GENERAL COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 18, 2013
Meeting No. 24
Finance & Administrative Issues Community Services Issues
Chair: Mayor
Frank Scarpitti Chair: Councillor Alex Chiu
Vice Chair: Councillor Carolina Moretti Vice
Chair: Councillor Howard Shore
Environment
& Sustainability Issues Building,
Parks, & Construction Issues
Chair: Councillor
Valerie Burke Chair: Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Vice Chair: Regional Councillor Joe Li Vice
Chair: Councillor Colin Campbell
Alternate formats are available
upon request.
Attendance
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Andy
Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
Catherine
Conrad, City Solicitor
Jim
Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Trinela
Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Peter Loukes, Director, Environmental Services
Joel Lustig,
Treasurer
Alex Moore, Manager
of Purchasing
Andrea Tang, Manager of Financial Planning
Lori Wells, Community
Recreation Manager - East
Shawn Hermans,
Community Program Coordinator - South East
Robert Muir, Manager of Stormwater
Corinna
Ghaznavi, Public Art Coordinator
Alida Tari, Council/Committee
Coordinator
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|
The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor
Carolina Moretti in the Chair. Mayor
Frank Scarpitti assumed the Chair at 10:34 am and Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired
Community Services related items.
General Committee recessed at 12:53 p.m. and reconvened at 1:38 p.m.
DISCLOSURE OF
INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. 2014
PROPOSED WATER/WASTEWATER RATES (7.4)
Presentation
Andrea Tang,
Manager of Financial Planning delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
2014 Proposed Water/Wastewater rates.
Peter Loukes, Director, Environmental Services
delivered a PowerPoint presentation with respect to the 2013 Waterworks Work
Plan.
There was considerable discussion regarding the
yearly increasing water rates and the number of services it pays for such as:
supply and delivery of water to homes, water treatment facilities, lead
testing, sewer use/maintenance and repair work on old infrastructure.
The Committee suggested that staff include
charts depicting the following information at the Public Meeting and circulate
the information to the Mayor and Members of Council prior to the meeting:
·
Markham's water Reserves balances
·
How water consumption has varied over the last few
years
·
Average water bill over the last 10 years
·
Regional Reserves
·
Non-revenue water
·
What percentage of increase
is a result of water from Peel and from City of Toronto
·
Add Peel's rate to the slide
on "2013 Comparative Municipal Water/Wastewater Rates"
There was brief
discussion regarding whether the water supply can be efficiently managed
without the City's involvement, but rather only have it through a one-tier
system being the Regional Municipality of York.
Moved by Mayor
Frank Scarpitti
Seconded Regional
Councillor Jim Jones
1) That the presentation provided by
Andrea Tang, Manager of Financial Planning, entitled "2014 Proposed
Water/Wastewater Rates" be received.
CARRIED
2. 2013 SEPTEMBER YEAR-TO-DATE REVIEW OF
OPERATIONS AND YEAR-END PROJECTION (7.4)
Presentation
Andrea Tang, Manager of Financial Planning
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2013 September Year-To-Date
review of operations and year-end projections.
There was discussion regarding the
unfavourable recreation revenue in the amount of $1.376 million and steps being
considered to improve. Staff advised
that they will be reporting on a three year plan for recreation that will also
include a pricing strategy. It was
suggested that staff investigate ways to promote new facilities such as
including a flyer about new Community Centres in the local area tax bill.
Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the presentation
provided by Andrea Tang, Manager of Financial Planning, entitled "2013
September Year-To-Date Review of Operations and Year-End Projection" be
received.
CARRIED
3. MARKHAM SPORTS DAY (6.4)
Presentation
Lori Wells, Community Recreation Manager - East,
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Markham Sports Day.
Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the presentation provided by Lori
Wells, Community Recreation Manager - East, entitled "Markham Sports
Day" be received.
CARRIED
4. AFTER SCHOOL JOBS FOR YOUTH IN
YORK REGION (6.0)
Presentation
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community &
Fire Services addressed the Committee and provided some opening remarks
relative to the After School Jobs for Youth in York Region program.
Shawn Hermans, Community Program Coordinator -
South East delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining the After School Jobs
for Youth in York Region program.
There was brief discussion regarding the 360
Kids' youth employment program.
Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That the presentation provided by Shawn Hermans, Community
Program Coordinator - South East, entitled "After School
Jobs for Youth in York Region" be received.
CARRIED
5. STORMWATER FUNDING (5.5)
Presentation
Robert Muir, Manager of Stormwater delivered
a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Stormwater Funding.
