M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

 

Finance & Administrative Issues                                                Community Services Issues

Chair:              Mayor Frank Scarpitti                                                                            Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

Vice Chair:      Councillor Carolina Moretti                                                                   Vice Chair:      Councillor Howard Shore

 

Environment & Sustainability Issues                                          Building, Parks, & Construction Issues

Chair:              Councillor Valerie Burke                                                                         Chair:              Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Vice Chair:      Regional Councillor Joe Li                                                                      Vice Chair:      Councillor Colin Campbell

 

                                                                                                                       

                Alternate formats are available upon request.

 

 

Attendance

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones Regional Councillor Gord Landon Regional Councillor Joe Li Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor. Howard Shore Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Alan Ho Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services Joel Lustig, Treasurer Andrea Tang, Manager of Financial Planning Dennis Flaherty, Director, Communications & Community Relations Regan Hutcheson, Manager Heritage Phoebe Fu, Senior Manager, Facilities Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

The General Committee convened at the hour of 11:29 a.m. with Mayor Frank Scarpitti in the Chair; Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services related items and Councillor Logan Kanapathi Chaired Land, Building & Parks Construction related items.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         UNIONVILLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREA (UBIA) UPDATE (3.0)

            Presentation

 

Ms. Judy McIntyre, Executive Director of the Unionville BIA and Mr. Rob Kadlovski, Co-chair of Unionville BIA delivered a PowerPoint presentation briefly outlining their accomplishments in the past months and their proposed plans for the future.

 

The Committee suggested that the BIA meet with the Mayor and interested Members of Council to further discuss and understand their plans for the future.

 

It was pointed out that the Town needs to be clear on their role with BIA's.

 

The Committee thanked Ms. McIntyre and Mr. Kadlovski for all their work and today's presentation.

 

Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

1)         THAT the presention by Ms. Judi McIntyre, Executive Director of the Unionville BIA. entitled “UBIA Update” be received.

CARRIED

 

2.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 16, 2012
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)                  That the Minutes of the January 16, 2012 General Committee be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2012
            ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 17, 2012 Environmental Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

 

2)         THAT the following recommendations of the November 17, 2011 Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes be endorsed;

 

            “That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) recommend to Town of Markham Council that a representative from the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) be appointed to the Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee.”

CARRIED

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 24, 2011
            CYCLING & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

It was noted that paragraph two on page 3 of the minutes should read "……a 2.5 times increase in ridership on roads with cycling facilities."

 

Councillor Howard Shore suggested that staff report back on a potential pilot project to permit cycling on specific designated sidewalks.

 

Moved by Councillor Howard Shore

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 24, 2011 Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received for information purposes; and,

 

2)         That staff report back on a potential pilot project to permit cycling on specific designated sidewalks.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 13, 2011
            SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the Minutes of the December 13, 2011 Seniors Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 18, 2012
            SENIOR’S HALL OF FAME AWARDS COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 18, 2012 Seniors Awards Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 11, 2012
            THE FRIENDS OF THE MARKHAM MUSEUM BOARD (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 11, 2012 The Friends of the Markham Museum board be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

8.         REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – MARKHAM
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TRAINING ACADEMY (7.0)

            Report   Attachment A     Attachment B

 

The Committee suggested that this item be deferred to the February 13, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

That the following recommendation be deferred to the February 13, 2012 General Committee meeting:

 

1)         THAT the report titled “Request for Information – Markham International Sports Training Academy” be received; and,

2)         THAT the document attached to the report as Appendix B be approved for release to the market; and further,

3)         THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect

            to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

9.         2012 CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENT (7.5)

            Report    Appendix 1    Appendix 2    Appendix 3

 

There was brief discussion regarding the watermain replacement on Old Wellington Street.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         THAT the report dated February 6, 2012 entitled, “2012 Capital Budget Amendment” be received; and,

 

2)         THAT Council approve the amendment to the 2012 Capital Budget by adjusting for the following items:

 

a.       inclusion of the watermain replacement on Old Wellington Street between Markham Road (Main Street South) and Wignall Crescent in the amount of $250,000 to be funded from the Waterworks Stabilization/Capital reserve; the scope and cost for the Waterworks capital project #12328 “Watermain Construction & Replacement Program” will be adjusted accordingly;

 

b.      inclusion of the design component for the Watermain replacement on Hwy. 7 between Warden Avenue and Unionville railway tracks in the amount of $60,500 to be funded from the Waterworks Stabilization/Capital reserve; the scope and cost for the Waterworks capital project #12329 “Watermain Construction Design” will be adjusted accordingly; and,

 

3)         THAT the 2012 Capital Budget will be amended as outlined on Appendices 1 & 2 the funding sources and the 2012 Capital projects; and further,

 

4)         THAT further that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

10.       2012 OPERATING BUDGET (7.4)

            Report    Appendix 1    Appendix 2    Appendix 3    Appendix 4     Appendix 5 

                          Appendix 6    Appendix 7    Appendix 8

 

The Budget Subcommittee recommended that the Operating Budget tax rate increase be amended to 1.5%.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         THAT the report dated February 6, 2012 entitled, “2012 Operating Budget” be received; and,

