GENERAL COMMITTEE
May 7, 2012
Meeting No. 13
Finance & Administrative Issues Community Services Issues
Chair: Mayor
Frank Scarpitti Chair: Councillor Alex Chiu
Vice Chair: Councillor Carolina Moretti Vice
Chair: Councillor Howard Shore
Environment
& Sustainability Issues Building,
Parks, & Construction Issues
Chair: Councillor
Valerie Burke Chair: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Vice Chair: Regional Councillor Joe Li Vice
Chair: Councillor Colin Campbell
Alternate formats are available
upon request.
Attendance
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Andy
Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
Catherine
Conrad, Town Solicitor
Jim
Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Nasir
Kenea, Chief Information Officer
Kimberley
Kitteringham, Town Clerk
Peter Loukes, Director, Environmental Services
Joel Lustig,
Treasurer
Kishor Soneji,
Senior Accountant
Raj Raman, Senior Manager,
Financial Reporting & Purchasing
Andrea Tang,
Manager, Financial Planning
Alison Yu, Senior
Financial Analyst
Paul Wealleans,
Director, Revenues
Dennis Flaherty, Director, Communications & Community Relations
Bill Wiles, Manager
By-law Enforcement & Licensing
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:12 a.m. with Mayor Frank
Scarpitti in the Chair and Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services item
#13. Councillor Howard Shore Chaired Community Services items #14 to 17.
DISCLOSURE OF
INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. CANADIAN AWARD FOR FINANCIAL
REPORTING (12.2.6)
Mayor Frank Scarpitti
and Members of Council congratulated Kishor Soneji, Senior Accountant; Raj
Raman, Senior Manager Financial Reporting & Purchasing and Joel Lustig,
Treasurer and all the staff involved in the budgeting process for achieving the
Canadian Ward for Financial Reporting.
2. DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION
AWARD (12.2.6)
Mayor
Frank Scarpitti and Members of Council congratulated Andrea Tang, Manager
Financial Planning; Alison Yu, Senior Financial Analyst and Joel Lustig,
Treasurer and all the staff involved in the budgeting process for achieving the
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
3. PORTAL PROJECT UPDATE –
PHASE II (7.0)
Presentation
Mr.
Nasir Kenea, Chief Information Officer delivered a PowerPoint presentation
providing an update regarding the Portal Project - Phase II.
The Committee discussed the following:
·
Incremental costs associated
with on-line payments using credit cards and interac
·
Potential efficiency and other
opportunities for the Corporation with high uptake on online services/payments
·
Overall approach and policy on
online payment including partial cost recovery, minimum amount requirement to
use on-line payment etc.
·
Continue to investigate
opportunities/services that will provide improved customer service experience
·
Include a disclaimer as well as
provide additional descriptive information (definition) on the "Property
Search" page
Moved by Councillor
Howard Shore
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the
presentation by Mr. Nasir Kenea, Chief Information Officer, entitled “Portal
Project Update – Phase II” be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 23, 2012
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded
by Councillor Howard Shore
1)
That the Minutes of the April
23, 2012 General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 2012
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the Minutes of the April 26, 2012
Special General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 23, 2012
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE &
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the Minutes of the March 23, 2012 Communications Committee &
Information Technology Sub-Committee be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
7. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 27,
2012
CANADA DAY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the Minutes of the February 27,
2012 Canada Day Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
8. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 26,
2012
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the Minutes of the March 26, 2012
Public Library Board be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
9. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 15,
2012
MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the Minutes of the March 15, 2012
Markham Environmental Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
10. 2012 TAX RATES AND LEVY
BYLAW (7.3)
Report
There was brief
discussion regarding the tax rate.
Moved by Regional
Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor
Howard Shore
1) That a by-law to provide for the levy and collection of
property taxes totalling $536,674,466 required
by the Town of Markham, Regional Municipality of York, Boards of Education and
Business Improvement Areas in a form substantially similar to the attached
Appendix and satisfactory to the Town Solicitor and to provide for the mailing
of notices requesting payment of taxes for the year 2012, as set out as
follows, be approved;
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Town of Markham:
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$116,830,026
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Region of York:
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$228,459,421
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School Boards:
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$190,970,192
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Old Markham BIA:
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$215,327
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Unionville BIA:
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$199,500
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Total
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$536,674,466
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2) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
11. ADOPTION OF CITY STATUS FOR
MARKHAM (7.0)
Report
Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer summarized the details
outlined in the report.
There was considerable discussion with respect to holding a Public
Information meeting to obtain feedback from Markham residents. It was suggested that a Public Information
meeting be scheduled for Tuesday May 29, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the Council
Chamber. The Committee suggested that this recommendation be considered at the
May 29, 2012 Council meeting.
The Committee discussed potential dates that the by-law would come into
effect and to consider July 1, 2012. The
Committee suggested that staff provide a supplementary report outlining
proposed by-law effective dates (e.g. listing of significant dates such as Berczy's
Birthday); include Markham's total employment numbers and the total assessed residential
figure.
