M I N U T E S

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

2003-05-27

Canada Room

 

Attendance

 

Mayor                          D. Cousens Deputy Mayor              F. Scarpitti Regional Councillors     T. Wong                                     B. O'Donnell Councillors                   S. Daurio                                     E. Shapero                                     J. Virgilio                                     G. McKelvey                                     J. Heath                                     D. Horchik                                     K. Usman                                     A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development    Services S. Birrell, Town Clerk S. Chait, Director, Corporate Quality &    Effectiveness B. Cribbett, Treasurer C. Conrad, Town Solicitor R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services J. Sales, Commissioner of Community    and Fire Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services G. Taylor, Manager, Community Centre    Operations M.F. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy,    Innovation and Partnership B. Varner, Manager of Real Property

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of 5:05 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None declared.

 

1.         MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
            - MAY 13 2003 (16.0)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

Seconded by Councillor K. Usman

 

That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on May 13, 2003 be confirmed.

 

Carried

 

2.         MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARIES
ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN PROJECT
CORE SERVICES IMPLEMENTATION (3.19 & 7.0)

 

Joanne Pickering, Chair, and Elliot Berlin, Vice-Chair, Library Board of Directors, were in attendance and introduced the member of the Markham Public Libraries Board in attendance.  Ms. Pickering and Mr. Berlin presented the organizational design project core services implementation including the following:

 

            -     Markham Public Library update/accomplishments as to current status and statistics

            -     Funding issues -      1990 – 2002

            -     Accomplishments

            -     Vision for the future

-         Mission Statement

-         Goals and Strategic Directions

-         Comparison between Markham Public Libraries strategic directions and corporate goals

-         How Markham Public Libraries strategic directions align with corporate goals

            -     New Markham Public Libraries organization

-         Benefits of the new organization

-         CSI project goals

-         CSI savings

 

Catherine Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries, Joanne Pickering, Chair, and Elliot Berlin, Vice-Chair, Library Board of Directors, fielded questions.

 

Committee stressed the importance of accurate statistical reporting.

 

Staff were requested to provide some clarification with respect to timing of the sustainability of the $200,000 savings on the lease of administrative space.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the report entitled "Markham Public Libraries Organizational Design Project - Core Services Implementation", be received;

 

And that the Markham Public Libraries' CSI Organizational Design Project, be approved.

 

Carried

 

 

3.         REQUEST FOR GRANT - ARYA SAMAJ
SENIOR CITIZENS' CLUB, MARKHAM
JUNE 28, 2003 SENIORS' EVENT (7.6 & 12.2.6)

 

On May 20, 2003, Finance and Administrative Committee deferred and referred this request to the meeting this date.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor K. Usman

 

That Council approve the request for financial support from Arya Samaj Senior Citizen's Club in the amount of $2,000.00 to support their event to be held on June 28, 2003, for the year 2003 only.

 

Carried

 

 

 

4.         UNIONVILLE LAND USE AND PARKING STUDY                                                      
            IMPLEMENTATION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE
            OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAWS (10.3, 10.5)   Weblink

 

On April 20, 2003, Development Services Committee deferred consideration of the Official Plan, Zoning By-law Amendments and Secondary Plan for the Unionville Core Area to the meeting this date.

 

The Commissioner of Development Services provided a written update on this matter following the resolution of outstanding issues.

 

The Commissioner of Development Services and the Manager of Heritage Planning provided a verbal update and fielded questions.

 

Some discussion followed regarding how the proposed amendments to provide for specific restaurant expansion may erode the integrity of the proposed by-law.  This was confirmed by the Town Solicitor.

 

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

 

 

That the tabled report from the Commissioner of Development Services with respect to the resolution of outstanding issues in connection with the Unionville Land Use and Parking Study implementation of amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws, be received;

 

And that the presentation by the Manager, Heritage Planning, with respect to the Unionville Land Use and Parking Study, be received;

 

And that the Zoning By-law Amendment to By-law 122-72, as amended, attached as Appendix ‘B’ to the report dated May 20, 2003, be revised by the following changes:

 

- modify section 14.3 (a)(iii) on page 4 of the zoning by-law amendment by replacing the figure 232 m² with 296 m²;

 

- add a new exception to section 14.3 (a)(iii) of the zoning by-law amendment as follows:

            “187 Main Street

In addition to the restaurant floor space existing on the day of the passing of the by-law, an additional 65 m² of ground floor restaurant space shall be permitted on the lands municipally known as 187 Main Street as shown on Schedule ‘B’”.

