GENERAL COMMITTEE
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
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
A. Seabrooke,
Director, Strategic Services
B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
Councillor A. Chiu assumed the Chair at 9:35 a.m.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None.
1. EXTENDED
DRIVEWAY COMMUNICATIONS
PROGRAM (10.0,
12.2.6)
Ms. S. Birrell, Town Clerk, highlighted a brochure and website which
were produced as communication tools to advise residents on the details of the extended
driveway program. She advised that previous recommendations made by the
Committee had been incorporated into the most recent draft of the brochure. Ms.
Birrell demonstrated the extended driveway information which is available as a
component of the online By-law guide.
When asked, staff confirmed that residents would only be asked to
remove construction completed on Town Boulevards, not on their driveways. However,
it was acknowledged that, commencing in January 2008 they would not be
permitted to park on the extended portion of the driveway if it was outside of
the prescribed requirement.
The Committee posed questions relating to enforcement practices and
with respect to the provision of the brochure in additional languages. Members
suggested that the information contained in the brochure should be translated
into the most commonly used languages in Markham and made available on the
website. It was also suggested that the front of the brochure be amended to
include text briefly describing the content of the brochure and that it be
translated into Markham’s most commonly used languages. The Committee
recommended that only one phone number be identified on the brochure connecting
with the Contact Centre who will be able to forward calls to a designated
employee if support in another language was necessary.
Ms. Birrell advised the Director of Corporate Communications was
currently working with the Communications Committee to develop a policy
regarding the multi-lingual translation of Town materials. She also indicated
that, once finalized, the brochure would be made available at Information
Markham counters, Developer’s sales offices and distributed as a part of
community welcome wagons and distributed with the Markham Economist and Sun.
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the presentation by Ms. S. Birrell, Town Clerk, regarding the
Extended Driveway communications program be received.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 30, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE
MEETING
(16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the minutes from the April 30, 2007
General Committee meeting be confirmed.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 26, 2007
MEETING OF THE VARLEY-
McKAY ART
FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the minutes from the March 26, 2007
meeting of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 18, 2007
MEETING OF THE MARKHAM
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the minutes from the April 18, 2007
meeting of the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be received.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 4, 2007
MEETING OF THE MARKHAM
MUSEUM
BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the minutes from the April 4, 2007
meeting of the Markham Museum Board be received.
CARRIED
6. 2007
TAX RATES AND LEVY BY-LAW (7.3)
Report
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That a
by-law to provide for the levy and collection of property taxes totalling
$449,888,062 required by the Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York,
Boards of Education in a form substantially similar to the attached Appendix
and satisfactory to the Town Solicitor and to provide for the mailing of
notices requesting payment of taxes for the year 2007, as set out as follows,
be approved:
Town of
Markham: $ 96,435,864
Region of
York: $183,778,177
School
Boards: $169,288,476
Old
Markham BIA: $ 186,045
Unionville
BIA: $ 199,500
Total $449,888,062
CARRIED
7. STATUS OF
CAPITAL PROJECTS AS OF JANUARY 31, 2007 (7.5)
Report 1
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That the report
titled “Status of Capital Projects as of January 31, 2007” be received;
And that
$1,248,469 from closed capital projects be transferred to the sources of
funding as listed on Exhibit A entitled “Summary of Closed Capital Projects by
Account” with $120,818 from closure of operating budget funded capital projects
to be transferred to the capital contingency project and $9,700 from closure of
Development Charge (DC) funded capital projects to be transferred to the
Planning DC Capital Contingency Project;
And that projects listed on Exhibit C
entitled “Summary of Open Capital Projects 100% (or Greater) Encumbered at
January 31, 2007” be closed upon payment of final invoices and any outstanding
amount returned to/from the original sources of funding;
And that Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
8. DEVELOPMENT
CHARGE UPDATE (7.3)
Report
Mr. A.
Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services, advised of the proposed creation of
a sub-committee which would be established to review policy options and
proposed charges for the Town of Markham Hard Service and Area Specific
Development Charge By-laws. He suggested that the sub-committee should be able
to bring forward it’s recommendations by September, 2007.
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the
report titled “Development Charge Update” be received;
And that
a sub-committee of Council be established comprised
of Councillor J. Virgilio (Chair), Councillor C. Moretti and Councillor J.
