General Committee
May 5, 2014
Meeting
Number 12
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
Jim
Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Trinela
Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Catherine
Conrad, City Solicitor
Joel
Lustig, Treasurer
Bill
Snowball, Fire Chief
Paul Ingham, Director of Operations
Mary Creighton, Director of Recreation
Services
Christopher Alexander, Supervisor
Licensing & Standards
Brett Lucyk, Public Realm Coordinator
Andrea Tang, Manager Financial Planning
Shane Manson, Senior Manager, Revenue
& Property Tax
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:06 AM with Mayor
Frank Scarpitti in the Chair and Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community
Services related items.
Disclosure of
Interest
None disclosed.
1. PET OWNER LOYALTY CARD PROGRAM (2.8)
Trinela
Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services addressed the Committee and provided
some opening remarks relative to the Pet Owner Loyalty Card Program.
Deb
Lind, Pet Connect delivered a brief oral presentation regarding the reward
program.
There
was brief discussion regarding the relationship between Markham veterinarian
clinics and the reward program.
The
Committee thanked Trinela Cane, Christopher Alexander and the Animal Care
Committee for moving this program forward.
The
Committee inquired whether condo corporation boards can prohibit owners from
having pets in the building. Staff confirmed
that prohibition on pets in condos is enforceable.
There
was discussion regarding the definition of "responsible pet owner."
It was suggested that a definition be included in their handouts, website, etc.
Moved
by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the presentation provided by Deb
Lind from Pet Connect regarding the Pet Owner Loyalty Card Program be received.
Carried
2. ONTARIO
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS NEW CONTRACT AND INITIATIVES (2.8)
Trinela
Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services provided some brief opening remarks
with respect to the new contract and initiatives between the City of Markham
and OSPCA.
Judi
Cannon, Regional Manager Central Region, OSPCA delivered a presentation
regarding the contract and initiatives between the City of Markham and the OSPCA.
The
Committee congratulated Ms. Cannon on all their positive initiatives.
The
Committee discussed the following relative to the OSPCA:
·
Pet
adoption
·
Volunteer
program
·
Toronto
Wildlife Centres
·
Definition
of a "pet" (it was noted that municipalities have by-laws to control
exotic animal ownership)
Moved
by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded
by Councillor Alan Ho
1) That the presentation provided by Judi
Cannon, Regional Manager Central Region, from the Ontario Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) regarding the new contract and
initiatives be received.
Carried
3. GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION AWARDS (12.2.6)
Andrea Tang,
Manager Financial Planning provided some opening comments with respect to the
Government Finance Officers Association Awards.
Mayor Frank
Scarpitti on behalf of all Members of Council congratulated Trinela Cane,
Commissioner of Corporate Services, Joel Lustig, Treasurer, Andrea Tang,
Manager Financial Planning and all the staff involved in the budgeting process
for achieving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Canadian
Award for Financial Reporting.
Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
That the verbal presentation from Andrea Tang,
Manager Financial Planning regarding the Government Finances Officers
Association Awards, be received.
Carried
4. SHARED PLACES OUR SPACES,
MARKHAM’S PUBLIC REALM (5.6)
Presentation
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community
& Fire Services addressed the Committee and provided some opening remarks
with respect to Markham's Public Realm. She thanked the Subcommittee members
for all their efforts in bringing this forward.
Brett Lucyk, Public Realm Coordinator delivered a presentation entitled
“Share Places Our Spaces, Markham's Public Realm.”
The Committee
discussed the following relative to Markham's Public Realm:
·
Ensure that parks engage and
connect community members
·
Importance of gateways into
communities
·
Need to increase
horticultural displays
·
Include more photographs
with individuals with disabilities when presenting to the public
·
Include a preamble that
outlines all the objectives together
·
Developers who also include
public realm in their development projects
·
Public realm is enhanced
with well planned urban design and architectural designs
David McBeth, Markham
resident addressed the Committee regarding Markham's Public Realm and spoke in
support. He suggested that principles
and objectives of the public realm be incorporated with the various planning
application process.
