Town of Newmarket

Minutes

Special Committee of the Whole - Electronic

Meeting #:
Date:	Monday, June 15, 2020
Time:	1:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.
Location:	Streamed live from the Municipal Offices 395 Mulock Drive Newmarket, ON L3Y 4X7

Members Present:

• Mayor Taylor
• Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Vegh
• Councillor Simon
• Councillor Woodhouse
• Councillor Twinney
• Councillor Morrison
• Councillor Kwapis
• Councillor Broome
• Councillor Bisanz

Staff Present:

• J. Sharma, Chief Administrative Officer
• E. Armchuk, Commissioner of Corporate Services
• P. Noehammer, Commissioner of Development & Infrastructure Services
• I. McDougall, Commissioner of Community Services
• L. Lyons, Director of Legislative Services/Town Clerk
• K. Saini, Deputy Town Clerk
• F. Scott, Manager of Regulatory Services
• J. Comeau, Municipal Enforcement & Licensing Officer
• C. Pumo, Municipal Enforcement & Licensing Officer
• A. Walkom, Legislative Coordinator
• J. Grossi, Legislative Coordinator

​For consideration by Council on June 29, 2020.

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM.
Mayor Taylor in the Chair.
The Committee of the Whole recessed at 3:57 PM and reconvened at 4:10 PM.

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1.

Notice

Mayor Taylor advised of recent and upcoming Provincial announcements regarding COVID-19 restrictions and provided an update on the Town of Newmarket's response to COVID-19.

He advised that the Municipal Offices were closed to the public and that this meeting was streamed live at Newmarket.ca/meetings. Residents who would like to provide comment on an item on this agenda were encouraged to provide their feedback in writing through email to Legislative Services at [email protected] or by joining the meeting electronically through video or telephone. He advised residents that their comments would form part of the public record.

2.

Additions & Corrections to the Agenda

None.

3.

Conflict of Interest Declarations

• Councillor Woodhouse declared a conflict related to item 5.2 - Short Term Rental Licensing including the Presentation and Staff Report. He advised he has a client who operates a hotel in the Newmarket area.

4.

Deputations

4.1

Remote Deputations

4.1.1

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Michèle Hamers, Wildlife Campaign Manager of World Animal Protection provided a remote deputation regarding the draft by-laws and recommended replacing the list of prohibited species with a list of permitted species.

4.1.2

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Susan Dankert, Communications Director of Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada provided a remote deputation which supported the continued selling of pets by pet stores in Newmarket. 

4.1.3

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Keith Burgess, Owner of Pet Paradise provided a remote deputation which supported the continued selling of pets by pet stores and provided information on the process used by his store to source the animals.

4.1.4

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Rita Goverde of York Region Animal Advocates provided a remote deputation which outlined her concerns with the sourcing of animals sold at pet stores and registration of breeders.

4.1.5

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Rob Laidlaw, Executive Director of Zoocheck provided a remote deputation which outlined his concerns with the draft by-law and suggested changes to improve animal protections.

4.2

Written Deputations

4.2.1

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Lisa Ugolini which expressed her support for a complete ban on the selling of cats and dogs in the Town of Newmarket.

4.2.2

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

Mayor Taylor read aloud the written deputation provided by Mr and Mrs J. Clark which expressed their belief that no sales of cats and dogs should be permitted in the Town of Newmarket.

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Twinney
  1. That sub-items 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.2.1 and 4.2.2, being deputations provided by Michèle Hamers, Susan Dankert, Keith Burgess, Rita Goverde, Rob Laidlaw, Lisa Ugolini and Mr and Mrs J. Clark regarding Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing, be received.
  
  Carried

5.

Items

5.1

Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

5.1.1

Presentation - Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing 

The Director of Legislative Services/Town Clerk provided an introduction to the presentation. The Manager of Regulatory Services began the presentation with an overview of the key considerations involved in animal control and pet store licensing. The Municipal Enforcement & Licensing Officer provided an overview of the public consultation conducted as part of the study, and presented the results of a public survey. The Manager of Regulatory Services concluded the presentation with an outline of the proposed regulations and enforcement strategy.

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Kwapis
  1. That the presentation regarding Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing be received. 
  
  Carried

5.1.2

Staff Report - Animal Control & Pet Store Licensing

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

  Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Twinney

  1. That the report entitled Animal Control and Pet Store Licensing dated June 15, 2020 be received; and,

  2. That Council approve the draft Animal Control By-law with the following amendments:

  a. Animal protections are extended to animals other than cats and dogs; and,

  b. Schedule A: Prohibited Animals is replaced by a list of permitted animals; and,

  3. That Council direct staff to move forward with a phased approach to breeders and kennels, where zoning is amended to permit such businesses within specific zones;

  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

  
  Carried
• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Twinney

  5. That Council approve the draft Business Licence By-law as presented.

  
  Carried

5.2

Short Term Rental Licensing

5.2.1

Presentation - Short Term Rental Licensing

The Director of Legislative Services/Town Clerk provided an introduction to the presentation. The Manager of Regulatory Services began the presentation with a background of the issue and an overview of the key considerations involved. The Municipal Enforcement & Licensing Officer provided an overview of the public consultation conducted as part of the study, and an outline of the proposed regulations. The Manager of Regulatory Services concluded the presentation with an overview of the proposed enforcement strategy and next steps.

• Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Councillor Bisanz
  1. That the presentation regarding Short Term Rental Licensing be received. 
  
  Carried

5.2.2

Staff Report - Short Term Rental Licensing

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

  Moved by: Councillor Broome
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Vegh
  1. That the report entitled Short Term Rental Licensing dated June 15, 2020 be received; and,
  2. That Council approve the draft Business Licence By-law; and,
  3. That Council direct staff to amend the proposed fee schedule as follows:
     1. Short Term Rentals – 1 Bedroom: $100.00
     2. Short Term Rentals – 2 Bedrooms: $200.00
     3. Short Term Rentals – 3 Bedrooms: $300.00
  4. That Council amend the AMPS By-law 2019-62 and Fees and Charges By-law 2019-52; and,
  5. That Council direct staff to bring forward a report regarding a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) on all short term rental properties in Q3/Q4 2021; and,
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  
  Carried

  Councillor Woodhouse took no part in the discussion or vote on the foregoing matter due to a declared conflict.

  
  

6.

Closed Session

Mayor Taylor advised there was no requirement for a Closed Session.

7.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Councillor Woodhouse
  Seconded by: Councillor Simon
  1. That the meeting be adjourned at 5:04 PM.
  
  Carried