M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2002-11-12
Canada
Room
Meeting No. 24
Attendance
|
Mayor D. Cousens
Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti (5:05 p.m.)
Regional Councillors G. Landon
T.
Wong
B.
O'Donnell
Councillors S. Daurio
E.
Shapero (5:06 p.m.)
J.
Virgilio (6:05 p.m.)
G.
McKelvey
J.
Heath
D.
Horchik
K.
Usman
A.
Chiu
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Baird, Acting Commissioner of Development
Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
J. Klaus, General Manager of Waterworks
P. Loukes, Director of Operations & Asset
Management
J. Mascarin, Acting Town Solicitor
P. Miller, Acting Manager, Secretariat Services
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire
Services
M. Scott, Executive Coordinator
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
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The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of
5:02 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. MINUTES
OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
- OCTOBER 29, 2002 (16.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held
on October 29, 2002 be confirmed.
Carried
2. REGION OF
YORK'S STUDY TO REVIEW
WATER AND WASTE WATER SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS (13.4)
Committee had before it a tabled report from the Director of
Engineering regarding the Urban Development Institute (UDI) request for the
Region of York to consider adopting a single tier water and wastewater system.
The Director of Engineering, explained the proposed UDI
model would have the Region provide and maintain all water supply and services
to local residents and businesses and be responsible for all sanitary sewage
infrastructure within the Region. Mr.
Brown explained that some discussions with the Region have already taken place
and more will be held later this month.
Initially, municipalities were not involved in the discussions, however,
Markham will have an equal voice in the future and Markham Council will have
the opportunity to review and comment on any decision prior to it proceeding.
Lengthy debate took place regarding the pros and cons of
this proposal; the possible rationale behind the UDI request; the benefit, if
any, to Markham; the advisability and feasibility of the proposal; whether
there may be a rural and urban solution to the problem; any possible liability;
and the definite need for Markham to be involved in discussions and any
forthcoming decisions.
Staff undertook to keep Committee apprised of the progress.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report dated November 5, 2002 from the Region of
York regarding a review of water and wastewater service delivery models, be
received;
And that the tabled report dated November 12, 2002 from the
Acting Commissioner of Development Services regarding Regional water and
wastewater delivery , be received;
And that
the Region of York be advised that any study proposed to review water and
wastewater service delivery models be conducted as a joint study co-managed
with the affected municipalities;
And that
the terms of reference and consultant selection for such study take into
account the comments of the area municipalities, and include examination of a
full range of service planning and delivery options;
And that
Markham Council be given the opportunity to review and comment on the contents
of the draft study prior to finalization.
Carried
3. MILLIKEN MILLS SUBCOMMITTEE
MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2002 - LIQUOR
LICENCE APPLICATION
MIX2KTV & BILLIARDS, 1661
DENISON STREET (3.21)
Committee had before it the tabled minutes from the November
12, 2002 Milliken Mills Subcommittee meeting which considered the liquor
licence application submitted for MIX2KTV & Billiards, 1661 Denison Street.
It was agreed that consideration of this application be
deferred to the Council meeting this date at 7:00 p.m.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor K. Usman
That the tabled minutes from the Milliken Mills Subcommittee
meeting held on November 12, 2002 regarding a liquor licence application for
MIX2KTV & Billiards, 1661 Denison Street, be received;
And that consideration of the matter be referred to the
November 12, 2002 Council meeting.
Carried
4. REGION OF YORK - 16TH
AVENUE SEWER
DEWATERING ISSUE (5.5)
Committee was advised of a recent Public Information Meeting
held by the Region of York regarding the 16th Avenue sewer dewatering
issue. At that meeting it was learned
that dewatering will be more extensive than initially anticipated: Phase I - 9th Line to Stone Mason Drive and
Phase II - Stone Mason Drive to Woodbine Avenue.
Committee had before it a tabled draft resolution for
consideration. The Director of
Engineering reviewed the background and the draft resolution.
Concerns were expressed regarding:
• the
length of time residents will be without water
• the
long term effect, solution and cost
• the
potential impacts e.g. possible subsidence of buildings
• the
need to be more responsive to residents' concerns
• the
value of hydrogeological review
• the
full ramifications and whether successful recharge will take place
• the
extent of the effect on the aquifers along 16th Avenue
• whether
the dewatering permits were erroneously issued by the Ministry of the
Environment
Staff was requested to obtain answers with respect to the
issuing of dewatering permits, the effect on the aquifers, as well as the full
ramifications and whether successful recharge will take place. In addition, staff was requested to provide
this information to all Members of Council and communicate it to the Region of
York.
Committee requested that a report on infusion wells be
included in the hydrogeological report.
Committee also requested that it be seriously stressed to
the Region of York that all residents' complaints must be properly addressed
and monitored.
With respect to a forthcoming Region of York report
addressing the issue of liability, staff was requested to circulate this to all
Members of Council, when it is available.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
WHEREAS the Region of York is currently undertaking four
major sanitary sewer projects in the Town of Markham associated with the
twinning of the York-Durham Trunk Sanitary Sewer including;
·
the first phase of the 9th Line sewer from
Box Grove to 16th Avenue.
