M I N U T E S

 

ENVIRONMENT & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

2001-04-23

 

 

Attendance

 

Chair:                  Councillor J. Virgilio (1:30) Vice Chair, Transportation Issues:                            Reg. Councillor G. Landon Vice Chair, Environment:                            Reg. Councillor T. Wong Members:            Councillor E. Shapero                            Councillor G. McKelvey                            Councillor A. Chiu Others:                Reg. Councillor F. Scarpitti (1:20)                            Reg. Councillor B. O'Donnell                            Councillor S. Daurio                            Councillor J. Heath                            Councillor D. Horchik

A. Wolfe, Commissioner of Community Services S. Bertoia, Director of Environmental Services P. Loukes, Director of Street Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering S. Chait, Director, Corporate Quality &             Effectiveness Office J. Klaus, General Manager of Waterworks M. Ingwersen, Manager of Parks Construction             and Maintenance A. Mukherjee, Senior Transportation Engineer E. Ting, Manager of Infrastructure C. Dubar, Manager of Parking Control S. Koo, Traffic Engineer K. Boniface, Parks Planner J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

The Environment & Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 1:00 p.m. with Regional Councillor G. Landon in the Chair.

 

 

            DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

            None declared.

 

 

That the following recommendations be referred to Council for approval:

 

 

 

1.         ASSESSMENT OF YEAR 2000
            NEIGHBOURHOOD TRANSPORTATION
            COMMITTEE INITIATIVES (5.10)

 

Committee agreed to the staff recommendation to receive the report, but not to adopt 55 km/h as a minimum criteria for speed for a street to be eligible for consideration for local traffic improvement.

 

 

 

It was agreed that the Fire and Emergency Services Department attend a future meeting of the Environment & Transportation Committee to discuss their concerns regarding traffic calming measures.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the report on the effectiveness of Year 2000 traffic calming initiatives, prepared by the Director of Street Services, dated April 23, 2001, be received for information purposes;

 

And that staff be directed not to adopt 55 km/h as a minimum criteria for speed for a street to be eligible for consideration for local traffic improvement;

 

And further that Fire and Emergency Services Department be requested to attend a future meeting of the Environment & Transportation Committee to discuss their concerns regarding traffic calming measures.

 

 

 

2.         MW-2001-24 - ONTARIO LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD
            DECISION REGARDING WATER METER INSTALLATION (5.3)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the following resolution requesting the Province to revise Provincial Legislation requiring the use of plumbers for the installation of water meters be approved:

 

            "Whereas the Ontario Labour Relations has ruled that water meters must be installed, tested or changed by licensed plumbers or plumber's apprentices; and

 

            Whereas the use of licensed plumbers or plumber's apprentices will substantially increase the cost of installing and maintaining water meters; and

 

            Whereas the increased cost will be passed on to the ratepayers without an increase in service;

 

            Therefore be it resolved that the Council for the Corporation of the Town of Markham requests the Province of Ontario to revise the Trades and Qualifications Act to permit the installation of water meters by trained installers/technicians;

 

            And further that this resolution be circulated to all Municipalities and Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for their support."

 

And further that Council authorize staff to attend meetings on behalf of the Town and provide information to the judicial review and to the appeal of the Ontario Labour Relations Board Decisions 1348-99-HS; 1349-99-HS.

 

 

 

3.         SOUTH UNIONVILLE - SABISTON & VILLAGE GREEN
            COMMUNITY ROAD OPENINGS (5.12)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the intersection improvements including the signalization of Swansea Road/Highway 7 and opening of Oakcrest Avenue to Highway 7 in 2001 by the Region of York be endorsed;

 

And that the Region of York be requested to install traffic signals at Swansea Road and Highway 7 as part of the intersection improvements this year;

 

And that the Region of York be authorized to include Oakcrest/Highway 7 improvements in their contract subject to acceptance of the project costs by the Director of Engineering up to an upset limit of $100,000 and receipt of funds from 1147389 Ontario Limited (United Castan);

 

And that the Oakcrest/Highway 7 improvements be funded from the Engineering Department 2001 Budget Account # 083 5300 3710 005;

 

And that Schedule 12 - Compulsory Stops, of By-law 106-71 be amended by adding an all-way stop at the intersection of Swansea Road/Avoca Drive and stop signs on northbound Ray Street approaching Avoca Drive, on southbound Oakcrest Avenue approaching Castan Avenue, on northbound Piera Gardens approaching River Bend Road, on northbound Oakcrest Avenue approaching Highway 7 and that the attached by-law be approved;

