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Minutes

General Committee

February 2, 2015

Meeting Number 5

 

Finance & Administrative Issues                  Community Services Issues

Chair:              Deputy Mayor Jack Heath                            Chair:                      Councillor Alan Ho

Vice Chair:      Councillor Colin Campbell                             Vice Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Environment & Sustainability Issues                        Building, Parks, & Construction Issues

Chair:              Councillor Valerie Burke                 Chair:                     Councillor Colin Campbell

Vice Chair:      Councillor Karen Rea                                      Vice Chair:              Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

                                                                                                                       

                Alternate formats are available upon request.

 

 

Attendance

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Regional Councillor Joe Li

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor Alan Ho

Councillor Don Hamilton

Councillor Karen Rea

Councillor Colin Campbell

Councillor Amanda Collucci

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Councillor Alex Chiu

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor

Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk

Joel Lustig, Treasurer

David Porretta, Manager (Acting), Business & Technical

Services

Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

 

 

 

The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 10:02 AM with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair and Councillor Alan Ho Chaired Community Services related items.

 

Disclosure of Interest

 

None disclosed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         PROCEDURAL BY-LAW OVERVIEW (16.0)

            Presentation

 

Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an overview of the Procedural By-Law.

 

There was discussion regarding the motions to "refer" or "defer" and whether the speaker list should be exhausted given the matter will considered at another time.  The Committee suggested that the "respect confidentiality" should be strengthened and clearly state potential consequences.

 

There was discussion regarding members of the public wanting to address Committee and/or Council on items not listed on the agenda.  Staff reviewed the various scenarios of how an item can be addressed that is not on a Committee/Council agenda.

 

The Committee suggested that this presentation be shared with the Business Improvement Area Boards and other City advisory Committees. 

 

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the presentation by Ms. Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk entitled “Procedural By-Law Overview,” be received.

Carried

 

 

2.         MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 26, 2015
            GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

1)         That the minutes of the January 26, 2015 General Committee meeting be confirmed.

Carried

 

3.         2014 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)

            Report     Attachment 1

           

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Nirmala Armstrong

 

1)         That the report dated February 2, 2015 entitled “2014 Investment Performance Review” be received; and,

 

2)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

4.         AMENDMENTS TO MARKHAM VILLAGE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA BY-LAW (3.11 & 3.12)

            Report    Appendix A     Appendix B

 

There was brief discussion regarding the eligibility of some of the proposed new members for the Board.  It was suggested that those discussions be done during an in-camera session.

 

It was suggested that clause three (3) be amended to prior to the end of the fourth quarter.

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea

 

1)         That the report titled “Amendments to Business Improvement Area By-laws” be received; and,

 

2)         That By-law 279-86 establishing the “Markham Village Business Improvement Area” commonly referred to as the "Markham Village BIA (MBIA)" By-law be repealed in its entirety and the attached by-law, noted as Appendix “A” to this report, be enacted; and,

 

3)         That Staff be directed to undertake a comprehensive review, including consultation with the Board of Management of the MBIA to determine further governance improvements and report back prior to the end of the 4th quarter of 2015; and further,

 

4)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

5.         PROPOSED ALL-WAY STOP CONTROLS
            - COX BOULEVARD & CIRCA DRIVE;
            SOUTH PARK ROAD & TIMES AVENUE (5.12)

            Report     Attachment A     Attachment B     Attachment C

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

1)         That the report entitled “Proposed All-way Stop Controls – Cox Boulevard & Circa Drive; South Park Road & Times Avenue”, be received; and,

 

2)         That Schedule 12 of Traffic By-law 106-71, pertaining to compulsory stops, be amended to include all approaches to the intersection of Cox Boulevard & Circa Drive; and,

 

3)         That Schedule 12 of Traffic By-law 106-71, pertaining to compulsory stops, be amended to include all approaches to the intersection of South Park Road & Times Avenue; and,

 

