2001-04-02 - 7:00 p.m.

COUNCIL MINUTES   Council Chamber, Civic Centre

Meeting No. 8

 

The Special Meeting of Council called by Mayor Don Cousens was held on April 2, 2001 at11:05 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre.  Deputy Mayor Frank Scarpitti presided.

 

 

(Council Chambers)

COUNCIL

 

ROLL CALL

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti, Regional Councillor T. Wong, Councillor S. Daurio, Councillor E. Shapero, Councillor J. Virgilio, Councillor J. Heath, Councillor D. Horchik, Councillor K. Usman, Councillor A. Chiu. (9)

 

 

STAFF

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

R. Robinson, Town Solicitor

A. Wolfe, Commissioner of Community Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

J. Sales, Fire Chief

S. Birrell, Town Clerk

J. Baird, Director of Planning

P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

1.            DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None declared.

 

 

2.            REPORT NO. 21 OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

 

Council consented to separate Clauses 3, 4 and 6.

 

To the Mayor and Members of Council:

The Finance & Administrative Committee reports and recommends as follows:

            March 19, 2001

 

(1)            PROVINCIAL STANDARD TAX BILL (7.3)

 

That the Town request the Province to amend the Provincial Standard Tax Bill to include: (1) the actual 2001 levy amounts for both lower tier and upper tier purposes in addition to the tax rates currently shown on the bill; (2) the actual 2000 taxes levied in addition to the '2000 Annualized Taxes'; (3) the 1996 Current Value Assessment; (4) changes in the Business Improvement Area (BIA) charges between 2000 and 2001 as well as any other special charges on the 'Explanation of Tax Changes' section of the bill;

 

And that a brochure be forwarded with all tax bills giving detailed information of all charges.

 

 

(2)            FINANCING 'SMART MARKHAM' PHASE TWO (3.19)

 

That $43,000 plus GST be provided to continue progress on the 'Smart Markham' initiative until such time as partner contributions are received.

 

 

(3)            PROPOSED WATER RATE INCREASE (5.3)

 

That the Town of Markham’s combined water and wastewater billing be increased by $0.03 per cubic metre (13.6Ë per 1000 gallons) in 2001 to coincide with the Regional Rate increase;

 

And that the billings for 2002 and 2003 be increased by $0.03 each year;

 

And that the Region of York be requested to implement their combined waste and wastewater rate increase of $0.01 per cubic metre effective April 1, 2001.

 

     CARRIED AS AMENDED

                                                                                                     (See following motions to amend)

 

            Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

            Seconded by Councillor J. Heath

 

            That Clause 3 of Report 21 be amended by deleting the words "provisionally" and "subject to review of the study being prepared at the present time" in Paragraph 2.

 

            CARRIED

 

            Moved by Councillor K. Usman

            Seconded by Councillor J. Heath

 

            That Clause 3 of Report 21 be amended to reflect the increased cost in gallons

 

            CARRIED

 

 

(4)        FCM CONFERENCE (16.23)

 

That Council approve the attendance of four members of Council at the Annual Conference and Municipal Expo of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, May 25 to 28, 2001, Banff, Alberta, with authorized expenses to be paid in accordance with Town policy;

 

And That for the years 2002 and 2003 four Members of Council who did not previously attend an FCM Conference be permitted to do so, with authorized expenses to be paid in

accordance with Town policy;

 

And That, despite this policy, any Member of Council who wishes to attend an FCM Conference may do so provided that all expenses are charged to their individual budgets.

 

            CARRIED AS AMENDED

                                                                                                 (See following motions to amend)

 

            Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

            Seconded by Councillor Chiu

 

            That the following paragraph be added:

 

            "That for the years 2002 and 2003 four Members of Council who did not previously attend an FCM Conference be permitted to do so, with authorized expenses to be paid in accordance with Town Policy."

            CARRIED

 

            Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

            Seconded by Councillor J. Heath

 

            That the following paragraph be added:

 

            "That any Member of Council who wishes to attend an FCM Conference may do so provided that all expenses are charged to their individual budgets."

            CARRIED

                (See following Challenge of the Deputy Mayor's Ruling)

 

            Deputy Mayor Scarpitti ruled the motion to amend of Councillor Chiu and Councillor Heath as contrary, and a challenge of the Chair was put, and Council ruled in opposition.

 

 

 

(5)            ASSESSMENT IMPACT - YEAR END 2000 (7.1)

 

That the Treasurer be authorized to make application for an appeal, to the Assessment Review Board, on behalf of the Town of Markham, where such action is necessary to protect the Town's assessment base;

 

And that any necessary applications be filed prior to the legislated deadline of March 31, 2001, for valuation of properties returned on the assessment roll December 2000.

 

 

(6)            GRANT REQUESTS (7.6)

 

Council consented to amend Paragraph 4 of Clause 6 to provide for a report to Committee of the Whole on May 8,2001, rather than April 10, 2001.