 

And that Avoca Drive, Sabiston Drive, Ray Street, Oakcrest Avenue, and Piera Gardens be opened to the new streets in South Unionville upon substantial completion of South Unionville Development to the satisfaction of the Director of Engineering and further consultation with the local ratepayer groups and the Town's operational departments;

 

And that Street Services monitor traffic conditions on Eton Street, Avoca Drive and Swansea Road before and after the signals have been installed to determine the effect the signal installation will have on the existing streets;

 

And further that Kees Schipper, Commissioner of Transportation and Works, of the Region of York be notified of this resolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.         INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
            AT THE INTERSECTION OF DENISON STREET
            AND TOWNLEY AVENUE (5.12.1)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the by-law to amend Schedule 19 of Traffic By-law 106-71, pertaining to "Traffic Control Signals", by including a traffic control signal at the intersection of Denison Street and Townley Avenue, be approved;

 

And further that the funding be allocated for this work in the amount of $77,100.00, inclusive of 3% G.S.T., under project #2823, New Traffic Signal, in the proposed 2001 Capital Budget.

 

 

 

5.         REQUEST FOR SPEED HUMPS IN FRONT OF
            MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE (5.12)

 

Committee suggested the installation of an additional speed hump within the Anthony Roman Centre at a later date.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that they endorse the installation of speed humps in front of Markham Civic Centre during the summer of 2001;

 

And that the cost of these speed humps of $32,000.00 be funded from the 1999 Capital Budget allocation for traffic calming;

 

And further that staff monitor the effectiveness and response to the speed humps in front of the Markham Civic Centre and re-examine other locations depending on the success of this program.

 

 

 

6.         NEIGHBOURHOOD TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 2001
            LOCAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (5.12)

 

Committee agreed to the following changes:

 

      1) Re:   Thornhill, Ward 2 - Willowbrook Road (Addition)

 

      2) Re:   Markham Village, Ward 4 - Raymerville Drive (McCowan Road to Snider Drive)

                  that one speed hump be placed on Snider Drive and balance of Ward 4's share be

                  placed on Raymerville Drive;

     3) Re:    Markham Village, Ward 5 - Fincham Avenue (Paramount Road to Ninth Line)

                  that four speed humps be placed on both Fincham Avenue and Larkin Avenue

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that they endorse the following list of Local Traffic Improvement Projects for 2001 as selected by the four Neighbourhood Transportation Committees:

     NTC                       WARD            PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

 

     Unionville                 6                      Calvert Road (East of Rodick Road)

                                    3                      Main Street-Unionville (North of Carlton Rd.)

     Thornhill                   1                      Johnson Avenue

                                    2                      Willowbrook Road

     Milliken Mills           7                      Hillcroft Drive

                                    8                      Highglen Avenue (Kennedy Rd. to Brimley Rd.)

     Markham Village      4                      Raymerville Drive (McCowan Rd. to Snider Dr.) -

                                                            (one speed hump to be placed on Snider Drive and balance

                                                            of Ward 4's share be placed on Raymerville Drive)

                                    5                      Fincham Avenue (Paramount Road to Ninth Line) -

                                                            (that four speed humps be placed on both Fincham Avenue

                                                            and Larkin Avenue)

 

     NTC                                               SPEED EDUCATION & AWARENESS PROGRAM

 

     Unionville                                         Fred Varley Drive

     Thornhill                                           Willowbrook Road

     Milliken Mills                                   Aldergrove Drive

     Markham Village                              Ramona Boulevard

 

And that Council endorse the revised schedule for implementation of these improvement projects to be adopted for use starting with the 2001 program, that involves:

 

·        Elimination of Implementation Team meetings

·        Staff preparation of preliminary designs for each projects

·        Public meetings for each NTC area to allow community to review preliminary designs

·        Revisions to preliminary designs to incorporate comments from the community

·        Public voting

·        Report to Council for final approval

·        Ministry of Environment Class Environmental Assessment advertisement period

·        Resolution of request for Part II Orders (if any)

·        Construction

 

 

And further that staff report back to the Environment and Transportation Committee with the results of the public consultations and the expected costs of the proposed projects.  The proposed 2001 Capital Budget includes $298,400.00 for traffic calming initiatives.

