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
D. McClean, Fire
Chief
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
P. Wealleans,
Director, Revenues
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
P. Ingham, General
Manager, Operations
M. Urquhart,
Manager, Environmental Leadership
F. Wong, Manager,
Financial Planning
R. Raman, Manager,
Accounting & Expenditure Control
J. Kee, Committee
Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
At 10:05
a.m. Councillor J. Virgilio vacated
the Chair and Councillor
E. Shapero assumed the Chair.
At 10:55 a.m. Councillor
E. Shapero vacated the Chair and Councillor J. Virgilio assumed the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. MARKHAM PROFESSIONAL
FIREFIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION – EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION
AND PRESENTATION (7.15 & 11.6)
Mr. Walter Brinston, President, Markham Professional Firefighters
Association, was in attendance to express appreciation to Mayor Frank Scarpitti
and Members of Council and to Chief Don McClean for the support received in
sending the Markham Fire Department’s Honour Guard to the memorial ceremony in
Winnipeg where Captain Harold Lessard and Tom Nichols were killed by a flash
over while fighting a house fire.
Mr. Brinston formally presented Mayor Scarpitti with a framed picture of
the Honour Guard.
2. GTA/905
HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE (13.2)
Presentation 1 Resolution
Mr. T. Asmi,
Executive Director, GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance, was in attendance and presented
information regarding a proposed recommendation to the Province of Ontario with
respect to health care funding. Committee asked to have a clause added
relating to health promotion and disease prevention.
Moved by Mayor F.
Scarpitti
Seconded by
Councillor E. Shapero
Whereas local and timely access to health care and
social services is essential for building strong, prosperous and healthy
communities;
Whereas the Town of Markham, as part of the GTA/905,
is among the fastest growing communities in Ontario and a key community in the
Provincial Growth Plan for Ontario
Whereas existing Provincial funding for health care
and social services fails to take into account the need for additional local
health and social services in high growth communities across Ontario such as
the Town of Markham and other communities across the GTA/905
Whereas there is a $1.5 billion gap in provincial
funding for health and social services in the Town of Markham and the GTA/905
regions compared to the rest of Ontario and the funding gap has grown over the
last several years;
Whereas Premier McGuinty’s position on the federal
funding gap for Ontario and the need for a fairer share of federal transfer
payments based on population size is the same situation being faced by the Town
of Markham and other GTA/905 communities in terms of provincial funding for
health and social services;
Whereas the Federal Government has now acknowledged
the need to distribute federal funds Provinces on a per capita basis and the
Province of Ontario is now receiving an additional $1 billion from the Federal
Government to pay for health and social services in Ontario;
And Whereas York Region residents are now contributing
more that $170 million to the Province of Ontario by way of the health care
tax;
Be it resolved that the Town of Markham ask the
Province of Ontario to:
1.
Provide immediate growth funding to GTA/905 hospitals
and health and social services so they can meet the needs of the growing number
of residents in their communities
2.
Commit to allocating provincial health and social
services funding, including health
promotion and disease prevention, to Local Health Integration Networks
(LHIN) and Ontario regions on the basis of population size, growth and
characteristics, i.e., population-based funding.
3.
Develop a health and social services plan for
Ontario’s high growth regions to help build the “complete communities”
envisioned in Places to Grow.
And that appreciation
be expressed to the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance
and the Health Services Coalition at the Region;
And that this resolution be sent to the Premier of
Ontario, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Minister of Finance.
CARRIED
3. TOWN OF MARKHAM 2007
BUDGET ( 7.4)
Report 1
Mr.
Fuwing Wong, Manager of Financial Planning, presented the proposed Town of
Markham .2007 Budget. Committee
requested that the staff resolution be amended to include the increased tax
rate for 2007.
The Chair
and Members of the Budget Sub-Committee and staff were thanked for their
significant effort and contribution to a very successful budget and budget
process.
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report dated April 30, 2007
entitled, “Town of Markham 2007 Budget” be received;
And that Council
approve a 2007 property tax rate increase of 3.98%;
And that Council approve the 2007
Operating Budget for Town services which totals $151,419,368, (excluding prior
year surplus) the principle components of which are detailed on Appendix 1;
And that gross operating expenditures of
$151,419,368, (excluding prior year surplus transfers to reserves) be funded
from the following sources:
And that Council approve the 2007 Capital
Budget that totals $91,467,300, the funding details of which are listed in
Appendix 2;
And that Council approve the 2007
Waterworks Operating Budget that totals $50,146,462, (excluding prior year
surplus) the principle components of which are detailed on Appendix 4;
And that Council approve the 2007 Building
Standards Budget that totals $8,045,000 the principle components of which are
detailed on Appendix 5;
And that upon finalization of the 2006
audited financial statements, the 2007 Operating and Waterworks budgets be
adjusted to reflect the 2006 operating results;
And that a copy of the budgets be made
available to the public through the Clerk’s Department and each of the Markham
Public Libraries;
And that Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
4. GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE
CLOSING OF THE NANTICOKE
COAL FIRED POWER PLANTS (5.7)
Report 1 2 3 4 5 6
Committee requested that a clause be added to address the four (4) other
coal burning plants in Ontario.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report entitled, “General Comments on the Closing of the
Nanticoke Coal Fired Power Plants” be received for information;
And that the Corporation of the Town of Markham continue to support the
Province’s efforts to explore coal replacement options that achieve
environmental accountability, preservation of economic sustainability and that
provide a reliable and secure electricity system to all Ontarians;
And that the
Province of Ontario continue to strive towards a phase out plan for the four
(4) remaining coal burning plants in the Province.
