GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-09-17
Meeting
No. 22
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
A. Seabrooke, Acting
Director, Library Services, Fire
Services, Recreation and Culture
P. Loukes, Acting Director, Operations
and Water Works
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None.
1. PROPOSAL FOR A MARKHAM CAT
SHELTER/ADOPTION
CENTRE (3.3)
Deputation
Ms.
D. Cox and Ms. C. Cohen, North Toronto Cat Rescue, were in attendance to
propose the development of a Markham Community Cat Shelter. The proposed “no
kill” facility would operate independently from any other animal shelter
currently under the auspices of the Town, and would be volunteer based and
funded by adoption fees as well as private and corporate donations. The
delegation suggested that the Town provide assistance in locating a suitable detached
building in an appropriately zoned area for such a facility.
The
Committee thanked the deputants and posed various questions with respect to the
Town’s use of the Whitby shelter. Staff advised that, on average, sixteen cats
a month are euthanized when there is no other alternative available. It was
also noted that the number of euthanizations has been reduced since staff and the
Town of Markham Animal Care Advisory Committee have actively promoted
education, awareness and fundraising campaigns as well as running animal
adoption programs. Members agreed that staff should review feasibility of the
proposal and report back.
Moved
by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Councillor V. Burke
That
the presentation by Ms. D. Cox and Ms. C. Cohen, North Toronto Cat Rescue,
regarding their proposal for a Markham Community Cat Shelter be received and referred
to the Town Clerk to Coordinate a report back to a forthcoming General
Committee meeting with the Director of Planning and the Director of Corporate
Communications to coordinate.
CARRIED
2. RECORDS RETENTION (12.1
Report
Ms. S. Birrell, Town Clerk, advised of a
proposed amendment to the Town’s Retention By-law which would delete any
reference to Councillor records. Staff noted records retention requirements would
still apply to the Mayor’s records. Councillor records including notes and
emails, would not. In reviewing the legislation and surveying other municipalities
it was staff’s determination that Councillor files are consistently not
considered a corporate record and should therefore remain the property of
Councillors. Staff clarified that if a Councillor’s email was forwarded or
carbon copied to any Town staff it may be reconsidered as a corporate document if
requested through the Municipal Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Committee discussed the
deletion of personal records and the process one must follow to access
corporate records under the current By-law.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That By-Law 2001-101, “A By-Law
Establishing Schedules of Retention Periods for all Records Kept by the Town of
Markham” be amended to delete reference to Councillor records;
And that Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
3. LEGAL AND
OPERATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
WALKERTON INQUIRY PART II
REPORT FOR THE
TOWN OF MARKHAM (5.3)
Report Presentation
Mr. P. Loukes, Acting Director, Operations
and Water Works, advised of several upcoming presentations to General Committee
regarding the legal and operational implications of the Walkerton inquiry. Ms.
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor, presented background information on the
recommendations of the Walkerton Inquiry Report noting several new legislative
and legal obligations on the part of the specified owner and operating
authority as well as the Town. Ms. Conrad noted the statutory duties provided
for in the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 and
the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and
advised of the offences and penalties associated with the legislation. Mr. J.
Klaus, Manager, Waterworks, discussed the legislative implications for
waterworks operations within the Town of Markham. He advised of several
specific regulations put forward by the various Acts and discussed the
operational impacts of each as well as the Town programs designed to comply
with the legislation.
Ms. T. Beznat,
Bayview Glen Residents Association, was in attendance to suggest that staff
review and report back on water safety as it pertains to modifications made to
the sanitary sewage system through the widening of Bayview Avenue.
The Committee
discussed budgetary implications associated with the new regulations, noting
substantial increases in order to facilitate a more broadened sampling program
as well as other necessary operational changes. Members requested that details
relating to the financial impacts be reported back to General Committee as part
of a future presentation. The Committee also discussed potential liability for
Regional Councillors under the new legislation.
Moved by
Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by
Councillor E. Shapero
That the report
titled “Legal and Operational Implications of the Walkerton Inquiry Part II
Report for the Town of Markham” and attached presentation from staff be
received;
And that staff
report back on the details of the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program
implemented under the Safe Drinking Water
Act;
And that staff
report back on the requirement to implement a Quality Management System
governing the operations of the Markham water distribution as part of the
Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program;
And that staff
schedule the working sessions of Council to provide further information related
to the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program and the required Quality
Management System governing the operations of the Markham water distribution
system;
And that Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
4. STORM
WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REVIEW AND
STUDY IN THORNHILL (5.3)
Report
1
Mr. S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management, presented information regarding a proposed modelling
exercise designed to study the storm water system and capacity in the Thornhill
area. It was noted that this was likely the first of many to examine the
infrastructure in place in older areas throughout the Town in order to uncover
bottlenecks in the system and determine improvements required to handle peak
flows.
The Committee
expressed concerns regarding the calibration of the system. Staff clarified
that the there had already been data collected that would be used to calibrate
the system in addition to data received from upcoming rainfalls and storms.
