Finance & Administrative Issues Community Services Issues
Chair: Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath Chair: Councillor
Alan Ho
Vice Chair: Councillor
Colin Campbell Vice
Chair: Councillor
Alex Chiu
Environment
& Sustainability Issues Building,
Parks, & Construction Issues
Chair: Councillor
Valerie Burke Chair: Councillor
Colin Campbell
Vice Chair: Councillor
Karen Rea Vice Chair: Regional Councillor
Nirmala Armstrong
Alternate formats are
available upon request.
Attendance
|
Councillor Alex Chiu
|
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
Brian Lee, Acting Commissioner of Development Services
Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community
& Fire Services
Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and
Acting Director of Human
Resources
Joel Lustig, Treasurer
Phoebe
Fu, Director
of Asset Management
Mary
Creighton, Director of Recreation Services
Andrea Tang,
Senior Manager, Financial Planning
Christopher
Alexander, Acting Manager, By-law Enforcement & Regulatory Services
Shane
Manson, Senior Manager, Revenue & Property Tax
Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
|
The General Committee meeting convened at the
hour of 9:05 AM with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair.
General Committee recessed at 12:00 PM and
reconvened at 2:21 PM.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest
None disclosed.
1. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 23, 2017
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That the minutes of the October 23,
2017 General Committee meeting be confirmed.
Carried
2. PROPOSED 2018 USER FEE, PERMIT AND FINE
INCREASES (7.0)
Presentation Report Attachment
Andrea Tang, Senior Manager, Financial
Planning delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed 2018 user
fee, permit and fine increases. The
Commissioners presented the increase in user fees.
There was considerable discussion regarding
the potential financial impact to the City’s budget of $2.5 million if Bill
148, the Fair Workplace, Better Jobs Act is approved. The Committee suggested that
a clause be added advising that the proposed options presented to address the
financial impact will only be implemented if Bill 148 is approved.
The Committee briefly discussed the cost
recovery between the City of Markham and the City of Toronto through user fees.
There was discussion regarding the proposed
option to increase the Mortgage Administrative Fee, and whether that fee should
be considerably higher. Staff noted that
if the fee is increased substantially that the City could risk the loss of this
revenue stream in the future.
The Committee discussed the various parking
enforcement fees. Staff pointed out that
there will be a report outlining a City wide parking strategy. The Committee suggested that staff include
options related to fees and fines with respect to infill development.
Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the presentation entitled
“Proposed 2018 user Fee, Permit and Fine Increases,” be received; and,
2) That the report dated November 6, 2017
entitled “Proposed 2018 User Fee, Permit and Fine Increases” be received; and,
3) That
the 2018 user fee, permit and fine increases and their respective effective
dates as outlined on Appendix A be approved contingent on approval of Bill 148
by the Province of Ontario; and,
4) That staff be directed to report
back with potential options to further increase the Mortgage Administrative
Fee; and further,
5) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
3. PROPOSED 2018 WATER/WASTEWATER RATE
INCREASE (5.3)
Presentation Report
Joel Lustig, Treasurer delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding
Lifecycle Reserve Funding Methodologies.
The three different options that staff have considered are: pay as you
go; fully funding amortization and 25 year approach.
There was discussion regarding pros and cons of the three options.
Phoebe Fu, Director of Environmental Services and Andrea Tang, Senior
Manager, Financial Planning delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
City of Markham 2018 Proposed Water/Wasterwater rates.
There was discussion regarding water theft from hydrants and some of
the measures taken by the City to lessen the risk.
The Committee suggested that staff report back why there is a
considerable difference on water/wastewater rates between municipalities.
Moved by Regional Councillor
Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded by Councillor Logan
Kanapathi
1) That
the presentation entitled "City of Markham 2018 Proposed Water/Wastewater
Rates" be received; and,
2) That
the report entitled “Proposed 2018 Water/Wastewater Rate Increase” be received;
and
3) That Staff be authorized to hold a
public meeting on November 21, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the
Civic Centre to gather resident feedback on the proposed 2018 water/wastewater
rate increase of $0.2887/m3 from $3.8555/m3 to $4.1442/m3;
and
4) That feedback received at the public
meeting along with the proposed 2018 water/wastewater rate be tabled for
consideration at the December 4th
General Committee meeting; and
5) That the recommendation from the
General Committee meeting be tabled for adoption by Council at the December 12th
Council meeting; and,
6) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
There were no deputations.
