General Committee
April 18, 2016
Meeting
Number 6
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
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Trinela
Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Catherine
Conrad, City Solicitor
Joel
Lustig, Treasurer
Peter Loukes, Director of Environmental Services
Sandra Skelcher, Manager, Financial Reporting & Payroll
Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation
Services
Jason Tsien, Community
Manager, Recreation
Claudia Marsales, Senior
Manager, Waster & Environmental
Management
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:03 AM with Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair and Councillor Alan Ho Chaired Community Services
related items.
Disclosure of
Interest
None disclosed.
1. 2015 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (7.12)
Presentation Report Appendix
A Appendix
B
Trinela
Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services addressed the Committee and provided
brief opening remarks relative to the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements.
Sandra
Skelcher, Manager, Financial Reporting & Payroll delivered a PowerPoint
presentation regarding the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements.
Kevin M. Travers,
Partner, KPMG delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Audit Findings
Report.
There was brief
discussion regarding the accumulated surplus for community Boards and
BIA’s.
The Committee inquired
whether the City had any contaminated sites, and it was noted that there are no
associated liabilities to report.
Moved by Councillor
Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Amanda
Collucci
1) That
the presentation by Ms. Sandra Skelcher, Manager, Financial Reporting &
Payroll entitled “2015 Consolidated
Financial Statements”, be received; and,
2) That the report titled “2015 Consolidated
Financial Statements” be received; and,
3) That Council approve the draft Consolidated Financial
Statements of The Corporation of the City of Markham (the City), the City of
Markham Public Library (the Library), Community Boards, Business Improvement
Areas (BIAs), and Investment in Markham Enterprises Corporation (MEC), for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2015; and,
4) That
Council authorize Staff to issue the final audited Consolidated Financial
Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 upon
receiving the Independent Auditors’ Report; and,
5) That the KPMG LLP Audit Finding Report for the year ended December
31, 2015 be received; and,
6) That this matter be forwarded to
Council for adoption on April 19, 2016; and further,
7) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
Carried
2. MINUTES
OF THE APRIL 4, 2016
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the April 4, 2016 General Committee meeting be confirmed.
Carried
3. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 3, 2016
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
UNIONVILLE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 3, 2016 Board of Management Unionville Business
Improvement Area Committee meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
4. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 7, 2016
CANADA DAY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 7, 2016 Canada Day Committee meeting be received for
information purposes.
Carried
5. MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 22, 2016
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the February 22, 2016 Markham Public Library Board meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
6. TAX WRITE-OFFS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 354 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001 (7.1)
Report
Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That taxes totalling $5,051 as set out
in this report, of which the City’s portion is $1,281, be written off pursuant
to the provisions of Section 354 of the Municipal Act, 2001; and,
2) That
the Treasurer be directed to remove the taxes from the Collector’s Roll; and,
3) That
the associated interest be cancelled in proportion to the tax adjustments; and,
4) That the Treasurer be directed to
authorize the write-off of the municipal tax portion from account 820-820-7040;
and further,
5) That staff be authorized to and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
7. CANCELLATION, REDUCTION OR REFUND
OF TAXES UNDER SECTION 357 & 358
OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001 (7.1)
Report
Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the Report for the Cancellation, Reduction or Refund of
Taxes under Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act, 2001 be received; and,
2) That taxes totalling approximately $192,044.27 be adjusted
under Section 357 of the Municipal Act, 2001 of which the City’s portion
is estimated to be $43,792.12; and,
3) That the associated interest be cancelled in proportion to
the tax adjustments; and,
4) That the Treasurer be directed to adjust the Collector’s
Roll accordingly; and further,
5) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
8. CITY OF MARKHAM
OLDER ADULT STRATEGY UPDATE (6.0)
Presentation
Jason Tsien,
Community Manager, Recreation delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
City of Markham Older Adult Strategy.
Peter Thoma, Project
Lead Consultant, urbanMetrics inc. delivered a high level overview presentation
regarding the City of Markham Older Adult Strategy.
