GENERAL COMMITTEE
April 4, 2011
Meeting No. 11
Finance & Administrative Issues Community Services Issues
Chair: Mayor
Frank Scarpitti Chair: Councillor Alex Chiu
Vice Chair: Councillor Carolina Moretti Vice
Chair: Councillor Howard Shore
Environment
& Sustainability Issues Building,
Parks, & Construction Issues
Chair: Councillor
Valerie Burke Chair: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Vice Chair: Regional Councillor Joe Li Vice
Chair: Councillor Colin Campbell
Alternate formats are available
upon request.
Attendance
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John
Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
Catherine
Conrad, Town Solicitor
Jim
Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Andy
Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Peter Loukes, Director, Operations
Joel Lustig,
Treasurer
Claudia Marsales,
Senior Manager, Waste & Environmental Management
Soran Sito, Manager
Environmental Assets
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Mayor Frank
Scarpitti in the Chair; Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services related
items; Councillor Valerie Burke Chaired Environment and Sustainability related
items.
DISCLOSURE OF
INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. SPONSORSHIP CAMPAIGN SUMMARY REPORT
- HUGH WAKEHAM, HUGH WAKEHAM &
ASSOCIATES MARKETING, INC. (12.2.6)
This item has been deferred to a
future General Committee meeting.
2. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 28, 2011
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1)
That the Minutes of the March
28, 2011 General Committee be confirmed
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 23, 2011
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Mr. Peter
Ottensmeyer, Markham Concert Band addressed the Committee regarding the
Celebrate Markham Grants fund. He is
requesting that Council support the recommendations of the March 23, 2011
Budget Subcommittee meeting.
Moved by
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded
by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the Minutes of the March 23, 2011
Budget Sub-Committee be received for information purposes.
2) That
Council approve the following Celebrate Markham Grants allocated at the March
23, 2011 Budget Sub Committee:
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Doors
Open Markham
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$9,500
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Markham
Santa Clause Parade
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$16,500
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Milliken
Mills Children's Festival
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$13,500
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Senior
Advisory Committee
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0
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Senior
Citizen's Light Tour
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0
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Senior's
Hall of Fame
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$2,000
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Tourism
Markham
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$5,000
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Taste
of Asia Festival
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$15,000
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Markham
Jazz Festival
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$10,000
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Markham Concert
Band
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$4,500
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Markham
Little Theatre
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0
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Markham
Main Street BIA Events
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0
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The Thursday
Night Summer Music Series - Unionville Bandstand
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$2,500
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Night-it-up
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$5,000
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Fiesta
Canada
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0
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Markham
Rotary Ribfest
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$7,500
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Markham
Federation of Filipino Canadians
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$2,500
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Senior's
Extravaganza
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$3,500
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Thornhill
Festival
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$10,000
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Unionville
Old Tyme Christmas Parade
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$6,500
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York
Region Celebration of the Arts
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0
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Unallocated
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$500
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3) That
Council approve the following Seniors’ Grants allocated at the March 23, 2011
Budget Sub-Committee meeting:
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Seniors Advisory Committee
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$5,000
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Markham Tamil Seniors Association Canada
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$3,000
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CARRIED
4. NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK,
MAY 15-21, 2011 "PUBLIC WORKS:
SERVING YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY" (3.4)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the Mayor and Council proclaim the
week of May 15-21, 2011 as ‘National Public Works Week’ in the Town of Markham;
and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
5. POMONA MILLS EROSION RESTORATION
AND HABITAT ENHANCEMENT
CLASS EA STUDY (5.7)
Report Attachment
A Attachment
B Attachment
C1 & C2
Attachment
D Attachment
E
Mr. Soran
Sito, Manager Environmental Assets
briefly outlined the details in the report.
The Committee inquired
whether the restoration at Pomona Creek will remedy the concerns related to
pedestrian safety. Staff advised that
anything close to the bridge will be restored.
The Committee inquired
about signage for Pomona Creek. Staff
advised that the signage for the Rouge River crossing is anticipated to be
completed this year and will confirm when the signage for Pomona Creek will be
completed.
