The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board

Minutes of the Public Meeting

Subject to Board Approval

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

9:00 A.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Board Members:

• W. Emmerson, Chair, 
• S. Pellegrini, Vice Chair, 
• W. Perchal, 
• N. McCullough, 
• M. Cortellucci, 
• L. Jackson, 
• and M. Bodenstein 

Staff:

• A. Basant Sisavang, Executive Director, 
• J. Kogan, Administrative Assistant, 
• J. MacSween, Chief of Police, 
• A. Almeida, Deputy Chief of Police, 
• P. Da Silva, Deputy Chief of Police, 
• C. Hammond, Deputy Chief of Police, 
• K. McCloskey, Deputy Chief of Police, 
• J. Channell, Executive Director, Financial Services and Administration, 
• J. Fraser, General Counsel, Legal Services, 
• M. Kennedy, Executive Director, People, Wellness and Talent, 
• D. Kuzmyk, Regional Solicitor and General Council, 
• and V. Choe, Senior Associate Counsel 

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1.

Call to Order

The Board Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

2.

Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

The Board Chair made the following remarks:

“On behalf of the Board, we acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land. We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community.”

3.

Disclosure of Interest

None

4.

Confirmation of Public Minutes of September 27, 2023 Board Meeting

• Moved By Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded By Mr. Cortellucci

  That the Board confirm the minutes for the public session of the meeting held on September 27, 2023, in the form supplied to the members.

  Carried

5.

Presentation

5.1

2024 Operating and Capital Budgets - Chief of Police (Related to Item No. 8.1)

The Police Services Board approved the 2024 net Operating Budget for York Regional Police of $410.1 million, which is a 4.6 percent increase over the 2023 Budget and includes the addition of forty-six additional staff who will support safer communities, innovation, continuous improvement, inclusion and belonging and recruitment and retention. Additional outlook staffing will address community needs such as safer communities, addressing crime trends, embedding peer support, and supporting service delivery. The 2024 Police Operating Budget continues to maintain the lowest policing cost per capita in Canada among the top ten national municipalities.

The Board also approved the 2024 Capital Budget of $30.5 million, with capital spending authority for multiple-year projects of $36.1 million.  The 2024 capital expenditures include $7.1 million for information technology, $7.7 million for vehicles and specialty vehicles, $4.3 million for specialized and communication equipment, and $11.3 million for facilities primarily for a new substation located in Vaughan, a new aircraft hangar for AIR2 helicopter and renovations of existing facilities. Financing for the capital budget is a combination of contributions from reserves, debenture proceeds repaid from development charges, debt reduction reserve funding, development charge collections, and external funding.

The 2024 Police Budget will be tabled at Committee of the Whole in December.

• Moved By Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That the Board receive the presentation.

  Carried

5.2

2022 Crime Severity and Weighted Clearance: National Comparisons - Chief of Police (Related to Item No. 8.3)

The Board received a presentation on the 2022 Crime Severity and Weighted Clearance: National Comparisons. The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures changes in crime severity in Canada. The CSI attributes a weight to each specific crime reported by law enforcement each year and compares it to the volume of crime in an area for a specific population. The weight is based on sentencing handed down for the specific crime by the courts for the previous five years and provides a more comprehensive picture and understanding of the impact of each specific crime. Violent CSI crimes in York Region which contribute to the increasing crime rate include robbery, homicide, extortion, sexual assault, assault with a weapon, and uttering threats. Non-violent CSI crimes include motor vehicle theft, break and enter, theft under $5,000 and weapon violations. The Statistics Canada 2022 CSI continues to indicate that York Regional Police is the safest large police jurisdiction in the country. Crime Severity and Weighted Clearance Presentation

• Moved By Mr. Perchal
  Seconded By Mrs. McCullough

  That the Board receive the presentation.

  Carried

6.

Deputation

None

7.

