GENERAL COMMITTEE
February 7, 2011
Meeting No. 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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John
Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
Catherine
Conrad, Town Solicitor
Jim
Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
Brenda
Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services
Andy
Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
Peter Loukes, Director, Operations
Joel Lustig,
Treasurer
Alex Moore, Manager
of Purchasing
Colin Service, Manager, Planning & Policy Development
Mary Creighton,
Director of Recreation
Kimberley
Kitteringham, Town Clerk
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee convened at 9:14 AM with Mayor Frank Scarpitti in the
Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF
INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. STAFF
RECOGNITION (12.2.6)
Mayor Frank Scarpitti on
behalf of all Members of Council welcomed, congratulated and presented the
Markham Aquatic staff with certificates for their outstanding efforts in using
an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to respond to a pool emergency on
December 6, 2010 at the Milliken Mills Community Centre.
The following Markham Aquatic Staff were
recognized:
·
Fahim Khan, Lifeguard
·
Kenny Leung, Lifeguard
·
Caesar Pang, Lifeguard
·
Adrian Varghese, Lifeguard
·
Paula Wilson, Daytime
Supervisor
·
Adrian Wong, Pool Supervisor
·
Portia Lee, Program Supervisor;
and,
Ms. Sheri Krauss was commended for
receiving recognition by the Royal Lifesaving Society Commonwealth Council
acknowledging her valuable services rendered to the Society.
2. MOVING
FORWARD 2015 FOUNDATION (3.0)
Attachment
Ms. Georgina Lee, Moving
Forward 2015 Foundation addressed the Committee providing a brief overview of
the foundation's fundraising events and the volunteer and loans program.
The Committee congratulated
Ms. Lee on their program and suggested connecting with the various cultural
social groups within York Region.
There was discussion regarding
the micro-loans program.
Moved by Councillor Howard
Shore
Seconded by Regional
Councillor J. Jones
1) That the presentation by Georgina Lee, entitled “Moving Forward 2015
Foundation” be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 24, 2011
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1)
That the Minutes of the January
24, 2011 General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2010 AND
DECEMBER 15, 2010 ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)
November December
There was discussion regarding the feral
cat colonies. It was noted that Mr. Bill
Wiles, Manager, By-laws Enforcement and Licensing attended the December Animal
Care Committee meeting and provided information with respect to Markham's Trap
Neuter & Return (TNR) Pilot program.
The
Committee suggested that a future Workshop be set up explaining feral cat
colonies.
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the
November 17, 2010 and December 15, 2010 Animal Care Committee be received for
information purposes.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 10, 2011
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the January 10,
2011 Budget Sub-Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES
OF THE DECEMBER 13, 2010
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the December 13,
2010 Public Library Board be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
7. MINUTES
OF THE JANUARY 10, 2011
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the
January 10, 2011 Race Relations Committee be received for information purposes.
CARRIED
8. MINUTES
OF THE DECEMBER 13, 2010
VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF
MARKHAM (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the Minutes of the December 13,
2010 Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham be received for information
purposes.
CARRIED
9. ADVISORY
BOARD AND COMMITTEE
RESIGNATION (16.24)
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee
1) That the resignation of Councillor Logan Kanapathi from the
Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received.
CARRIED
10. STAFF
AWARDED CONTRACTS
FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2010
(7.12)
Report
The Committee
suggested including the estimated amounts in the "Staff Award
Report."
Deputy Mayor Jack
Heath requested that staff report back by e-mail to the Mayor and Members of
Council the reasons why the CCTV inspection of the sewer was unable to see the
blockage clearly for the Bayview Avenue Sanitary Sewer 265-Q-10.
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That
the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of November 2010” be
received; and,
2) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
11. STAFF
AWARDED CONTRACTS
FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2010
(7.12)
Report
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report entitled “Staff Awarded
Contracts for the Month of December 2010” be received; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. ACCESSIBILITY AND DIVERSITY OBJECTIVES
FOR THE 2010 MUNICIPAL ELECTION (14.0)
Report Attachment
The Committee
suggested that staff circulate the list of various groups contacted.
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report entitled “Accessibility
& Diversity Objectives for the 2010 Municipal Election” be received for
information purposes; and,
2) That the feedback obtained during the
2010 Municipal Election with respect to accessibility be considered by the
Returning Officer when planning future electoral events in Markham.
