M I N U T E S

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

2004-3-09

Canada Room

 

Attendance

 

Mayor                          D. Cousens Regional Councillors     F. Scarpitti                                     J. Heath                                     J. Jones                                     B. O'Donnell Councillors                   S. Daurio                                     E. Shapero                                     J. Virgilio                                     G. McKelvey                                     J. Webster                                     K. Usman

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development    Services J. Sales, Commissioner of Community    and Fire Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer S. Birrell, Town Clerk P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services

The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of 5:20 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None declared.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
            - FEBRUARY 24, 2004 (16.0)

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on February 24, 2004 be confirmed.

 

Carried

 

2.         1107656 ONTARIO INC.,
            LEITCHCROFT PLANNING DISTRICT OFFICIAL PLAN
             AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENTS,
            (OP 03 116474 AND ZA 03 116428) (OP 03 116476 AND ZA 03 116428), SADDLECREEK DRIVE, SOUTH PARK ROAD AND PROPOSED TOWNHOUSE BLOCKS FRONTING TIMES AVENUE SOUTH OF GALLERIA                                                                         PARKWAY (10.3, 10.5) Weblink

 

On March 2, 2004, Development Services Committee received a letter from the Solicitor for 1107656 Ontario Inc., the applicant, advising of the applicant's appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board of the applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments.  Committee referred consideration of the matter to the meeting this date to provide an opportunity for the Solicitor to attend to discuss the appeal and to determine the necessity of holding a Thornhill Subcommittee meeting scheduled for March 22, 2004 at 10:30 a.m.

 

Committee had before it the following background information on the matter:

 

·    excerpt from Development Services Committee December 9, 2003

·    staff report dated December 9, 2003

·    minutes from the February 2, 2004 Thornhill Subcommittee meeting

·    excerpt from Council February 24, 2004

·    correspondence from Region of York dated January 13, 2003

·    correspondence from Kagan Shastri to the Town of Markham dated December 15, 2003

·    correspondence from Kagan Shastri to the OMB dated February 18, 2004.

 

Committee also had before it a letter dated March 5, 2004 from Mr. Ira Kagan, Kagan Shastri, Solicitor for the applicant, providing an explanation for the appeal and confirming the applicant's commitment to work with the Town to improve the application.  Mr. Kagan was in attendance as requested.

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That the matter of the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments submitted by 1107656 Ontario Inc. be re-opened for discussion.

 

Lost

 

The Commissioner of Development Services reviewed the history of the subject applications and the appeal.

 

Committee discussed the intentions of the applicant and his willingness to work with the Town, the applicant's extensive changes to the applications, the significance of changing employment lands to residential, and whether the Thornhill Subcommittee is an appropriate venue to consider this matter.  It was agreed that the Thornhill Subcommittee meeting scheduled to be held on March 22, 2004 should proceed.

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That the letter dated February 18, 2004 from Kagan Shastri, Barristers & Solicitors, on behalf of their client 1107656 Ontario Ltd., appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board their official plan and zoning by-law amendments to permit 1,800 dwelling units, a new 2.2 hectare park and 285,000 sq. ft. of commercial floor area on blocks 45, 46, 49 and 50 and zoning by-law amendment to permit at-grade residential in apartment buildings fronting onto Saddlecreek Drive, South Park Road and proposed townhouse blocks fronting Times Avenue south of Galleria Parkway; in the Leitchcroft Planning District, be received;

 

And that the letter dated March 5, 2004 from Mr. Kagan, on behalf of his client, offering an explanation for their appeal to the OMB and confirming their commitment to work with the Town to improve the application, be received.

 

Carried

 

 

 

3.         PROCEDURAL BY-LAW (16.23)   weblink 

 

Committee had before it the report dated March 9, 2004 from the Town Clerk with respect to proposed amendments to By-law No. 2001-1 (the Procedural By-law).

 

It was agreed that the word "existing" would be included in item number 2 before the words "...speaker's list..."

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That By-Law No. 2001-1, “A By-Law to Govern the Proceedings of Council and Committees of Council” be amended as follows:

 

1.      Amend Section 3.12 “Orders of the Day” to add “Proclamations” after “Communications”.

 

2.      Delete the wording in Section 3.14 (2) and substitute with the following new wording:

“Where a motion to defer is moved, the Chair shall request that the motion not be seconded until the existing speaker’s list has been exhausted.” and

 

3.      Re-number the existing Section 3.14(2) to Section 3.14(3) which reads as follows:

“Where a motion to adjourn or a motion to defer has been duly moved and seconded, until such motion has been decided, there shall be no discussion on the subject matter.”

 

4.      Add the following to Section 3.17 subsections d) and e):

“subject to Section 3.14 (2)”.

 

Carried

 

 

 

4.         2004 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

 

In response to Committee's concern that additional advertising may be necessary for appropriate persons to be appointed to the Markham Accessibility Committee, it was agreed that suitable organizations should be approached.