 

2)         THAT Council approve the 2012 Operating Budget for Town services totalling $171,553,698 (excluding the 2011 surplus) which represents a 1.5% tax rate increase over 2011($164,637,871) the principle components of which are detailed in Appendix 1 as amended to reflect the 1.5% tax rate increase as recommended by General Committee on February 6, 2012; and,

 

3)         THAT the gross operating expenditures of $171,553,698, (excluding the 2011 surplus) be funded from the following sources

 

Revenue                                                                                                            2012 Budget $

Taxation Levies                                                                                                 119,868,329

Grants-in-lieu of Taxes                                                                                              1,209,007

Grant & Subsidy Revenues                                                                                       1,529,273

General Revenues (Investment Income, Fines, Permits, Interest & Penalties)                  25,310,189

User Fees & Service Charges (User Fees, Rentals, Sales)                                       19,929,716

Other Income/Recoveries                                                                                         3,707,184

Total Revenues                                                                                                  171,553,698

            ; and,

 

4)         THAT Council approve the 2012 Planning & Design Budget that totals $6,686,379, (excluding the 2011deficit) the principle components of which are detailed on Appendix 2; and,

 

5)         THAT Council approve the 2012 Engineering Budget that totals $6,319,540, (excluding the 2011 surplus) the principle components of which are detailed on Appendix 3;and,

 

6)         THAT Council approve the 2012 Building Standards Budget that totals $7,972,783, (excluding the 2011surplus) the principle components of which are detailed on Appendix 5; and,

 

7)         THAT Council approve the 2012 Waterworks Budget that totals $81,642,620, (excluding the 2011 surplus) the principle components of which are detailed on Appendix 7; and,

 

8)         THAT upon finalization of the 2011 audited financial statements, the 2012 Operating, Planning & Design, Engineering, Building Standards and Waterworks budgets be adjusted to reflect the 2011 operating results; and,

 

9)         THAT a copy of the budgets be made available to the public through the Clerk’s Department, Town’s website and each of the Markham Public Libraries; and,

 

10)       THAT the “Additional Financial Disclosure Requirements Pursuant to Ontario Regulation 284/09” be received for information purposes; and further,

 

11)       THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

11.       2011 YEAR-END INVESTMENT REPORT (7.0)

            Report     Exhibit 1    Exhibit 2    Exhibit 3    Exhibit 4    Exhibit 5    Exhibit 6 

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         THAT the report dated February 6, 2012 entitled “2011 Investment Performance Review” be received; and,

 

2)         THAT staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

12.       NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRENCHLESS
            TECHNOLOGY (NASTT) NO-DIG 2012 CONFERENCE
            & EXHIBITION ON MARCH 11-15, 2012 IN
            NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA (5.0)

            Report

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         THAT authorization be granted for Erine Ting, Manager of Infrastructure, Waterworks and Councillor Alex Chiu to attend the North American Society of Trenchless Technology’s International (NASTT) No-Dig 2012 Conference and Exhibition on March 11-15, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee; and,

           

2)         THAT Waterworks staff and Councillor expenses be paid in accordance to Town’s Policy from the 2012 Operating Budget account #760-998-5200; and further,

 

3)         THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

13.       DANIEL’S FAIRTY HOUSE (5.0)

            Presentation

 

Pheobe Fu, Senior Manager, Facilities and Regan Hutcheson, Manager Heritage delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Daniel’s Fairty House at 7060 Markham Road which is owned by the Town and located on parkland.

 

The Committee discussed the following:

·        potential to exchange lands with the Remington Group to permit reconfiguration of the existing park

·        how much the building has deteriorated over the last few years

·        the current interest of the Markham African Caribbean Association (MACA) in the building and their past attempts to raise funds to assist in renovating the building

·        the status of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MACA

·        identified amount of the Capital contribution required for restoration

·        the ability to secure grants and potential fundraising

·        Staff proposed restoration plan

·        Should the building remain for public uses only or should other potential opportunities such as commercial usages for the building be considered

·        Potential to relocate the heritage building

 

Ms. Evelin Ellison, Thornhill resident addressed the Committee regarding the Daniel’s Fairty House and spoke in support of restoring the heritage building.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor Carolina Moretti

 

1)         THAT the presentation by Ms. Pheobe Fu, Senior Manager, Facilities & Regan Hutcheson, Manager Heritage entitled “Daniel’s Fairty House” be received; and,

 

2)         That staff proceed with the structural evaluation of the Daniel's Fairty House; and,

 

3)         That staff, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Councillor Logan Kanapathi establish a meeting with representatives of Markham African Caribbean Association (MACA); and,

 

4)         That staff be authorized to issue an RFP to seek external interests in restoring the building in exchange for a long term lease of the building and report back with the results of the RFP; and further,

 

5)         That staff report back with proposed restoration/renovation program requiring capital contribution.

CARRIED

 NEW BUSINESS

 

14.       MEATLESS MONDAYS

 

Councillor Valerie Burke reminded the Committee of the Sustainability Office's promoting Meatless Mondays and thanked Committee for their support.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The General Committee meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.