Minutes

General Committee

 

Finance & Administrative Issues                  Community Services Issues

Chair:              Deputy Mayor Jack Heath                            Chair:                      Councillor Alan Ho

Vice Chair:      Councillor Colin Campbell                             Vice Chair:              Councillor Alex Chiu

 

Environment & Sustainability Issues                        Building, Parks, & Construction Issues

Chair:              Councillor Valerie Burke                 Chair:                     Councillor Colin Campbell

Vice Chair:      Councillor Karen Rea                                      Vice Chair:              Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

                                                                                                                       

                Alternate formats are available upon request.

 

 

Attendance

 

Mayor Frank Scarpitti Regional Councillor Joe Li Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor Alan Ho Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Karen Rea Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Amanda Collucci Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu   Regrets Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services Catherine Conrad, City Solicitor Joel Lustig, Treasurer Catherine Conrad, Acting Director of Human Resources Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation Services Hersh Tencer, Manager of Real Property Phoebe Fu, Director Asset Management Kevin Ross, Manager Development Finance Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 10:06 AM with Councillor Colin Campbell in the Chair and Councillor Alan Ho Chaired Community Services related items.

 

General Committee recessed at 11:30 AM and reconvened at 11:38 AM.  General Committee recessed at 12:15 PM and reconvened at 1:05 PM.

 

Disclosure of Interest

 

None disclosed.

 

 

 

 

1.         PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF
55 PARKWAY AVENUE (8.6)

            Presentation

 

Hersh Tencer, Manager of Real Property delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed acquisition of 55 Parkway Avenue.

 

Stephen Michna, Markham resident addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed acquisition of 55 Parkway Avenue and spoke in support.

 

Joanne Marr, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Bruce Ander, Markhaven Home for Seniors addressed the Committee with respect to the proposed acquisition of 55 Parkway Avenue and spoke in support.  They look forward to discussion regarding potential options for any surplus land.

 

The Committee discussed and suggested the following with respect to the proposed acquisition of 55 Parkway Avenue:

·        Pursue discussion with York Region, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Markhaven Home for Seniors on any surplus lands for seniors' housing

·        Ensure that Markham residents understand that the City is not purchasing all of this land for park land use

·        If there is an opportunity to create a park its cost must be paid by cash-in-lieu payments from developments in the Highway 48 corridor

·        Any surplus lands sold must be sold at minimum of cost recovery of the City's total cost of acquisition for the lands sold

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

 

1)         That the presentation entitled “ Proposed Acquisition of  55 Parkway Avenue ”, be received; and,

 

2)         That Council approve the execution of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale by the Chief Administrative Officer, being an agreement between the City and York Catholic District School Board dated October 27^th, 2016 (the “Agreement of Purchase and Sale”) for the acquisition of Part of Lots 12 and 13, Concession 8 (Markham), designated as Part 2 on Plan R-2894, being a 6 acre parcel of land on Parkway Avenue; and,

 

3)         That the Chief Administrative Officer be delegated the authority to waive the Council approval condition and the due diligence condition in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and complete the transaction pursuant to the terms and conditions outlined in this presentation, provided that the results of the due diligence are satisfactory to the Chief Administrative Officer, in his sole and absolute discretion, with the required documents being in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, failing which the transaction shall be terminated; and,

 

4)         That subject to the completion of the acquisition of the property, staff be authorized to demolish the existing buildings on the property; and,

 

5)         That subject to completion of the acquisition of the property, the City consider retaining a portion of land for park purposes and/or sportsfield(s), together with a small parking lot, if appropriate, declare the balance of the lands surplus and offer the surplus land for sale, either to York Region, Markhaven Home for Seniors or like organizations that provide a form of housing or care for seniors, or the open market; and,

 

6)         That any portion of land that is retained by the City for parkland, be appropriately funded from cash-in lieu payments from higher density redevelopment in the Highway 48 corridor; and,

 

7)         That any sale of land that is declared surplus be completed on the basis of a minimum of cost recovery of the City’s costs of acquisition for the lands sold; and,

 

8)         That funds for the acquisition in the amount of $21,000,000, including due diligence work, purchase price, land transfer tax, demolition costs and contingency be made available from the Land Acquisition Reserve Account; and further,

 

9)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

NOTE:  Please see the December 13, 2016 Council meeting minutes for the final version of the above recommendation

 

 

 

2.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 28, 2016
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 28, 2016 General Committee meeting be confirmed.

