General Committee
May 26, 2015
Meeting
Number 18
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
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Andy
Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
Jim
Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Catherine
Conrad, City Solicitor
Kimberley
Kitteringham, City Clerk
Martha
Pettit, Deputy City Clerk
Joel
Lustig, Treasurer
Phoebe Fu, Director of Asset Management
Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation
Services
Barbara Rabicki, Manager Parks
Operation
Peter Shields, Parks Maintenance
Robert Muir, Manager Stormwater
Mark Visser, Senior Manager, Financial Strategy & Investments
Shane Manson, Senior Manager, Revenue
& Property Tax
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:06 AM with Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath in the Chair and Councillor Alan Ho Chaired Community Services
related items.
General Committee recessed at 12:03 PM and reconvened at 12:51 PM.
Disclosure of
Interest
None disclosed.
1. FRED
WATT, PRESIDENT, CUPE 905
REGARDING POWERSTREAM MERGER UPDATE (13.7)
Deputation
Fred Watt,
President, CUPE 905 addressed the Committee regarding the privatization of
Hydro One and spoke in opposition. He is
suggesting that the City of Markham send a resolution to the Province of
Ontario to stop the sale of any part of Hydro One.
Moved by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded
Councillor Alan Ho
1) That
the deputation by Mr. Fred Watt, President, CUPE 905 regarding the
privatization of Hydro One be received; and,
2) That
the proposed resolution from Fred Watt, President, CUPE be referred to staff.
Carried
2. COUNCIL&
STANDING COMMITTEES
PROPOSED MEETING SCHEDULE FOR
SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2015 (16.0)
Presentation Calendar
Martha Pettit, Deputy
Clerk delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding Council and Standing
Committee proposed meeting schedule for September to December 2015.
Mayrose Gregorios
addressed the Committee regarding the Council and Standing Committee proposed
meeting schedule for September to December 2015 and stated concerns. She is suggesting that the meetings be spread
out throughout the week.
The Committee
discussed the following relative to the proposed Council and Standing Committee
meeting schedule for September to December 2015:
·
Managing the size of meeting
agendas
·
Do not schedule day and
night time Standing Committee meetings on the same day
·
Consider holding General
Committee and Development Services Committee meetings on alternate Mondays
·
Consider holding the
Development Services Committee Public Meetings the first and third Tuesday
evenings per month
·
Council Recognition Meetings
- should pictures be taken with all Members of Council, can Ward Councillors
play a bigger part during the meeting and does it need to be an official
meeting
·
Consider moving Staff Award Presentations to
General Committee
·
Try to incorporate formal
breaks when meetings are anticipated to run for a long time
It was suggested that
the following be addressed as part of the Procedural By-Law review report in
the Fall 2015: attendance reports for
Members of Council, quorum requirements for Standing Committees, composition of
current Standing Committees, should there be a time limit when Members of
Council are speaking to an item and how often should a Member of Council be
permitted to speak on an item.
Moved by Councillor
Karen Rea
Seconded by Councillor
Don Hamilton
1) That the presentation by
Ms. Martha Pettit, Deputy Clerk entitled “Council & Standing Committees
Proposed Meeting Schedule for September-December 2015,” be received; and,
2) That the scheduling Council and
Standing Committees be as follows:
·
General Committee and Development Services
Committee meetings be scheduled on alternate Mondays (1st , 3rd and 2nd, 4th
respectively)
·
Development Services Committee Public Meeting
be scheduled on Tuesday evenings (twice monthly)
·
Council meetings on alternate Tuesdays with a
maximum of two meetings a month
·
No regular Council and Standing Committee
meetings be scheduled in July and August; and,
3) That
the start time for Development Services Committee Public Meetings and
Council
meetings remain at 7:00 p.m.; and,
4) That the current structure and schedule
of the Council Recognition Meetings be referred back to staff; and further,
5) That the proposed meeting schedule for
July to December 2015 be approved as amended at the May 26, 2015 General Committee
meeting.
