GENERAL COMMITTEE
Finance &
Administrative Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
Attendance
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J. Livey,
Chief Administrative Officer
C.
Conrad, Town Solicitor
A.
Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S.
Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
M. West,
Manager, Strategic Initiatives
B.
Labelle, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:01 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
1. MINUTES OF THE APRIL
23, 2007 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes from the April 23, 2007
General Committee meeting be confirmed.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2007 MARKHAM CANADA
DAY COMMITTEE MEETING (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes from the March 19, 2007
Markham Canada Day Committee meeting be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE MARCH
29, 2007 MARKHAM
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
MEETING (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes from the March 29, 2007
Markham Conservation Committee meeting be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE MARCH
23, 2007 MARKHAM
BUILDING & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
MEETING (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes from the March 23, 2007
Markham Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting be received.
CARRIED
5. 2007 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD
APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That Mr.
Tom Allan be appointed to the Markham Theatre Advisory Board for a term to
expire November 30, 2007.
CARRIED
6. EAST MARKHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE AND
LIBRARY – REVIEW OF OPTIONS FOR SCOPE AND
LOCATION (6.6, 6.7)
The Committee
discussed the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and
Markham-Stouffville hospital and expressed concerns with respect to the lack of
clear details regarding the nature of the partnership. Staff advised that the
main goal of the partnership is to facilitate shared programming opportunities
and once the general location of the Community Centre was established a public
consultation process would be initiated.
Ms. J.
Beed, CEO, Markham-Stouffville Hospital, confirmed the hospital was reviewing
the potential to expand their emergency area, however, the program was not in
relation to the development of a Markham Wellness Centre. She advised the
Wellness Centre would instead focus on issues such as early detection,
diagnostics as well as fitness, health and nutrition. Ms. Beed also indicated
the partnership with the Town would facilitate shared programming initiatives
addressing lifestyle concepts. She advised the overall vision of the shared
Wellness Centre received support from the Ontario Infrastructure Projects
Corporation.
The
Committee expressed concerns regarding staff’s recommended option as it did not
directly include a provision for structured parking if necessary. Members noted
the prospect for land acquisition on the opposing side of Highway 7 should also
be reviewed. The Committee also discussed the potential to partner with the
Catholic School Board to purchase a portion of land on the East side of Bur Oak
Avenue.
Members
posed questions regarding the anticipated construction schedule and the
conceptual design of the Wellness Centre and Community Centre. The Committee
expressed concerns that project deadlines for each may not be the same. Members
recommended that the Wellness Centre and Community Centre share building walls
to facilitate a proper integrated solution. Staff advised of the potential
construction costs and indicated that a report on the architectural and
engineering services contract would be presented at the next General Committee
meeting.
The
Committee referenced a recent memo which highlighted potential synergies in
addition to those mentioned in the Staff report, including concepts such as an
indoor splash pad, rock climbing area and playground facility. Members agreed
that a public meeting to include residents and user groups should be initiated
prior to the completion of any conceptual drawings.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Whereas it
is the desire of Markham Council to work together with Markham-Stouffville
Hospital to provide an integrated Community Centre, Library, Health and
Wellness complex in east Markham;
And whereas
such a facility offers synergies and benefits to the community including more
efficient use of resources for land, space, services, capital costs, operating
costs, library, and meeting rooms;
And whereas
there are opportunities for services to be provided by Markham District Energy
to the new complex and the hospital and potentially other buildings in the area;
And whereas
the new complex would serve as a catalyst for structured parking to serve it
and the hospital and potentially other buildings in the area;
And whereas
the complex will provide an opportunity to demonstrate unique partnerships in
Markham, York Region, and the GTA;
Therefore,
be it resolved that:
1. A
major portion of the East Markham Community Centre and Library, integrated with
Markham-Stouffville Hospital’s proposed Health and Wellness facility including the provision for a parking garage,
be located on the west side of Bur Oak just south of Church Street;
2. The
Town confirm to the hospital that the land required for the above purposes is
9.2 acres;
3. The
Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a MOU with the hospital with respect
to land acquisition, design, construction and operating arrangements for the
Community Centre and Library and the Hospital’s Health and Wellness facility on
a joint development site, in a form satisfactory to the Town’s CAO and
Solicitor;
4. The
East Markham Community Centre and Library (E.M.C.C. & L) multi-purpose
facility include the following amenities, among others to be determined:
·
Enhanced
indoor pool (25 metre 8 lane competition pool), therapeutic pool, and teaching
pool
·
Enhanced
fitness area
·
Gymnasium
·
Multi-purpose
programme space
·
Youth
and seniors programme space
·
Library;
5. Staff
consult with the Public and Catholic School Boards, and affected landowners,
about acquiring further lands on the east side of Bur Oak for community centre
purposes and / or opportunities to work together to provide joint amenities
with either or both Boards;
6. Staff
consult with hospital officials concerning opportunities to work together on
the construction and operation of structured parking on community centre or
hospital owned land;
7. Staff
consult with hospital officials concerning opportunities for services to be
provided by Markham District Energy to the new complex and the hospital;
8. Using
Clause 4 as the base point, staff conduct a charette in June with community and
stakeholder representatives. Matters to be discussed might also include:
- For
the west side of Bur-Oak:
·
Siting
options for the facility and its amenities
·
Temporary
and / or permanent parking
·
Indoor
playground activity area
·
Indoor
splash pad
·
Indoor
mini-stage for presenting plays, etc.