4)         That the Operations Department be directed to install the appropriate signs and pavement markings at the subject locations; and,

 

5)         That the cost of materials and installation for the traffic signs and pavement markings be funded from capital project #14228 (Traffic Operational Improvements) in the amount of $1,000; and,

 

6)         That York Regional Police be requested to enforce the all-way stop control upon installation of these stop signs and passing of the By-law; and further

 

7)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

6.         PROPOSED NORTHBOUND LEFT TURN
            RESTRICTION AT NINTH LINE & BERCZY GATE (5.12)

            Report     Attachment A     Attachment B     Attachment C

 

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services provided some brief opening remarks relative to the staff report.

 

Gord Walter, Sherwood Amber Glen Ratepayers Association addressed the Committee and delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing background information regarding traffic infiltration on Senator Reesor's Drive North.  He spoke in support of the staff recommendations.

Mr. Walter suggested that staff investigate the possibility of an advance left turn signal from 9th Line to westbound Church Street.

 

The Committee thanked Mr. Walter for his presentation and agreed with his suggestion for a left turn signal at 9th Line and Church Street.  There was discussion regarding school bus routes and increasing York Region Transit routes.

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones

 

1)         That the report entitled “Proposed Northbound Left Turn Restriction at Ninth Line & Berczy Gate,” be received; and,

 

2)         That the petition submitted by Mr. Gord Walter, President of the Sherwood Amber Glen Ratepayers Association for a northbound left turn restriction on weekdays between 7 AM and 9 AM at the intersection of Ninth Line and Berczy Gate be received; and,

 

3)         That the Region of York be requested to implement a northbound left turn restriction at the intersection of Ninth Line and Berczy Gate, weekdays, between 7 AM and 9 AM; and,

 

4)         That York Region be requested to review the intersection of Ninth Line and Church Street for consideration to provide a northbound advance left turn signal combined with an advance straight through movement; and,

 

5)         That Markham staff request York Region Transit to review their transit route in an effort to capture more students travelling from the southeast part of Markham that attend Markham District High School by increasing their routes and/or provide for additional buses; and,

 

6)         That Markham staff be directed to contact the York Region District School Board and investigate the possibility of providing a school bus for students coming from the southeast part of Markham attending Markham District High School; and,

 

7)         That the deputation from Gord Walter, Sherwood Amber Glen Ratepayers Association be received; and,

 

8)         That the Markham staff be requested to report back to General Committee regarding their recommendation; and further,

 

9)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

 

7.         WINTER MAINTENANCE (5.10)

 

Councillor Colin Campbell addressed the Committee and stated some concerns regarding the level of service for winter maintenance.  Staff advised that all the arterial and primary roads were plowed starting last night and the secondary and local roads will be plowed starting at 11 today in compliance with the Council approved service levels.    Staff noted that the City is also in compliance with the Province of Ontario’s minimum maintenance standards for municipal roads.

 

 

8.         WINDROW SERVICE (5.0)

 

Councillor Amanda Collucci addressed the Committee requesting if previous staff reports related to windrow clearing and financial implications can be made available.

 

 

9.         CITY WEBSITE (7.13)

 

Councillor Amanda Collucci addressed the Committee advising that the "translate" button on the City website does not seem to work.  Staff will investigate the problem.

 

 

10.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS (16.24 & 6.0)

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matters (11:29 AM):

 

1.         PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES (BOARD APPOINTMENTS)

            [Section 239 (2) (b)]

 

2.         ADVICE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SOLICITOR-CLIENT PRIVILEGE, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THAT PURPOSE     (REGARDING THE DRAFT NOTICE OF MOTION TO DISCLOSE    CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE MARKHAM, SPORTS,             ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURAL CENTRE)

            [Section 239 (2) (F)]

Carried

 

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That the General Committee rise from the in-camera session 12:22 PM.

 

Carried

 

 

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 12:23 PM.

 

Carried

 

 

 

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