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
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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
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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.
[Section 239 (2) (b)]
General Committee
consented to place this on a Council agenda for consideration.
[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