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Minutes

General Committee

February 6, 2017

Meeting Number 2

 

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

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

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and Acting Director of
Human Resources

Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk

Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk

Joel Lustig, Treasurer

Phoebe Fu, Director of Asset Management

Shane Manson, Senior Manager, Revenue & Property Tax

Kiran Saini, Acting Manager, Access & Privacy

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

 

The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:07 AM with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair and Councillor Alan Ho Chaired Community Services related items.

 

General Committee recessed at 11:15 AM and reconvened at 11:27 AM.  General Committee recessed at 12:36 PM and reconvened at 1:27 PM.

 

 

Disclosure of Interest

 

None disclosed.

 


 

 

 

1.         2017 REASSESSMENT MARKET UPDATE
            (YEAR 1 OF 4) REPORT (7.1)

             Presentation    Report     Attachment

 

Shane Manson, Senior Manager, Revenue & Property Tax delivered a PowerPoint presentation entitled “2017 Reassessment Market Update Year 1 of 4 and Relative Property Tax Impact”

 

There was discussion regarding the importance of residents understanding that when a property experiences an increase in current value assessment (CVA) at a rate higher than the City average of 9.79% between the 2016 and 2017 tax years, the property owner will experience a property tax increase due to the reassessment. All property tax impacts related to reassessment are independent of the annual municipal budgetary process. There was also discussion of the potential tax impact to the City as a result of properties that experience a decrease in CVA.

 

The Committee further discussed the issue of property tax shifts which result from general property reassessments. The Committee suggested that staff bring forward a presentation to its next General Committee meeting outlining the impact of the property tax shift resulting from the recent reassessment and further prepare a draft resolution highlighting an option to mitigate the impact for Committee to consider.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

1)         That the presentation entitled "Reassessment Market Update Impact: 2017 Tax Year - Year 1 of 4 of the Assessment Phase-in & Relative Tax Impact" be received; and,

 

2)         That the report entitled “2017 Reassessment Market Update (Year 1 of 4) & Relative Property Tax Impact Report” along with the detailed attachment “2017 Reassessment Market Update & Relative Property Tax Impact – Ward by Ward Analysis” be received for information; and,

 

3)         That staff be directed to bring forward a presentation to the February 21, 2017 General Committee meeting outlining the impact of the property tax shift resulting from the recent reassessment and further prepare a draft resolution highlighting an option to mitigate the impact for Committee and Council to consider; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

2.         MUNICIPAL ELECTION CANDIDATE
CONTRIBUTION REBATE PROGRAM (14.0)

            Report

 

Kiran Saini, Acting Manager, Access & Privacy delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Municipal Candidate Contribution Rebate Program.

 

There was considerable discussion regarding whether only eligible electors in Markham should be permitted to receive a contribution rebate versus all contributors being permitted to receive the contribution rebate. Staff advised that the proposed revisions to the Program do not preclude any individual from making a contribution.

 

The Committee discussed and suggested the following relative to the proposed rebate program:

·        Investigate a property tax credit for Markham residents in lieu of a contribution rebate

·        Impose a restriction on individual contributors to only be permitted to contribute to one candidate

·        Simplify the rebate contribution calculation by amending the formula to 75% of the contribution to a maximum contribution rebate of $350.00

·        Rebate regulations should be the same Federally, Provincially and Municipally

·        Investigate an on-line tool for potential contributors to utilize when tracking and submitting their application for a contribution rebate to the City

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

1)      That the report and presentation entitled “Municipal Election Candidate Contribution Rebate Program” be received; and,

 

2)      That Markham’s Municipal Election Candidate Contribution Rebate Program be maintained with the following amendments endorsed in principal:

 

a)       Require all campaign contributors to apply to the City of Markham for the issuance of a contribution rebate and the deadline for all contributors to apply be 90 days after the candidate’s financial filing deadline; and, 

 

b)      Confirm that all contributions made to a candidate between the date on which a candidate files a nomination form and the end of the candidate’s campaign period are eligible for a contribution rebate; and,

 

3)      That the remaining deficit of $116,766 from the 2014 Municipal Election Candidate Contribution Rebate Program be funded from the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve; and further,

 

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

Carried

 

 


 

 

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 16, 2017
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the January 16, 2017 General Committee meeting be confirmed.

 

Carried

 

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 21, 2016
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the December 21, 2016 Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting be received for information purposes.