Webster to participate in the review of policy options and proposed charges
for the Town of Markham Hard Service and Area Specific Development Charge
By-laws;
And that
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
9. ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES EAST
MARKHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE AND LIBRARY (6.6, 6.7)
Report
Staff
presented information with respect to the awarded contract for architectural
and engineering services to be used for the East Markham Community Centre and
Library project. The Committee expressed concerns regarding the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) and how it impacts the design and development of the
Community Centre alongside the Markham-Stouffville Wellness Centre. Staff
advised the MOU was not directly tied to the size and/or design of the
Community Centre and indicated that a charette would be held early on in the
design process in order to gather public input on the matter.
The
Committee posed questions regarding internal and external staffing to be
dedicated to the project as well as contingency funding. Staff confirmed the
external project manager was selected as an additional resource but would
likely have a limited role and would be paid on an hourly basis when his/her
services were required.
Members also recommended that staff review the possibility of using a recurring
design template for Community Centres to reduce the architectural and design
costs of each project. Staff noted that a repeat design is used on many of the
fire stations within the Town but is more difficult for projects such as
Community Centres due to changing conditions in building practices and
materials, varying construction site limitations and because of public support
for enhanced designs. Staff indicated their commitment to containing costs
while constructing a facility that meets, if not exceeds, the residents
expectations.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor J.
Heath
That the report
entitled “Architectural/Engineering Services, East Markham Community Centre
& Library” be received;
And that the
Request for Proposal 197-R-06 Architectural/Engineering Services, East Markham
Community Centre & Library be awarded to the highest ranked, lowest priced
bidder, Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, at an upset limit of $2,127,600.00,
inclusive of disbursements and exclusive of contingency and GST, to be funded
from the Community and Fire Services Commission 2005 Capital Account #70-5350-6681-005;
And that upon
payment of all invoices, the balance remaining in the project be used to fund
the other expenses associated with this project, in accordance with the
Purchasing By-Law 2004-341;
And that staff
report back on the recommended award of the Project Management Consultant
RFP;
And that staff
develop a comprehensive public consultation program, including a Charrette
process, and report back to Council;
And that staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution;
And further that
the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the
architectural consultant.
CARRIED
10. PORTABLE BASKETBALL NETS (2.0)
Email
The Committee expressed concerns regarding safety
and aesthetics with respect to the use of
portable basketball nets on Town roads. Staff confirmed that the Town’s By-law
officers would continue to enforce the current policy which does not permit the placement
and/or use of portable basketball nets on Town roads or boulevards.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the email dated April 27, 2007 from Mr. D.
Hill, Markham resident, to Mr. F. Scarpitti, Mayor, regarding the matter of
portable basketball nets being erected on roads and boulevards be received.
CARRIED
11. BILL C-417 – THE CANADIAN
SOLDIER’S AND PEACEKEEPERS’
MEMORIAL WALL ACT (13.1)
Letter
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Whereas Canada has yet to properly honour, in a
suitable location that is always accessible to the public, the NAMES of ALL of
OUR FALLEN in wars and peacekeeping;
And whereas over 115,000 Fallen have their graves
in seventy-three countries and hundreds of cemeteries;
And whereas their remains, by law, cannot be
repatriated to Canada;
And whereas we must create a suitable national
shrine to our fallen;
And whereas proper recognition will show our
gratitude and respect for their sacrifice;
Therefore be it resolved that Council request that
the Government of Canada enact Private Members Bill C-417, the Canadian
Soldiers’ and Peacekeepers’ Memorial Wall Act.
And that the letter dated April 3, 2007 from Mr. I.
Mark, M.P., Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, to the Mayor of the Town of Markham
requesting the following recommendation be considered by Council be received.
CARRIED
12. MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE’S FAQ’S AND
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM CONTACT CENTRE (12.1)
Memo FAQ
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the memo dated May 2, 2007 from Mr. T.
Chivers, Markham Accessibility Committee Member, to Town of Markham Council
requesting that an FAQ document be used by the Markham Contact Centre to answer
questions concerning accessibility matters be received and referred and
referred to staff to report back on the implications.
CARRIED
13. AIRPORT
TAXI/LIMOUSINE ISSUE (2.23)
The Committee discussed a By-law 435-2007
recently passed by Toronto City Council at its April 24, 2007 meeting which
removed the airport taxicab and limousine exemption from the City of Toronto
Municipal Code. Staff advised this decision would have adverse financial
and environmental impacts on other jurisdictions and recommended Committee
request the City of Toronto repeal the By-law and engage in a consultation
process with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA), interested stakeholders
and municipalities adjacent to Toronto.
