COMMUNITY
SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
2004-12-13
Meeting
No. 1
Attendance
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J. Livey,
Chief Administrative Officer
J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community &
Fire Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
D. McClean,
Fire Chief
P. Loukes,
Director, Operations & Asset
Management
S. Bertoia,
General Manager, Construction and
Utilities
B. Roth,
Director, Recreation and Culture
Services
L.
Valentini, Asisstant Town Solicitor
G. Phillips,
Manager, Museum
B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk
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The Community Services and Environment Committee convened at the hour
of 1:00 p.m. with Councillor A. Chiu in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. ICE
RINK PILOT PROJECT (6.1) Report
Mr.
P. McNamara, 62 Tilman Circle, and Mr. M. Ford, 71 Tilman Circle, presented the
Members with a proposal seeking the Committee’s consent for a community
maintained ice rink project. They noted details in regards to similar projects
agreed to by other municipalities and acknowledged that the rinks were strongly
supported by community members. Mr. Ford advised that the project would
encourage a culture of recreation and fitness for youth in the area and would
be a good footprint for future development.
The
Committee discussed issues concerning liability with respect to ownership of
the project, lighting and usage times, and the utilization of the rink for
shinny hockey. It was agreed that there had been a limited number, if any,
cases relating to liability brought against a municipality for injuries
occurring at publicly maintained ice rinks. Members agreed that two (2)
separate ice surfaces would allow one to be used for shinny hockey and the
other to be used for casual skating. The Committee also suggested that lighting
was necessary for early evening usage and that Town of Markham staff could work
with residents to ensure it’s adequacy for the surrounding community.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That the staff report entitled “Ice Rink
Pilot Project”, dated December 13th, 2004, be received;
And that
Council approve a pilot project, permitting volunteer resident groups to
establish ice rinks at Bayview Lane and Mintleaf Parks for the 2004/2005winter
season, subject to the following terms and conditions:
- A local
Organization or service group of volunteers be formed to operate and
maintain the rink(s);
1.a.Members of the Organization
or service group be trained by Town staff in
the preparation, maintenance, and
operation of an outdoor rink;
- The Organization
or service group be responsible for the installation, operation,
maintenance, snow removal and inspection of the ice rink;
- The service club
or organization provide satisfactory insurance, which names the Town as an
additional insured, for any liabilities arising from the existence and
operation of the ice rink;
- Only members of
the Organization or service group who have been trained by the Town shall
operate or maintain the rink(s);
- The Organization
or service group enter into a licence agreement with the Town for the use
of a designated portion of the park;
- Subtle and subdued lighting be used as
approved by Town of Markham staff;
- Shinny not be
permitted unless the rink is divided for pleasure skating in one area and
shinny in another, and signed accordingly, and rules be approved to ensure
no pucks can enter the pleasure skating area;
- The ice rink shall not be placed on
sports field turf;
- The ice rink shall be open to use by all
residents of the community;
- The Town will provide access to a water
service and will provide water for the ice rink, where winterized water
services are currently installed and operational;
- The Town will plow access into the site,
and provide benches and waste and recycling receptacles, as required;
12. The ice rinks will only be permitted
subject to receiving the consent of a majority of residents who abut the park;
And that the
Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into an agreement with the service club
or organization sponsoring the ice rink program in a form that is satisfactory
to the Town Solicitor;
And
that Staff report back to Council in the fall of 2005 to provide information on
the success of this pilot project and make recommendations regarding the
establishment of a permanent outdoor ice rink program;
And
that staff locate the necessary insurance coverage for the ice rink pilot
project.
