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                                                                                                                           M I N U T E S

 

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

2001-11-19 - Canada Room

Meeting No. 22

 

 

Attendance

 

 

Chair:                  Councillor K. Usman

Vice Chair, Budget: Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Vice Chair, IT:     Councillor S. Daurio

Members:            Regional Councillor G. Landon

                           Councillor J. Virgilio

                           Councillor J. Heath

Others:                Regional Councillor T.Wong

                           Councillor D. Horchik

                           Councillor G. McKelvey

 

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

J. Mascarin, Assistant Town Solicitor

B. Cribbett, Treasurer

J. Sales, Commissioner of Community Services

M.F. Turner, Commissioner of Development Services

P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation

T. Houghting, Director, Financial Reporting

P. Loukes, Director of Street Services

G. LaForce, Chief Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries

B. Wiles, Manager, Administration & Customer Service

B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant

M. Scott, Executive Coordinator to CAO

S. Birrell, Town Clerk

P. Miller, Acting Manager, Secretariat Services

 

 

The Finance and Administrative Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor K. Usman in the Chair.

 

            DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

            None declared.

 

 

1.         POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
            MARKHAM PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
            REQUEST FOR DONATION
            MUNICIPAL MEMORIAL BRICK – JUNO BEACH CENTRE (12.2.6)

 

Mr. Jan deVires, Director of Juno Beach Centre, gave a video presentation of the proposed Juno Beach Centre in France which will commemorate the contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces in Europe during World War II and provide information to visitors about the Canadian effort.

 

Mr. Joe Hill, Political Action Committee, Markham Professional Fire Fighters Association, requested a $2,500.00 donation from the Town of Markham to purchase an engraved Municipal Memorial Brick for the proposed Juno Beach Centre, Normandy Coast, France.

 

*RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the video and verbal presentations by Mr. Jan deVires, Director of Juno Beach Centre, and Mr. Joe Hill, Political Action Committee, Markham Professional Fire Fighters Association, in support of their request for donation from the Town of Markham to purchase a Municipal Memorial Brick for the proposed Juno Beach Centre, Normandy Coast, France, be received;

 

And that a $2,500.00 donation to purchase a Municipal Memorial Brick for the proposed Juno Beach Centre, be approved;

 

And that staff prepare a report recommending appropriate wording for the engravement for consideration prior to the Council meeting on November 27, 2001;

 

And further that the Federal Government be requested to financially support the Juno Beach Centre project.

 

                                                                                                                                               Carried

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

*         Amended by Council at its meeting held on November 27, 2001 to add the following paragraph:

 

And that the following wording be approved to be engraved on the Town of Markham Municipal Memorial Brick at the Juno Beach Centre:

 

“In Honour of Those Who Served”;

 

 

2.         MILNE CREEK RESTORATION
AND STORM WATER GRATE
BUDGET FUNDS - 2001 (7.0)

 

Mr. Tupper Wheatley, Milne Park Conservation Association and member of the Milne Creek Restoration Steering Committee, spoke in support of Town financing of the rehabilitation of Milne Creek between Drakefield Road and Bakerdale Road noting the environmental and safety problems.  Several area residents were in attendance in support of his statements.


 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the presentation by Mr. Tupper Wheatley, Milne Park Conservation Association and member of the Milne Creek Restoration Steering Committee, in support of the Town financing the rehabilitation of Milne Creek between Drakefield Road and Bakerdale Road, be received;

 

And that the matter of the Town financing the rehabilitation of Milne Creek between Drakefield Road and Bakerdale Road be referred to staff of the Community Services Commission for report to the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 11, 2001 providing costs of previous Milne Creek restoration work performed, comments on the success of such restoration work, the possibility of funding the required winter work portion of the project during winter 2001/2002, and any environmental impact that may have occurred from the construction of the Loblaws store at McCowan Road and Bullock Drive.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

3.         2002 INTERIM SPENDING AUTHORITY (7.4 & 7.5)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the report from the Director of Financial Reporting, entitled “2002 Interim Spending Authority”, dated November 19, 2001, be received;

 

And that Council approve pre-budget operating expenditures of up to 50% of the 2001 approved Operating Budget.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