 

            Moved by Councillor J. Heath

            Seconded by Councillor K. Usman

 

That the request for a grant from the Markham Firefighters Athletic Club be approved at $1,000;

 

And that the request for a grant from the Rotary Club – Santa Claus Parade be approved at $10,000 (a core grant of $8,400 plus additional funding of $1,600);

 

And that the request from the Thornhill Cruisers Car Club and the Expression of Praise – Gospel Youth Choir be denied as they do not comply with current Town policy;

 

And that staff be directed to review the existing grant policy and provide a presentation on options for a new grant policy to the Committee of the Whole on May 8th.

 

     CARRIED AS AMENDED

 

 

(7)            PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL
YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS 2001 (IYV 2001) (12.2.6)

 

That Council give approval to hold a Town-wide event to recognize Markham volunteers in honour of the International Year of Volunteers 2001;

 

And that Regional Councillor Gordon Landon form a committee to organize this event;

 

And that Council approve the Banner Program that includes the following wording:

            (Corporate Sponsor Logo)

            Proudly Celebrates International Year of Volunteers

            (IYV 2001 Logo)

            (Town of Markham Logo)

 

And that the existing standard sign by-law be waived to allow the lamppost banners for the IYV 2001 to be suspended across the following streets:

 

Community                   Street                           From/To

 

Thornhill                       John Street               from Woodbine Avenue to Yonge Street

                                    Yonge Street  

Milliken                        Denison Street                        from Markham Road to Woodbine Avenue

Unionville                     Carlton Road                from McCowan Road to Warden Avenue

                                    Main Street               from Carlton Road to Railway Tracks

Markham                     Main Street               from Princess Street to 16th Avenue

 

Beginning April 1, 2001 until April 1, 2002;

 

And that $35,000 be included in the proposed 2001 Operating Budget for this event;

 

And that a separate function be arranged for those volunteers who retired from Town Advisory Committees last year.

 

 

(8)        ICE SLAB REPLACEMENT FOR THORNHILL EAST ARENA (6.1)

 

That tender 046-T-01 for Ice Slab Replacement at Thornhill East Arena be awarded to Dinardo C. Group Inc. in the amount of $506,324 (inclusive of 8% PST, 7% GST) being the lowest acceptable bid received ($488,713.02 inclusive of 8% PST and 3% GST).

 

And that the Manager of Purchasing be authorized to execute the purchase order contract in the total amount of $506,324.

 

And that pre-budget approval be granted with funding to be taken from the Recreation Services Capital Replacement Program account for the sum of $488,713.02 inclusive of taxes (8% PST, 3% GST);

 

And that pre-budget approval be granted for the specification and design fees for the Slab Replacement at Thornhill East Arena of $16,650 inclusive of taxes (8% PST, 3% GST) with funding to be taken from the Recreation Services Capital Replacement Program account (The total funding required for both the contract award and the design fees is $505,363.02).

 

 

(9)            CHANGE TO CORPORATE LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY (11.0 & 12.1)

 

That the Corporate Leave of Absence Policy attached hereto as Schedule A be adopted.

 

(10)      FIRE DEPARTMENT UNIFORM SHOULDER FLASHES (11.6)

 

That the Fire and Emergency Service Department change the Uniform Shoulder Flash as illustrated on the attached Schedule B be approved.

 

 

(11)            RELAY FOR LIFE -CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY (12.2.6)

 

That all members of Council be appointed "Champion" to assist with the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life fund raising effort at the Markham Fair Grounds on June 15th and June 16th, 2001.

 

 

(12)            OTHER COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
- MINUTES OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE MEETING – MARCH 19, 2001 (16.0)

 

That the Finance & Administrative Committee minutes dated March 19, 2001 be received.

 

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

 

 

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

 

ROLL CALL

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti, Regional Councillor T. Wong, Councillor S. Daurio, Councillor E. Shapero, Councillor J. Virgilio, Councillor J. Heath, Councillor D. Horchik, Councillor K. Usman, Councillor A. Chiu. (9)

 

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor K. Usman

 

That Council resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole to discuss the following:

 

(1)            COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

 

            CARRIED

 

 

 

3.            REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

That Council rise from the Committee of the Whole and the Chairman report.

 

            CARRIED

 

 

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti reported the following matter discussed at the Committee of the whole meeting:

 

(1)            COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

 

Council approved some of the 2001 to 2003 Committee appointments. Interviews are still being conducted and appointments are scheduled to conclude at the next Regular Council meeting.

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the Report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted, approved and confirmed.

 

            CARRIED

 

 

4.         BY-LAWS

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That By-law 2001-90 be given first and second reading.

            CARRIED

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

That By-law 2001-90 be given third and final reading.

            CARRIED

 

 

Three Readings

 

BY-LAW 2001-90            A by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Special Council meeting of April 2, 2001.

 

 

5.            ADJOURNMENT

 

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor K. Usman

 

That the meeting do adjourn.

CARRIED

 

Council adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________                      ____________________________________

SHEILA BIRRELL, TOWN CLERK                                   FRANK SCARPITTI, DEPUTY MAYOR

 

(Signed)

 

 

 

 

 

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