Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number: 3

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 1:00 P.m. - 4:30 P.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Ritch Lau
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Juanita Nathan
• Councillor Isa Lee

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of People Services
• Morgan Jones, Commissioner, Community Services
• Chris Nearing, Fire Chief
• Bryan Frois, Senior Manager, Executive Operations & Strategic Initiatives
• Joseph Silva, Treasurer
• Sumon Acharjee, Chief Information Officer
• Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk
• Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk
• Frank Clarizio, Director, Engineering
• Giulio Cescato, Director of Planning & Urban Design
• Stephanie DiPerna, Director, Building Standards
• Eddy Wu, Director, Environmental Services
• Stephen Lue, Senior Manager, Development
• Rajeeth Arulanantham, Election and Committee Coordinator
• Emil Bautista, Technology Support Specialist II
• Joshua Silver, Assistant City Solicitor
• Alice Lam, Director, Operations
• Joanne Kinya Baker, Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Jamaal Kossy, Specialist
• Lois Davies, Accessibility Consultant

​Alternate formats for this document are available upon request

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of Council convened at 1:10 PM on February 25, 2025 Mayor Frank Scarpitti presided.

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron- Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

Mayor and Council observed a moment of silence in recognition of the recent passing of City of Markham employee Prathapan Kumar, Senior Manager, Infrastructure.  The Mayor extended condolences on behalf of Council and City staff to Kumar’s family, friends and colleagues and advised the flags were flown at half-mast at the Civic Centre and at 8100 Warden Avenue in his honour.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

 

​

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

COUNCIL MINUTES - JANUARY 28, 2025

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish
  1. That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on January 28, 2025, be adopted.
  Carried

4.

PRESENTATIONS

4.1

STAFF IDENTITY AND INCLUSION SURVEY REPORT

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, provided an overview of the initiative and Joseph Silva, Treasurer and Executive Sponsor of the program introduced Dr. Shaheen Azmi who provided a presentation outlining the results of the survey.  Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of People Services, outlined the next steps to be undertaken on this project and advised that Staff would be providing regular updates to Council on this matter.

• Moved by Councillor Isa Lee
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the presentation and memorandum regarding the Staff Identity and Inclusion Survey Report for the City of Markham be received; and, further,
  2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

5.

DEPUTATIONS

5.1

DEPUTATION ITEM 7.2.1 - RECOMMENDATION REPORT – NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I OF CANADA (10.3)

The following individuals appeared before Council in objection to the application:

•  Edith Gangas
• Gail Lavery
• Mark Newton
• Stanley Lapidus
• Matthew Albanese
•  Evelin Ellison
• Kimberley Seymour

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Ritch Lau

  That the rules of procedure be waived to allow Evelin Ellison and Kimberley Seymour to speak again as they already appeared at the Development Services Committee meeting held on February 11, 2025 and spoke on this matter.

  Carried by Two Thirds Vote

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

6.1

MEMORANDUM - STAFF IDENTITY AND INCLUSION SURVEY REPORT

See Item 4.1 Presentations for Council decision on this matter.

6.2

MEMORANDUM - MAYORS BLACK YOUTH LIAISON COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

• Moved by Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
  1. That the memo entitled Mayor’s Black Youth Liaison Committee Appointments be received; and,
  2. That the following Appointments of Members to the Mayor’s Black Youth Liaison Committee be confirmed for the term January 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025: 
      
     •    Aliya Arnette 
     •    Malak Elhag 
     •    Stephanie Ikharia 
     •    Trinity Baxter 
     •    Laila Rutherford 
     •    Melia McIntosh 
     •    Temidayo Olanipekun 
     •    Taliel Morgan 
     •    Aria Elaine Sampson-Browne 
     •    Savannah Lyons 
     •    Marshall Gondi  and further,

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

  Carried

6.3

MEMORANDUM - UPDATE TO DELEGATION OF APPROVAL AUTHORITY BY-LAW

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  1. That the memo titled “Update to Delegation of Approval Authority By-law”, dated February 25, 2025, be received; and,
  2. That the Amendment to By-law 2023-19, being a By-law to provide for the Delegation of Approval Authority pursuant to the Planning Act and Condominium Act, as amended, be approved by Council, and that the draft By-law Amendment attached hereto as Appendix ‘A’, be finalized and brought forward to be enacted without further notice; and further,
  3. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
     (By-law 2025-21)
  Carried

