Central York Fire Services

Minutes

Joint Council Committee

Meeting #:
Date:	Tuesday, May 04, 2021
Time:	9:30 A.m. - 11:30 A.m.
Location:	Electronic VIA ZOOM See How to Login Guide

Members Present:

• Councillor Gallo, Town of Aurora
• Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Vegh, Town of Newmarket (9:30 AM - 10:57 AM)
• Councillor Broome, Town of Newmarket
• Councillor Gilliland, Town of Aurora
• Councillor Bisanz, Town of Newmarket
• Councillor Thompson, Town of Aurora

Staff Present:

• J. Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Newmarket
• D. Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Aurora
• I. Laing, Fire Chief, Central York Fire Services
• R. Wainwright van Kessel, Director of Finance – Treasurer, Town of Aurora
• A. Downey, Director of Operations, Town of Aurora
• J. Inglis, Deputy Chief, Central York Fire Services
• R. Volpe, Deputy Chief, Central York Fire Services
• C. Duval, Assistant Deputy Chief, Central York Fire Services
• M. Mayes, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer, Town of Newmarket
• A. Tang, Manager of Finance & Accounting, Town of Newmarket
• A. Gibson, Senior Financial Analyst, Town of Newmarket
• L. Georgeff, Director of Human Resources, Town of Newmarket
• P. Voorn, Associate Solicitor, Town of Newmarket
• K. Saini, Deputy Town Clerk, Town of Newmarket

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AM.
Councillor Bisanz in the Chair.

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1.

Additions & Corrections to the Agenda

None.

2.

Conflict of Interest Declarations

None.

3.

Presentations

3.1

2020 Central York Fire Services Annual Report

Fire Chief Laing provided a presentation on the 2020 Annual Report for Central York Fire Services. The presentation outlined the challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic and how the Fire Services needed to pivot to virtual services for public education, building inspections and training. The presentation continued with the Fire Chief highlighting metrics from the fire prevention, training, and suppression divisions. He concluded with a review of the annual budget and the cost recovery program. 

Members queried Assistant Deputy Chief Duval regarding mindfulness training, and how the training was received by staff. The Fire Chief explained that Central York Fire Services is the first department in Canada to install the Scene Apparatus Manager (SAM) system onboard a fire truck. Deputy Chief Volpe provided information on the cost recovery program and discussed the impact of the stay at home orders and more individuals working from home on the program.

Discussion ensued on the vulnerable occupancies and the York Regional Police's active attacker video (Run, Hide, Defend). It was noted that this video is available on YouTube.  

• This item was dealt with under item 6.1. See item 6.1 for motion.

  
  
  
  

3.2

Fire Services Headquarters Station 4-5 – Update

The Director of Operations, Al Downey - provided a verbal update on the construction of Station 4-5. He advised that the work is continuing on track and on budget. The Fire Station is scheduled to be substantially completed by March 2022. A time lapse video was shared and showed the construction completed to date. 

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Gilliland
  1. That the presentation provided by Al Downey, Director of Operations, Town of Aurora regarding the Fire Services Headquarters Station 4-5 – Update be received.
  
  
  
  Carried

4.

Deputations

None.

5.

Approval of Minutes

5.1

Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of March 2, 2021

• Moved by: Councillor Gallo
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Vegh
  1. That the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee Meeting Minutes of March 2, 2021 be approved.
  
  
  
  Carried

5.2

Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee Meeting (Closed Session) Minutes of March 2, 2021

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Gallo
  1. That the Central York Fire Services – Joint Council Committee Meeting (Closed Session) Minutes of March 2, 2021 be approved.
  
  
  
  Carried

6.

Items

6.1

2020 Central York Fire Services Annual Report

• An alternate motion was presented and is noted in bold below.

  Moved by: Councillor Gilliland
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Vegh
  1. That the presentation provided by Fire Chief Ian Laing regarding the 2020 Central York Fire Services Annual Report be received.
  2. That the 2020 Central York Fire Services Annual Report be received.
  
  
  
  Carried

6.2

Impact of the Ontario Fire College Closure

The Assistant Deputy Chief provided an overview of the report and highlighted the impact the closure of the Ontario Fire College has had on training and certification in the province. He indicated that there are Regional Training Centres, however they are not heavily subsidized by the province as the Ontario Fire College was. In anticipation of the College's closure, he advised that Central York Fire Services has developed its own certification programs. 

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Thompson
  1. That Fire Services Report JCC-2021-02, Impact of the Ontario Fire College Closure dated May 4, 2021 be received for information.
  
  
  
  Carried

6.3

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer Mike Mayes provided an overview of the budget and reserve funds.

Discussion regarding reporting practices for Central York Fire Services ensued. Members queried staff with respect to a surplus transfer into the Station 4-5 reserve fund and the relationship with respect to an overall deficit. It was discussed that the transfer of surplus funds was a policy established by Joint Council Committee during the previous budget cycle. 

• Moved by: Councillor Gilliland
  Seconded by: Councillor Broome
  1. That Fire Services Report JCC-2021-03 entitled Fourth Quarter 2020 Results dated May 4, 2021 be received for information.
  
  
  
  Carried
• Moved by: Councillor Gallo
  Seconded by: Councillor Broome
  1. That staff be directed to provide information on the reporting process for surplus funds allocation to a future Joint Council Committee meeting.
  
  
  
  Carried

6.4

CYFS First Quarter Report 2021

Members discussed the transfer of reserve funding, salary gapping, and the cost recovery program. 

• Moved by: Councillor Gilliland
  Seconded by: Councillor Gallo
  1. That Fire Services Report JCC-2021-04 entitled CYFS First Quarter Report 2021 dated May 4, 2021 be received for information.
  
  
  
  Carried

7.

New Business

(1) Recent fire at house on Warby Trail

Deputy Chief Volpe advised that a commendation ceremony was taking place to acknowledge the bravery of the two individuals who assisted in helping a family escape from their home that caght fire.

(2) Fireworks public education

Members inquired of Central York Fire Services' public education plans for the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend and the discharging of fireworks. 

(3) Traffic Calming Speed Humps

There was discussion regarding speed humps and the impact that 1 continuous speed hump has to response time versus a speed hump that is sectioned into 3 parts. 

8.

Closed Session

• Moved by: Councillor Thompson
  Seconded by: Councillor Broome
  1. That Joint Council Committee resolve into Closed Session due to a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board as per Section 239(2)(k) of the Municipal Act, 2001 regarding Whitchurch Stouffville Fire Protection Agreement.
  
  
  
  Carried

  Joint Council Committee resolved into Closed Session at 11:28 AM.
  Closed Session minutes are recorded under separate cover.
  Joint Council Committee resumed Open Session at 11:42 AM.

  
  

8.1

Whitchurch Stouffville Fire Protection Agreement

9.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Gallo
  1. That the Joint Council Committee meeting be adjourned at 11:44 AM.
  
  
  
  Carried