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Minutes

General Committee

November 14, 2016

Meeting Number 18

 

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 Joe Li

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor Alan Ho

Councillor Don Hamilton

Councillor Karen Rea

Councillor Colin Campbell

Councillor Amanda Collucci

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Regrets

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor

Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk

Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk

Joel Lustig, Treasurer

Phoebe Fu, Director of Asset Management

Catherine Conrad, Acting Director of Human Resources

Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation Services

Andrea Tang, Senior Manager of Financial Planning

Mark Visser, Manager, Financial Strategy & Investment

Kevin Ross, Manager Development Finance

Kiran Saini, Acting Manager, Access & Privacy

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:02 AM with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair; Councillor Alan Ho Chaired Community Services related items and Councillor Colin Campbell Chaired Building, Parks and Construction related items.

 

General Committee recessed from 11:43 AM to 11:55 AM.  General Committee recessed at 12:50 PM and reconvened at 1:35 PM.  General Committee recessed at 3:04 PM and reconvened at 3:06 PM.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Interest

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         PROCEDURAL BY-LAW
            AMENDMENTS (2.1)

            Presentation

 

Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk addressed the Committee and reviewed the revised wording under Guiding Principles.

 

It was suggested that other forms of social media besides facebook and twitter also be used as a source to communicate to the public.

 

The Committee requested that the word "immediately" be removed from the section to close debate and call it "Close Debate & Vote."

 

There was discussion regarding the proposed provision to prohibit Councillors from reading aloud during meetings from e-mail, texts, etc.  Staff noted that the purpose of this provision is to assist with running effective and efficient meetings. 

 

The Committee suggested that staff report back at the November 28, 2016 General Committee meeting with proposed meeting schedule for Standing and Council meetings.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

1)         That the presentation entitled "Proposed Amendments to Markham City Council's Procedural By-law" be received; and,

 

2)         That Staff report back at the November 28, 2016 General Committee meeting a proposed 2017 Standing Committee and Council meeting schedule.

Carried

 

 

 

 

2.         DEVELOPMENTS CHARGES
            BACKGROUND STUDY
            UPDATE (7.11)

            Presentation

 

Kevin Ross, Manager Development Finance delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update with respect to the Development Charges background study.

 

There was discussion regarding the proposed timelines and that an update should be provided to General Committee prior to the 2017 summer recess. It was suggested that Members of Council forward any requests via e-mail to Kevin Ross and copy the subcommittee members.

 

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, Councillor Don Hamilton and Councillor Karen Rea requested to be part of the subcommittee.

 

1)         That the presentation by Kevin Ross, Manager Development Finance, entitled “Development Charges Background Study Update ” be received; and,

 

2)         That a Council Development Charge Committee be established; and,

 

3)         That Mayor Frank Scarpitti; the Chair and Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, Councillor Don Hamilton and Councillor Karen Rea be appointed to the Council Development Charge Committee; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

3.         2016 SEPTEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE
            REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND
            YEAR END PROJECTIONS (7.0)

            Presentation     Report     Appendices

 

Andrea Tang, Senior Manager of Financial Planning delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding 2016 September Year-to-Date review of Operations and Year End projections.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

1)         That the report entitled “2016 September Year-To-Date Review of Operations and Year End Projection” be received.

 

2)         That the presentation entitled “2016 September Year-To-Date Review of Operations and Year End Projection” be received.

Carried

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 31, 2016
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the minutes of the October 31, 2016 General Committee meeting be confirmed.

Carried

 

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 1, 2016
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes       

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 1, 2016 Special General Committee meeting be confirmed.

Carried

 

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE MINUTES OF
THE OCTOBER 11, 2016,
OCTOBER 14, 2016 AND OCTOBER 18, 2016
BUDGET COMMITTEE (16.0)

            October 11     October 14     October 18

 

There was discussion regarding Markham Village Heritage Conservation District Plan and Culture Public Art Coordinator.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the October 11, 2016, October 14, 2016, and the October 18 Budget Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2016
AND NOVEMBER 7, 2016 SANTA
CLAUS PARADE COMMITTEE (16.0)

            October 6     November 7

 

There was discussion regarding whether the words Merry Christmas will be included on the banners for the Santa Claus Parade.  Staff will confirm.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the minutes of the October 6, 2016 and November 7, 2016 Santa Claus Parade Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

