M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2002-03-26 - Canada Room
Meeting No. 7
Attendance
|
Mayor D. Cousens (5:00 p.m.)
Regional Councillors F. Scarpitti (5:07 p.m.)
G.
Landon
T.
Wong
B.
O'Donnell (5:00 p.m.)
Councillors S. Daurio
E.
Shapero
J.
Virgilio (5.45 p.m.)
G.
McKelvey
J.
Heath
D.
Horchik
K.
Usman
A.
Chiu
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
R. Robinson, Town Solicitor
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
M.F. Turner, Commissioner of Development Services
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
P. Miller, Acting Manager, Secretariat Services
A. Mukherjee, Manager of Transportation
P. Loukes, Director of Street Services
J. Lustig, Manager, Financial Planning
S. Chait, Director, Corporate Quality &
Effectiveness
J. Baird, Director of Planning and Urban Design
|
The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of
4:35 p.m. with Regional Councillor G. Landon in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF
INTEREST
None declared.
1. MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE
- MARCH 25, 2002 (16.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held
on March 25, 2002 be confirmed.
Carried
2. NEIGHBOURHOOD
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
2002 LOCAL TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS (5.12)
A communication dated
March 6, 2002 from the Co-Chair of the Boxwood Public School Council regarding
traffic issues in the area of Boxwood Public School, Boxwood Crescent and the
need for a crossing guard to ensure the safety of children, was tabled.
Councillor Heath
stressed the need for traffic calming methods to be implemented on Boxwood
Crescent in the area of Boxwood Public School.
Discussion followed regarding the costs to include one additional
project. It was noted that, until a
public process has been completed, exact costs cannot be determined and,
although financial costs might be accommodated, staffing may pose a problem. The feasibility of other considering other
additional urgent projects was discussed as well as the need for equity across
the entire Town.
Moved by Councillor J.
Heath
Seconded by Councillor
K. Usman
That the tabled communication
dated March 6, 2002 from the Co-Chair of the Boxwood Public School Council
expressing concern for traffic problems in the Boxwood Public School area on
Boxwood Crescent and the need for a crossing guard, be received;
And that the following list of
traffic calming projects for 2002, as selected by the four Neighbourhood
Transportation Committees (N.T.C.), be endorsed:
N.T.C. WARD PHYSICAL LOCATION
IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT
Thornhill 1 Kirk Drive Its
Entirety (Map A6)
2 Willowbrook Road Its Entirety (Map B6)
Unionville 3 Fred
Varley Drive Fonthill Blvd. to
Fitzgerald Avenue (Map E5)
6 Village Gate Drive 16th Avenue to Macrill Road (Map D4)
Markham 4 Windridge
Drive Hwy. 7 East to Robinson
Street (Map G5)
5 Lower East Village Main to Elm St./Hwy. 7 to Parkway Ave.
(Map H5)
Milliken Mills 7 Coppard
Avenue Elson Street to Highglen
Avenue (Map G7)
8 Aldergrove Drive Its Entirety (Map F7)
N.T.C. WARD SPEED EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM
Thornhill 2 Simonston Boulevard (Map
C7)
Unionville 3 The
Bridle Trail (Map F5)
Markham 5 Boxwood
Crescent (Map H7)
Milliken Mills 7 Featherstone
Avenue (Map G7)
And that one additional project
– Boxwood Crescent/Havelock Gate in the area of the Boxwood Public School – in
the Physical Improvement Project category, be approved in principle subject to
a further report from staff providing additional information;
And further that staff report
back to the Environment and Transportation Committee with the results of the
public consultations and the expected costs of the proposed projects.
Carried
3. 2002 OPERATING, CAPITAL AND WATERWORKS
BUDGETS
AND MINUTES OF BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS (7.4 & 7.5)
Moved by Councillor K. Usman
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the 2002 Operating, Capital and Waterworks budgets be referred
directly to the Council meeting this March 26, 2002 for consideration.
Carried
4. REGION OF YORK TRANSPORTATION
MASTER PLAN (5.10)
Committee had before it the tabled report dated March 26,
2002 from the Director of Engineering with respect to the Region of York
Transportation Master Plan.
Following some discussion, it was agreed that the need for a
midblock collector across Steeles Avenue was one critical issue that should be
addressed.
