GENERAL
COMMITTEE
Finance
& Administrative Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair,
Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D.
Horchik Environment & Sustainability Issues
Chair:
IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor
J. Jones Chair: Councillor
E. Shapero
Chair: Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke
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
P. Loukes, Acting Commissioner, Asset Management
A.
Seabrooke, Acting Commissioner, Markham Public Libraries, Fire & Emergency Services, Recreation Services and Culture
S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
D. Taylor, Acting Director, Strategic Initiatives
J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services
P. Ingham, General Manager, Operations
L. Wells, Manager, Programs
A. Wolfe, Project Coordinator
R. Dominico, Manager, Corporate Strategy and Quality
J. Ryerson, Director/Manager, Varley Art
Gallery
L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning
J. Tsien, Community Resource Coordinator
L. Canning, Supervisor, Fleet Maintenance
M. Urquhart, Manager, Environment Leadership
M. Jones, Supervisor, Contract Administration
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 Item 15.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. NATIONAL
QUALITY INSTITUTE (12.0) No
Attachment
Mr. A. Ebedes, President and CEO, Canada Awards
for Excellence and National Quality Institute (NQI) provided a brief outline of the history and
work of NQI and presented the Town with a certificate for achieving Progressive
Excellence Program (PEP) Level 2.
It was noted that an NQI “Tour de Force” will visit Markham as part of the tour. Committee
suggested that Councillors may benefit from attending the next NQI Conference.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the presentation by Mr. A. Ebedes, President and CEO, Canada Awards
for Excellence and National Quality Institute (NQI), be received.
CARRIED
2. COLLECTION BUILDING RECONSTRUCTION & No Attachment
MUSEUM LANDSCAPE PLAN (6.7)
Mr. A Wolfe, Project Consultant, presented preliminary details of the Museum Collection
Building construction and
the Museum Landscape Plan. Committee was advised that the Collections Building
project will aim for LEED Silver certification as there are certain internal
environmental conditions required that would make it difficult to attain Gold
certification.
Mr. J. Ryerson, Director/Manager, Varley Art Gallery, presented a brief overview of
how the projects will enhance the Museum experience.
Committee noted the importance of ensuring the new building is
constructed to the highest standards. Also noted was the need to ensure the
heating and ventilation systems are not excessively noisy and radiant floor
heating was mentioned as a potential solution.
There was discussion surrounding the site plan, parking lots and other
improvements. It was noted that the objective is to create a uniform experience
in arriving and touring the Museum, with an emphasis on sustainability. Some
improvements will be made to the roadways and parking lots but they will not be
fully paved. However, grading and drainage will be enhanced to minimize
standing water.
There was also discussion surrounding the proposed location of the
sundial, adequacy of lighting, and the integration of the new building with the
existing Reception Centre. It was agreed that discussion of detailed design
issues should be referred to a special workshop during the week of April 21, 2008. Committee
also requested information relating to cost escalation in the event the
construction process is delayed.
Committee was advised that a further report on this matter will be
forthcoming to General Committee on April 21, 2008 and that the report will contain project
timelines.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the presentation from Mr. A. Wolfe, Project Consultant and Mr. J.
Ryerson, Director/Manager, Varley Art Gallery regarding the Museum Collections
Building construction and the Museum Landscape Plan be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 3, 2008
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the
minutes of the March 3, 2008 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 28, 2008
VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF
MARKHAM (6.12)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes of the January 28, 2008 Varley McKay Art Foundation of
Markham be
received.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 10, 2008
CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes of the January
10, 2008 Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 21, 2008
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE(16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the minutes of the February 21, 2008 Conservation Committee be
received.
CARRIED
7. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS TO
ADVISORY COMMITTEES (16.0)
Moved
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded
by Councillor V. Burke
That the resignation
of Mr. Sam Sahoy from the Canada Day Committee be accepted with regret and a letter
of appreciation be forwarded; and,
That the resignation
of Mr. Vito Bigioni from the Advisory
Committee on Accessibility and the Markham Centre Advisory Committee be
accepted with regret and a letter of appreciation be forwarded; and,
That the resignation
of Ms. Chris Girgilis and Ms. Jane Kwong from the Animal Care Committee be accepted
with regret and letters of appreciation be forwarded.
