M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2005-03-29
Meeting No. 7
Attendance
|
Mayor D. Cousens
Regional Councillors F. Scarpitti (5:12 p.m.)
J.
Heath
J. Jones
B. O'
Donnell
Councillors E. Shapero
G.
McKelvey
J.
Webster
D.
Horchik
A. Chiu
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development
Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client
Services
D. McClean, Fire Chief
P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services
S. Mintz, Deputy Fire Chief
A. Pozywiak, Director, Strategic Initiatives
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire
Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
F. Wong, Manager, Financial Planning
|
The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of 5:04 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That Committee of the Whole recess in-camera to discuss a
personnel and a legal matter.
Carried
1. MINUTES
OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
- MARCH 8, 2005 (16.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held
on March 8, 2005 be confirmed.
Carried
2. COURT
ADMINISTRATION UPDATE (7.0) Presentation
The Director of Financial and Client Services advised that
in 1999, the Region of York and the nine area municipalities partnered to
assume the responsibility of Court Administration of Provincial Offences Act
cases from the Province. An
inter-municipal agreement was developed and a Joint Board of Management was
established. The Region of York agreed
to administer court services on behalf of all parties. The Region of York has advised of cost
effective difficulties and the municipalities have advised of a lack of
efficient service by the Region of York.
Mr. Lustig provided details of the current inter-municipal revenue
sharing agreement, the 2004+ revenue sharing freeze, agreement to conduct an
independent review of the Court Services Program in terms of efficiencies,
economies and effectiveness. He also
provided detail of the current issues with revenue and administration, the
proposed Court Services Review key deliverables, projected timing, a summary of
the Region of York staff report regarding review of court services and a request
for additional staffing, a summary of the Region’s recommendations and the
proposed Town of Markham recommendations regarding the revenue freeze, and
suggested amendments to the Region of York staff recommendation.
Discussion took place regarding the specific problems being
experienced and specific situations, steps that have been taken to attempt to
rectify the situation, revenue levels, the Town’s share, financial
implications, costs, staffing levels, Town budgetary implications, impact of
the situation on the effectiveness of the Town’s Licensing Committee, the need
to ensure municipalities have an acceptable amount of control over the proposed
review process, the acceptability of the 50/50 cost sharing split for the
proposed review, and the need for a Steering Committee representative of area
Chief Administrative Officers. It was
noted that withdrawals and dismissals are detrimental to the court process; the
levying of fines that are lower than the cost of a license is not a deterrent;
the prosecutor reaching a “no reasonable prospect of conviction” decision and
the Town still being able to proceed; and electronic solutions are
available. All of these issues will be
considered in the proposed review.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation by the Director of Financial and
Client Services providing an update on court administration in York
Region, be received;
And that the Town of Markham
recommends amendments to the York Region Finance and Administrative Committee
resolution of March 3, 2005
as follows:
- Approval be given for the immediate
recruitment of six temporary staff and the Commissioner of Corporate Services
report back to the Committee in June, 2005 on the case load, revenues and
potential need for further staff to be hired on a phased-in basis.
- The assessment of the efficiency and
effectiveness of the A review of
the Court Services Program be undertaken by an independent third party in
consultation with the Ministry of the Attorney General, cost shared 50:50
between the Region and the Area Municipalities at the maximum estimated Regional cost of $25,000
$62,500.
- Staff report further to Regional Council
pending the outcome of the independent third party review and that report to
include a recommended new Inter-municipal Agreement that would remove the
tax burden of the Court Services Program from the Regional tax levy.
- The Regional Clerk forward a copy of
this report to the Area Municipalities for information.
- And
that a Steering Committee be formed which is representative of York Region Chief Administrative Officers, to
oversee the review. Such committee to
consist of approximately four or five members, at the discretion of area Chief
Administrative Officers.
Carried
3. PROVINCIAL
RECOGNITION OF
COMPLIANCE WITH EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT ACT (3.0)
Committee had before it the
memorandum dated March 29, 2005
regarding Provincial recognition of the Town of Markham
of compliance with the Emergency Management Act and next steps.
The Deputy Fire Chief briefly
reviewed this information.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J.
Jones
That the memorandum dated March 29,
2005 from the Deputy Fire Chief advising of Provincial recognition that the
Town of Markham is in compliance with the Emergency Management Act and advising
of next steps, be received.
Carried
4. 2005 NO-DIG SHOW
TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – APRIL 25
-27, 2005 (11.12)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor J.
Jones
That the letter dated March 21, 2005 from Councillor A. Chiu
requesting approval to attend the “2005 No-Dig Show” – Trenchless Technology
Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida from April 25 to 27, 2005, be
received;
And that approval be granted for Councillor A. Chiu to
attend to a maximum of $2,600 (CDN) with conference registration costs charged
to Waterworks budget account number 760 998 5200 and travel and lodging costs
associated with the conference charged to Waterworks budget account number 760
998 5201.
Carried
5. 2005 ADVISORY
COMMITTEE/BOARD APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor B.
O’Donnell
Achievement and Civic Recognition Awards Committee
That the following persons be appointed to the Achievement
and Civic Recognition Awards Committee for a term to expire November 30, 2006:
Karine
Chiu
Lisa
Kassabian
Ralph
Persram
Gaetano
Vella
Markham
Public Art Advisory Committee
And that the resignation of Leslie
Holt from the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee be accepted with regret and
a letter of appreciation be forwarded;
And that an appropriate replacement
be sought.
Carried
6. CHANGES TO ONTARIO HERITAGE
ACT BILL 60 (2.0)
Councillor J. Webster advised that Bill
60 is ready for third reading in the legislature but has been stalled. Bill 60 proposes much needed changes to the
Ontario Heritage Act which would further conserve and protect heritage
resources, especially in the area of demolition control, heritage property
standards and delegation of approval authority.
He suggested that a resolution be passed by Markham Council to encourage
the Provincial Government to proceed with Bill 60.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor J.
Jones
That the Council of the Town of
Markham commends the Province for its commitment to the further conservation
and protection of heritage recourses, especially in the area of demolition
control, heritage property standards and delegation of approval authority, as
indicated in the proposed amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act (Bill 60);
And that Markham Council is concerned
about the recent delays in the passage of Bill 60 given the widespread support
the proposed amendments have received not only in the heritage community, but
also in the broader community;
And that Markham
Council urges the Premier of Ontario to expedite the passage of Bill 60 during
the spring
Carried
7. CONDOLENCES (12.2.6)
Committee announced, with regret, the
passing of Councillor J. Virgilio’s Mother.
Deepest condolences are extended to the family.
The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.