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Minutes

General Committee

April 18, 2017

Meeting Number 6

 

Finance & Administrative Issues                  Community Services Issues

Chair:              Deputy Mayor Jack Heath                            Chair:                      Councillor Alan Ho

Vice Chair:      Councillor Colin Campbell                             Vice Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Environment & Sustainability Issues                        Building, Parks, & Construction Issues

Chair:              Councillor Valerie Burke                 Chair:                     Councillor Colin Campbell

Vice Chair:      Councillor Karen Rea                                      Vice Chair:              Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

                                                                                                                       

                Alternate formats are available upon request.

 

 

Attendance

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Regional Councillor Joe Li (arrived at 10:56 am)

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor Alan Ho

Councillor Don Hamilton

Councillor Karen Rea

Councillor Colin Campbell (arrived at 10:22 am)

Councillor Amanda Collucci (arrived at 9:23 am )

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Councillor Alex Chiu

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and Acting Director of
Human Resources

Joel Lustig, Treasurer

Sandra Skelcher, Manager Financial Reporting and Payroll

David Plant, Manager, Parks Operation

Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager, Waste & Environmental

Management

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

 

The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:03 AM with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair.

 

General Committee recessed at 11:40 AM and reconvened at 11:50 AM.

 

Disclosure of Interest

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE APRIL 3, 2017
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the April 3, 2017 General Committee meeting be confirmed.

Carried

 

 

2.         REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL -
            CASH HANDLING AUDIT (7.0)

            Presentation    Report

 

Geoff Rodrigues, MNP LLP, Auditor General, City of Markham and Veronica Bila, Audit Manager delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding cash handling audit.

 

There was discussion regarding the percentage of transactions that include cash payments.  The Committee discussed some of the pros and cons with respect to moving toward a cashless Corporation.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

 1)        That the presentation provided by Geoff Rodrigues, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ORMP, MNP LLP, Auditor General, City of Markham, titled "Report of the Auditor General – Cash Handling Audit" be received; and,

 

2)         That the report prepared by Geoff Rodrigues, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ORMP, MNP LLP, Auditor General, City of Markham, titled "City of Markham – Cash Handling Audit" be received; and,

 

3)         That staff be directed to review implementing cashless transactions throughout the Corporation; and further,

 

4)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

 

 

3.         2016 CONSOLIDATED
            FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
            RESERVE AND RESERVE FUND
            ANALYSIS (7.0)

            Presentation    Report    Attachments

           

 

Joel Lustig, Treasurer addressed the Committee and provided brief opening remarks relative to the 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements and Reserve and Reserve Fund Analysis.

 

Sandra Skelcher, Manager Financial Reporting and Payroll delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Kevin M. Travers, Partner, KPMG delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Audit Findings Report.

 

There was brief discussion relative to the Community Board and BIA's surplus funds.

 

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

1)         That the report titled “2016 Consolidated Financial Statements and Reserve & Reserve Fund Analysis” be received; and

 

2)         That Council approve the draft Consolidated Financial Statements of The Corporation of the City of Markham (the City), the City of Markham Public Library (the Library), Community Boards, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) , and Investment in Markham Enterprises Corporation (MEC), for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016; and,

 

3)         That Council authorize Staff to issue the final audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 upon receiving the Independent Auditors’ Report; and,

 

4)         That the KPMG LLP Audit Finding Report for the year ended December 31, 2016 be received; and,

 

5)         That this matter be forwarded to Council for adoption on April 25, 2017; and,

 

6)         That the Waste management process reserve (account 086-2700110) be closed and the balance of $27,882.79 transferred to the Lifecycle replacement and capital reserve fund; and,

 

7)         That the Partnership reserve (account 086-2700830) be closed and the balance of $15,612.00 transferred to the Lifecycle replacement and capital reserve fund; and,

 

8)         That the Anti-whistling reserve (account 086-2700870) be closed and the balance of $506.17 transferred to the Lifecycle replacement and capital reserve fund; and,

 

9)         That the Road resurfacing reserve fund (account 087-2800132) be closed and the balance of $5,734.16 transferred to the City-wide hard deferred reserve fund; and,

 

10)       That the Tree replacement reserve fund (account 087-2800150) be closed and the balance of $6,271.00 transferred to the Trees for tomorrow reserve fund; and,

 

11)       That the Waterworks reserve fund (account 087-2800165) be closed and the balance of $239,080.10 transferred to the Waterworks stabilization reserve; and further,

 

12)       That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

DEPUTATIONS

 

There were no deputations.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

There were no communications.

