M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2003-04-01
Canada
Room
Meeting No. 6
Attendance
|
Mayor D. Cousens
Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Regional Councillors T. Wong
B.
O'Donnell
Councillors S. Daurio
E.
Shapero
J.
Virgilio
G.
McKelvey
D.
Horchik
K.
Usman
A.
Chiu
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
A. Arbuckle, Manager of Infrastructure
and Capital
Works
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development
Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
P. Loukes, Director, Operations & Asset
Management
D. McClean, Fire Chief
P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services
S. Mintz, Deputy Fire Chief
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community
and Fire
Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
M. F. Turner, Commissioner of Strategy,
Innovations and
Partnerships
|
The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of
5:40 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. MINUTES
OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
- MARCH 18, 2003 (16.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held
on March 18, 2003 be confirmed.
Carried
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That Committee recess in-camera.
Carried
2. USE OF TORONTO FIRE
SERVICES
TRAINING FACILITIES (7.15)
Moved by Councillor
S. Daurio
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That Council
authorize the Mayor and or Clerk to sign a Permission, Release, Covenant and
Indemnification to the City of Toronto and the Toronto Fire Services respecting
the use of Toronto Fire Services training facilities for training exercises by
Town of Markham firefighters, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
Carried
3. ENTERPRISE DRIVE/HELEN AVENUE EXTENSION &
SOUTH UNIONVILLE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS (10.8.1, 5.7 & 7.12.1)
Martin Scott, McCormick Rankin, was in attendance and
presented issues regarding the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue extension class
environmental assessment, including:
- Public
Information Centres (PIC) that have been hosted
- various
alternative options with analysis and evaluations
- review
of the recommended solution
- the
Main Street alternative
- summary
of previous questions
- outstanding
issues to be resolved
- transit
opportunities
- recommendations.
Mr. Scott suggested timeframes for a
Public Meeting to be held, for the environmental assessment report to be filed
and for a report being brought forward to the Transportation Committee.
The Commissioner of Development
Services reviewed future land use patterns in the area which are primarily
residential, with commercial and industrial closer to Highway 407. Current proposed road patterns were also
reviewed.
Committee requested that Council
approval be obtained prior to the environmental assessment report being filed.
Tim Mereu, Eco Plans, was in
attendance and reviewed and discussed the Markham Centre stormwater management
facility, including:
- purpose
- objective
- current
status
- alternatives
- screening
criteria
- the
preferred alternative
- recommendations.
Mr. Mereu advised that the preferred alternatives are 5.1
(east basin and west basin) and 5.2 (east basin and on-site controls - west
side). The chosen alternative will be
determined by a precinct plan. A
comparison of existing and anticipated future water quality conditions was
discussed. In the implementation of
alternative 5.1 and/or 5.2, tributary 5 will be relocated and improved.
Committee requested that information be provided regarding
how water quality in the 14th Avenue pilot project met and/or did not meet
expectations.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the April 1,
2003 presentation regarding the Class Environmental Assessment for the
Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue Extension be received;
And that Council
endorse Alternative D for the Enterprise Drive and Helen Avenue extension as
attached as Appendix 'A' to the original minutes in the Clerk's Department;
And that the
Engineering Department be authorized to hold the last Public Information Centre
for the Enterprise Drive and Helen Avenue Extension Class Environmental
Assessment during April 2003;
And that any
comments received during the PIC be presented to the Transportation Committee
for comment prior to being incorporated into the final Environmental Study
Report for the project;
And that, subsequent
to review by the Transportation Committee, the Engineering Department be authorized
to file the Environmental Study Report for the 30 day public review period;
And that the
Engineering Department report back to Transportation Committee on April 28th
2003 with proposed methods to fast track the detailed design and construction of
the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue extension;
And that the April
1, 2003 presentation regarding the Class Environmental Assessment for the South
Unionville Stormwater Management Facility be received;
And that Council
endorse the preferred alternative (5.1 and 5.2) for the South Unionville
Stormwater Management Facility to proceed, subsequent to completion of the
Environmental Assessment and following the PIC, being:
5.1 east basin and west basin
5.2 east basin and on-site controls (west side);
And that the
Engineering Department be authorized to hold the last Public Information Centre
for the South Unionville Stormwater Management Facility Class Environmental
Assessment during April 2003;
And that any
comments received during the PIC be presented to the Transportation Committee
for comment prior to being incorporated into the final Environmental Study
Report for the project;
And that, subsequent
to review by the Transportation Committee, the Engineering Department be
authorized to file the Environmental Study Report for the 30 day public review
period.
