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                                                                                                                           M I N U T E S

 

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

2003-02-03 - Council Chamber

Meeting No. 4

 

Attendance

 

Chair:                  K. Usman

Vice-Chair,

    Budget            Reg. Councillor F. Scarpitti

Vice-Chair, IT     Councillor S. Daurio

Members:            Councillor J. Virgilio (1:15pm)

                           Councillor J. Heath

Others:                Reg. Councillor T. Wong

                           Reg. Councillor B. O'Donnell

                           Councillor E. Shapero

                           Councillor D. Horchik

                           Councillor G. McKelvey

                           Mayor D. Cousens

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Mascarin, Acting Town Solicitor

J. Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire

            Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development

M. F. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy,

            Innovation & Partnerships

J. Allen, Chief Information Officer

P. Loukes, Director, Operations & Asset

            Management

S. Chait, Director, Economic Development

S. Birrell, Town Clerk

B. Cribbett, Treasurer

S. Gaum-Kuchar, Director/Curator, Varley

            Art Gallery

P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation

T. Northcott, Business Development Consultant

D. Ciastko, Economic Development Officer

R. Glandfield, Economic Development Staff

S. Tam, Small Business Consultant

J. Lustig, Manager, Financial Planning

F. Wong, Senior Financial Analyst

R. Raman, Financial Analyst

K. Boniface, Parks Planner

B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Finance & Administrative Committee convened at the hour of 1:10 p.m. with Councillor K. Usman in the Chair.  At 2:35 p.m. Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti assumed the Chair to formally present the 2003 Budget.

 

 

            DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None declared.

 

 

 

 

1.         14 EASTPINE DRIVE, MARKHAM - ONTARIO MUNICIPAL
            BOARD - VARIANCE APPEAL - COMMITTEE OF
            ADJUSTMENT FILE NO. A/209/02
            LEGAL FILE NO. 03 0411 DG 0011 (8.7 & 13.13)

 

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the Acting Town Solicitor be instructed to appear before the Ontario Municipal Board on February 17, 2003, on a hearing of an appeal from the Committee of Adjustment's decision to refuse an application for minor variance at 14 Eastpine Drive, Markham (Committee of Adjustment File No. A/209/02), with respect to the imposition of conditions.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         8111 KENNEDY ROAD, MARKHAM - ONTARIO MUNICIPAL
            BOARD - VARIANCE APPEAL - COMMITTEE OF
            ADJUSTMENT FILE NO. A/197/02
            LEGAL FILE NO. 03 0411 DG 0011 (8.7 & 13.13)

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That external legal counsel be retained to represent the Town before the Ontario Municipal Board to oppose appeals from the Committee of Adjustment's decision granting a temporary minor variance application, with added conditions, at 8111 Kennedy Road (Committee of Adjustment File No. A/197/02).

CARRIED

 

 

 

3.         ATTENDANCE OF COUNCILLOR G. MCKELVEY
            AT THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS
            CONFERENCE, JULY 6-9, 2003 (11.12)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That Councillor George McKelvey, Chair of Development Services Committee, be authorized to attend the Canadian Institute of Planners' Conference from July 6 to 9, 2003, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with authorized expenses to be paid in accordance with Town policy and charged to the Planning Department 2003 Operating Budget;

 

 

 

 

And that the Commissioner of Development Services be requested to also encourage representatives of staff to attend this Conference.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
            INTERNATIONAL STONE SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUM
            EVENT - JUNE/JULY 2004 (7.3)

 

Ms. Sharon Gaum-Kuchar, Director/Curator of the Varley Art Gallery, was in attendance on behalf of the Public Art Policy Steering Committee, with respect to the draft Memorandum of Understanding that has been prepared, between the Town and Echo Research Institute, to address various issues relating to the International Stone Sculpture Symposium planned for June/July of 2004 at Toogood Pond in Unionville.

 

Ms. Gaum-Kuchar advised that due to very strict time lines required by the organizers at this time, the document was being presented this date for Committee's comments and approval to proceed.  Members were advised that the Public Art Policy Steering Committee has reviewed the document and recommends its adoption, in principle, subject to minor amendments and final review by the Town Solicitor.