Carried
3. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL GENERAL COMMITTEE
AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
MEETINGS IN JUNE (16.0)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
1)
That the report entitled
“Request for Additional GC and DSC Meetings in June” be received, and
2)
That an additional General
Committee (GC) meeting be scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2015 from 1:00 – 5:00
p.m.; and
3)
That an additional Development
Services Committee (DSC) meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2015 from
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.;
4)
That any items from the GC and
DSC meetings requiring ratification by Council be brought forward at the June
23, 2015 Council meeting;
5)
That should any additional
meetings be required during the summer months the usual meeting notice
requirements and communication process be utilized; and further
6)
That Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
4. STORMWATER
FEE NON-RESIDENTIAL
CONSULTATION AND CITY
–WIDE IMPLEMENTATION (5.5)
Presentation Report Attachment
A
Attachment
B Attachment
C Attachment
D
Joel Lustig, Treasurer delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
Stormwater fee non-residential consultation and City-wide implementations. It
was noted that the proposed recommendations will be considered at the June 15,
2015 Council meeting.
Jennifer Webb, Honda Canada Inc. addressed the Committee regarding the
Stormwater fee non-residential consultation and City-wide implementation and
stated some concerns. She indicated she agrees that the fee is needed and
should be shared by all. However, Ms. Webb suggested that the City consider an
acknowledgement (both in recognition and monetary) for those who have made a
significant effort to manage stormwater on their own site.
It was noted that this stormwater fee program is directly related to
infrastructure improvements. A credit system would apply if the improvements
made by developers decreases the cost of the City’s program. Any credit to a property owner would require
the increase of the stormwater rate to cover the fixed cost of the program
Richard Cunningham, Markham Board of Trade addressed the Committee with
respect to the Stormwater fee non-residential consultation and City-wide
implementation and stated support for option (4) Two-tiered fee. He also stated
support for recognition for companies that make significant efforts in
environmental initiatives beyond building code requirements.
The Committee suggested that staff consider developing a non-monetary
recognition program for companies that make significant efforts in
environmental design initiatives for stormwater management.
The Committee requested that staff provide a brief memo outlining a
history of watermain breaks.
Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor Karen Rea
1) That the presentation by
Mr. Joel Lustig, Treasurer, entitled “Stormwater Fee Non-Residential
Consultation and City-wide Implementation” be received; and,
2) That the report
“Stormwater Fee Non-Residential Consultation and City-wide Implementation” be
received; and,
3) That billing of the
annual stormwater fee for Non-Residential property classes commence in 2016 at
a rate of $29 per $100,000 of current value assessment (CVA); and,
4) That billing of the
annual stormwater fee for vacant land properties commence in 2016 at an rate of
$29 per $100,000 of CVA; and,
5) That the Treasurer be authorized to
adjust the annual stormwater rate for Non-Residential and vacant land
properties to compensate for the average change in City CVA; and,
6) That any property with a CVA of less
than $100,000 shall not have a stormwater fee imposed upon it; and,
7) That billing of the
stormwater fee be included as a separate line item on the tax bill of the
property; and,
8) That Staff
identify and integrate short term flood risk
reduction measures into the flood control program, predominantly in the Don
Mills Channel area, to an upset limit of $100,000 annually inclusive of HST;
and,
9) That By-law 2014-168 be
repealed in its entirety and replaced with the Stormwater Fee By-law as
outlined in Appendix “A” to this staff report; and,
10) That staff be directed to develop and
report back on a non-monetary recognition program for companies that make
significant efforts in stormwater management; and,
11) That the correspondence from Daryl
Clemance, General Manager, Cadillac Fairview be received; and further,
12) That Staff be authorized
and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
5. MINUTES
OF THE MAY 11, 2015 AND
MAY 13, 2015 GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
May
11 May
13
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by
Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the minutes of the May 11, 2015 and May 13, 2015 General Committee meeting be
confirmed.
Carried
6. MINUTES
OF THE APRIL 22, 2015 AND MAY 12, 2015
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE (16.0)
April May Report
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the minutes of the April 22, 2015 and May 12, 2015 Environmental Issues
Committee meeting be received for information purposes; and,
2) That
the below recommendations from the report entitled “Markham Trees for Tomorrow
Fund, Funding Recommendations - Spring 2015” adopted at the May 12, 2015
Environmental Issues Committee be endorsed:
(a) That the funding application for 10,000
Trees for the Rouge in the amount of $19,000 for their 26th Annual Wildlife
Habitat Restoration Project in the south-east section of the Milne Park be approved;
and,
(b) That the funding
application for Friends of the Rouge Watershed in the amount of $15,000 to
support their 2015 Habitat Restoration Project in the south-east section of
Milne Park be approved; and,
(c) That
the funding application for Evergreen in the amount of $24,000 for their Urban
Stewards: Community Greening Initiative, be approved; and,
(d) That
the funding application for LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of
Forests) in the amount of $23,000 to support LEAF's Backyard Tree Planting
Program be approved; and,
(e) That
the total amount of $81,000 be funded from the 2015 Markham Trees for Tomorrow
Capital Project account #700-101-5399-15224; and further,
(f) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
these recommendations.