4. YORK REGION
COMMUNICATIONS (13.4)
There
was discussion regarding cabinet wraps and invasive species.
Moved
by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded
by Councillor Colin Campbell
1) That
the following communications dated October 20, 2017 from York Region be
received for information purposes.
a. York
Region Agriculture and Agri-Food Update and Strategy.
b. Annual
Update on Invasive Species.
c. Implications
of the New Provincial Plans and Regional Municipal Comprehensive Review Work
Plan.
d. Municipal
Greenhouse Gas Challenge Fund Application
e. Traffic
Signal Cabinet Wraps.
Carried
5. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 23, 2017 AND
OCTOBER 3, 2017 CANADA 150 INTERNATIONAL
PARTNERSHIP SUB-COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Aug
23
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the August 23, 2017 Canada 150
International Partnership Sub-Committee meeting be received for information
purposes.
Carried
6. MINUTES
OF THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2017
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 25, 2017
Markham Public Library Board meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
7. MINUTES
OF THE JULY 31, 2017, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
AND OCTOBER 18, 2017 DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
SUBCOMMITTEE (16.0)
July
31 Sept
5 Oct
18
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the July 31,
September 5 and October 18, 2017 Development Charges Subcommittee meetings be
received for information purposes.
Carried
8. MINUTES
OF THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 21, 2017
Markham Environmental Advisory Committee meeting be received for information
purposes.
Carried
9. MINUTES
OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
MARKHAM SPORT HALL
OF FAME COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 11, 2017
Markham Sport Hall of Fame Committee meeting be received for information
purposes.
Carried
10. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
MARKHAM SANTA CLAUS PARADE
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 6, 2017
Markham Santa Claus Parade Committee meeting be received for information
purposes.
Carried
11. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
UNIONVILLE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 27,
2017 Board of Management Unionville Business Improvement Area Committee meeting
be received for information purposes.
Carried
12. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 14,
2017 Board of Management Markham Village Business Improvement Area Committee meeting
be received for information purposes.
Carried
13. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the September 20, 2017
Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting be received for information
purposes.
Carried
14. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 10, 2017, OCTOBER
13, 2017,
AND OCTOBER 17, 2017 BUDGET
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Oct
10 Oct
13 Oct
17
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the minutes of the October 10,
October 13 and October 17, 2017 Budget Committee meeting be received for
information purposes.
Carried
15. 2018
BUDGET
PUBLIC BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING
NOVEMBER 16, 2017 (7.0)
Presentation
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the
presentation entitled “2018 Budget Public Budget Consultation Meeting November
16, 2017”, be received and approved for presentation at the November 16, 2017
Public Budget Consultation meeting.
Carried
16. 2018
INTERIM SPENDING AUTHORITY
PENDING APPROVAL OF BUDGET (7.0)
Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the report titled “2018 Interim Spending
Authority Pending Approval of Budget”, be received; and,
2) That Council approve 50% of the City’s
2017 Operating, Waterworks, Planning & Design, Building Standards and
Engineering budgets equal to $180,935,012 as a
pre-budget approval for 2018 operating expenditures; and further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
17. 2018
INTERIM SPENDING AUTHORITY PENDING
APPROVAL OF UNIONVILLE AND MARKHAM
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT AREAS BUDGETS (7.0)
Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the report titled “2018 Interim
Spending Authority Pending Approval of Unionville and Markham Village Business
Improvement Area Budgets”, be received; and,
2) That Council approve 50% of the 2017
Operating Budget equivalent to the amounts of $134,758 for the Unionville BIA
(UBIA) and $182,830 for the Markham Village BIA (MBIA) as pre-budget approval
for 2018 operating expenditures; and further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
18. 2018 TEMPORARY BORROWING BY-LAW 2018
(7.0)
Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the
report titled “2018 Temporary Borrowing By-law” be received; and,
2) That
a by-law be brought forward for Council approval to authorize the temporary
borrowing, if required, of amounts not to exceed $180,652,512 from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018 and $90,326,256 from
October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 to meet the expenditures of the
municipality until taxes are collected and other revenues are received; and,
3) That the Treasurer report to Council in advance of
borrowing, if temporary borrowing is required; and further,
4) That Staff
be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
19. 2018 INTERIM TAX LEVY BY-LAW (7.3)
Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That
the report “2018 Interim Tax Levy By-law” be received; and,
2) That
Council authorize an interim tax levy for 2018; and,
3) That
the attached by-law be passed to authorize the 2018 interim tax levy; and
further,
4) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
20. TAX
WRITE-OFFS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 354 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001 (7.3)
Report
There was
discussion regarding properties owned by Public Works Canada. The Committee suggested that staff
investigate the potential to transfer the Ministry of Environment Lands (0 End
of Victoria) to the City of Markham.