Communication

None

8.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

8.1

2024 Operating and Capital Budgets (Related to Item No. 5.1)

• Moved By Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

  1. That the Board approve the 2024 Operating Budget with a tax-levy impact of $410,056,809;
  2. That the Board chose the following option, and approved in principle the outlooks for 2025 and 2026:
     • Enhanced outlooks of 46 additional staff in each year with a tax-levy impact of $426,940,747 in 2025 and $444,791,081 in 2026 for financial planning purposes;
  3. That the Board approve the proposed 2024 Capital Spending Authority totalling $36,081,000;
  4. That the Board approve for financial planning purposes the 10-Year 2024-2033 Capital Outlook totalling $219,243,000; and
  5. That the Board forward the 2024 Budget information for the Treasurer’s tabling of The Regional Municipality of York’s Budget at Regional Council on November 23, 2023.
  Carried

8.2

Contract Extensions Beyond Five Years

• Moved By Ms. Bodenstein
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

  1. That the Board authorize the extension of the agreements with the contractors listed in Table 1, upon the end of contract term, for additional terms up to five years, in accordance with the requirements of Purchasing By-Law #10-17, provided that the contractor has performed the services to the satisfaction of the Chief, and that sufficient funds have been provided in the annual budget; and
  2. That the Chief be authorized to execute the agreements on behalf of the Board, subject to the approval of the Regional Municipality of York’s Regional Solicitor, or designate, as to form and content.
  Carried

8.3

Statistics Canada 2022 Crime Severity Index and Weighted Clearance Rate Overview (Related to Item No. 5.2)

• Moved By Mr. Perchal
  Seconded By Mrs. McCullough

  That the Board receive the following recommendation contained in the Report of the Chief of Police:

  1. That the Board receive this annual report for information.

  Carried

8.4

Public Relations Reserve Fund Request for Funding - Report of the Interim Executive Director

• Moved By Ms. Bodenstein
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That the Board adopt the following recommendation contained in the Report of the Interim Executive Director:

  1. That the Board approve an expenditure of $25,000 from the Board’s Public Relations Fund to support the services of York Region Centre for Community Safety.
  Carried

8.5

Public Relations Reserve Fund Policy and Application Process - Report of the Interim Executive Director

• Moved By Ms. Bodenstein
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Report of the Interim Executive Director:

  1. That the Board approve the proposed funding application review process for the disbursement of monies from the Public Relations Reserve Fund.
  2. That the Board approve amendments to the Board’s Public Relations Reserve Fund Policy No. 08//08 to reflect the inclusion of the proposed funding application review process and the criteria for funding.
  Carried

9.

Unfinished Business

None

10.

Other Business

None

11.

Private Meeting

• Moved By Mr. Perchal
  Seconded By Regional Councillor Jackson

  That the Board convene in Private Session for the purpose of considering confidential items pertaining to legal and personnel matters in accordance with section 35(4) of the Police Services Act.

  Carried

  The Board met in Private Session at 9:42 a.m. and reconvened in the Public Session at 11:11 a.m.

  Carried

12.

Consideration of Motion to reconvene in Public Meeting

• Moved By Mr. Perchal
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That the Board rise and report from the Private Session.

  Carried

13.

Consideration of Private Items

• Moved By Mr. Cortellucci
  Seconded By Regional Councillor Jackson

  That the Board adopt the following recommendations contained in the Reports of the Chief of Police:

  People, Wellness and Talent

  1. That the Board appoint two civilians, pursuant to Section 31(1)(a) of the Police Services Act;
  2. That the Board reclassify two officers pursuant to the 2021 Uniform Working Agreement.

  Special Constable Status Report

  1. That the Board appoint six York Region Transit Special Constables and two York Regional Police Special Constables for a five-year period, effective October 25, 2023 pursuant to Section 53(1) of the Police Services Act.
  Carried

14.

Confirmatory Bylaw

The Board had before it Bylaw No. 11-23. The Bylaw is necessary to confirm the proceedings of the Board at this meeting.

• Moved By Mrs. McCullough
  Seconded By Vice Chair Pellegrini

  That Bylaw No. 11-20, being “a Bylaw confirming the proceedings of the Board at this meeting,” be read and enacted.

  Bylaw No. 11-23 was read and enacted as follows:

  “To confirm the proceedings of the Board at this meeting.”

  Carried

15.

Adjournment

• Moved By Ms. Bodenstein
  Seconded By Mr. Perchal

  That the meeting be adjourned at 11:11 a.m.

  ___________________________

  Anitra Basant Sisavang

  Executive Director

  ____________________________

  Regional Chair Wayne Emmerson

  Chair

   

  Minutes to be confirmed and adopted at the next regular meeting of the Board to be held on November 22, 2023.

  Alternative formats or communication supports are available upon request.

  Carried