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the presentation of the Director/Curator, Varley Art Gallery, regarding the draft Memorandum of Understanding for the International Stone Sculpture Symposium, be received;

 

That the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and Echo Research Institute, respecting the International Stone Sculpture Symposium planned for June/July of 2004 at Toogood Pond in Unionville, be approved in principle, subject to minor amendments and final review by the Town Solicitor.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT OPTIONS
            FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES (7.3)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor J. Heath

 

 

 

 

 

That the Town of Markham implement an additional one time tax payment option for residential property owners to avoid tax sale registration procedures as long as the following conditions are met:

 

  • the subject property is in the residential property class;
  • the property must be at the end of its third full year of arrears;
  • payment must cover all the tax principle;
  • the payment must cover all accumulated interest exceeding three years of arrears;
  • payment terms for the balance of the deferred interest to be negotiated with tax staff;
  • an agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor and Treasurer, between the Town and the assessed property owner be entered into;
  • following the payment, the tax account must continue to be kept current, and if not, the agreement is terminated and the balance must be paid in full in 30 days at which time continued tax collection procedures (including tax sale registration) may occur;

 

And that staff be requested to prepare a list indicating the numbers of properties that are in tax arrears, by year.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         MINTHORN BOULEVARD EXTENSION TO LESLIE STREET (8.5)

 

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

That a by-law be enacted to close part of Minthorn Blvd., Plan 65M-2665, designated as Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, Plan 65R-25483;

 

And that part of Minthorn Blvd., Plan 65M-2665, designated as Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, Plan 65R-25483, be declared surplus property pursuant to By-law No. 178-96;

 

And that notice of the proposed disposition of part of Minthorn Blvd., Plan 65M-2665, designated as Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, Plan 65R-25483, be placed on the agenda for the Council meeting of February 11, 2003, as required by By-law No. 178-96;

 

And that a by-law be enacted at the Council meeting on February 25, 2003, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the necessary Transfers to Wemat Four Limited (Parts 1 and 2) and to Concord Leslie RI GP, Inc. (Part 3) for lands legally described as part of Minthorn Blvd., Plan 65M-2665, designated as Parts 1, 2 and 3, Plan 65R-25483, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor;

 

 

 

 

 

And that a public walkway legally described as Block 8, Plan 65M-2665, designated as Parts 7, 8 and 9, Plan 65R-25483, be closed;

 

And that part of the public walkway legally described as Block 8, Plan 65M-2665, designated as Part 8, Plan 65R-25483, be declared surplus property pursuant to By-law No. 178-96;

 

And that notice of the proposed disposition of Part of Block 8, Plan 65M-2665, designated as Part 8, Plan 65R-25483, be placed on the agenda for the Council meeting of February 11, 2003, as required by By-law No. 178-96;

 

And further that a by-law be enacted at the Council meeting on February 25, 2003, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the necessary Transfer to Wemat Four Limited for lands legally described as Part of Block 8, Plan 65M-2665, designated as Part 8, Plan 65R-25483, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE OPPORTUNITY (10.16)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

That the report entitled "Economic Development Revenue Opportunity" be received;

 

And that the Director of Economic Development be authorized to solicit paid advertising to offset the cost of publishing the Economic Development newsletter GoodNews;

 

And further that the revenue generated by this initiative be reported to Council through the annual budget planning process.

CARRIED

 

 

 

8.         MARKHAM PARTICIPATION ON NATIONAL ECONOMIC
            DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (10.16)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the report entitled "Markham Participation On National Economic Development Council" be received;

 

 

 

 

And that the Director of Economic Development be authorized to participate on the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC) Board of Directors for two years at an annual cost not to exceed $2,000 to be funded from within the Economic Development Business Development account #610-9985808;

 

And that congratulations be extended to Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development, on his appointment to the Economic Development Association of Canada Board of Directors.

CARRIED

 

 

 

9.         2003 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MARKETING PROGRAM (10.16)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the report entitled "2003 Economic Development Marketing Program" be received;

 

And that pre-budget approval be given to implement the projects described in this report (equal in total to 42% of the base 2003 budget for Business Development account #610-9985808), those projects being:

 

·        sponsored/hosted events to a maximum of $43,750;

·        missions and trade shows to a maximum of $42,250;

·        the production of advertising and promotional materials to a maximum of $44,500;

·        and the purchase of print ads to a maximum of $15,250;

 

And further that the projects described in this report be funded from within the Economic Development Business Development account #610-9985808.

CARRIED

 

 

 

10.       2003 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
            GALA DINNER, SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2003 (12.2.6)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

That the report dated February 3, 2003, entitled "2003 Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation Gala Dinner - Saturday, April 12, 2003 be received;

 

 

 

And that Council purchase tickets for a Corporate Table of 10 for the 2003 Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation Gala Dinner, "Come Sail Away", to be held on Saturday, April 12, 2003; such cost not to exceed $3,000.

