GENERAL COMMITTEE
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
A. Seabrooke,
Director, Strategic Services
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
J. Ryerson,
Director, Varley Art Gallery
S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management
K. Newson, Manager
of Purchasing
B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. PREMIER
TAXI PLATE PROGRAM (2.23)
Presentation
Ms. S. Birrell, Town Clerk, presented Committee with an update on the
Town of Markham Premier Taxi Plate Program. She presented particulars leading
up to the implementation of program in 2002, noting the major benefits of an
owner/operator plate program including an increase in newer taxi cabs on the
road, improved customer service and a reduction in the number of absentee
owners. Financial models comparing the long term value of premier plates and
regular plates were also presented.
Ms. Birrell advised that current owners of premier plates have expressed
interest in the ability to transfer or sell their plates. She noted that the
industry would present their concerns at a public information meeting to be
held on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m.
The Committee discussed the condition of taxi cabs in Markham, the
waiting list and the potential for liability with respect to the premier plate
program. Members advised that they will discuss concerns with the industry at
the public information meeting and the matter would likely be referred to staff
to report back to the General Committee with a comprehensive overview of the
issue.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded By Councillor J. Webster
That the presentation by Ms. S. Birrell, Town Clerk, on the Premier Taxi
Plate Program be received.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12, 2007 GENERAL
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the minutes
of the February 12, 2007 meeting of General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES
OF THE OCTOBER 4, 2006 AND THE
DECEMBER
6, 2006 MEETINGS OF THE MUSEUM BOARD (6.7)
Oct
4 Dec
6
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the minutes of the October 4, 2006 and
the December 6, 2006 meetings of the Museum Board be received.
CARRIED
4. 2007
ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD
APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded
by Councillor J. Webster
That the following persons be appointed to
the Property Standards Committee for the term ending November 30, 2010:
Wafik Abadir
Chip Au
Yash Kapur
Ken Murphy
Pino Tiberio
CARRIED
5. STAFF
AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE MONTH
OF
JANUARY 2007 (7.9)
Report Attachments
Committee posed
various questions on a number of the awarded contracts for the month of January
2007. Staff presented a general overview regarding Phase One of the Flood
Emergency Response Plan. Staff also responded to budget and environmental
concerns regarding the Environmental Assessments in progress for the Highway
404 Mid-Block Crossing between Major Mackenzie and Elgin Mills Road, the
Highway 404 off Ramp extension at Highway Seven, and the Centurian Drive
Reconstruction from Allstate Parkway to Woodbine Avenue.
Committee
discussed the possibility to self-insure the Town’s life insurance program for
its employees. Staff advised that they would review the potential and report
back at a forthcoming meeting.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report
entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of January 2007” be received.
CARRIED
6. ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES
MARKHAM MUSEUM WARD BUILDING
RECONSTRUCTION (3.0, 6.7)
Report
Staff presented details on the Markham
Museum Ward Building Reconstruction project and introduced the proposed
architectural firm selected to assist with the project. It was noted that staff
had not been advised by the Federal Government as to whether the project would
receive funding through Heritage Canada’s Cultural Spaces Canada Program.
-------------------------------------------
Moved by Councillor D.
Horchik
Seconded by Councillor
C. Moretti
That the Committee
resolve In Camera to discuss confidential legal matter (9:46 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D.
Horchik
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That the Committee
rise. (9:50 a.m.)
CARRIED
-------------------------------------------
Staff indicated their
intention to proceed with the first phase in light of having no response from
the Federal Government as it would demonstrate the Town’s commitment to the
project and assist in securing the grant.
The Committee
expressed concern regarding the contingency amount noted as a part of the staff
recommendation. Staff commented on the complexities of the project indicating
the building required certain environmental conditions to be met while the work
was ongoing. Staff advised that the contingency amount was in place to address
any complications that may occur as a result. The Committee also commented that
further examination may be necessary on the methods used to store and display
museum artifacts.
Staff agreed to report
back at the end of the architectural schematic design phase to address any cost
savings or overruns and to present a status report to the General Committee on
the federal grant application.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the report
entitled “Architectural/Engineering Services Markham Museum Ward Building
Reconstruction” be received;
And that the
Request for Proposal 120-R-06 Architectural/Engineering Services for the
Markham Museum Ward Building Reconstruction project be awarded to the highest
ranked, lowest priced bidder, the Ventin Group (Toronto) Ltd. Architects, at an
estimated cost of $215,000.00, inclusive of disbursements and exclusive of
contingency and 6% GST;
And that staff
award only the completion of the schematic design, cost not to exceed $40,000,
until the Federal Cultural Spaces grant is approved;
And that an
allowance of $30,000 for other applicable fees be included in the project
budget and be expended in accordance with Purchasing By-Law 2004-341;
And that the
award be funded from the Community and Fire Services Capital Account #073
61507004 005 Markham Museum Ward Building Replacement Design in the amount of
$325,000;
And that upon
payment of all invoices, the remaining balance will be allocated to the
construction budget of the project;
And that Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution;
And that the
Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute an architect’s agreement, if
required, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
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Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
That the Committee
resolve In Camera to discuss a contractual matter (10:15 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D.
Horchik
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That the Committee
rise. (11:42 a.m.)
CARRIED
-------------------------------------------
7. MINUTES OF
THE JANUARY 8, JANUARY 22 AND JANUARY 29,
2007
MEETINGS OF THE CANADIAN SPORTS INSTITUTE
OF
ONTARIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (6.0, 10.0)
Jan
8 Jan
22 Jan
29
Members
expressed concern that issues discussed at the Canadian Sports Institute of
Ontario (CSIO) Committee meetings may relate to matters that fall within the
mandate of the General Committee. It was agreed that all CSIO recommendations
would come before General Committee for review and approval.
The
Committee discussed expenditures related to the CSIO as noted within the
minutes from their meeting on January 29, 2007. Staff presented a budget for
the CSIO and discussed a number of expenses noted therein. The Committee
discussed details regarding a trip to Pennsylvania for the purposes of
examining a sports facility complex and whether it required pre-approval from
the CSIO Committee. There was also discussion relating to a trip taken to
Ottawa for the purposes of meeting with the Provincial and Federal Ministers of
Sport. Staff agreed to bring back information regarding both trips.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That
confirmation of the minutes of the January 8, January 22 and January 29, 2007 Meetings
of the Canadian Sports Institute of Ontario Executive Committee be deferred to the next meeting of the
General Committee;
And that
staff bring back information on the Pennsylvania trip and the Ottawa trip based
on the Town’s current Business Travel Policy.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General
Committee adjourned at 12:05 p.m.