Morgan Jones, Director of Operations provided the 2020 Operations Department Budget Presentation.
Staff provided the following responses to the 2020 Operations Budget Presentation:
Greenhouses & Flower Baskets
Many municipalities do not have a greenhouse. Markham has a greenhouse so it can purchase plants at a low cost and store them in the greenhouse until they fill out. The greenhouse is also used to assemble flower baskets prior to transferring them to a City facility or streetscape. The City would need to hire a company to assemble the baskets if it did not have the greenhouse. Staff are always looking at ways to do things more efficiently.
Staff were complimented on the 2019 Main Street Unionville flower baskets.
New Work Yard in the East End of Markham
The new east work yard will be in operation by the fall of 2020. The new east work yard is important to providing a consistent level of service across the City of Markham.
Communication
Staff are looking at ways to improve communication to residents in regards to moving their vehicles from the street when there is a snow event, so that they do not get a ticket. The improved communication strategy will be presented to the General Committee on November 18, 2019.
Salt
Staff anticipated that the City will have enough salt to manage its winter operations this winter.
Vehicle Rental Cost Increase
It was clarified that the increase in the vehicle rental cost is due to more vehicles being needed to serve new areas of Markham. The vehicles are rented versus purchased due to them being used on a seasonal basis.
Horticulture
Staff will look at adding the Pan Am Centre to the City’s Horticultural Community Centre Program to improve the horticulture at the facility. Planting the right species of plants is key to the success of the vegetation planted at City facilities.
Property Maintenance
The property located at 55 Parkway Avenue is not a facility that the Operations-Parks Department manages.
Committee suggested that the maintenance of a property should be considered when purchasing land to ensure there is adequate City resources to maintain the property.
Planting of New Trees and Boulevard Tree Pruning
The City is striving towards having a 30% tree canopy. In reaching this goal, it is first working towards protecting its existing tree inventory. Boulevard trees are being pruned in order of priority. The pruning can be prioritized based on the age of the subdivision (which is also the age of the boulevard trees), and based on data analytics collected by the City’s Contact Centre. The new Tree Pruning Program will help maintain the health of the City’s trees.
Residents can receive approval from the City to hire an arborist to prune their boulevard tree if they like.
The City now requires a larger set-back in new developments to allow trees to grow. The City is also in the process of developing a Forestry Plan, which will provide guidelines in regards to where trees should be planted. The plan will also look at how trees should be addressed through the City’s lifecycle.
Safety Issues
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services conducted two safety audits of the City’s Operations Department, and no safety issues were identified. Both staff and student workers are trained on workplace safety.
Review of the Operations Capital Budget
Staff provided the following responses to the 2020 Operations Capital Budget Items:
Operations-Roads
20182 – City Owned Entrance Features Rehabilitation Program
The gateways included under this Capital Budget item require immediate attention. A report will be brought forward to the General Committee in early 2020 on City’s Gateway Program.
A Committee Member noted that gateways should not be put on private property.
20183 – City Owned Fence Replacement Program
The City’s fences are replaced based on the recommendation from the condition assessment.
20193 – Retaining Wall Repair Program
Staff confirmed that the City will fix any damage to the adjacent houses plantings due to the repairing of the retaining wall.
20194 – Storm Water Retention Pond Maintenance Program
The Operations Department is responsible for planting vegetation around the storm water management pond to ensure it functions as intended.
Operations-Parks
20198 – Boulevard/ Park Tree Replacement
The cost of planting these trees is higher due to mature trees being planted. The cost of planting a tree increases based on the size and maturity of the tree.
20208 – Parks Interpretive Signage Implementation – Phases 1 of 3
This Capital Budget item is to create signs that tell the story behind the naming of a park. The signs will be put up at all parks that have been named.
20211 – Recycling Containers Replacement
Staff confirmed they are looking at creating standards with respect to the placement of waste and recycling containers at parks.
20214 – Shade Structure Refurbishment
Staff confirmed that the shade structures at both the Millennium Band Stand and the Church Street Parkette will be refurbished as part of this project.
Operations – Fleet
20225 – New Fleet Parks
Most seasonal Operations-Fleet vehicles are leased. Vehicles that are purchased are maintained both internally and through outsourcing. All of the City’s fire vehicles are purchased, and maintained internally.
Staff indicated that a Green Fleet Strategy is underway and will be completed in 2020.
The Operations Department provides feedback on the design of a park. Operations and Urban Design staff work together on the designs of new parks to ensure the park can be easily maintained.
Operations-Utility Inspection & Survey
There was no discussion on these Capital Budget Items.
Operations – Business & Technical Services
20231 – Growth Related Parks Improvements
Staff will advise Councillor Karen Rea if there will be a volleyball net added to Reesor Park, as part of the growth related parks improvements.