GENERAL COMMITTEE
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
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
A. Brown, Director,
Engineering
A. Seabrooke,
Director, Strategic Services
P. Ingham, General
Manager, Operations
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
P. Loukes, Director,
Operations
S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management
M. Ingwersen,
District Manager (West), Operations
K. Newson, Manager
of Purchasing
J. Nelson, Manager,
Development Finance
B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
M. Shatil, Project
Consultant
G. Taylor, Manager,
Community Centre Operations
M. Visser, Manager,
Strategy, Innovation and Investments
A. Wolfe, Project
Consultant
C. Raynor, Committee
Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor A. Chiu assumed the Chair at 9:40 a.m.
Regional Councillor G. Landon assumed the Chair at 11:00 a.m.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. 404
FLYOVER ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (5.7)
Mr. Mac Cosburn, Cathedral West Developers Group, presented comments
relating to the Highway 404 Flyover Environmental Assessment (EA). Mr. Cosburn
requested that staff limit the scope of the EA to not extend east beyond
Woodbine By-pass; that staff undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed
roads plan; that staff ensure the consultation team is cognizant of the
uniqueness of the area and that sufficient regard is given to the high quality
of work undertaken in the development so far.
Staff advised that all options, even those not preferred, should be
considered during the EA. At the appropriate time, options will be screened
with the unsuitable ones being removed before the public consultation process.
Staff advised that the consultant, McCormick Rankin, can present detailed
information on the EA process at a future meeting of General Committee.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the presentation
by Mr. Mac Cosburn, Cathedral West Developers Group, be received and referred
to staff.
CARRIED
2. DEVELOPMENT CHARGE BY-LAWS 2007
WORKPLAN (7.11)
Presentation
Ms. J. Nelson, Manager, Development Finance, presented the Development
Charge By-Laws 2007 Workplan. It was noted that under the Development Charges Act, the maximum life of a Development Charges
By-law is five (5) years. The Town will require new by-laws in 2009 to replace
the existing ones.
Committee was advised that between April 2, 2007 and June 11, 2007,
there will be regular updates from staff on the Workplan and an information
session with Councillors will be scheduled if necessary. A public meeting on
the matter is tentatively scheduled for May 8, 2007, with draft by-laws to be
presented to Committee for approval in early June, 2007.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation by Ms. J. Nelson, Manager, Development Finance,
regarding the Development Charge By-Laws 2007 Workplan be received.
CARRIED
3. 2006 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW
(16.0)
Report 1 2 3 4 5 6
The Committee thanked staff for their work on the 2006 investment
performance.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report dated February 26, 2007 entitled “2006 Investment
Performance Review” be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF
FEBRUARY 19, 2007 GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the minutes of the February 19, 2007 meeting of General Committee
be confirmed.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES OF
THE JANUARY 8, JANUARY 22 AND JANUARY 29,
2007
MEETINGS OF THE CANADIAN SPORTS INSTITUTE
OF ONTARIO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (6.0, 10.0)
Jan
8 Jan
22 Jan
29
Committee was advised that the expense claim referenced in the minutes of
the January 29, 2007 meeting of the Canadian Sports Institute of Ontario
Executive Committee has been withdrawn.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes
of the January 8, January 22 and January 29, 2007 Meetings of the Canadian
Sports Institute of Ontario Executive Committee be received, save and except the following resolution from the January
29, 2007 meeting:
“That expenses in the
amount of $5,000.00 for CSIO Council Members be approved and funded from the
previously Council-approved CSIO Account #044-6900-7349-005.”
CARRIED
6. PARKS,
RECREATION, CULTURE AND LIBRARY MASTER
PLAN – INDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES SECTION (3.0)
Presentation
Mr. A. Seabrooke,
Director of Strategic Services, presented an overview of the Parks, Recreation,
Culture & Library Master Plan – Indoor Recreation Facilities Section.
