General Committee
February 3, 2014
Meeting
Number 5
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
Phoebe Fu, Director of Asset Management
Paul Ingham, Director of Operations
Peter Loukes, Director of Environmental Services
Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager of Waste & Environmental
Management
Bob Penner, Manager, Utilities, Survey & Asset Database
Graham Seaman, Senior Manager Sustainability
Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Coordinator
David Porretta, Supervisor, Traffic Operations
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 10:30 AM with Mayor Frank
Scarpitti in the Chair; Councillor Alex Chiu Chaired Community Services related
items and Councillor Valerie Burke Chaired Environment and Sustainability related
items.
General Committee recessed at 1:40 PM and reconvened at 2:21 PM.
Disclosure of
Interest
None disclosed.
1. 2014 OPERATING BUDGET (7.4)
Report Attachments
Moved by Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by
Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That the report
dated February 3, 2014 entitled, “2014 Operating Budget” be received; and,
2) That Council approve
a 2.33% tax rate increase to the City’s tax levy to support the City’s
day-to-day operations; and,
3) That Council approve
an additional 0.16% tax rate increase to fund the response and recovery costs
associated with the December 2013 ice storm; and,
4) That Council approve
the 2014 Operating Budget for City services totalling $187,466,019 (excluding
the 2013 surplus/deficit) which includes a 2.49% tax rate increase over 2013
($180,795,409), of which the principal components are detailed in Appendix 1;
and,
5) That the gross
operating expenditures of $187,466,019, (excluding the 2013 surplus/deficit),
be funded from the following sources:
Revenue 2014
Budget $
Taxation
Levies 130,499,439
Grants-in-lieu
of Taxes 1,209,007
Grant
& Subsidy Revenues 1,554,994
General
Revenues (Investment Income, Fines, Permits, Interest & Penalties) 26,498,941
User
Fees & Service Charges (User Fees, Rentals, Sales) 23,158,473
Other
Income / Recoveries 4,545,165
Total Revenues 187,466,019
6) That Council approve
the 2014 Planning & Design Operating Budget totalling $7,829,268, (excluding
the 2013 surplus/deficit), the principal components of which are detailed in
Appendix 2; and,
7) That Council approve
the 2014 Engineering Operating Budget totalling $6,527,807, (excluding the 2013
surplus/deficit), the principal components of which are detailed in Appendix 3;
and,
8) That Council approve
the 2014 Building Standards Operating Budget totalling $8,386,048, (excluding
the 2013 surplus/deficit), the principal components of which are detailed in
Appendix 4; and,
9) That upon
finalization of the 2013 audited financial statements, the 2014 Operating,
Planning & Design, Engineering and Building Standards Operating Budgets be
adjusted to reflect the 2013 operating results; and,
10) That a copy of the
Budgets be made available to the public through the Clerk’s Department, the
City website and each of the Markham Public Libraries; and,
11) That the “Additional
Financial Disclosure Requirements Pursuant to Ontario Regulation 284/09” be received
for information purposes; and further,
12) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
NOTE: At the February 11, 2014 Council meeting the clause (3) was amended as
follows:
"That Council approve an additional 0.16% tax rate increase to
replenish the Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund to partially offset the
costs associated with the December 2013 ice storm in the City of Markham"
2. GERMAN MILLS MEADOW AND
NATURAL HABITAT
(FORMER SABISTON LANDFILL) SITE -
STATUS UPDATE (5.7)
Presentation
Phoebe Fu,
Director of Asset Management addressed the Committee to introduce the two
consultants.
Bob Penner,
Manager,
Utilities, Survey & Asset Database delivered a detailed PowerPoint
presentation providing a status update for the German Mills Meadow and Natural
Habitat (former Sabiston Landfill) site.
Mr. Bob James,
Settlers Park Residents Association addressed the Committee with respect to the
additional rehabilitation work and monitoring at the German Mills Meadow and
Natural Habitat (former Sabiston Landfill) site and spoke in opposition to the
installation of additional monitoring wells.
He is requesting that the proposed project be delayed at least a year.
