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
C. Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries
B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
B. Labelle, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of
9:04 a.m. with Councillor A. Chiu in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None
declared.
1. UNITED
WAY PLAQUE PRESENTATION (3.0)
L. Wells, Ext. 7536
Ms. L. Wells, Manager,
Programs, presented Deputy Mayor J. Jones with a plaque recognizing the Town of
Markham’s efforts with respect to the United Way in 2006.
2. LICENSING
HEARING FOR A DRIVER TO
OPERATE A TAXICAB 06-1 (2.23)
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That a driver’s application to operate a taxicab in the
Town of Markham be refused pursuant to sections 2.13 (2), (3) and (4) of By-law
2002-308 due to the applicant’s prior conduct including, but not limited to,
picking up fares outside the Town of Markham and operating without a licence;
And that
pursuant to section 25(1) of the Statutory Powers Procedure
Act, this decision not be stayed by any appeal of this decision that
may be instituted in the courts.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5, 2007 GENERAL COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the February 5, 2007 meeting of General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 22, 2007 BUDGET
SUBCOMMITTEE (7.4, 7.5)
Minutes
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the February 5, 2007 meeting of General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
5. JUSTICES
OF THE PEACE FOR CENTRAL EAST
REGION (13.2)
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Whereas on March 23rd, 2005,
by resolution in March 2005, York Regional Council requested that the
Attorney General immediately appoint 11 new Justices of the Peace for the
Central East Region;
And Whereas despite the March 23rd resolution, York Region
did not receive any of the additional nine Justices of the Peace appointed in
2006;
And Whereas now in 2007 because of the growth in the Region and
retirements, the number of new Justices of the Peace required for York Central
Region is 14;
And Whereas the possibility of the Justice of the Peace not being
present is leading to more individuals choosing to go to court in hopes of
avoiding a conviction;
And Whereas the Town of Markham in 2006 experienced over 140 cases that
were either withdrawn or had to be re-summonsed, resulting in a loss of
approximately 485 staff resource hours;
And Whereas the courts were closed 60 days in 2006 due to Justices’
holidays, courses and sick time which resulted in the inability to process an
additional 120 parking tickets issued due to no available court time,
representing approximately 240 staff resource hours;
Now Therefore, be it resolved that Markham Council strongly urge the
Attorney General to re-consider York Regional Council’s earlier request for the
appointment of additional Justices of the Peace to service Central East Region
and immediately appoint an additional 14 Justices of the Peace.
CARRIED
6. PARKS, RECREATION, CULTURE &
LIBRARY
MASTER PLAN GENERAL OVERVIEW: PARKS/
OUTDOOR FACILITIES SECTION (3.0)
Presentation Report
Mr. A.
Seabrooke, Director of Strategic Services, delivered a presentation on the
Parks, Recreation, Culture & Library Master Plan providing both a general overview
as well as discussing details with respect to parks and outdoor facilities. He
noted public consultation was a central component of the planning process and resulted
in several recommendations regarding the Town’s service delivery, pricing and
financing strategies, indoor and outdoor parks, recreation facilities and
libraries. Mr. Seabrooke identified existing parks and outdoor facilities and noted
areas for potential development.
The Committee posed
various questions relating to population projections and area demographics presented
by staff. Members requested that staff review the future intensification of the
Thornhill area and consult with the Region of York regarding the number of
residents who are seniors. Mr. Seabrooke advised that some of the data
collection was conducted at the onset of the Master Plan process and therefore
may not entirely reflect the current rate of growth in certain areas.
The Committee expressed
concern regarding affordable and ethnically diverse recreation programming and the
Town’s partnership with school boards with respect to the development of
recreation facilities. Members suggested that the plan specifically reference
private and semi-private facilities currently servicing Markham residents
including the private golf clubs. Ms. Catherine Biss, CEO, Markham Public
Libraries, advised she will bring forward a report to a forthcoming meeting of
the General Committee indicating the number of books provided to residents in
various languages.
The Committee also
raised concerns with the conversion of outdoor pools into splash pads and suggested
that further discussion on the matter was necessary. Members recommended staff
look into expanding the number of tennis courts and lit basketball courts and
explore the demand for an indoor table tennis facility. The Committee also
suggested staff look into the potential use of seasonal facilities for informal
recreational activities in the off-season with assistance from university
students and the potential delivery of public input surveys in the three most
common languages. Staff agreed to review the above noted items and report back.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
That
the presentation by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Director of Strategic Services, regarding the Parks, Recreation, Culture &
Library Master Plan General Overview – Parks/Outdoor Facilities Section be
received.
CARRIED
7. CANADIAN
HERITAGE GRANT (7.0, 7.6, 13.1)
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That Ms. Olivia Bella, Event Management &
Outdoor Sport Co-ordinator, Town of Markham, be authorized to submit a
financial request in the amount of $2,000 to the Department of Canadian
Heritage in relation to the “Celebrate Canada!” Program for organizing
activities to celebrate Canada Day in the Town of Markham.
CARRIED
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Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the Committee resolve In Camera to discuss confidential legal
matters (10:24 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
That the Committee rise and report. (11:20 a.m.)
CARRIED
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8. ANGUS
GLEN GOLF COURSE EVENTS (2:15.58)
The Committee briefly discussed a request
made by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) to the Professional Golf
Association (PGA) for the Canadian Open be held at Angus Glen Golf Course the
last weekend of June. Staff advised it was unlikely that this would occur in
2007, but indicated it was a possibility for 2008. It was agreed that staff
would provide a presentation at General Committee advising of the potential
impacts once the date has been determined.
ADJOURNMENT
The General
Committee meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m.