 

Carried

 

 

 

5.         MILLER-RODICK LAND LEASE RENEWAL
            PARKING AND DOG OFF-LEASH AREA (2.8 & 6.3)

 

Committee had before it the report dated May 27, 2003 from the Town Solicitor regarding the land lease renewal for the Miller-Rodick lands for parking and a dog off-leash area.

 

Some discussion took place regarding the proposed increase in lease rates, however, the Manager of Real Property confirmed it was a reasonable rate for 2003 and has been accepted, in principle, by the Ontario Realty Corporation Board.

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

 

That Council approve a Lease Renewal Agreement between Ontario Realty Corporation and The Corporation of the Town of Markham for lands located at the northwest corner of Miller Avenue and Rodick Road, being Part of Lot 7, Concession 4 and designated as Part 3 and Part 6 on Plan R4411, for continued use of an employee parking lot and implementation of a dog off-leash area;

 

And that the Mayor and Town Clerk be authorized to execute the Lease Renewal Agreement in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.

 

Carried

 

 

 

6.         INTERNATIONAL AIR RALLY (12.2.6)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor K. Usman

 

That the report entitled "International Air Rally", be received;

 

And that the Town become an official "host city" at a cost not to exceed $5,000 to be funded from within the approved business Development account #610-9985808;

 

And that the Director of Economic Development pursue sponsorships and joint-ventures with the Province, the Region of York, and the private sector to fund the costs of programming this event.

 

Carried

 

 

 

7.         2003 COMMITTEE/BOARD APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

 

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

 

Markham Centre Advisory Committee

That a representative from Bell Canada be appointed to the Markham Centre Advisory Committee.

 

Markham Conservation Committee

That the resignation of Sandra Guido from the Markham Conservation Committee, be received with regret and a letter of appreciation be forwarded;

 

And that Councillors J. Heath and E. Shapero bring forward a replacement appointment to a future Council meeting.

 

Carried

 

 

 

8.         CN BALA/YORK SUBDIVISION
            NOISE ISSUE (2.10)

 

Committee had before it a petition signed by residents of Bayview Fairways, Coral Harbour Crescent, Castle Harbour and Oak Grove expressing concern regarding the noise issue on the CNR Bala/York Subdivision intersections.

 

Councillor E. Shapero spoke in support of this matter.

 

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

Whereas the Town of Markham is in receipt of a petition from the residents of the Harbour Coral area regarding noise associated with the CNR Bala/York subdivision intersections;

 

And whereas Markham staff, having inspected the site, concur that there is a noise problem;

 

Now therefore be it resolved that the CNR be requested to expeditiously investigate this matter and take appropriate measures to reduce the noise;

 

And that the Honourable E. Caplan, MP, Thornhill, be requested to assist in the resolution of this matter.

 

Carried

 

 

9.                  MARKHAM BEAUTIFICATION
CONCRETE FENCE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (5.0)

 

Moved by Councillor K. Usman

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

 

That the matter of the Markham Beautification Concrete Fence Replacement Program be added to the agenda for discussion and consideration at the Council meeting this date.

 

Carried

 

 

 

10.       PLACEMENT OF TOPSOIL/FILL (10.0)

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That staff be directed to review the Town's current Land Fill By-law to determine if there are means to prevent fill from being placed on A1 type farm land in the Town's rural areas to a depth greater than 300 mm (about 12 inches);

 

And that, if the By-law does not allow the Town to prevent the deposit of greater than 300 mm of fill on Class A1 agricultural land, staff be requested to draft a By-law to limit the depth of fill allowed on Class A1 agricultural land;

 

And that staff be requested to report back to Finance and Administrative Committee or Committee of the Whole within three (3) weeks.

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.