GENERAL COMMITTEE
2009-03-23
Meeting
No. 07
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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B. Librecz, Commissioner
of Community & Fire Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
A. Brouwer, Deputy
Clerk
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
P. Fu, Manager, Capital Right of Way
K. Kitteringham,
Town Clerk
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
P. Loukes, Director,
Operations
C.
Marsales, Manager, Waste Management
P.
Wealleans, Director of Revenues
Y. Xu,
Senior Stormwater Management Engineer
K.
Dennison, Manager of System
Engineering
K.
Ross, Manager of Development Finance
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 1:00 p.m. with Councillor E.
Shapero in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.
1. STORM WATER FLOOD
REMEDIATION CLASS ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT AND WEST THORNHILL SANITARY SEWER
SYSTEM INFLOW DEPUTATIONS (5.5)
Two deputations
were heard by Committee related to item 4 (West Thornhill Storm Water Flood
Remediation Class Environment Assessment) and item 5 (West Thornhill Sanitary
Sewer System Inflow and Infiltration).
Eileen Liasi, representing the German Mills Ratepayers Association suggested
that storm water management systems be altered to address the potential
increase in precipitation resulting from global warming. Ms. Liasi also questioned the ability for the
current storm water management system to accommodate flood events and whether
residents should be responsible for costs associated with storm water system
improvements. Ms. Liasi also suggested
that water conservation practices be encouraged all year round to mitigate
flood concerns.
Toinette Bezant,
representing the Bayview Glen Residents Association thanked the Town for its
efforts to improve storm water systems in Thornhill. Ms. Bezant questioned whether legislation
prohibited the Town from charging residents to recover storm water system improvements,
suggested that storm water management practices in other jurisdictions such as
the City of Waterloo be explored; and suggested that a seasonal water table
study be undertaken.
2. MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 9,
FEBRUARY 23, AND MARCH 2, 2009
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Feb.
9 Feb.
23 Mar.
2
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
1)
That the minutes of the
February 9, February 23, and March 2, 2009 General Committee be received.
CARRIED.
3. MINUTES
OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2008,
DECEMBER 17, 2008, AND JANUARY 21, 2009
ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)
Nov.
12 Dec.
17 Jan
21
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
1) That the minutes of
the November 12, 2008, December 17, 2008, and January 21, 2009 Animal Care
Committee be received; and,
2) That Council adopt
the following resolution passed at the Animal Care Committee held on January
21, 2009:
That the Town of
Markham proclaim the week of April 6th -12th, 2009
“National Wildlife Week“; and,
That the Town of
Markham proclaim the week of May 3rd – 9th, 2009 “Be Kind
to Animals Week”.
CARRIED.
4. SUMMARY OF 2008 REMUNERATION
& EXPENSES FOR COUNCILLORS
APPOINTEES TO BOARDS (16.23.2)
Report 1
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That
Council receive for information the March 23, 2009 report entitled “Summary of
2008 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.
5. WEST THORNHILL STORM
WATER FLOOD
REMEDIATION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT STUDY PROJECT UPDATE (PART A) (5.5)
Presentation
Pheobe Fu,
Manager, Capital Right of Way, provided a status report on the progress with
respect to the West Thornhill Storm Water Flood Remediation Class Environmental
Assessment, as outlined in the presentation slides included with the agenda
package.
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
1) That
the presentation entitled “West Thornhill Storm Water Flood Remediation Study,
Class Environmental Assessment Study Project Update” be received, and,
2) That
staff be authorized to host Public Information Meeting (PIC) No. 1 to present
the existing conditions and alternative solutions.
CARRIED.
6. WEST THORNHILL
SANITARY SEWER
SYSTEM INFLOW AND INFILTRATION
REDUCTION (PART B) (5.5)
Presentation
Peter Loukes,
Director of Operations, provided an overview of the West Thornhill Sanitary
Sewer System Inflow and Infiltration Reduction project as outlined in the
presentation slides included with the agenda package.
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
1) That
the presentation entitled “West Thornhill Sanitary Sewer Inflow and
Infiltration Reduction” be received, and;
2) That
Staff report back with the evaluation of the Downspout Disconnection Pilot
Program, and with a proposed work plan extending the Downspout Disconnection
program in the 4th Quarter 2009; and further,
3) That Staff report back on feasibility,
timing and funding source for identified projects.
CARRIED.
7. FORMER SABISTON LANDFILL
SITE
– STATUS PRESENTATION (5.7)
Presentation
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
1) That the presentation entitled “Former Sabiston Landfill
Site” – Information & Status Update” be received; and,
2) That Staff be authorized to host a public meeting with the
Ward Councillor on the remedial options for the former Sabiston Landfill; and,
3) That Staff report back to the General Committee with the
results of the public information meeting and recommendations on the remedial
options, including the leachate collection system for the landfill.
CARRIED.
8. BLUE BOX PROGRAM PLAN
REVIEW (5.7)
Report 1 2
Claudia Marsales, Manager, Waste
Management provided an overview of the plans to review the Blue Box Program as
outlined in the staff report.
Moved
by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded
by Councillor C. Moretti
1)
The report entitled “Blue Box
Program Plan Review” be received; and,
2)
That Council endorse the
Inter-municipal Waste Diversion Committee’s February 27, 2009 comments on the
WDO – “Draft Preliminary Report for Consultation Review of the Blue Box Program
Plan”; and,
3)
That prior to finalizing the
preferred options for the new Blue Box Program Plan, the Ontario Ministry of
the Environment be requested to:
(a)
more clearly define preferred
options/models for advancing Ontario’s blue box material recycling system be
provided and that extensive and meaningful Province-wide consultation be
conducted with the public, municipalities and interested groups; and,
(b)
ensure current service level
expectations by the public are maintained and ideally enhanced in the
future; and,
4)
That staff prepare status
reports to Council on the new Blue Box Program Plan review process including financial
and service level implications; and,
5)
That a copy of this Report be
forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment, and Waste Diversion Ontario;
6) That
staff work with Council to develop a vision and strategy to address the future
of the Blue Box Program, to be communicated to Waste Diversion Ontario, and
further,
7)
That staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
9. DEVELOPMENT
CHARGES
BY-LAW UPDATE - SOFT SERVICES (7.11)
Report Presentation
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
1) That
the presentation entitled “Development Charges Update (Soft Services)” be
received.
2) That the report on the “Development
Charge update – Town Wide Soft” be received; and,
3) That the Development Charges Sub-Committee be reconvened to
review the update to the Town Wide Soft Development Charge by-law; and further,
4) That Staff be directed to do all things necessary to give
effect to this report.
CARRIED.
10. 2009 TAX RATIOS (7.1)
Report
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Councillor C. Moretti
1) That
the report entitled “2009 Tax Ratios” be received for information; and,
2) That Council support retaining the same
2008 ratios as established by Regional Council for the 2009 tax year; and,
3) That
the Region of York be informed of Council’s decision; and further,
4) That
staff be authorized and directed to take the actions set out in this report.
CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 1:58 p.m.