GENERAL COMMITTEE
2008-11-24
Meeting
No. 24
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
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
B. Librecz, Commissioner
of Community & Fires Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
C. Biss, Chief
Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries
D. Flaherty,
Manager, Corporate Communications
J. Klaus, General
Manager, Waterworks
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
P. Loukes, Director,
Operations
B. Nicholson,
Manager, Business and Technical Service
V. Sawler, Manager,
MECO
M. Urquhart,
Manager, Environmental Leadership
D. Walker, Director,
Library Strategy and Innovation
C. Raynor, Committee
Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed
1. 2009
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE
MEETING SCHEDULE (16.23)
Schedule
Committee
suggested that options for populating staff and Councillors’ calendars with
meeting dates be considered.
That the
2009 Council & Committee Meeting Schedule be approved except that all General Committee and Development Services Committee
meetings be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with one General Committee meeting
per month going from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
CARRIED
2. THE BENEFITS OF NUCLEAR
ENERGY TO ONTARIO (13.5.2)
Dr. N. Alexander, President, CANDU
Industries, presented information relating to nuclear power and CANDU reactors.
Dr. Alexander stated that the construction of nuclear reactors is likely to
increase in the future and he provided an estimate of some of the employment
and other economic benefits surrounding reactor construction.
Committee sought clarification on some
issues including the availability of uranium and safety and waste disposal
measures.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the presentation by Dr. N. Alexander,
President, CANDU Industries, entitled “The Benefits of Nuclear Energy to
Ontario” be received.
CARRIED
3. MARKHAM PUBLIC
LIBRARY
– A GOOD NEWS UPDATE (6.0)
Ms. P.
Durst, Chair, Markham Library Board, presented an overview of the operations of
Markham Public Libraries. It was noted that the Markham’s Libraries are some of
the busiest in Canada but the cost per capita of providing service is amongst
the lowest in the GTA. It was stated that there is a need for an expanded
library in South Markham.
Committee
thanked staff and the Library Board for their continuing work.
Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded
by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the
presentation by Ms. P. Durst, Chair, entitled “Markham Public Library – A Good
News Update” be received.
CARRIED
4. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY – FALL 2008
(5.7 & 7.6)
Report Oct.
2 Oct.
31
Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental
Leadership, provided an overview of the funding provided by the Markham
Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) to date.
Committee was advised that there will be an
information workshop on December 5, 2008 relating to the Green Print program.
There was discussion surrounding a proposal
to install solar panels on the Civic Centre or other Town-owned building.
Moved by Councillor
J. Virgilio
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That consideration of a Markham Environmental
Sustainability Fund (MESF) grant to facilitate the installation of solar panels
on the Civic Centre or other Town-owned buildings be deferred to December, 2008
to allow staff to report back with more information as to the proposal.
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes
of the October 2, and October 31, 2008 Environmental Issues Committee be
received; and,
That the presentation by Ms. M. Urquhart,
Manager of Environmental Leadership, entitled “Markham Environmental
Sustainability Fund – Program Overview 2004-2008” be received; and,
That staff
report “Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) – Fall Funding”, dated
November 24th, 2008, be received; and,
That Council
approve funding for four community projects and three staff projects in the amount of $55,638.85, as follows:
Community
Projects:
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Youth
Environmental Network
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$7,372.60
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Swan
Lake Village Signage
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$2,000
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Thornhill
Solar Initiative
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$9,476.25
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South Unionville Community
Association Signage replacement*
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$900
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Town projects:
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Markham Environmental Kick Start
project
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$24,750
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Sustainability Series
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$2,000
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On-line Youth Engagement Prizes
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$9,140
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That Internal (Staff) MESF application form be amended to
state: “funding will not be granted where projects have been commenced;” and
clarify that this funding is intended for innovative/pilot
environmental projects that would not normally be considered as part of a
department’s budget; and,
That funds come
from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), account #87 2800168;
and,
That the Trees
for Tomorrow application form and process, as described in this report for tree
planting projects between $10,000 and
$30,000, be approved and that the funds come from the Trees for Tomorrow
account; and,
That the
Environmental Issues Committee mandate be revised to include review and
approval of appropriate Trees for Tomorrow projects, with General Committee giving final approval; and,
That Staff
undertake a partnership program with Natural Resources Canada, Enbridge and
PowerStream to deliver a joint information
program regarding rebate programs available to high rise residential
condominium corporations and apartment buildings to facilitate sustainable
practices and boiler retrofits, as described in this report; and further,
That
Staff be authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to the above.
CARRIED
5. BACKFLOW PREVENTION
PROGRAM UPDATE-PRESENTATION (5.3)
Presentation
Mr. J. Klaus,
General Manager, Waterworks, presented an update of the Backflow Prevention
Program. Committee was advised of the requirements of the Safe Drinking
Water Act and of the Town’s Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection
Control By-law and other information including affected parties, communication
program, compliance encouragement process and penalties for non-compliance.
Committee queried the timelines for securing compliance and staff noted that a
six month timeframe for allowing industries time to adjust to new regulations
is a general practice.
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor J. Heath
That the
presentation by Mr. J. Klaus entitled “Backflow Prevention Program
Update-Presentation” be received.
CARRIED
6. 2009
WATER/WASTEWATER RATE INCREASES
(5.3 & 7.0)
Minutes Report 1
There was considerable discussion
concerning proposed water rates, maintenance of the Water Reserve Fund, the
proposed York Region water rate increase and date of implementation of the 2009
rate. Staff agreed to provide the Region’s proposed infrastructure rate at
Council on November 25, 2008. Committee
requested that there be a communications program to promote water conservation
measures to the public. Staff suggested that information can be placed on a
website with directions included in the water rate bill packages.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the report
dated November 24, 2008 entitled “2009 Water/Wastewater Rate Increase” be
received; and,
That the 2009 Town of
Markham’s (“Town”) Water/Wastewater rate increase be equivalent to the Region
of York’s (“Region”) increase of $0.1415 per cubic metre (m3) based
on the Region’s estimated increase of 12.66%; and,
That in addition to
the Region’s increase, the 2009 Water/Wastewater rate increase will include the
Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Surcharge increase of $0.0956/m3;
and,
That effective
January 1, 2009, the total 2009 Water/Wastewater rate be increased from
$1.7671/m3 to $2.0042/m3, an increase of $0.2371/m3
or 13.42%; and,
That By-Law 2002-276,
the bylaw on fees and charges for services or activities provided or performed
by the Town, be amended to reflect the increase in Water/Wastewater rate; and,
That staff
investigate and report back to Council the viability of implementing the 2010
rate increase effective April 2010 similar to that of the Region; and further,
That staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 11:52 a.m.