CARRIED
8. EMERGENCY
PURCHASES: WINTER OPERATIONS 2007 (7.9)
Report Appendix
A
Mr.
P. Ingham, General Manager, Operations, briefly outlined the Winter operations
Emergency Purchases for 2007. Committee was advised that the tender for the
next contract for winter services provision will be released shortly, following
which the increased costs for these services will be apparent.
There
was agreement that the Town should inform the public as to the municipality’s
increased costs of providing services during this exceptional winter season.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report entitled ‘Emergency Purchases
– Winter Operations 2007’ be
received; and,
That the Finance Department be authorized to
increase Purchase Orders and approve purchases as per “Attachment A” in order
to be aligned with the emergency invoice payments approval for winter
maintenance contracts and supplies for 2007; and,
That the over expenditure of $1,412,071 in
account 700 504 Winter Controls, be offset by Town wide favourable variances in
the 2007 Operating Budget; and,
That the Operations
Department report back to Finance and Administrative Committee, following the
2007/2008 winter season, to provide detailed financial reports on the year to
date costs for winter maintenance operations, as well as estimated costs to
provide service for the balance of the 2008 budget year; and further,
That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
9. FCM
-2008 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES MISSION
AUGUST 17-22, 2008- VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
(11.12)
Attachment Registration
Form
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That
the itinerary for the FCM 2008 Sustainable Communities Mission be received; and,
That
Council approve a request by Councillor J. Webster to attend the conference on
August 17-22, 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia at an estimated cost of
$1,200.00, which includes 7 nights accommodations, some meals, and bus
transportation throughout British Columbia, and for additional
expenses to cover associated air fare and per diem expenses, to be funded from
Development Services Commissioner’s Office Conference Expenses account number 699
999 5200.
CARRIED
10. RECREATION
SERVICES WINTER UPDATE (6.5)
Presentation
Ms. L. Wells, Manager, Programs, presented a
Recreation Services Winter Update including details on the aquatics, fitness,
youth and older adults programs as well as statistics on attendance and
activities.
It was noted that the minimum age for fitness
memberships was reduced to 16 and that a large number of youth have signed up.
Committee appreciated efforts to engage Markham’s
youth and suggested the Town’s Diversity Coordinator consider providing
Diversity training to part-time as well as full time staff members. Staff
agreed that some recreation programs are very popular but that members are
allowed to sign up in advance for a limited number of spots.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation entitled “Recreation
Services Winter Update” by Ms. L. Wells, Manager, Programs be received.
CARRIED
11. PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION (5.10)
Report
Mr.
P. Loukes, Commission Lead, Operations and Waterworks provided an overview of
the alternative methods for rehabilitating pavement. The alternatives include
cold in-place asphalt recycling, micro-surfacing and use of recycled shingle
hot mix asphalt. It was noted that these methods provide environmental benefits
as well as producing more robust pavement. It was noted that the Town’s
practices were featured in Better Roads magazine.
It
was suggested that a package be produced for distribution during the Federation
of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Association of Municipalities of Ontario
(AMO) conferences.
There
was discussion surrounding the ongoing maintenance program and the number of
kilometres requiring work. It is estimated that around 120km per year will be
required to be replaced or rehabilitated. However, it is expected that the pace
of new road construction will slow due to intensification.
Committee
queried whether the resurfacing of Bullock
Drive resulted in fewer motor vehicle accidents.
Moved
by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded
by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That
the presentation by Mr. P. Loukes, Commission Lead, Operations and Waterworks
entitled “Pavement Management Presentation” be received.
CARRIED
12. CONCRETE
FENCE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE (2.19)
Report Attachment
Mr.
M. Jones, Supervisor, Contract Administration, provided an update on the
Concrete Fence Replacement Program.
