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Minutes

General Committee

January 20, 2014

Meeting Number 3

 

Finance & Administrative Issues                                                Community Services Issues

Chair:              Mayor Frank Scarpitti                                                                            Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

Vice Chair:      Councillor Carolina Moretti                                                                   Vice Chair:      Councillor Howard Shore

 

Environment & Sustainability Issues                                          Building, Parks, & Construction Issues

Chair:              Councillor Valerie Burke                                                                         Chair:              Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Vice Chair:      Regional Councillor Joe Li                                                                      Vice Chair:      Councillor Colin Campbell

 

                                                                                                                       

                Alternate formats are available upon request.

 

 

Attendance

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Regional Councillor Joe Li

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor Howard Shore

Councillor Don Hamilton

Councillor Carolina Moretti

Councillor Colin Campbell

Councillor Alan Ho

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Regrets

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor

Joel Lustig, Treasurer

Paul Ingham, Director of Operations

Dennis Flaherty, Director of Communications & Community

Engagement

Marsha Mariani, Recreation Coordinator

Shane Manson, Senior Manager of Revenue and Taxation

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:12 AM with Councillor Valerie Burke in the Chair; Councillor Howard Shore Chaired Community Services related items.  Mayor Frank Scarpitti assumed the Chair at 9:33 AM

 

Disclosure of Interest

 

None disclosed.

 

 


 

 

1.         SWIM TO SURVIVE (6.0)

            Presentation

 

Marsha Mariani, Recreation Coordinator delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Swim to Survive program.

 

There was discussion regarding the Swim to Survive + (plus) program that includes "swim with clothes on." The Committee requested that staff report back with the number of students that do participate and if there are parents that do not permit their children to participate.

 

There was brief discussion regarding adult Swim to Survive programs.

 

The Committee suggested that the Swim to Survive + (plus) program consider including other life saving skills such as safety tips for cold water.  Staff pointed out that there is a package sent out to the teachers outlining the program and that package will be forwarded to Members of Council for information.

 

Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the presentation provided by Marsha Mariani, Recreation Coordinator, entitled "Swim to Survive" be received.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         REASSESSMENT MARKET UPDATE IMPACT (7.1)

            Presentation   Summary

 

Shane Manson, Senior Manager of Revenue delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the impact of the reassessment market.  Staff pointed out that the Current Value Assessment (CVA) is independent of the City's budget process.

 

The Committee discussed the following with respect to the reassessment market update impact:

·        Assessment increases phased-in over four years, and decreases in value experienced in the first year of the cycle

·        Can property specific tax examples include numerical values in addition to percentages

·        Information currently provided on the municipal tax bill – can additional information be added

·        Review of property tax eligibility and exemption status with respect to schools and places of worship

·        Review and consider current messaging within the brochure that is included with the tax bill


Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the presentation provided by Shane Manson, Senior Manager of Revenue and Taxation, entitled "Reassessment Market Update Impact" be received; and,

 

2)         That the summary, entitled "2014 Reassessment Market Update Impact Summary" be received.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

3.         PORTAL DEMONSTRATION (12.2)

 

No Attachment

 

Dennis Flaherty, Director of Communications and Community Engagement provided a demonstration of the City's Portal and enhancements put in place since the launch of the portal in 2011.

 

The Committee thanked Dennis for the demonstration and congratulated the cross commission team for all their work with respect to the City Portal.

 

The Committee discussed and suggested the following relative to the City's Portal

·        Continue investigating the potential for a sign up form on the home page

·        Ensure interactive forms are up to date

·        Increase the size of the headers

·        "Markham News" section have two rows of buttons

·        Examine if the search engine can be friendly/easier to use

·        Use the banner to highlight all the on-line services

·        Event pictures (staff advised all Corporate photos are in a shared drive that Members of Council and their assistants can access)

 

The Committee requested that staff forward Members of Council the statistics with respect to the Portal site.

 

Moved by Councillor Howard Shore

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

1)         That the demonstration provided by Dennis Flaherty, Director of Communications and Community Relations on The City's Portal be received.

 

CARRIED

 


 

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 14, 2014 GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the January 14, 2014 General Committee be confirmed.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 20, 2013 ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 20, 2013 Animal Care Committee be received for information purposes.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 2013 INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

There was discussion with respect to ensuring that paper copies for standing committee and Council agendas be provided only to Members that request them.  The Committee pointed that deputants should also be encouraged to not bring paper copies.  Staff advised that they do encourage deputants to bring electronic copies of their delegations. There was discussion regarding the importance of providing clear and readable information for all Subcommittee and Advisory agendas.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 15, 2013 Information, Communications and             Technology Sub-Committee be received for information purposes.

