Council Minutes

(Community Recognition)

                                                                                          May 7, 2015, 7:00 PM

                                    Council Chamber, Anthony Roman Markham Civic Centre

 

 

Roll Call

Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Joe Li, Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, Councillor Valerie Burke, Councillor Alan Ho, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Councillor Alex Chiu.

 

 

Regrets

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Councillor Don Hamilton, Councillor Karen Rea, Councillor Colin Campbell, Councillor Logan Kanapathi.

 

 

Staff

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Lorraine Li, Mayor’s Office

Dennis Flaherty, Director of Communications and Community Relations

John Wong, Technology Support Specialist

Alida Tari, Deputy Clerk

Carlie Turpin, Public Services & Records Coordinator

 

 

 

The Special Council Meeting for Community Recognition convened at 7:09 PM on May 7, 2015 in the Council Chamber.  Mayor Frank Scarpitti presided.

 

 

Quorum was lost at 7:25 PM, the Confirmatory By-law 2015-65 for this meeting will be referred to the May 13, 2015 regular Council meeting for enactment.

 

 

On behalf of Council, Mayor Frank Scarpitti welcomed members of the public to the Special Council Meeting for Community Recognition.  He noted the purpose of the meeting is to recognize and celebrate individuals who have made contributions to the community of Markham.

 

 

 

1.         DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

(1)        None declared.

 

 

 

2.         PRESENTATIONS

 

 

(1)        SMART COMMUTE 2014 AWARD RECOGNITIONS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized the winners of the 2014 Smart Commute Awards.

 

            AMD Canada:  Smart Commute Employer of the Year Award for York Region

 

            -     Matt Skynner, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, was in attendance on behalf of AMD Canada.

 

            Honda Canada:  Smart Commute Rising Star Award

 

The following representatives was in attendance on behalf of Honda Canada:

-     Dian Gardner, Senior Manager

-     Jennifer Webb, Manager of Administrative Services

-     Tejal Mistry, Admin Services Coordinator and Smart Commute Ambassador

 

The following representatives were in attendance on behalf of Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill:

 

            -     Flo McLellan, Director

            -     Basil Marcello, Senior Program Advisor

            -     Derek Davies, Program Coordinator

 

 

(2)        LARA CHEBARO
            - CANADA'S OUTSTANDING PRINCIPALS of 2015 AWARD (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Lara Chebaro, Principal of James Robinson Public School, for receiving the National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals of 2015 Award.

 

 

(3)        DANIEL DING
            - 2015 ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS'
            FEDERATION (OSSTF/FEESO)
            STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Daniel Ding, Markham District High School Student, for receiving the highest honour of the 2015 Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) Student Achievement Award.

 

 

(4)        JOSEPH CALABRIA
            - "WATER COOLING IN COMPUTERS" BRONZE MEDAL WINNER (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Joseph Calabria, St. Justin Martyr Catholic Elementary School Student, for winning the York Region Sci-Tech Fair Bronze Medal in "Water Cooling in Computers".

 

 

(5)        EMILY LAU
             - SUPER-SPONGE BRONZE MEDAL WINNER (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Emily Lau, Saint Augustine Catholic High School Student, for winning the York Region Sci-Tech Fair Bronze Medal in "Super-Sponge".

 

Antonella Rubino, Principal of Saint Augustine Catholic High School, was in attendance.

 

 

(6)        DANIELLE D'SOUZA
            - "PEEL PAPER" PROJECT SILVER MEDAL WINNER (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Danielle D’Souza, St. Justin Martyr Catholic Elementary School Student, for winning the York Region Sci-Tech Fair Silver Medal in "Peel Paper" Project.

 

 

(7)        AIDAN AIRD
- "THE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL WATER WHEEL CART FOR
DEVELOPING NATIONS" GOLD MEDAL WINNER
AND RECIPIENT OF THE COURNOYEA/PAZ-SOLDAN PEER AWARD (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Aidan Aird, St. Brother Andre Catholic High School Student, for winning the York Region Sci-Tech Fair Gold Medal in "The Multi-Functional Water Wheel Cart for Developing Nations" and for receiving the Cournoyea/Paz-Soldan Peer Award.

 

Charmain Barker, Vice-Principal of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School, was in attendance.

 

 

 

(8)        INCOLE ZHAO
            - "IDENTIFICATION OF CARBAMAZEPINE DEGRADERS"
            GOLD MEDAL WINNER (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Nicole Zhao, Markville Secondary Student, for winning the Canada Wide Science Fair Gold Medal in "Identification of Carbamazepine Degraders".

 

Diana Smith, Vice-Principal of Markville Secondary School, was in attendance.