·
the first and second phases of the 16th
Avenue sewer from 9th Line to Woodbine Avenue.
·
the second phase of the 9th Line sewer from
Major Mackenzie Drive north to Stouffville.
·
the southeast collector sewer from Box Grove to Steeles
Avenue east of Reesor Road.
AND WHEREAS each of these sewer projects has involved or is
expected to involve the extensive removal of groundwater in order to construct
the project.
AND WHEREAS the Region of York has awarded the contracts for
the initial phases of the 9th Line 16th Avenue sewers and
is prepared to award the contract for the 2nd phase of the 16th
Avenue sewer to McNally/Aecon (Joint Venture) as design–build projects that
make the contractor responsible for assessing the impacts of dewatering and for
dealing with well interference claims.
AND WHEREAS the dewatering which has been carried out for
the initial phase of the 9th Line and, especially, the 16th Avenue
sewer projects has resulted in extensive disruption to local wells far in
excess of that predicted in the dewatering plans prepared by the design-build
contractor and approved by the Ministry of the Environment.
AND WHEREAS the dewatering plan for the second phase of the
16th Avenue sewer was prepared by McNally/Aecon and submitted to the
Ministry of Environment for approval in June of 2002 and revisions to the
potential impacts of dewatering presented in this plan may now be required.
AND WHEREAS the communications with residents and the response
to well interference claims by the Region and the design-build contractor
during the initial phases of the 16th Avenue project has been
unsatisfactory to date.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Markham
immediately advise the Ministry of the Environment of the well interference
difficulties including water quality currently being experienced by Markham
residents in connection with the initial phases of the 9th Line and
16th Avenue sewer projects.
AND THAT the Ministry of the Environment be requested to
undertake an independent review of the dewatering plan for the second phase of
the 16th Avenue sewer.
AND THAT the Ministry of the Environment be requested not to
issue any further dewatering permits for the 9th Line, 16th
Avenue and southeast collector sewer projects until such time as the well
interference including water quality issues have been adequately addressed.
AND THAT the Region of York be requested to review
alternative construction methods to reduce the impact of sewer construction and
dewatering on Markham residents.
AND THAT the Town be authorized to immediately retain
independent hydrogeological and civil engineering consultants to assist Council
and staff in the review of existing and future dewatering plans, well interference
and water quality concerns relating to the construction of the 9th
Line, 16th Avenue and southeast collector sewer projects.
AND THAT the Region of York and McNally/Aecon provide to the
Town and its consultants all relevant hydrogeological information.
AND THAT the investigation and resolution of all well
interference and water quality claims for existing and future sewer projects be
the direct responsibility of the Region of York in consultation with the Town
of Markham.
AND THAT the Region of York prepare a communications program
to the satisfaction of the Town to provide residents with current project
information and to address concerns in
connection with each of the four major sewer projects.
AND THAT additional public meetings be held to deal with
well interference including water quality from the existing and future Regional
sewer projects and that the format and content of these meetings be acceptable
to the Town of Markham.
AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Town
of Whitchurch-Stouffville, McNally/Aecon (Joint Venture) and MPP’s Frank Klees
and David Tsubouchi.
AND THAT staff provide Council with regular updates as to
the status of this matter.
Carried
…………………………….
Committee of the Whole recessed in-camera at the hour of
6:15 p.m. to discuss a confidential personnel matter. Committee rose from
in-camera at the hour of 6:20 p.m. but did not report.
…………………………….
5. INNOVATION SYNERGY (12.2.6)
Committee was advised that Regional
Councillor B. O'Donnell and the Director, Corporate Strategy & Quality
Office met with Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and introduced him to
innovation synergy. Minister Rock was
impressed and felt it may be a national possibility.
6. MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARIES
APPOINTMENT OF NEW CEO (11.7)
Committee was advised that, after a lengthy search, Catherine Biss has
been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Markham Public Libraries.
7. COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM (6.3
& 12.2.6)
Committee was advised that consideration should be given to the Town of
Markham participating in the Provincial Communities in Bloom campaign in
2003. A staff report in this regard
will be forthcoming in the near future.
8. LEVEL OF CARE ON TOWN OF
MARKHAM
BOULEVARDS & EXCESSIVE
LITTER (5.1)
Committee was advised of the unacceptable level of care of boulevards in
connection with weeds and litter in the Milliken area. A staff report will be prepared for
consideration by the Community Services and Environment Committee.
Staff advised that the Town will be taking steps to make an arrangement
with the Region of York to collect illegal signs as well as litter along Town
of Markham major roadways.
9. MARKHAM DISTRICT ENERGY
INC.
CAPPING OF HYDRO RATES (13.7)
Committee was advised that a report will be prepared by Mr. Bruce Anders,
President, Markham District Energy Inc., evaluating the impact of the recent
announcement by Premiere Ernie Eves to cap hydro rates. This report will be presented to the Markham
Hydro Board of Directors and then to Town of Markham Council.