CARRIED

 

 

 

11.       RED AND WHITE GALA FOR PALLIATIVE
            CARE SERVICES FOR YORK REGION (12.2.6)

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That tickets be purchased for Councillors that wish to attend the Red & White Gala for Palliative Care Services for York Region, to be held on Friday, February 14, 2003 at Tuscany's Banquet Centre, 222 Edward Street, Aurora.

CARRIED

 

 

 

12.       UPDATE ON WEST NILE VIRUS CONTINGENCY PLAN (13.4)

 

Karen Boniface, Parks Planner, was in attendance, and presented Committee with an update regarding the Region of York's West Nile Virus Contingency Plan.  She advised that the Region had indicated this date that the York Region Health Services will take responsibility for the implementation of pesticide applications to local municipalities if a West Nile Virus outbreak is declared, however, it is expected that the local municipalities will be requested to provide some assistance.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

That the memorandum from the Director, Operations and Asset Management, dated January 31, 2002, entitled "Update on West Nile Virus Contingency Plan", and the additional information presented by Karen Boniface, Parks Planner, be received;

 

And that the Region be advised that the Town of Markham agrees that the Region of York should take responsibility for the implementation of the West Nile Virus Contingency Plan.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.       ATTENDANCE AT FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES
            WORKSHOP - "WOMEN IN MUNICIPAL POLITICS"
            BRANTFORD, ONTARIO, JANUARY 25, 2003 (11.12 & 16.23)

 

Moved by Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

*   That Council approve the expenditures for overnight travel incurred by Councillor E. Shapero at the Annual Conference of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, held in Brantford, Ontario on January 25, 2003.

CARRIED

 

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*Amended by Council at its meeting held on February 11, 2003 to read as follows:

 

"That Council approve the expenditures for overnight travel incurred by Councillor E. Shapero at the "Women in Municipal Politics" workshop hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Women's Task Force and Wilfred Laurier University, held in Brantford, Ontario on January 25, 2003."

 

 

 

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14.       2003 OPERATING, CAPITAL AND
WATERWORKS BUDGETS (7.4 & 7.5)

 

Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti, Chair, Budget Sub-Committee, and Joel Lustig, Manager, Financial Planning gave an update on the 2003 Operating, Capital and Waterworks Budgets, and a forecast of the Operating Budget for 2004 - 2006.  Included in the 2003 Budget are cumulative Core Services Implementation savings of $2.9M.  The forecast included an additional $900k in revenue in 2004 and an additional $1.0M in revenue in 2005 for a total of $1.9M due to the Revenue Strategy Program identified in the Core Services Implementation plan.  The Operating Budget shortfall identified for 2004 and 2005 will only materialize if the revenue strategy is realized.

 

Members were advised that, for the second consecutive year, the Town of Markham has been presented with the "Distinguished Budget Presentation Award", from the Government Finance Officers Association.

 

 

 

 

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell

 

That it be recommend to Council that the presentation of Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti, Chair, Budget Sub-Committee, and Joel Lustig, Manager, Financial Planning, regarding the 2003 Operating Capital and Waterworks budgets, be received;

 

And that the adoption of the 2003 Budget be recommended to Council.

CARRIED

 

NOTE:  The 2003 Budget will be presented to the February 25, 2003 Council Meeting.

 

 

 

15.       IMPERIAL BALL 2003 - CHINESE CULTURAL
            CENTRE OF TORONTO (12.2.6)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

 

That the report dated February 3, 2003, entitled "Imperial Ball 2003 - Chinese Cultural Centre of Toronto", with respect to the 2003 Imperial Ball to be held at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on May 3, 2003, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

 

16.       RETIREMENT - SCOTT SOMERVILLE
            MANAGER, CITY OF VAUGHAN (12.2.6)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the Mayor's Office be requested to provide additional information regarding the dinner that is being planned for Scott Somerville, retiring City Manager of the City of Vaughan.

CARRIED

 

 

17.       LETTER FROM MAYOR PAUL KLING
            NORDLINGEN, GERMANY - INVITATION (12.2.6)

 

Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development, was in attendance and spoke in support of this important partnership between the Town of Markham and the City of Nordlingen, Germany.

 

 

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the letter dated December 20, 2002 from Mr. Paul Kling, Mayor of Nordlingen, Germany, inviting the Mayor and Members of Council to visit his City during 2003, and the verbal report from Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development, be received.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

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Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio

 

That Committee resolve In Camera at 2:00 p.m. to discuss property matters.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

That the Committee rise at 2:30 p.m. and report.

CARRIED

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ADJOURNMENT

 

The Finance & Administrative Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 3:45 p.m.

 

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