 

 

(9)        CHEN CHEN AND CAROLINE LOU
            - "INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON PARSLEY PLANT GROWTH"
            GOLD MEDAL WINNERS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Chen Chen, Markham resident and Caroline Lou, Vaughan resident from Bayview Secondary School Students for winning the York Region Sci-Tech Fair Gold Medal and the Vernadsky Award for "Investigating the Effect of Biochar on Parsley Plant Growth"

 

 

(10)      HANZHEN LIN
            - MARKHAM DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12 STUDENT (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Hanzhen Lin, Markham District High School Student, for his achievements including:

 

-     1 of 9 individuals in the world, out of 93,000 students who obtained a top score of 5 in the BC Calculus Examination.

-     Bronze Award in 2014 Sun Life Financial Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge.

-     High Scoring Student (Cumulative) in 2014 University of Windsor Canadian Mathematics League.

-     Student Honour Roll in 2014 University of Waterloo Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest

 

 

(11)      2015 MARKHAM DISTRICT ENERGY
            SUSTAINABILITY BURSARY AWARDS CEREMONY (12.2.6)

 

Mr. Bruce Ander, President and CEO, Markham District Energy Inc., provided background information on the Markham District Energy Sustainability Bursary.

 

The Markham District Energy Sustainability Bursary was established to help cultivate and nurture environmental leadership. The Bursary encourages and rewards graduating Markham high school students who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence and participation in environmental extracurricular, volunteer and community service activities; and who intend to study sciences related to the environment full-time at a Canadian post-secondary institution.

 

Council extended congratulations to the recipients of the 2015 Markham District Energy Sustainability Bursary. The recipients are:

 

York Catholic District School Board

 

Diana Dragomir, Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy

Nicole Politis, St. Augustine Catholic High School

Vincent Simpatico, St. Brother Andre Catholic High School

Ushpreet Mehta, St. Robert Catholic High School

 

York Region District School Board

 

Alexander Crupi-Nisperos, Bill Crothers Secondary School

Malvin Lo, Bur Oak Secondary School

Safa Ansar, Markham District High School

Joshua Mak, Markville Secondary School

Abineaga Muralitharan, Middlefield Collegiate Institute

Gary Yuen, Milliken Mills High School

Edith Lam, Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School

Mia Sams, Thornhill Secondary School

Blair Cai, Thornlea Secondary School

Wyanne Li, Unionville High School

 

Antonella Rubino, Principal of Saint Augustine Catholic High School, was in attendance.

 

Charmain Barker, Vice-Principal of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School, was in attendance.

 

Ron Zoratto, Vice-Principal of Bill Crothers Secondary School, was in attendance.

 

Diana Smith, Vice-Principal of Markville Secondary School, was in attendance.

 

 

(12)      JOSEPH BLANDISI
            - NEW JERSEY DEVILS TEAM MEMBER (12.2.6)

 

Council congratulated Joseph Blandisi on becoming a member of the New Jersey Devils Hockey Team and for his various achievements including receiving the Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophy.

 

 

(13)      PAUL POIRIER
            - SILVER MEDAL WINNER IN SKATE CANADA 2014 (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Paul Poirier, Silver Medallist at the Skate Canada 2014 Four Continents Figure Skating Championship and 6^th place finish in the ISU World Championship 2015.

 

 

(14)      DALLYSSA HUGGINS
            - PENTATHLON CHAMPION OF THE
            2015 NEW BALANCE INDOOR NATIONALS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Dallyssa Huggins, Bill Crothers Secondary School Student, 2015 Canadian Indoor Pentathlon Championship Winner (15/16 years of age) and 2015 New Balance All American Pentathlon Girl Championship Winner.

 

Les Huggins, Coach and Father, and Ron Zoratto, Vice-Principal of Bill Crothers Secondary School, were in attendance.

 

 

(15)      JERSEY BISHOP
            - CANADIAN SWIM TRIALS AND TEAM CANADA ACHIEVEMENTS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Jersey Bishop, Bill Crothers Secondary School Student, for placing 4^th at the 1,500 metre freestyle at the 2015 Canadian Swim Trials in Toronto and being selected to Team Canada.

 

Ron Zoratto, Vice-Principal of Bill Crothers Secondary School, will be in attendance.

 

 

(16)      2015 ONTARIO SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized the Winners of the 2015 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts Women's Provincial Curling Championships including:

 

-     Julie Hastings, Skip

-     Christy Trombley, Third

-     Stacey Smith, Second

-     Katrina Collins, Lead

-     Cheryl McPherson, Alternate

 

 

(17)      MARKHAM SPEED SKATERS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Markham Speed Skaters for their accomplishments including:

 

Bennett Lai
Gold Medal Winner at the Provincial A Championship.

 

Eugene Wong
Silver Medal Winner at the Provincial A Championship.