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1. That
the report dated May 7, 2012, titled “Adoption of a By-law to Change the Name
of The Corporation of the Town of Markham to “The Corporation of the City of
Markham” be received; and;
2.
Whereas Markham’s motto
“Leading While Remembering” will continue to underscore our future direction;
and,
Whereas Markham’s communities such as Markham, Milliken Mills,
Thornhill and Unionville including
villages and hamlets will remain integral to Markham’s identity, and our
rich heritage will continue to reflect who we are and where we have come from
regardless of our municipal status; and,
Whereas Markham has its own thriving local economy and has
demonstrated leadership in information
technology, telecommunications and life sciences with more than 900 high-tech
and life-sciences companies and employing more than 31,000 people; and,
Whereas Markham’s Green Print, community sustainability plan,
positions Markham among other
leading world cities who are dedicated to sustainable management of growth - balancing the pillars of economy,
social/culture, and environment;
and,
Whereas as a Corporation the Markham brand represents innovation and
entrepreneurialism in our service delivery approaches – from roads to leisure
services to public safety and energy security;
and,
Whereas Markham is successfully leveraging the global economy
through our international business
missions, partnerships, our diverse people and investments in a highly
competitive environment among other cities; and,
Whereas Markham has the potential to continue to grow as a tourism
destination based on its rich sports, entertainment and cultural
venues, and world class retail opportunities;
and,
Whereas Markham is the only Town among the 16 largest municipalities
in Canada; and, Whereas Markham is: fiscally responsible and financially sound,
globally connected, strategically focused, diverse, leads while remembering,
and is sustainable; and,
Whereas Markham is a City in every way but name;
Now therefore be it resolved that:
Council approve
the adoption of City status for Markham; and further,
3. That
in accordance with the Municipal Act, staff bring forward a supplementary report including the by-law
to change the name of “The Corporation of the Town of Markham to “The “Corporation
of the City of Markham” to the May 29,
2012 Council meeting; and,
4. That a Public Information
Meeting be held on May 29, 2012 at 6:00 PM (prior to the Council meeting) to obtain public input on City Status
for Markham; and,
5. That a copy of the
name change by-law be sent to the Director of Titles appointed under the Land Titles Act and to the
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and
the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities (FCM) after its passage; and further,
6. That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
**Note: see May 29, 2012 Council
minutes for final resolution on the City Status for Markham
12. MARKHAM’S SIGN BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT
PROGRAM (2.16)
Memo
Bill Wiles, Manager By-law Enforcement & Licensing
summarized the details outlined in the memo.
Moved
by Councillor Howard Shore
Seconded
by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
1) That the Memo by Mr. Bill Wiles,
Manager, By-Law Enforcement & Licensing, entitled “Markham Sign Memo” be
received.
CARRIED
13. INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT
MASTER PLAN PHASE 1 UPDATE (5.1)
Presentation
Peter Loukes,
Director, Environmental Services and David Gordon, York Region delivered a PowerPoint
presentation providing an update with respect to the Integrated Waste
Management Master Plan Phase 1.
The Committee
discussed the diversion rates for York Region compared to the Region of Peel,
City of Toronto, etc and requested that York Region staff forward the
percentage figures of the diversion rate to Members of Council.
The Committee also
discussed the following:
·
High rise
residential buildings and challenges to recycle
·
Benefits
of the Community Environmental Centres (CEC)
·
Compostable
bags
·
Target
date for the York Region incinerator
·
Markham's
polystyrene foam densifier project and the potential to partner with York
Region
·
Improvement
needed with the biodegradable plates
Moved by Deputy Mayor
Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor
Valerie Burke
1) That the
presentation by Mr. Peter Loukes, Director, Environmental Services , entitled
“Integrated Waste Management Master Plan Phase 1 Update” be received.
CARRIED
14. BUTTONFIELD ROAD PROPOSED
PARKING PROHIBITION (5.12.4)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That
the staff report entitled “Buttonfield Road Proposed
Parking Prohibition”, be received; and,
2) That
Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by including the east side
of Buttonfield Road, between 16th Avenue and a point 30 metres south
of Cavalry Trail; and,
3) That
Schedule “C” of Traffic By-law 2005-188, be amended by including the west side
of Buttonfield Road, between 16th Avenue and a point 55 meters south
of 16th Avenue; and,
4) That
the Operations Department be directed to install the appropriate signs at the subject locations, funded through the Operations
Department account # 083-5399-8402-005; and,
5) That
the Operations Department be directed to maintain the signs at the subject
locations; and,
6) That
the Parking Control Department be directed to enforce the parking prohibition
upon approval of the By-law amendment and installation of the signs; and
further,
7) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
15. PROPOSED ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL
AND SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION AT CORNELL
CENTRE BOULEVARD & WHITE’S HILL AVENUE (5.12.2)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That the report entitled “Proposed All-way Stop Control and Speed Limit Reduction at
Cornell Centre Boulevard & White’s Hill Avenue”, be received; and,
2) That Schedule “B”(60 km/h) of Speed By-law No.