Carried
4. MARKHAM CENTRE EXECUTIVE
STEERING COMMITTEE - MINUTES
OF MEETING
HELD ON APRIL 1, 2003 (10.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the tabled
minutes of the Markham Centre Steering Committee meeting held on April 1, 2003,
be received.
Carried
5. MARKHAM CENTRE
COMMUNICATIONS
INITIATIVES (10.8)
Moved by Regional
Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That the following
communications strategies be received and endorsed:
Recommended
Strategies:
- Stay the course with the Communications
Strategy and key messages developed in 2002
- Separate the Traffic Management issues
from Markham Centre as much as possible and develop a targeted
Communications Plan to address those local issues.
§
Harmonize plan
with the Markham Centre initiatives
§
Keep this
campaign measured and low key
§
Continue to
involve citizens directly in decision-making
§
Coalition-build
at small group meetings and work with the Unionville Traffic Management Plan
Coalition group
§
Work together
towards building win-win solutions
§
Create targeted
information pieces to support speaking engagements and meetings (i.e. A series
of Fast Fact sheets, “Let’s Get Traffic Moving Again” handout, etc.)
- Energize the general Markham Centre
education and awareness campaign
- Target cultural diversity through group
meetings, local Councillor contact and major media
Recommended Plan
for Markham Centre:
1.
Re-assign the
approximate $16,000 in savings from reducing to 2 Newsletters (in a larger
tabloid-size format) from 3, as follows:
§
Enhance
Static Mall Display - $10,000 approx.
-
Rent 2 x 52”
Plasma Screens ($3,800 per event)
Screen
#1:
·
Interactive
Visual Preference Survey #2 re: Open
Spaces programming
·
Add “Flash”
animation segment as a lead-in to survey
·
Connection to
MC website ($3,800)
Screen #2:
·
MC Powerpoint
presentation (loop)
·
Greenlands
Powerpoint presentation (loop)
-
Enhance
“Toolbox”
·
content to
cover our 5 theme areas
-
Comment Cards
-
Promotional
Items for Handout – approx. $1,800
·
Promotional
item to be determined
-
Additional Fact
Sheets & colour copies ($4,000)
·
A compact
pamphlet be provided for handout
§
Mall displays
to be considered for First Markham Place and Pacific Mall
§
A display be
considered for a vacant Main Street Unionville shop, the Church, or the Go
Station
§
Looped video
displays be considered for Community Centres and the Civic Centre
§
The second
newsletter to be put on hold until further review
2. Initiate Spring coalition-building efforts
o Target speaking engagements and focused
meetings with Ratepayer Groups, Service Clubs, Cultural Groups and other key
Business Associations
o Bookings to Date:
§
Unionville
Ratepayers Group – April 7
§
Federation of
Ratepayers in Markham – May 1
o Ward Councillor J. Virgilio and one staff
member to arrange meetings with local groups:
§
Unionville
Historical Society
§
Unionville
Ratepayers Association
§
Unionville
Villagers Association
§
Village Green
Ratepayers Association
§
Knights of
Columbus, St. Justin Martyr
§
Lions Club,
Markham
§
Markham Sunrise
Rotary Club
§
Markham
Unionville Rotary Club
§
Unionville BIA
§
Unionville
Presbyterian Men's Group
o Regional Councillor T. Wong, to approach
cultural groups
3. Website
Enhancements:
o Develop (in-house) mechanism to provide a new
“Did you Know” section on the MC website for weekly information updates
o Add Performance Measurement information,
process & protocols (in progress)
o Update FAQ’s (in progress)
o Develop Media Story Bank
4. Markham
Centre DVD
o Utilize 2003 budgeted funds in Economic
Development to produce a 3-5 minute DVD to be utilized at displays and meetings
5. Rogers
Cable TV and OMNI 2
o Initiate potential speaking engagements on
regularly scheduled programs.
Carried
6. MARKHAM DISTRICT ENERGY
INC. AND
MARKHAM ENERGY CORPORATION
AMENDMENT TO PROMISSORY NOTES
(13.7)
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the promissory
notes for Markham District Energy Inc. (MDEI) and Markham Energy Corporation
(MEC) be amended such that Town of Markham must provide 367 days written notice
to Markham Energy Corporation of demand for repayment of the promissory notes.
