GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-11-12
Meeting
No. 30
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
|
|
J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
P. Loukes, Director,
Operations
A. Seabrooke, Acting
Commissioner
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
K. Kitteringham,
Deputy Town Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
M. VanBerkum,
Assistant Town Solicitor
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management
A. Brown, Director,
Engineering
A. Tang, Acting Manager,
Financial Planning
D. Barker, Licensing
Officer
C. Raynor, Committee
Clerk
|
The
General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio
in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE
OF INTEREST
1. YORK REGION TRANSPORTATION
MASTER PLAN (13.4.3)
Mr. P. May, Director, Infrastructure
Planning, York Region, presented information relating to the Regional
Transportation Master Plan. Mr. May also briefly outlined the Water/Wastewater
Master Plan.
Committee noted the importance of engaging
the public during the consultation process. Also noted was the need to explore
alternative fuels for transit vehicles to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Committee suggested that no servicing allocation should be provided unless
developers were committed to LEED Silver Standard at a minimum.
There was brief discussion surrounding the
provision of noise abatement measures to residents backing onto regional roads.
Committee also noted that the widening of Bayview Avenue will threaten the Don
Watershed.
Ms. M. Matthias, local resident, spoke in
opposition to the widening of regional roads.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the
presentation by Mr. P. May, Director,
Infrastructure Planning, York Region, regarding the Transportation Master
Plan be received;
And that the deputation by Ms. M. Matthias, local resident, in
opposition to the widening of regional roads, be received.
CARRIED
2. SOUTH EAST COLLECTOR SEWER
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
(13.4.3)
Mr. B.
Araniyasundaran, Director of Capital Delivery, Water and Wastewater, York
Region, presented an update on the status of a number of projects including the
Ninth Line and 16th Avenue Sewer Phases 1 and 2, the Major Mackenzie
Watermain, the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant and the PD6 Markham
By-Pass Watermain and Kennedy Watermain.
Committee was
advised that a consultant will be retained to develop a traffic control plan
for the Major Mackenzie Watermain project.
Mr. W. Green,
Project Manager, presented an overview of the Southeast Collector Sanitary
Sewer project. Mr. Green noted that a long list of thirteen (13) alternative
routes were considered before a shortlist of five (5) was developed. It is
expected that the tender for the project will be awarded in January 2010, with
project completion estimated for December 2012.
There was discussion
regarding water mitigation planning. It was noted that a regional Working Group
is in place and that Markham staff will be submitting a list of candidate
projects. It was noted that the project deadlines have slipped, in part because
of the additional complexity of carrying out an Individual Environmental
Assessment.
Committee noted the
importance of ensuring public consultation sessions are well-planned and information
is effectively communicated. Committee also requested more regular updates and
it was suggested that these updates might be incorporated into Development
Services Committee meetings.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the presentation by, Mr. B. Araniyasundaran, Director of Capital
Delivery, Water and Wastewater, and Mr. W. Green, Project Manager, York
Region, regarding the South East Environmental Assessment be received.
CARRIED
3. YORK REGION CAPITAL PROGRAM AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
PROCESS (13.4.3)
Mr. D. Basso, Director
of Capital Delivery, Roads, York Region, presented an overview of the Regional
Capital Program and Environmental Assessment Process, including the draft 10
Year Roads Program.
Committee noted that
the design principles of the Towards Great Regional Roads program should be
flexible. It was suggested that in some areas it may be preferable to forgo the
central median in favour of a buffer that will segregate bike lanes. Committee
also suggested that the Region should first consider widening existing two lane
highways before widening four lane highways to six lanes.
Mr. Basso presented
updates on some major projects underway in Markham, including the widening of
Ninth Line. Committee requested that a ceremony be arranged upon completion of
the project. Other projects updated included the intersection improvements at
Kennedy Road and Birchview Avenue, the Class Environmental Assessment for work
on 16th Avenue from Highway 404 to York-Durham Line. Committee
requested that an additional public consultation session be held early in 2008 at
the Markham Civic Centre for the 16th Avenue project. Additionally,
the Committee requested information as to the destinations of transit customers
in the area.
Mr. Basso agreed to
appear more regularly before committee in order to provide updates on some of
the larger projects. There was brief discussion surrounding the proposed
widening of Steeles Avenue. Committee was advised that talks are ongoing with
the City of Toronto.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the
presentation by Dino Basso, York Region, regarding the Region’s Capital Program
and Environmental Assessment Process be received.
CARRIED
4. MARKHAM WAXERS CORRESPONDENCE AND DEPUTATION
FROM SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING (6.0)
Report
Mr. R. Thiessen, on behalf of Markham
Waxers, presented information relating to the cost of ice time. Mr. Thiessen
suggested that the team is paying too much for ice time as it does not operate
in peak time except for games and it is a minor hockey team.