6.4

COMMUNICATIONS RE: ITEM 7.2.1 - RECOMMENDATION REPORT, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I OF CANADA, 

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the communications regarding Item 7.2.1 " RECOMMENDATION REPORT, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I OF CANADA, OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTRE AND CANADIAN NATIONAL TEMPLE AT 7200 AND 7290 LESLIE STREET (WARD 1)" from:
     
     •    Florence Wang, 
     •    Einat Netaneli, 
     •    Erica Pinto, 
     •    Michael Oberpichler, 
     •    Ingrid Ling, 
     •    Corina Zanfir, 
     •    Mei Ng, 
     •    Judith Howard, 
     •    Lavinia Corriero, 
     •    Cheryl Wong, 
     •    Joe Wong, 
     •    Rigby Andrews, 
     •    Dragos Ilas, 
     •    Al Dharsee, 
     •    Cathy Zuo, 
     •    Manfred Lo, 
     •    Godfrey Lo, 
     •    Carrie Lo, 
     •    Dianne Berwick, 
     •    Harcharan (Harry) Singh, 
     •    Sandra Mauti, 
     •    Mark Newton, 
     •    Janet Flynn, 
     •    Valerie Burke, 
     •    Gail Lavery, 
     •    Sue Mason, 
     •    Lew Golding, 
     •    Esther Ravka, 
     •    Rocia Morales, 
     •    Noraly Barillas; and, 
     •    Jorge Cisneros,
     be received and referred to Staff.
  Carried

7.

REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE

7.1

REPORT NO.3 GENERAL COMMITTEE (FEBRUARY 11, 2025)

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes

  That the report of the General Committee be received & adopted. (Item 1):

  Carried

7.1.1

NEW USER FEES (7.4)

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  1. That the report titled “New User Fees” be received; and,
  2. That the new user fee, permit and fines as outlined in Appendix A be approved; and,
  3. That By-Law 2012-137, Licensing, Permit and Service Fees be amended to reflect the proposed fee changes as outlined in Appendix B (Table 1.1); and,
  4. That By-Law 2002-276, To Impose Fees and Charges for Services or Activities provided or done by the City of Markham, be amended to reflect the proposed fee changes as outlined in Appendix B (Table 1.2); and,
  5. That Schedule A of By-Law 2018-109, a by-law to regulate the use, alteration, and occupancy of highways within the City of Markham be amended with changes as outlined in Appendix B (Table 1.3); and further,
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

7.2

REPORT NO. 4 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE (FEBRUARY 11, 2025)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

  That the report of the Development Services Committee be received & adopted. (Item 1):

  Carried

7.2.1

RECOMMENDATION REPORT, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I OF CANADA, OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATIONS

Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services and Giulio Cescato, Director of Planning & Urban Design provided an overview of the applications.  Mark Schollen, Schollen and Company, on behalf of the applicant appeared before Council and advised of the changes made to the applications based on public feedback.

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the February 11, 2025, report titled, “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i of Canada, Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications to permit the development of a new Bahá’í National Centre and Canadian National Temple at 7200 and 7290 Leslie Street (Ward 1), File PLAN 22 262723”, be received; and,
  2. That the Official Plan Amendment application submitted by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i of Canada, be approved and that the draft Official Plan Amendment, attached hereto as Appendix ‘A’, be finalized and brought forward to a future Council meeting to be adopted without further notice; and,
  3. That the Zoning By-law Amendment application submitted by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i of Canada, be approved and that the draft Zoning By-law Amendment, attached hereto as Appendix ‘B’, be finalized, and brought forward to a future Council meeting to be enacted without further notice; and,
  4. That the deputations from Esther Ravka, Kimberly Seymour, Ashkan Tabib, Evelin Ellison and Jack Heath be received; and,
  5. That the written communications from Don and Colleen Bone, Kim Seymour, Jamaal Meerick, Edith Kangas, Gail Lavery, Sue Mason, Valerie Burke, Mark Newton, Harcharan Singh, Sheila Geary, and, Joan Honsburger be received; and further,
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried
• (See below for Deferral Motion on this matter)
• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine

  That Item 7.2.1 regarding the Recommendation Report, National Spiritual Assembly of The Baha’i of Canada, Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendment Applications be deferred to the March 25, 2025 Council meeting.

  Lost

8.

MOTIONS

There were no motions.

9.

NOTICE OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER

​​There were no notices of motions.

10.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

10.1

ATTENDANCE AT NATIONAL FORUM ON COMBATTING ANTISEMITISM

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish

  That the rules of procedure be waived to introduce a motion granting permission for Members of Council or designates to attend an overnight conference in Ottawa, ON.

