GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-10-29
Meeting
No. 26
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
A.
Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S.
Birrell, Town Clerk
B.
Cribbett, Treasurer
A. Brown,
Director, Engineering
A.
Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services
J.
Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services
P.
Loukes, Director, Operations
A. Tang,
Acting Manager, Financial Planning
M.
Visser, Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Investments
B.
Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
C. Raynor,
Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed
1. CLOSED
MEETING INVESTIGATOR (13.2)
Presentation
Ms. K. Kitteringham, Deputy Town Clerk, provided an overview of the
requirements of the Municipal Act as it pertains to meetings closed to
the public. Committee was advised that from January, 2008, municipalities are
required to have in place a system for investigating complaints regarding the
Town’s closed meetings compliance otherwise the Provincial Ombudsman will take
on the function.
Ms. Kitteringham outlined the investigative options including using the
provincial ombudsman, privately engaging an investigator, or using the service
offered through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Committee was advised that the recommendations resulting from an
investigation are not binding on the municipality but they are made public.
Additionally, it was noted that any person may make a complaint to an
investigator, including Councillors or non-residents.
Staff
agreed to report back with more detailed information on how the provisions of
the Municipal Act will impact the Business Improvement Areas.
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
presentation by Ms. K. Kitteringham, Deputy Town Clerk, regarding a Closed
Meeting Investigator be received;
And that
Council appoint a closed meeting investigator in accordance with Section
239.2(1) of the Municipal Act;
And that the Town utilize the service offered
by Local Authority Service (LAS) through the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario (AMO) for closed meetings investigations;
And that
Legal staff prepare a draft appointment by-law & agreement;
And that
staff continue to monitor the Closed Meeting Investigator service delivery
experiences of other municipalities over the next year & report back on
same in December, 2008;
And that
the Clerk correspond with all Town Committees & Local Boards regarding
post-Bill 130 procedural & closed meeting requirements & provide
training on same, as required.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 15, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jones
That the minutes of
the October 15, 2007 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
3. 2007
ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jones
Animal Care
Services Committee
That the appointment
of Bernice Royce to the Animal Care Services Committee be approved;
Mayor’s Youth Task
Force
And that the following appointments to the Mayor’s Youth Task Force be approved
for the term September 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008:
Name School Gr.
MARKHAM
Vino Jeyapalan High School 11
Vijay Jeyapalan High School 11
Matthew Biskup High School 12
Rebecca Wang High School 11
Farheen Alim High School 12
Shanthiya Baheerathan High School 11
David Li High School 12
UNIONVILLE
Yanbo Guo High School 10
Jesse Colautti High School 11
Giorgio Proestos High School 12
Maha Naqi High School 9
Joey Loi Elementary School 8
Vivian Hui High School 12
Lavania Hui High School 9
Timothy Yap High School 12
Nancy Wu High School 12
MILLIKEN
Janelle Valestero High School 10
Samantha Soto High School 10
Vetura Jeyandran High School 11
Gauri Gogna High School 11
Rimi Sambi High School 10
Main Street
Markham Committee
And that the resignation of Mr. Shahid
Mahmood from the Main Street Markham Committee be received;
And that the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Ali
to the Main Street Markham Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
4. 2008
COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE (16.0)
Calendar
There was brief
discussion regarding the new Family Day holiday. Staff agreed to report back on
this matter.
Moved by Councillor
C. Moretti
Seconded by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
That the 2008
meeting schedule for Council and Standing Committees be approved.
CARRIED
5. REVIEW
OF LIBRARY BOARD’S
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT (3.19)
Report 1
Moved by Councillor
J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the memorandum
from Catherine Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries, dated
Monday, September 24, 2007 regarding a review of the board’s travel
reimbursement be received;
And that the
following resolution from the Markham Public Library Board be received and
referred to the Town Treasurer:
“That Markham Council be requested to
increase the annual honorarium paid to Library Board members as follows:
- from the current $150 to $300 for the Chair
- from the current $100 to $200 for Board Members
And that upon receiving approval from
Council, Library Board Policy GP-2h (g) be amended to reflect the changes made.”
CARRIED
6. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
WIDENING OF KENNEDY ROAD (5.10)
Mr. B.
Solomon, a business owner on Kennedy Road, outlined concerns with the proposed
option for the widening of Kennedy Road and the associated consultation
process. Mr. Solomon suggested that insufficient notice was provided regarding
the elimination of mid-block left turn access on Kennedy Road. Additionally, it
was suggested that not all affected parties were contacted. Committee suggested
that a potential solution to the reduction in left turn opportunities might be
to provide a dedicated u-turn lane at controlled intersections.
It was
noted that the Mayor is arranging a special meeting between the Region of York
and stakeholders to discuss the matter further and Committee suggested that Mr.
Solomon also make a deputation to the Regional Transportation and Works
Committee.
There was
considerable discussion regarding notice from the Region on a number of similar
projects. Committee suggested that the Region needs to make improvements to its
communication and consultation processes and to ensure that local Councillors
are made aware of issues and upcoming public meetings. Committee was advised
that an update from the Region will be forthcoming to General Committee on
November 12, 2007.
Mr. S.
Collins, Manager of Engineering Capital Delivery, York Region, outlined the
Region’s consultation policy and acknowledged the need for amendments to it.
Mr. Collins advised that Regional staff will consider alternative methods for
improving the flow of information as it was noted that it is easier to tackle
issues earlier in the process than towards the end of it. It was suggested that
mailouts should be revised so they are not confused with junk mail.