It was noted
that on pages 327 and 328 of the report that “7001 Reesor Road” and “0 Major
Mackenzie Drive East” are not in Ward 1.
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
1) That
taxes totalling $157,110 as set out in this report, of which the estimated City’s portion is $39,999 be written off
pursuant to the provisions of Section 354 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
and,
2) That
the Treasurer be authorized to remove the taxes from the Collector’s Roll; and,
3) That
the Markham portion of the taxes be charged to Tax Write-off Account
820-820-7040; and,
4) That
the Treasurer be authorized to write-off all outstanding taxes annually for the
property located at:
i. 7001
Reesor Rd;
ii. 0
Major Mackenzie Dr E;
iii. 11091
Warden Ave; and,
5) That
the associated interest be cancelled in proportion to the tax adjustments; and further,
6) That
staff be authorized to and directed to do all things necessary to give effect
to this resolution.
Carried
There were no motions.
There were no notices of motions.
21. ROLE OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR (16.23)
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong suggested that staff provide a
report outlining the role of the Deputy Mayor, and confirming how the Deputy
Mayor is chosen.
22. NOMINATED CANDIDATES FOR PROVINCIAL
OFFICE (13.2)
Councillor Don Hamilton advised that he would like a memo outlining the
following for sitting municipal members that have been nominated candidates for
the upcoming Provincial elections:
·
If elected Provincially what happens to their seat at the municipal
level
·
Up until what date can they continue to represent their Ward
·
Any requirement for the sitting member to resign
·
When adds are being published who are they representing
23. NOTICE AND POSTAGE FOR NON STATUTORY
MEETINGS (10.0)
Councillor Karen Rea advised the Committee that there is a Special
Development Services meeting scheduled for Tuesday November 21, 2017 to
consider the proposed development at 7 Town Crier Lane, and she would like to
send out notices over and above the City of Markham’s usual notice requirement
for Standing Committee meetings. She
does not want to have it charged through her discretionary account. Staff suggested that Councillor Karen Rea put
a motion forward to have these notices funded through a budget account in the
Corporate Services Commission and that the notice be sent out through the
Clerk’s Office.
Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
That a maximum of 400 notices be funded through the Corporate Services
Commission for the Special Development Services Committee meeting scheduled for
November 21, 2017, and that the notices be sent out by the Clerks Department.
Carried
24. ANNOUNCEMENTS (12.2.6)
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong invited everyone to attend the
celebration being held on Sunday November 12, 2017 from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm in
the Council Chamber for Hindu Heritage.
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
25. CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of
the Municipal Act, General
Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters
(3:45 PM):
[Section 239 (2) (b) (b) (c)]
General Committee confirmed the confidential meeting minutes of October
23, 2017.
[Section 239 (2)
(b)]
General Committee consented to place this matter on the November 14,
2017 Council agenda for consideration.
[Section 239 (2) (c)]
General Committee consented to have this item
postponed to the November 20, 2017 General Committee meeting.
(4) A
PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR
LOCAL BOARD
(DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS REALTY)
[Section 239 (2) (c)]
General Committee consented to have this
matter added to the confidential agenda and received a verbal update.
Carried
Moved by
Councillor Amanda Collucci
Seconded by
Councillor Don Hamilton
That General
Committee rise from confidential session at 3:56 PM.
Carried
Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
That the General
Committee meeting adjourn at 3:56 PM.
Carried