GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-09-24
Meeting
No. 23
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
A. Seabrooke, Acting Director, Library Services, Fire
Services, Recreation
and Culture
P. Loukes, Acting Director, Operations
and Water Works
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
B. Labelle, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at 9:00 a.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio
in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None.
1. PROPERTY MATTER RELOCATION OF THE JOHN
KOCH
HOUSE TO MARKHAM ESTATES FINANCIAL CAPABILITY
OF APPLICANT / LOT SELECTION (16.11.3)
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Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the
Committee resolve in-camera to discuss a confidential matter with respect to
the acquisition of a heritage property (9:00 a.m.).
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the Committee rise and report (10:10
a.m.).
CARRIED
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Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
That the current
application by Ms. H. MacDonald and Mr. A. Nehme with respect to the proposed
relocation of the John Koch House to Markham Heritage Estates be referred to
staff;
And that Fourteen (14)
Heritage Corners Lane not be included as an
option within the negotiation process.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES
OF THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
MEETING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes
of the September 10, 2007 meeting of the General Committee be confirmed with
the following amendment;
That the word
“including” replace the words “in particular” in the third (3rd)
clause of item number one (1), Markham
Rodeo.
CARRIED
3. 2007 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD
APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
York Region District School Board
That Mr. Neethan Shan, Trustee -
Markham Area 4 of the York Region District School Board, be appointed to the
Mayor's Youth Task Force for the term expiring June 30, 2008.
Markham Public Art Advisory Committee
That the resignation of Ms. Elizabeth
Chong from the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee be accepted with regret;
And that the vacant position be advertised
with all other upcoming advisory committee vacancies in the fall of 2007.
Non- Essential Use of Pesticide
Education and Communication Program Committee
Whereas on June 26, 2007,
Council established the Non-Essential Use of Pesticide Education and
Communications Program Committee with membership to include the Chair of
the Markham Environmental Issues Committee and the Chair of the Markham
Communications Committee to direct an education and communications program;
And Whereas the Chair of the Markham
Communications Committee has advised that he is unable to serve due to
scheduling conflicts;
Be It Therefore Resolved That the
composition of the Non-Essential Use of Pesticide Education and
Communications Program Committee be amended to provide for the Chair of
the Environmental Issues Committee and one other Member of Council;
And that the resignation of Councillor
Logan Kanapathi from the Non-Essential Use of Pesticide Education and
Communications Program Committee be received;
And that Councillor Valerie Burke be
appointed to the Non-Essential Use of Pesticide Education and Communications
Program Committee.
CARRIED
4. STAFF AWARDED
CONTRACTS
FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2007 (7.12)
Report 1
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report
entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of August 2007” be received.
CARRIED
5. DELEGATION OF
AUTHORITY TO CAO
FOR THE MONTHS OF JUNE TO AUGUST 2007
PER BY-LAW 4-2000(2.0)
Report 1
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the
report entitled “Delegation of Authority to Chief Administrative Officer for
the Months of June to August 2007 as per By-law 4-2000” be received.
CARRIED
6. EXTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES –RFP 051-R-07 (7.12)
Report
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Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the
Committee resolve in-camera to discuss a confidential legal matter (10:15
a.m.).
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the Committee rise and report (10:55
a.m.)
CARRIED
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Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the report entitled “External Audit Services, RFP
051-R-07” be received;
And
that the matter of a contract for External Audit Services to the Town of
Markham be referred to staff to report back to General Committee following a
consultation with the selected applicant, KPMG LLP Chartered Accountant, in
order to negotiate a reduction in cost for their proposed services and to asses
the feasibility and implications of awarding a contract for a three (3) year
period;
And
that staff include an itemized list of both the current and proposed costing
for the External Audits Services provided.
CARRIED
7. TOWN OF MARKHAM PUBLIC SPACE RECYCLING
PROGRAM
UPDATE (5.2)
Presentation
Staff presented a
status update to the Committee with respect to the Town of Markham Public Space
Recycling Program. Members expressed concerns that the advertising currently
displayed on the recycle bins are primarily real estate related. The Committee
suggested that there should be more diversity with respect to the advertising
posted as well as that some space should be reserved for art and public service
announcements. The Committee also expressed concerns regarding the size, colour
and location of the bins, suggesting that many are not in suitable areas. There
was discussion regarding several resident complaints received by Councillors indicating
that the bins were unsightly and unnecessary in certain areas.
Staff noted that
there is currently no revenue attributed to the program but the service did
offer a value added component as it contributed towards the objectives of the
Town’s waste management program. The Committee suggested that staff review the
feasibility of a pilot project in which additional bins would be installed in
areas throughout the Town when major events are held. It was also noted that
the Town should have control over the advertising materials used on the
temporary bins. Members expressed concerns that although similar, the bins are
not in complete compliance with the Town’s Three Stream Waste Management
System. Staff agreed to review the proposed pilot project and noted that they
were working with EcoData towards full compliance with the Three Stream
program. Staff also agreed to bring forward data regarding the amount of waste
collected from the bins.
Moved by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Mayor
F. Scarpitti
That the presentation regarding the Town of Markham
Public Space Recycling Program be received;
And that staff work with EcoMedia and stakeholders on
a pilot project which would increase the number of recycling bins installed in
certain areas when Town events are held;
And that staff review the feasibility of displaying
artwork from the Varley Collection or alternate collection directed by the Town
of Markham in place of the advertising space provided on the recycling
bins;
And that staff review the overall construction of the
recycling bins to determine whether there is design and/or size which would be
more adaptable for residential neighbourhoods.
CARRIED
8. STUDENT LEVY MOTION (13.5.1)
Communication
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the letter
dated August 30, 2007 to all municipalities with a population of more than
50,000 from Carolyn Downs, City Clerk, City of Kingston, providing notification
of a motion passed on August 14, 2007 regarding student levies be received.
CARRIED
9. TAXES FOR CROWN OWNED PROPERTY (13.5.2)
Communication
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
letter dated September 18, 2007 from Ms. H. McCallion, Mayor, City of
Mississauga, and a resolution dated September 12, 2007 from the Council of the
City of Mississauga in support of a motion of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
(FCM) requesting that the Federal Government withdraw its appeal to be exempt
from the payment of municipal property taxes be received and referred to the Commissioner of Corporate Services to report back
to General Committee.
10. STIVER MILL
PRESERVATION COMMITTEE (5.7)
The Committee
discussed that the recommendation of the Stiver Mill Preservation Committee requesting
that the Expression of Interest relative to the Stiver Mill should focus on a
lease opportunity only (not a sale) so that it remains a public asset. Members
noted that a staff report on the matter would be forthcoming to General
Committee in advance of the Expression of Interest being released.
ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 11:40 a.m.