GENERAL
COMMITTEE
Finance
& Administrative Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair,
Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D.
Horchik Environment & Sustainability Issues
Chair:
IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor
J. Jones Chair: Councillor
E. Shapero
Chair: Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
A. Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services
P. Loukes, Director, Operations
S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management
B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 AM with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor A. Chiu assumed the Chair for Community
Services Items 7-10.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None
disclosed
1. 2007 TRANS-INDIAN OCEAN
ROW (12.2.6)
Letter
Mr. G.
Edwards provided a brief overview of his attempt to row across the Indian
Ocean. It was noted that he was at sea for ninety days – a World Record. Mr.
Edwards and his team raised $64,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation. Mr.
Edwards presented the Mayor with a plaque in recognition of the Town’s
financial support of the expedition.
Committee
thanked Mr. Edwards and congratulated him on his efforts.
2. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER
26, 2007
VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF
MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That
the minutes of the November 26, 2007 Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham be
received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007
MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That
the minutes of the November 5, 2007 Markham Race Relations Committee be
received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 11 AND NOVEMBER 22, 2007
CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Oct.
11 Nov.
22
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That
the minutes of October 11 and November 22, 2007 Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee be received.
CARRIED
5. APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES/BOARDS
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That the composition
of the Markham Theatre Advisory Board be increased by one (1) to twelve
(12) voting members;
And that the
following persons be appointed to the Markham Theatre Advisory Board for
the term ending November 30, 2010:
Nancy Cogger
Simon Gulden
David Banfield
And that the following persons
be appointed to the Markham Race Relations Committee for the terms
indicated:
Winnie Wales (Unionville) for the term ending November 30, 2011
Theresa Coulter (Markham) for the term ending November 30, 2011
June Veecock (Markham) for the term ending November 30, 2009
Javaid Khan (Unionville) for the term ending November 30, to 2009
CARRIED
6. PURCHASE OF SPONSORSHIP-TABLE SPONSORSHIP
APPROVAL (7.9)
Report
There
was considerable discussion regarding the benefits of developing a policy on
table sponsorship for various events. Such a policy would allow for greater flexibility
in terms of bookings for events and should reduce the number of no-shows as
reservations will be less tentative.
It was
agreed that the process be monitored and if no-shows continue to be a problem
then additional options, such as charging the cost back to the absent
Councillor’s discretionary expense account, will be considered.
Moved
by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the process for purchase of sponsorships on behalf of Council be
managed within the budget by the Mayor’s Office staff and charged to account
840-8415840;
And that Members of Council will be polled for their interest and
participation. As a
guideline, the cost per organization will not exceed $3,500 as per the Council
approved “Grants and Sponsorship Guidelines”;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
7. DOWNSPOUT
DISCONNECTION PROGRAM (5.3)
Moved
by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded
by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation regarding the Downspout Disconnection Program by
Mr. S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management and Ms. K. Dennison, Manager,
System Engineering be deferred to the next meeting of General Committee on
February 4, 2008.
CARRIED
8. EAST MARKHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE & LIBRARY
PROJECT UPDATE (6.6)
Presentation
Mr. P.
Ottensmeyer, on behalf of the Markham Concert Band, addressed the Committee to
request that the multi-function space at the East Markham Community Centre and
Library be capable of supporting the performing arts. He noted that such a
space should provide for storage for musical instruments and have a high
ceiling. Mr. Ottensmeyer suggested that early planning for such a space will help
mitigate any increased costs. Committee noted that
other community groups have requested that the space be as adaptable as
possible.
There
was brief discussion concerning the funding of any additional costs associated
with modifications to the multi-function space.
Staff
presented detailed information on the project as whole including background
history and the current status. Committee was advised that once issues raised
at the second charrette have been resolved, a detailed report will be
forthcoming. It was noted that the multi-function space was an issue raised at
the second charrette and will be addressed by staff.
There
was brief discussion concerning the proposed indoor play area for children. It was
suggested that this be a permanent installation due to the number of expected
users. There was also discussion of the structured parking facility, design
elements, anticipated budget and naming. Committee also noted that the aging
population must be adequately serviced by the new facility, as should low
income families.
Committee
requested details of the Development Charges for soft services that are being
generated by new development in the Town.
Moved
by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded
by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That
the presentation regarding East Markham Community Centre & Library Project
Update by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services and Mr. H. Tse,
Project Engineer be received;
And
that the deputation from Mr. P. Ottensmeyer, on behalf of the Markham Concert
Band, requesting that the multi-function space at the East Markham Community
Centre and Library be capable of supporting the performing arts, be received;
And
that the request be referred to staff for consideration in context with
existing and planned programming space in the town and for a report on the
costs associated with modifying the space as requested.