  Carried by Two Thirds Vote
• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish

  That Council approve the overnight attendance of Mayor Frank Scarpitti or his designate and a Member of Council to attend the National Forum on Combatting Anti-Semitism hosted by the Federal Government in Ottawa on March 6, 2025.  

  Carried

11.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.​​

12.

BY-LAWS - THREE READINGS

• Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

  That By-laws 2025-18 to 2025-21 be given three readings and enacted.

  Carried

Three Readings

12.1

BY-LAW 2025-18, A BY-LAW TO AMEND BYLAW 2012-137 BEING A BY-LAW TO IMPOSE LICENSING, PERMIT AND SERVICE FEES,

BY-LAW 2002-276, A BY-LAW TO IMPOSE FEES AND CHARGES FOR SERVICES OR ACTIVITIES PROVIDED OR PERFORMED BY THE CITY OF MARKHAM, AND BY-LAW 2018-109 A BY-LAW TO REGULATE THE USE, ALTERATION, AND OCCUPANCY OF HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY OF MARKHAM.

A By-law to update various User Fees in City of Markham.

(Item 7.1.1)

• Carried

12.2

BY-LAW 2025-19, A BY-LAW TO DESIGNATE PART OF A CERTAIN PLAN OF SUBDIVISION NOT SUBJECT TO PART LOT CONTROL

Being a By-law to exempt the subject part blocks from the part-lot control for lands located on the east side of Swan Park Road, north of Castlemore Avenue and south of Donald Cousens Parkway (Greensborough Community).

• Carried

12.3

BY-LAW 2025-20, A BY-LAW TO AMEND BY-LAW NO. 2002-276, BEING A BY-LAW TO IMPOSE FEES OR CHARGES FOR SERVICES OR ACTIVITIES PROVIDED OR DONE BY THE CITY OF MARKHAM

Being a By-law to amend By-law 2002-276, to update the 2025 Water and Wastewater Rate.

• Carried

12.4

BY-LAW 2025-21, A BY-LAW TO AMEND BY-LAW 2023-19, A DELEGATION BY-LAW BEING A BY-LAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE DELEGATION OF APPROVAL AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE PLANNING ACT AND CONDOMINIUM ACT

Being a By-law to provide for the Delegation of Approval Authority pursuant to the Planning Act and Condominium Act.
(Item 6.3)

• Carried

13.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

Council consented to not proceed into closed session and adopted the following recommendations in open session. 

13.1

COUNCIL

13.1.1

CONFIDENTIAL COUNCIL MINUTES - JANUARY 28, 2025

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  1. That the confidential Council minutes of the Council Meeting held on January 28, 2025, be adopted.
  Carried

13.2

HERITAGE MARKHAM COMMITTEE AND DOORS OPEN MARKHAM ORGANIZING COMMITTEE BOARD APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

• Moved by Councillor Keith Irish
  Seconded by Councillor Reid McAlpine

  1)    That the following individual be re-appointed to the Heritage Markham Committee with a term expiry as noted:

  Name                        Start Date       Term Expiry Date
  Elizabeth Wimmer    immediately    December 31, 2025, and,
  
  

  2)    That the following individuals be appointed to the Doors Open Markham Organizing Committee with a term expiry as noted:

  
  Name                        Start Date       Term Expiry Date
  Teresa Kwoon             Immediately    November 30, 2027
  Yuning Chen             Immediately    November 30, 2027
  Sheila Zaharaei        Immediately    November 30, 2027, and further,
  
  

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

  Carried

13.3

MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

• Moved by Councillor Ritch Lau
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the following individuals be appointed to the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee with a term expiry as noted :
     
     Name                       Start Date       End Date
     Jisan Phillps             Immediately    Nov 30, 2027
     Chun Yu                   Immediately     Nov 30, 2027
     Anittha Kannuthal    Immediately     Nov 30, 2028, and,
     
     
  2. That Babak Esmaeilzadeh-Faal be removed from the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee and that Council declare his position vacant; and further, 
     
     
  3. That staff be directed and authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

14.

CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW - THREE READINGS

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Juanita Nathan

  That By-law 2025-17 be given three readings and enacted.

  Three Readings

  BY-LAW 2025-17 A BY-LAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025.

  Carried

15.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish

  That the Council meeting of February 25, 2025 be adjourned at 3:46 PM.

  Carried