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Mayor
Frank Scarpitti
1) That
the presentation provided by Brett Lucyk, Public Realm Coordinator entitled
“Share Places Our Spaces, Markham’s Public Realm” be received; and,
2) That
the deputation from Mr. David McBeth, be received.
Carried
5. MINUTES
OF THE APRIL 28, 2014
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
There was
considerable discussion regarding the recommendation to schedule a Public
Information Meeting prior to the end of Spring 2014 relative to the Ice Storm
of December 2013 (Item #4 of the April 28, 2014 General Committee meeting
minutes).
The
Committee suggested that communications relative to the Ice Storm be enhanced
through the City's website and the Markham Page, and that a Public Information
meeting be scheduled in the beginning of November 2014. It was suggested that representatives of
PowerStream be invited to this meeting to provide an update.
Moved by
Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the April 28, 2014 General Committee meeting be confirmed as amended below:
Item #4 (Ice Storm Response and
Recovery Plan Update) Recommendation #2
Delete the following Recommendation
No. 2:
"That staff be authorized to schedule a Public Information Meeting prior
to the end of Spring 2014"
and replace with the following revised
Recommendation No. 2:
"That staff be directed to schedule a Public Information meeting in
early November 2014 and that representatives of PowerStream be invited to
provide an update."
Carried
6. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 11, 2014
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That
the minutes of the March 11, 2014 Seniors Advisory Committee meeting be received
for information purposes.
Carried
7. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 19, 2014
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 19, 2014 Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
8. MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 10, 2014
BOX GROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
There was
discussion regarding the Pest Control contractor.
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the February 10, 2014 Box Grove Community Centre Board meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
9. MINUTES
OF THE MARCH 27, 2014
SENIORS HALL OF FAME
AWARDS COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
There was
discussion regarding the Senior Hall of Fame nomination forms. It was suggested that the poster and business
card for the Senior Hall of Fame be forwarded to Commissioner Cane and
Commissioner Librecz to have the information placed in the City's Community
Centres and hand out at any City festival that have a City of Markham
booth. It was confirmed that the Senior
Hall of Fame will be promoted at the City of Markham Canada Day Event again
this year.
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 27, 2014 Seniors Hall of Fame Awards Committee meeting
be received for information purposes.
Carried
10. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 27 AND
MARCH 17, 2014 CANADA DAY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Jan.
27 Mar.
17
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the January 27 and March 17, 2014 Canada Day Committee meetings
be received for information purposes.
Carried
11. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 5, 2014
FRIENDS OF THE MARKHAM MUSEUM
FOUNDATION BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 5, 2015 Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation Board
meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
12. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 17, 2014
MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the April 17, 2014 Markham Environmental Advisory Committee
meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
13. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 27, 2014
RBC MARKHAM-MILLIKEN CHILDREN’S
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 27, 2014 RBC Markham Milliken Children’s Festival
Committee meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
14. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19 AND
APRIL 16, 2014 UNIONVILLE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA BOARD OF MANAGEMENT (16.0)
Mar
19 Apr
16
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the March 19 and April 16, 2014 Unionville Business Improvement
Area Board of Management meetings be received for information purposes.
Carried
15. GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS
ASSOCIATION AWARDS (12.2.6)
Report
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the report
dated April 28, 2014 entitled “Government Finance Officers Association Awards”
be received; and,
2) That the formal
presentation on the receipt of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for
the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2013 and the
Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the annual financial
report for the year ended December 31, 2012 from the Government Finance
Officers Association (GFOA) be received.