CARRIED
9. WINTER MAINTENANCE LEVEL OF SERVICE REVIEW (5.0)
Report
There
was brief discussion surrounding some of the wording of the windrow removal
policy.
**Moved
by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded
by Councillor J. Webster
That
the report entitled ‘Winter Operations Level of Service Review’ dated December
5th, 2007 be received;
And
that the Operations Department be authorized to exercise their professional
judgement to determine when local roads should be plowed before the 7.5cm
threshold for local road plowing is attained;
And
that the "Important Information for Homeowners" contained in
Attachment 'A', Bullet No. 3, be amended to read as follows:
"The Operations Department will clear
the windrow within 8 hours following the final plowing of the road, following
the storm."
And
that the qualification criteria for residents making application for the Town’s
windrow removal program be reduced from 65 years of age to 60 years of age as
outlined in Attachment ‘A’ of this report;
And
that the 2008 Operations Department budget account 700 504 5301 be increased by
$90,000 to cover the costs of both the increased frequency of local road
plowing and the revised qualification criteria for the windrow removal
assistance program;
And that
a working group, consisting of members of Council and staff, be established to
review current winter maintenance levels of service and report back to Council
in the spring of 2008 on opportunities and action items for service level
improvements;
And that
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
**Amended
by Council on February 12, 2008 to add the following clause:
“And that the "Important Information for
Homeowners" contained in Attachment 'A', Bullet No. 3, be amended to read
as follows:
"The Operations Department will clear the windrow within 8 hours
following the final plowing of the road, following the storm."
10. MARKHAM WAXERS UPDATE (6.0)
Report Attachment
Mr. R.
Thiessen and Mr. J. Cornacchia, on behalf of Markham Waxers Hockey Club, were
in attendance to speak in opposition to the staff recommendation regarding the
hourly rate for ice time. There was considerable discussion surrounding the
existing policy on the allocation of ice time and associated rates, as well as
the implications of modifying these policies.
Committee
considered the rates paid by other Junior “A” hockey clubs in the Greater
Toronto Area. It was noted that a reduction in rates will impact revenues and
that other users should not be penalized in order to recoup the shortfall.
**Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
the report dated January 21, 2008, titled “Markham Waxers Correspondence &
Deputation from November 12, 2007, General Committee Meeting” be received;
And that the deputation from Mr. R. Thiessen and Mr. J. Cornacchia, on
behalf of Markham Waxers Hockey Club, in opposition to the staff recommendation
regarding the hourly rate for ice time, be received;
And
that the following paragraph 3 be referred to the February 25, 2008 General
Committee meeting and that the Markham Waxers Hockey Club be requested to
provide Committee with the Club's audited financial statements for the last
fiscal year:
"And that the hourly ice rates
applicable to the Markham Waxers be $200 per hour for games and $144 per hour
for practice sessions."
**Amended
by Council on February 12, 2008 as follows:
And that the following paragraph 3 be referred to the February 25, 2008
General Committee meeting and that the Markham Waxers Hockey Club be requested
to provide Committee with the Club's audited financial statements for the last
fiscal year:
"And that the hourly ice rates applicable to the Markham Waxers be
$200 per hour for games and $144 per hour for practice sessions."
11. REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF
YORK POLICE SERVICES BOARD -
2008-2010 DRAFT BUSINESS PLAN (13.4.10)
Attachment
Moved
by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That
the letter from York Region dated December 18, 2007, containing a copy of the
Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board 2008-2010 Draft Business
Plan be received.
CARRIED
12. REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
REVISED 2008 WASTE MANAGEMENT
USER FEES (5.1)
Attachment
Moved
by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the letter from York Region dated December 14, 2007 outlining the
revised 2008 Waste Management User fees be received.
CARRIED
13. REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF
YORK
PROGRESS REPORT ON
YORK REGION IMMIGRATION PORTAL (13.4)
Attachment
Moved
by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That
the letter from York Region dated December 14, 2007, updating the process in
regard to the implementation of the York Region Immigration Portal be received.
CARRIED
14. FCM
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE AND
TRADE SHOW 2008 (11.12)
Committee noted the importance of ensuring
there is a policy covering Councillors’ expenditure and overnight accommodation
costs relating to conferences.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the itinerary for the FCM Sustainable
Communities Conference and Trade Show 2008 be received;
And that Council approve a request by
Councillor, E. Shapero to attend the conference on February 14-16, 2008 with
overnight accommodation costs not to exceed $250 per night;
And that staff report back as to whether this
is an appropriate limit for overnight accommodation for future events.
CARRIED
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Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the Committee resolve in camera to
discuss a confidential legal matter regarding the East Markham Community Centre
and Library and a confidential property matter regarding the Markham
Environmental Lands Fund. (11:40 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the Committee rise. (11:55 a.m.)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee adjourned at 11:57 a.m.