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M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

April 8, 2013

Meeting No. 9

 

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

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Regional Councillor Joe Li

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor. Howard Shore

Councillor Don Hamilton

Councillor Carolina Moretti

Councillor Colin Campbell

Councillor Alan Ho

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Regrets

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 

 

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Paul Ingham, Director, Operations

Nasir Kenea, Chief Information Officer

Joel Lustig, Treasurer

Alex Moore, Manager of Purchasing

Mark Visser, Senior Manager, Financial Strategy and Investment

Alan Brown, Director of Engineering

David Porretta, Traffic Operations Supervisor

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:04 a.m. with Councillor Carolina Moretti in the Chair; Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services related items and Councillor Valerie Burke Chaired Environment and Sustainability related items.

 

The General Committee recessed at 11:47 a.m. and reconvened at 1:24 p.m.

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         DEVELOPMENT CHARGES UPDATE (7.11)

            Presentation

 

Mark Visser, Senior Manager, Financial Strategy and Investment and Craig Binning, Partner, Hemson Consulting delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update relative to the Development Charges.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding whether the public meeting presentation should include the proposed one apartment rate or a separate small/large apartment rate.  The Committee suggested that the public information meeting include an effective date for the recommended changes.

 

The Committee inquired about the continuing discussions with the development industry relating to merging, eliminating and deferring some ASDC's.  Staff advised that they will be reporting back on this once they have sufficient information.

 

There was discussion regarding any potential tax implications and the sub-committee recommendation regarding no transition policy.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the presentation by Mr. Craig Binning, Partner, Hemson Consulting and Mr. Mark Visser, Senior Manager, Financial Strategy and Investments entitled “Development Charges Update,” be received; and,

 

2)         That Council provide approval for staff to call a Development Charge Public Meeting on May 13, 2013 as required by the Development Charges Act, 1997; and,

 

3)         That staff be directed to present differentiated rates for small and large apartment units at the Public Meeting; and,

 

4)         That staff be directed to consider a no transition policy due to the adverse financial impact to the City; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 


 

2.         MINUTES OF THE MARCH 18, 2013
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)                  That the Minutes of the March 18, 2013 General Committee be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 20, 2013
ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 20, 2013 Accessibility Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 20, 2013
ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 20, 2013 Animal Care Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 2013
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 17, 2013 Board of Management Markham Village Business Improvement Area Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 29, 2013
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
UNIONVILLE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 29, 2013 Board of Management Unionville Business Improvement Area be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2013
CANADA DAY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 6, 2013 Canada Day Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

8.         MINUTES OF THE MARCH 25, 2013
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
- CELEBRATE MARKHAM GRANTS (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the March 25, 2013 Budget Sub-Committee - Celebrate Markham Grants be received for information purposes; and,

 

2)         That Council endorse the following resolutions made at the March 25, 2013 Budget Sub-Committee - Celebrate Markham Grants Meeting:

 

i)          That $4,000 from the 2013 Celebrate Markham Grant Program be allocated to the Tamil Heritage/ Thai Pongal/Tamil New Year’s Celebration; and,

 

ii)         That $5,000 from the 2013 Celebrate Markham Grants Program be allocated to the Markham BIA, Unity Festival; and further,

iii)         That the remaining 2013 Celebrate Markham Grants be allocated as follows:

 

Senior’s Hall of Fame

$2,000

South Asian Heritage Celebration

$3,000

Markham Village Music Festival

$10,000

Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians

$2,500

Unionville Festival

$10,000

Taste of Asia Festival

$15,000

Canada Day Celebrations

$44,775

Markham Rotary Ribfest

$6,000

Nigh-It-Up

$5,000

Thursday Night Summer Music Series –Unionville Bandstand

$2,500

Doors Open Markham

$9,500

Markham Concert Band

$4,500

Markham Jazz Festival

$10,000

RBC Markham Milliken Children’s Festival

$13,250

Remington Markham International Sedan Chair Challenge

$1,500

Thornhill Festival

$10,000

Senior’s Extravaganza

$1,200

Markham Santa Claus Parade

$16,500

Unionville Old Tyme Christmas Parade

$6,500

Markham Arts Council

$19,000

Tourism Markham

$5,000

Seniors Advisory Committee

$2,848

Seniors Clubs

$21,000

CARRIED

 

 

9.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 21, 2013
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the February 21, 2013 Environmental Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

10.       MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 28, 2013
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 28, 2013 Public Library Board Annual General Meeting be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

11.       MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 28, 2013
AND FEBRUARY 25, 2013 PUBLIC
LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)

            January     February

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 28, 2013 and February 25, 2013 Public Library Board be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

12.       MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2012
PUBLIC REALM ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

There was discussion regarding the possibility of converting the pond at the City of Markham Civic Centre to a splash pad.

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the September 26 2012 Public Realm Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 


 

13.       MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 11, 2012
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the December 11, 2012 Seniors Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

14.       MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9 2013 &
FEBRUARY 6, 2013 THE FRIENDS OF
THE MARKHAM MUSEUM
FOUNDATION BOARD (16.0)

            January     February

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 9, 2013 and February 6, 2013 The Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 

 

15.       MINUTES OF THE MARCH 21, 2013
VICTORIA SQUARE COMMUNITY
CENTRE BOARD (16.0)

            Minutes

 

The Committee inquired whether bicycle owners from Toronto who park in the lot at the Victoria Square Community Centre are being ticketed.  Staff advised that they will clarify with By-law staff and send an e-mail to Members of Council.