Ms. Eileen Liasi,
German Mills Residents Association addressed the Committee regarding the
additional rehabilitation work and monitoring at the German Mills Meadow and
Natural Habitat (former Sabiston Landfill) site and stated some concerns. She is requesting that the proposed project
be delayed for another 4-5 years considering the life cycle of the bird
species.
The City Solicitor
pointed out that the City has retained two experts/consultant firms to make
recommendations to develop and implement a plan. If the City is going to reject their
recommendations (which should only be done with contrary equally professional
advice from another expert supporting Council's actions) it would highly
increase the City's risk of liability if there were adverse affects found in
the future. The City Solicitor also
provided some offense provisions from various Acts with jurisdiction.
The Committee
discussed the following:
·
Importance
of stopping leachate from affecting downstream/downgradient properties
·
That the
City must remain in compliance with regulatory requirements such as Ontario
Water Resources Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Ontario Environmental Protection
Act, Canadian Fisheries Act.
·
Implementation
of monitoring well prior to April 1, 2014 would be the least intrusive time
·
Ministry
of Natural Resources (MNR) has considered the impact to the natural environment
and given approval with a deadline of April 1, 2014. These permits are not easily obtained
·
Toronto
and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) permit received
·
Exceedances
of Regulatory standards
·
Importance
of properly monitoring the surface water and the deep aquifer ground water
·
The number of current wells and how many more
proposed wells, and access road locations
·
The
consultants recommendations are based on multiple sets of monitoring data and
exceedances
·
Role of
the MNR
Tim Westgate,
Associate Hydrogeologist from AMEC Environment & Infrastructure and Ian
Roul, Biologist from Dillon Consultant Limited responded to various questions raised
by Committee.
It was noted that
staff and the consultants have taken all the necessary steps to minimize
environmental impacts.
The Committee
suggested that staff set up some additional meetings with the Liaison
Committees to explain the City's monitoring results, findings and
recommendations.
Moved by Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor Howard Shore
1) That
the presentation entitled “German Mills Meadow and Natural Habitat (Former
Sabiston Landfill) Site - Status Update” be received for information.
Carried
3. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 20, 2014
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the January 20, 2014 General Committee meeting be confirmed.
Carried
4. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 27, 2014
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the January 27, 2014 Special General Committee meeting be
confirmed.
Carried
5. MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 18, 2013
ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the December 18, 2013 Animal Care Committee meeting be received
for information purposes.
Carried
6. MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 9, 2013
VARLEY-MCKAY ART FOUNDATION
OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the December 9, 2013 Varley-McKay Art Foundation meeting be received
for information purposes.
Carried
7. MINUTES
OF THE DECEMBER 11, 2013
FRIENDS OF THE MARKHAM MUSEUM
FOUNDATION BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the December 11, 2013 Friends of the Markham Museum Foundation
Board meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
8. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 16, 2014
VICTORIA SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTRE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the January 16, 2014 Victoria Square Community Centre meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
9. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 13, 2013
BOX GROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the November 13, 2013 Box Grove Community Centre Board meeting
be received for information purposes.
Carried
10. MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 16, 2013
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the December 16, 2013 Markham Public Library Board meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
11. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 16, 2013
MARKHAM CANADA DAY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the minutes of the September 16, 2013 Markham Canada Day Committee meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
12. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 20, 2013
AND JANUARY 15, 2014 ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)
Nov.
20 Jan.
15 Communications
Kim
McKinnon, Community Legal Worker addressed Committee to provide some background
information with respect to York Region's proposed plan to outsource the
Mobility Plus Eligibility Appeal Panel.
Councillor
Valerie Burke and Councillor Hamilton who are the Council representatives for
the Advisory Committee on Accessibility advised Committee of some of the
concerns raised at the January meeting with respect to York Region's proposed
plan to outsource the Mobility Plus Eligibility Appeal Panel. It was noted that the proposed motion passed
unanimously at the advisory committee meeting.