Carried
16. 065-T-14 SUPPLY AND DELIVERY TWENTY
FOUR (24) VARIOUS VEHICLES (7.12)
Report
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the report entitled “065-T-14
Supply and Delivery Twenty Four (24) Various Vehicles” be received; and,
2) That the contract for supply and
delivery of various vehicles be split and awarded to the lowest priced bidders
for each respective vehicle in the following amounts:
Ø Woodbine Truck Centre Ltd. $302,430.72
Ø Performance Chrysler $126,681.02
Ø Giles Chevrolet Ltd. $115,826.28
Ø Airport Nissan $ 42,444.10
Ø Maciver Dodge Limited $158,447.44
Ø East Court Ford Lincoln $ 77,377.28
Ø Total Award $823,206.84
(Inclusive of HST); and,
3) That the award be funded from the
various accounts as identified within the financial considerations section of
this report in the amount of $823,206.84; and,
4) That $96,100.00 of the remaining
balance of $127,444.39 be utilized for “Markhamizing” the units and $31,344.39
be returned to the original funding source; and,
5) That upon delivery of the new vehicles,
the following 23 units: 1231, 3336, 3374, 3375, 1246, 1248, 1268, 1269, 3338, 3319,
3352, 3353, 3357, 3377, 8056, 8057, 9410, 9411, 9412, 9097, 3332, 2175, and
2192 be sold in accordance with Purchasing By-law 2004-341, Part V, Disposal of
Personal Property and proceeds be posted to account 890 890 9305; and further,
6) That staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
17. 2014 UNIONVILLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
AREA AND MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT AREA OPERATING BUDGETS (7.4)
Report Attachments
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the report
entitled “2014 Unionville Business Improvement Area and Markham Village
Business Improvement Area Operating Budgets” dated May 5, 2014 be received;
and,
2) That the 2014
Operating Budget in the amount of $234,098 for the Unionville Business Improvement
Area (UBIA) be approved; and,
3) That the 2014
Operating Budget in the amount of $301,796 for the Markham Village Business Improvement
Area (MBIA) be approved; and,
4) That the Special Tax
Rate levy, in the amount of $205,982 for the UBIA members and $215,327 for the
MBIA members be included in the 2014 Tax Levy By-law; and further,
5) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
18. 2014 TAX RATES AND LEVY
BY-LAW (7.3)
Report Attachment
The
Committee discussed the following:
·
Residential condominium properties entitled to receive
a rebate for waste collection and requested that the dollar figure be included
in the by-law
·
Markham Stouffville Hospital and Seneca College levy
·
Railway Rights of Way levy
·
Owners' portion of debt charges pursuant to Ontario Regulation 390/02
Moved by Councillor
Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the report dated May 5th, 2014 entitled “2014 Tax Rates and Levy
By-law” be received; and,
2) That
a by-law to provide for the levy and collection of property taxes totalling $581,288,631 required by the City of Markham,
Regional Municipality of York, Boards of Education and Business Improvement
Areas, in a form substantially similar to Appendix A (attached), satisfactory
to the City Solicitor and provides for the mailing of notices and requesting
payment of taxes for the year 2014, as set out as follows, be approved:
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Taxation Category
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2014 Levy Amount
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City of Markham
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$127,272,021
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Region of York
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$250,447,258
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School Boards
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$203,148,043
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Markham Village
BIA
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$215,327
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Unionville BIA
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$205,982
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Total
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$581,288,631
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; and,
3) That
Staff be authorized to levy against Markham Stouffville Hospital and Seneca
College the annual levy pursuant to Section 323 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as
outlined in Section 9 of the attached by-law once the required information is
received from the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities; and,
4) That
the attached by-law be passed to authorize the 2014 Tax Rates and Levy By-law; and
further,
5) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
19. UNIONVILLE THEATRE COMPANY
REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (7.6)
Report Attachment
There was
discussion regarding the suggestion for the Unionville Theatre Company to try
and raise funds through the Gala for Giving.
It was suggested
that this item be deferred to the May 26, 2014 General Committee meeting to
allow the opportunity for Carlene Flynn, President of the Unionville Theatre
Company to meeting with Regional Councillor Gord Landon to discussion the
potential of raising funds through the Gala for Giving event.
