MINUTES
GENERAL
COMMITTEE
2006-02-20
Meeting No. 5
Finance & Administrative Issues Transportation
Issues
Chair: Councillor S. Daurio Chair:
Councillor K. Usman
Vice Chair, Budget: Councillor
D. Horchik
Vice Chair, IT: Regional
Councillor B. O’Donnell
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community &
Fire Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
J. Allen, Chief Information Officer
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
B. Varner, Real Property Manager
S. Laing, Director, Human Resources
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/
Engineering
D. Smarrelli, Supervisor, Traffic Operations
B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor
and Council
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of
9:30 a.m. with Councillor S. Daurio in the Chair.
At 11:35
a.m.
Councillor S. Daurio vacated the Chair and Councillor K. Usman assumed the
Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Councillor
E. Shapero disclosed an interest with respect to Item # 9, the turning
restrictions on Yonge
Street, by nature of being
a client of Smith Veterinary Hospital, and did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or
vote on the question of the approval of such matter.
1. ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC – PROPOSAL
FOR
A COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL IN
MARKHAM (12.2.6)
Report
Mr. Jeff Melanson, Dean, Royal Conservatory
of Music (RCM) Community School, provided an overview of the work
of the RCM. The Committee was provided with a brief description of the space
requirements for a music school or an exam centre in Markham. It was noted that a partnership
between the RCM the York Region District School Board might be a viable means
of creating classroom space. The Committee expressed interest in having a
Working Group further examine the possibility of establishing a RCM presence in
Markham.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Mayor Cousens
That the staff
report entitled “Royal Conservatory of Music, Proposal for a Community Music
School in Markham”, dated February 20, 2006, be received;
And that the deputation by Mr, Jeff Melanson,
Dean, the RCM Community School, be received;
And that a Working Group be established,
consisting of a representative of the Royal Conservatory of Music, two Members
of Markham Council, and a representative of the York Region district School
Board, to explore opportunities and possible partnership arrangements for a
Community Music School in Markham;
And further that Ward 3 Councillor Joseph
Virgilio be one of the Markham Council representatives on the Working Group, and
serve as Chair of the Group;
And that the second Member of Markham Council to serve on the
working Group be Regional Councillor J. Heath.
CARRIED
2. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN
UPDATE - PORTAL PROJECT (7.13)
There was brief discussion surrounding the process for finding a
contractor for the portal project. Staff clarified that the focus in 2006 will
be on developing an external portal, and that, although, planning for an
internal portal will commence in 2006, implementation will not be until 2007.
**Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Councillor K. Usman
That the following recommendation, confirmed at the January
24, 2006
meeting of the Information Technology Sub-Committee meeting be adopted:
“That the following
recommendations be adopted:
1)
In 2006, work with the Region to create the governance, define portal
requirements and begin implementation in 2006 on
shared portal solutions
2)
Focus should be on phase 1 of external portal first, with planning only
for internal portal for 2006
3)
An RFP should be issued to ensure that the portal that provides the best
value is selected.”
**Amended at Council on February
28, 2006 as
follows:
“That the following recommendation, confirmed
at the January 24, 2006 meeting of the Information
Technology Sub-Committee meeting be adopted:
“That the following recommendations
be adopted:
1) In
2006, work with the Region to create the governance, define portal requirements
and begin implementation in 2006 on shared
portal solutions;
2) Focus should be on phase 1 of external
portal first, with planning only for internal portal for 2006;
3) An RFP should be issued
to ensure that the portal that provides the best value is selected.”
3. MILMAR
COURT SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM (5.5 & 7.12.1)
Report Attachments
Moved by Councillor K. Usman
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the report entitled “Milmar Court
Sanitary Sewer System” be received;
And that the Asset Management Department be
authorized to proceed with tendering of the Milmar Court Sanitary Sewer System
in March 2006;
And that when the tender price is known, the
residents of Milmar Court be advised of the total project
cost for their decision whether to proceed with construction of this project;
And that the Asset Management staff report
back the resident’s decision and staff recommendation;
And further that if the Milmar Court Sanitary
Sewer System is to proceed, the total project cost be front-ended by the Town
and recovered by imposing an equal fee against the six property owners abutting
the works in accordance with Section 391 of the Municipal Act.
