability within councillors’ offices, including protecting staff, safeguarding confidential information, and ensuring municipal resources are not misused. She presented a motion to receive the investigation report regarding Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola and to direct staff to draft a council office staffing and access policy.
Council unanimously supported drafting updated policies on council office staffing and access, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and clear workplace boundaries.
New Agenda Items Include:
Following the tragic crash at First Roots Daycare, Richmond Hill reaffirms its commitment to child safety. The community has strongly advocated for change, including a petition with over 500 signatures.
While municipalities lack the authority to mandate safety barriers at childcare sites, Council supports the Province’s recent steps to improve protections and urges further action.
Council directs Mayor West to send a follow-up letter to the Minister of Education, endorsing these efforts and calling for swift, effective safety measures. Richmond Hill will continue working with the Province to ensure timely implementation.
The Integrity Commissioner, Suzanne Craig, oversaw complaints and inquiries about council members’ behaviour from May 2024 to June 2025.
During that time:
1 formal complaint was investigated. It involved allegations about a councillor and their spouse. The complaint was not substantiated, but the investigation raised concerns about family members’ access to city offices and nepotism.
3 informal complaints were received, mostly about issues outside the Commissioner’s mandate (like event endorsements and city operations).
In total, 25 inquiries were handled (18 related to Code of Conduct, 7 from council members, 10 from the public, and 1 from staff).
Recommendations included tightening policies on:
Who can access municipal offices (to prevent family or friends from having improper access).
Fair and transparent hiring practices in council offices (to avoid nepotism).
The report notes upcoming provincial legislation (Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025) that would create a standardized code of conduct across Ontario municipalities and potentially allow councils to remove members for serious misconduct.
Total expenditures for the office were $11,907.37 for the year.
The complaint was about Regional Councillor Joe Di Paola and how his wife was allegedly running his office and mistreating a staff member.
The allegations included harassment, misuse of city property (like computers and email), improper access to city offices, nepotism (family members being involved in office work), and confidentiality concerns.
After a full investigation, the Integrity Commissioner found no breach of the Code of Conduct by the Councillor. The allegations against his wife were not substantiated, and she is not subject to the Code since she’s not an elected official.
However, the investigation confirmed that his wife was heavily involved in office operations, using his access card and being copied on staff emails. This raised broader concerns about office management and policy gaps.
The Commissioner emphasized that spouses and family members should not be running councillors’ offices, accessing city computers, or regularly entering municipal offices.
Recommendations to Council:
Create a clear policy so only staff, consultants, or volunteers (not family) can use access cards or attend internal staff events.
Review and update hiring practices and the Nepotism Policy to ensure fairness and transparency.
Last week Council discussed the City’s proposed Micromobility Strategy, which sets out rules for e-scooters, bikes, and sidewalk cycling.
Two main topics came up at the meeting:
Dedicated Micromobility Infrastructure
Mayor West asked staff to look at how Regional Roads (major roads managed by York Region) could be used for safe, separated micromobility lanes.
Staff noted this aligns with the City’s Active Transportation Network Plan, which already coordinates with the Region, developers, and City capital projects to expand cycling and micromobility routes.
By-law Revisions on Sidewalk Cycling
Some councillors suggested adding exceptions to the sidewalk cycling ban (e.g., parents riding with children, near schools, in winter, or for short connections).
Staff explained that exemptions in other cities caused confusion and were hard to manage. Instead, Richmond Hill recommends a clear city-wide rule: no sidewalk cycling, except for children 14 and under.
Enforcement will focus on unsafe riding, not penalizing people unnecessarily.
Staff will continue monitoring new technologies and trends to see if future by-law changes are needed.
Closed Session
To consider matters related to the receiving of advice that is subject to: solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; and related to litigation affecting the municipality regarding the construction of the Oak Ridges Community Centre, Aquicon Construction Co. Ltd. et al ats. The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill, Court File No. CV-21-00667419-0000, (Section 239(2)(e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O; 2001, c. 25).
