GENERAL COMMITTEE
May 9, 2011
Meeting No. 14
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
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John
Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
Catherine
Conrad, Town Solicitor
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Andy
Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Kimberley
Kitteringham, Town Clerk
Joel Lustig,
Treasurer
Bill Wiles, Manager
of By-law Enforcement and Licensing
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee convened at 9:10 AM with Councillor Carolina
Moretti in the Chair, Mayor Frank Scarpitti assumed the Chair at 9:50 AM;
Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services related items.
DISCLOSURE OF
INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. UNIONVILLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
(UBIA)
TRANSITION TEAM – FINANCIAL UPDATE (3.12 & 7.0)
Presentation
Mr. Bill Dawson on
behalf of the UBIA addressed Committee and advised that an Executive Summary -
Financial Update has been prepared and would like to follow up with staff.
There was brief
discussion regarding the deficit amount and whether any of that money has been
recovered.
The Committee inquired
whether the contract with Urban Inc. has been terminated and Mr. Dawson
confirmed that it has.
Moved by Councillor
Don Hamilton
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the presentation from Bill Dawson on behalf of the UBIA
Transition Team regarding their financial update be received.
CARRIED
2. EXTENSION
OF ANIMAL SERVICES CONTRACT (2.8)
Ms. Liz White, Animal
Alliance of Canada addressed the Committee regarding the extension of Animal
Services Contract with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of
Animals (OSPCA) and requested that the contract only be renewed on a monthly
basis.
3. EXTENSION
OF ANIMAL SERVICES CONTRACT (2.8)
Ms. Nathalie Karvonen,
Executive Director, Toronto Wildlife Centre delivered a PowerPoint presentation
regarding wildlife services in the Town of Markham and stated concerns with
Markham's wildlife services currently being provided by the OSPCA.
Ms. Bill Wiles, Manager
of By-law Enforcement and Licensing delivered
a PowerPoint presentation outlining the Town of Markham Animal Care and Control
Program as well as Markham's wildlife services.
Mr. Brian Moreau,
Provincial Manager of Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals
(OSPCA) delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the services they provide
to Markham as well as an overview of the steps that the OSPCA has taken to
address issues associated with a ring worm outbreak in 2010.
Ms. Maureen Flynn,
Wingsong Wildlife Preservation Alliance addressed the Committee regarding the
Extension of Animal Services Contract and spoke in opposition to the proposed
staff recommendation.
Mr. Barry Mackay
addressed the Committee regarding the Extension of Animal Services Contract and
spoke in opposition to the proposed staff recommendation.
Mr. Eric Shapero
addressed the Committee with respect to the Extension of Animal Services
Contract and spoke in opposition to the proposed staff recommendation.
Mr. Suresh Pereira
addressed the Committee regarding the Extension of Animal Services Contract and
spoke in opposition to the proposed staff recommendation.
Staff provided the
history on the report that recommended that OSPCA be contracted for the Town's animal
services. In response to a question, staff provided a brief history with
respect to the awarding of the original contract to the OSPCA in 2008.
Ms. Toni Paquette
addressed the Committee regarding the Extension of Animal Services Contract and
spoke in opposition to the proposed staff recommendation
Ms. Joanne Pickering
addressed the Committee with respect to the Extension of Animal Services
Contract and spoke in opposition to the proposed staff recommendation.
Mr. Bill Pickering
addressed the Committee regarding the Extension of Animal Services Contract and
spoke in opposition to the proposed staff recommendation
4. MINUTES
OF THE MAY 2, 2011
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1)
That
the Minutes of the May 2, 2011 General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES
OF THE APRIL 12, 2011
BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE TASK
FORCE (16.0)
Minutes
The Committee
suggested that staff look at the turf grass used in the southern part of the
United States as alternative plant materials.
It is a slow growing grass that requires little water. Staff will report back when the presentation
regarding alternative plant materials is presented to the Boulevard Maintenance
Task Force.
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the
Minutes of the April 12, 2011 Boulevard Maintenance Task Force be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 10, 2011
CYCLING & PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the
Minutes of the March 10, 2011 Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee be
received for information purposes.