The Committee discussed the following:
·
Life Cycle Reserve fund
·
Gas Tax funding
·
Is 100 year storm level sufficient
·
What will it take to advance other parts of Markham
·
City wide charge is the correct approach
·
Cost efficiencies being considered to avoid future
issues
·
Re-development opportunities
Marilyn Ginsburg, Grandview Area Residents
Association addressed the Committee regarding the Stormwater Funding and spoke
in support. She thanked staff,
Councillor Valerie Burke and all involved for their efforts in advancing the
Thornhill Flood Control.
Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That the presentation
provided by Rob Muir, Manager of Stormwater, entitled "Stormwater Funding" be received; and,
2)
That the annual fee revenue target be set at $6.5 M for the five year project cycle
and that the funding requirement be
updated every five years to reflect updated project costs estimates, Gas Tax
allocation, inflation, growth, administration costs, and revenue collection; and,
3) That
stormwater fees be charged to all properties with a water account and that
staff be authorized to develop the billing system with powerstream, and to
negotiate a contract for account management, billing, revenue collection, and
customer support; and,
4) That
stormwater fee revenue be collected by sector in proportion to city-wide runoff
contributions of 60% residential and 40% non-residential; and,
5) That
the fee flat fee
for residential and multi-residential properties units be set at $36 per unit
per year for the first 5 years; and,
6) That the variable fee for non-residential properties be set
based on a rate of $21/$100,000 current value assessment; and,
7) That
staff report back in q1 2014 on an implementation plan and communications
strategy for implementation of the city-wide fee; and further,
8) That staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
6. SOUTH EAST COMMUNITY CENTRE
AND LIBRARY PUBLIC ART (6.6)
Presentation
Staff delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding the South East
Community Centre and Library Public Art.
There was discussion regarding the cost of the proposed public art.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That
the presentation provided by Corinna Ghaznavi entitled "South East
Community Centre and Library Public Art" be received.
CARRIED
7. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER
4, 2013
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the November 4, 2013 General
Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
8. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2013
BOX GROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of
the October 7, 2013 Box Grove Community Centre Board be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
9. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
HEINTZMAN HOUSE BOARD MEETING (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of
the September 26, 2013 Heintzman House Board Meeting be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
10. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2013
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the
October 7, 2013 Race Relations Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
11. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2013
VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of
the October 7, 2013 Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
12. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12
AND OCTOBER 10, 2013
MARKHAM TRAIN STATION
COMMUNITY CENTRE (16.0)
Sept.
12 Oct.
10
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of
the September 12 and October 10, 2013 Markham Train Station Community Centre be
received for information purposes.
CARRIED
13. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 18
AND SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA COMMITTEE (16.0)
Aug.
18 Sept.
19
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of
the August 18 and September 19, 2013 Board of Management Markham Village
Business Improvement Area Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
14. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
WASTE DIVERSION SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the September 9,
2013 Environmental Issues Committee, Waste Diversion Sub-Committee be received
for information purposes.
CARRIED
15. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 28, 2013
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of
the October 28, 2013 Budget Sub-Committee be received for information purposes;
and,
2) That the following
2014 Celebrate Markham Grants be pre-approved:
- Tony Roman Hockey
Tournament - $5.4K
- Chinese New Year
Celebration - $10K
- Black History Month - $3K
- Tamil Heritage/Thai
Pongal/Tamil New Year Celebration - $4K
CARRIED
16. 2014 E3 INITIATIVES (7.0)
Report
There was discussion regarding the proposed user fee increase at Milne Dam Conservation Park. It was suggested the proposed adult rate be
lowered to $4.00 and senior's rate lowered to $3.00 for one year and that staff
review and report back after the one year period.
Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
1) That
the report dated November 18, 2013 entitled “2014 E3 Initiatives” be received;
and,
2) That
the following new user fees as per Appendix A be implemented effective January
1, 2014:
- Mortgage
Account Administrative Fee
- Property
Tax Overdue Notice Fee
- Noise
Exemption Fee
- Fence
Exemption Fee; and,
3) That
the following new licence fees as per Appendix A be implemented effective May
1, 2014:
- Wildlife Licence Fee
- Food Truck Licence Fee; and,
4) That
the Director of each respective department be authorized to set future
increases annually for only those above user and licence fees based on the
change in the Consumer Price Index (Toronto All Items September -September)
with such increases effective January 1 and rounded to the nearest half dollar;
and,
5) That
the following user fee and licence fee increases as per Appendix B be implemented
effective January 1, 2014:
- Street banner installation
- Film permits
- User and licence fees, as per Appendix C,
increase by 3.6% in addition to the CPI increase of 1.4% for a total increase
of 5%
- Parking fees at Milne Dam Conservation Park
as outlined in Table A with the adult
fee to be lowered to $4.00 and senior's fee lowered to $3.00 for one year and
that staff report back to General Committee after the one year period
- Picnic site permit fees at Milne Dam
Conservation Park as outlined in Table B
- Sportsfield
and artificial turf permit fees as outlined in Table C
- Legal Department fees; and,
6) That 75% ($721k) of the annual
operating budget savings of $961k from the conversion of LED luminaires be
transferred to pay back the capital investment and 25% ($240k) be incorporated
as a reduction to the streetlight hydro operating base budget; and,
7) That the financial implications from
the 2014 E3 initiatives as outlined in the report totaling $873k be
incorporated into the 2014 Operating Budget; and,
8) That
By-law 2002-276, a by-law to impose fees and charges for services or activities
provided or done by the City of Markham, be amended to reflect the increase in
rates; and,
9) That
By-law 2002-284, a by-law to impose fees and charges for licences provided by the
City of Markham, be amended to reflect the increase in rates; and further,
10) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
17. STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR
THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2013 (7.12)
Report
The
Committee discussed the following:
·
232-T-13
Replacement of the Roof Fire Station #95 and Craft Guild Canopy
·
236-T-13
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Wood Waste Removal Program
·
176-T-13
Rehabilitation of Storm Water System Maintenance - Trenchless & Open Cut
Repairs
It was suggested that staff investigate metal
roofs for future roof replacements on City buildings.
Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of October 2013” be
received; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
18. INTERIM SPENDING AUTHORITY
PENDING APPROVAL OF THE 2014
UNIONVILLE AND MARKHAM VILLAGE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS (B.I.A.) BUDGETS (7.4)
Report
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the report dated November 18, 2013, entitled “Interim Spending Authority Pending
Approval of the 2014 Unionville and Markham Village Business Improvement Areas
(B.I.A.) Budgets” be received; and,
2) That Council approve 50% of the
2013 Operating Budget equivalent to the amounts of $118,008 and $152,104 for
the Unionville B.I.A. (UBIA) and Markham Village B.I.A. (MBIA) respectively as
pre-budget approval for the 2014 operating expenditures; and further,
3) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
19. TEMPORARY
BORROWING BY-LAW 2014 (7.0)
Report
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the report
“Temporary Borrowing By-law 2014” be received; and,
2) That a by-law be brought forward
for council approval to authorize the temporary borrowing, if required, of an
amount not to exceed $147,242,732 from January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and
$73,621,366 from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 to meet the expenditures
of the municipality until taxes are collected and other revenues are received;
and,
3) That the Treasurer
report to council in advance of borrowing, if temporary borrowing is required;
and further,
4) That staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
20. INTERIM SPENDING
AUTHORITY
PENDING APPROVAL OF 2014 BUDGET
(7.0)
Report
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the report “Interim Spending Authority pending
approval of 2014 Budget”, be received; and,
2) That
Council approve 50% of the 2013 Operating, Waterworks, Planning & Design,
Building Standards and Engineering
budgets equal to $147,242,732 as a
pre-budget approval for 2014 operating expenditures; and further,
3) Staff be authorized and directed to do
all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
21. WORKPLACE SAFETY AND INSURANCE BOARD
EXCESS WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE (7.0)
Report
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That the report “Workplace Safety
and Insurance Board (WSIB) Excess Workers Compensation Insurance” be received; and,
2) That
the City discontinue the purchase of WSIB Excess Workers Compensation Insurance
as of January 1, 2014; and,
3) That
a new WSIB Excess Compensation Reserve Fund be created to fund potential WSIB
benefits and administration costs arising out of a single WSIB incident in
excess of
$1 million; and,
4) That
the WSIB Excess Workers Compensation Insurance budget of $185,000 (2014
proposed budget), included in the Corporate Insurance Premium Account, be
annually transferred into the WSIB Excess Compensation Reserve Fund and a 8.1%
inflation escalation be added annually to the transfer; and further,
5) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
22. CONTRACT INCREASE 247-R-11
WEST THORNHILL FLOOD CONTROL
IMPLEMENTATION TO INCLUDE
THE WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT DESIGN (7.12)
Report
Moved
by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report “Contract Increase
247-R-11 West Thornhill Flood Control Implementation to include the Watermain
Replacement Design” be received; and,
2) That the contract for the preliminary
and detailed watermain replacement design for the Bayview Glen area (“Phase 1 - North”) and the preliminary
watermain replacement design for the Grandview area (Phase 2) and Canadiana
Drive (“Phase 1 - South”) be awarded to R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. in the
amount of $169,267.58 inclusive of HST;
and,
3) That a new 2013 Waterworks capital
project be established for the West Thornhill Flood Control Implementation
Watermain Replacement Design Phase 1 and Phase 2 and be funded in the amount of
$169,267.58 from the Waterworks Stabilization/Capital Reserve; and,
4) That the tender process be waived in
accordance with Purchasing By-Law 2004-341, Part II, Section 7 Non Competitive
Procurement, item 1 (c), which states “When the extension of an existing
contract would prove more cost-effective and beneficial”; and further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
23. 2014 STANDING COMMITTEE/ COUNCIL
MEETING SCHEDULE (16.0)
Calendar
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor
Alex Chiu
1) That
the 2014 Standing Committee/Council Meeting Schedule be approved.