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That the Region of York be commended for their comprehensive process and
efforts to achieve this milestone report;
And that the York Region Transportation Master Plan, Draft Final Report,
be endorsed subject to the addition of a section of the report indicating the
east area of the Town of Markham as a “special study area” requiring further
study and that this study be included in the Five Year Action Plan;
And that the Region
be requested to adjust the 10-year road improvement program for 2011 to
incorporate the alternative road-widening program developed by the Town of
Markham to reduce 6 and 7 lane road widenings (on sections of Leslie Street,
Warden Avenue, Kennedy Road and McCowan Road) and incorporate/investigate
midblock crossings of Highway 404;
And that the
designation of a core HOV network along 16th Avenue and north/south
arterials connecting Markham to the City of Toronto be re-considered and
re-designated as Transit Priority routes;
And that an all “Bus
Rapid Transit/Light Rail Transit” scenario be added as an option in the
Implementation Strategy;
And that the Region
of York be requested to advance the widening and reconstruction of Major
Mackenzie Drive from Woodbine Avenue to Kennedy Road to coincide with the
opening of the Angus Glen Community Centre in 2003;
And that the Region
of York be requested to review the feasibility of an Elgin Mills Road by-pass
of Victoria Square;
And that the
widening of Steeles Avenue to four lanes from Markham Road to Taunton Road be
incorporated into the Road Network Plan and the Five Year Action Plan and that
this widening be considered prior to the jog elimination at the 14th
Avenue/Durham boundary;
And that the Region of York be requested to coordinate an operational
review (signal timings, double left turn lanes etc.) of the signalized
intersections along Steeles Avenue in conjunction with the City of Toronto as a
short term measure to reduce congestion;
And that, given the importance of Hydro corridors as potential
transportation corridors, the Province take all necessary steps to protect
these lands as publicly owned lands as part of the impending privatization of
Hydro One;
And further that
this report be forwarded to the Region in response to their request for
comments from Markham.
Carried
5. TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS
- HYDRO LANDS (5.10)
Committee had before it a tabled memorandum dated March 26,
2002 from the Director of Engineering regarding ownership of lands under Hydro
transmission lines.
Some concern was raised as to whether Hydro lands are
preserved as greenspace in the Town’s OPA52 and it was agreed this would be
investigated.
Moved by Councillor K. Usman
Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Whereas the
impending sale of Hydro One has raised questions about the ownership of the
lands under the transmission lines;
And whereas the
lands in the hydro corridors are one of the few publicly owned facilities that
are ideal for consideration as rapid transit corridors and are identified in
the Town of Markham Official Plan as transportation and utilities which would
permit rapid transit uses;
And whereas a number
of plans have shown the potential use of these corridors as rapid transit
corridors;
And whereas the
north-south hydro corridor west of Warden Avenue would be an important option
to consider for a rapid transit line extending from Markham to the Sheppard
subway as identified in the draft Regional Transportation Master Plan;
And whereas rapid
transit will play a crucial role in the transportation infrastructure needed to
support planned growth in Markham;
And whereas OPA52
identifies hydro corridors of importance for activity linkages among other
uses;
Now therefore be it
resolved that the Town of Markham requests the Provincial Government to protect
the lands in the hydro corridors as publicly owned lands as part of the
privatization of Hydro One.
Carried
6. SYMPATHY - SUDDEN PASSING
TIM CALLEBERT (12.2.6)
Mayor Cousens expressed
appreciation for the caring demonstrated within the corporation following the
sudden passing of Tim Callebert.
7. MR. DON DEACON – PRINCE
EDWARD ISLAND
RED CROSS HUMANITARIAN AWARD
(13.12.4)
Moved by Mayor D.
Cousens
Seconded by Regional
Councillor B. O’Donnell
That the Town of
Markham and Markham Council support and commend Mr. Don Deacon, former Markham
MPP, on being awarded the Prince Edward Island Red Cross Humanitarian Award.
Carried
8. PROCLAMATION
HILTON SUITES DAY
EMBASSY SUITES RENAMING (3.4)
Moved by Councillor K. Usman
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That Tuesday, April
2, 2002 be proclaimed Hilton Suites Day in recognition of the newly renamed
Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa as a valued partner
to the Town of Markham.
Carried
……………………………………….
Regional Councillor G. Landon vacated the Chair and Mayor D. Cousens
assumed the Chair.
……………………………………….
9. EVERGREEN FOUNDATION (10.0)
Councillor E. Shapero introduced Ms. Barbara Heidenreich of The Evergreen
Foundation and Ms. Dena Taylor, President, German Mills Ratepayers
Association, who were in attendance in support of the acquisition of the Jessamyn
Holdings Ltd. property on German Mills Road.
Ms. Heidenreich provided an
information handout regarding the Evergreen Foundation and addressed Committee
with respect to its core services – stewardship, capacity building and land
protection. Evergreen is a national
organization that conserves natural and cultural landscapes, restores degraded
environments and protects open spaces for recreation, education and
enjoyment. Ms. Heidenreich advised that
Evergreen is a charitable corporation, and its role in this particular case
would be to source funding partnerships for the Town with respect to the
acquisition of the subject lands. Ms.
Heidenreich submitted a copy of the Evergreen Foundation financial statements
and provided some financial information regarding Evergreen and the mechanics
of their funding strategy. Evergreen
would assist the Friends of Settlers’ Park to incorporate as a not for profit
land conservation trust and registered charity. She fielded questions from Committee and it was agreed that this
was an interesting proposal that required more investigation.
Ms. Dena Taylor, President,
German Mills Ratepayers Association, stated that the German Mills Ratepayers
Association would be happy to be a partner in this venture.
Moved by Councillor
E. Shapero
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That the information and presentation by Ms. Barbara Heidenreich,
Evergreen Foundation, regarding the potential for the foundation to partner
with the Town in an effort to identify funding partnerships, be received.
Carried