Carried

 

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
AND OCTOBER 19, 2016 ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)

            September 21     October 19

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 21, 2016 and October 19, 2016 Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

4.         MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 17, 2016,
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 AND OCTOBER 19, 2016
ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)

            August 17     September 21     October 19

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the August 17, 2016, September 21, 2016, and October 19, 2016 Animal Care Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

5.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 22, 2016
AND NOVEMBER 23, 2016
BUDGET COMMITTEE (16.0)

            November 22     November 23

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the November 22, 2016 and November 23, 2016 Budget Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

6.         MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2016
AND OCTOBER 24, 2016 VARLEY-MCKAY
ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM (16.0)

            September 12     October 24

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 12, 2016 and October 24, 2016 Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

7.         MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 28, 2016
VICTORIA SQUARE COMMUNITY
CENTRE BOARD (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 28, 2016 Victoria Square Community Centre Board meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

8.         MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
AND OCTOBER 31, 2016
YORK UNIVERSITY MARKHAM
CAMPUS COMMITTEE (16.0)

            September 26     October 31

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 26, 2016 and October 31, 2016 York University Markham Campus Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

9.         MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 24, 2016
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)

            Minutes

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the October 24, 2016 Markham Public Library Board meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

10.       MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
MARKHAM SPORT HALL
OF FAME COMMITTEE (16.0)

            Minutes            

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the minutes of the September 9, 2016 Markham Sport Hall of Fame Committee meeting be received for information purposes.

Carried

 

 

 

11.       CITY-WIDE STREAM EROSION MASTER
STUDY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (5.3)

Report

 

The Committee discussed residual impacts as a result of earlier developments. 

 

There was brief discussion regarding ways to implement proactive measure to mitigate the risk of erosion.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the report entitled "City-Wide Stream Erosion Master Study Update Implementation Plan" be received; and,

 

2)         That Council endorse new Categories D and E into the Guidelines to restore the erosion sites within private properties as set out in the report; and,

 

3)         That the recommended 5-year implementation plan with the approach for securing of easements, entering into cost sharing agreements, conducting inspection and maintenance of erosion restoration work within private property and cost sharing policy as set out in this report be endorsed; and,

 

4)         That Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute cost-sharing agreements with private property owners or agencies having jurisdiction, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor and the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services, and in accordance with the process and criteria established in this report; and,

 

5)         That Staff advise TRCA of erosion sites that fall outside of the City's implementation plan that may be considered as part of TRCA's Erosion Management Program; and further,

 

6)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

12.       TRANSFER OF UNCLAIMED
REFUNDABLE SECURITY
DEPOSITS (7.0)

            Report

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the report titled "Transfer of Unclaimed Refundable Security Deposits" be received; and,

 

2)         That the Treasurer be authorized to transfer unclaimed security deposits, up to the amount of $1,739,367.81, representing deposits placed prior to December 31, 2007, to the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve; and,

 

3)         That the cost of $6,003.84 (exclusive of HST) incurred in placing the Public Notice, be offset against the security deposits to be placed in the City's reserve; and,

 

4)         That the Treasurer be authorized to release any of these security deposits from the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve in the event of a future, eligible, refund claim; and further,

 

5)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

 

13.       PROJECT MANAGEMENT
COORDINATION AND REPORTING (5.0)

            Report

 

The Committee inquired about the projects currently open with an approved capital budget greater than $350,000.  Staff described the reporting structure that provides an overview of summarized financial and schedule information.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the report entitled "Project Management Coordination and Reporting" be received; and,

 

2)         That the "Major Project Status Tracking" Dashboard report (Attachment "A") be received; and,

 

3)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

 

14.       STATUS OF CAPITAL PROJECTS
            AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 (7.0)

            Report     Attachments

 

There was discussion regarding the following project #'s: 15221; 12028 and 16009.

 

Moved by Councillor Karen Rea

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

1)         That the report dated November 29, 2016 entitled “Status of Capital Projects as of September 30, 2016” be received; and,

 

2)         That the amount of $6,342,509 from the closure of capital projects be transferred to the sources of funding as listed on Exhibit A; and,

 

3)         That the closure of projects as outlined in Exhibit B and C be approved; and,

 

4)         That the Non-Development Charge Capital Contingency Project be topped up from the Life-Cycle Replacement and Capital Reserve Fund by $444,075 to the approved amount of $250,000; and,

 

5)         That the Engineering Capital Contingency Project be topped up, from the City-Wide Hard Development Charges Reserve, by $45,299 to the approved amount of $100,000; and,

 

6)         That the Design Capital Contingency Project be topped up, from the Development Charges Reserve, by $44,644 to the approved amount of $100,000; and,

 

7)         That the Waterworks Capital Contingency Project be topped up, from the Waterworks Stabilization/Capital Reserve, by $14,974 to the approved amount of $100,000; and,

 

8)         That the funding for 11093 Warden Ave (Elson Miles Farm), in the amount of $15,240,666, be changed from the Parks Cash in Lieu 5% Reserve Fund to the Land Acquisition  Reserve Fund; and,

 

 

9)         That the following in-year new capital projects, subsequent to the approval of the 2016 capital projects, be received; and further,

Project Number	Name	Budget	Funding Source
16274	Markham Village Arena Brine Pump Replacement	$14,895	Non-DC Capital Contingency
16278	Cornell Community Centre Pool Dectron Air Handling	$18,200	Non-DC Capital Contingency
16281	Clatworthy Community Centre Support Columns	$47,519	Non-DC Capital Contingency
16285	Fire Stations 92 and 95 Fire Alarm Systems	$8,000	Non-DC Capital Contingency
16282	Replacement of Milliken Mills Soccer Dome Subfloor	$160,000	Life-Cycle Replacement & Capital Reserve Fund

 

10)       That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

Carried

 

 

 

15.       MARKHAM CELEBRATES
CANADA 150 (3.5)

            Presentation

 

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Markham Celebrates Canada 150.

