GENERAL COMMITTEE
March 8, 2010
Meeting
No. 7
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Reg.
Councillor J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Environment & Sustainability Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Councillor
E. Shapero
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke
Alternate formats are available upon request.
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
B. Librecz, Commissioner
of Community & Fire Services
S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management
A. Brouwer, Deputy
Clerk
F. Edwards, Election
Coordinator
S. Huycke, Public Services & Records Coordinator
P. Ingham, General
Manager, Operations
K. Kitteringham,
Town Clerk
P. Loukes, Director,
Operations
J. Lustig, Treasurer
J. Ryerson,
Director of Culture
V. Siu, Acting
Manager Financial Planning
N. Takata, Parks Planner
K.
Bavington, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:03 a.m. with Councillor J.
Virgilio in the Chair for Finance and Administrative items, and for Community
Services items.
The Committee consented to move
in-camera at this time to hear deputations on an item listed on the in-camera
agenda.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
IN CAMERA MATTERS
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That, in
accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal
Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the
following confidential matters:
1) A
litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative
tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
That the Committee rise from the
in-camera session (9:20 AM)
CARRIED
1. OVERVIEW
OF PROPOSED
ELECTION MODEL & KEY DATES
(14.0)
Presentation
Kimberley
Kitteringham, Town Clerk, and Andrew Brouwer, Deputy Clerk, gave a presentation on the proposed election
model and key dates, seeking feedback from the
Committee. The presentation included an overview of the statutory framework
under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, and background information. The Clerk
noted a recent Conference and Elections Canada Workshop held at Carlton
University regarding online voting, that both the Clerk and Deputy Clerk had
attended, and advised that Markham is a world leader in online voting.
Staff
outlined the guiding principles, key considerations, and the rationale of the
proposed election model. Key dates were reviewed, including Early Voting dates
of October 16, 17, 18, and 19, 2010. The Committee suggested that Early Voting
be available at the Civic Centre on all the Early Voting days, and that Early
Voting hours be extended from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to 10:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m.
In
response to comments from the Committee, staff advised that Dr. Henry Kim of
York University is evaluating voting literature to update his previous review
of the risks associated with various voting materials. Dr. Kim’s findings will
be made available to Council and the public.
The
Committee discussed the legal implications of fraudulent voting practices, such
as collecting online voter registration information; how to ensure that the
entitled voter is the one who is voting online and how to ensure there are no
undue influences. It was suggested that tracking activities for IP addresses may
identify where an inappropriate number of votes have been cast at a specific
computer, however staff advised that it is difficult to predict which computer a
person will use to cast a vote. The Committee requested that staff provide a response
to these issues and how they can be managed.
Staff
responded that, by its nature, online voting is unsupervised. There is a
two-step security process involving a PIN mail-out and a secondary credential
provided through an encrypted, secure e-mail. Elections are fundamentally based
on the honesty of the voter, and anyone who votes when they are not eligible is
committing a criminal offence. Staff advised that the concerns identified can
be brought forward to election authorities to consider amendments to election
regulations.
The
Committee also requested that in areas where second suites and unregistered
voters are prevalent, additional promotion be provided regarding identification
requirements, and that more resources, including language diversity support, be
allocated in these areas to assist voters who are registering on election day.
The
next steps include upcoming reports to General Committee on the establishment
of a Compliance Audit Committee; and authority to use of an alternative voting method.
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor J. Webster
1) That
the presentation by Kimberley Kitteringham, Town Clerk, and Andrew Brouwer,
Deputy Clerk, entitled “Overview of Proposed Election Model & Key Dates” be
received.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2010
GENERAL
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of the February 8, 2010 General
Committee be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 1, 2010
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That
the Minutes of the February 1, 2010 Race Relations Committee be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE
JANUARY 18, 2010
VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION
OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of
the January 18, 2010 Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham be received.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES
OF JANUARY 14, 2010
CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of
the January 14, 2010 Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received.
CARRIED
6. RESIGNATIONS –
ADVISORY
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (16.24)
The Markham Public Library Board is
recommending that a replacement not be pursued at this time.
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the resignation
of Pat Durst from the Markham Public Library Board be received with regret and
that a letter of appreciation be forwarded.
