M I N U T E S

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

2004-05-25

Canada Room

 

Attendance

 

Mayor                          D. Cousens Regional Councillors     F. Scarpitti                                     J. Jones Councillors                   S. Daurio                                     E. Shapero                                     J. Virgilio                                     G. McKelvey                                     J. Webster                                     D. Horchik                                     K. Usman                                     A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development    Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer S. Birrell, Town Clerk P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services P. Loukes, Director of Operations & Asset    Management D. McClean, Fire Chief S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction &    Utilities S. Taylor, Director, Strategic Services C. Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham    Public Library

The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of 5:00 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None declared.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
            - MAY 11, 2004 (16.0)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on May 11, 2004 be confirmed.

 

Carried

 

2.         DEVELOPMENT CHARGES UPDATE
            HEMSON CONSULTING LTD (7.11)

 

On May 17, 2004 Finance and Administrative Committee referred portions of the Development Charges update to staff to report to the Committee this date on:

      -     how to achieve a capital program that meets Community needs while remaining financially responsible.

      -     tax implications of the proposed capital program.

 

The Commissioner of Corporate Services presented the 2004 Development Charges soft services capital program funding shortfall for Library, Fire, and Recreation.  He provided detail of the funding shortfall resulting from projected 2004 - 2013 capital programs.

 

Next steps were reviewed including:

 

      ·    updates to Finance and Administrative Committee throughout June, 2004

      ·    draft background study and by-laws presented to Committee of the Whole June 22, 2004

      ·    Public Meeting to be held July 28, 2004

      ·    Council meeting on August 30, 2004 to obtain approval of background studies and by-laws.

 

Some discussion took place regarding calculations, assumptions and alternatives.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the presentation by the Commissioner of Corporate Services providing additional information regarding Development Charges, be received.

 

Carried

 

3.         MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS (14.0)   weblink 

 

Committee had before it the report from the Town Clerk dated May 25, 2004 addressing certain municipal election issues arising from the 2003 municipal election and raised by the Finance and Administrative Committee on February 16, 2004.

 

Written suggestions particularly dealing with election signage were submitted.  It was pointed out that the By-law dealing with election signage must be simplified, made enforceable and minimize the proliferation on boulevards.  Staff was requested to report back to Committee prior to a Public Meeting being held.

 

The urgency in authorizing the Town Clerk to petition the Province of Ontario for changes to the The Muncipal Elections Act for improvements to the voters' list and identification and qualification requirements, including proof of citizenship was stressed.  It was requested that the Clerk so advise the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

 

Committee complemented staff on their response to concerns raised.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the report from the Town Clerk dated May 25, 2004 and her presentation this date, be received;

 

And that the Town Clerk participate on the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario Election Team and the subcommittee established to review the issues surrounding the problems with the voters’ list.

 

Carried

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

 

That the Council of the Town of Markham petition the Province of Ontario for:

·        An improved municipal election voters’ list;

·        Amendments to The Municipal Elections Act that would require residents to provide proof of identification and qualification.

 

Carried

 

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

That staff meet with Members of Council to further discuss election issues, including the Election Sign By-law;

 

And that following that meeting, staff be directed to proceed with a public meeting to receive input on the Election Sign By-Law.

 

Carried

 

 

 

4.         2004 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD
            APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

Canada Day Committee

That the following person be appointed immediately to the Canada Day Committee for a term ending December 31, 2004:

 

            Adam Poon

 

Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

That the following persons be appointed immediately to the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for a term ending November 30, 2006:

 

            Grethe Jensen

            Gerald Corbett

            David Rawcliffe

            Dwight Richardson

 

And that The Markham Conservation Committee be requested to appoint a representative to the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee;

 

And that staff be directed to place an advertisement in the Markham Economist and Sun and the Thornhill Liberal to encourage applications from interested persons to represent the Milliken Mills and Unionville areas;

 

Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group

That the following Member of Council be appointed to represent the Town of Markham on the Duffins Carruthers Watershed Resource Group (Terms of Reference attached):

 

            Councillor J. Webster

 

Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility

That the following person be appointed to the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility:

 

            Connie Weber.

 

Carried

 

 

 

5.         LICENSING BY-LAW PUBLIC MEETINGS (2.22)  

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

That a public meeting be scheduled for June 29, 2004 to gather input on the following Licensing By-laws:

 

            ·    Holistic Practitioners Registry By-law

            ·    Animal Licensing By-law

            ·    Special Sales

            ·    Transient Traders.

 

Carried

 

 

 

6.         KEEPING OF ANIMALS
BY-LAW 182-86 AMENDMENT (2.8)   Weblink

 

On May 17, 2004, Finance and Administrative Committee referred consideration of this matter to the meeting this date in order for staff to confirm any necessary refinements regarding the boundaries of the urban area.