Carried
7. REGION OF YORK
16TH AVENUE SEWER
DEWATERING ISSUE (5.5)
Committee had before it a draft resolution regarding the Region of York
16th Avenue trunk sewer dewatering issue.
This resolution was discussed, reviewed and amended, line by line.
Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Whereas the Region
of York has undertaken extensive dewatering for its 9th Line and 16th
Avenue (Phase I) sanitary sewers projects;
And whereas the
Region of York has not fully implemented its Mitigation Program adopted by
Regional Council on November 21, 2002;
And whereas some
rural residents of Markham have been on temporary water supply for up to one
(1) year and others are experiencing well problems previously not experienced;
And whereas the
Region of York will require further dewatering for its Phase II 16th
sewer contract (Stone Mason Drive to Woodbine Avenue);
And whereas the Town
of Markham has retained its own hydrogeologist to ensure residents' concerns
regarding dewatering will be addressed;
And whereas Markham
Council requests the Region of York resolve all outstanding well interference
claims for Phase I by May 15, 2003 and further undertake a proactive mitigation
program for Phase II;
Therefore be it
resolved that for Phase 1:
·
The Region of
York in consultation with the Town’s hydrogeologist finalize a predicted zone
of impact and provide for an automatic 1 km extension of that zone;
·
The Region of
York and its contractors, in accordance with the improved enhanced mitigation
program as contained in this resolution, resolve as soon as possible but no
later than May 15, 2003, all outstanding complaints on a case by case basis;
·
For residents
impacted within the extended zone of impact, the Region provide a new well,
re-drilled well, pump adjustments, etc.;
·
The Region
shall investigate all well interference claims outside the extended zone of
impact and those that have not been successfully resolved, and the Region shall
maintain a temporary water supply until the resident's appeal has been heard
and dealt with;
·
The Region be
requested to modify their appeal process based on the following principles:
-
The Region
facilitator/mediator attempt to resolve any unresolved claims failing which an
expedited final appeal process to the Region's Transportation and Works
Committee be initiated;
-
The Region's,
McNally's and Markham's hydrogeologists provide independent evaluation of
outstanding well interference claims on a case by case basis;
-
The
hydrogeologists submit their independent evaluation and opinion to the Region
of York Transportation and Works Committee for consideration;
-
The Region’s
Transportation and Works Committee as a publicly elected body provide a final
evaluation and determine if the Region should assist in whole or in part in
rectifying the well problem;
-
The Region
advise the Town of Markham of the results of each appeal;
·
The Region
provide the Town with a weekly progress update on the resolution of outstanding
well issues;
·
The Region
prepare and submit to the Town a communication plan by April 22, 2003 as to how
they plan to communicate the mitigation program and appeal process to
residents;
·
The Region
submit a newsletter to rural residents explaining maintenance requirements for
wells.
Therefore be it
resolved that for Phase II:
·
Markham Council
reaffirm its November 12, 2002 resolution that the Ministry of Environment not
issue a dewatering permit for the Phase II until the Town of Markham advises
that it has approved the Region's planned well monitoring and mitigation
program and all outstanding issues for Phase I are resolved;
·
The Region of
York be requested not to commence dewatering until the base monitoring program
and the mitigation program has been completed to the satisfaction of the Town
of Markham and its hydrogeologist;
·
The Region
expedite a proactive program to mitigate the impact of dewatering prior to the
commencement of the dewatering;
·
For
unanticipated well interference claims, the Region implement its mitigation
program (including interim water supply) within 24 hours and expedite the
technical evaluation, resolution or subsequent appeal process, if required;
·
The Region
provide the Town with a weekly progress update on the resolution of outstanding
well issues;
·
The Region
report back to Markham Council on May 6, 2003 with their well monitoring,
mitigation and communication programs
and the appeal process for Phase II;
·
The Engineering
Department 2003 Capital Budget be modified to include a $70,000 allowance for
hydrogeologist consultants services and that such costs be financed by
development charges.
Carried
8. WATER SUPPLY UPDATE (5.3
& 13.4)
Committee referred this matter to the April 1, 2003 Council
meeting for consideration.