 

PETITIONS

 

There were no petitions.

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2017
CANADA 150 NEIGHBOURHOOD
ENGAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the March 7, 2017 Canada 150 Neighbourhood Engagement Sub-Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 15, 2017
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the February 15, 2017 Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 16, 2017,
FEBRUARY 6, 2017 AND MARCH 6, 2017
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE(16.0)

            January 16    February 6    March 6

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the January 16, 2017, February 6, 2017 and March 6, 2017 Race Relations Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 13, 2017
VARLEY – MCKAY ART FOUNDATION
OF MARKHAM (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the February 13, 2017 Varley - McKay Art Foundation meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

8.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2017
            MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
            ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the February 16, 2017 Markham Environmental Advisory Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

9.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 2, 2016
SENIOR’S HALL OF FAME
COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 2, 2016 Senior’s Hall of Fame Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

10.       MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 18, 2017
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the January 18, 2017 Environmental Issues Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

11.       AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION TENDER
271-T-16 - PHASE 2B STORM
SEWER REPLACEMENT (5.4)

            Report   Attachment A    Attachment B   Attachment C

           

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the report entitled “Award of Construction Tender 271-T-16 West Thornhill – Phase 2B Storm Sewer and Watermain Replacement” be received; and,

 

2)         That  the contract for Tender 271-T-16 West Thornhill – Phase 2B Storm Sewer Replacement be awarded to the lowest priced Bidder, Lancorp Construction Co Ltd., in the amount of $7,525,712.37, inclusive of HST; and,

 

3)         That a 10% contingency in the amount of $752,571.24, inclusive of HST, be established to cover any additional construction costs and that authorization to approve expenditures of this contingency amount up to the specified limit be in accordance with the Expenditure Control Policy; and,

 

4)         That the construction award in the amount of $8,278,283.61 be funded from the capital project 058-6150-17201-005 “West Thornhill Flood Control Construction - Phase 2B” as outlined under the financial considerations section in this report; and,

 

5)         That the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute an agreement with York Region District School Board and any related documents to acquire a permanent easement (the “Required Easement”) over the lands described as Part of Lot 26, Registrar’s Compiled Plan 10327, Markham, being Part 1 on Plan 65R-37026, in a form satisfactory to the Chief Administrative Officer and City Solicitor; and,

 

6)         That funding for the acquisition of the Required Easement in the amount of $472,501.22 (inclusive of legal costs, Land Transfer Tax, HST and contingency) be funded from the capital project account # 058-6150-17201-005 “West Thornhill Flood Control Construction - Phase 2B” as outlined under the financial considerations section in this report; and,

 

7)         That the Manager of Real Property be authorized to execute any agreements and/or documents with third parties required to obtain permission to construct the West-Thornhill - Phase 2B Storm Sewer and Watermain Replacement in a form satisfactory to the Manager of Real Property and the City Solicitor; and,

 

8)         That the budget remaining in project #17201 “West Thornhill Flood Control Construction - Phase 2B” in the amount of $448,505.17 will be returned to the original funding source; and further,

 

9)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

12.       CITYWIDE MULTI-PHASE SANITARY
            SYSTEM DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTION
            PROGRAM – ANNUAL PROGRESS UPDATE
            AND PHASE 5 DETAILS (5.3)

            Report   Attachments

           

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the report entitled "Citywide Multi-phase Sanitary System Downspout Disconnection Program- Annual Progress Update and Phase 5 Details" be received; and,

 

2)         That Council approve the Phase 5 of 5 program area covering 1,894 properties as follows:

 

 

Thornhill Area:

i.     Area bounded by Normark Drive to the north, East Don River to the east, Colonsay Road to the south, and Normark Drive & Inverlochy Boulevard to the west;

ii.      Area bounded by John Street & Chumleigh Crescent to the north, Don Mills Road & Hwy 404 to the east, Simonston Boulevard to the south, and German Mills Settlers Park & Bercy Park to the west;

