GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-11-19
Meeting
No. 31
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
A. Seabrooke, Acting
Commissioner, Markham Public Libraries,
Fire and Emergency Services, Recreation Services
and Culture
P. Loukes, Acting
Commissioner, Asset Management
S. Laing, Director,
Human Resources
D. Taylor, Manager,
Executive Operations
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. Councillor E. Shapero assumed the Chair for discussion of
Environment and Sustainability Issues Item 8.
DISCLOSURE
OF INTEREST
None
disclosed
1. DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
BY-LAWS RENEWALS (7.11)
Presentation
Ms. B. Cribbett,
Treasurer, presented information on the Area Specific Development Charge (ASDC)
By-laws. It was noted that there are currently 27 ASDCs and that it is proposed
that this be reduced to 14. This can be achieved by reallocating $18m in local
costs to be collected through Development Agreements and by reallocating $97m
to Town Wide Hard (TWH) Development Charges.
There was
discussion surrounding the impact on higher density dwellings. Staff noted that
the costs associated with such dwellings were deliberately kept deflated in
2004 by a policy decision of Council.
There was
discussion surrounding environmentally aware development. It was suggested that
conservation measures and encouraging the use of transit may reduce development
costs for the Town. Staff advised that these factors have not been considered
during this review but will likely be tackled during the next one.
There was
brief discussion regarding crediting developers using indexed dollars.
**Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
presentation from Ms. B. Cribbett, Treasurer, regarding Development Charges
By-laws Renewals, be received;
And that
Council endorse in principle the Development Charges Sub-Committee
recommendations, save and except that
consideration of the continuance of the limited exemption on non-residential
developments to August 31, 2009, be deferred to General Committee on December 3,
2007, pending a report from staff on the financial implications of continuing
the exemption;
And that
staff be directed to meet with the development industry and present the
recommendations of the DC Sub-Committee along with the financial data;
And that
staff provide periodic updates of results from consultations with the
development industry.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor C. Moretti
That the
minutes of the November 5, 2007 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2007
BUILDING & PARKS COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Minutes
There was
discussion as to the wall covering for the west wall of the East Markham
Community Centre and Library, including the type of material to be used and the
ongoing maintenance cost implications.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That the
minutes of the October 19, 2007 Building & Parks Committee be received;
And that consideration of the wall covering for
the west wall of the East Markham Community Centre and Library be deferred and referred
to Development Services Committee on November 20, 2007, pending further background
from staff, including information on the decision-making process for
determining the materials to be used.
CARRIED
4. CANCELLATION,
REDUCTION OR REFUND
OF TAXES UNDER SECTION 357 AND 358
OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001
RESIDENTIAL (7.1)
Report
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
That the residential taxes totalling $74,421.58
be adjusted under Sections 357 (in the amount of $31,071.67) and Section 358
(in the amount of $43,349.91) of the Municipal
Act, 2001 of which the Town’s portion is estimated to be $19,469.23;
And that the associated interest be
cancelled in proportion to the tax adjustments;
And that the Treasurer be directed to
adjust the Collector’s Roll accordingly;
And that staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
5. AMENDMENTS TO THE PROCEDURAL BY-LAW
(13.2)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor
A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor C. Moretti
That the report entitled “Bill 130 –Revisions to Procedural By-law
2001-1” be received for information purposes; and
That Reasonable Notice By-law 2002-275 be repealed and the
requirements contained in this By-law be incorporated into Procedural By-law
2001-1 as a Schedule; and
That Procedural By-law 2001-1 be further amended to:
1)
update the definition of “Committee”
and “Meeting” as prescribed by the Municipal Act;
2)
reflect the ability for Council to
now close a meeting to the public for the purposes of educating or training,
provided that the business or decision making of Council is not materially
advanced during such meetings; and
3)
make two minor housekeeping
amendments related to the ability to hold Council meetings in an adjacent
municipality and to the inclusion of transportation items under the list of
subject matters to be considered by the Development Services Committee; and
That notwithstanding the definition of Committee provided for in
Procedural By-law 2001-1, all Town Committees be required to comply with the
requirements of Procedural By-law 2001-1 in order to ensure consistency in
meeting administration; and further,
That a copy of the report entitled “Bill 130 –Revisions to
Procedural By-law 2001-1” be provided to Markham’s Local Boards and Committees
for information/action.
CARRIED
6. CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS (12.0)
This item
was deferred to the November 26, 2007 meeting of General Committee.
7. WINTER MAINTENANCE REVIEW (5.0)
Mr. P.
Loukes, Acting Commissioner, Asset
Management, presented an overview of the Winter Maintenance Program. Mr. Loukes
outlined the service levels for the clearing of snow from arterial and other
roads, and from sidewalks, walkways, Transit standing areas and facility
parking lots. Committee also received information on the Town’s Salt Management
Program.
Issues for discussion
included local street ploughing threshold, level of service for secondary and
local roads, the driveway windrow removal program and assumption by the Region
for treating Transit standing areas.
Committee suggested
that the cost implications of increasing the level of service on secondary and
local roads be considered. It was noted that service levels may need to be
adjusted as the number of seniors is increasing as are the numbers of residents
working non-traditional hours.
There was also
discussion about offering the windrow clearing service for a fee to the
population at large, not just seniors. It was suggested that the service be
contracted out but that the Town might administer it.
Further discussion of
this matter was deferred to the November 26, 2007 meeting of General Committee.
Councillors were invited to forward questions directly to Mr. Loukes prior to
the meeting.
Moved by
Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by
Councillor E. Shapero
That the
presentation from Mr. P. Loukes, Acting Commissioner, Asset Management,
providing a Winter Maintenance Review, be received;
And that the balance of the discussion be
deferred to the November 26, 2007 meeting of General Committee.
CARRIED
8. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY FUND – FALL FUNDING (5.7)
Report
1
There was brief discussion on each of the projects seeking grants from
the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund. There was discussion regarding
financial support for condominium groups seeking to install high efficiency
boilers. There was discussion regarding rebate programs. Staff advised that the
Markham Energy Conservation Office operates a number of such programs is
working on ways to increase awareness of these.
There was brief discussion surrounding the lunch shuttle bus pilot
project.
Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That staff report titled “Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund – Fall
Funding”, dated November 12, 2007, be received;
And that Council approve funding for the following Community Projects as
evaluated and recommended by staff and the Environmental Issues Committee as
set out in this report, in the amount of $19,000.00 as follows:
·
Youth Environmental Network of York Region
($10,000)
·
Unionville Meadows Public School ($5,000)
·
Stonebridge Public School ($4,000)
to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF),
Account #87 2800168;
And that staff
report back with details for a recognition and financial incentive system for
condominiums corporations seeking to replace existing boilers with high
efficiency boilers;
And that staff
investigate options for providing incentives to encourage the adoption of other
sustainable practices;
And that Staff be authorized to do all things necessary to give effect
to the above.
CARRIED
9. PARKING AT
MARKVILLE MALL (5.12.4)
Staff
agreed to investigate options for providing additional parking spaces at Centennial
Community Centre in order to capture overspill from the GO Station. It was
noted that Markville Mall will commence ticketing overspill cars starting next
week.
Committee
noted the need to ensure the extra parking is clearly marked as being a temporary
arrangement that will be ongoing through the holiday season only.
10.
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES FOR
EXPANSIONS (7.11)
Staff
agreed to consider the possibility of granting some relief for Development
Charges for expansion projects, particularly for Participation House in
recognition of the good work it undertakes.
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Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the Committee resolve in camera to
discuss a confidential personnel matter. (1045)
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the Committee rise. (1120)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 12:00 p.m.