GENERAL COMMITTEE
April 12, 2010
Meeting
No. 10
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Reg.
Councillor J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Environment & Sustainability Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Councillor
E. Shapero
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke
Alternate formats are available upon request.
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
B. Librecz,
Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
C. Biss, C.E.O. Markham
Public Library
M. Creighton,
Director of Recreation
N. Daley, Manager,
Human Resources
P. Ingham, General
Manager of Operations
J. Lustig, Treasurer
J. Ryerson, Director of Culture
C. Service, Manager,
Planning & Policy Development
S. Tam, Manager of Business
& Planning
M. Visser, Manager,
Strategy, Innovation & Investments
D.
Walker, Director, Library Strategy & Innovation
M. West, Manager of
Strategic Initiatives
L. Miller, Senior
Environmental Planner
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor
A. Chiu in the Chair for Community Services related items. Regional Councillor
J. Virgilio chaired the Finance and Administrative related items.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. INTEGRATED LEISURE MASTER PLAN (3.0)
Judi MacIntyre, representing Markham Arts
Council reviewed joint ventures with the Town of Markham such as the Small
Business Centre and the Mayor’s Art Showcase. Ms. MacIntyre emphasised the need
for an Arts and Cultural Centre in Markham.
Brian Gordon, a Board
member of the Markham Sport Council congratulated Markham Council and staff on
this initiative. Mr. Gordon advised that the Sport Council was involved in the
consultation process and had worked with staff, and he was pleased to see the
Vision for Sport Development added as a Goal. Mr. Gordon had a concern for the
wording of Item # 199, with respect to infrastructure and capacity keeping pace
with growth, as he considers that there is an existing significant deficit that
needs to be addressed, not just keep pace.
Cheryl Giblon, Chair
of the Markham Public Library Board stated that their organization has been involved
in the development of the Plan, and they support the Public Library
recommendations. The Board has noted that increased library services are needed
in areas of intensification, and in south Markham at the Milliken branch.
Marco Filice,
representing Liberty Development spoke in support of the initiative,
specifically the proposal to reduce the parkland dedication requirement from 3
acres per 1,000 residents to 2.2 acres per 1,000. Staff clarified that the Plan
includes a recommendation to review and adjust the Official Plan regarding parkland
dedication targets with respect to the impacts on Places to Grow and
intensification principles. Adopting parkland classifications may be an option.
The Committee suggested that intensification developments need to provide
innovative solutions for leisure activities that eliminate the need to travel
to facilities. Mr. Filice advised that tennis or other publicly-accessible
facilities on the roof of a building might be feasible.
Stephen Yu, resident
and concerned citizen, advised that he first became aware of the Integrated
Leisure Master Plan (ILMP) this past summer and he discussed the concerns of
the Canadian Chinese Table Tennis Association (CCTTA). Mr. Yu had attended meetings and presentations and
expressed a concern that there was a lack of focus by the Town. As a guideline,
the ILMP talks about new facilities and services, but there are no specifics
and non-municipally funded programs such as CCTTA, chess, and dancing groups
are not part of the defined delivery platform. Mr. Yu stated that residents
want transparency and an opportunity to provide input.
Commissioner
Librecz responded, outlining the numerous opportunities for community
engagement and the open practices applied. Council will be making decisions in
an open process, and staff will be presenting regular report cards on the
progress of the Plan, which will also be posted on the website and available to
the public. With respect to collaborations, at least nine of the recommendations
propose working in partnership with community and sports groups.
Staff also
discussed the many public meetings and distribution of workload among staff
resulting in more knowledgeable staff attended appropriate meetings.
Yanbo Guo, a
member of the Mayor’s Youth Task Force spoke in support of the Plan, stating
that it is extremely ambitious and contains many good ideas, but he suggested
that the term ‘youth’ is vague. He anticipates that the Pan Am Games may create
the same excitement and inspiration as the Olympics. Mr. Guo suggested that travelling
and the use of transit for youth is not always easy, and that recreation
centres need to be close and accessible, spread throughout the Town. He also
recommended that the 10-year plan needs to be flexible to adjust to changing
demographics.
