M I N U T E S

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

2004-06-22

Canada Room

 

Attendance

 

Mayor                          D. Cousens Regional Councillors     F. Scarpitti (5.12 p.m.)                                     J. Heath                                     J. Jones                                     B. O'Donnell Councillors                   S. Daurio                                     J. Virgilio                                     G. McKelvey                                     J. Webster                                     D. Horchik                                     A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development    Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services L. Valentini, Assistant Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer S. Birrell, Town Clerk P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services J. Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire    Services V. McGrath, Manager, Environmental    Leadership

The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of 5:00 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

None declared.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
            - JUNE 8, 2004 (16.0)

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

 

That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on June 8, 2004 be confirmed.

 

Carried

 

2.         REPORTING ON IN-CAMERA ITEMS (9.0)  Weblink

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

That, to ensure essential confidentiality, all confidential reports contain a resolution containing the wording that is appropriate to be reported out in the public session.

 

Carried

 

 

3.         2004 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD APPOINTMENTS
MARKHAM TRAIN STATION COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.24)

 

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey

 

Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

That appointments to the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be referred back to staff and the Interview Committee.

 

Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery Board

That the resignation of Jennifer Deacon from the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery Board and the Varley-McKay Art Foundation be accepted with regret effective August 1, 2004 and a letter of appreciation forwarded and Ms. Deacon be invited to attend a future Council meeting to be formally acknowledged for her service.

 

Markham Village Train Station Community Centre Board

That the following appointments to the Markham Village Train Station Community Centre Board be confirmed for a term effective May 1, 2004 to expire April 30, 2005:

 

            Linaire Armstrong

            Nancy Danby

            Dorothy Gilbert

            Jack Heath

            Dianne More

            Wayne Moss

            Elizabeth Plashkes

            Theo Rothe

            Ken Rudy

            John Webster

            Donna Wigmore

            Bob Youngberg

 

Public Art Advisory Committee

That the terms of reference for the Public Art Policy Committee be amended to include "one (1) member of the Varley Art Gallery Board";

 

And that the following representative of the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery Board

 be appointed to the Public Art Advisory Committee for a term ending November 30, 2006:

 

            Anna Gauci

 

Carried

 

 

 

4.         THE MARKHAM ENERGY
            CONSERVATION OFFICE (5.7) weblink  AppA  AppB

 

Committee had before it the report from the Community and Fire Services Commission dated June 22, 2004 with respect to the Markham Energy Conservation Office.  This Office will demonstrate the Town's leadership in providing the community with the education and tools to foster a conservation culture.

 

The Chief Administrative Officer introduced the matter and Mr. James Small with the Canadian Urban Institute who will assist the Town in preparing a business plan and with conservation generally.

 

Mr. Small provided background and reviewed the strategy which will take advantage of the financial offers from the Province encouraging a conservation culture in Ontario.  He advised that Markham is in the forefront for consideration for this financing.

 

Some discussion took place regarding funding, energy rates, capping, the need to avoid an energy rate increase and the rationale for the Town's recommended revenue process.

 

It was noted that the concerns of Committee will be addressed in the business plan to be brought forward by Mr. Small.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the staff report entitled "The Markham Energy Conservation Office", dated June 22, 2004, be received;

 

And that the Canadian Urban Institute be engaged, at a cost not to exceed $65,000 to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund, and work in coordination with staff, Amalco and Markham District Energy Inc. to:

 

         ·        Establish a deferral account between Amalco and the Ontario Energy Board,

         ·        Prepare background documentation on the purpose of a Markham Energy Conservation Office (ECO) and how it will achieve its aims,

         ·        Provide an overview of the major issues involved in establishing the Markham ECO and its ability to access funds from Amalco's deferral account and other sources of funding, and,

         ·        Provide a formal business plan for the Markham ECO in order for it to be launched in the Fall 2004;

 

And that the formal business plan for the Markham ECO be coordinated through the Environmental Issues Committee until the launch of the Markham ECO at which time, a representative from the Markham ECO will participate on the Kyoto Task Force Committee;

 

And that a Press Release be prepared to announce this initiative.

 

Carried

 

 

 

5.         PROPOSED SOCCER CENTRE (6.10)

 

The Commissioner of Community and Fire Services advised that meetings are underway with several groups interested in privately financed soccer facilities within the Town.  He noted that RFP's will be prepared and investigation will proceed regarding process and site identification.  Facilitating several sports within one structure is being considered with prime time being reserved for youth.  Mr. Sales confirmed that, in the site identification process, government and private lands will be considered as well as the proximity to the existing dome.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the verbal update provided by the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services regarding information received on a proposed soccer centre in the Town of Markham, be received;

 

And that staff report back to Committee by fall, 2004 with detailed information on discussions with various possible partners in the soccer centre endeavour.

 

Carried

 

6.         CHARACTER COMMUNITY LOGO
            ON ICE RINKS (12.2.6)   Weblink 

 

Committee had before it the report dated June 22, 2004 from the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services regarding the Character Community logo being displayed on ice rink surfaces within Town facilities.

 

The Commissioner of Community and Fire Services explained that the Region of York has requested that all none municipalities consider displaying the Character Community logo on their ice surfaces.  In Markham, it would be displayed at the red or blue line and not at centre ice.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

 

That Council approve the placing of the Character Community Logo in-ice in the Town of Markham ice-rinks for the 2004 - 2005 hockey season.

 

Carried

 

 

 

7.         JOHNSVIEW VILLAGE, THORNHILL
            WAIVING OF FEES (10.0)  weblink

 

Committee had before it the tabled memorandum from the Commissioner of Development Services regarding fees for minor variance and zoning by-law amendment applications for Johnsview Village Pool.

 

The Commissioner of Development Services reviewed the background and chronology leading to the applications this date and the approximately $2,500.00 in application fees.

 

Discussion took place regarding the possibility of a grant rather than waiving fees which would set a precedent.  The possibility of the zoning by-law amendment application not obtaining approval was also considered.

 

Moved by Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

That the staff memorandum providing additional information regarding waiving the Committee of Adjustment and Zoning application fees for Johnsview Village Pool, Thornhill, be received;

 

And that a grant to the Johnsview Condominium Corporation, not to exceed $2,500.00, be approved to offset the Committee of Adjustment minor variance application and Zoning by-law amendment application fees, subject to the rezoning being approved.

 

Carried

 

 

 

8.         RECESS DURING DEVELOPMENT
            SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING
            JUNE 28, 2004 (16.0)

 

Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

 

That Development Services Committee recess on Monday, June 28, 2004 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to allow staff and Members of Council to vote;

 

And that the Town Clerk poll Councillors Shapero and Usman to ensure they agree with a two-hour break.

 

Carried

 

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

 

That Committee recess in-camera to discuss personnel matters.

 

Carried

 

 

Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That Committee rise and report.

 

Carried

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.