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded
by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
1) That the April 4,
2011 staff report entitled “Pomona Mills Erosion Restoration and Habitat
Enhancement Class EA Study” be received; and,
2) That Staff be authorized to finalize the Study and file it
with the MOE; and,
3) That Council endorse in principle the
recommendations of the study and direct staff to implement the preferred option
(Option 2, Selective Restoration) in 5 phases over the next 5-10 years; and,
4) That prior to the implementation of
each phase of the Study, the Engineering Department report back to Council on
proposed restoration work, costs and funding source; and further,
5) That staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
6. YORK REGION - CERTIFIED COMPOSTABLE
BAGS FOR GREEN BIN (5.1 & 13.4)
Report
Ms. Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager, Waste & Environmental Management outlined
the details in the report.
The Committee discussed
the following:
·
Target date
for the Source Separated Organics (SSO) facility in York Region
·
The
importance of a clear message to Markham residents regarding the use of plastic
bags versus compostable bags in the Green Bin
·
The total
residential diversion percentages in the various municipalities and Regions
·
The need
for more information prior to launching an education program (eg. Percentage of
plastic bags in the waste stream)
·
Can plastic
bags be recycled
·
Disconnect
between York Region and the municipalities within the Region
·
On-site
composting
·
Design of
green bins
·
Try and
work with grocery store chains, newspaper companies, dry-cleaners, etc to use
compostable bags
·
Staff to provide
information on the BigBelly solar compactor
·
Possibility
of a future Workshop for Members of Council regarding certified compostable
bags
·
That
staff prepare a draft Terms of Reference for the Diversion Task Force outlining
the mandate and composition
It was noted that on
April 29, 2011 at 2:00 PM there is going to be a demonstration for on-site
composting. Staff will send out a
meeting request to Members of Council.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That
the report entitled “York Region – Certified Compostable Bags for Green Bin” be
received; and,
2) That the
following guiding principles be considered when introducing changes to
Markham’s diversion programs:
a. Change must have a reasonable expectation to increase participation
and diversion;
b. Program changes should be initiated recognizing our partnership with
the Region and/or collection contractor if processing and collection is
impacted;
c. Program cost be evaluated based on single taxpayer principal;
d. Program changes should be introduced simultaneously whenever
possible and supported with an effective and timely communication program; and,
3) That a Diversion Task Force be
established with representation from Markham Council and Waste Management staff
to review the current program, recommend
options for the future and report back in September 2011; and,
4) That York Region be advised that
enforcement of their requirement for Markham residents to use certified
compostable bags in the Green Bin effective May 1, 2011, be deferred until
Council considers recommendations from the Diversion Task Force; and,
5) That the York Region be advised that
Markham will be supportive of the
Region’s initiative by providing information to residents on the environmental
benefits of compostable bags; and further,
6) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
7. SHOPS ON STEELES (10.0)
Councillor
Howard Shore requested further information regarding the significance of an
agreement between York Region and the City of Toronto. Ms. Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor advised
that she can provide an update on the significance of the agreement and
suggested that this be discussed during the in-camera session.
Moved by
Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
That the
agreement be added as a new item on the April 4, 2011 General Committee In-Camera
agenda.
CARRIED
8. UNIONVILLE RATEPAYERS
ASSOCIATION (3.2)
Councillor
Don Hamilton advised the Committee that the Unionville Ratepayers Association
is holding a pre-community information meeting tonight at 7:00 PM at the Old
Country Inn to discuss the proposed application for the former Fred Varley
Drive Plaza.
9. IN-CAMERA MATTERS (8.5)
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell
That, in
accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) & (f) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera
session to discuss the following confidential matters (10:51 AM):
1) A proposed or
pending acquisition or disposition of land.
2) Advise that is
subject to solicitor-client privilege.
CARRIED
Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the Committee rise from the
in-camera session (11:33 AM)
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
That the General Committee meeting
adjourn at 11:36 AM.