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That
the minutes of the November 20, 2013 and January 15, 2014 Advisory Committee on
Accessibility meetings be received for information purposes; and,
2) That
based on the information presented by the Concerned Citizens for Accessibility
and Mobility Group at the January 15, 2014 Advisory Committee on Accessibility
meeting, the Advisory Committee on Accessibility expressed its concerns
regarding York Region’s proposal to outsource the Mobility Plus Eligibility
Appeal Panel; and,
3) That
Markham Council recommend to York Region that it maintain the current structure
of the Mobility Plus Eligibility Appeal Panel until a more comprehensive review
is conducted; and,
4) That
Markham Council recommend to York Region that a Member of the Markham's
Advisory Committee on Accessibility be included in this review; and,
5) That
Markham Council recommend to York Region that all York Region Advisory
Committees on Accessibility be consulted on any future changes to the structure
of Mobility Plus; and,
6) That the deputation
from Kim McKinnon, Community Legal Worker be received;
and,
7) That the correspondence dated January
30, 2014 from Arlene Juanillo, Member of the Advisory Committee on
Accessibility, providing comments on the Advisory Committee on Accessibility’s
resolution on the Mobility Plus Eligibility Appeal Panel be received; and,
8) That the correspondence dated January
31, 2014 from Sidney Polak, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility,
providing comments on the Advisory Committee on Accessibility’s resolution on
the Mobility Plus Eligibility Appeal Panel be received; and,
9) That the correspondence dated February
3, 2014 from Joan Jenkyn, member of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility be
received; and further,
10) That staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
13. 2013
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)
Report Attachments
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report
dated February 3, 2014 entitled “2013 Investment Performance Review” be
received; and further,
2) That staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
14. PROPOSED ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT
BUR OAK AVENUE AND SWAN PARK ROAD (5.12)
Report Attachments
Moved by
Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by
Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the report entitled “Proposed All-way Stop Control at Bur
Oak Avenue & Swan Park Road”, be received; and,
2) That,
to improve pedestrian safety within the school zone, Schedule 12 of Traffic
By-law 106-71, pertaining to compulsory stops, be amended to include all approaches to the
intersection of Bur Oak Avenue & Swan Park Road; and,
3) That
the existing school crossing guard service be relocated from its current
location to the subject intersection upon installation of the all-way stop
control; and,
4) That the Operations Department be directed to install and
remove the appropriate signs and pavement markings at the subject locations;
and,
5) That
the cost of materials for the installation and removal
of applicable traffic signs, pavement markings and boulevard restoration be
funded from capital project # 14228 (Traffic Operational Improvements) in the
amount of $2,000; and,
6) That
York Region Police be requested to enforce the all-way stop control upon
installation of these stop signs and passing of the By-law; and further,
7) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
15. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS -
DONALD COUSENS PARKWAY AND
DELRAY DRIVE (5.12)
Report Attachments
Moved by Regional
Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by
Councillor Colin Campbell
1) That
the report entitled “Request for Traffic Signals – Donald Cousens Parkway &
Delray Drive” be received; and,
2) That
York Region staff be requested to evaluate the intersection to determine if
traffic signals are justified, based on York Region’s Traffic Signal Warrant
policy and recognizing the needs of pedestrians; and,
3) That
York Region staff be requested to report back to City Council regarding the
results and recommendations; and further,
4) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give
effect to this resolution.
Carried
16. REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS -
BOX GROVE BYPASS AND
RIVERWALK DRIVE (5.12)
Report Attachments A.
Mohamed Letter
David Porretta, Supervisor, Traffic Operations
addressed Committee and briefly summarized the details outlined in the report.
It was suggested that clause three be amended
to have York Region report back by April 2, 2014.
Councillor Logan Kanapathi distributed a letter
received by Ashma Mohammed requesting that traffic signals be installed.
There was discussion regarding traffic data for
this intersection. Staff advised that
York Region would have that data.
Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That
the report entitled “Request for Traffic Signals - Box
Grove Bypass & Riverwalk Drive” be received; and,
2) That
York Region staff be requested to evaluate the intersection to determine if
traffic signals are justified, based on York Region’s Traffic Signal Warrant
policy and recognizing the needs of pedestrians; and,
3) That
York Region staff be requested to report back to City Council by April 2, 2014 regarding the results
and recommendations; and,
4) That the letter dated November 18, 2013
from Ashma Mohamed, be received; and further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
Carried
17. ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT
(JANUARY - DECEMBER 2013) (5.3)
Report Attachment
A
Peter Loukes, Director Environmental Services
summarized the details outlined in the report.