Members also expressed concerns with respect to overland flows noting the
severity of the flooding as a result of the August 19, 2005 storm. Staff advised
that a report forthcoming to General Committee in October would address the
issue of overland flows and propose several options in response. Included in
this report would be information on downspout disconnection and other programs
to assist homeowners on the matter. Members also expressed concern regarding
the timing proposed for the modelling exercise as well as to produce the
information report at hand. Staff advised the one year period was necessary in
order to compile accurate data and that there had been a significant amount of
work completed to prepare for the exercise.
There was
discussion regarding the potential to undertake residential audits where
necessary. The Committee suggested that the Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority (TRCA) be advised of all aspects of the program and involved in
upcoming meetings. Staff noted that the TRCA would be advised accordingly and
that other municipalities such as the City of Vaughan, the City of Toronto and
the Town of Richmond Hill would also be consulted with when necessary. The
Committee commended the efforts of staff in producing a brochure to residents
communicating the Town’s planned responses to matters stemming from the August
19, 2005 flood.
Ms. T. Beznat,
Bayview Glen Residents Association, and Ms. E. Ellison, Ward One South
Residents Group, spoke in support of the staff recommendation. Ms. Beznat noted
that as a component of the assessment, staff should review the variances
approved in the Thornhill area in terms of whether they had any significant
impact on the flooding that occurred following the August 19, 2005 storm. Ms.
Beznat advised the issue was a regional one and must be dealt with holistically
in order to achieve a long term solution. Both deputants also requested that
their respective associations as well as residents in Thornhill be contacted to
participate as active stakeholders in the assessment process. Ms. Ellison noted
that communication between Town staff and the Thornhill community should
improve and suggested that the Waterworks Department may benefit from hiring
additional full time staff to assist with the modelling exercise.
Moved by Mayor F.
Scarpitti
Seconded by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the staff
report entitled “Storm Water Management System Review and Study in Thornhill”,
dated September 17, 2007, be received;
And that staff be
authorized to prepare and issue an RFP to retain a consultant to complete a
storm water management system review and study in the Thornhill area;
And that the cost
to complete the detailed hydraulic analysis of the storm water system in the
Thornhill area will be approximately $500,000 and this will be funded from the
Operations Department’s 2006 Capital Budget Rain Storm Damage Account
#050-6150-7194-005;
And that this
study be used as a template to complete similar studies in other old areas of
the Town;
And that staff
report back to Council with proposed recommendations and associated costs from
the study when it is complete;
And that staff establish a liaison committee comprised
of Town staff, Wards One (1) & Two (2) Councillors, representatives from
the Ward One (1) South Residents Group, the Bayview Glen Residents Association
and other Thornhill resident groups, representatives from the Region of York, staff
from municipalities impacting the Thornhill area, and representatives from the
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA);
And that Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
5. PROCEEDING
WITH A COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
PLAN (5.7)
Report 1
Ms. V. McGrath, Acting Manager, Executive
Operations, provided a brief overview of the proposed Markham Community
Sustainability Plan. The Committee discussed the function of the proposed plan
and whether it should be renamed to identify more with an environmental focus.
Staff clarified that the Community Sustainability Plan was a comprehensive
strategy which will have environmental implications but will also have a social
and economic focus.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
Whereas
the Council of the Town of Markham has supported the implementation of a Green
Print that we approve the establishment of a Community Sustainability Plan;
And that the staff
report entitled “Proceeding with a Community Sustainability Plan”, dated
September 17, 2007, be endorsed;
That staff be
authorized to develop a Request for Proposal and to retain a consultant to
undertake a Community Sustainability Plan in 2008 for the Town of Markham, as
outlined in this report, to an upset limit of $120,000, to be funded by the Gas
Tax as identified in the 2008 capital budget process;
And that staff
report on the progress of the Community Sustainability Plan through General
Committee;
And that Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
6. KITE
FLYING ISSUE IN SCARBOROUGH AND MARKHAM (5.7)
Communication
The Committee briefly discussed issues
associated with the flying of kites.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the email
dated July 11, 2007 from Mr. A. Khan the Council of the Town of Markham
expressing concern regarding issues relating to kite flying in the Town of
Markham be received and referred to Operations
staff to monitor the issue and issue a memo to Council.
CARRIED
7. ILLEGAL SIGNAGE (2.16)
Communication
Council expressed
concerns regarding the posting of illegal signage throughout the Town and the
process currently in place for staff to remove them. Staff provided a brief
review of the matter of illegal signs.
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the email
dated August 27, 2007 from Mr. J.T. Brazier to Regional Councillor J. Heath expressing concern
regarding the posting of illegal signs throughout the Town of Markham be
received.
CARRIED
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Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
Committee resolve in-camera to discuss a confidential matter with respect to
the Markham District Energy Incorporation (MDEI) (11:25 a.m.).
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the Committee rise and report (11:45
a.m.)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 11:45 a.m.