CARRIED
5. AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER
INTO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT TO
PROCURE ELECTRICITY FROM RETAILERS FOR THE TOWN
STREET LIGHT ENERGY ACCOUNT (5.7, 7.0)
Report 1
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report entitled “Authorization To Enter Into A One Year
Contract To Procure Electricity From Retailers For The Town Street Light Energy
Account,” be received;
And that a one year contract to permit the Town of Markham to move its
street light energy account from the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) to the spot
market be awarded to Constellation New Energy for $1,000.00 and be funded
through the street light energy account, 720-720-5930;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect tot his resolution;
And further that the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute the
contract, as required, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
6. PROPOSED DRAFT BY-LAW TO REGULATE THE NON-
ESSENTIAL USE OF PESTICIDES
(5.7)
Report 1 2
Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, gave a
presentation on the background relating to the Town’s initiative for pesticide
reduction and regulation, and the plans to hold a Public Information Meeting in
May to receive input on the proposed draft by-law restricting the non-essential
use of pesticides. Ms. Urquhart
presented an overview of the draft by-law.
Committee and staff discussed the following issues:
- feasibility of
phasing in golf courses and lawn bowling greens; meeting with owners
- status of
government/private agencies, such as railway lands; hydro transmission
stations/corridors; Provincial highways, Regional roads; hospitals; and school
boards?
- preferred date
of meeting - Wednesday, May 23 and format
- the effective
date of by-law and feasibility of phasing it in
- the need for an
enhanced and comprehensive education program
- establishment
of a by-law enforcement plan; lawn care operators and products
- accreditation
of Integrated Pest Management agents
- definition of
“infestation” to be clarified
The Town Solicitor was requested to review the Town’s legal position
relating to jurisdiction over provincially and federally-owned agencies, such
as railway lands. The Town Clerk will
prepare a report on enforcement of the by-law later in the year for
consideration.
It was agreed that the Public Information Meeting would follow the same
format as a Development Services Public Meeting, with a Council Member as
Chair, and that a Moderator would not be required.
Staff was requested to arrange a meeting with representatives of Town of
Markham golf
courses and lawn bowling green operators to discuss the feasibility of those
properties being subject to the by-law.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the report entitled “Proposed Draft By-Law to Regulate the
Non-Essential Use of Pesticides” be received;
And that Council hold a Public
Information Meeting to obtain public input on the proposed draft By-Law
attached as Appendix “I” to this report;
And that the Public Information Meeting
be held on May 23rd from
7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers;
And that Staff be authorized to immediately provide notice of the Public Information Meeting and post the
meeting notice and proposed draft By-Law on the website;
And that the By-Law be
phased-in, and an enhanced and comprehensive education program be established;
And that the By-law
take effect January 1, 2008;
And that staff
prepare a report on a by-law enforcement plan;
And that staff
arrange a meeting with representatives of Town of Markham golf courses and lawn bowling green
operators to discuss the feasibility of those properties being subject to the
by-law;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
7. DRAFT 2006
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (7.2)
Report 1
This
matter was deferred by General Committee on April 23, 2007.
Mr Raj
Raman, Manager, Accounting and Expenditure Control, presented the draft 2006
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Moved by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the
report “Draft 2006 Financial Statements” be received;
And that
Council approve the Corporation of the Town of Markham’s Draft Consolidated
Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006;
And that
Council authorize Staff to issue the Consolidated Financial Statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 upon finalization of all consolidated
amounts;
And that
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
8. MINUTES OF
THE APRIL 2 AND APRIL 23, 2007 (7.2)
BUDGET
SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS (7.4)
April
2 April
23
Moved by Councillor D.
Horchik
Seconded by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
That the minutes from
the April 2, 2007 and April 23, 2007 meetings of the Markham Budget Sub-Committee
be received.
CARRIED
9. COMMUNITY
SERVICE GROUPS USE OF
TOWN
FACILITIES (6.6)
The matter of the
rental of community centre facilities by a place of worship was raised. Members were advised that the Town policy
states that any Markham based, not for profit community organizations, may use
Town facilities, subject to a 75% resident requirement. A reduced Community Service Group rate is
available upon application.
10. PREPARATION
OF COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE AGENDAS (16.0)
In response to a
concern from Members of Council with respect to the organization of material for
the weekly Committee and Council meetings, the Town Clerk advised that staff will
be providing larger binders to Members of Council, and will also be working
with the Councillor Assistants to help them organize the agenda documents.
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Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
That the Committee
resolve In Camera to discuss property matters (10:55 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor
J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor
E. Shapero
That the Committee
rise. (11:20 a.m.)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee
adjourned at 11:45 a.m.