 

 

 

7.         PERMIT PARKING - TAMARACK DRIVE, INVERLOCHY DRIVE
            AND NORMARK DRIVE (2.17)

 

Ms. Sheila Birrell Town Clerk and Ms. Cheryl Dubar, Manager of Parking Control were in attendance and gave a brief overview of the operations of the Parking Control Division and the First Attendance Facility.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that a by-law be presented for two readings to amend By-law No. 336-88 (Parking), as amended, to provide overnight on-street parking for vehicles that have been issued a permit on Tamarack Drive, Inverlochy, and Normark Drive, approval of which shall include the following conditions:

 

·        Permits to be issued on a six-month basis

·        Monthly permit fee of $60.00

·        Permits must be displayed at all times while parked on the street to avoid being ticketed

·        Vehicles must only be parked on the street where parking is permitted by signage

·        Vehicles(s) displaying permit must be operational

·        Permits will not be issued for commercial vehicles, i.e. town trucks, tractor trailers,

cube vans, dump trucks, boats, mobile homes, etc.

·        Specific snow clearance guidelines being established, street by street

·        The Town reserves the right to revoke permits at its sole discretion

·        Vehicles shall not be permitted to park in excess of 48 hours at a time

 

And further that, prior to third reading, all residents in the affected areas be notified of the proposal and provided with details of a public meeting being held for the purpose of gathering public input.

 

CARRIED

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

-----------------------------

Regional Councillor G. Landon vacated the Chair and Councillor J. Virgilio assumed the Chair at 1:30 p.m.

----------------------------

 

 

 

8.         PESTICIDE APPLICATION POLICY REVIEW (2.20)

 

Committee had before it a report from the Community Services Commission requesting endorsement of the Town's Pesticide Application Policy approved by Council in 2000.

 

Committee agreed to the following amendment:

      "that spraying in natural areas only be carried out to control poison ivy (Pesticide

            Application Policy - Item #7)"

 

Councillor Erin Shapero presented a further motion with respect to a "Pesticide-Free Parks" pilot

project in Ward 2 and the establishment of a Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee. 

Committee expressed concern regarding spraying at the Markham Civic Centre and requested staff to review and report.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended to Council that the Pesticide Application Policy approved in 2000, attached as Appendix "A", be endorsed in principle, subject to receipt of a further staff report,

with the following amendment:

 

      "that spraying in natural areas only be carried out to control poison ivy (Pesticide

            Application Policy - Item #7)";

 

And that the request of Councillor Erin Shapero respecting a "Pesticide-Free Parks" pilot project in Ward 2, and the establishment of a Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee be referred to staff for review;

 

And that the matter of spraying at the Markham Civic Centre also be referred to staff for review;

 

And that such information be included in a report to be submitted to the May 14, 2001 meeting of the Environment and Transportation Committee;

 

And further that, in the interim, no spraying be carried out until such time as the report from Community Services staff is submitted.

 

 

 

9.         PRESENTATION RE: PARKING CONCERNS - ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL
            55 PARKWAY AVENUE (2.17)

 

Ms. Susie Ferguson, Principal, St. Joseph School, was in attendance on behalf of the school staff and the School Council to request that the parking signs directly in front of the school be changed in order to facilitate a safer and more efficient drop off and pick up of the children.

 

 

It was suggested that the Town's Traffic Division staff work with the School, York Regional Police and By-law Enforcement staff to review the signage and try to resolve the situation.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the presentation by Ms. Susie Ferguson, Principal of St. Joseph School, Markham, and letter dated April 3, 2001, be received;

 

And that the matter of parking at the front of St. Joseph School, 55 Parkway Avenue, Markham, be referred to Community Services Commission staff and Corporate Services Commission staff for review.

 

 

 

10.       UPDATE OF REGIONAL ROAD
            CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (5.10)

 

Mr. Paul Jankowski, Director of Design and Construction, Region of York, was in attendance to update Committee on the road construction projects scheduled within the Town of Markham.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the presentation by Mr. Paul Jankowski, Director of Design and Construction, Region of York respecting road construction projects within the Town of Markham, be received.

 

 

 

11.       PRESENTATION RE: WALKWAY BETWEEN
            MARKHAM DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
            AND CAPTAIN ROLPH BOULEVARD (5.20)

 

Mr. D. Freeman, Principal, Markham District High School, was in attendance to request that the pathway between Markham District High School and Captain Rolph Boulevard be given to the York Region District School Board to allow MDHS to enforce current school policy on non-smoking.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the presentation by Mr. David Freeman, Principal, Markham District High School and correspondence dated April 3, 2001 and October 26, 2000, be received;

 

 

And that the request of Markham District High School to have the walkway between MDHS and Captain Rolph Boulevard become the property of the York Region District School Board be referred to Community Services staff and the office of the Town Solicitor to investigate the possibility of a lease arrangement on a short term basis; and other operational and maintenance issues, and to report back to the Environment and Transportation Committee.