The Committee expressed appreciation for the comments made by the
speakers.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That the deputations by Ms. Judi
MacIntyre, Brian Gordon, Cheryl Giblon, Marco
Filice, Stephen Yu, and Yanbo Guo regarding the Integrated Leisure Plan be received.
CARRIED
2. APPROVAL OF MARKHAM’S
INTEGRATED LEISURE MASTER PLAN
(3.0)
Report 1 Presentation
Catherine
Biss, C.E.O. Markham Public
Library and Project Manager for the Integrated Leisure Master Plan (ILMP), acknowledged staff,
the steering committee members, and consultants, for their work on this project.
Staff discussed the scope of the project, including parks, recreation, library
and culture, and the services, programs, facilities, parks and open space, and
policies involved. The Plan is a flexible roadmap for the next 10 years, and is
a quality of life “maker” for Markham. Staff reviewed the consultation process
and the focus, trends and priorities, as well as the nine Goals and key themes.
The Mission Statement is: “Markham’s Parks, recreation, cultural and library
services provide inclusive, accessible, safe, enjoyable, and sustainable
leisure, learning, sport, and cultural opportunities essential to vibrant
places”.
Craig Binning of Hemson Consulting addressed the financial implications
and noted a correction to the report with respect to the statement “This period of borrowing is expected to occur from 2011-2023 and is
estimated to peak at approximately $53M in 2014.” The correct figure is 53M,
not 23M as stated in the report.
Mr. Binning discussed
the Development Charge (DC) analysis
and growth forecast, and advised that the Plan incorporates the increased population projections to 2031, even
though the DC soft services study was adopted in 2009 using previous
projections. Over the long term, a balanced position will be achieved by 2031,
fully funded by the DC’s. There is an assumption that the Parks capital program
will be developed in tandem with growth and park land dedications. With respect
to Town-wide hard services, 65% of the capital program will be completed by
2014, but variations in the timing of population growth and capital project
completion will impact the hard reserve balances. Flexibility is available for
adjustments along the way, and opportunities for upper-tier government grants,
partnerships, municipal reserves, and phasing will be utilized.
The Committee made several comments and amendments to the recommendations
in the report. It was understood that the document is a living document that is
flexible. With respect to the pricing strategy (recommendation # 154) staff
confirmed that financial consideration would be given to all groups not just
seniors, and that technology programs may assist in strategizing prices across
the board by incorporating all the variables.
The Committee congratulated Ms. Librecz, Ms. Biss, all the staff
involved, and the consultants on their success in this project.
The Committee directed that this matter be brought forward to Council on
April 13, 2010.
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That
the report entitled “Approval of Markham’s Integrated Leisure Master Plan” be
received; and,
2) That
Council approve the Integrated Leisure Master Plan (ILMP) as attached and
amended as follows:
a)
Recommendation # 19 to be amended to read:
“Enhance
partnerships with school boards, community agencies, places of worship, sport
groups, private recreation facilities, and/or ethnic-based clubs that
strengthen services and accessibility and enhance opportunities for the
residents of Markham.”;
b)
Add a new recommendation to Indoor Aquatic Centres section in Goal 1 of
the Plan:
“Build, in partnership with
the 2015 Pan Am Games, a 50m pool in the Town of Markham.”;
c)
Recommendation # 76 to be amended by adding the word "locally"
to read: "...post-secondary
institutions locally and from across the globe.";
d)
Recommendation # 167 to be amended
to read:
"..reflects
the types of park and green space assets that have been built historically and are anticipated to be built as Markham
urbanizes. Classification categories should
be driven by use, purpose, setting and size. This new system should
be used for classifying all
parks, green space, and open spaces located in Markham.."; and
3) That
Council direct the Commissioner of Community & Fire Services to
develop implementation plans for the recommendations and report progress
annually to Council while also incorporating the ILMP into annual business
planning and capital and operating budget processes; and further,
4) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
**Note: At the
April 13, 2010 Council meeting the following amendments were made:
-
That Council recognizing the Project Team Members for their outstanding
contribution to the Markham's
Integrated Leisure Master Plan.
- Council consented to add the
following to the end of Section b) of Resolution No. 2:
"…and
pursue further recreation facility opportunities in the Town of Markham as a
result of the Games."
