GENERAL COMMITTEE
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. Sales,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town
Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
C. Biss, Chief
Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries
J. Ryerson,
Director, Varley Art Gallery
A. Seabrooke,
Director, Strategic Services
J. Bosomworth,
Manager, Strategy and Innovation
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management
D. Taylor, Manager,
Executive Operations
B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:04 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None.
1. NANTICOKE
COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT (5.7)
Mr. J.
Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, was in attendance to present
information regarding the proposed transfer of the Nanticoke Power Plant from a
coal burning plant to a natural gas facility. He advised that Nanticoke was the
largest producer of air pollution in Canada and that by phasing out coal-fire
operation at the plant, Canada would be in compliance with one third (1/3) of
its Kyoto Protocol requirement. Mr. Gibbons indicated the gradual process of
transferring to natural gas would not put excess strain on the electricity
supply. He also advised that the Ontario Power Authority had indicated that by
2010 Canada would only require coal power for one percent (1%) of its
electricity needs. Mr. Gibbons requested Markham Council pass a resolution
requesting the Province of Ontario to issue a legally binding regulation
requiring the phase out of coal burning at the Nanticoke Generating Station by
2009.
The Committee
questioned the delegate about the potential for an interim interruption of the
electricity supply. Mr. Gibbons cited reports produced by the Ontario Clean Air
Alliance which indicated this would not be the case. The Committee suggested
that the supposed reluctance on the part of the Province to issue a request to
phase out coal was due to approaching technologies that may supplant natural
gas and/or be a more suitable phase out model.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the
presentation by Mr. J. Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, regarding
the Nanticoke Coal-Fired Power Plant be received and the issue be deferred for
one month to allow an opportunity for additional information to be made
available.
CARRIED
2. 2007 MARKHAM
STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL
LEGACY 5KM EVENT (3.8)
Mr. P.
Dawson and Mr. G. Gervais, Co-Chairs of the 2007 Markham Stouffville Hospital
Legacy 5KM Event, were in attendance to update Council and staff on the April
29, 2007 5KM Event. It was noted that due to the success of the event, the group had
raised over $1,000,000 to date. Mr. Dawson indicated they anticiape Twenty Five
Hundred (2,500) applicants for the 2007 event and encouraged Committee
Members, Town Staff and Markham residents to
participate.
There was
a brief discussion regarding the Town of Markham’s donation to the event given
that the amount exceeded that which has been established by the Town’s grant
allocation policy.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster,
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the
verbal update from Mr.
P. Dawson and Mr. G. Gervais, Co-Chairs of the 2007 Markham Stouffville
Hospital Legacy 5KM Event, be received with enthusiastic support;
And that a
written request for the $1500 donation to the 2007 Legacy Run be approved
contingent upon a positive report from the Mayor’s Executive Assistant.
CARRIED
3. OVERVIEW
OF DEVELOPMENT FEE MODEL (7.0)
Presentation
J. Bosomworth, Manager,
Strategy and Innovation, Ms. V. Siu, Sr. Analyst and
Town Staff were in attendance to deliver a presentation on the Town’s
Development Fee Model. Mr. Bosomworth presented background information which
included a synopsis of Bill 124 implementation requirements. He indicated the
overall revenue for the planning package was not really affected, but the model
was altered to reflect the actual costs relating to Planning/Design,
Engineering and Building. Mr. Bosomworth advised the Planning/Design and Engineering
fees were increased while Building fees were decreased. He noted that the Town
of Markham was one of very few municipalities that was able to decrease
building application fees. It was also noted that the principals of the fee
model would account for both direct and indirect costs and would allow for the
use of a reserve account to assist with fluctuations in revenue.
The Committee posed various questions
relating to the decrease in building application fees and expressed concerns
that other municipalities did not follow suit. Staff advised that the new fee
model restructured the manner in which revenue was collected in that the
decrease to building application fees was complimented by an increase to
service fees which provided for a more detailed account of the actual costs
involved for each application.
The Committee discussed the use of the
reserve account in 2006 to cover a loss in revenue due to a reduction in the
volume of building applications received. Staff advised that they would be
bringing forward the annual report outlining the financial results from 2006.
The Committee requested a report detailing the decreased volume of building
applications and the resulting financial impacts. The Committee also expressed
concerns that certain applications draw more of the Town’s resources than others
and that the associated costs would not be recoverable.
Due to the difficulties in forecasting the specific
volume of development within Markham, the Committee suggested an economist
attend future meetings of the General Committee in an attempt to providing a
more accurate projection model. Staff committed to a continued effort with
industry representatives and stakeholders to assist with this regard. Staff
confirmed that the anticipated volume for building applications in 2007 is
slightly higher than in 2006, but the actual revenues would be lower than those
the previous year.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
presentation by Mr. J. Bosomworth,
Manager, Strategy and Innovation, Ms. V. Su, Sr.
