GENERAL COMMITTEE
2009-01-26
Meeting
No. 03
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: 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
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
B. Librecz,
Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
A. Brouwer, Deputy
Clerk
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial & Client Services
C. Service, Manager
of Planning & Policy Development
B. Snowball, Acting Fire Chief
A. Tang, Manager,
Financial Planning
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:45 a.m. in the Canada
Room with Councillor J. Virgilio in the chair.
Councillor A. Chui chaired the meeting for community services-related
items.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Councillor C. Moretti disclosed a pecuniary interest with respect to
item 2) of the in-camera agenda, a proposed or pending acquisition or
disposition of land by the municipality or local board with respect to
relocating the Archibald Fenwick House to the Markham Estates. Councillor C. Moretti indicated that her son
is employed by Fieldgate Homes.
IN-CAMERA
ITEM 2)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That Committee move in-camera to consider a proposed or pending
acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board with
respect to relocating the Archibald Fenwick House to the Markham Estates
(in-camera agenda item 2).
CARRIED.
Councillor C. Moretti recessed from the Committee’s discussion of
in-camera item 2).
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That Committee rise from its in-camera session.
CARRIED.
1. MINUTES OF THE
DECEMBER 8, 2008
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
That the minutes
of the December 8, 2008 Budget Sub-Committee be received.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
CARRIED.
2. 2009 BUDGET PRESENTATION (7.0)
Presentation
Mr. Joel Lustig,
Director of Financial and Client Services summarized the 2009 budget process,
including the development of the Preliminary Budget; review by the Department
Heads Forum and CAO and Commissioners Committee; review by Budget
Sub-Committee; public input on the budget; General Committee and final review
and approval by Council. Mr. Lustig
acknowledged the guidance and efforts of the Budget Sub-Committee chaired by
Councillor D. Horchik.
Mr. Lustig outlined
the key factors influencing the Town’s fiscal environment, including wage
settlements; municipal service contracts; infrastructure investments; growth;
provincial legislation; and economic trends.
Mr. Lustig
highlighted various aspects of the “Excellence through Efficiency and
Effectiveness – E3” project, with a goal of finding organizational efficiencies,
maximizing revenue opportunities and minimizing tax rate increases. E3 project components were outlined,
including process improvements, better utilization of technologies, revenue
enhancements, conservation efforts and the development of centres of
excellence. To date, the E3 project has
realized $4.5 million in income.
Mr. Lustig outlined
the 2009 budget components, including:
Capital
($117.6 million)
Building
services ($7.0 million)
Waterworks
($64.3 million)
Operating
($161.8 million)
Changes to
Ontario’s property assessment system were outlined, as well as the estimated
2009 property tax distribution for residential and non residential properties
being 26% and 13% respectively.
Mr. Lustig
indicated that the Town of Markham’s net tax rate increases for residential and
industrial properties were recommended to be 0% and that the 2009 budget
summary would be provided at a public meeting to be held February 4, 2009.
Moved by D. Horchik
Seconded by A. Chiu
That the proposed 2009 Budget Presentation
be received; and,
That Staff be authorized to present the
proposed tax rate increase of 0% at the Public Meeting on February 4, 2009; and
further,
That feedback from the Public Meeting be
brought forward to the General Committee on February 9, 2009.
CARRIED.
3. MINUTES
OF THE
OCTOBER 15, 2008
MARKHAM VILLAGE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the minutes
of the October 15, 2008 Markham Village Business Improvement Area be received.
CARRIED.
4. MINUTES
OF THE NOVEMBER 11, 2008
AND DECEMBER 17, 2008
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the November 11, 2008, and December 17, 2008 Information Technology
Sub-Committee be received.
CARRIED.
5. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 5, 2009
MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the minutes
of the January 5, 2009 Markham Race Relations Committee be received.
CARRIED.
6. MINUTES
OF THE NOVEMBER 27, 2008
CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the minutes of the November 27, 2008
Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received.
CARRIED.
7. APPOINTMENTS,
RESIGNATIONS
ADVISORY COMMITTEES (16.24)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the resignation of Mr. Bill Broger from the
Advisory Committee on Accessibility be received with regret and letter of
appreciation be forwarded to Mr. Broger; and,
That the vacancy be advertised in the normal
manner.
CARRIED.
8. THORNLEA
POOL (6.0)
Report Presentation 1
C. Service, Manager of Planning and Policy
Development provided a brief presentation regarding the York Region District
School Board’s request to assume full maintenance and operations of the
Thornlea Pool, adjacent to the Thornlea Public School. Mr. Service described the terms of the current
agreement and the financial considerations associated with the School Board’s
proposal.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the
presentation regarding the Thornlea Pool be received; and
That the report
entitled “Thornlea Pool” be received; and
That Council
support taking over maintenance and operations of Thornlea Pool Facility
conditional upon further negotiations with York Region District School Board
(YRDSB); and
That Staff be
directed to undertake negotiations with YRDSB in taking over maintenance and
operations of Thornlea Pool Facility such that YRDSB are a major rental tenant
of the facility contributing revenue equal to or greater than current financial
contribution to the facility and that a Capital Surcharge be negotiated for
YRDSB to pay a lump sum now and annually to offset assumed capital costs to the facility; and
That Staff report
back results of negotiations prior to any formal agreement being made; and
further,
That staff be
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
9. AMENDMENT TO FIRE
BY-LAW 111-98 (7.15)
Report By-Law
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the report
titled Amendments to By-Law 111-98 as Amended by By-Law 2002-181 be received;
and,
That By-law
111-98, as amended be further amended so as to invoice the full amount of the
fees for services provided by the Fire and Emergency Services Department to the
“at fault vehicle owner” only; and,
That By-law
111-98, as amended, be further amended substantially in the form attached here
to as Schedule “A”; and further,
That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED.
IN-CAMERA ITEM 1)
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchick
Seconded by
Councillor C. Moretti
That Committee move in-camera to consider a proposed or pending
acquisition or disposition of land with respect to the termination of a lease
of Town lands forming part of Markham Golf and Country Club (in-camera agenda
item 1).
CARRIED.
Moved by
Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
That Committee rise from in-camera session.
CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Councillor L.
Kanapathi
That the
January 26, 2009 meeting of the General Committee be adjourned.
CARRIED.
The
General Committee adjourned at 11.38 a.m.