 

Carried

 

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 14, 2016
ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the December 14, 2016 Animal Care Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 7, 2016 AND
DECEMBER 5, 2016 RACE RELATIONS
COMMITTEE (16.0)

            November 7     December 5

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 7, 2016 and December 5, 2016 Race Relations Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 28, 2016
YORK UNIVERSITY MARKHAM
CAMPUS COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 28, 2016 York University Markham Campus Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

8.         MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 13, 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
WASTE DIVERSION SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the October 13, 2016 Environmental Issues Committee, Waste Diversion Sub-Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

9.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 28, 2016
AND DECEMBER 19, 2016
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)

            November 28     December 19

 

There was discussion regarding fundraising for Markham Public Libraries, and it was suggested that staff report back in two weeks.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 28, 2016 and December 19, 2016 Markham Public Library Board meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

10.       MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 11, 2016,
NOVEMBER 8, 2016, AND DECEMBER 13, 2016
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            October 11     November 8     December 13

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the October 11, 2016, November 8, 2016 and December 13, 2016 Seniors Advisory Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

11.       MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 10, 2016
MARKHAM SPORT HALL
OF FAME COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 10, 2016 Markham Sport Hall of Fame Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

12.       STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS
FOR THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER
AND DECEMBER 2016 (7.12)

            Report

 

There was discussion regarding the bulk water station, and staff will e-mail the size and location.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Months of November and December 2016” be received; and,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

13.       2016 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)

            Report     Attachments

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the report dated February 6, 2017 entitled “2016 Investment Performance Review” be received; and,

 

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

Carried

 

 

 

14.       2017 COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE
MEETING CALENDAR (16.0)

            Report     Calendar

 

It was suggested that staff remove the General Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday September 5, 2017 and re-schedule the September 5, 2017 Public Planning Meeting to a new date.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the 2017 Council and Standing Committee Meeting Calendar for September-December be adopted.

Carried

 

 

 

15.       PETITION TO ACCELERATE
REVIEW OF MARKHAM TREE
PRESERVATION BY-LAW (2.21)

            Petition

 

Julie Sellery, Markham resident addressed the Committee regarding the City of Markham’s tree preservation By-law requesting that the review of the By-law be accelerated.

 

Masood Mohajer, Markham resident addressed the Committee with respect to the City of Markham’s tree preservation By-law and suggested that when the By-law is reviewed to consider having a set fine and not a minimum fine.

 

Reid McAlpine, Unionville Residents Association addressed the Committee regarding the City of Markham’s tree preservation By-law and stated some concerns.  He believes that the preservation of trees should be a high priority with new development, and that when the By-law is reviewed to consider including a section that speaks to new development.

 

Shanta Sundarason, Markham resident addressed the Committee with respect to the City of Markham’s tree preservation By-law.  She believes that current fine of $5000.00 is too little and should be increased.  Ms. Sundarason suggested that an individual who is in violation of the By-law be denied a building permit.

 

Elaine Wilton, Markham resident addressed the Committee regarding the City of Markham’s tree preservation By-law and inquired if someone is in violation of the By-law can the City forfeit their right to submit an application to the Committee of Adjustment?

 

Staff noted that there is specific legislation in the Building Code Act that outlines what must be complied with in order for a building permit to be issued, and once that list has been complied with the Chief Building Official has no discretion whether or not to issue the permit.  Staff also noted that the City can not deny someone the right to submit an application to Committee of Adjustment however the municipality has the right to make comments on the application being submitted.

 

Christiane Bergauer-Free, Markham resident addressed the Committee with respect to the City of Markham’s tree preservation By-law and submitted suggestions to be considered when reviewing the By-law.

 

Ricardo Mashregi, Trees and Residents for Urban Environments (TRUE) addressed the Committee regarding the City of Markham's tree preservation By-law and requested that the review of the By-law be accelerated. He suggested that the following be considered when the By-law is being reviewed:  have a sign posted on their lawn when a tree removal application is submitted; include clear standards for developers; ensure the fines set are significant to act a deterrent and any tree removal company or arborist who removes trees without being shown a valid permit should be fined an amount equivalent to that levied again the property owner.

 

The Committee discussed the following relative to the Tree Preservation By-law:

·        Importance of a broader consultation with the public

·        How to ensure infill development complies with the By-law

·        Importance of a robust education program

 

Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 

1)         That the petition from Julie Sellery and all the deputations be received and          referred to staff as part of the review of the Markham Tree Preservation By-law.