Committee
questioned whether a funding strategy consisting of 1/3 contributions from
corporate sponsors is sustainable. Committee sought clarification on other
matters including the proportion of local residents that buy into the program,
whether residents that replaced fences of their own volition might also receive
a rebate from the Town and whether the Region of York might contribute to fence
replacement costs along Regional roads. There was also discussion as to whether
the province might consider the fence replacements as local improvements, the
cost of which can be levied on residential tax bills.
Moved
by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That
the report entitled “Concrete Fence Replacement Program – Update” be received; and,
That
Council endorses the proposed 2008 program; and,
That
the same three-way cost sharing agreement, whereby the Town, Corporate sponsors
and the individual homeowners each contribute one-third of the cost for the
fence replacement program be continued; and,
That staff report back in the early fall of 2008 with a more detailed
report considering alternative future funding strategies; and,
That the Beautification Committee be reconvened in order to discuss
further some of the issues raised at General Committee including, but not
limited to, whether residents that replaced fences of their own volition prior
to the program might also receive a rebate from the Town, whether the Region of
York might contribute to fence replacement costs along Regional roads, and
lobbying the province to recognize the fence replacement program as local
improvements; and further,
That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
13. YOUTH SERVICES UPDATE (16.21)
Report Appendix 1.1 Appendix 1.2 Appendix 2.1 Appendix 2.2 Appendix 3.1
Mr.
J. Tsien, Community Resource Coordinator, presented an update on Youth
Services, highlighting the work of the Mayor’s Youth Task Force, the Youth
Service Strategic Plan and Drop-In Program trends. It was noted that work on
the 2009-2011 Youth Services Strategic Pan will commence shortly.
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That the
report entitled “Youth Services Update” be received as information.
CARRIED
14. GREEN
FLEET TRANSITION PLAN UPDATE (5.7)
Report Attachment
D Attachment
E Presentation
Mr. L.
Canning, Supervisor, Fleet Maintenance, presented an overview of the Green
Fleet Transition Plan. Committee was advised that the new hybrid vehicles are
proving cost effective for vehicles travelling in excess of 20,000 kilometres
per year. Committee was provided with an inventory of the hybrid vehicles
currently utilized by the Town. It was noted that staff are also following the
cost and development of hybrid trucks.
Committee
recognized the environmental benefits of the Green Fleet and requested that
staff continue to consider ways in which to maximize emission reductions and
other environmental strategies. There was brief discussion surrounding branding
on the newer hybrid vehicles and Committee was advised that the Sign Shop is
working on appropriate signage that will fit on those vehicles.
Committee
suggested there may be some benefit to having staff receive training on the
environmental benefits of the fleet they are driving.
There was
brief discussion surrounding credits for reduced emissions. Committee was
advised that it is difficult to track the impact of individual vehicles but
that the Partners for Climate Protection program is working to quantify
emissions.
Moved by
Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by
Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the staff report entitled ‘Green Fleet
Transition Plan Update Report 2007’, dated December 14, 2007, be received; and
That Fleet Services provide
annual ‘Technology Testing Reports’, to be posted on the Town’s Website, to
measure emission reductions to equivalent Carbon Dioxide (eCO2) through the implementation of the Green Fleet Transition Plan; and,
That in the fall of each year, Fleet Services staff
continue to provide annual fleet replacement programs, including opportunities
to implement green fleet management practices, to the Budget Review Committee
as part of the Operations Department
Capital Budget submission; and,
That it be a policy of the Operations
Department that the environmental benefits of any fuel-saving device or fuel
additive for use in the Town's fleet be tested and certified by
third party testing facilities such as CANMET Energy Technology Centre in Ottawa and Environmental Technology
Verification in Mississauga as a requirement before any offer to the Town
by prospective vendors of these types of products is made; and,
That any rebates and or grants obtained from purchases
of fuel efficient and or hybrid vehicle be used to fund future specification
upgrades to aid in overall fleet emission reductions; and,
That staff report back to Environmental Issues
Committee with a proposed design for branded signage on the newer hybrid
vehicles in the Green Fleet; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do
all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
15. MARKHAM CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE (5.7)
Report Attachment
Ms.