8.         MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
YORK UNIVERSITY MARKHAM
CAMPUS COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 26, 2016 York University Markham Campus Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

9.         MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)

            Minutes          

 

There was discussion regarding the $2,500 cost to cover for the Board and staff meet and greet.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 26, 2016 Markham Public Library Board meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

10.       TEMPORARY BORROWING
            BY-LAW 2017 (7.0)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the report titled “2017 Temporary Borrowing By-law” be received; and,

 

2)         That a by-law be brought forward for Council approval to authorize the temporary borrowing, if required, of amounts not to exceed $172,817,913 from January 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 and $86,408,957 from October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 to meet the expenditures of the municipality until taxes are collected and other revenues are received; and,

 

3)         That the Treasurer report to Council in advance of borrowing, if temporary borrowing is required; and further,

 

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

 

Carried

 

 

11.       2017 INTERIM SPENDING
AUTHORITY PENDING
APPROVAL OF BUDGET (7.9)

            Report

 

It was suggested that this report be placed on the December 13, 2016 Council agenda for ratification.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)                  That the report titled “2017 Interim Spending Authority Pending Approval of Budget”, be received; and,

 

2)                  That Council approve 50% of the City’s 2016 Operating, Waterworks, Planning & Design, Building Standards and Engineering budgets equal to $172,817,913 as a  pre-budget approval for 2017 operating expenditures; and,

 

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

Carried

Note:  At the December 13, 2016 Council meeting the 2017 Budget was approved by Council, therefore Council consented to not adopt the above recommendation as it is no longer required.

 

 

 

12.       2017 INTERIM SPENDING AUTHORITY
PENDING APPROVAL OF UNIONVILLE AND
MARKHAM VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT
AREAS BUDGETS (7.9)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the report titled “2017 Interim Spending Authority Pending Approval of Unionville and Markham Village Business Improvement Area Budgets”, be received; and,

 

2)         That Council approve 50% of the 2016 Operating Budget equivalent to the amounts of $125,309 for the Unionville BIA (UBIA) and $172,812 for the Markham Village BIA (MBIA) as pre-budget approval for 2017 operating expenditures; and,

 

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

Carried

 

13.       MILMAR COURT SANITARY SEWER
            - AMENDMENT OF BY-LAW NO. 2007-65 (5.5)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the report entitled "Milmar Court Sanitary Sewer - Amendment of By-law No, 2007-65" be received; and,

 

2)         That By-law 2007-65, a by-law to levy the actual costs of construction of the sanitary sewer on Milmar Court, be amended as outlined in Appendix A; and,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

14.       MARKHAM TEXTILE AND CLOTHING
REUSE AND RECYCLE INITIATVE
AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERATION
OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (5.2)

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

Whereas  the City of Markham applied to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for funding under the Green Municipal Fund for Markham’s textile recycling program; and,

 

Whereas FCM approved Markham’s funding application in the amount of $67,100 or 50% of eligible costs; and,

 

Whereas FCM requires the City of Markham to sign a funding agreement to finalize the grant and issue approved disbursements;

 

Now therefore be it resolved:

 

1)         That the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services be authorized to execute  the Markham Textile and Clothing Reuse and Recycle Initiative Grant Agreement NO.15003 with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as Trustee of the Green Municipal Fund; and,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

15.       CITY OF MARKHAM ASSET
MANAGEMENT PLAN (7.1)

            Presentation     Report

 

Phoebe Fu, Director of Asset Management and Andrea Tang, Senior Manager of Financial Planning delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the City of Markham Asset Management Plan.

 

There was brief discussion regarding reserve adequacy.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the presentation titled “City of Markham Asset Management Plan” be received; and,

 

2)         That the report titled “City of Markham Asset Management Plan” be received; and

 

3)         That Council endorse the 2016 City of Markham Asset Management Plan (AMP) Final Report and adopt the proposed asset management strategy and framework; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

16.       POWERSTREAM MERGER UPDATE (7.0)

            Report

 

Mark Visser, Manager, Financial Strategy & Investment delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update regarding the PowerStream Merger.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the report dated November 14, 2016 entitled "PowerStream Merger Update" be received; and,

 

2)         That the City of Markham guarantee a Markham Enterprises Corporation loan for up to $47.3M to finance the equity contribution required for the closing of the MergeCo transaction; and,

 

3)         That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the required lending documents; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

17.       NAMING OF COMMUNITY CENTRE AND
            LIBRARY IN SOUTHEAST MARKHAM (3.19)

            Report

 

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services addressed the Committee and provided some opening remarks relative to the naming of the community centre and library in southeast Markham.

