Electronic Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting No. 23
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Live streamed
Roll Call
  • Mayor Frank Scarpitti
  • Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton
  • Regional Councillor Jack Heath
  • Regional Councillor Joe Li
  • Regional Councillor Jim Jones
  • Councillor Keith Irish
  • Councillor Alan Ho
  • Councillor Reid McAlpine
  • Councillor Karen Rea
  • Councillor Andrew Keyes
  • Councillor Amanda Collucci
  • Councillor Khalid Usman
  • Councillor Isa Lee
Staff
  • Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
  • Arvin Prasad, Commissioner, Development Services
  • Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
  • Joel Lustig, Treasurer
  • Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff
  • Mary Creighton, Director, Recreation Services
  • Meg West, Manager of Business Planning and Projects
  • Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk
  • Martha Pettit, Deputy City Clerk
  • Graham Seaman, Director, Sustainability & Asset Management,
  • Adam Grant, Fire Chief
  • Morgan Jones, Director, Operations
  • Stacia Muradali, Manager, Development, Planning & Urban Design
  • Darryl Lyons, Manager, Policy

Alternate formats for this document are available upon request


The meeting of Council convened at 1:01 PM on December 16, 2020. Mayor Frank Scarpitti presided.

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging that we walk upon the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture, and stewardship of the land. We are grateful to all Indigenous groups for their commitment to protect the land and its resources and we are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

The Mayor thanked Members of Council and staff for all their hard work throughout this challenging year. The Mayor wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked all those around the globe involved in the development of a vaccine against COVID-19.

None to approve.

There were no presentations.

Jason Grossman, representing the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, addressed Council on this matter.

(See Item 11.2, New/ Other Business for Council's decision on this matter.)

There were no communications.

There were no proclamations.

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jim Jones
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish

    That the report of the Development Services Committee be received & adopted. (Items 1 to 3):

    Carried
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jim Jones
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the report titled “Markham Centre Viva Rapidway Update” be received; and,
    2. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute agreements to convey easements to Metrolinx for the Transit Rapidway (including station locations), between Birchmount Road to Kennedy Road in locations satisfactory to the Director of Engineering, after the Transit Rapidway in these locations has been constructed, provided the form of the agreements are satisfactory to the Commissioner of Fire and Community Services and the City Solicitor; and,
    3. That the agreement between the City and Metrolinx for the conveyance of an easement to Metrolinx for the Transit Rapidway (including station locations) over sections of South Town Centre Blvd., Cedarland Blvd. and Enterprise Blvd. and other City-owned lands be ratified; and further,
    4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

     

    Carried
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jim Jones
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the report titled “RECOMMENDATION REPORT, Update on Recommendations for an Age-Friendly Community”, dated December 8, 2020, be received; and,
    2. That the deputations of Surjit Sachdev, Diane Gabay, Andy Langer, and Gail Leet, be received; and,
    3. That the communication from the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham, be received; and,
    4. That a Council workshop be held as part of the Urban Design Study process to develop Age Friendly Design Guidelines by the end of March 2021; and,
    5. That staff consult with the Committee for an Age-Friendly Markham with respect to the agenda for the workshop and include the report and issues related to the Age-Friendly Markham Community; and further,
    6. That staff report back to Development Services Committee on Age Friendly Design Guidelines once the guidelines are completed.
    Carried
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jim Jones
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the report entitled “Markham Small Business Centre 2019-2020 Business Results and 2021 Objectives” be received and endorsed; and,
    2. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
    Carried

There were no motions.

There were no notices of motion to reconsider.

  • Moved byCouncillor Amanda Collucci
    Seconded byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    1. That the report dated December 16, 2020 entitled “Province of Ontario Audit and Accountability Fund Intake 2 ” be received; and,
    2. That staff be directed to apply for funding from the Provincial Audit and Accountability Fund for service delivery and modernization opportunity reviews
      • Standardized Terms of Reference for studies supporting development application submissions
      • Comprehensive review and update of the Development Fee By-law
      • Implementation Plan for Expansion of the Administrative Monetary Penalties System; and further;
    3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

     

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Keith Irish
    Seconded byCouncillor Isa Lee
    1. That the report dated December 16, 2020 entitled “Adoption of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism” be received; and,
    2. That a resolution adopting the IHRA’s definition of anti-semitism be passed as set out in Appendix “A”; and further,
    3. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

    Carried Unanimously by Recorded Vote (13-0)

    (See following Recorded Vote)

  • Recorded Vote (13-0)

    YEAS: Councillor Keith Irish, Councillor Alan Ho, Councillor Reid McAlpine, Councillor Karen Rea, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Deputy Mayor Don Hamilton, Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Jack Heath, Regional Councillor Joe Li, Councillor Andrew Keyes, Councillor Amanda Collucci, Councillor Khalid Usman, Councillor Isa Lee (13)

     

  • Moved byCouncillor Khalid Usman
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li
    1. That Council consider the matter of "Adoption Of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Definition Of Antisemitism" immediately following Deputations with respect thereto.
    Carried

Staff provided a powerpoint presentation. Discussion on this matter ensued.

  • Moved byCouncillor Karen Rea
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Joe Li
    1. That the presentation titled, “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP): COVID Resilience Infrastructure Stream – Local Government Intake Ontario”, be received; and,
    2. That the proposed three (3) project bundles totaling no greater than $7,381,614 be approved for submission to this Ontario grant program on or before 4:59 p.m. on January 7,2021; and,
    3. That authority be given to the Sr. Manager of Procurement & Accounts Payable to work with the applicable Director to undertake an informal pre-qualification and award process with a minimal of three (3) vendors for each project to expedite the procurement process when necessary, by allowing a preferred vendor list to be developed and used to release the project(s) to the market; and further,
    4. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
    Carried

Mayor Frank Scarpitti advised that the City is eligible for additional funding in the amount of $2.8 million under the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement for financial relief for municipalities during COVID-19. Additional details on eligibility criteria is being requested. 

  • Moved byCouncillor Andrew Keyes
    Seconded byCouncillor Reid McAlpine

    That By-law 2020-149 to 2020-151 be given three readings and enacted.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Alan Ho
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Don Hamilton

    That By-law 2020-148 be given three readings and enacted.

    Three Readings

    BY-LAW 2020-148 A BY-LAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2020.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Isa Lee
    Seconded byCouncillor Keith Irish
    1. That the Council meeting be adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
    Carried