M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, briefly outlined the request
from the Markham Conservation Committee to change its name to the Markham
Environmental Advisory Committee, as well as to revise its mandate. It was
noted that the Committee will provide an annual report to General Committee.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded
by Councillor J. Virgilio
That Markham Staff Report,
Markham Conservation Committee, dated February 21, 2008, be received; and,
That Markham
Conservation Committee be re-named the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee and a revised mandate be
adopted that focuses on sustainability, environmental policy, planning and
promotion of environmental awareness in the community (new MCC mandate -
Attachment 3); and,
That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (formerly the Markham
Conservation Committee) report annually to General Committee with an
Action (work) plan, proposed budget and on their accomplishments and
expenditures for the previous year; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do
all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
16. ROUGE PARK
STREAMLINE IDENTIFICATION
SIGNS (13.13.2)
Letter
Moved by Regional Councillor
G. Landon
Seconded by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
That the letter dated February 25, 2008 from Rouge Park
outlining the details of the streamline crossing signs along the Rouge River
be received and referred to the Commissioner of
Development Services.
CARRIED
17. MINISTRY OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE
FUNDING (13.2.5)
Letter
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the letter dated March 12, 2008 from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Housing announcing the Government’s intention to introduce legislation that
would, if passed, designate a portion of the provincial surplus to
municipalities for their infrastructure needs be received.
CARRIED
18. CITY OF MISSISSAUGA
THE SALE OF
BIRDS AND ANIMALS IN A FLEA
MARKET AND FARMERS MARKETS (13.5.2)
Letter
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the letter dated March 14, 2008 from the City of Mississauga
requesting the support of the resolution passed by Council prohibiting the sale
of birds and animals in Flea and Farmer’s Markets be received and referred to
the Town Clerk.
CARRIED
19. MINISTRY
OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL
MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT INITIATIVE (13.2.1)
Letter
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the letter dated March 28, 2008 from the Ministry of Public
Infrastructure Renewal advising the Town that they have been authorized to
receive a one-time grant of $4,500,000.00 to be used for the Markham Cycling
and Pathway System-2008 be received.
CARRIED
20. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS TO
ADVISORY COMMITTEES (16.0)
There was brief discussion surrounding the
process for Committee of Adjustment hearings and it was agreed that information
on this matter will be provided at an upcoming Part A session of Development
Services Committee.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the resignation of Ms. Loreta Polsinelli from the Committee of
Adjustment be accepted with regret
and a letter of appreciation be forwarded; and,
That staff be directed to
advertise for applications for a replacement member of the Committee of
Adjustment; and further,
That an Interview Committee
consisting of Councillor D. Horchik, Councillor J. Webster, Councillor A. Chiu,
Councillor J. Virgilio and Mayor F. Scarpitti be convened for the purpose of
selecting a replacement member of the Committee of Adjustment.
CARRIED
21. BOB HUNTER PARK UPDATE (6.3)
Deputy Mayor J. Heath provided staff with information relating to the
proposed Bob Hunter Memorial Park
and noted the matter will be discussed further at the Rouge Park Implementation
Review Task Force.
22. PORTABLE WASHROOMS ON MAIN STREET MARKHAM (3.5, 5.1)
There was brief discussion surrounding a request for temporary portable
washrooms on Main Street
Markham during the festival
season. Committee suggested that staff consider compostable washrooms.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That Committee consider a matter of new business relating to the
provision of portable washrooms on Main
Street Markham
CARRIED BY 2/3 VOTE
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That staff report back to General Committee on April 21, 2008 on a request to provide
portable washrooms on Main Street
Markham during the festival
season.
CARRIED
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Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That
the Committee resolve in camera to discuss a confidential legal matter
regarding the conveyance of land to St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic Church (12:30)
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
That
the Committee rise (12:35)
CARRIED
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