The Committee expressed concerns about
Toronto’s By-law with respect to the financial implications on existing GTAA
permitted vehicles, the customer service provided to Town residents as well as the
potentially adverse environmental effects that would occur as a result of and
increase in one way trips.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
Whereas Council of the City of Toronto at
its meeting on April 24, 2007 passed
By-law 435-2007 to remove the airport taxicab and limousine exemption
from the City of Toronto Municipal Code; and
Whereas the removal of the airport
exemption from the City of Toronto Municipal Code will prohibit all
taxicabs or limousines holding a GTAA (Greater Toronto Airport Authority)
permit from picking up passengers within the City of Toronto; and
Whereas Town of Markham licenses and
regulates 52 GTAA vehicles; and
Whereas Town of Markham staff advise the
removal of the airport exemption will have a potentially adverse financial
impact on both the GTAA licensed vehicles as well as the industry serviced by
municipally licensed vehicles in the Town of Markham and in neighbouring
municipalities; and
Whereas the removal of the airport
exemption will have an adverse environmental impact by increasing the
likelihood of taxicabs and/or limousines making one-way trips without a
customer in the vehicle; and
Council of the City of Toronto also
recommended that the Licensing and Standards Committee undertake consultations
with other stakeholders including other governments in the GTA to determine
whether reciprocal licensing arrangements are possible to enhance the quality
of service to residents, businesses and to report on any proposals they deem
worthy of further discussion; and
Whereas the Town of Markham has not been
consulted on the potential impact of By-law 435-2007; and
Whereas the Town of Markham has reason to
believe other municipalities also impacted by By-law 435-2007 have not yet been
consulted;
Therefore, be it resolved that:
- The Town of Markham Council
advise the Mayor of Toronto that it does not support By-law 435-2007
passed by the Council of the City of Toronto on April 24, 2007 for the
aforementioned reasons and request that the GTAA take steps to immediately
deal with this issue; and,
- That Town of Markham request
Council of the City of Toronto repeal By-law 435-2007 and take no further
action to amend provisions which would affect the conveyance of passengers
to and from Lester B. Pearson International Airport until such time as
consultation occurs with the GTAA, municipalities adjacent to the City of
Toronto and other interested stakeholders on this issue due to the fact
that the removal of the exemption from the City of Toronto Municipal
Code will have immediate repercussions in other jurisdictions and is
not in the best interests of the Province, the travelling public, air
quality and the environment; and,
- That a copy of this
resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing, Markham Members of Provincial Parliament, the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and relevant taxi industry
stakeholders in Markham; and,
- And that a copy of this
resolution also be sent to the seven other area municipalities with GTAA
taxicab licences, namely the City of Mississauga, City of Brampton, City
of Vaughan, Town of Richmond Hill, City of Kawartha Lakes, Town of
Pickering and Town of Dundas, along with a request for the Councils of
these municipalities to expeditiously adopt a similar resolution.
CARRIED
14. OVERNIGHT PERMIT
PARKING IN THE
TOWN OF MARKHAM (2.17)
The
Committee discussed details of a letter from a Markham resident, who requested an
exemption to the overnight parking permit fee. The resident indicated that due her
disability overnight on-street parking was the only solution to avoid parking
on the boulevard portion of her driveway.
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Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
That the Committee
resolve In Camera to discuss property matters (10:25 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor
E. Shapero
That the Committee
rise. (10:40 a.m.)
CARRIED
-------------------------------------------
The
Committee discussed the resident’s request and the current permit parking
process. Members suggested that a policy should be developed with respect to
circumstances in which resident’s who demonstrate just cause are unable to
comply with the permit parking process.
Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That the matter of waiver of fees from overnight parking permit process
be referred to the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility for comments;
And that combining the input form the Markham Advisory Committee on
Accessibility, staff prepare a draft policy to deal with fee exemptions to the
permit parking process due to accessibility issues, and report back in early
fall;
And that the permit parking fee for the Markham resident be reduced to
$20 per month until such time that a policy has been approved by Council.
CARRIED
15. YORK REGION
STREET SIGNAGE (10.14)
The Committee expressed concerns regarding
a misspelled York Region street sign viewable from the intersection of Markham
Road and 14th Avenue. Staff advised that they are aware of the issue
and have been in contact with the Region advising them of the error and to
request that the sign be replaced.
Moved by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by
Councillor E. Shapero
That the Region of York be advised and
requested to replace a street sign currently misspelled as “New Dehli”
vieweable from the intersection of Markham Road and 14th Avenue.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee
adjourned at 10:48 a.m.