Carried

 

 

 

16.       AWARD OF RFP 239-R-16 CONTRACT
ADMINISTRATION AND CONSTRUCTION
INSPECTION SERVICES FOR WEST
THORNHILL FLOOD CONTROL
IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT
- PHASES 2B, 2C & 2D (7.12)

Report     Attachment

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the report entitled “Award of RFP 239-R-16 Contract Administration and Construction Inspection Services for West Thornhill Flood Control Implementation Project – Phases 2B, 2C & 2D” be received; and,

 

2)         That the contract for Proposal 239-R-16 Contract Administration and Construction Inspection Services for West Thornhill Flood Control Implementation Projects – Phases 2B, 2C & 2D be awarded to the highest ranked, lowest priced Bidder, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited, in the amount of $955,481.64, inclusive of HST; and,

 

3)         That a 10% contingency in the amount of $95,548.16, 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 contract administration services award for Phase 2B in the amount of $314,065.55 as outlined under the financial considerations section of this report be funded from the capital project 058-6150-17201-005 “West Thornhill Flood Control Construction - Phase 2B”, and the remaining budget of $124,244.45 will be returned to the original funding source; and,

 

5)         That Phase 2C in the amount of $403,011.02 and Phase 2D in the amount of $333,953.22 as outlined under the financial considerations section of this report be requested as part of the 2018 and 2019 Capital budget process, subject to Council approval; and,

 

6)         That the Purchase Order for future Phases 2C & 2D be updated to reflect the actual construction time required based on the final design; and further,

 

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

 

Carried

 

 

 

17.       PROCEDURAL BY-LAW
AMENDMENTS (2.1)

            Material

 

Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk delivered a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining the suggested changes to the proposed Procedural By-law.

 

The Committee suggested the following be included:

·        Section 4.15 (i) replace the word "refrain" to "not"

·        Section 7.3 include the words "or vibrate…"

·        Schedules B & C be reviewed

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the attached Procedural By-law be adopted.

 

Carried

 

 

 

18.       FOLLOW UP - LETTER REGARDING THE
PUBLIC LIBRARY OPERATING GRANT (7.6)

            Memo     Letter

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

1)         That the memo dated December 21, 2016 from Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be received; and,

 

2)         That the letter from Alfred Kam, Chair, Markham Public Library Board be received and endorsed by Council; and,

 

3)         That the Council of the Corporation of the City of Markham supports the Public Libraries' request to the Province to increase its annual grants to libraries and to allow adequate operating budget for all libraries no matter the size or location; and further,

 

4)         That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Culture, Markham's local MP's, MPP's, and the Markham Library Board.

 

Carried

 

 

 

19.       NEW BUSINESS
            - PYGMY HEDGEHOG (2.8)

 

Pygmy Hedgehog

 

Councillor Colin Campbell addressed the Committee to advise that the City has a by-law that bans residents from owning a pygmy hedgehog, and is suggesting that the ban be removed.  It was suggested that this be referred to staff.

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That staff investigate if the ban to own a pygmy hedgehog can be eliminated.

Carried

 

 

 

20.       NEW BUSINESS
- PRIVATE BILL (13.2)

 

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong advised that MP Peter Van Loan introduced a Private Member's Bill C-323 enabling owners of recognized historic properties to apply for a 20% tax credit towards their restoration.  She is suggesting that this be referred to staff for comments.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That staff provide comments on the Private Member's Bill C-3223 by MP Peter Van Loan.

 

Carried

 

 

 

21.       NEW BUSINESS
            - BILL 68 (13.2)

 

Councillor Karen Rea was requesting clarification for wanting extra reasons to permit resolving into an in-camera session.  Her concern is the commercial information and would like to submit comments.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 

That staff provide clarification relative to Bill 68 and whether discussion of commercial information can be discussed in closed session.

Carried

 

 

 

22.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS (16.0, 10.0)

 

Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke

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 (3:17 PM):

 

 

 

(1)        GENERAL COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES - JANUARY 16, 2017 (16.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (a) (b) (c) (f)]

 

General Committee confirmed the January 16, 2017 in-camera meeting minutes.

 

(2)        ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES - DECEMBER 14, 2016 (16.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (b)]

 

General Committee consented to place this on a Council agenda for consideration.

 

 

(3)        A PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD - MARKHAM VILLAGE "TOWN SQUARE" CONCEPT (WARD 4) (10.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (c)]

 

General Committee consented to place this on a Council agenda for consideration.

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

That the General Committee rise from the in-camera session 3:30 PM.

 

Carried

 

 

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

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

 

Carried

 

 

 

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