Agenda Items Forwarded from Committee of the Whole include:
What’s Being Proposed
Adopt new by-laws (Active Transportation and Micromobility By-law No. 90-25 and amendments to the penalty system).
Permit e-scooters and e-bikes on:
Roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less
Bike lanes and cycle tracks
Multi-use paths beside roads
(But not on sidewalks; kids under 14 can still cycle on sidewalks).
Keep e-scooters and power-assisted bikes off park trails for now (under review in a future trails study).
Education and enforcement: A three-phase public education campaign plus enforcement by York Regional Police and City by-law officers.
Future step: Consider a shared micromobility pilot (rental e-scooters/e-bikes) in partnership with Vaughan, Markham, and York Region.
Timeline
2025: Approve by-laws and opt into the provincial e-scooter pilot.
2026: Launch public education campaigns and begin implementing rules.
Future: Explore shared micromobility systems once regulations and culture are established.
Bottom Line: Richmond Hill is embracing safe micromobility to give residents more choices for short trips and help build a more sustainable city.
Norfolk Development Inc. has proposed a 15-storey apartment building with 344 units at 162–182 Norfolk Avenue.
What’s happening?
The developer appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) after Council did not make a decision in time.
City staff reviewed the plans and are recommending that Council oppose the project.
Why staff don’t support it:
Too tall & dense: The City’s plan allows up to 10 storeys here, but the proposal asks for 15 storeys—much higher than what’s planned for this neighbourhood.
Doesn’t fit the area: Surrounding homes are mostly low-rise. The tower would loom over nearby houses and apartments.
Poor design: The building is too close to property lines and too bulky compared to what City policies require.
Parks: The park space offered is too small. The City wants a bigger expansion of Essex Parkette.
Affordable housing: No clear commitment to provide required affordable or family-sized units.
Unresolved issues: Traffic, waste, and servicing concerns remain.
Next Steps:Council will take a position, and City staff will represent Richmond Hill at the OLT hearing.
Bottom Line: The City believes this proposal is overdevelopment for the site and not a good fit for the neighbourhood.
Richmond Hill is updating and consolidating its zoning rules into one modern, city-wide by-law. This new Comprehensive Zoning By-law (CZBL) replaces older, outdated zoning regulations and aligns with the City’s Official Plan and provincial policies.
What’s Changing
• The CZBL covers all major areas: Centres and Corridors, Neighbourhoods, Employment Lands, Greenway System, and more.
• It sets clear rules for building heights, densities, land uses, parking, landscaping, and environmental protections.
• It introduces updated standards for things like electric vehicle infrastructure, short-term rentals, and additional residential units (like basement apartments).
• It includes special zones for townhouses, apartments, commercial areas, and natural spaces.
Why It Matters
• Ensures development is consistent with Richmond Hill’s long-term vision.
• Supports housing growth, affordability, and sustainability.
• Makes zoning easier to understand and enforce.
• Helps the City meet targets under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.
Community Input
• Residents and stakeholders provided feedback on everything from parking and patios to building design and neighbourhood character.
• Many suggestions were incorporated, and future updates will be made as needed.
Next Steps
• Council is being asked to approve the new CZBL.
• If passed, it will replace previous zoning by-laws and guide future development across Richmond Hill.
Public Comments:
The public may submit written correspondence regarding agenda items by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca. Written correspondence must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Comments submitted will be provided to all Members of Council, are considered as public information and will be included on the public agenda posted to the City’s website.
Delegations:
Any person who wishes to speak to Council on agenda items must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Applications to appear as a delegation can be submitted by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. Delegations can be in person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. The Office of the Clerk will provide instructions on appearing as a delegation.
Public Forum:
Any person who wishes to speak to Council on a matter not on the agenda must pre-register with the Office of the Clerk by 12 p.m. (noon) one business day before the meeting. Persons wanting to address Council during the Public Forum portion of the meeting must register by sending an email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by using the on-line application form. Public Forum participation can be in-person, or electronically by video conference or telephone. A maximum of five persons will be allowed to register for the Public Forum on a first come first serve basis.