 

The Committee discussed and suggested the following with respect to Markham Celebrates Canada 150:

·        Consider having cloth Canadian Flags not paper

·        Create a Canada 150 Celebrate Committee and staff report back with composition

·        Have the Canada International Partnership and Neighbourhood Engagement subcommittees

·        Appoint all Members of Council to the Neighbourhood Engagement as subcommittee

·        Appoint Mayor Frank Scarpitti to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Canada 150 Community Leaders Network

·        Order pins for this rather than the Markham pins that are ordered

·        Ensure the City's advisory Committees are involved

·        Consider highlighting some centennial projects

·        Budget requirements

·        Ensure all media sources are utilized to get the word out

 

Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

 

1)         That Council endorse Markham’s plan to celebrate Canada’s 150^th Anniversary in 2017; and,

 

2)         That Council establish a Canada 150 Celebrate Committee with the following subcommittees and direct staff to create appropriate terms of reference:

a)                  Canada 150 International Partnership Subcommittee – the hosting of Markham’s Partnership and Sister Cities with Nordlingen represented by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, Councillor Valerie Burke and Councillor Karen Rea; Cary, North Carolina, represented by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong Councillor Alan Ho and Councillor Alex Chiu;and Friendship City represented by Regional Councillor Joe Li and Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong and Councillor Logan Kanapathi, and,

b)                  Canada 150 Neighbourhood Engagement Subcommittee - outreach and engage all neighbourhoods; and

c)                  Interdepartmental Committee of staff to support the implementation of Markham’s Canada 150 Plan; and,

 

3)         That All Members of Council be appointed to the Canada 150 Neighbourhood Engagement Subcommittee; and

 

4)         That staff be directed to report back in the first quarter of 2017 on the composition of the Canada 150 Celebrate Committee and the Canada 150 International Partnership Subcommittee; and,

 

5)         That Council appoint Mayor Frank Scarpitti as the contact for Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Canada 150 Community Leaders Network, with estimated time commitment of less than 2 hours per month per member.

Carried

 

 

 

16.       NAMING OF THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE
AND LIBRARY IN SOUTH EAST MARKHAM (3.19)

            Report

 

Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation addressed the Committee and summarized the details outlined in the report.

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

1)         That the report "Naming of the New Community Centre and Library in South East Markham" be received; and,

 

2)         That Council approve "Aaniin Community Centre and Library" as the name for the new centre in South East Markham; and,

 

3)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

Carried

 

 

17.       2016 YORK REGION SENIOR
            STRATEGY - THINKING AHEAD (13.4)

            Memorandum

 

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services advised that hard copies will be delivered to each Member of Council

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

That the 2016 York Region Senior Strategy – Thinking Ahead communication be received.

Carried

 

18.       NEW BUSINESS
            - OPERATIONS STAFF (5.10)

 

Operations Staff

 

Councillor Amanda Collucci thanked the Operations staff for all their hard work in clearing the roads during this first major snowfall.

 

 

 

19.       NEW BUSINESS
            - KEEP MARKHAM BEAUTIFUL BY-LAW (2.15)

                                           

Keep Markham Beautiful By-law

 

Councillor Karen Rea suggested that staff investigate whether there can be something added to the Keep Markham Beautiful By-law that ensures outdoor pools are properly maintained and closed for the winter season.  She also suggested that staff advise whether residents can blow their leaves on the street.

 

 

 

20.       PROCLAMATION OF HINDU HERITAGE MONTH (3.4)

 

Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong suggested that the month of November be proclaimed as Hindu Heritage month and that a Committee be established to organize an annual event/celebration.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong

Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu

 

That November 2017 be proclaimed as Hindu Heritage month and that a Committee be established with Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong, Regional Councillor Joe Li and Councillor Logan Kanapathi.

NOTE:  Please see the December 13, 2016 Council meeting minutes for the amendment made to the above proposed recommendation.

 

 

 

21.       IN-CAMERA MATTERS (16.0 & 11.0)

 

 

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho

Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matters (2:53 PM):

 

 

(1)        GENERAL COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES - NOVEMBER 28, 2016 (16.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (b) (c) (e) (f)]

 

General Committee confirmed the November 28, 2016 in-camera meeting minutes.

 

 

(2)        LABOUR RELATIONS OR EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS
(COLLECTIVE BARGAINING) (11.0)

            [Section 239 (2) (d)]

 

General Committee consented to place the Labour Relations or Employee Negotiations (Collective Bargaining) on the December 13, 2016 Council agenda for consideration.

 

 

Moved by Councillor Alan Ho

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci

 

That the General Committee rise from the in-camera and restricted session at 3:13 PM.

 

Carried

Adjournment

 

Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho

 

That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 3:13 PM.

 

Carried