There was considerable
discussion concerning the impact of the proposed Canadian Sports Institute
(CSI) facility on the Recreation Master Plan. It was agreed that a decision on
whether or not the Town is committed to the CSI project should be made by the
end of April 2007, at which time a review of the Master Plan can commence.
There was discussion
concerning the proposed Community Centres in south-east and central-east
Markham, including whether additional ice pads should be installed in the
central-east facility so that the south-east facility can concentrate on soccer
programs. There was also brief discussion surrounding possible improvement or
expansion projects at the smaller facilities.
The Committee was
advised that Engineering Audits will take place at the Crosby and Markham
Village Arenas and that structural upgrades are likely to be required at Crosby
in 5-10 years and in 10-20 years for Markham Village.
There was also
discussion concerning the need to provide sufficient recreation facilities for
Markham Centre, especially if the CSI project does not go ahead. It was also
noted that demand for recreation facilities in Thornhill and Armadale will
increase with intensification. The Committee suggested that staff consider ways
to develop a detailed recreation needs assessment for the Town, both with and
without the CSI facility, to ensure that appropriate facilities are constructed
to meet demand. It was suggested that there are inadequate facilities for some
activities such as soccer, cricket and football.
The Committee
requested that service standards for indoor soccer, table tennis and badminton
be incorporated into the Master Plan, noting there is a shortage of badminton
facilities in Milliken. It was suggested that staff consider ways in which
school facilities can be better integrated with the Town’s recreation programs.
Staff agreed to
provide the subsidization levels for fitness centres, swimming pools and
gymnasiums. Additionally, it was suggested that a pilot program utilizing
students to provide informal recreation activities for children during the
summer be implemented at one of the smaller facilities, such as the Crosby or
Markham Village arenas.
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
That the presentation
by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Director of
Strategic Services, regarding the Parks, Recreation, Culture
& Library Master Plan – Indoor Recreation Facilities be received.
CARRIED
7. SPRING AND
YEAR-ROUND LOAD RESTRICTIONS FOR THE
TOWN OF
MARKHAM’S ROAD NETWORK (5.10)
Report Attachments
Moved by Councillor J.
Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor
J. Webster
That the report titled “Spring and Year Round
Load Restrictions for the Town of Markham’s Road Network” be received;
And that the gross weight of commercial
vehicles be restricted to 5 tonnes per axle on all public highways under the
jurisdiction of the Town of Markham, from March 1, 2007 to April 30, 2007,
according to the attached by-law “Appendix A ”;
And that should adverse spring thaw conditions
be encountered due to a harsh winter, at the discretion of the Director of
Operations, the load restrictions be extended up to May 31, 2007 (up to four
weeks);
And that the gross vehicle weight of commercial
vehicles be restricted to 5 tonnes per axle for the hard surfaced Town roads
listed in Appendix ‘B’, from March 1, 2007 to February 28, 2008, according to
the attached by-law “Appendix B”;
And that according to the Highway Traffic Act
Sec. 122(4) the restrictions would exempt vehicles operated by or on behalf of
the municipality and school busses;
And that the Director of Operations be
authorized to grant exemptions to the By-law to permit heavy vehicular loads,
at his discretion;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
8. DOG OFF-LEASH TERMS OF REFERENCE REPORT
(3.0, 16.0)
Report Attachments
Moved by Councillor J.
Webster
Seconded by Councillor
D. Horchik
That the staff report dated February 5, 2007, entitled “Dog Off-Leash
Terms of Reference Report” be received;
And that Council adopt the “Leash Free Markham Committee Terms of
Reference 2007” attached as Appendix “A” which is based on the Council approved
“Town of Markham Parks Department Guidelines for Permanent Dog off-Leash
Areas”;
And that the Leash Free Markham Committee Terms of Reference 2007 be
used to govern the Leash Free Markham Committee and the operation of Dog
Off-Leash Areas;
And that ex-Councillor S. Daurio,
Town staff, Council and local residents be thanked for their commitment to this
project;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
9. NANTICOKE
COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT (5.7)
Attachments
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the letter and information materials dated February 8, 2007 from
Mr. J. Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, to Ms. S. Birrell, Town
Clerk, regarding the Nanticoke coal-fired power plant, be received;
And that Mr. Gibbons be invited to make a
deputation at an upcoming meeting of General Committee.
