General Committee Minutes

Meeting Number: 5

Monday, March 04, 2019 at 9:30 A.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Council Chamber

Roll Call

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
• Regional Councillor Jack Heath
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Amanda Collucci
• Councillor Khalid Usman
• Councillor Isa Lee

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services
• Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner Development Services
• Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor and Acting Director of Human Resources
• Joel Lustig, Treasurer
• Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
• Brian Lee, Director, Engineering
• Josh Machesney, Election & Committee Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

​The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:34 AM with Regional Councillor Jack Heath in the Chair.

 

General Committee recessed at 11:05 AM and reconvened at 11:15 AM.

​

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 19, 2019 GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Andrew Keyes

  1. That the minutes of the February 19, 2019 General Committee meeting be confirmed.

  Carried

4.

DEPUTATIONS

5.

PRESENTATIONS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

5.1

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR A RESIDENTIAL HOSPICE IN MARKHAM (12.2.6)

Mr. Andy Langer, Member of the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham, was in attendance to deliver a PowerPoint presentation regarding the urgent need for a residential hospice in Markham.

Mr. Langer asked that City Staff investigate funding opportunities for a hospice in Markham.

Gail Leet, Member of the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham, spoke in support of having a residential hospice in Markham.

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that plans for a residential hospice are not currently on Staff's work plan but would prioritize it if it was Council's desire to move forward with this initiative.

Members of General Committee discussed the following:

• Capital costs and operational costs associated with opening and running a residential hospice in Markham;
• If other levels of government are likely to help fund a residential hospice in Markham;
• Possibility of Staff and Members of Council meeting with other relevant parties, including the Region of York, the new Provincial Health Care body, Evergreen, and other local hospice organizations to discuss what steps would need to be taken to facilitate this project.

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Khalid Usman
  1. That the presentation by Mr. Andy Langer, Member of the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham entitled “There is an Urgent Need for a Residential Hospice in Markham” be received; and,

  2. That Regional Councillor Jack Heath facilitate a meeting with various stakeholders; and,

  3. That the City of Markham express its support for a residential hospice in Markham; and further,

  4. That the City request the Provincial Government assist in funding a residential hospice in Markham based on the Province's funding formula.

  Carried

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Carried

6.1

YORK REGION COMMUNICATION (13.4)

• 1. That the following communications dated February 1, 2019 from York Region be received for information purposes:
  1. Water and Wastewater Capital Infrastructure Status Update
  2. Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Policy Review of Atypical Request
  3. Inclusion Charter for City of Markham

   

7.

PETITIONS

​There were no petitions.

8.

CONSENT REPORTS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

8.1

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 5, 2019, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2019 BUDGET COMMITTEE (16.0)

David Jordan, President, Thornhill Conservation District Ratepayers Association, was in attendance to speak in objection to the budget item relating to the construction of the John Street Multi-use Pathway project in Thornhill. (see New Business)

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. ​That the minutes of the February 5, 2019, February 8, 2019 and February 13, 2019 Budget Committee meeting be received for information purposes.​
  Carried

8.2

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 8, 2019 SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. ​That the minutes of the January 8, 2019 Seniors Advisory Committee meeting be received for information purposes.​
  Carried

8.3

MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 17, 2018 MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. ​That the minutes of the December 17, 2018 Markham Public Library Board meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.4

2018 SUMMARY OF REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES FOR COUNCILLORS AND APPOINTEES TO BOARDS (7.0)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the report titled “2018 Summary of Remuneration & Expenses for Councillors and Appointees to Boards” be received; and
  2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.

CONSENT REPORTS - COMMUNITY SERVICE ISSUES

9.1

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS FOR MUNICIPAL HIGHWAYS (5.0)

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the staff report entitled, Operations and Maintenance Agreements for municipal highways, be received; and,
  2. That the Director of Operations be authorized to execute agreements between the City and other government entities and agencies relating to the operation and maintenance of municipal highways in the City of Markham, provided that the form and content of such agreements are satisfactory to the Commissioner of the Community and Fire Services and the City Solicitor; and further,
  3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.2

ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT (JANUARY – DECEMBER 2018) (5.3)

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the report titled “Annual Water Quality Report (January-December 2018)” as required by Schedule 22 of Ontario Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, enclosed herein be received; and,
  2. That the Annual 2018 Regulatory Water Quality Report (Attachment “A”), containing information for the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on water supply and quality as required by Section 11 of Ontario Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, be received; and,
  3. That Council acknowledge that staff posted the Annual 2018 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report on the City’s website and that it has been made available electronically and in hard copy version since February 28, 2019 as per regulations; and further,
  4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

9.3

THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS – MARKHAM DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM – INSPECTION REPORT, JANUARY 09, 2019 (5.3)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the report entitled “The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks – Markham Distribution System –Inspection Report, January 09, 2019” be received; and,
  2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

   

  Carried

10.