Unionville Area:

iii.       Area bounded by Carlton Road & Krieghoff Avenue to the north, Main Street Unionville & railway track to the east, Highway 7 & Vasselle Crescent to the south, and Warden Avenue to the west; and,

 

3)          That the project be funded in the amount of $181,000 from the 2017 Capital Project

#17221 "Sanitary System Downspout Disconnection Program- Phase 5 of 5"; and,

 

4)         That total funding of $442,382 be returned to original funding source from the following projects:

 

-     $133,600  from  project  #14313  "Sanitary  System  Downspout  Disconnection

Program - Phase 2 of 5"

-     $84,452  from  project  #15294  "Sanitary  System  Downspout  Disconnection

Program - Ph 3 of 5"

-     $224,330  from  project  #16238  "Sanitary  System  Downspout  Disconnection

Program- Phase 4 of 5"; and further,

 

5)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

13.       2018 MUNICIPAL ELECTION -
            QUESTION ON THE BALLOT (9.0, 14.0)

            Report   Attachment A   Attachment B

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the report entitled "2018 Municipal Election - Question on the Ballot” be received.

Carried

 


 

 

14.       CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR
            116-T-16 GRASS CUTTING
            AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES (7.9)

            Report

           

 

There was considerable discussion regarding the grass cutting maintenance schedule during the spring, summer and fall months along non-residential boulevards and in City parks, and cost implications if that service level was increased to match of the service level provided to playing fields.  The Committee was reminded that the Regional Boulevards are now being maintained by York Region.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the report entitled “Contract Extension # 116-T-16 for Grass Cutting and Maintenance Services” be received; and,

 

2)         That the current contract #116-T-16 for Grass Cutting and Maintenance Boulevard Services of 21.98 ha which expires on December 31, 2018 be extended with Ontario Inc. o/a Clarington Contracting Services from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 at an annual cost of $43,112.16, inclusive of HST; 

·        2019 - $43,112.16

·        2020 - $43,112.16

·        2021 - $43,112.16; and,

 

3)         That contract # 116-T-16 for Grass Cutting and Maintenance Services of Boulevards be increased by an additional 80.02 ha with Ontario Inc. o/a Clarington Contracting Services for five (5) years at the following prices (inclusive if HST);

·        2017 - $165,529.38

·        2018 - $165,529.38

·        2019 - $174,119.50

·        2020 - $174,119.50

·        2021 - $174,119.50; and,

 

4)         That the tendering process be waived in accordance with Purchasing By- Law 2004-341, Part II, Section 7 (1) (c) which states “when the extension of an existing contract would prove more cost-effective or beneficial”; and,

 

5)         And that funds be provided from 730-730-5399 Contract Services Weed Removal in the amount of $165,529.38 for the increased 2017 award amount; and,

 

6)         That Staff be authorized to adjust the purchase orders in 2018-2021 based on the approved budget in each of these years, subject to Council approval of the 2018-2021 operating budget; and,

 

7)         That Staff be directed to report back on the budget implications to change the grass      cutting service levels for those parks with playing fields to a weekly cutting         schedule for the remaining components of the park (non sport fields), and that the non residential boulevards retain the current sport field maintenance practices;        and further,

 

8)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

15.       CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR
            162-T-13 PAVEMENT PRESERVATION
            AND SURFACE TREATMENT (7.9)

            Report

           

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the report entitled “Contract Extension 162-T-13 Pavement Preservation and Surface Treatment” be received”; and,

 

2)         That contract 162-T-13 Pavement Preservation and Surface Treatment be extended with Miller Paving Limited for an additional one (1) year (2017) in the amount of $671,655 and at the same 2016 itemized pricing with a CPI adjustment (Canada All-items); and,

 

3)         That the Director, Operations and Senior Manager Purchasing be authorized to extend the contract for a further four (4) years (2018 – 2021) subject to Council approval of the annual budget and a annual CPI (Canada All-items) adjustment; and,

 

4)         That the tendering process be waived in accordance with Purchasing By-Law 2004-341, Part II, Section 7 (1) (c) which states “when the extension of an existing contract would prove more cost-effective or beneficial”; and,

 

5)         That the funds for the 2017 award be provided from the budget accounts as listed in the Financial Considerations in the amount of $671,655  inclusive of HST impact; and further,

 

6)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

MOTIONS

 

16.       LITTER PREVENTION (5.1)

 

Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager, Waste & Environmental Management addressed the Committee providing some information relative to ways on how to accept recycling materials in blue bags. 