 

CARRIED


 

 

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 18, 2013 VICTORIA SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 18, 2013 Victoria Square Community Centre Board be received for information purposes.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

8.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 2013 RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 4, 2013 Race Relations Committee be received for information purposes.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

9.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 7, 2013 SENIORS HALL OF FAME AWARDS COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Councillor Howard Shore advised that the Seniors Hall of Fame Committee is looking for nominations.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the November 7, 2013 Seniors Hall of Fame Awards Committee be received for information purposes.

 

CARRIED


 

 

 

 

10.       MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 17 AND NOVEMBER 21, 2013 MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Oct. 17   Nov. 21

 

Committee congratulated Councillor Colin Campbell for the proposal to hold a lantern walk in the Cornell area.  Councillor Campbell advised that he will provide more details on his proposed event at the February 3, 2014 General Committee meeting.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the October 17 and November 21, 2013 Markham Environmental Advisory Committee received for information purposes.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

11.       MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 16, 2013 GREENPRINT STEERING COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes   Report

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Minutes of the December 16, 2013 Greenprint Steering Committee be received for information purposes; and,

 

2)         That the report titled Markham Organic Home Gardens Pilot Project and the accompanying Pilot Project Report (Appendix A) dated December 16, 2013 be received; and,

 

3)         That the Markham Organic Home Gardens Program be approved for city-wide implementation in 2014 led by the Sustainability Office at gross cost of $37,700. $15,000 of this will be funded from Project # 14064 Community Food Projects; $17,700 will be funded through the City’s Career Edge Program, already included in the 2014 Operating Budget and $5,000 will be funded through corporate sponsorship. The net cost to the City will be $15,000; and,


 

4)         That staff in the Sustainability Office report back on the 2014 Markham Organic Home Gardens Program at the end of 2014; and further,

 

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

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

12.       STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2013 (7.12)

            Report

 

The Committee discussed the following staff awarded contracts:

·        259-Q-13 Supply of Traffic Control Services

·        286-T-13 Daniels Fairty House Stabilization and Preservation - Construction

·        167-R-13 Provision of Personal Fitness Training Services

·        242-R-13 Thornlea Pool, Building Maintenance and Pool Maintenance

·        105-Q-13 Cornell Media Room Hardware, Software and Support

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of December 2013” be received; and,

 

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

 

CARRIED

 

 


 

 

 

13.       HERITAGE ESTATES SUBDIVISION - FIRST MORTGAGE LIMITATION (8.2 & 16.11)

            Report

 

There was brief discussion regarding the proposal to increase the amount of permitted first mortgages for lots in Markham Heritage Estates.

 

The Committee suggested that the mortgage limitation be reviewed every five years.

 

Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

1)         That the report entitled “Heritage Estates Subdivision - First Mortgage Limitation” be received; and,

 

2)         That the standard Agreement of Purchase and Sale for a vacant lot in Markham Heritage Estates Subdivision be revised to permit:

 

a)         An increase in the maximum principal amount of first mortgage in priority to the City’s second mortgage, from $350,000 to $500,000, upon the acquisition of the lot by the purchaser.

 

b)         A further increase in the principal amount of a first mortgage, up to 70% of market value of the lot and its improvements, upon refinancing of the first mortgage during or after renovations; and,

 

3)         That the Heritage Estates Subdivision - First Mortgage Limitation be reviewed             every five years; and further,

 

4)         That Staff be authorized and directed to take the actions set out in this report.

 

CARRIED

 

 


 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

14.       GERMAN MILLS MEADOW AND NATURAL HABITAT LIAISON COMMITTEE (16.24)

 

Councillor Howard Shore advised the Committee that he has received a request to amend the Terms of Reference for the German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat Liaison Committee to include a representative from the German Mills Resident Association.

 

Moved by Councillor Howard Shore

Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

 

1)         That the Terms of Reference for the German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat Liaison            Committee be amended to include a representative from the German Mills Resident     Association; and,

 

2)         That the German Mills Resident Association be advised of this amendment; and,

 

3)         That the German Mills Resident Association advise the City of Markham who their        representative will be; and further,

 

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

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

15.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS

 

General Committee consented to add two (2) items to the in-camera agenda.

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

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 (11:56 AM):

 

 

(1)        GENERAL COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES - JANUARY 14, 2014 (16.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (b) (b) (e) (b)]

 


 

(2)        A PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (WARD 5) (7.0 & 8.6)

            [Section 239 (2) (c)]

 

 

(3)        PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES (BOARD/COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS) (16.24)

            [Section 239 (2) (b)]

 

(4)        LABOUR RELATIONS OR EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING) (11.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (d)]

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

That the General Committee rise from the in-camera session at 1:13 PM

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM

 

CARRIED

 

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