CARRIED
10. ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT 10 YEAR CAPITAL
PROGRAM (7.5)
Presentation
Mr. A. Brown, Director of Engineering, presented information on the
Engineering Department’s Ten (10) Year Capital Program including roads,
sidewalks, illumination and environmental projects.
Staff agreed to provide a map detailing the status of the Environmental
Assessments related to each of the roads projects. Committee noted the need for
sidewalks on Highway 7 between Kennedy Road and McCowan Road, on Highway 48
north of 16th Avenue, and on Bayview Avenue north of Markham and
south of Richmond Hill. Committee was advised that the sidewalk on Highway 7 is
in the 2007 sidewalks program and that staff will look at Highway 48 and
Bayview Avenue.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation by Mr. A.
Brown, Director of Engineering, regarding the Engineering Department’s Roads
Program be received.
And that the presentation by Mr.
A. Brown, Director of Engineering, regarding the Engineering Department’s
Sidewalks Program be received.
And that the presentation by Mr.
A. Brown, Director of Engineering, regarding the Engineering Department’s
Illumination and Environmental Programs be received.
CARRIED
11. TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS – PROPOSED BY-LAW
AMENDMENTS (5.12.1)
Report By-law Map
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded
by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the
report entitled “Traffic Control Signals – Proposed By-Law Amendments” be
received;
And that the attached by-law to amend Schedule 19 of Traffic By-law
106-71, pertaining to “Traffic Control Signals”, by including the following
intersections be enacted
- YMCA Boulevard & Rivis Road,
- Town Centre Boulevard & Cox
Boulevard,
- Green Lane & Thornhill Square
Driveway,
- Alden Road & Bentley Street,
- Middlefield Road & Highglen
Avenue,
- Commerce Valley Drive West & South Park Road;
And that the attached
by-law to amend Schedule 19 of Traffic By-law 106-71, pertaining to “Traffic
Control Signals”, by rescinding the traffic control signal at Green Lane and
the south driveway of the Landmark of Thornhill be enacted;
And that the attached
by-law to amend Schedule 12 of Traffic By-law 106-71, pertaining to “Compulsory
Stops”, by rescinding the stop control at the following intersections be
enacted:
- Middlefield Road and Highglen Avenue,
- Commerce Valley Drive West and South Park Road;
And that the amended
by-laws shall come into force and effect when the authorized traffic control
signals have been energized;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. HIGHWAY 407
EAST PARTIAL EXTENSION WIDENING
FROM MARKHAM ROAD TO REGIONAL ROAD 30 (5.10)
Attachment
Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
That the letter dated
January 12, 2007 from Mr. I. Upjohn, Principal Planner, SNC-Lavalin Engineers
and Constructors, to Mr. A. Brown, Director of Engineering, providing notice of
a public information session regarding the Highway 407 East Partial Extension
widening from Markham Road to Regional Road 30 be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor F. Scarpitti
That Council request that 407ETR construct, at
its own cost, westbound entry ramps to Highway 407 at Ninth Line and Markham
By-Pass as part of the expansion of Highway 407.
CARRIED
13. KENNEDY
ROAD AND CLAYTON DRIVE (5.10)
Regional Councillor G. Landon agreed to
follow up with Regional Transportation staff on a query regarding the
pedestrian light button at the intersection of Kennedy Road and Clayton Drive.
It was suggested that a larger button is appropriate to assist shoppers to
cross the road.
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Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Councillor
J. Virgilio
That the Committee
resolve in camera to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition of land for Town
purposes and a matter relating to litigation or potential litigation. (11:35)
CARRIED
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor
J. Webster
That the Committee
rise. (12:05)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee
adjourned at 12:05 p.m.