4.         BY-LAW TO AUTHORIZE TEMPORARY
BORROWING (7.0)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that a by-law be brought forward to authorize the temporary borrowing, if required, of an amount not to exceed $66,700,000 from January 1, 2002 to September 30, 2002 and $33,350,000 from October 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002 to meet the current expenditures of the Corporation until taxes are collected and other revenues are received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 


 

5.         1107656 ONTARIO LTD.
            SALES TRAILER AGREEMENT
            BLOCK 44, PLAN 65M-3226 (8.4)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the Town be authorized to enter into a Sales Trailer Agreement with 1107656 Ontario Inc. with respect to 130 Pond Drive and for a proposed development on Block 44, Plan 65M-3226;

 

And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor;

 

And that the Assistant Town Solicitor advise regarding the implementation of a policy to ensure the necessary process has been followed prior to developers beginning the sale of properties.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

 

6.         APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR -
            MARKHAM THEATRE BOARD (16.24)

 

The Town Clerk advised that advisory committee appointments would be considered at the Finance and Administrative Committee meeting on December 3, 2001.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that Mr. Thomas Gove’s term on the Markham Theatre Board be extended for one (1) year;

 

And that Ms. Sue Lynn Chong’s term on the Markham Theatre board be extended for two (2) years.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 


 

7.         SINGLE SOURCE REPORT AND
            PURCHASE OF FIRE VEHICLES AND APPARATUS (7.15)

 

Committee discussed the rationale for this proposed single source supplier, pricing, equipment on the vehicles, and the desired ULC standards for Canadian winters.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

* That it be recommended to Council that Markham Fire and Emergency Services be authorized to proceed with the standarization of the fire apparatus fleet;

 

*And that a single source supplier of fire vehicles and apparatus be approved;

 

And that Council authorize the Fire Chief, the Manager of Purchasing, and a representative from the Finance Department to negotiate with Safetek Emergency Vehicles, as the Canadian sales distributor for Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. (Inc.), Nebraska, U.S.S.;

 

And further that staff report back for Council approval of the final terms and conditions for the lease and/or purchase of the aerial fire vehicles and apparatus.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

*          Amended by Council at its meeting held on November 27, 2001 to add the following to the end of paragraph 1 and that paragraph 2 be deleted in its entirety:

 

and that a single source of fire vehicles and apparatus be approved for a period of five (5) years;

 

 

8.         TAX WRITE OFFS SECTION 441 (7.1.13)

 

Committee requested that the Treasurer provide them with a list of the specific properties to be written off.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that taxes totalling $109,420.40 as set out in the report from the Director, Taxation, entitled “Tax Write Offs in Accordance with Section 441 of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990”, dated November 19, 2001, be written off pursuant to the provisions of Section 441 of the Municipal Act;

 

And that the applicable penalty and/or interest charges be adjusted accordingly;


 

And further that the Treasurer be directed to remove the taxes from the Collector’s Roll.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

9.         DELEGATION OF TAX RATIO
            RESPONSIBILITY - 2002 (7.3)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the Region of York retain responsibility for setting tax ratios for 2002, in consultation with Finance staff of the area municipalities;

 

And that staff report back to Council on the proposed tax ratios prior to Regional Council’s adoption of the ratios for 2002.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

10.       TENDER 207-T-01
SPEED HUMP INSTALLATIONS
FOR 2001 TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM (7.12.2)

 

*RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that Road Savers 2000 Ltd. be awarded the Tender 207-T-01 for Speed Hump Installations for 2001 Traffic Calming Program in their tender amount of  $161,436.25 inclusive of 7% GST ($155,401.25 inclusive of 3% G.S.T) being the lowest acceptable bid received;

 

And that the project be funded from the Technical Services Department’s 1999 Capital budget account # 065-5300-034-005 and 2001 Capital budget account # 065-5353-2822-005;

 

And that upon payment of the invoice, the 1999 Capital budget account # 065-5300-034-005 be closed;


 

And that the remaining budget of $181,143.45 in account #065-5350-2822-005 be applied to other traffic calming requests for 2001 and early 2002.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

______________________________________________________________________________

 

*          Amended by Council at its meeting held on November 27, 2001 to add the following paragraph:

 

And that funding also be set aside for speed humps yet to be worked out in Ward 2 for 2001.