·
Pre-school
rooms
·
Specific
services offered by the Health and Wellness Facility
·
Other
recreational opportunities
- For
the east side of Bur-Oak:
·
Temporary
and / or permanent parking
·
Outdoor
splash pad
·
Outdoor
skating rink
·
Soccer
·
Skateboard
park
·
Children’s
playground
·
Tennis
·
Off leash park
·
The
relationship with a potential high school
·
Other
recreational opportunities;
9. The MOU make reference to discussions
between the Town of Markham and Markham-Stouffville hospital regarding opportunities
for synergies in the design of the facility, such as shared building walls etc.;
10. Staff
report back to General Committee later in June on progress concerning this
resolution and the results of the charette.
CARRIED
7. CANADIAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION – MARKHAM
GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB LANDS (6.0)
Letter
Mr. Fritz,
Executive Director, Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA), was in attendance
to propose a partnership between his association and the Town of Markham. He
presented background on the Canadian Junior Golf Association advised that his
organization is responsible for running 93 national tournaments and 12
international events annually. Mr. Fritz indicated the CJGA focuses on the
development of young golfers by sponsoring their mentorship with professional
players and teachers.
Mr. Fritz
expressed interest in the Town owned land formerly leased by the Markham Golf
and Country Club. Several greens are located on these lands and Mr. Fritz
discussed his proposal to develop a state of the art facility on the site that
would become the national home for the CJGA. He indicated the greens could be
restored and used as a training area. Mr. Fritz presented a draft layout for
development of the site. He also advised the greens were not currently being
preserved and needed immediate maintenance.
The
Committee posed several questions in relation to the Town property as well as
the adjacent land, access points and details of the proposed partnership. Mr.
Fritz confirmed the CJGA would assume the operation and maintenance of the
facility if an agreement was reached. The Committee also noted a possible
synergy with the Junior Golf Academy program led by the Bayview Golf and
Country Club.
Staff
agreed to distribute maps clearly identifying the lands in question delineating
those owned by the Town.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the
presentation by Mr. Fritz, Executive Director, Canadian Junior Golf Association
(CJGA), regarding a proposed partnership with the Town of Markham be received;
And that
the feasibility of the CJGA temporarily maintaining the greens on property on
by the Town be reviewed by Community Services staff;
And that a
steering Committee composed of Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Councillor Dan Horchik,
Councillor Alex Chiu and Deputy Mayor Jim Jones be established to work with the
CJGA on the details of the proposed partnership.
CARRIED
8. YORK REGION WASTE
MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT (5.8)
The Committee briefly discussed the
Environmental Assessment (EA) relating to York Region’s waste management
system. Staff advised they would report back on the status of the EA and the
financial aspects of financing their waste energy system.
9. PUBLIC DISPLAY OF RELIGIOUS
SYMBOLISM (6.5)
The
Committee discussed a matter referred to the Markham Race Relations Committee
regarding the public display of religious symbols. Staff advised a staff report
containing options as well as the recommendation from the Markham Race
Relations Committee is forthcoming to the May 28 meeting of the
General Committee.
10. HERITAGE PLANNER POSITION
(10.0, 11.8)
Legal staff
confirmed that details concerning the proposed employment of a Heritage Planner
was currently underway and information would be released as it was made
available.
ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 10:47 a.m.