CARRIED
4. PURCHASE
OF SPONSORSHIPS – CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY
“PUTTIN ON THE RITZ GALA”,
MARCH 11, 2006 (12.2.6)
Report Attachments
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That Council participate in the Canadian
Cancer Society “Puttin’ on the Ritz Gala” on March 11, 2006 at Angus Glen Golf Club by purchasing single
tickets for $150 each to tables of 8, at a cost not to exceed $3,000.00.
CARRIED
5. FEDERATION
OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES
CONFERENCE ATTENDEES ((13.12.4
& 11.12)
Report
There was brief discussion
surrounding the policy for Council attendance at the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report dated February
20, 2006
entitled. “Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference (FCM) Attendees” be
received;
And that any Councillors who have not
attended an FCM Conference this term be given first refusal;
And that the remaining Councillors be
permitted to attend at their own expense if they so wish;
And that overnight travel for the 2006 FCM
Conference be approved.
CARRIED
6. DRAFT
LETTERS TO PROVINCIAL AND
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS RESPECTING
BUDGET PROCESS (7.4, 7.5, 13.1
& 13.2)
There was discussion surrounding the content
of the letters to Hon. J. Gerretson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
and Hon. L. Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
There was also discussion of other organizations to which copies of the letters
might be sent.
Moved by Councillor K. Usman
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter to Honourable J. Gerretson, Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing regarding the Development Charges Act, be approved and that
copies also be sent to the Association of Municipalities in Ontario, and any
other appropriate municipalities, organizations or agencies;
And that the letter to Honourable L. Cannon, Ministry of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities regarding the Federal Gas Tax, be approved and
that copies also be sent to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and any
other appropriate municipalities, organizations or agencies;
And that an additional letter, concerning issues with the revenue
pooling paid by the Town of Markham and other municipalities to the City of
Toronto to offset welfare and social housing costs, be sent to Honourable J.
Gerretson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
CARRIED
7. HWY 407 INTERCHANGES WITH 9TH LINE
AND MARKHAM BY-PASS (5.10)
Report Attachments
Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering, briefly
advised that the Town is negotiating with 407ETR regarding the interchanges.
Staff advised that the carrying costs may be included within Development
Charges, otherwise they will be from taxation.
**Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the February 20, 2006 report entitled “Hwy 407 Interchanges with 9th
Line and Markham By-pass” be received;
And that the Ministry of Transportation letter dated January
16, 2006,
be received;
And that the Region of York be requested to finance 50% of a traffic
and financial model for the outstanding Hwy 407 ramps at 9th Line
and Markham By-pass;
And that staff in conjunction with the Region of York be authorized to
retain on a sole preferred supplier basis a consultant to undertake a traffic
and financial model for the northbound access ramps to Hwy 407 for 9th
Line and Markham By-pass;
And that the cost of the traffic/financial model be funded under the
2006 Capital Budget Project #7251 to the upset limit of $50,000;
And that staff report back to committee on the results of the traffic
and financial model to construct the outstanding access ramps; and if the model
proves the access ramps are required, request the Province and 407ETR to
construct those ramps at their expense;
And that B.
MacGregor, Commissioner of Transportation and Works for the Regional Municipality
of York, be advised accordingly.
**Amended at Council on February 28, 2006 to delete paragraph 6 in its entirety and
replace with the following:
“And that
staff report back to committee on the results of the traffic and financial
model to construct the outstanding access ramps; and if the model proves the
access ramps are required, request the Province and 407ETR to construct those
ramps at their expense;”
8. FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES –
MARCH 2006 (7.0)
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the attendance of Councillor E. Shapero at a Federation of
Canadian Municipalities meeting regarding the Conference on Climate Change in
March 2006 be approved with overnight travel to be funded from Councillor E.