CARRIED
**Amended
by Council at its meeting held on December 14, 2004:
That the terms and conditions
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are deleted and replaced with the following:
“1. A local Organization of volunteers or service group of volunteers be
formed to operate and maintain the rink(s);
1.a. Members
of the Organization or service group be trained by Town staff in the
preparation, maintenance, and operation of an outdoor rink;
2. The
Organization or service group be responsible for the installation, operation,
maintenance, snow removal and inspection of the ice rink;
3. The service club provide satisfactory
insurance, which names the Town as an additional insured, for any liabilities
arising from the existence and operation of the ice rink;
4. Only
members of the Organization or service group who have been trained by the Town
shall operate or maintain the rink(s);
5. The
Organization or service group enter into a licence agreement with the Town for
the use of a designated portion of the park;”
And that terms and conditions 7 be deleted
and replaced with the following:
“7. Shinny not be permitted
unless the rink is divided for pleasure skating in one area and shinny in
another, and signed accordingly, and rules be approved to ensure no pucks can
enter the pleasure skating area;”
2. MARKHAM
MUSEUM MASTER PLAN CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK (6.7) Report 1 2 Presentation
Mr. B. Lord and Mr. B. King, Lord Cultural Resources, presented the
Markham Museum master plan conceptual framework to the Committee. They
discussed amendment proposals regarding facility implementation and adaptation,
improving upon records and historical article storage and adjustments designed
to enhance the overall customer experience. Mr. Lord noted that the initiation
of an organization designed for fundraising as well as the resolution of
collection management issues were crucial first steps in the process.
Mr. King presented the development through all three (3) Phases,
illustrating design and potential programming concepts. He noted that there
were currently Museum collections at risk due to the methods and conditions in
which they are being stored at the Ward buildings. Phase one (1) would work to
resolve this issue as well as increase public access to popular artefacts. Mr.
King described Phase two (2) by focusing on the establishment of an interactive
children’s museum, an area entitled “History at Play” and a large field
designed for public rental. He described Phase three (3) with considerable
attention paid to a proposed expansion to the Museum reception centre as well
as an ongoing archaeological dig project to occur on-site.
Mr. Gunter Langhorst, Chair, Markham Museum Board, noted that the
Museum Board had reviewed the plan and acknowledged that the Town’s assistance
would be necessary in order to implement the proposed changes. He advised that
certain amendments mentioned in the later Phases of the project would require
some difficult choices, but could be reviewed and or amended at that time. Mr.
Langhorst agreed that the initial steps should be taken to ensure that a plan is
in process.
There was discussion on the recommendation to
create a separate fundraising organization apart from the current Museum Board.
Some Members suggested that the current structure did not have the resources
available to raise the amount of money necessary to engage the master plan. The
Committee queried Mr. King and Mr. Lord as to the projected costs and potential
revenues relating to the project. There was also discussion relating to details
associated with each Phase of the project specifically addressing concerns
about artefact removal and building replacements.
Staff noted that the presentation was an overview of the proposal and
that a more comprehensive staff report would be forthcoming to the Committee at
hand.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the report entitled
“Museum Master Plan Conceptual Framework” be received;
And that staff be directed
to bring forward a report with a detailed business plan and associated cost for
Phase 1: 2005-2008, as outlined in the Master Plan, in conjunction with a broad-based public consultation process;
And that Council approve the
establishment of a “Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation”;
And further that staff be directed to
review and update the current terms of reference for the Friends of the Markham
Museum Foundation to assist in fund-raising and sponsorship activities.
3. AMENDMENT
TO POLICY TITLED COMMUNITY
SERVICE GROUPS CRITERIA FOR
USE OF TOWN
FACILITIES (8.7) Report 1 2
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report titled “Amendment to Policy
Titled Community Service Groups Criteria for Use of Town Facilities” be
received;
And that the policy be amended to provide,
based on availability, that Members of Council be permitted to use community
centre meeting rooms free of charge for public meetings relating to Ward, Town
or Regional issues;
And that the Rouge River Community Centre
Poolside Lounge be added to the list of meeting rooms available to Community
Service Groups at no cost, based on the criteria approved by Council June 23,
1998;
And that free use of meeting rooms by Members
of Council for election-related or personal use not be authorized;
And that for any other facility bookings the
Community Service Group rate will apply to Members of Council.
