General Committee Minutes

Meeting Number: 3

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 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, Corporate Services
• Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
• Arvin Prasad, Commissioner Development Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Joel Lustig, Treasurer
• Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
• Dave Decker, Fire Chief
• Alex Moore, Manager of Purchasing & Accounts Payable
• Sandra Skelcher, Senior Manager, Financial Planning ＆ Reporting
• Hristina Giantsopoulos, Elections & Council/Committee Coordinator
• Alice Lam, Senior Manager, Roads, Survey ＆ Utility
• Robert Marinzel, Supervisor, Survey, Utility ＆ Right-Of-Way
• Matthew Keay, Acting Deputy Fire Chief
• Alex Freeman, Public Education Officer
• Jackie Dyson, Public Education Officer
• Adam Grant, Deputy Fire Chief
• Matthew Vetere, Manager Budgeting
• Kishor Soneji, Senior Accountant
• Kevin Ross, Manager, Development Finance ＆ Payroll
• Michael Blackburn, Senior Communication Advisor
• Alison Yu, Senior Financial Analyst

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The General Committee Meeting convened at the hour of 9:37 AM with Regional Councillor Jack Heath in the Chair.  The Committee recessed at 11:37 AM to attend the Black History Month Exhibition in The Great Hall and reconvened after lunch at 1:34 PM.

Councillor Amanda Collucci did not return to General Committee after the break.

• Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the General Committee recess for the Black History Month Exhibition in The Great Hall at 11:37 AM; and, 
  2. That the General Committee break for lunch after the exhibition and reconvene at 1:30 PM.
  Carried

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

None disclosed.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 29, 2019 SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the minutes of the November 29, 2019 Special General Committee meeting be confirmed.
  Carried

3.2

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 3, 2020 GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  1. That the minutes of the February 3, 2020 General Committee meeting be confirmed.
  Carried

4.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5.

COMMUNICATIONS

5.1

YORK REGION COMMUNICATIONS (13.4)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the following communications dated January 30, 2020 from York Region be received for information purposes:
     1. Greater Toronto Area West Transportation Corridor Update
     2. Automated Speed Enforcement Update  
  Carried

6.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions.

7.

PRESENTATIONS - COMMUNITY SERVICES ISSUES

7.1

MARKHAM FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES CADET PROGRAM (12.2.6)

Mayor Frank Scarpitti congratulated and introduced three cadets that completed the Markham Fire and Emergency Services Fire CADET Program at Markham District High School and together with Fire Chief Dave Decker presented each of them with a certificate from the City:

• Joshua Fraser
• Daniel Abbate
• Vithushan Jeyaratnam

The Mayor thanked Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services, Dave Decker, Fire Chief, and Adam Grant, Deputy Fire Chief for their contributions to this program.  He recognized the importance of promoting inclusivity in the community and how this program is valuable in teaching skills that can be applied to any career.  

Dave Decker, Fire Chief provided an overview of the program and noted the relevance of this public education and engagement  opportunity.  He acknowledged the following staff members for their work in this initiative:

• Adam Grant, Deputy Fire Chief;
• Matthew Keay, Acting Deputy Fire Chief;
• Alex Freeman, Public Education Officer; and
• Jackie Dyson, Public Education Officer.

8.

PRESENTATIONS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

8.1

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AWARDS (12.2.6) 

Sandra Skelcher, Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Reporting addressed the Committee to introduce the Government Finance Officers Association Awards and announced that the City of Markham received the following two prestigious awards:  

1. Distinguished Budget Presentation Award; and,
2. Canadian Award for Financial Reporting.

Ms. Skelcher thanked Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services, and Joel Lustig, Treasurer for their leadership and the following staff members for their hard work contributing to this achievement: the Financial Planning team, Matthew Vetere, Manager Budgeting, Alison Yu, Senior Financial Analyst, the Financial Reporting team, Kishor Soneji, Senior Accountant, and Michael Blackburn, Senior Communication Advisor.

The Committee congratulated the staff for their commitment and contributions to this significant achievement.  

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
  1. That the report dated February 18, 2020 titled “Government Finance Officers Association Awards” be received; and,

  2. That the formal presentation of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for the annual financial report for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) be received.
  Carried

9.