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

Canada Day Committee

That the twelve 12 appointments to the Canada Day Committee for the term expiring December 31, 2004 be referred to the March 30, 2004 Committee of the Whole meeting;

 

Markham Accessibility Committee

That appropriate organizations be approached for suitable candidates for possible appointment to the Markham Accessibility Committee;

 

Markham Cemetery Board

That the following four (4) persons be appointed to the Markham Cemetery Board for a term expiring November 30, 2006:

            Robert Bowman

            John Byer

            Lorne Smith

            Bruce Vanderbent

 

Markham Conservation Committee

That the four (4) appointments to the Markham Conservation Committee for a term expiring November 30, 2006 be referred to the March 30, 2004 Committee of the Whole meeting;

 

Markham District Historical Museum Board

That the following six (6) persons be appointed to the Markham District Historical Museum Board effective April 1, 2004 for a term expiring as indicated:

            John Bayfield                                        term to expire November 30, 2004

            Monica Peel                                         term to expire November 30, 2004

            Randy Barber                                       term to expire November 30, 2005

            Ardy Reid                                            term to expire November 30, 2005

            Simon Gulden                                       term to expire November 30, 2006

            Susan Smitko                                       term to expire November 30, 2006

            James Wicks                                        term to expire November 30, 2006

 

Property Standards Committee

That the five (5) appointments to the Property Standards Committee for the term expiring November 30, 2006 be referred to the March 30, 2004 Committee of the Whole meeting;

 

Race Relations Committee

That the resignation of Ashwin de Xavier be accepted with regret and a letter of appreciation be forwarded.

 

Carried

 

 

 

5.         TOWN OF MARKHAM PUBLIC
            LIBRARY BOARD COMPOSITION (3.19 & 16.24)

 

Committee had before it the following background information regarding changes in legislation for public libraries:

 

·    Letter dated October 28, 2003 from the Markham Public Libraries forwarding a motion passed by the Markham Public Library Board on October 27, 2003 regarding the future composition of the Board.

·    Letter dated November 25, 2003 from the York Region District School Board encouraging the Town to continue to include School Board representatives on the Library Board.

·    Letter dated January 7, 2004 from the York Catholic District School Board forwarding the name of their suggested representative on the Library Board.

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

Markham Public Library Board

That the following be approved as the composition for the Markham Public Library Board:

 

            Number of Council appointments                      3

            Number of public appointments                         9

            Number of School Board appointments             0

 

Carried

(See following motion which was Lost)

 

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

Markham Public Library Board

That the following be approved as the composition for the Markham Public Library Board:

 

            Number of Council appointments                      3

            Number of public appointments                         8

            Number of School Board appointments             0

 

Lost

 

 

 

6.         MARKHAM VILLAGE LIBRARY EXPANSION (3 19)

 

Committee had before it the report dated March 9, 2004 from the Commissioner of Community Services regarding the proposed Markham Village Library expansion.

 

Mr. Gerry Shoalts, Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd., was in attendance as well as several representatives from the Executive Steering Committee.  Mr. Shoalts presented and reviewed the details of the three potential expansion options:

 

Option 1     - three-story extension to the south

                  - public entrance from north or south

                  - staff entrance at grade on west

                  - parking aligned with arena parking lot removing traffic from Rougecrest Drive and Reeve Drive.

 

Option 2     - three-story extension to the west - not supported by staff or the public

                  - public entrances from west and south

                  - Library Administration would occupy the basement of existing library

                  - parking aligned with arena parking lot removing traffic from Rougecrest Drive and Reeve Drive.

 

Option 3     - two-story extension to the north

                  - extension connected by north-south internal street to the existing arena

                  - public entrance from north or south

                  - Library Administration would occupy the basement of existing library

                  - additions to parking lot on west of existing library parking area

                  - parking aligned with arena parking lot removing traffic from Rougecrest Drive and Reeve Drive.

 

Discussion focused on the pros and cons of each proposal, cost differences, possible funding sources, alternatives, the possibility of leasing out space to generate revenue and encourage traffic, the public consultation process that was followed, possible future expansion, and the advisability of linking the library to the arena given the condition and age of the arena.  It was agreed that further discussion is required and that the matter be referred to the Finance and Administrative Committee.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

 

That the report “Markham Village Library Expansion” be received;

 

And that consideration of the matter be referred to the March 22, 2004 Finance and Administrative Committee meeting for consideration;

 

And that, at that time, staff report on detailed funding alternatives including alternatives to support Option 3 - expansion to the north with a link to the arena.

 

Carried

 

 

 

7.         2004 CAPITAL AND OTHER PROGRAMS BUDGET
            PRE-APPROVAL (7.4 & 7.5)     weblink 

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That the report dated March 9, 2004 entitled "2004 Capital and Other Programs Budget Pre-approval" be received;

 

And that Council pre-approve selected projects from the 2004 Capital and Other Programs Budget totalling $5,129,200 the funding and details of which are listed in Appendix A.

 

Carried

 

 

 

8.         10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA OF THE RICHMOND HILL
            & MARKHAM CHINESE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
            APRIL 17, 2004 - AWARDS SPONSORSHIP (12.2.6)

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

That an additional $2,700 be approved for an awards sponsorship for the 10th Anniversary Gala of the Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Business Association to be held on April 17, 2004.

 

Carried

 

 

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

That the Committee recess in-camera to discuss a confidential matter.

 

Carried

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.