General Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number: 12

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 9:30 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• 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

Regrets

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Alice Lam, Acting Commissioner, Community Services
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
• Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk
• Adam Grant, Fire Chief
• Stephanie DiPerna, Director, Building Standards
• Darryl Lyons, Acting Director, Planning & Urban Design
• Chris Rickett, Director, Economic Development, Culture and Entrepreneurship
• Mark Visser, Sr Manager Strategy Innovation ＆ Investments
• Eddy Wu, Acting Director, Environmental Services
• Hristina Giantsopoulos, Election/Council & Committee Coordinator
• John Wong, Technology Support Specialist II
• Jennifer Evans, Legislative Coordinator

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

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.

General Committee convened at 9:31 AM with Councillor Keith Irish presiding as Chair.  

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Minutes for the previous two General Committee meeting will be placed on the May 9, 2023 agenda.

4.

DEPUTATIONS

There was a deputation in relation to item 6.1.  Please refer to the item for details.  

5.

COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

6.

PETITIONS

6.1

PETITION FOR REMOVAL OF SNOW WINDROW IN CITY OF MARKHAM

The Committee heard the following deputation in relation to this item:

Brinda Goswami, addressed the Committee to express concerns with the current standards in relation to winter maintenance and snow removal from windrows.

The Committee thanked the deputant for attending the meeting and noted that the City's winter maintenance programs will be addressed at an upcoming Special General Committee on June 19, 2023.

• Moved by Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the petition entitled "Petition for Removal of Snow Windrow in City of Markham" be received; and,
  2. That the petition be referred to Staff, and,
  3. That the deputation from Brinda Goswami be received; and further, 
  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

7.

CONSENT REPORTS - ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS

7.1

THE MECP – MARKHAM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - DRINKING WATER INSPECTION REPORT (5.3)

The Committee inquired about the water quality incidents report, the remedial actions and the exemption for lead testing.  

Eddy Wu, Acting Commissioner, Community Services, advised that there were a few instances that required watermains to be flushed and that this was the typical corrective action, where samples were taken after flushing, resampled and passed. He further advised that this usually occurred where stagnant water was found, mainly in new development areas with lack of consumption. Deadend watermains are flushed regularly to maintain water quality.  

Mr. Wu indicated that the City was exempt from lead testing due to excellent historic results in this regard and that the City will reapply for this exemption later this year.  

• Moved by Councillor Ritch Lau
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the report entitled “The MECP – Markham Distribution System – Drinking Water Inspection Report, February 08, 2023” be received; and, 
  2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

8.

REGULAR REPORTS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

8.1

BUILDING MARKHAM'S FUTURE TOGETHER (BMFT) (16.23)

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, addressed the Committee to provide opening remarks about the City's strategic plan and the positive progress made despite the challenges that arose from the Covid-19 pandemic. He introduced Bryan Frois, Senior Manager, Executive Operations and Strategic Initiatives who presented an update to the strategic plan and highlights of the accomplishments made over the last year.  Mr. Frois indicated that the City's strategic plan is the framework which Council uses in their decision making.  

The Committee thanked Andy Taylor and Bryan Frois for the report and noted the impressive list of accomplishments to date.  There was discussion on the following in relation to the presentation: 

• Concerns with the specific details surrounding strategic goals and that some are vague;
• A suggestion that moving forward there be greater detail included in defining strategic goals;
• That there be consideration to include comprehensive metrics and benchmarking for improved analysis;
• Inquiries related to the parking strategy, Tree Preservation By law and Infill By law reviews and their timing;  
• A suggestion that the affordable housing committee be re-initiated;
• That there be consideration to include specific action items that address accompanying objectives within the report in the future;
• Concerns with the amount of current investment towards the City's overall infrastructure including watermains and tourism; 
• An inquiry in relation to the distribution of the City's strategic plan and availability to the public;
• That there be consideration to increase printed communications to residents and that digitally exclusive communication decreases reach within the community;
• An inquiry related to the City's share of property tax revenue that is contributed to York Region in relation to the benefits received; 
• A suggestion that the City investigate withdrawal from the multi-tiered municipality;
• That there be consideration to conduct a comparative analysis with neighbouring municipalities to illustrate how the City fares on similar issues; 
• That a feasibility study be undertaken for the development of an international convention center possibly located at the Unionville Go Station due to its accessibility by transit; 
• A suggestion that a two to three day session be planned to review the strategic objectives and re-prioritize as required in consideration of the many recent changes to legislation and funding from the Province; and,
• That there be consideration to conduct a job description and salary review to attract and retain staff.

Staff will provide additional supporting information in relation the inquiries, ongoing initiatives, and re-formatted quarterly report forecasts and abeyance list. 

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the report entitled Building Markham’s Future Together (BMFT) 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan Update be received; and, 
  2. That Markham Council endorse a three-year extension of the current Building Markham’s Future Together (BMFT) 2020-2023 Strategic Plan; and, 
  3. That the current strategic plan be renamed Building Markham’s Future Together (BMFT) 2020-2026; and,
  4. That staff undertake a consultation process with Members of Council and community to review current priorities and propose potential goals and actions to be added to the strategic plan pending council endorsement; and, 
  5. That communications go out to the public regarding the extension of the current strategic plan; and further, 
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.

MOTIONS

There were no motions.

10.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motions.

11.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

There was no new or other business.

12.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Councillor Juanita Nathan
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Michael Chan

  That General Committee adjourn at 11:29 AM.

  Carried