Electronic Special Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting No. 5
-
Live streamed
Roll Call
  • Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  • Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  • Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  • Regional Councillor Joe Li
  • Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  • Councillor Keith Irish
  • Councillor Alan Ho
  • Councillor Reid McAlpine
  • Councillor Karen Rea
  • Councillor Andrew Keyes
  • Councillor Amanda Collucci
  • Councillor Khalid Usman
  • Councillor Isa Lee
Staff
  • Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
  • Brenda Librecz, Commissioner, Community & Fire Services
  • Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
  • Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
  • Joel Lustig, Treasurer
  • Sandra Skelcher, Senior Manager, Financial Planning & Reporting
  • Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
  • Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk
  • Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk
  • Alida Tari, Manager, Access and Privacy
  • John Wong, Technology Support Specialist II
  • Shane Manson, Senior Manager, Revenue & Property Taxation
  • Mark Visser, Sr Manager Strategy Innovation & Investments

Alternate formats for this document are available upon request


The meeting of Council convened at 9:40 AM on March 27, 2020. Mayor Frank Scarpitti presided.

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging that we walk upon the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture, and stewardship of the land. We are grateful to all Indigenous groups for their commitment to protect the land and its resources and we are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti expressed his condolences to those impacted by COVID-19, and the unfortunate death of a Markham resident. He also expressed gratitude to everyone in the community who has continued to provide support and service during this time.

 

None disclosed.

 

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Jack Heath
    1. That the report entitled “Amendments to the City of Markham’s Council Procedural By-law to Permit Electronic Meeting Participation during a State of Emergency”, be received; and,
    2. That the proposed amendments to the City of Markham’s Council Procedural By-law 2017-5 to permit electronic meeting participation during a state of emergency as outlined in Appendix ‘A’ of this report be approved; and further,
    3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
    Carried

Joel Lustig, City Treasurer, provided a presentation on the financial impacts of COVID-19 and responded to questions from Members of Council.

 

  • Moved byCouncillor Amanda Collucci
    Seconded byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    1. That the report titled “COVID-19 - Financial Update” be received; and,
    2. That the presentation entitled COVID-19 Pandemic Financial Impact be received; and,
    3. That staff prepare a Financial Outlook plan to the end of the year, and,
    4. That the 2020 Interim Tax Levy By-law 2019-113 be amended such that penalties and interest on unpaid taxes are not imposed on and for the period of April 1st, 2020 to December 31, 2020; and,
    5. That the City defer charging the stormwater fees in the calendar year 2020; and,
    6. That the City defer the April 1st, 2020 water rate increase; and,
    7. That the City defer the Municipal Accommodation Tax from April 1st, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and if required, ask Destination Markham Corporation to endorse this action, and,
    8. That the City Treasurer be directed to monitor the economic climate and report back to Council monthly with further information related to COVID-19, starting April 2020, including any decisions by other levels of government and related financial implications for the Corporation, residents and business owners in the City of Markham; and further,
    9. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

    Carried as Amended

    (See following Amendment)

  • Moved byCouncillor Karen Rea
    Seconded byCouncillor Isa Lee

    That the 2020 Interim Tax Levy By-law 2019-113 be amended such that penalties and interest on unpaid taxes are not imposed on and for the period of April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

    (Carried by Recorded Vote 12:1)

    (See following for Recorded Vote)

     

  • Recorded Vote (12:1)

    YEAS:     Councillor Keith Irish, Councillor Alan Ho, Councillor Reid McAlpine, Councillor Karen Rea, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Joe Li, Councillor Andrew Keyes, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Councillor Khalid Usman, Councillor Isa Lee (12)

    NAYS:     Regional Councillor Jack Heath (1)

     

  • Moved byCouncillor Karen Rea
    Seconded byCouncillor Isa Lee
    1. That staff prepare a Financial Outlook plan to the end of the year.
    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Alan Ho
    Seconded byCouncillor Khalid Usman
    1. That the City defer the Municipal Accommodation Tax from April 1st, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and if required ask Destination Markham Corporation to endorse this action.

     

    Carried
  • Council had before it the following original recommendation for consideration:

     

    1. That the report titled “COVID-19 - Financial Update” be received; and, 
    2. That the presentation entitled “COVID-19 Pandemic Financial Update” be received; and, 
    3. That the 2020 Interim Tax Levy By-law 2019-113 be amended such that penalties and interest on unpaid taxes are not imposed on and for the period of April 1st, 2020 to August 31st, 2020;
    4. That the City defer charging the stormwater fees in the calendar year 2020; and,
    5. That the City continues to defer the April 1st, 2020 water rate increase; and,
    6. That the City Treasurer be directed to monitor the economic climate and report back to Council as required with further information related to COVID-19, including any decisions by other levels of government and related financial implications for the Corporation, residents and business owners in the City of Markham; and,
    7. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

     

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jim Jones
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li
    1. That By-law 2020-26 be brought forward for consideration following "Amendments to the City of Markham's Council Procedural By-law to Permit Electronic Meeting Participation During a State of Emergency".
    Carried
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jim Jones
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li
    1. That By-law 2020-26 be given three readings and enacted.
    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Isa Lee
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That By-law 2020-27 be given three readings and enacted.
    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Reid McAlpine
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton
    1. That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, Council resolve into a private session to discuss personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees [Section 239 (2) (b)] at 12:24 PM.
    Carried
  • That Council rise from confidential session at 1:15 PM.

  • Council had nothing to report out on this matter.

     

  • Moved byCouncillor Reid McAlpine
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li

    That By-law 2020-25 be given three readings and enacted.

     

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Isa Lee
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the Electronic Special Council meeting be adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
    Carried