 

The Committee suggested removing Associated Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) from clause 2.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

Whereas the City of Markham is committed to being a sustainability leader and is committed to sustainable environmental practices as outlined in its Council approved Greenprint Sustainability Plan and Best of the Best Roadmap to 80% Diversion; and,

 

Whereas to meet our sustainability goals, the City must be bold and imaginative and not be afraid to make the tough decisions to move the City forward now and in the future;  and,

 

 Whereas the City of Markham and York Region provide integrated solid waste services to its residents  that are designed to continually  increase waste diversion, improve services to our residents, and support Markham’s revised diversion target of 85%; and,

 

Whereas York Region requires the local municipalities to collect recyclables loose in Blue Boxes and prohibits the collection of recyclables in plastic bags which would reduce the amount of windblown litter and associated costs; and,

 

Whereas allowing residents to use bags for recyclables has many documented benefits such as allowing a higher volume of recyclables to be diverted at the curb, contains recyclables in our parks and public spaces; and reduces blue box litter on our streets; and,

 

Whereas York Region’s 2014 report ‘Assessment of the Installation of a Bag Breaker at the York Region Waste Management Facility’ estimated Markham spends $103,033 a year on litter clean-up; and all the local municipalities combined spend an estimated $352,641per year; and,

 

Whereas a tinted blue clear bag or paper bag recycling option would reduce the amount of recyclables in the residue stream, protect recyclables from inclement weather,  prevent material from blowing onto residential streets as litter, increase  participation and diversion and reduce clean-up costs; and,

 

Now therefore be it hereby resolved:

 

1)         That Council respectfully requests that York Region and City of Markham under their respective Waste Management departments report back on all options and costs for permitting residents to use tinted blue clear bag or paper bag recycling option in town home units, single family homes, multi-residential units and public spaces thereby reducing processing residue, increasing diversion and eliminating blue box litter; and,

 

2)         That this Motion be circulated to all York Region municipalities.

Carried

 

 

NOTICES OF MOTIONS

 

There were no notices of motions.

 

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

 

There was no new/other business.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

17.       ANNOUNCEMENTS – TEXTILE CURBSIDE BAN (5.1)

 

Textile Curbside Ban

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath advised that effective April 17, 2017 textiles are ban from curbside waste pickup.  Staff advised that this past weekend was a huge success at textile materials being dropped off at the Markham Depot and other fire station locations.  Staff also advised that the Salvation Army has collected approximately one million pounds of textiles from Markham.  The Committee suggested that staff work with the Corporate Communications department to put together a press release regarding this information.

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters (10:02 AM):

 

 

(2)        THE SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (REPORT OF AUDITOR GENERAL) (7.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (a)]

 

General Committee consented to place this matter on the April 25, 2017 Council agenda for consideration.

Carried

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

That General Committee rise from the confidential session at 10:14 AM.

Carried

 

Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters (12:08 PM):

 

(1)        GENERAL COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES – APRIL 3, 2017 (16.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (a) (b) (e)]

 

General Committee adopted the April 3, 2017 General Committee confidential minutes.

 

 

(3)        THE SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (SHARED USE AGREEMENT) (8.2)

            [Section 239 (2) (a)]

 

General Committee consented to place this matter on the April 25, 2017 Council agenda for consideration.

 

 

(4)        PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL,
INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES
(APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS/COMMITTEE) (16.24)

            [Section 239 (2) (b)]

 

General Committee consented to place this matter on the April 25, 2017 Council agenda for consideration.

 

 

(5)        A PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS) (8.6)

            [Section 239 (2) (c)]

 

 

General Committee consented to place this matter on the April 25, 2017 Council agenda for consideration.

Carried

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

That the General Committee rise from the confidential session 12:50 PM.

 

Carried

 

 

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 12:50 PM.

 

Carried

 

 

 

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