It was suggested that future reports have a
chart outlining the adverse water quality.
Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Don Hamilton
1) That the report
titled “Annual Water Quality Report (January-December 2013)” as required by
Schedule 22 of Ontario Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act,
2002, enclosed herein be received; and,
2) That the Annual 2013
Regulatory Water Quality Report (Attachment “A”), containing information for the Ministry of the
Environment (MOE) on water supply and quality as required by Section 11 of
Ontario Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, be
received; and,
3) That Council directs
staff to post the Annual 2013 Detailed Regulatory Water Quality Report on the
City’s website and that it be made available and provided to residents upon
request in hard copy version by February 28, 2014; and further,
4) That Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
Carried
18. YORK REGION SM4RT LIVING LONG
TERM WASTE MASTER PLAN -
STAFF COMMENTS (5.1)
Report
Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager of Waste & Environmental Management
summarized the details outlined in the report.
There was brief discussion regarding clear bags.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi
1) That
the report entitled “York Region SM4RT Living Long Term Waste Master Plan -
Staff Comments” be received; and,
2) That
a copy of this report is forwarded to York Region and the Local Municipalities
for their information; and further,
3) That
staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
NOTE: At the February 11, 2014 Council meeting the following clauses were
added:
"That York Region be requested to
support and promote the implementation of Clear bags for garbage residue, Zero
Waste for Schools and enhanced strategies to recycle electronic waste and
batteries with its municipal partners; and,
That York Region request Waste Diversion
Ontario (WDO) to accept and report out Markham’s 2013 diversion results as part
of the WDO’s 2013 Municipal Datacall release."
19. COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
ACCESSIBILITY’S RESOLUTION
ON THE MOBILITY PLUS ELIGIBILITY
APPEAL PANEL (16.0)
Communications
Note: Please see item #12.
20. MARKHAM EARTH HOUR 2014
(12.2.6)
Presentation
Councillor Colin Campbell and staff delivered a
PowerPoint presentation regarding Markham Earth Hour 2014.
The Committee thanked Councillor Colin Campbell
and staff for all their efforts in putting this proposal together.
It was suggested that funds be taken from the
Irish Heritage Fund and the Tony Roman Hockey Tournament fund for this
proposal.
1) That
the presentation provided by Colin Campbell, Ward 5 Councillor, and Graham Seaman, Senior Manager Sustainability, entitled
“Markham Earth Hour 2014” be received; and,
2) That
Markham City Council endorse the “Markham Earth Hour 2014” event; and,
3) That
the City of Markham provide the following to the “Markham Earth Hour 2014”
event:
a) Promotional
and event management resources from Corporate Communications.
b) Potential
Staging and audio visual equipment.
c) Use
of the Cornell Community Centre and grounds; and further,
4) That
the City of Markham make a financial contribution to the “Markham Earth Hour
2014” event to cover incidental costs not covered by private sponsorship; and,
5) That $265.00 from the
Irish Heritage Fund and $600.00 from the Tony Roman Hockey Tournament Fund be
transferred to support this proposal; and further,
6) That staff be authorized and directed to do all
things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
21. IN-CAMERA MATTERS
Note: General
Committee consented not to resolve into an in-camera session and voted in
public on the following matters.
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
(1) General Committee In-Camera Minutes -
January 20, 2014 (16.0)
[Section
239 (2) (b) (c) (b) (d)]
Carried
Moved by
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
(2) Personal Matters About An Identifiable
Individual, Including Municipal Or Local Board Employees (Board/Committee Resignation)
(16.24)
[Section 239 (2) (b)]
Carried
Moved by
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor Valerie Burke
(3) Personal Matters About An Identifiable
Individual, Including Municipal Or Local Board Employees (Board/Committee
Appointments) (16.24)
[Section
239 (2) (b)]
Carried
Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Councillor Don
Hamilton
That the General Committee meeting adjourned at 3:49 PM
Carried