Mr. Collins
committed to ensuring additional consultation takes place with regard to the
Kennedy Road project to ensure the impacts to local businesses are mitigated as
much as possible.
Committee
suggested that at public meetings more information regarding the Environmental
Assessment process itself should be given. It was suggested the public frequently
believes a decision has already been made in advance of the public meetings
when this is not the case.
It was
noted that the purpose of the road widening is to provide dedicated transit and
High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.
Moved by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the
deputation from Mr. B. Solomon regarding the Environmental Assessment for the
widening of Kennedy Road be received;
And that Regional staff report back to Regional
Transportation and Works Committee with an improved public communication and consultation
plan for Environmental Assessment processes;
And that York Region be requested to hold
additional public consultation sessions for the Kennedy Road widening project
in order to resolve outstanding issues;
And that Regional staff be invited to a future
meeting to provide a detailed update on the Kennedy Road project.
7. LANGSTAFF - TERMS OF SETTLEMENT
OF OUTSTANDING BY-LAW CHARGES
FLOWING FROM TEMPORARY LAND USES (10.8)
Mr. D. Hindson, Cattanach Hindson Sutton VanVeldhuizen, presented a
proposal for terms of settlement of outstanding by-law charges flowing from
temporary land uses.
Further consideration of this matter was conducted in camera.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the letter from Robert E. Jarvis Q.C., Barrister and Solicitor,
dated October 12, 2007, to Mayor and Members of Council, containing a request
to reopen and consider Terms of Settlement of Outstanding By-law Charges
flowing from temporary land uses be received.
CARRIED
8. INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE
2007 SANTA CLAUS PARADE (7.0, & 3.5.5)
Report
Mr. P. Cusimano, President of the Rotary
Club of Markham Sunrise Inc., presented information relating to the 2007 Santa Claus
Parade. Mr. Cusimano advised that the Rotary Club has insurance but is
concerned that naming the Town of Markham as a coinsured party might have
implications on future insurance costs. Mr. Cusimano proposed that the Club and
the Town maintain separate insurance and defend themselves in the event of a
claim of negligence. In future, Mr. Cusimano suggested that the Club and the
Town work on an agreement detailing which party is responsible for which
matters. Committee was advised that the standard practice is that the Town be a
named insured for such events.
Staff were directed to report back on options for future arrangements in
order that such events can be facilitated with minimum impact to the organizers.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the report entitled “Insurance Coverage for the 2007 Markham Santa
Claus Parade” be received;
And that the Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise obtains $2 million of
Commercial General Liability insurance coverage for the 2007 Santa Claus Parade
naming the Corporation of The Town of Markham as additional insured.
CARRIED
9. WATERWORKS
RESERVE STUDY (5.3)
Presentation
Mr. J. Lustig,
Director of Financial and Client Services, presented an overview of the
proposed increases to water/wastewater rates in order to address ongoing
replacements and rehabilitation requirements for Waterworks Infrastructure and
other Waterworks related capital assets. It was noted that there will also be
increases to the Region of York portion of the rates. There was brief
discussion surrounding water conservation.
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That the
presentation from Mr. J. Lustig,
Director of Financial and Client Services, be received.
And that staff
report back to General Committee on November 5, 2007 with a proposal for
phasing-in the proposed water/wastewater rates increases over five (5) years
and with the implications of phasing them in from between six (6) to ten (10)
years.
CARRIED
10. PURCHASE OF SPONSORSHIP
MARKHAM AFRICAN CARIBBEAN
ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
NOVEMBER 3, 2007 (7.9)
Report 1
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That Council
purchases tickets for Councillors wishing to attend the Markham African
Caribbean Association Annual Scholarship Dinner on Saturday November 3, 2007 at
the Premier Ballroom & Convention Centre.
To be charged to account 840 8415840 not to exceed $3000;
And that Council
authorizes this purchase of four tickets at the cost of $75.00 for a total of
$300.00 a projected over-expenditure of $5,545 in the 2007 Council Table
Promotion account, 840-841-5840 to be offset by other favourable variances in
Council Discretionary Advertising, Promotion and Special Events accounts;
And that Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
11. PURCHASE OF SPONSORSHIP
CHARLES SAURIOL ENVIRONMENTAL DINNER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2007 (7.9)
Report 1
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That Council
purchases tickets for Councillors wishing to attend the Charles Sauriol
Environmental Dinner on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at the Pearson Convention
Centre Brampton. To be charged to
account 840 8415840 not to exceed $3000;
And that Council
authorizes this purchase of five tickets at the cost of $150.00 for a total of
$750.00 a projected over-expenditure of $6,295 in the 2007 Council Table
Promotion account, 840-841-5840 to be offset by other favourable variances in
Council Discretionary Advertising, Promotion and Special Events accounts;
And that Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
12. MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE REQUEST FOR
$5,000 GRANT FOR TENTH
ANNIVERSARY
MANY FACES OF MARKHAM EVENT
(3.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the request from the Markham Race
Relations Committee for a one-time grant of $5,000 to enhance the Many Faces of
Markham event in recognition of its tenth anniversary be received and referred
to the Grants Sub-Committee at the earliest opportunity for a recommendation.
CARRIED
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Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor C. Moretti
That Committee
resolve in camera to discuss confidential property and legal matters (11:55)
CARRIED
Moved by Deputy
Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
That the Committee
rise (12:35)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 12:35 p.m.