CONSENT REPORTS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

9.1

MINUTES OF THE JULY 8, 2019, SEPTEMBER 30, 2019, OCTOBER 28, 2019 AND JANUARY 20, 2020 BOX GROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0) 

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the minutes of the July 8, 2019, September 30, 2019, October 28, 2019 and January 20, 2020 Box Grove Community Centre Board meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.2

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 9, 2019 CANADA DAY CELEBRATION ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the minutes of the October 9, 2019 Canada Day Celebration Organizing Committee meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.3

MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 21, 2019 GERMAN MILLS COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the minutes of the November 21, 2019 German Mills Community Centre Board meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.4

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 28, 2019, JUNE 27, 2019 AND OCTOBER 24, 2019 HEINTZMAN HOUSE BOARD (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the minutes of the February 28, 2019, June 27, 2019 and October 24, 2019 Heintzman House Board meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.5

MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 21, 2019 MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the minutes of the November 21, 2019 Markham Environmental Advisory Committee meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.6

MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 AND DECEMBER 5, 2019 VICTORIA SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the minutes of the September 26, 2019 and December 5, 2019 Victoria Square Community Centre Board meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.7

STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2020 (7.12)

There was discussion on item number three, 254-T-18 Replacement of Electronic Signage System at Selected Fire Stations - Contract Extension.  Brenda Librecz, Commissioner Community and Fire Services addressed the Committee to provide information relating to the final phase of implementing an efficient messaging system that can deliver broad public communication to all of the fire stations.  

The Committee discussed item number four, 216-T-19 Block Pruning Program - Year 1 of 3. Commissioner Librecz, addressed the Committee to advise that this program is addressing the pruning backlog in years 1 through 3 and will report back with regular progress updates. This program will become a best practice in years 4, 5, 6 and 7 as it is regularized and trees are pruned every 7 years. Ms. Librecz added that areas with mature trees or areas where there is an urgent situation that requires attention will be dealt with first.

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  1. That the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of January 2020” be received; and,

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

9.8

2019 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the reports dated February 18, 2020 entitled “2019 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

9.9

TRANSFER OF UNCLAIMED REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSITS (7.0)

There was discussion relative to unclaimed security deposits and inspections.    

Kevin Ross, Development Finance and Payroll, addressed the Committee to provide information relative to the current and potential changes to the security deposit process and the requirements to have a security deposit returned.     

• Moved by Councillor Reid McAlpine
  Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the report entitled, “Transfer of Unclaimed Refundable Security Deposits” be received; and,

  2. That the Treasurer be authorized to transfer unclaimed security deposits, up to the amount of $773,000.00, representing deposits placed prior to December 31, 2014 for undertakings, to the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve; and,

  3. That the cost incurred to place the Public Notice, exclusive of HST, be offset against the refundable security deposits to be transferred to the City’s reserve; and,

  4. That the Treasurer be authorized to transfer future unclaimed security deposits to the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve; and,

  5. That the Treasurer be authorized to release any security deposits, from the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve in the event of a future, eligible, refund claim; and further,

  6. 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

ROADSIDE DITCH ALTERATION POLICY (5.0)

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner Community Services and Fire addressed the Committee and introduced Operations staff Alice Lam, Senior Manager, Roads, Survey and Utility and Robert Marinzel, Supervisor, Survey, Utility and Right of Way who delivered a presentation entitled, Roadside Ditch Alteration Policy.

The Committee discussed the following relative to the presentation and proposed policy:

• What roadside ditches are;
• Where roadside ditches are located;
• The need for this policy to apply consistency in enforcement and approval;
• Storm water management;
• Ponding issues resulting from ditch infills
• Specific site grading constraints determining approval requirements;
• Consideration of other options;
• Practice to follow for previous ditch infills between neighbours;
• How to address resident concerns;
• Current reactive approach and inspection level;
• Recourse for residents that do not agree with the policy;
• Aesthetic appeal of the proposed solution and resident expectations;
• Stagnant water and West Nile Virus concerns;
• Increased attention to be given to rural areas;
• Rural properties on regional roads;
• Opportunity to work with York Region for affected regional roads;
• Bringing City services to urbanize areas that do not have municipal services for example, Cachet Estates;
• Application of the policy to backyard grading; and,
• Impacts on driveway alterations and culverts.

Commissioner Librecz addressed the Committee and noted that this recommendation provides for a  more cost effective solution and an effective manner to store and manage storm water than undertaking a major investment to create a new storm water management system and road infrastructure.  Staff suggested that this recommendation be implemented to establish a consistent method to address roadside ditches and that it will better protect the City's assets and neighbouring properties.  Staff also noted that a roadside ditch location map will be provided to the Committee.

• Moved by Councillor Khalid Usman
  Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
  1. That the report entitled “Roadside Ditch Alteration Policy”, dated February 18, 2020, be received; and,
  2. That the presentation entitled “Roadside Ditch Alteration Policy”, dated February 18, 2020, be received; and,
  3. That Council adopt the Roadside Ditch Alteration Policy, as presented in “Attachment “A”; and,
  4. That Council approve amendments to the Road Occupancy By-law 2018-109 as deemed necessary by the City Solicitor and the Commissioner of Fire and Community Service to implement the Roadside Ditch Alteration Policy; and,
  5. That the ditch restoration program be implemented starting in year 2021; and further,
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

11.