 

 

 

12.       MARKHAM TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
            STUDY PRESENTATION  (5.10 & 5.14)

 

Mr. Nick Poulos, Poulos & Chung, Consultants, was in attendance and updated Committee on both the road and transit components of the Markham Transportation Planning Study.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the presentation by Mr. Nick Poulos, Poulos & Chung, on the Markham Transportation Planning Study, be received.

 

 

 

13.       MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
            MINUTES – OCTOBER 26, 2000, JANUARY 25 AND
            FEBRUARY 22, 2001 (16.28)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee meetings held on October 26, 2000, January 25 and February 22, 2001 be received.

 

 

 

14.       MARKHAM BOARD OF TRADE - REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL
            ASSISTANCE FOR REGIONAL AND MUNICIPAL ROADS (3.15 & 5.10)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the copy of the letter to Mr. Bill Fisch, Chair and Regional Councillors, Region of York, dated March 5, 2001 from Ms. R. Burkholder, President and CEO of the Markham Board of Trade, with respect to financial assistance for regional and municipal roads, be referred to the Engineering Department of the Development Services Commission.

 

 

 

15.       2001 NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRENCHLESS
            TECHNOLOGY (NASTT) AWARD (5.3)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That it be recommended that Council recognize the Waterworks Department staff for their efforts that resulted in the Town receiving the 2001 North American Society of Trenchless Technology Award.

 

 

 

16.       "BAG-IT" BAG-BASED WASTE COLLECTION PILOT
            PROJECT UPDATE (5.l)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the report prepared by the Waste Management Coordinator, dated April 23, 2001 entitled "Bag-It Bag-Based Waste Collection Pilot Project Update" be received for information.

 

 

 

17.       RESOLUTION FROM THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION
            COMMITTEE RESPECTING TORONTO AND REGION
            CONSERVATION AUTHORITY AND THE
            PROTECTION OF SMALL STREAMS  (16.28 & 5.7)

 

Committee agreed to refer the resolution from the Markham Conservation Committee, passed at its meeting of February 22, 2001, with respect to the Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority and the protection of small streams to Development Services staff for further information.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the resolution of the Markham Conservation Committee, passed at its meeting of February 22, 2001, with respect to the Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority and the protection of small streams, be referred to Development Services staff for report to the Environment & Transportation Committee on May 14, 2001.

 

 

18.       REGION OF YORK
            TRANSPORTATION STUDY UPDATE (5.10 & 5.14)

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That Town staff continue to provide Council status reports on the York Region Transportation Master Plan.

 

 

 

19.       PARKING AND SIGNAGE CONCERNS - ALDERGROVE DRIVE
            AND OLD KENNEDY ROAD (2.17)

 

It was agreed that the matter of parking and signage in the area of Aldergrove Drive and Old Kennedy Road be referred to Traffic Division staff for review.

 

 

 

20.       SAFETY CONCERNS - BIRCHMOUNT ROAD AND DENISON AVENUE
            (2.16)

 

It was agreed that concerns relating to collisions and safety in the area of Birchmount Road and Denison Avenue be referred to Traffic Division staff for review.

 

 

 

21.       GRANT REQUEST - FRIENDS OF LITTLE
            GERMAN MILLS CREEK (7.6)

 

A report from the Commissioner of Corporate Services recommending that the request for a grant to the Friends of Little German Mills Creek be denied as it does not comply with the Town's current policy had been presented to the Finance & Administrative Committee this date, and referred to the Environment & Transportation Committee for consideration.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

That the request from the Friends of Little German Mills Creek requesting financial assistance be referred to the Markham Conservation Committee for consideration.

 

 

22.       ONTARIO WATERWORKS ASSOCIATION AND
            ONTARIO MUNICIPAL WATER ASSOCIATION
            JOINT ANNUAL CONFERENCE - MAY 6-9, 2001  (11.12)

 

Copies of a memorandum and attachments from the General Manager of Waterworks with respect to the Ontario Waterworks Association and Ontario Municipal Water Association Annual Conference being held in Toronto from May 6 to 9, 2001 were distributed to all Members of Committee for their information.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Environment and Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 4:55 p.m.