There was discussion
regarding the proposed community consultations relative to the Older Adult Strategy.
The Committee suggested that the City of Markham Accessibility Committee be
included as part of their consultation process. There was discussion regarding
the eight (8) consultation sessions, and whether there could be one in each
Ward.
The Committee
discussed the importance of the City of Markham working with York Region to
ensure that issues such as affordable housing and transportation issues are
identified and studied . It was suggested that York Region come to a future
meeting with a presentation on their progress relative to the Regional Older
Adult Strategy.
There was discussion
regarding how the consultant will outreach to all the various senior groups,
and the importance of enhancing communication.
The Committee
suggested including what other municipalities are doing regarding their Older
Adult Strategy in a future presentation.
Moved by Regional
Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Regional
Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That the presentation by
Mr. Jason Tsien, Community Manager, Recreation and Mr. Peter Thoma, Project
Lead Consultant, urbanMetrics inc. entitled “City of Markham Older Adult
Strategy Update,” be received, and endorsed in principle.
Carried
9. TEXTILE RECYCLING SMART BIN PROGRAM (5.2)
Presentation Report
Claudia Marsales,
Senior Manager, Waster & Environmental Management delivered a PowerPoint
presentation regarding textile recycling.
The Committee
discussed having a full launch of the textile recycling program in the Fall
2016, and noted that the May 4, 2016 Textile Recycling symposium is only an
unveiling of the Smart Bins.
There was discussion
regarding the locations of the Salvation Army Smart Bins and ensuring that
there is the correct branding on the bins. The Committee discussed the
importance of placing the Salvation Army Smart Bins at locations that are
convenient for residents. There was
discussion regarding placing the Smart Bins at City Community Centres as well
as at the Fire Stations. It was also
suggested that staff investigate partnering with some major shopping malls such
as Markville Shopping Centre and consider placing Salvation Army Smart Bins
there. The Committee suggested that the locations for the Salvation Army Smart
Bins be considered at the Environmental Issues Committee and report back to
General Committee.
The Committee
suggested that the Markham Public Realm Advisory Committee be advised of this
initiative.
There was discussion
regarding carpet and whether it can be recycled. Staff noted that currently
they are unable to find a carpet recycler.
Moved by Deputy Mayor
Jack Heath
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the presentation by
Ms. Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager, Waster & Environmental Management
entitled “Textile Recycling Report”; and,
2) That
the report entitled “Textile Recycling Smart Bin Program” be received; and,
3) That Council endorse
the Textile Recycling Smart Bin initiatives as outlined in this Report; and,
4) That staff investigate placing additional Textile Recycling Smart Bins
at Community Centres and that City staff be directed to seek partnerships with
two or three major shopping centres to permit the placement of Textile
Recycling Smart Bins; and,
5) That a copy of this Report
be forwarded to York Region and the Local Municipalities, and Markham Public Realm Advisory Committee for their information;
and,
6) That upon completion
of the project, remaining funds will be returned to the original funding
sources; and further,
7) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
10. REPEAL BY-LAW 30-1999 (7.15)
Report Attachment
A Attachment
B
Moved by Councillor
Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Regional
Councillor Joe Li
1) That
the report dated March 29, 2016 and titled "Repeal By-law 30-1999" be
received; and,
2) That By-law 30-1999, a by-law with
respect to the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes, be repealed;
and further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
11. CITYWIDE MULTI-PHASE SANITARY SYSTEM
DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTION PROGRAM
- ANNUAL PROGRESS UPDATE AND PHASE 4 DETAILS (5.3)
Report
Moved by Councillor
Alan Ho
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the report entitled “Citywide Multi-phase Sanitary System Downspout
Disconnection Program – Annual Progress Update and Phase 4 Details” be
received; and
2) That
Council approve the Phase 4 program area covering 2,305 properties as follows:
i. Area bounded by Highglen Avenue to the
north, Fonda Road & Mindy Crescent to the east, Denison Street to the