 

Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the naming of the community centre and library in southeast Markham.

 

The Committee discussed the five (5) proposed names to be considered and stated their support for "Aanin Community Centre and Library."

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 

1)         That the report "Naming of the new Community Centre and Library in South East Markham" be received; and,

 

2)         That Council endorse the following name:

                        "Aanin Community Centre and Library"; and,

 

3)         That Staff be directed to seek input from the Community on the option recommended by General Committee; and,

 

4)         That Staff report back to the December 12, 2016 General Committee with public input; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

18.       MAIN STREET UNIONVILLE
            PUBLIC WASHROOMS (5.6)

            Presentation

 

Phoebe Fu, Director of Asset Management delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Main Street Unionville public washrooms.

 

The Committee suggested and discussed the following relative to the proposed construction of public washroom at 185 Main Street Unionville:

·        Have the building set further back from the sidewalk not so prominent on the Main Street

·        Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) will not permit any building structure in the flood zone

·        Operation costs for the washrooms

·        Option 1 versus Option 3

·        Concerns with negative impact on the adjacent building and patio to the proposed location for public washrooms

·        Pre-fabricated verses standard construction

·        Associated costs of potential vandalism 

·        The need for further consultation with stakeholders and community

·        Investigate the potential for the City to partner with one or more of the business owners and share the cost of operating their washroom facility and make it available to the public

·        Loss of green space from the Main Street

·        Ensure bathroom signage is inclusive to include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBT) community

·        Obtain statistics on visitor information during festivals and number of washrooms required

·        Investigate building a few more public washrooms at Crosby arena that can be accessed by outside

 

Rob Kadlovski, Historic Unionville Community Vision Committee addressed the Committee regarding the proposed public washrooms to be installed at 185 Main Street, Unionville and spoke in support.   He stated his support for Option 1 and requested that funds be included in the 2017 Budget for the design, permit application and tender.  Mr. Kadlovski believes that no further consultation is required on the location.

 

Tony Lamanna, Main Street Markham business owner addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed public washrooms to be installed at 185 Main Street, Unionville and stated concerns with the location, and suggested that two washrooms will not be sufficient.

 

Alick Siu, Unionville Residence Association addressed the Committee regarding the proposed public washrooms to be installed at 185 Main Street, Unionville and spoke in support of staff proposal for Option 1.

 

Peter Wales, Unionville Villagers Association addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed public washrooms to be installed at 185 Main Street, Unionville and spoke in support.

 

Wes Rowe, Unionville Villagers Association addressed the Committee regarding the proposed public washrooms to be installed at 185 Main Street, Unionville and spoke in support of the concept.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

1)         That the presentation entitled "Main Street Unionville Public Washrooms" be received; and,

 

2)         That Staff be authorized to conduct a Public Information meeting with the stakeholders and community to present the current proposed options; and,

 

3)         That staff be authorized to examine potential partnership opportunity with current business owner(s) to share the cost to maintain their existing washroom facilities and be available to be used by the public; and,

 

4)         That Staff report back on the findings of the public consultation undertaken on the location of Unionville public washroom; and,

 

5)         That staff be directed to examine the potential of future public washrooms with user fees and whether other Main Streets charge for public washrooms; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

19.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS

 

 

General Committee did not proceed into an in-camera discussion. 

 

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

 

That the following be referred directly to the November 15, 2016 Council meeting:

 

(1)        A PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (WARD 4) (8.6)

            [Section 239 (2) (c)]

 

That the following be deferred to the November 28, 2016 General Committee meeting:

 

(2)        THE SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD
AND
ADVICE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SOLICITOR-CLIENT PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING COMMUNITCATIONS NECESSARY FOR THAT PRURPOSE
(WARD 2) (8.6)

            [Section 239 (2) (a) (f)]

 

That the following be referred directly to the November 15, 2016 Council meeting:

 

(3)        LABOUR RELATIONS OR EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UPDATE) (11.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (d)]

Carried

 

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 3:30 PM.

 

Carried

 

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