 

Justin Liew

Silver Medal Winner at the Long Track Provincial Championship.

 

Claire Liew

Silver Medal Winner at the Long Track Canadian Championships and ranked 2^nd Nationally in Long Track.

 

 

(18)      BILL CROTHERS SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEER STUNT GROUP
            - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, ADVANCE SENIOR STUNT GROUP (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Members of the Bill Crothers Secondary School Cheer Stunt Group for receiving the Cheer Evolution National Championship Award in Advance Senior Stunt Group including:

 

-     Danielle Lew

-     Elora Sinnott

-     Janel Lovell

-     Sara Fahmi

-     Drew McWhiter

-     Tamara Evans, Teacher/Coach

 

Ron Zoratto, Vice-Principal of Bill Crothers Secondary School, will be in attendance.

 

 

(19)      BROTHER ANDRE CARDINALS
- GOLD MEDALLISTS OF THE 2015 AAA/AAAA
ONTARIO FEDERATION OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATIONS (OFSAA) HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized Members of the Brother Andre Cardinals, Gold Medallists of the 2015 AAA/AAAA Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Hockey Championship, including:

 

Coaches, Student Players and Principal of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School:

 

First Name	Last Name	Title
Branko	Mihaljevic	Coach
Dave	Turner	Coach
Paul	Titanic	Coach
Alec	Mizzi	Player
Andrew	Schmidt	Player
Andrew	Vigliatore	Player
Ayden	Hughes	Player
Billy	O'Neil	Player
Brandon	Sutch	Player
Connor	Gregga	Player
Cory	Vigneux	Player
Cristian	Giorgio	Player
Damien	Heinle	Player
Daniel	Giorgio	Player
Danny	Valerio	Player
David	Matheson	Player
Emilio	Gallenero	Player
Giancarlo	Da-Re	Player
James	Yantsis	Player
Jonathan	Yantsis	Player
Kyle	Randorf	Player
Liam	McMahon	Player
Liam	Timewell	Player
Michael	Palladino	Player
Michael	Pellegrini	Player
Nicholas	Turco	Player
Nicholas	Varsamis	Player
Nolan	Regan	Player

 

Charmain Barker, Vice-Principal of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School, was in attendance.

 

 

(20)      MEMBERS OF TRISTAR GYMNASTICS (12.2.6)

 

Council recognized the following Members of the Tristar Gymnastics:

 

Makenna Lau:  At the 2015 Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships in the level 6 age 9 category, she placed 2nd on beam, 7th on bars, 15th on floor, 16th on vault and 9th all around.

 

Morgan Tong:  At the 2015 Ontario Provincial Gymnastic Championships in the level 9 age 14+ category, she earned a Gold Medal on the event finals on beam and placed 7th in the individual all-around with a 4th place on bars, 5th place on vault, 11th place on floor and a 21st place on beam.

 

Alyssa Capogna:  At the 2015 Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships in the level 6, age 14+ category, she earned a Silver Medal on the beam exercise and 6th place on the uneven bars.

 

Kristen Owen:  At the 2015 Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships in the level 7, age 16+ category, she placed 2nd on vault, 2nd on beam, 2nd on floor, 7th on bars, 4th all around and 7th on beam event finals.

 

Alana Ricketts:  At the 2015 Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships in the level 7 age 12/13 category and placed 5th on floor and 6th on bars, 18th on vault, 19th on beam and 20 all around.

 

Abigail Lam:  At the 2015 Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships in  the level 7, age 12/13 category she placed 1st on Vault, 8th on Floor, 18th on Beam, 21st on Bars, and 23rd all around at Provincial Level 7 Age 12/13 categories.  She also won a special award named Fly Sky High for her bars dismount.

 

Annelle Sciberras:  She placed 4th at the 2014 Ontario Provincial Gymnastics Championships represented the Team Ontario at the Eastern championships in May 2014.  In April 2015, she competed at the National Novice level in Windsor and qualified for the National Championships in Gatineau, Quebec in May, 2015.

 

Iuly Gershcovich - Coach

 

Natalya Korchagina - Coach

 

Brittnee Habbib - Coach

 

Annelle Sciberras - Assistant Coach

 

 

(21)      ARJUNPAL KHATTRA
            - YOUNG HERO AWARD FOR BRAVERY (12.2.6)

 

Council congratulated Arjunpal Khattra for receiving the Young Hero Award for Bravery presented at the York Region Youth in Emergency Service Recognition Ceremony organized by the Intercultural Dialogue Institute of the GTA.

 

 

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti congratulated everyone on behalf of Members of Council.  He also thanked Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, Lorraine Li, Special Assistant to Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Clerk's Department for their hard work in organizing this community recognition event.

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.