Analyst and Town Staff regarding the Development Fee Model be received;
And that staff
bring forward a report on the decreased building revenues, comparing the number
of building permits received in 2004, 2005 and 2006, more detailed information
on the predictions of interest rates and sewer allocations, and on the
respective reserve operations;
And that all
future financial updates with respect to development fees be reported to
General Committee on a quarterly basis.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2007 GENERAL
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the February 26, 2007 General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES OF THE
SECOND MEETING OF THE
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE IN 2007 DATED FEBRUARY 5, 2007 (7.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the second Budget Sub-Committee meeting in 2007 dated February 5,
2007 be approved.
CARRIED
6. WEDDING PHOTOS – UNIONVILLE MAIN STREET
(2.0, 6.3)
Report
Ms. S.
Birrell, Town Clerk, presented an overview of a proposed By-law that would permit
the use of public property for wedding photography. Ms Birrell advised the need
for the program was a result of problems in the Station Lane and Main Street
Markham areas. She advised sufficient notice regarding the proposal was released
and a public meeting held in January, 2007. Ms. Birrell indicated a $100 permit
fee and application will be required for each session and that due to potential
pedestrian traffic issues, there would need to be slight amendments made to the
current Street By-law. The By-law will be supplemented by a communication and
education program targeted at relevant stakeholders.
The
Committee expressed some concerns with respect to some of the parking
provisions for limousines in designated areas. Ms. Birrell advised that there
will be a number of signs placed on designated parks notifying of the
requirements for a permit and the penalties for proceeding without one. She
indicated that draft signage would go forward to General Committee for approval
of content and placement prior to installation. Staff presented the Committee
with the fees charged by Toronto, Richmond Hill and Vaughn and indicated that
Markham’s fee structure was in a similar range. Staff agreed to forward the
report to the Chair of the Unionville Business Improvement Area and the
Unionville Villager’s Association prior to going to Council in March, 2007.
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That a
By-law be enacted to permit use of public property for Wedding Photography;
And that a
By-law be enacted to amend By-law 167-92, a By-law regarding the management and
regulation of parks within the Town of Markham, to permit wedding photography;
And that
Fee By-law 2002-276 be amended to provide for a fee for a permit to conduct the
activities of wedding photography on public property;
And that
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
7. MARKHAM VILLAGE
LIBRARY SCHEDULE UPDATE (6.0)
CONTRACT #188-T-05
Report
The Committee reviewed
a report on the updated schedule for the Markham Village Library renovation
project. Mr. S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management, advised that June 22, 2007
was the targeted completion date and August 2, 2007 was a fallback date in the
event of any further delays. He noted that the contractor was performing well, the
project was on schedule and the Library Board was receiving on-going update reports
from staff. Staff agreed to report delays to major projects to General
Committee.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report entitled “Markham Village
Library Schedule Update, Contract #188-T-05” be received for information.
CARRIED
8. PARKS,
RECREATION, CULTURE AND LIBRARY
MASTER PLAN (3.0)
Presentation
Mr. A.
Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services delivered a presentation on the
Cultural Facilities portion of the Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library
Master Plan. Mr. Seabrooke advised no additional museum and theatre sites were
recommended as a part of the data collection and public consultation process.
He noted the building space for the Varley Art Gallery was limited but there
was enough room for expansion if necessary. Mr. Seabrooke advised the Master Plan
called for three (3) additional libraries; one to be situated in East Markham
by 2009, one in South East Markham by 2014 and one in Markham Centre by
2017-2021. There were also a number of
enhancements recommended for Markham Village, Thornhill Community and Milliken
Mills Libraries.
Ms. C. Biss, Chief
Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries, delivered a presentation on the current
selection of multilingual items available through Markham Public Libraries and
performance measures established to improve the collection. The Committee
discussed the materials requisition system used by Markham and other
municipalities as well as the growing demand anticipated in Eastern Markham.
Staff commented that a report on the potential expansion of the East Markham
Library would be presented at a future meeting of the General Committee along
with a review of the high turn over rate for materials, multilingual items and electronic
versus print materials.
The
Committee suggested that staff review the possibility of engaging Markham’s
organizations for the purposes of developing a working group similar to the
Markham Sports Council. The Committee
also discussed the possibility of expanding the children’s rides program at
Markham Museum before the summer season. Staff agreed to review the Committee’s
suggestions and address them in a Master Plan update report and presentation at
a forthcoming meeting of the General Committee.
Moved by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
Second by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
presentation by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services, regarding the
Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan be received.
C ARRIED
9. YORK REGION ROADWATCH COMMITTEE (5.12)
Email
The
Committee briefly discussed an email from Councillor L. Pabst, Township of
King, inviting York Region municipalities to appoint a representative to the
York Region Roadwatch Committee and advising that the next Committee meeting is
on April 11, 2007 at the York Region Administration Building.
Moved by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That Councillor
J. Virgilio be appointed as the Markham representative to the York Region
Roadwatch Committee.
CARRIED
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Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Councillor
J. Virgilio
That the Committee
resolve in camera to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition of land for Town
purposes. (11:45)
CARRIED
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional
Councillor T. Wong
That the Committee
rise. (12:50)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee
adjourned at 12:54 p.m.