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 Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor. Howard Shore Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu   Regrets Regional Councillor Joe Li Councillor Alan Ho

Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services Peter Loukes, Director, Operations Joel Lustig, Treasurer Jerry Klaus, General Manager Waterworks Raj Monabeer, Manager Sustainability Graham Seaman, Manager Climate Change & Energy Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

The General Committee convened at 9:08 AM with Mayor Frank Scarpitti in the Chair; Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services related items; Councillor Valerie Burke Chaired Environment and Sustainability related items.

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2011                                                                              
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)                  That the Minutes of the March 7, 2011 General Committee be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2011                                                                      
            ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

It was noted that Mr. Carl Bodnar, a valued member of the Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee passed away suddenly on Friday, March 11, 2011 and that flowers were sent to the family on behalf of the Town of Markham.  The Committee suggested that the Mayor on behalf of all Members of Council send a letter of condolence to his family.

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 16, 2011 Accessibility Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 16 2011                                                                       
            ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Councillor Valerie Burke stated concern with the information in the minutes regarding the hours of the OSPCA (page 4 of the minute document).

 

Mr. Bill Wiles, Manager, By-law & Enforcement, addressed the Committee and advised that the OSPCA is open 7 days a week, with special and extended hours from Thursday to Sunday for the adoption clinics so that they can display their animals that are available for adoption and, one Saturday a month they hold spay/neuter clinics.

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 16, 2011 Animal Care Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 10, 2011                                                                      
            CYCLING & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 10, 2011 Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2011                                                                      
            ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 17, 2011 Environmental Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

6.         ADVISORY BOARD AND COMMITTEE                                                                     
            RESIGNATION (16.24)

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seniors Advisory Committee

1)         That the resignation of Councillor Valerie Burke from the Seniors Advisory Committee be received with regret.

CARRIED

 

7.         SUMMARY OF 2010 REMUNERATION &                                                                  
EXPENSES FOR COUNCILLORS AND
APPOINTEES TO BOARDS (16.23.2)

            Report     Appendix A     Appendix B

 

There was brief discussion regarding the discretionary expenses.

 

The Committee inquired about the remuneration mileage expenses for the Markham Public Library Board and whether it is a Board policy.  The Committee suggested that staff provide more information regarding remuneration and details related to the Town's policy with respect to Committees and/or Boards that are provided refreshments.

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That Council receive for information the March 21, 2011 report entitled “Summary of 2010 Remuneration & Expenses for Councillors and Appointees to Boards”; and,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

8.         MARKHAM’S PORTABLE WATER TRAILER                                                           
FOR PUBLIC EVENTS – PILOT PROJECT (5.7)

            Report     Attachment A     Attachment B     Attachment C

 

Councillor Colin Campbell suggested that the Markham Farmers' Market opening day be added to the list of events.  The Committee suggested that the Unionville Jazz Festival be amended to Markham Jazz Festival.

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

1)         That the report entitled “Markham’s Portable Water Trailer for Public Events – Pilot Project” be received; and,

 

2)         That as part of the pilot project, Markham’s portable water trailer, called ‘WOW - Water on Wheels’ be at the following events in 2011:

·        Sedan Chair Challenge

·        Unionville Village Festival

·        Markham Village Music Festival

·        Taste of Asia

·        Canada Day

·        Art in the Park

·        Markham Jazz Festival (Unionville location)

·        Milliken Children’s Festival

·        Employee Appreciation Day

·        Thornhill Festival

·        Terry Fox Run (Thornhill – with alternating locations annually)

·        Markham Fair; and,

 

3)         That following completion of the pilot project, Staff report back with a recommended policy on use and deployment of the water trailer for Council’s approval; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

9.         ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT                                                                          
(JANUARY-DECEMBER 2010) (5.3)

            Report     Attachment A

 

There was brief discussion regarding the levels of chlorine in the drinking water system.

 

Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

1)         That the report titled “Annual Water Quality Report (January-December 2010)” as required by Schedule 22 of Ontario Regulation 170/03 enclosed herein be received; and,

 

2)         That Attachment “A”; 2010 Annual Regulatory Water Quality Report, is to be made available to the public on or before February 28, 2011 as required by Section 11 of Ontario Regulation 170/03; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

10.       MARKHAM’S GREENPRINT SUSTAINABILITY PLAN                                           
            - REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTINUED) (5.7)

            Presentation

 

 

Mr. Raj Monabeer, Manager Sustainability delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Markham's Greenprint Sustainability Plan.  He advised the Committee that the recommendations from the March 7, 2011 Workshop are noted in red. 

 

The Committee made the following suggestions:

·        Recommendation #239 remove the words "assess and hire staff" and develop the recommendation further

·        Recommendation #240 add the words "continue to…" and ensure that it includes programs that already exist such as "adopt a park" and that those programs are being utilized to their full potential

·        Recommendation #241 reword it to indicate that it is community wide

 

The Committee thanked Councillor Valerie Burke and the Sustainability staff for their work to date and requested that a colour copy of the presentation be forwarded to Members of Council.

 

Staff pointed out that the Greenprint Sustainability Plan will be a living document and that in order to receive the final grant allocation the final report needs to be submitted to Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund by June 2011.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Carolina Moretti

 

 

1)         That the presentation by Raj Monabeer, Manager Sustainability entitled “Markham’s     Greenprint Sustainability Plan” be received.