 

Committee was advised it is not the intention to follow the urban area boundary with respect to this by-law.

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

 

That By-law 182-96, "A By-law to Prohibit the Keeping of Certain Classes of Animals and to Regulate the Keeping of Certain Other Classes of Animals in the Town of Markham" be amended by deleting Schedule "B" and substituting a revised map on the new Schedule "B";

 

And that the revised map (Schedule "B"), be received.

(By-law 2004-121)

 

Carried

 

 

 

7.      CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE NETHERLANDS
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN ONTARIO -A PATH
FORWARD - REQUEST FOR SPONSORSHIP (12.2.6)   weblink

 

On May 17, 2004, Finance and Administrative Committee referred this matter to staff to report to the meeting this date providing more details on the request for the Town to sponsor either a reception or lunch at the sustainable Energy seminar in Toronto to an upset limit of $3,000.

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That Council approve a grant of $3,000.00 to sponsor a lunch or reception at the "Sustainable Energy in Ontario - A Path Forward" workshop to be held Tuesday, June 15, 2004.

 

Carried

 

 

 

8.         CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE NETHERLANDS
            PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FCM
            "TURBY" - THE WIND TURBINE (5.7)  weblink

 

On May 17, 2004, Finance and Administrative Committee referred consideration of the request to be a municipal partner with the Consulate General of The Netherlands for the piloting of a wind turbine project, to staff  for further investigation and report to the meeting this date.

 

Committee had before it the tabled report dated May 25, 2004 from the Director, Operations and Asset Management regarding a partnership program with the Consulate General of the Netherlands and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) regarding the "Turby" wind turbine.

 

It was explained that FCM has funding for field tests and has indicated it is very interested in funding this project.

 

Some discussion took place regarding the role of Markham Hydro Distribution Inc. and Markham District Energy Inc.

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

 

That the report entitled Consulate General of The Netherlands Project in Partnership – “Turby” Wind Turbine be received;

 

And that staff initiate a feasibility study grant application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Funds Program to determine the viability of a Turby wind turbine installation on a Town of Markham facility;

 

And that the feasibility study be conducted in cooperation with the Office of the Consulate General of the Netherlands, Turby b.v. and Markham Hydro Distribution Inc. or its successor, and Markham District Energy Inc.;

 

And further that staff report back to Committee and Council detailing the outcome of the grant application, and if approved, the feasibility study final report.

 

Carried

 

 

 

9.         TASTE OF ASIA FESTIVAL (12.2.6)   Weblink 

 

On May 17, 2004, Finance and Administrative Committee referred consideration of the request for special funding and in-kind services to staff to meet with the organizers to discuss in-kind services, associated costs, and opportunities for support and report to the meeting this date.

 

Dr. Ken Ng and Emily Ng were in attendance and spoke in support of their request for funding from the Town in the amount of $12,500.00 and in-kind services for the Taste of Asia Festival.  They advised that festival receivables are in the planning stage and that efforts are underway to obtain corporate sponsors and to sell booths.

 

Committee advised of the need to provide revenue sources as well as expenditures when requesting funding and of the Town's practice to sponsor community festivals only to a maximum of $5,000 per year.

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

That the report from Director, Strategic Services regarding the request for special funding and in-kind services for the Taste of Asia Festival, associated costs and opportunities for the Town to support this festival, be received;

 

And that a grant in the amount of $12, 500.00 including in-kind services be approved; it being understood that 2004 will be the final year the Town will provide this level of support for this festival; and it being understood that future requests for grants for this festival will be reviewed on an ongoing basis together with all other requests for grants.

 

Carried

 

 

 

10.       WASTE DIVERSION ONTARIO (WDO) FUNDING (5.1)  Weblink

 

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

Whereas Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) has committed to provide Ontario Municipalities with 50% funding of their blue box recycling programs starting in 2004;

 

And whereas the WDO Board of Directors has announced that all current and future municipal blue box recycling program funding payments will be made to the upper tier municipalities;

 

And whereas the Town of Markham and the Region of York currently share blue box recycling program costs;

 

And whereas the Town of Markham’s 2004 WDO funding payment based on 2002 blue box costs is approximately $700,000;

 

Therefore, the Town of Markham requests:

 

That the Region of York reimburse the Town of Markham its share of the 2004 WDO funding payment of approximately $700,000;

 

And that the Region of York in partnership with the Town of Markham negotiate a revenue sharing formula for future WDO funding and material revenues that provides a financial incentive to meet and exceed the Provincial waste diversion target of 60% by 2008;

 

And that this Report be forwarded to the Clerks of the Area Municipalities for information.

 

Carried

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.