south, and Middlefield Road to the west;
ii. Area bounded by Fairtree Pond to the north,
Morningside Creek to the east, Steeles Avenue to the south, and Markham Road to
the west;
iii) Area bounded by Armstrong Park & Senator
Reesor’s Dr to the north, Ninth Line to the east, Highway 407 to the south, and
Rouge River to the west;
iv) Area bounded by Oak Lea Circle to the north,
Ninth Line to the east, Highway 7 to the south, and Rose Way & Reginald
Crescent to the west; and,
3) That the project be funded in the
amount of $300,000 from the 2016 capital project #16238 Sanitary System
Downspout Disconnection Program – Phase 4 of 5; and,
4) That the amount of $533,084 from the
2014 Capital Project #14313 Sanitary System Downspout Disconnection Program –
Phase 2 of 5 and $197,778 from the 2015 Capital Project #15294 Sanitary System
Downspout Disconnection Program – Phase 3 of 5 be returned to original funding
source; and,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
12. REGIONAL LANDSCAPING ON SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF TOWN CENTRE BLVD. AND HIGHWAY 7 (5.10)
Councillor Alex
Chiu presented the Committee with pictures of a landscaping wall on the
southeast corner of Town Centre Blvd and Highway 7, and inquired about the
consultation process with neighbouring landowners. It was suggested that Regional Councillor
will look into this.
13. BAN ON DOOR-TO-DOOR SALES
ACTIVITIES (13.4)
Councillor Colin
Campbell advised the Committee with respect to door-to-door scams related to
furnaces, water heaters, and other home energy products. He is suggested that the
City pass a motion requesting the Provincial Government to ban all door-to-door
sales in the home service sector.
Moved by
Councillor Amanda Collucci
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the following motion be deferred to the May 2,
2016 General Committee meeting:
Whereas the Provincial Government
implemented the Stronger
Protection for Ontario Consumers Act in April 2015 to address, among other things,
aggressive and misleading door-to-door sales tactics;
Whereas Ontarians over the last twelve
months continue to experience unsolicited, aggressive and misleading sales
tactics at their door from companies seeking to sell home energy products,
despite this provincial legislation;
Whereas the door to door agents acting on
behalf of these companies misrepresent their purpose and/or identity, often
posing as utility inspectors and government agents needing to gain access to
the homes of Ontarians;
Whereas people across Ontario, and in
particular Markham residents, have been targeted by these door to door
misrepresentations and misleading sales tactics;
Whereas one such company has been recently
charged with 142 breaches of the Consumer Protection Act due to this fraudulent
and misleading sales conduct, previous attempts by the Province to protect
Ontarians have failed;
Whereas the province has implemented a ban
on door-to-door sales for electricity and natural gas contracts by passing the Strengthening
Consumer Protection and Electricity System Oversight Act, 2015;
This Council moves to:
1.
Urge the Provincial Government to ban all door-to-door
sales in the home services sector (more specifically the sale or lease of HVAC
equipment, water heaters, water filtration systems and other related home
energy products and services by door-to-door sales agents) as soon as possible,
and before the spring session of the Ontario legislature concludes;
2.
Issue an Alert via News Release and other forms of
communication to Markham residents to warn them about ongoing door-to-door
sales activities, and encourage Markham residents to sign the online petition
at Change.org;
3. Encourage
other GTA municipalities to join with Markham in calling on the province to act;
4. That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
14. GERMAN MILLS MEADOW (5.7)
Councillor Valerie
Burke advised that the German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat Community
Liaison Committee had put together a report regarding some additional
maintenance work at the German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat. She would like staff the report referred to
staff.
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the report by
the German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat Community Liaison Committee be
referred to staff.
Carried
15. REDUCE SPEED LIMIT (5.12)
Councillor Karen
Rea advised that she has received a petition to reduce the speed limit by Bur
Oak Secondary School. It was suggested
that this petition be referred to staff.
Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Logan
Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 12:35 PM.
Carried