Shapero’s discretionary expenses.
CARRIED
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Other matters considered by General Committee
on February 20, 2006
9. TURNING
RESTRICTIONS ON YONGE STREET (5.12)
Report
Councillor E. Shapero disclosed an interest
with respect to Item # 9, the turning restrictions on Yonge Street,
by nature of being a client of Smith Veterinary Hospital, and
did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the question
of the approval of such matter.
Ms. S. Cox, on behalf of Smith Veterinary Hospital, spoke in favour of removing or
modifying the turning restrictions on Yonge Street because they are adversely
affecting the business.
Mr. W. Morse, Executive Member, South
Thornhill Residents Association, Mr. J. O’Gorman, Grandview Area Residents
Association, and Mr. R. Watters, Executive Member, Grandview Area Residents
Association, spoke in favour of retaining the turning restrictions on Yonge Street.
Staff provided information on vehicular
infiltration in the Grandview Area and outlined the consultation process
undertaken. It was noted that a number of alternative solutions were considered
but they proved be either ineffective or unenforceable. Staff suggested that
the veterinary hospital is still accessible to clients but that a detour is
required.
Additionally, it was stated that following
the second phase of the rapid transit rollout, the installation of a central
median on Yonge Street will prevent any left turns. The
Committee highlighted the importance of communicating this fact to business
owners.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the deputations from Ms. S. Cox, Mr. W. Morse, Executive Member, South Thornhill
Residents Association, Mr. J. O’Gorman, Grandview
Area Residents Association and Mr. R. Watters, Executive Member,
Grandview Area Residents Association, be received;
And that staff consider alternative interim
solutions to the turning restriction on Yonge Street, such as allowing cars to
turn into the back lane behind local businesses but prohibiting onward entry
into Woodward Avenue or Highland Park Boulevard;
And that local businesses and ratepayers
associations be included in the decision-making process.
CARRIED
10. MINUTES
OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD JANUARY 24, 2006
(7.13 & 16.34)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes of the meeting of the Information Technology
Sub-Committee held on January 24, 2006 be adopted.
CARRIED
11. STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE PERIOD
FROM JANUARY 2 TO 31, 2006
(7.12)
Report Attachments
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report entitled “Staff Awarded
Contracts for the period from January 2 to 31, 2006” be received.
CARRIED
12. 2005 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)
Report 1
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report dated February 20, 2005 entitled “2005
Investment Performance Review” be received.
CARRIED
13. 2006
CAPITAL PROGRAMS (5.0)
Report
Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering, provided detailed information
regarding planned capital projects. It was noted that a report concerning
improvements to Highway 48 will be forthcoming in March 2006. The Committee
highlighted the construction of a sidewalk over the bridge at Highway 7 and Kennedy Road and staff advised that structural
issues are being resolved and that construction will begin in 2007. Additionally,
the Committee advised of the need for a sidewalk on Highway 48 from 16th Avenue to Bur Oak Drive. Staff advised they will report
back on the possibility of resolving this in 2006.
Mr. P. Marsh, Markham resident, expressed disappointment
that the narrowing of Main Street South has been postponed until 2010-2011.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the presentation by Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering, regarding
the 2006 Capital Programs be received;
And that the deputation from Mr. P. Marsh, be received.
CARRIED
14. DISASTER RELIEF FOR THE PHILIPPINES (7.0)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That staff report to Committee of the Whole on February
28, 2006 on
the possibility of donating disaster relief to the Philippines in respect of the recent mudslide.
CARRIED
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Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the Committee resolve In Camera to discuss confidential property
matters. (12:10 p.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the Committee rise and report. (12:45
p.m.)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of General Committee adjourned at the hour of 12:50
p.m.