 

 

11.       CORPORATE SERVICES
            2001 BUSINESS PLAN (12.2)

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the report from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, entitled “Corporate Services 2001 Business Plan 3rd Quarter Update”, dated November 19, 2001, be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

12.       BUTTONVILLE AIRPORT
            COMMUNITY COMMITTEE (5.15.1)

 

Committee discussed the lack of restrictions on airport hours of operation.  It was also noted that residents in both Markham and Richmond Hill have expressed concern regarding flight paths and increased jet activity to Pearson Airport.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the minutes of the August 15, 2001 meeting of the Buttonville Airport Community Committee, be received;

 

And that correspondence from Mr. Tom Crozier dated October 22 and October 31 regarding a significant increase in low-flying jet aircraft over Unionville bound for Pearson Airport, be received;

 

And further that the Mayor be requested to communicate the concerns of Council to the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) regarding the negative implications of increased heavy jet traffic over Unionville/Markham.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried


 

13.       SMART MARKHAM
            CONSULTING ASSISTANCE (3.19)

 

Committee discussed the lack of Provincial support in this endeavour and the rationale for additional funding.  It was agreed that staff would investigate the cost of Advanced Strategic Management Consultants (ASM) preparing a business plan to be used by the Smart Markham Steering Committee.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the following recommendation be deferred for a further report to Committee of the Whole on November 27, 2001 from the Director of Information Technology Services.

 

“That it be recommended to Council that the Town provide funding for consulting fees to prepare a scaled down business plan to be used by the Smart Markham Steering Committee to solicit funding for the start up and implementation of the Smart Markham initiative;

 

And that Dave Carrick be selected as the consultant at a fee of $10,000 plus GST for the purpose of preparing the Business Plan;

 

And further that funding for this initiative be provided at the direction of the Treasurer.”

 

                                                                                                                                     Carried

 

14.       REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM
            NOISE BY-LAW – MARKVILLE MALL (2.10)

 

Committee requested that the Clerk advise the condominium management offices for the condominiums at the south west corner of Bullock Drive and Highway 7.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the request for exemption from the noise by-law from Drainstar Contracting Ltd. to permit construction at Markville Mall from 9:00 p.m. November 19 to 6:00 a.m. November  20, 2001, be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

……………………..……………………..

 


 

15.       INTRODUCTION OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS
            KPMG (7.2)

 

A verbal presentation was provided by Mr. Robert T. Correll, Lead Partner, KPMG, new external auditors for the Town.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the verbal presentation provided by Mr. Robert T. Correll, Lead Partner, KPMG, new external auditors for the Town, be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

16.       CORE SERVICES REVIEW (7.0)

 

Mr. Don McLean, Program Manager, and Ms. Tina Murphy, Communications Coordinator of the Core Services Review were in attendance to give an overview of work to date.  The final report will be provided to the Finance and Administrative Committee on December 3, 2001.  The report will be discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 18, 2001.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the verbal report from the Program Manager, Core Services Review, be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

17.       NEW MUNICIPAL ACT - BILL 111
            UPDATE (13.12.2)

 

The CAO provided a verbal update on the new Municipal Act.  The Town Solicitor will present a report on the new Municipal Act early in 2002.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the verbal report from the CAO regarding the new Municipal Act, be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

…………………….

 

At  10.10 a.m. Committee recessed in-camera to discuss confidential matters and reconvened at 10.55 a.m.

……………………..

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the Committee rise from the In-camera session and the Chairman report.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

18.       MARKHAM ENERGY BOARD
            CONFIDENTIAL MATTER (13.7)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the presentation of the 2001 Semi-annual Financial Report to Shareholder for Markham Hydro Distribution Inc., the 2001 Semi-annual Financial Report to Shareholder for Markham District Energy Inc. and the 2001 Semi-annual Financial Report to Shareholder for Markham Energy Corporation by Mr. Robert Lyew, Treasurer, Markham Hydro Distribution Inc., be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

19.       AMALCO
            RICHMOND HILL HYDRO UPDATE (13.7)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the verbal update by the CAO regarding AMALCO, be received.

 

                                                                                                                                                 Carried

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Finance & Administrative Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 12.20 p.m.

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