CARRIED
7. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 21, 2011
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
-WASTE DIVERSION SUBCOMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the April 21, 2011
Environmental Issues Committee- Waste Diversion Subcommittee be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
8. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 18, 2011
EXCELLENCE THROUGH EFFICIENCY
AND EFFECTIVENESS (E3) COUNCIL
STEERING COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the April 18, 2011 E3
Council Steering Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
9. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 18, 2011
LED STREET LIGHTING TASK FORCE
(16.0)
Minutes
There was discussion regarding the estimated cost to retain consulting
services for LED Street Lights.
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the April 18, 2011 LED Street Lighting
Task Force be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
10. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 18, 2011
WINDROW PLOWING SERVICE TASK
FORCE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the April 18, 2011 Windrow Plowing
Service Task Force be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
11. AWARD
OF TENDER 024-T-11 FOR REHABILITATION
OF STEELCASE ROAD CULVERTS (C01 & C01A) AND
REPLACEMENT OF APPLE CREEK BLVD CULVERT (C05) (7.12.1)
Report Attachment
A
The Committee requested that staff send an e-mail to
Members of Council regarding how old the culverts are.
Moved
by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report entitled “Award of
Tender 024-T-11 for Rehabilitation of Steelcase Road Culverts (C01 & C01a)
and Replacement of Apple Creek Blvd Culvert (C05) be received; and,
2) That the contract for tender 024-T-11
for Rehabilitation of Steelcase Road Culverts (C01 & C01a) and Replacement
of Apple Creek Blvd Culvert (C05) be awarded to the lowest priced bidder, All
Services Inc. for the Option 2 in the amount of $902,209.25 inclusive of HST
impact; and,
3) That a separate
purchase order in the amount of $52,880 inclusive of HST impact be issued for
contingency to cover any additional fees (Construction/Consultant) and that the
Director of Engineering be authorized to approve expenditure of this
contingency amount up to the specified limit in accordance with the Expenditure
Control Policy; and,
4) That the existing purchase order D9 431
with PLANMAC Inc. to provide construction inspection, contract administration
services be increased from $24,000.00 to $36,633.60 inclusive of HST impact, in
accordance to the Town’s Expenditure and Control Policy; and,
5) That the award be funded from the Asset
Management Capital Projects as identified within the financial considerations
section; and,
6) That the shortfall will be funded from
058-6150-8366-005 as identified within the financial considerations section;
and further,
7) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. EXTENSION
OF ANIMAL SERVICES CONTRACT (2.8)
Report
Mr. Bill Wiles, Manager of By-law Enforcement and
Licensing summarized the details outlined in the report.
The Committee
suggested that the report entitled "Extension of Animal Services
Contract" be referred back to staff to allow staff the opportunity to
provide additional information on the following:
·
Calgary animal
care model;
·
Review of
costs and current practices associated with Markham's current wildlife program
as well as an enhanced program;
·
The
timeframe from a two year contract to one year;
·
Scope of
the consultant review;
·
The
potential for development charge funding of wildlife protection including
wildlife services;
·
Partnership
with various groups to educate the public about animal and wildlife
considerations in urbanized areas;
·
More detailed
reporting and statistics from OSPCA;
·
Further
details on wildlife program and service levels;
·
Respond to
the concerns raised by the Animal Alliance of Canada;
·
Issues/concerns
related to a one year contract
Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the correspondence from by Liz
White from Animal Alliance of Canada and Ms. Maureen Flynn, Wingsong
Wildlife Preservation Alliance be received; and,
2) That the report
entitled “Extension of Animal Services Contract” be received; and,
3) That staff be
directed to report back at the June 13, 2011 General Committee meeting.
CARRIED
13. 2011 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREAS LEVY BYLAW (7.3)
Report Appendix
A
Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That a by-law be
approved to provide for the levy and collection of a 2011 special charge
against all rateable property in a business property class in the Unionville
Business Improvement Area in the amount of $199,500 and in the Markham Business
Improvement Area in the amount of $215,327; and,
2) That staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
14. DEVELOPMENT CHARGES DECEMBER 31, 2010
RESERVE BALANCES & ANNUAL ACTIVITY
OF THE ACCOUNTS (7.11)
Report Schedule
A-F
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the report
titled “Development Charges December 31, 2010 Reserve Balances and Annual
Activity of the Accounts” be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
15. 2011 UNIONVILLE & MARKHAM VILLAGE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS (B.I.A.)