105-71 be amended by removing Markham Road By-pass, between 9th
Line to a point 100 metres north of Highway 7; and,
3) That Schedule “D”(70 km/h) of Speed By-law No. 105-71 be
amended by removing Markham Road By-pass, between 9th Line to a
point 100 metres north of Highway 7; and,
4) That Schedule “F” (50 km/h) of Speed By-law No.
105-71 be amended to include Cornell Centre Boulevard, between
Highway 7 and 16th Avenue; and,
5) That Schedule 12 (Compulsory Stops) of Traffic By-law
106-71 be amended to include the intersection of Cornell Centre
Boulevard & White’s Hill Boulevard; and,
6) That the Operations Department be directed to
install the appropriate signs and pavement markings at the
subject locations, funded through the Operations Department
account # 083-5399-8402-005; and,
7) That
the Operations Department be directed to maintain the signs
at the subject locations; and,
8) That York Region Police be requested to enforce the posted
speed limit and all-way stop control upon installation of these signs and
passing of the By-law; and further,
9) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
16. LANGSTAFF ROAD RAILWAY CROSSING
WARNING SYSTEM MODIFICATION AGREEMENT (5.13)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That the staff report entitled
Langstaff Road Railway Crossing Warning System Modification Agreement, be
received; and,
2) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized
to execute the Standard Funded Crossing Warning System Modification Agreement
between Canadian National Railway and the Town of Markham based on the
principles set out in the draft Agreement (Attachment ‘A’), for the
construction and future maintenance of the Langstaff Road railway crossing
warning system. Said agreement to be in a form satisfactory to the Town
Solicitor and Commissioner of Community and Fire Services; and,
3) That upon execution of the Agreement,
the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services be authorized to issue payment
to Canadian National Railway (CN) for the Town of Markham’s portion of funding
for the installation of the CN railway warning system upgrade at Langstaff Road
and funded as per Financial Considerations; and further,
4) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
17. MARKHAM PUBLIC ART POLICIES
(6.5)
Report Attachment
A Attachment
B
John Ryerson, Director
Culture delivered a brief PowerPoint presentation highlighting the details in
the Markham Public Art Policies report.
There was discussion
regarding the proposed private sector contributions for Public Art of up to one
percent of new residential and non-residential construction projects. Staff
noted the importance of having an endorsed policy even with voluntary
contributions.
Moved by Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Mayor Frank
Scarpitti
1) That the staff report titled Markham
Public Art Policies be received; and,
2) That the Public Art
Policy – Markham Municipal Projects attached as Appendix A be approved; and,
3) That Council approve an
allocation of up to one percent of construction cost of new municipal
construction budgets and municipal renovation projects over one million dollars
for the purpose of public art; including but not limited to new buildings,
parks and open spaces, major street reconstruction/streetscape projects, new or
major upgrades to bridges, fences, walls and barriers; and,
4) That the Public Art Policy - Private
Sector, attached as Appendix B, be approved to encourage a contribution of up
to one percent of new residential and non-residential construction projects
from the private sector for Public Art; and,
5) That Council approve the creation of a
Public Art Acquisition Reserve Fund that will receive cash contributions and
fund projects in accordance with Markham Public Art Policies as identified and
approved; and,
6) That Culture staff
report back to Council annually on the activities in the fund; and,
7) That the cost to sustain
the public art program be brought
forward annually for inclusion during the capital budget process; and,
8) That the Public Art Policy – for both
the voluntary Private Sector and the Municipal Projects be reviewed in three
years with a report back to Council on outcomes of the program; and further,
9) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give
effect to these resolutions.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
18. STRATEGIC LAWSUIT AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (SLAPP)
LEGISLATION (7.0)
Councillor Valerie Burke advised that
SLAPPs are lawsuits that silence public discussion on important public issues. She suggested that staff prepare a report requesting
the Province of Ontario to review the Rules
of Civil Procedure with respect to SLAPP lawsuit to provide protection to
citizens against such lawsuits and protect citizens' right to participate in
democratic discussions.
Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
That staff be directed to prepare a report on
Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) Legislation.
CARRIED
19. OUTDOOR PATIOS ON MAIN STREET UNIONVILLE &
MAIN STREET MARKHAM (3.0)
Councillor Carolina Moretti requested that
staff bring forward a report and by-law permitting boulevard patios on Main
Street Unionville and Main Street Markham.
Mr. Rob Kadlouski, Old Firehall
Confectionary addressed the Committee with respect to permitting boulevard
patios along Main Street Unionville and Main Street Markham and spoke in
support.
Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
That staff prepare a report and by-law for
the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting with respect to permitting
boulevard patios along Main Street Unionville and Main Street Markham.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee meeting adjourned at 1:14
PM.