CARRIED
24. PROPOSED 2014 WATER/WASTEWATER
RATE INCREASE AND 2014 WATERWORKS
OPERATING BUDGET (7.4)
Report
Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor
Jim Jones
1) That
the report dated November 18, 2013 entitled “Proposed 2014 Water/Wastewater
Rate Increase and 2014 Waterworks Operating Budget” be received; and,
2) That Staff be authorized to hold a
public meeting on the proposed 2014 water/wastewater rate increase on November
26, 2013 at 6:00p.m. at the Civic Centre in the Council Chamber; and,
3) That the 2014 City of Markham’s
(“City”) water/wastewater rate increase be equivalent to the Region of York’s
(“Region”) monetary increase of $0.1799 per cubic metre (m3) based
on the Region’s approved increase of 10%; and,
4) That in addition to the Region’s
increase, the 2014 water/wastewater rate increase include a surcharge of
$0.0474/m3; and,
5) That effective April 1, 2014, the 2014
water/wastewater rate will be $3.0649/m3, an increase of $0.2273/m3,
equivalent to a 8.0% increase compared to prior year; and,
6) That Council approve the 2014 Waterworks budget
that totals $96,505,681, (excluding the 2013 surplus/deficit), the principal
components of which are detailed in Appendix 1; and further,
7) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
**NOTE** At the November 26, 2013 Council
meeting Council deleted clause (2) above and referred clauses 1, 3 to 7 to the
December 2, 2013 General Committee meeting.
25. SEPTEMBER 2013 YEAR-TO-DATE
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND
YEAR-END PROJECTION (7.4)
Report
Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the report dated November 18, 2013 entitled “2013 September Year-To-Date Review of Operations and Year End Projection” be
received.
CARRIED
26. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 2, 2013
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Deputy Mayor
Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor
Logan Kanapathi
1) That the Minutes of
the October 2, 2013 Public Art Advisory Committee be received for information
purposes; and,
2) That Council endorse
the following recommendation passed at the October 2, 2013 Public Art Advisory
Committee Meeting:
"That the Markham Public Art
Advisory Committee recommend to Markham Council that the art work proposal
entitled “Top
Garden” for the
Markham Southeast Community Centre be accepted as proposed; and,
That the Markham Public Art
Advisory Committee recommend to Markham Council that public art for the Pan Am
Centre be reviewed by the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee."
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
27. 26 ALBERT STREET (16.11)
Councillor Colin Campbell advised the
Committee that the owner of 26 Albert Street has sold the James Campbell House
and the purchaser will be relocating the building to Markham Heritage
Estates. He is requesting that staff report
back on the refund of the $18,200 deposited to secure compliance with the
agreement, including, once the sale is finalized, the refund of $10,000 of that
deposit that secured the relocation of the structure to a new foundation.
Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That staff report back with a memo to
General Committee once the James Campbell House has been successfully sold and
relocated to Markham Heritage Estates whether the financial security of
$18,200.00 directed by Council at the April 30, 2013 Council meeting be
refunded to the owner of 26 Albert Street.
CARRIED
28. MAIN STREET MARKHAM ROAD
CLOSURE (5.10)
Councillor Carolina Moretti addressed the
Committee to advise that Main Street Markham (Bullock Drive to Highway 7) will
be closed on November 19 & 20, 2013 for paving. She indicated that the information has been
posted to the City's website.
29. IN-CAMERA MATTERS
Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho
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 (2:41 p.m.):
(1) GENERAL
COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES
- NOVEMBER
4, 2013 (16.0)
[Section
239 (2) (e) (a) (b) (e) (c) (b) (b) (b) (c)]
(2) A
PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (WARD 7) (8.6)
[Section
239 (2) (c)]
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded
by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
That the
General Committee rise from the in-camera session.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor
Carolina Moretti
Seconded
by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the
General Committee meeting adjourn at 2:45 p.m.
CARRIED