PRESENTATIONS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

10.1

AUDITOR GENERAL REVIEW (7.0)

Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services, introduced the City's Auditor General.

Geoff Rodrigues, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ORMP, Auditor General, City of Markham, and Veronica Bila, CPA, CA, CIA, Partner, MNP LLP were in attendance to deliver a PowerPoint presentation outlining the role and mandate of the City's Auditor General.

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Councillor Keith Irish
  1. That the presentation provided by Geoff Rodrigues, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ORMP, MNP LLP, Auditor General, City of Markham and Veronica Bila, CPA, CA, CIA, Auditor General Partner/Project Manager, entitled “Auditor General Services” be received.
  Carried

10.2

VENDOR MANAGEMENT AUDIT- FOLLOW UP (7.0)

Geoff Rodrigues, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ORMP, Auditor General, City of Markham, and Veronica Bila, CPA, CA, CIA, Partner, MNP LLP were in attendance to deliver a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Vendor Management Audit Follow-up.

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the presentation provided by Veronica Bila, CPA, CA, CIA, Auditor General Partner/Project Manager entitled “Vendor Management Audit-Follow Up” be received; and,
  2. That the report prepared by Geoff Rodrigues, CPA, CA, CIA, CRMA, ORMP, MNP LLP, Auditor General, City of Markham, entitled “Vendor Management Audit-Follow Up” be received; and further,
  3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the recommendations.
  Carried

11.

REGULAR REPORTS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

11.1

DIGITAL PAYMENT INITIATIVE (7.0)

Joel Lustig, Treasurer, introduced the item and advised Staff is returning to General Committee with revised recommendations that reflect the discussion from the February 19, 2019 General Committee meeting.

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the memo entitled Digital Payment Initiative dated February 21^th, 2019 be received; and,
  2. That the correspondence from Gail Leet, Chair, Seniors Advisory Committee, on behalf of the Seniors Advisory Committee be received; and,
  3. That Council approve discontinuing the acceptance of cash as a form of payment for property taxes effective January 1^st, 2020; and,
  4. That Staff report back in 2020 with the results and feedback of the initiative, along with possible future payment modification opportunities for Council consideration; and further,
  5. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

12.

MOTIONS

​There were no motions.

 

​

13.

NOTICES OF MOTION

​​There were no notices of motions.

 

​

14.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

14.1

2019 CAPITAL BUDGET - JOHN STREET MULTI-USE PATHWAY PROJECT (7.0)

David Jordan, President, Thornhill Conservation District Ratepayers Association, was in attendance to speak in opposition to the budget item relating to the construction of the John Street Multi-use Pathway project in Thornhill.

Councillor Keith Irish advised that many residents in Ward 1 are not in favour of the John Street Multi-use Pathway project.

General Committee instructed Staff to prepare a presentation regarding the project and return to the March 18, 2019 Development Services Committee meeting for consideration.

• Amendment:
  Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton

  1. That Staff be directed to return to the March 18, 2019 Development Services Committee meeting with a presentation regarding the John Street Multi-use Pathway project.

  Carried
• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That Staff be directed to return to the March 18, 2019 Development Services Committee meeting with a presentation regarding the John Street Multi-use Pathway project.
  Carried

15.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.​​

16.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

General Committee consented to placing the following items on the March 19, 2019 Council agenda for consideration:

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton

  That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into a confidential session to discuss the following matters:

  Carried

16.1

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

16.1.1

GENERAL COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES - FEBRUARY 4, 2019 (16.0) [Section 239 (2) (c)]

16.1.2

BUDGET COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES - JANUARY 29, 2019 (16.0) [Section 239 (2) (c)]

16.2

COMMUNITY SERVICES ISSUES

16.2.1

PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES (6.3) [Section 239 (2) (b)]

17.

ADJOURNMENT

General Committee adjourned at 1:08 PM.

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

  1. That the General Committee meeting be adjourned.

  Carried