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the Minutes of the March 21, 2013 Victoria Square Community Centre Board be received for information purposes.

CARRIED

 


 

16.       STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR
THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2013 (7.12)

            Report

 

There was discussion regarding the remaining balance of $31,816.76 relative to the "289-T-10 Short Term Rental of Vehicles - Contract Extensions."  Staff advised that they will review it and look at whether there is a better way to present it.

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         THAT the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of February 2013” be received; and,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

17.       2013 UNIONVILLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
AND MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREA OPERATING BUDGETS (7.4)

            Report    Exhibit I    Exhibit II    Exhibit III    Exhibit IV

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the report entitled “2013 Unionville Business Improvement Area and Markham Village Business Improvement Area Operating Budgets” dated April 8, 2013 be received; and,

 

2)         That the 2013 Operating Budget in the amount of $236,016 for the Unionville Business Improvement Area (UBIA) be approved; and,

 

3)         That the 2013 Operating Budget in the amount of $304,208 for the Markham Village Business Improvement Area (MBIA) be approved; and,

 

4)         That the Special Tax Rate levy, in the amount of $205,982 for the UBIA members and $215,327 for the MBIA members be included in the 2013 Tax Levy By-law; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

18.       ANNUAL FIELD AGREEMENT
–YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (6.4)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the report titled Annual Field Agreement- York Region District School Board be received; and;

 

2)         That the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services be authorized to execute the Annual Field Agreement- York Region District School Board of Education; and further

 

3)         That staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

19.       REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 011-R-13 EXTERNAL
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE
SOUTH EAST COMMUNITY CENTRE
& LIBRARY PROJECT (7.12)

            Report

 

 

The Committee consented to have this recommendation placed on the April 22, 2013 General Committee agenda for consideration.

 

1)         That the report entitled “Request for Proposal 011-R-13 External Project Management Services for the Southeast Community Centre & Library Project” be received; and,

 

2)         That External Project Management Services for the Southeast Community Centre & Library Project be awarded to the highest ranked / lowest priced bidder, PRISM Partners Inc., in the amount of $378,100.00, Input Tax Credit (ITC) eligible for HST exemption; and,

 

3)         That a contingency in the amount of $75,620.00,  ITC eligible for HST exemption, be established to cover any additional consultants costs, and Staff  be authorized to approve the expenditure of this contingency in accordance with the City of Markham’s Expenditure Control Policy; and,

 

4)         That the award be funded from the South East Community Centre & Library External Project Manager Consultant Services 2012 Capital Account #70-5350-12420-005; and further,

 

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

 

 

20.       MARKHAM FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES
2012 ANNUAL REPORT (7.15)

            Report     Annual Report                                                                                                        

 

Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the 2012 Annual Report from the Markham Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) be received; and,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

21.       REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL
- MARKHAM PARTNERSHIP (6.5)

            Report

 

Staff provided the Committee with further details of Markham's role relative to the Reel World Film Festival.

 

Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the City of Markham support a partnership to host a REELWorld Film Festival in 2014 in Markham; and,

 

2)         That Markham establish REELWorld Markham Advisory Committee to support the development of the program in 2014; and,

 

3)         That the Culture Department provides regular status reports on progress; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

22.       LUNCH PERIOD SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD
SERVICE REVIEW (3.16)

            Presentation     Report     Attachment A
            Attachment B      Attachment C

 

David Porretta, Traffic Operations Supervisor delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update regarding Lunch Period School Crossing Guard Review.  Staff pointed out that the main purpose of this review is to ensure efficiencies with resources are achieved and that the resources be used in areas that are needed such as new school cross guard services.

 

There was brief discussion regarding any potential issues with respect to recruitment if the lunch hour service is removed.

 

The Committee discussed the Safety Patrol Program offered by York Regional Police for schools that request it.

 

Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the report entitled “Lunch Period School Crossing Guard Service Review”, be received; and,

 

2)         That the presentation entitled “Lunch Period School Crossing Guard Service Review Update”, be received; and,

 

3)         That lunch period school crossing guard services be discontinued at 21  locations, as identified in Attachment “B”, as of June 30, 2013; and,

 

4)         That the 2014 Operating Budget for school crossing guard services be adjusted accordingly; and,

 

5)         That staff notify all affected schools of the discontinued school crossing guard services during the lunch period; and,

 

6)         That the schools being provided with lunch period crossing guard services with minimal pedestrian activity consider the School Safety Patroller Program as an alternative; and,

 

7)         That all future requests for crossing guard services be assessed using the “Ontario Traffic Council (OTC) School Crossing Guard Guide”; and further,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

23.       CLEAR BAG PROGRAM LAUNCH
– EDUCATION AND PROMOTION STRATEGY (5.1)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the report entitled “Clear Bag Program Launch -Education and Promotion Strategy” be received; and,

 

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

CARRIED

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

There was no new business.

 

 

24.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS (10.0)

 

Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matters (11:41 a.m.):

 

1)         A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

            [Section 239 (2) (c)]

CARRIED

 

Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke

Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore

 

That the General Committee rise from the in-camera session (11:47 a.m.)

CARRIED

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 1:25 p.m.

CARRIED

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