Staff noted that there is a procedure for
determining rates for ice time and it has been followed in this case. There was
brief discussion concerning disruption to users of the Centennial Community
Centre during the renovation project.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That
the deputation by Mr. R. Thiessen, on behalf of Markham Waxers, regarding the
cost of ice time to the team, be received;
And
that staff report back on a number of issues discussed at the meeting,
including the extent of the impairment experienced by the team during the
renovations of Centennial Community Centre; the geographic composition of the
team; the revenue impacts of granting the team an ongoing discount on ice time,
or a one off credit on ice time; and an overview of the comparable rates for
ice time offered in other municipalities.
CARRIED
5. DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
BY-LAWS RENEWALS (7.11)
Presentation
Ms. B.
Cribbett, Treasurer, provided information relating to renewals of the
Development Charges By-laws. Committee was advised that expenses for capital
works and property costs are in excess of those projected in the 2004
Development Charges Background Study. Committee was presented with a breakdown
of development-related infrastructure costs both Town-wide and by area.
It was
noted that the Development Charges Sub-Committee reviewed a number of policy
issues including local services, redevelopment, continuation of Development
Charge exemptions and the reduction or elimination of Area Specific Development
Charges.
There was
considerable discussion on the policy issues. Staff advised that an additional
report on Development Charges will be forthcoming to the November 19, 2007
meeting of General Committee. Committee agreed to consider at that time a
motion to discontinue a limited exemption on non-residential developments.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor C. Moretti
That the
presentation from Ms. B. Cribbett, Treasurer, regarding Development Charges
By-laws Renewals, be received.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 29, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
minutes of the October 29, 2007 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
7. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 22, 2007
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
(16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
minutes of the October 22, 2007 Budget Sub-Committee be received.
CARRIED
8. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 1, 2007
MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
minutes of the October 1, 2007 Markham Race Relations Committee be received.
CARRIED
9. MINUTES
OF THE SEPTEMBER 18, 2007
BOARD OF VARLEY MCKAY
ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes Attachments
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
minutes of the September 18, 2007 Board of Varley McKay Art Foundation of
Markham be received.
CARRIED
10. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 1 AND OCTOBER 16,
2007
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
(3.0)
Oct.
1
Oct.
16
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
minutes of the October 1 and October 16, 2007 Environmental Issues Committee be
received.
CARRIED
11. PREMIER TAXI PLATE
CONVERSION REQUEST (2.23)
Report 1 2
Mr. A. Yoselevsky, taxi driver, spoke in
support of the request for conversion of Premier Plates into Regular Plates.
Mr. Yoselevsky stated that some drivers have been waiting several years to get
a regular plate.
Mr. M. Abdelaziz, taxi driver, spoke in
support of the request for conversion of Premier Plates into Regular Plates.
Mr. Abdelaziz also requested that the issuance of new plates be controlled to
ensure that the market is not flooded.
Mr. R. Eid, taxi driver, advised he has
been on the Priority List for twenty years waiting for a Regular Plate. He is
in support of converting the Premier Plates into Regular Plates.
Mr. P. Pankas and Mr. A. Fayez, taxi
drivers, requested the Town take additional steps to crack down on illegal
drivers. They also requested that anyone on the Priority List that is not
actually working as a driver be removed from the List.
Mr. J. Antwi, taxi driver, stated that the demand
for taxis in Markham significantly decreased in the evenings. Consequently it
is difficult to find anyone to share the driving of a taxi because there is not
enough work to justify it. Mr. Antwi also requested that newly-issued plates be
phased-in over time rather than all at once. He noted that the regular plates
are viewed as a reward for years of hard work and that drivers can use them as
a retirement plan.
Mr. Y. Massoud suggested that Markham is
the only town in York Region that operates a two-tier licensing system. Staff
advised that other municipalities, including both the Cities of Toronto and
Oshawa, have a licensing system similar to Markham’s.
Mr. B. Sakorafac, taxi driver, suggested
the Town gains limited revenues from the Premier Plate system and would gain
more from Regular Plates, for example, by charging transfer fees. Mr. Sakorafac
suggested that staff recommendations did not reflect comments made by the
industry at public meetings.
There was considerable discussion of the
points raised and it was noted that those in attendance suggested the current
market value of a Regular Plate is estimated to be in excess of $50,000. The
Committee discussed whether or not it was fair to change the rules on drivers
that have been on the Priority List for many years. The Committee noted that
the sale of plates places a value on the licence itself rather than on customer
service or client base, and it was stated that the only other licence with a
cap on issuances is that for body rub parlours. The Committee suggested that there
should be a mechanism to discourage the immediate sale of Regular Plates upon
issuance.
Staff noted that a comprehensive report on
the taxi licensing will be forthcoming in 2008. Included within the report will
be consideration of issues such as accessible vehicles, governance, alternative
business models and an assessment of the success of the Premier Plate system.
There was discussion as to whether the current Priority List should be
exhausted before implementing a new plate issuance system.
**Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor Jones
That By-Law No. 2002-308, “A By-Law for Licensing, Regulating, and
Governing Owners and Drivers of Taxicabs and Taxicab Brokers” (as amended) be
amended to:
- restrict the issuance of any new plates to Premier
plates;
- provide for automatic issuance of Premier Plates
based on a maximum ratio of plates to population of 1:1500
- require Premier plate holders to drive the taxicab
at least 50% of total hours of operation of the taxicab
- revise the reference in Section 6.1(1) to an
“application for taxi owner’s plate” to “an application for a position on
the Priority List”, to be substantiated with a statutory declaration and
trip sheets and/or GST registration or other documents requested by the
Licensing Officer
- provide for a statutory declaration and trip sheets
and/or GST registration or other documents requested by the Licensing
Officer to remain on the Priority List
- add a requirement that the application be amended
within seven days of any change in the information on the application for
the Priority List
- provide that when a person on the Priority List
declines to make application for a Premier plate when one is available,
his/her name is placed at the bottom of the List
- delete Sections 4 and 5 that require the Licensing
Officer to recommend removal of names from the List
- revise Section 4.9(2) to provide for requests for
the transfer of regular plates in less than three years to be referred to
the Licensing Committee;
And that the request from
the current Premier Plate Holders for conversion of existing Premier Plates to
regular plates be approved;
And that staff report back
in 2008 with a comprehensive report on the taxi industry, including a mechanism
for the issuance of new plates;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary
to give effect to this resolution.
Amended by
Council on November 27, 2007 to read as follows:
“That the following paragraph be deferred until staff report
back with a comprehensive report on the taxi industry, including a mechanism
for the issuance of new plates:
That By-Law No. 2002-308,
“A By-Law for Licensing, Regulating, and Governing Owners and Drivers of
Taxicabs and Taxicab Brokers” (as amended) be amended to:
o
restrict the issuance of any new plates to Premier plates;
o
provide for automatic issuance of Premier Plates based on a maximum
ratio of plates to population of 1:1500
o
require Premier plate holders to drive the taxicab at least 50% of
total hours of operation of the taxicab
o
revise the reference in Section 6.1(1) to an “application for taxi
owner’s plate” to “an application for a position on the Priority List”, to be
substantiated with a statutory declaration and trip sheets and/or GST
registration or other documents requested by the Licensing Officer
o
provide for a statutory declaration and trip sheets and/or GST
registration or other documents requested by the Licensing Officer to remain on
the Priority List
o
add a requirement that the application be amended within seven days
of any change in the information on the application for the Priority List
o
provide that when a person on the Priority List declines to make
application for a Premier plate when one is available, his/her name is placed
at the bottom of the List
o
delete Sections 4 and 5 that require the Licensing Officer to
recommend removal of names from the List
o
revise Section 4.9(2) to provide for requests for the transfer of
regular plates in less than three years to be referred to the Licensing
Committee;
And that the request from the current Premier Plate Holders for
conversion of existing Premier Plates to regular plates be approved;
And that staff report back in mid-May
2008 with a comprehensive report on the taxi industry, including a
mechanism for the issuance of new plates;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary
to give effect to this resolution.”
12. MARKHAM WAXERS CORRESPONDENCE
AND DEPUTATION FROM SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING (6.0)
Report
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
That
the report dated October 15, 2007, titled “Markham Waxers Correspondence
& Deputation from September 10, 2007, General Committee Meeting” be
received.
CARRIED
.
13. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY FUND – FALL
FUNDING (5.7)
Report 1
Moved by Regional
Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred until
the November 19, 2007 meeting of General Committee:
“That staff report titled
“Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund – Fall Funding”, dated November 12,
2007, be received;
And that Council approve
funding for the following Community Projects as evaluated and recommended by
staff and the Environmental Issues Committee as set out in this report, in the
amount of $19,000.00 as follows:
- Youth Environmental Network of York Region ($10,000)
- Unionville Meadows Public School ($5,000)
- Stonebridge Public School ($4,000)
to be funded from the
Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), Account #87 2800168;
And that Staff be
authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to the above.”
CARRIED
14. HYDRO ONE NETWORKS INC.
REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION TO
BY-LAW 2007-146
FOR ELECTRIC UTILITY
OPERATIONS (5.7)
Communication
Moved by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That the letter
dated November 1, 2007, from Mr. M. D’Arcey, Senior Vice President Customer
Operations, requesting that electric utility operations be exempted from the
requirements of Pesticide By-law 2007-146, be received and referred to staff.
CARRIED
15. EAST MARKHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE AND LIBRARY (8.7)
Committee was advised that a meeting between the architects engaged by
the Town and the Hospital will take place shortly. The architects will be
advised of comments made by Committee and will report back with a number of
alternative design options.
Committee suggested that options such as a solar roof, LEED Gold
Standard be examined. Committee also noted the importance of a carbon-neutral
design.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jones
That the memorandum by Allan Seabrooke, Commission Lead for Community
& Fire Services, regarding East Markham Library Community Centre &
Library be received;
And that a copy of the presentation dated November 2, 2007 regarding
Markham Stouffville Hospital, East Markham Community Centre, and Library
Co-Location be received.
CARRIED
16. CLICK WITH
MARKHAM UPDATE (12.0)
Mayor
Scarpitti provided a brief update regarding the recently-launched “Click With
Markham” campaign. It was stated that around 1,800 responses have been received
to date.
ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 10:47 a.m.