3. APPOINTMENTS TO
ADVISORY
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (16.24)
Achievement
and Civic Recognition Awards Committee
1) That
the following persons be appointed to the Achievement and Civic Recognition
Awards Committee (ACRA) for the term ending November 30, 2010 (see note 2):
Ms. Sherry Hugh
Mr. Rommel Domingo
Ms. Zainab Hussaen
Mr. Harvey Rogers
Mrs. Tammy Mok
Mrs. Joan Stockwell
2) That the above
appointments be brought forward to Council on April 13, 2010.
CARRIED
4. ROUGE
PARK GOVERNANCE REVIEW (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. Alan Wells,
Chair, Rouge Park Alliance, gave a brief presentation on the significance of this
major inter-regional park. Mr. Wells outlined the partnership support, and
noted the cooperation between the federal, provincial and local governments.
Rouge Park has been successful but the existing governance has become
inadequate, and needs ‘natural person power’ authority to realize the
opportunities, instead of just operating in an advisory capacity. Consultants
advise that the operating budget is under-funded by $3 million annually, and an
investment of $43M over 10 years is required. Mr. Wells suggested that
designation of the Park as Canada’s first “near urban” National Park is an
opportunity and a challenge, and would allow evolution of the governance
structure to become empowered and set a vision.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That
the presentation by Mr. Alan Wells, Chair, Rouge Park Alliance, regarding the
Rouge Park Governance Review, be received.
CARRIED
5. GOVERNANCE, ORGANIZATION, AND FINANCE
REVIEW OF THE ROUGE PARK ALLIANCE (10.0)
Presentation
Mr. John Livey, Town
of Markham CAO, gave a brief presentation, stating that the Town has endorsed
the findings of the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force, and is now being
requested to support the proposal for a National Park. The presentation
included a review of the ownership in Rouge Park, ongoing issues, and the
details of a Founding Deal. In the event a Founding Deal is not in place by
December 30, 2010, the Government of Ontario will be asked to support
reconstituting the Rouge Park Alliance to address the current governance
weakness. Mr. Livey advised that a National Park would be funded by Parks
Canada, and a funding commitment would not be required from the Town.
The Committee
considered the possibility of keeping Milne Park as a Town property, and
suggested reactivating the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force for this issue.
It was noted that the adopted goals and vision are consistent yet flexible going
forward, particularly for ecological issues.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That
the presentation by Mr. John Livey, Chief Administrative Officer, regarding the
Rouge Park Governance Review, be received.
CARRIED
6. GOVERNANCE,
ORGANIZATION AND
FINANCE REVIEW OF THE
ROUGE PARK ALLIANCE (10.0)
Report Maps 1
The Committee directed that this matter be brought forward to Council on
April 13, 2010.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1)
That the staff report entitled
Governance, Organization and Finance Review of the Rouge Park Alliance dated
April 13, 2010 be received; and,
2)
That Council support in
principle the recommendations of the Governance, Organization and Finance
Review for the future management of the Rouge Park as a National Park, subject to satisfactory agreement upon a new
Founding Deal conditions as set out in this report; and,
3)
That staff continue to monitor
and participate in future discussions regarding a new Founding Deal or any
alternative interim and long term Rouge Park arrangements and that staff report
back to Committee/Council on progress of the Founding Deal negotiations; and,
4)
That applicable Rouge Park
Implementation Task Force (RPITF) recommendations be integral to all discussion of a new Founding
Deal; and,
5)
That this staff report be
forwarded to the Rouge Park Alliance; and further,
6)
That Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
**Note: At the
April 13, 2010 Council meeting, Council consented to recognize Deputy Mayor
Heath, Alan Wells and Staff for their efforts regarding Governance,
Organization and Finance Review of the Rouge Park Alliance.
7. YORK
REGION RAPID TRANSIT CORPORATION (YRRTC) (5.10)
Regional Councillor Jones gave a brief summary of his recent consultation
with Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill in Chicago, along
with Councillor Kanapathi, regarding an alternate realignment of the proposed rapid transit system for
Highway 7 / 407 and Yonge St.
Regional Councillor Jones presented renderings and a draft motion that he
will provide as a Notice of Motion at Council on April 13, 2010.
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee
meeting adjourned at 12:06 PM.