Carried
7. MINUTES
OF THE APRIL 14, 2015
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by
Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the minutes of the April 14, 2015 Seniors Advisory Committee meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
8. STAFF
AWARDED CONTRACTS
FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2015 (7.12)
Report
The Committee
discussed the following staff award contracts:
·
041-Q-15 Condition
Assessment of Watermains on Crossing Structures
·
052-T-15 Roof Replacement at
the Milliken Mills Library and Crosby Arena
Moved by Councillor
Don Hamilton
Seconded by Regional
Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That the report entitled “Staff Awarded
Contracts for the Month of April 2015” be received; and,
2) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
9. CONTRACT
EXTENSION FOR CAFETERIA
SERVICES AT THE MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE (7.12)
Report
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That the report entitled “Contract Extension for Cafeteria Services
at the Markham Civic Centre” be received; and,
2) That
Contract for Cafeteria Services at the Markham Civic Centre be extended to
2267644 Ontario Inc. (Unique Caterers) for an additional two (2) years with
same financial terms and conditions, commencing June 1, 2015 – May 30, 2017;
and further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give
effect to this resolution.
Carried
10. 2015
TAX RATES AND LEVY BY-LAW (7.3)
Report
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That the report dated May 26th, 2015 entitled “2015 Tax Rates
and Levy By-law” be received; and,
2) That a by-law to
provide for the levy and collection of property taxes totalling $609,326,272 required by the City of Markham, The Regional
Municipality of York, Boards of Education and Business Improvement Areas, in a
form substantially similar to Appendix A (attached), satisfactory to the City
Solicitor and provides for the mailing of notices and requesting payment of
taxes for the year 2015, as set out as follows, be approved;
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Taxation Category
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2015
Levy Amount
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City of
Markham
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$133,528,401
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Region of York
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$265,617,816
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School Boards
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$209,750,628
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Markham
Village BIA
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$223,445
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Unionville BIA
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$205,982
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Total
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$609,326,272
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; and,
3) That staff be
authorized to levy against Markham Stouffville Hospital and Seneca College the
annual levy pursuant to Section 323 of the Municipal
Act, 2001, as outlined in Section
9 of the attached by-law once the required information is received from the
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities; and,
4) That the attached
by-law be passed to authorize the 2015 Tax Rates and Levy By-law; and further,
5) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
11. 2015
UNIONVILLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREA AND MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA OPERATING BUDGETS (7.4)
Report Exhibits
I-IV
There was discussion
of newly constructed business properties located within the Markham Village BIA (MVBIA) boundary and
when the new levies for these properties would commence. Staff advised
Committee that supplementary MVBIA levies will commence upon completion of the
construction on the property and the MVBIA levies shall be calculated
retroactive to the date of occupancy.
Moved by Councillor
Colin Campbell
Seconded by
Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the report entitled “2015 Unionville Business Improvement Area and Markham
Village Business Improvement Area Operating Budgets” dated May 26, 2015 be
received; and,
2) That
the 2015 Operating Budget in the amount of $290,319 for the Unionville Business
Improvement Area (UBIA) be approved; and,
3) That
the 2015 Operating Budget in the amount of $271,870 for the Markham Village Business
Improvement Area (MBIA) be approved; and,
4) That
the Special Tax Rate levy, in the amount of $205,982 for the UBIA members and $223,445
for the MBIA members be included in the 2015 Tax Levy By-law; and,
5) That
the MBIA provide the City with a resolution of the membership of the MBIA
authorizing execution of an agreement with the City, pertaining to an interest
free loan of $32,000 to be paid back to the City of Markham over a 4 year
period in the amount of $8,000 per year from 2015 to 2018, in a form
satisfactory to the City Solicitor; and further,
6) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
12. AWARD
OF CONTRACT 053-R-15 SANITARY
SEWER SYSTEM UPGRADE PROGRAM (7.12)
Report
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the report entitled “Award of Contract 053-R-15 Sanitary Sewer System Upgrade
Program” be received; and,
2) That the Contract
053-R-15 for the Sanitary Sewer System Upgrade Program be awarded to D.M. Robichaud
Associates Ltd., in the total amount of $1,056,122.00 inclusive of HST impact; and,
3) That a contingency
in the amount of $31,684.00 (3%), inclusive of HST impact, be established to
cover any additional contingency costs, and that authorization to approve
expenditures of this contingency amount up to the specified limit be in
accordance with the Expenditure Control Policy; and,
4) That the award in
the amount of $1,087,806.00 ($1,056,122.00 + $31,684.00) be funded from the
approved Waterworks capital budget for Sanitary Sewer System Upgrade Program
(account 053-6150-15293-005); and,
5) That the budget
shortfall of $60,641.00 inclusive of HST impact be funded from the Waterworks
Capital Contingency Fund; and further,
6) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
13. POWERSTREAM
MERGER UPDATE (13.7)
Report Presentation
Graham Seaman, Senior
Manager, Sustainability delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update
relative to a potential PowerStream merger.