4. REPORT
ON SPENDING OF 2004 MARKHAM
COUNCIL GRANTS FOR ROUGE RIVER
& DON
RIVER WATERSHEDS
(5.7) Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the staff
report entitled “Report on Spending of 2004 Markham Council Grants for Rouge
River and Don River Watersheds”, dated December 13, 2004 be received;
And that a
cheque in the amount of $25,000 be issued to the Rouge Park Alliance for their
programs, as outlined in this report.
5. VARLEY
ART GALLERY PRICING (6.12) Report 1
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
the report entitled “Varley
Art Gallery Pricing” be
received;
And that the
booking priority process be endorsed;
And that the
proposed 2005 rate and fee increases as outlined in Appendix A be approved
effective January 2, 2005;
And that the Director of
Recreation and Culture be authorized to set future increases annually so that
Markham’s rates remain competitive while offsetting the Art Gallery’s operating
budget pressures;
And that
By-law 2002-276, a by-law to impose fees or charges for services or activities
provided or done by the Town of Markham, be amended to reflect the new rates;
And that
notice to the public be provided in accordance with By-law 2002-275, a by-law
to prescribe the form and manner and times for the provision of reasonable
notice.
CARRIED
6. JOHN
STREET LANDS PROPOSAL (3.0, 7.15) Report
The
Committee discussed whether future planning would be compromised if the John
Street Land proposal were to be approved and whether the monetary allocation
was in place for improvements necessary for the interim use by the Fire and
Emergency Services Department. Staff recommended that a feasibility study be
brought forward during the later half of the interim period.
That Council receive this report and approve
the use of the John St. Fire Station and lands as an interim training centre
for the Fire and Emergency Services Department;
And
that staff locate the necessary funds within the 2005 Capital budget for
signage and minor capital improvements needed for the continued use of this
facility on an interim basis;
And
that staff come forward with a Feasibility Study project (to be funded by the
2004 Capital budget - account number 67-5399-6316-005) in the second year of
interim use.
CARRIED
7. SPORT
FIELD USER FEES (6.3, 6.10) Report 1 By-law
Seconded
by Councillor S. Daurio
That
prime and non-prime hours as outlined in this report be established for all
outdoor sport fields in the Town of Markham;
That minor group and resident prime time sport field user fees for the
2005 outdoor season be increased by one dollar per game;
That non-residents prime time sport field user fees for prime hours
increase by two dollars per game;
That outdoor sport field hydro fees for 2005 be increased by one dollar
per hour for minor sport and resident groups;
That outdoor sport field hydro fees for the 2005 outdoor season be
increased by two dollars per hour for non-residents;
That the Director of Strategic Services be authorized to set future
increases annually so that Markham’s rates remain competitive while offsetting
the Parks Maintenance sport field operating budget pressures;
That Schedule A of By-law 2002-276, A
By-law to Impose Fees or Charges for Services or Activities Provided or Done by
the Town of Markham, be amended accordingly.
CARRIED
8. THEATRE
COMPLIMENTARY TICKET
POLICY (6.2) Report 1
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones.
That
the report titled “Theatre Complimentary Ticket Policy” be received and
approved;
And
that the revised policy be effective September 1, 2005.
CARRIED
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Other matters considered by the Community
Services & Environment Committee at its meeting held on December 13, 2004
9. UPDATE
ON DELIVERY OF SERVICE AND
EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THE
ALZHEIMER
SOCIETY OF YORK REGION (3.0)
Mr.
P. Ott, volunteer board member, Alzheimer Society of York Region, thanked the
Town of Markham for their continued support and presented an update on recent
education initiatives launched by the Alzheimer Society of York Region.
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
the presentation by Mr. P. Ott, Alzheimer Society of York Region, regarding his
presentation on the delivery of service and education programs for York
Region’s Alzheimer society be received.
CARRIED
10. UPDATE
ON MARKHAM PUBLIC
LIBRARY OPERATIONS (3.19)
Ms.