OPERATING BUDGETS (7.4)
Report Exhibit
I Exhibit
II Exhibit
III
There was brief discussion with respect to
the professional and audit fees on the Markham Village Business Improvement
Area Proposed 2011 Budget.
The Committee discussed whether the
negotiated deficit amount of $15,000 per year over a 6 year period should be
$10,000 per year.
Councillor Don Hamilton on behalf of Mr. Rob Kadlovski
and the UBIA Board of Management and Transition Team thanked Mayor Frank
Scarpitti for his event fund of $6,000
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
1) That the report entitled “2011 Unionville & Markham
Village Business Improvement Areas
(B.I.A.) Operating Budgets” dated May 9, 2011 be received; and,
2) That the revised Exhibits I and II to
the report dated May 9, 2011 entitled “2011 Unionville & Markham Village
Business Improvement Areas (B.I.A.) Operating Budgets”,
as presented at the May 31, 2011 Council meeting, be received; and,
3) That the 2011 Operating Budget in the amount of $211,000 for
the Unionville B.I.A. (UBIA) be
approved, subject to Recommendation No. 5 below; and,
4) That the 2011 Operating Budget in the amount of $281,255 for
the Markham Village B.I.A. (MBIA) be
approved; and,
5) That the Special Tax Rate levy, in the amount of $199,500
for the UBIA members and $215,327 for the
MBIA members be included in the 2011 Tax Levy By-law: and,
6) That the UBIA provide the Town with a resolution of the
membership of the UBIA authorizing
execution of an agreement with the Town to provide for the 2010 operating shortfall of $91,301 to be paid back to
the Town of Markham over a 6 year period at $15,000
per year from 2011 to 2015 and $16,301 in
2016, in a form satisfactory to the Town
Solicitor; and,
7) That the overdraft provision Option #3 be approved that
allows the B.I.A’s to be in an overdraft
position no greater than $20,000 over the tax levy revenues billed; and,
8) That Staff bring forward an interim spending authority
report every year, prior to the approval
of the annual budget, which will allow the B.I.A’s to spend 50% of the prior year’s budget until such time the budget is
approved; and further,
9) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
16. MARKHAM MUSEUM
GROWING WITH MARKHAM (6.7)
Presentation
Moved by Councillor Carolina
Moretti
Seconded by Councillor
Howard Shore
1) That
the presentation by Ms. Cathy Molloy, Manager, Museum, entitled “Markham Museum
Growing with Markham” be deferred to the
June 13, 2011 General Committee meeting.
CARRIED
17. ‘BIG
BLUE BELLY’ PILOT PROJECT UPDATE (5.1)
Presentation
Moved by
Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded
by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the presentation by Ms. Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager, Waste
Management & Environment, entitled “Big Blue Belly Pilot & BIA Pilot
Project Update” be deferred to the May
30, 2011 General Committee meeting.
CARRIED
18. TRANSFER OF SURPLUS FUNDS FROM THE
PROJECT “PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR
PANEL SYSTEM AT 8100 WARDEN” (7.12)
Report
Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) THAT the report entitled “Transfer of Surplus Funds from the project Photovoltaic Solar Panel System at
8100 Warden” be received; and,
2) That Council approve the transfer of surplus funds from the
project “Photovoltaic Solar Panel System at 8100 Warden” to fund the Markham
Village Community electrical remediation work in the amount of $198,000; and,
3) That Council approve the transfer of surplus funds from the
project “Photovoltaic Solar Panel System at 8100 Warden” to fund the LED Street Lighting Task Force consulting
fees in the amount of $100,000; and further,
4) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
19. IN-CAMERA (3.12 & 7.0)
Moved by Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That, in
accordance with Section 239 (2) (f) of the Municipal
Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the
following confidential matters (12:24 PM):
1) Advice that is
subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for
that purpose.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor
Don Hamilton
Seconded by Councillor
Carolina Moretti
That the Committee
rise from the in-camera session (12:54 PM)
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business
ADJOURNMENT
That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 1:20 PM.