There was discussion
regarding the industry experts retained.
Moved by Councillor
Colin Campbell
Seconded by
Councillor Karen Rea
1) That the report dated May 21, 2015 entitled “PowerStream Merger Update”
be received; and,
2) That staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
14. MARKHAM
PAN AM CENTRE
- “CELEBRATE THE POSSIBLE” (6.0)
Presentation
Mary Creighton,
Director, Recreation addressed the Committee and provided some brief opening
remarks relative to the Markham Pan Am Centre.
Janis Cookson,
Manager, Sports Development delivered a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Markham
Pan Am Centre - Celebrate the Possible."
The Committee stated
their content with the location of the Pan Am Centre and having a facility that
will host major sports events at various levels such as Provincial, National,
etc.
There was discussion
regarding the operational costs.
Moved by Mayor Frank
Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the presentation by
Ms. Mary Creighton, Director, Recreation and Ms. Janis Cookson, Manager, Sports
Development, entitled “Markham Pan Am Centre “Celebrate the Possible” be
received.
Carried
15. EMERALD
ASH BORER UPDATE
- SPRING 2015 (5.0)
Presentation Report
Barbara Rabicki,
Manager Parks Operation delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update
with respect to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
The Committee
discussed the following relative to the EAB:
·
Budget required
·
Importance of completing the
woodland assessment
·
Importance of planting a
variety of trees based on the various planting criteria
·
Insecticide treatment considerations
·
Further analysis on whether
treatment should be continued or just replace the tree canopy
·
Overlap between the tree
replacement programs as a result of EAB and due to the December 2013 Ice Storm
·
Selection process for tree
replacements
The Committee
commended staff for their achievements with the EAB program.
Moved by Deputy Mayor
Jack Heath
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the presentation by
Ms. Barbara Rabicki, Manager, Parks Operations, entitled “Emerald Ash Borer -
Update” be received; and,
2) That the staff report dated May 26, 2015 entitled “Emerald Ash Borer
Update – Spring 2015” be received; and further,
3) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution
Carried
16. FIRE ANNUAL REPORT (7.15)
Report Annual
Service Report
Moved by
Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That the Markham Fire and Emergency
Services 2014 Annual Service Report be received; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
17. ANNUAL
FIELD AGREEMENT
-YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (6.4)
Report
Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the report titled Annual Field Agreement- York Region District School Board be
received; and,
2) That
the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services be delegated authority to
execute the Annual Field Agreement- York Region District School Board of
Education, on an annual basis; and further,
3) That staff be
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
18. MARKHAM
SPORT HALL OF FAME (6.0)
Report Terms
of Reference
Moved by Mayor Frank
Scarpitti
Seconded by
Councillor Colin Campbell
That the following recommendation be deferred
to the June 1, 2015 General Committee meeting:
1) The report
titled “Markham Sport Hall of Fame” be received; and,
2) That
Council approve the establishment of a Markham Sport Hall of Fame at the
Markham Pan Am Centre as described in the report; and,
3) That
the Sport Development Sub Committee be thanked for their commitment and work in
developing the Markham Sport Hall of Fames framework; and further,
4) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
19. IN-CAMERA MATTERS (16.0,
11.0, & 8.0)
Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor Amanda Collucci
That the in-camera
agenda be referred directly to the May 26, 2015 Council meeting.
(1) GENERAL COMMITTEE
IN-CAMERA MINUTES
- May 11, 2015 (16.0)
[Section
239 (2) (a) (b) (c) (e)]
(2) PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT
AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES (11.0)
[Section
239 (2) (b)]
(3) THE SECURITY OF THE
PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (WARD 7) (8.0)
[Section 239 (2) (a)]
Carried
Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Valerie
Burke
That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 2:56 PM.
Carried