CARRIED
7. SUMMARY OF 2009
REMUNERATION & EXPENSES
FOR COUNCILLORS AND APPOINTEES TO BOARDS (7.0)
Report 1 2
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That Council receive
for information the March 8, 2010 report entitled “Summary of 2009 Remuneration
& Expenses for Councillors and Appointees to Boards; and,
2) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
8. MARKHAM
DISTRICT ENERGY CAPITAL -
GAS TAX FUNDING (7.3)
Report
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1)
That the report dated February
19, 2010 entitled “Markham District Energy Capital – Gas Tax Funding” be
received; and,
2)
That Council approve the
allocation of $16.0 million of Gas Tax funding to Markham District Energy (MDE);
and,
3)
That the Treasurer be
authorized to transfer, as a grant, $16.0 million to Markham District Energy
(MDE) when deemed appropriate over the next four years; and further,
4)
That staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
9. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS -
2010 MUNICIPAL ELECTION (14.0)
Report
The
Committee directed that Early Voting be available at the Civic Centre on all
the Early Voting days, and that Early Voting hours be extended from 12:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m., to 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Moved
by Webster
Seconded
by Erin
1)
That the Report entitled “Administrative
Matters - 2010 Municipal Election” be received; and,
2)
That a by-law be adopted to
establish the 2010 early voting dates, times and locations within the Town
outlined in Attachment “A”; and,
3)
That a by-law be adopted to
establish special voting hours for institutions and retirement homes in the
form attached hereto as Attachment “B”, and,
4)
That a by-law be adopted to
provide for election-related information to be made available in languages
other than English and French as outlined in Attachment “C”; and,
5) That Early Voting be
available at the Civic Centre on all the Early Voting days, and that Early
Voting hours be extended from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
and further,
6) That staff be authorized to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
10. NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
MAY 16 – 22, 2010, PUBLIC
WORKS: “ABOVE,
BELOW, & ALL AROUND YOU”
(5.0)
Report
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor J. Webster
1) That
the Mayor and Council proclaim the week of May 16-22, 2010, as ‘National Public
Works Week’ in the Town of Markham; and,
2) That Staff
be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
11. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY (8.0)
Report
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor D. Hamilton
1)
That the report entitled
“Delegation of Authority” be received; and,
2)
That the Gallery Manager be
authorized to execute and be granted signing authority for contracts relating
to the Varley Art Gallery collection in accordance with the Varley Art
Gallery Collection Policy and Procedures and in a form satisfactory to the
Town Solicitor. Contracts include: art and archives loan agreements; agreements
to acquire art and archives materials; gift agreements; agreements to exchange
art and archives with other galleries and archives; and agreements granting
permission to third parties to use and/or reproduce art images or archival
materials owned by the Town; and further,
3)
That Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. GIANT HOGWEED CONTROL STRATEGY (5.7)
Report 1
Deirdre
Kavanagh, a member of the Markham Horticultural Society, addressed the
Committee in support of the staff recommendation. Ms. Kavanagh displayed
photographs of Giant Hogweed plants in the Markham area, and advised that there
are serious public health implications, as the plant can cause severe allergic
reactions. The use and application of the pesticide Glyphosate (Round Up) was
discussed.
Ms.
Kavanagh advised that the plants can be found along many sideroads and that consideration
should be given to assisting residents in ridding their properties of the
plants. Wild animals are immune to the plant, but domesticated dogs and cats
are not.
Nory
Takata, Parks Planner, outlined the proposed control strategy, and advised that
if the pesticide is injected properly, there is a 96% chance of destruction
with one application. The Region of York is aware of this infestation, and has taken
action at one location on the 9th Line, under the Noxious Weed
Act.
The
Committee discussed the injection and manual removal methods, and disposal of
the plant remnants. Staff confirmed that once the plant material is desiccated it
is not harmful. Caution was expressed for the use of pesticides within the valley
corridors with respect to contamination of the water courses. Staff have
consulted with agencies and municipalities who have experience with this
problem, including the TRCA and Credit Valley Conservation Authority and will
continue to do so.
With
respect to private property, staff suggested that landscape professionals would
be able to provide assistance and that the pesticide would be available for
this non-cosmetic use. All landscape providers who are permitted to buy
pesticides must be licensed and certified. TRCA is also available to provide
advice. The Town can identify and encourage pesticide injections as the
preferred method of control.
Public
education will be highlighted on the Town website and information brochures
will be prepared. The Committee requested that a further report be provided on
measures taken to increase public awareness. Staff advised that they will
continue to discuss this issue with neighbouring municipalities, to ensure the
plant does not spread.
The
Committee thanked Ms. Kavanagh and staff for their presentations.
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That the deputation by Ms. D.
Kavanagh regarding the Town’s giant hogweed strategy be received.
2)
That the report entitled Giant
Hogweed Control Strategy be received; and,
3)
That Council approve Option 3 –
‘Treatment with Glyphosate’ as the preferred strategy option to address
eradication and control measures for Giant Hogweed in Markham; and,
4) That injections be explored as the preferred method of
pesticide application;
5) That Council acknowledges that this Control Strategy
represents the first year of a multi-year program; and,
6) That Council approve funding in the amount of $30,000 be
allocated from Parks Operating Account # 730-730 5399 to implement control
measures; and,
7)
That staff report back to General Committee on a program of
increasing public awareness, including updating the town website and preparing
an information pamphlet; and further,
8)
That Staff be authorized and
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
IN CAMERA MATTERS
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That, in
accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal
Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the
following confidential matters:
1) Confidential
General Committee Minutes.
2) A
litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative
tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That the Committee rise from the
in-camera session (11:08 AM)
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee meeting adjourned at 11:08 AM.