CARRIED

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

11.       ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK AT YORK UNIVERSITY                                             
            - (MARCH 7 TO MARCH 11, 2011) (3.0)

            Memo     Attachment 1     Attachment 2     Attachment 3

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

That the Israeli Apartheid Week at York University be discussed at the beginning of the meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

Councillor Howard Shore distributed a revised motion regarding Israel Apartheid Week.

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti read the following:

Whereas Markham is the most culturally diverse community in Canada; and,

Whereas Markham, while promoting a common goal to make our community a harmonious place to work and live for everyone, stands proudly in its commitment to the inclusion and integration of all communities, the appreciation of differences and rejection of inflammatory language that labels supporters of Israel as racists and lessens their feelings of security; and,

Whereas Markham is striving to promote unity and understanding and recognizes that discrimination against any group is a disservice to all; and,

Whereas Markham strives to include the building of understanding, trust and co-operation among groups and individuals; and,

Whereas Markham is recognized as a leader in diversity and in 2010 launched its leading edge Diversity Action Plan titled “Everyone Welcome” which serves as the basis of a ten-year strategy to further promote unity and inclusiveness; and,

Whereas Markham has proudly declared its commitment to the removal of barriers and the promotion of the value of diversity by joining, along with more than 35 other Canadian municipalities, the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD); and,

Whereas Markham takes seriously its membership in CMARD and the further commitment to share with the community the responsibility for respecting and promoting Human Rights and diversity; and,

Whereas Markham takes immense pride in engaging its vibrant communities through year round celebrations, proclamations and flag raisings that reflect its rich history and diversity, such as but not limited to: Actifest, Black History Month Awards, Canada Day Celebration, Chinese New Year Celebration, Christmas tree lighting Celebration, India Independence Day, Junior Achievement’s Diversity Day, Many Faces of Markham, Markham Fair, Markham Festival, Menorah lighting Celebration, Milliken Children’s Festival, Pakistan National Day, Philippine Week, Seniors’ events, Taste of Asia, Thornhill Festival, Unionville Festival, all of which underscore our philosophy of “One Family, One Markham, One Canada”; and,

Whereas the Government of Ontario and the opposition parties have unanimously adopted a resolution condemning “Israeli Apartheid Week”; and,

Whereas it is within this environment that we regrettably understand that the so-called Israel Apartheid Week has occurred for a 7^th consecutive year on multiple Canadian university campuses and,

Whereas this odious series of events promote anti-Semitic harassment, intimidation and bullying and creates a divisive and poisonous atmosphere of bigotry, intolerance and academic falsehood; and,

Whereas Markham values its relationship with the State of Israel and will be leading a Trade Mission to Israel in May, 2011 as part of the Economic Strategy’s Global Markham program to promote Markham as a preferred investment location for information and communication technology, medical devices, New Media and other related high-tech companies;  and,

Whereas Markham views its direct relationship with York University as significant and as an opportunity to express in the strongest possible terms Markham’s firm opposition to this event which repeatedly singles out and condemns Israel year after year and creates a hateful environment that offends not only our sense of fairness, but also our core Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Therefore, be it resolved:

1)         That Markham Council call on all Canadian universities and Colleges to clearly join the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada by condemning such activities on     campus or University property, or as part of any activity under the jurisdiction of the       University; and,

2)         That Markham Council direct staff to broaden the subject matter of the lecture series     previously endorsed by this Council on the topic of  the portrayal of cultural communities      in the media to include a discussion of anti-semitic hate speech,

3)         That Markham Council continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to “One           Family, One Markham, One Canada”; and further,

4)         That a copy of this resolution be circulated to York University, the Students Against       Israeli Apartheid at York University, Hillel of Greater Toronto, the Canadian Jewish         Congress, the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD), and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

Mr. Bernie M. Farber, Canadian Jewish Congress, addressed the Committee regarding Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) and spoke in support of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

There was brief discussion regarding Canadian hate laws.

 

Honourable Peter Shurman, Member of Provincial Province for Thornhill, addressed the Committee with respect to IAW and spoke in support of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

Dr. Karen Mock, Thornhill Federal Liberal Riding Association, addressed the Committee regarding IAW and spoke in support of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

Ms. Emily Berg, Hillel Toronto, addressed the Committee with respect to IAW and spoke in support of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

Ms. Deirdre Kavanagh, Markham resident, addressed the Committee regarding IAW and spoke in opposition of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

Mr. Syed Rizvi, Markham resident, addressed the Committee regarding IAW and spoke in opposition of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

Mr. Joel Pearl, Hillel GTA, addressed the Committee with respect to IAW and spoke in support of Councillor Howard Shore's proposed motion.

 

Moved by Councillor Howard Shore

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

That the proposed motion regarding "Israel Apartheid Week" be deferred to the April 11, 2011 General Committee meeting; and,

 

That the revised motion be circulated to the Town of Markham's Race Relation Committee for their comments; and further,

 

That the correspondence from Mr. Bernie M. Farber, Canadian Jewish Congress; Dr. Karen Mock, Thornhill Federal Liberal Riding Association; Shaheena Kharal, Unionville resident; Munazzah Shirwani, Unionville resident and Khaled Mouammar, Canadian Arab Federation, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

12.       IN-CAMERA (8.2) AND RESTRICTED MATTERS (11.0)

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (a & d) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matters (12:39 PM):

 

1)         The security of the property of the municipality or local board.

 

2)         Labour relations or employee negotiations. (Restricted Agenda)

 

CARRIED

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

 

That the Committee rise from the in-camera session (12:49 PM)

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 12:51 PM.