Richmond Hill councillors paused a gateway signage project, deferred a regional insurance pool decision for further safeguards, backed protections amid conservation authority consolidation, and launched a deeper review into snow clearing failures in new subdivisions — an issue increasingly affecting new residents.
RICHMOND HILL — A wide-ranging morning meeting of Richmond Hill’s Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, February 18, saw councillors tackle infrastructure governance, municipal insurance reform, conservation authority restructuring, and mounting complaints over snow removal in new subdivisions.
The meeting opened with seasonal greetings, as Mayor David West wished residents a Happy Lunar New Year and Ramadan, while councillors acknowledged upcoming community celebrations and offered support for Team Canada.
Gateway Project Put on Hold
One of the most notable discussions centred on planned gateway signage near Yonge Street and Highway 7, tied to enhancements around Dave Barrow Square.
Mayor West introduced a motion to cancel the project — at least for now — arguing the timing and design were premature given the scale of transformation expected in the Yonge corridor.
He noted that while public feedback on the proposal had been broadly positive, there was enough concern to question whether residents would truly feel proud of the feature long term.
“Given how the location is going to be radically transformed in coming years, I think the project is premature,” West said, suggesting future funding could instead support a more impactful design or lighting features that better animate the square during special occasions.
Councillors voiced support for revisiting the concept later with a stronger “wow factor.” The motion to cancel and have staff report back on alternative enhancements passed unanimously.
Insurance Pool Plan Deferred
Council then turned to a proposal for Richmond Hill to join a York Region municipal insurance pool — a cost-sharing model designed to reduce premium volatility by spreading risk across participating municipalities.
Councillor Greg Thompson supported the savings potential but raised governance concerns, particularly around delegated authority to the City Treasurer to negotiate long-term subscription terms of up to 15 years.
He proposed that any “material changes” to risk-sharing, capital levies, or exit provisions be brought back to council for approval.
Legal and insurance advisors explained the pool was still under negotiation among nine York Region municipalities, with the Region potentially acting as host administrator. While the model could significantly reduce premium spikes, municipalities would still share some exposure to each other’s claims.
After debate over wording — particularly what would qualify as a “material” change — councillors agreed more precise language was needed.
A motion to defer the insurance item to the February 25 council meeting passed unanimously.
Conservation Authority Consolidation
Council also backed a motion from Thompson addressing the Province’s push to consolidate conservation authorities.
While not opposing provincial streamlining, the motion emphasized protecting Richmond Hill’s interests — particularly around the Oak Ridges Moraine, watershed protection, flood modelling, and development approvals.
Councillors stressed the importance of maintaining representation, funding certainty, and the operational strengths of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority model should a larger “Central Lake Ontario” body emerge.
The motion carried unanimously.
Snow Removal Complaints in New Subdivisions
Frustration over winter maintenance in new developments sparked one of the most detailed debates of the morning.
Councillor Simon Liu introduced a motion calling for stronger enforcement of developer snow-removal obligations on unassumed roads — areas where residents are already living but the City has not formally taken over services.
Residents in these neighbourhoods have complained sidewalks, roads, and windrows are not cleared to municipal standards despite paying property taxes.
Current policy places responsibility on developers, though the City can step in, complete the work, and bill costs back.
Councillors discussed increasing penalties, tightening performance standards, and improving communication so residents know who to contact.
Mayor West floated a broader idea: whether the City should proactively assume snow clearing in these areas earlier for service consistency — even if developers are billed — though staff cautioned that doing so transfers liability to the municipality.
Staff were directed to report back with:
- Cost and staffing impacts
- Legal and liability considerations
- Best practices from neighbouring municipalities
The motion carried unanimously, with further analysis pending.
Other Business
Council also approved infrastructure data governance items on consent and adjourned without emergency or sensitive matters.