MOTIONS

11.1

CREATING A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY / RAIL INTEGRATED COMMUNITIES (RICs) (5.0)

 

Regional Councillor Jim Jones addressed the Committee to introduce this motion from the February 11, 2020 Special Development Services Meeting and deliver a presentation entitled, Creating a Competitive and Affordable Economy, Harnessing Technology With The Build Form and Infrastructure.   

The Committee discussed the following considerations relative to the presentation that suggested electric train service, altering the size of GO Transit train platforms, increasing the frequency of GO Transit trains, and creating additional stops along the Stouffville Go Transit line:

• Feasibility of elevated tracks along Main Street Markham;
• Current utilization of trains and tracks;
• Consideration of express trains;
• Clarification on where certain responsibilities lie with respect to increasing ridership and intensification planning;
• Public Private Partnership collaboration to undertake the initiative; 
• Inclusion of the Steeles Avenue and Ninth Line area in this plan; and,
• Consideration for community consultations.

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

  Whereas City of Markham planning strives to create complete, mixed-use, high-density, Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) at its rail stations as part of its development objectives to create a competitive and balanced economy, high quality of life, walkable communities, reduced commuter times, reduced gridlock, and reduced carbon footprint; and,

  Whereas Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) are key to changing development patterns by creating mixed-us high-rise communities at GO Transit, subway and 407 Transitway stations; and,

  Whereas Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) present the opportunity to incorporate 20 per cent affordable housing into these areas by re-purposing the 407 hydro corridor transmission lands and GO Transit station parking lots; and,

  Whereas Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) allow the development of autonomous vehicle First Mile/Last Mile strategy at transit stations; and,

  Whereas the Province of Ontario has indicated that future GO Transit, subway, and 407 Transitway development will be based on re-purposing the lands to their highest and best use in partnership with the private sector development industry, investors, and pension funds; and,

  Whereas Vancouver's Canada Line currently has 150,000 boardings per day with two-car driverless electric trainsets, 40-50m station platforms, and a frequency of 18 trains per hour; and,

  Whereas the Richmond Hill GO line has 10,500 boardings per day with 10 car double-decker trainsets; and,

  Whereas the Stouffville and Barrie GO lines have 18,000 boardings per day with 12-car double-decker trainsets with 300m station platforms; and further,

  Whereas the GO rail transit network is an underperforming government asset, as almost all of the GO stations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are predominantly parking lots filled with cars that significantly contributed to the 11 billion dollars of lost economic productivity by gridlock, and the GO Transit network does not have enough stations surrounded by office, retail, and residential development nor enough frequency of rail transit service, and each GO Transit corridor should be planned to achieve ridership of 200,000 boardings per day for the Stouffville, Richmond Hill, and Barrie lines;

  Therefore, be it resolved:

  1. That current and future stations in the three GO rail transit corridors in York Region be strategically planned as complete Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) (i.e., as scalable, attractive rail integrated communities throughout York Region that could include district energy, central garbage collection systems, utility corridors, Internet of Things, and urban vertical farming which could create communities that reduce the cost of living by 20-30 per cent); and,
  2. That the Government of Ontario and Metrolinx be requested to support the re-purposing of the GO Transit lines throughout York Region, transitioning them to more subway-style services with shorter electric trainsets, shorter station platforms, more rail stations with a frequency of 3-5 minutes service in peak times and 6-12 minute service in non-peak times; and,
  3. That Metrolinx be requested to complete upgrades to the GO rail network, allowing all Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) to have similar functionality, scalability, and be spatially planned; and,
  4. That all station areas included in the attached rail transit station map be included in York Region's Municipal Comprehensive Review; and,
  5. That financing for these stations be from development charges, up-zoning, re-purposing land, condo transit fee uplift, investors, pension fund investments, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF); and,
  6. That the Province of Ontario be requested to support the development of scalable, Rail Integrated Communities (RICs) throughout York Region; and,
  7. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the councils of the City of Richmond Hill and City of Vaughan for their endorsement and partnership in achieving these objectives; and further,
  8. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to:
     1. the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario;
     2. the Honourable Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health;
     3. the Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance;
     4. the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade;
     5. the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education;
     6. the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation & Francophone Affairs;
     7. the Honourable Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks;
     8. the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs;
     9. the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services;
     10. the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing;
     11. the Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure Ontario;
     12. all Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament in the Regional Municipality of York; and,
     13. the Council of the Regional Municipality of York.
  Carried

12.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

13.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

There was no new or other business. 

14.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

15.

CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li

  That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into a confidential session at 1:44 PM to discuss the following matters:

  Carried

15.1

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

15.1.1

GENERAL COMMITTEE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES - JANUARY 20, 2020 (16.0) [Section 239 (2) (a) (b) (c) (e) (f)]

General Committee confirmed the January 20, 2020 confidential minutes.

15.1.2

PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES (COLLECTIVE BARGAINING) (11.0) [Section 239 (2) (b)]

Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

That the General Committee Confidential Session adjourn at 2:35 PM.  

16.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee

  That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 2:36 PM.

  Carried