Moved by Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Gord Landon
That the following item be deferred to the
May 26, 2014 General Committee meeting:
1) That
the report dated April 28, 2014 entitled “Unionville Theatre Company Request
for Financial Assistance” be received; and,
2) That
Council not approve a gift or loan in the amount of $35,000 to the Unionville
Theatre Company; and further,
3) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
20. ANNUAL FIELD AGREEMENT -
YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (6.4)
Report Attachment
There was discussion regarding
"rest period" for natural fields.
Moved
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the report
titled Annual Field Agreement- York Region District School Board be received;
and,
2) That the
Commissioner of Community and Fire Services be authorized to execute the 2014
Annual Field Agreement- York Region District School Board of Education in a
form satisfactory to the City solicitor; and further,
3) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
21. SHARED PLACES OUR SPACES,
MARKHAM’S PUBLIC REALM
DRAFT STRATEGY (5.6)
Report Attachment
Moved by Councillor
Valerie Burke
Seconded by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
1) That
the staff report titled “Shared Places Our Spaces - Markham’s Public Realm
Draft Strategy”, dated May 5, 2014 be received; and,
2) That
the document “Shared Places Our Spaces - Markham’s Public Realm Draft Strategy”
dated May 5, 2014 be endorsed in principle including the Public Realm Vision
and Strategy; and,
3) That
Council direct the Commissioner of Community & Fire Services to engage the
community for input on the draft strategy and document, and report back based
on public feedback and any recommended changes by February 2015; and further,
4) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
22. TENNIS CLUBS POLICY (6.0)
Report Attachment
A
There was
brief discussion regarding the City's insurance policy.
The
Committee inquired about the City's responsibility and the Club's
responsibility. Staff advised that minor
repairs are the responsibility of the Club and that major repairs are split
50/50 between the City and the Club.
There was
discussion regarding public access times.
Staff was asked about the status of signage at Unionville Tennis Club for
911 situations.
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Colin Campbell
1) That the report
entitled “Tennis Clubs Policy” be received; and,
2) That Council approve
the revised Tennis Clubs Policy as per Attachment A; and further,
3) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
23. FIRE UNDERWRITERS SURVEY
(4.0)
Report
Moved by Mayor Frank
Scarpitti
Seconded by
Councillor Carolina Moretti
1) That
the report entitled “Fire Underwriters Survey” be received; and,
2) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
24. COMMUNICATION REGARDING A
PROPOSED MARKHAM CULTURAL
UNITY AND DIVERSITY FESTIVAL (6.0)
Letter
It was noted that the Markham Village Business Improvement Area already
has a "Unity Festival."
Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the letter dated April 23, 2014
from Dr. Roz’s Healing Place of Scarborough, Ontario regarding a proposed
Annual Markham Cultural Unity and Diversity festival be received; and,
2) That
Deputy Mayor Jack Heath and Councillor Logan Kanapathi be appointed to work
with Dr. Roz to sort out the conflict in the proposed name of the festival and
the logistics of the event.
Carried
25. SCHOOL CROSS GUARD (5.12)
Councillor
Don Hamilton advised the Committee that there is currently no cross guard at
the busy intersection of Kennedy Road and Bridal Trail and that there is no
back up. Staff confirmed that they will
follow up with David Porretta to try and find a replacement cross guard for
this location.
Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
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 (1:00 PM):
(1) GENERAL
COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES - APRIL 7 AND APRIL 28, 2014 (16.0)
[Section
239 (2) (c) (b) (b), (b) (b) (d) (b) (c), (c) (f)]
(2) SPECIAL
GENERAL COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES - APRIL 14, 2014 (16.0)
[Section
239 (2) (a) (c) (f)]
(3) PERSONAL
MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD
EMPLOYEES (BOARD/COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS) (16.24)
[Section
239 (2) (b)]
(4) THE
SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (FIRE UNDERWRITERS SURVEY) (4.0)
[Section
239 (2) (a)]
Carried
Moved by Councillor Carolina Moretti
Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the General Committee rise from the in-camera session 1:31 PM.
Carried
Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie
Burke
That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 1:33 PM.
Carried