Richmond Hill council votes to disapprove resolution withdrawing city financial support from Airport Authority

The Richmond Hill mayor and council voted on May 5 to disapprove a resolution that would have withdrawn the city's potential financial support for the Airport Authority. Councilmember Van Hunter moved to disapprove the resolution; Councilmember Steve Scholar seconded, and the motion carried, with Councilmember Cindy Hatala opposed.

The public comment period for the item included remarks from six registered speakers — Mary Beasley, Corey Foreman, Ted Meyer, Kevin Long, Theresa Timmons and Steven Jerauix — all of whom had signed up to speak on Item 9. The minutes record that their comments were received when the council reached the item; the minutes do not provide verbatim text of those remarks.

During council discussion, a member clarified the resolution addressed only the City’s potential financial support and did not constitute a vote for or against the airport itself. Council noted the Airport Authority had not requested City funding at the time of the meeting, and that future permitting processes could provide additional opportunities for Council action if warranted.

The council record shows the motion to approve the withdrawal resolution failed for lack of a second; a subsequent motion to disapprove the resolution carried. The official motion record lists Councilmember Cindy Hatala as the member who moved to approve (which failed for lack of a second), and Councilmember Van Hunter as the mover and Councilmember Steve Scholar as the seconder of the successful motion to disapprove. The minutes list Mayor Kristi Cox, Councilmember Van Hunter and Councilmember Steve Scholar as present and indicate the disapproval motion carried with Councilmember Hatala opposed.