M I N U T E S

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

2005-09-27

                                                                                            Canada Room

 

Attendance

 

Mayor                          D. Cousens (6:05 p.m.) Regional Councillors     F. Scarpitti                                     J. Heath                                     B. O'Donnell Councillors                   S. Daurio                                     J. Virgilio                                     G. McKelvey                                     J. Webster                                     D. Horchik                                     K. Usman (6:10 p.m.)                                     A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development    Services C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services J. Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire    Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services S. Birrell, Town Clerk A. Pozywiak, Director, Strategic Initiatives A. Brown, Director of Engineering P. Loukes, Director of Operations & Asset    Management A. Arbuckle, Manager of Infrastructure &    Capital Works S. Laing, Director of Human Sources N. Marchant, Manager, Employees Relations M. Nazif, Labour Relations Advisor

 

 

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of 5:05 p.m. with Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti in the Chair.

 

 

 

            DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None declared.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
            - SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 (16.0)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on September 13, 2005 be confirmed.

 

Carried

 

 

 

2.         OPERATIONS ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW (5.0)

               Report     1   2   3  

 

Committee had before it the report dated September 27, 2005 from the Director of Operations and Asset Management regarding an organizational review of the Operations Division.

 

Jim Sales, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services, provided some background and an overview of the suggested reorganization.  He noted that the goal is to establish a more strategic area in the Operations Division.

 

Some concern was expressed about budget implications and it was noted that portions of the reorganization will be the subject of debate during the budget process.  Concern was also expressed about the possible impact on other areas of the corporation.

 

Committee thanked the Director of Operations and Asset Management and his staff for their efforts to provide Council with a better understanding of the proposal.

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the 3-year Organizational and Staffing Plan for Operations, contained within the Operations Division Review, be endorsed and the organizational and complement adjustments recommended for 2005 be approved;

 

And that the cost impact in the amount of $93,050 for the organizational and complement adjustments in 2005 be funded from various Operations 2005 operating accounts to be coordinated with the Operations and Finance Department, it being understood this represents annualized costs of $300,000 commencing in 2006;

 

And that the organizational and complement adjustments timed for 2006 be endorsed in principle subject to consideration during the 2006 budget process;

 

And that the organizational and complement adjustments timed for 2007 be reviewed during the third quarter of 2006, and reassessed in conjunction with the 2007 annual budget process;

 

And that staff be directed to negotiate (or consult) as required with CUPE Local 905 on changes to bargaining unit classifications required to implement the organizational structure;

 

And that the Support Services estimates attributable to Waterworks be funded from the combined water and wastewater rates.

 

Carried

(See following recorded vote) (9:1)

 

YEAS:             Mayor D. Cousens, Regional Councillor J. Heath, Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell, Councillor S. Daurio, Councillor J. Virgilio, Councillor G. McKelvey, Councillor J. Webster, Councillor D. Horchik, Councillor A. Chiu. (9)

 

NAYS:             Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti. (1)

 

ABSENT:        Regional Councillor J. Jones, Councillor E. Shapero, Councillor K. Usman. (3)

 

 

 

3.         MARKHAM’S PARTICIPATION IN THE
            PREMIER'S MISSION TO CHINA
            NOVEMBER 6-15, 2005 (10.16)

Memo

 

Committee had before it a tabled summary from a briefing session about the Premier's Mission to China and Markham's potential participation.  A preliminary itinerary for the Ontario Trade & Investment Mission to Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hong Kong on November 6 to 15, 2005 was also tabled.

 

Ted Northcott, Senior Business Development Officer, reviewed costs, other invited municipalities, the program itself, mission targets, the launch event and registration deadline for registration.  He confirmed the Mission will offer opportunities to meet with governments and various businesses while in China through venues such as investment round tables which will be attended by both the Premier and the Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

 

Discussion focused on whether it would be beneficial for the Town of Markham to attend this Mission if no Markham businesses participate.

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That the verbal update from Ted Northcott, Business Development Officer, providing itinerary details for the Premier's Mission to China on November 6 – 15, 2005, be received;

 

And that Markham participate, contingent upon at least one business partner from Markham participating;

 

And that Councillor J. Virgilio, as Chair of the Economic Development Committee, be appointed to participate in the Mission.

 

Carried

 

 

 

4.         ONTARIO POWER AUTHORITY (OPA) UPDATE (13.8)

 

Committee had before it the tabled excerpt from the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) draft report to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the resolution passed by Council on September 13, 2005 in support of the OPA's decision at that time, and a proposed resolution for consideration by Council this date.

 

Jim Baird, Commissioner, Development Services, explained that the OPA's report to the OEB contains a transmission contingency option with which the Town disagrees.  It is deemed necessary that the Town formally file its objection to this with the OPA.  Mr. Baird reviewed a draft resolution for the consideration of Committee.  Some minor amendments were made.  Due to the similarity between this resolution and one previously passed and sent to the OPA, it was recommended that the resolution be forwarded with a letter of explanation from the Chief Administrative Officer.

 

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

Whereas the Council of the Town of Markham on September 13, 2005 passed a resolution expressing strong support for the “integrated solution” announced by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) on September 9, 2005 in regard to the York Region Electrical Supply Study;

 

And whereas the OPA on September 22, 2005 released a draft final report to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), which is generally consistent with the September 9 announcement, but which now introduces a “contingency” transmission solution, in the event that no successful procurement contract for local generation is concluded;

 

And whereas local generation can meet the needs of Northern York Region and is clearly preferable to transmission based on technical and public policy grounds;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

 

That the OPA be advised that the Town of Markham continues to strongly support the preferred “integrated solution” recommended by the OPA, comprised of:

 

· Demand Reduction across York Region;

· New Transformer Station capacity in Northern York Region; and,

· Local Generation in Northern York Region.

 

And that the OPA be commended for undertaking a fair, open and participatory consultation process, including technical working group, elected officials, and public meeting components;

 

And that the OPA be advised that the Town of Markham continues to strongly oppose a transmission solution on the basis that transmission is not the preferred solution and, due to the lack of public consultation and proper Environmental Assessment process, should not be pursued given the extensive public opposition and the detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts;

 

And that Markham Council commits to working with the Markham Energy Conservation Office,  PowerStream Inc., other York Region municipalities and local hydro distribution companies, the OPA, the Ministry of Energy and all stakeholders, to pursue opportunities for conservation and electricity demand management.

 

And that the OPA and Hydro One continue to work with those communities that will host the new transformer station and the local generation plant to ensure appropriate mitigation is put in place;

 

And further that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the OPA, the OEB, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Energy, York Region M.P.P.’s, York Region municipalities and York Region hydro distribution companies.

 

Carried

 

5.         2005 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

Community Issues Committee

That the resignation of Ted Chisholm from the Community Issues Committee effective immediately be received and Mr. Chisholm be requested to fulfill the term of the committee which is expected to conclude in 2005;

 

Information Markham Board

That the following appointments made by the Information Markham Board for a term to expire May 31, 2006, be received for information:

 

                  Catherine Biss, President

                  John Butler

                  Cara Cellini

                  Mary Grande, 2nd Vice-President

                  Janice Ho

                  Rosemarie McClean

                  Greg McCormick

                  Peter Miller, 1st Vice-President

                  John Riddell

                  Todd Sheriff, Treasurer

                  Sara Tam, Secretary

                  William Tyrrell

                  Councillor John Webster

                  Marilyn Bastien (Administrator)

 

Carried

 

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

That Committee recess in-camera to discuss legal and property matters.

 

Carried

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.