J. Pickering, Chair, Markham Public Libraries, presented Members with an update
of the latest accomplishments made to the library operation in the Town of
Markham. A few key achievements were noted as; the growing accessibility of
electronic publications, an increase of in-house presentations and author
readings, an enhanced community focus to encourage social interaction and
childhood development, and the improvements towards completion of the Angus
Glen site. Ms. Pickering thanked Town of Markham staff and Council for their
continued support.
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That
the presentation by Ms. J. Pickering, Chair, Town of Markham Public
Libraries, regarding an update on Markham Public Library operations be
received.
CARRIED
11. FIRE
DEPARTMENT FIRE PREVENTION TRAINING
MANUALS RECOGNITION FOR RICK
WEBBER (11.6) Report 1 2
Mr. D.
McClean, Markham Fire Chief, presented the Committee with an update on the
accomplishments made by Mr. R. Webber, Training Officer, Fire Prevention
Division, Markham Fire and Emergency Services, in his development of eighteen
(18) fire training manuals used to fill statutory requirements as well as to
support training programs in York Region and throughout the Province. The
Committee congratulated Mr. Webber on his outstanding achievement and commended
the many accomplishments he has made throughout his career.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded
by Regional Councillor O’Donnell
That
the presentation by Mr. D. McClean, Markham Fire Chief, recognizing Mr. R.
Webber, Training Officer, Fire Prevention Division, Markham Fire and Emergency
Services, for his work on the fire prevention training manuals be received;
And that Mr. Webber be acknowledged for the outstanding work he has
done to earn positive attention for himself and the Town of Markham.
CARRIED
12. RECREATION,
CULTURE & LIBRARY MASTER
PLAN (6.0, 3.19) Presentation
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
That
the presentation by Mr. S. Taylor regarding a recreation, culture and library
master plan be deferred to the next Community
Services and Environment meeting.
CARRIED
13. FIRE
DEPARTMENT FLEET STANDARDIZATION
AND TRAINING CENTRE UPDATE
(11.6) Report Presentation
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
That
the presentation by Mr. D. McClean, Markham Fire Chief, providing an update on
Fire Department fleet standardization be
deferred to the next Community Services and Environment meeting;
And
that the presentation by Mr. D. McClean, Markham Fire Chief, providing an
update on the training centre be deferred to
the next Community Services and Environment Committee meeting.
CARRIED
14. MINUTES – ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
APRIL 29, 2004; JUNE 24, 2004; SEPTEMBER 2, 2004;
OCTOBER 28, 2004 (16.34) April June Sept. Oct.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes of the Environmental
Issues Committee meetings held on April 29, 2004, June 24, 2004, September 2,
2004 and October 28, 2004 be received.
CARRIED
15. MINUTES
– MARKHAM THEATRE BOARD
AUGUST 30, 2004; SEPTEMBER 27,
2004;
OCTOBER 25, 2004 (6.2) Aug. Sept. Oct.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
the minutes of the Markham Theatre Board meetings held on August 30, 2004,
September 27, 2004 and October 25, 2004 be received
CARRIED
16. PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT UPDATE
FOR 2004 (5.10) Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
That
the report entitled “Pavement Management Update” be deferred to the next
Community Services and Environment meeting.
CARRIED
17. MARKHAM
THEATRE – ADVISORY BOARD
COMPOSITION (6.2) Report
There
was a brief discussion on the composition of the Markham Theatre Advisory Board
and who should be included as a voting member.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “Markham Theatre –
Advisory Board Composition” be referred back to staff for revisions;
And
that the report come back to a 2005 Community Services and Environment Committee
meeting.
CARRIED
18. MARKHAM’S TREE COVER (5.7)
The
Committee acknowledged that much of the information noted in a letter received November 17, 2004, from Mr. John O’Gorman, Thornhill, regarding the current tree
cover in Markham was challenged by staff. Members agreed that it was difficult to
substantiate the correspondence because Mr. O’Gorman had failed to note his
research source(s).
Moved
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That
the letter received November 17, 2004, from Mr. John O’Gorman, Thornhill,
providing an assessment of Markham’s current tree cover be received and referred to staff for review.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Community Services and Environment
Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of
4:10 p.m.