CARRIED
13. 2011
WATER & WASTEWATER RATE INCREASE (7.0)
Report Minutes
Councillor Carolina
Moretti requested that the Public Meeting minute document be amended to reflect
that she was not in attendance at that meeting and that she did send her regrets.
There was discussion
regarding the increase of the Town of Markham's Water/Wastewater rate for
2011. The Committee suggested that staff
circulate a chart explaining the Council approved 10 year phased-in
infrastructure surcharge.
The Committee briefly discussed
new and reconstructive capital work needed to sustain and improve water and
wastewater services throughout York Region.
Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
1) That the report
dated February 2, 2011 entitled “2011 Water/Wastewater Rate Increase” be
received; and,
2) That the Minutes of the Public Meeting
held on February 1, 2011, with respect to the proposed 2011 Water/Wastewater
Rate Increase be received; and,
3) That the 2011 Town of Markham’s (“Town”)
Water/Wastewater rate increase be equivalent to the Region of York’s (“Region”)
monetary increase of $0.1352 per cubic metre (m3) based on Region’s
estimated increase of 10%; and,
4) That in addition to the Region’s
increase, the 2011 Water/Wastewater rate increase includes a surcharge of $0.0683/m3;
and,
5) That effective April 1, 2011, the 2011 Water/Wastewater rate will be
$2.4164/m3,
an increase of $0.2035/m3; and further,
6) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
14. MACLEAN’S
MAGAZINE “TOO ASIAN” ARTICLE
- REQUEST FOR APOLOGY (12.2.6)
At the January
25, 2011 Council meeting, Council referred the above subject
matter to the General Committee meeting this date.
Moved by
Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
That the following resolution be received:
Whereas the November 2010 university ranking edition of Maclean’s magazine featured an article
titled “Too Asian?”, the article as well as the title itself, could only be
described as offensive, divisive and intolerant; and,
Whereas, the article racially profiles and
stereotypes Asian Canadians as perpetual foreigners in Canada,
suggesting that students of Asian heritage may be
limiting opportunities for non-Asians at certain Canadian universities; and,
Whereas, Markham is the most culturally diverse community in Canada; and,
Whereas, Markham and the rest of Canada benefits from cultural
diversity and have shared in the rich cultural
traditions of people of Asian heritage for many years; and,
Whereas, Town of Markham is a member of the
Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination; and,
Whereas, this council supports Multiculturalism and Diversity and has just launched
its leading edge Diversity Action Plan last July to serve as the basis of a
ten-year strategy to promote unity and inclusiveness; and,
Whereas, numerous community organizations have called upon Maclean's to issue an unqualified
apology for the negative stereotyping of people of Asian descent who form the
largest ethnic group within the Town’s population; and,
Whereas, the city councils of Toronto, Victoria and Vancouver have
already passed motions to express their concern for the negative impact of this
article and Richmond Hill Town Council is also preparing to take similar
actions;
Therefore, be it resolved:
1) That Council request Maclean's
to issue a comprehensive and unqualified public apology for the negative stereotyping of
the Asian-Canadian community and constructively
address the stereotypes and perceptions perpetuating racism in their article;
and
2) That Council move to write to Maclean's, advising them of this decision and expressing our
concern for the title and the contents of their article that may be perceived
as racist in nature; and further,
3) That Council call on Maclean’s
to affirm its support for ethical reporting and publishing around race and
ethnicity and for promoting diversity, tolerance and respect for all cultures.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
Seconded by Councillor Alex Chiu
Whereas Markham is
the most culturally diverse community in Canada; and,
Whereas Markham,
while promoting a common goal to make our community a harmonious place to work
and live for everyone, stands proudly in its commitment to the inclusion and
integration of all communities and the appreciation of differences; and,
Whereas Markham is
striving to promote unity and understanding and recognizes that discrimination
against any group is a disservice to all; and,
Whereas Markham is
home to two Welcome Centres that work actively to assist newcomers in making
Markham their home and contributing to Canadian society; and,
Whereas Markham is
recognized as a leader in diversity and in 2010 launched its leading edge Diversity
Action Plan titled “Everyone Welcome” which serves as the basis of a
ten-year strategy to further promote unity and inclusiveness; and,
Whereas Markham
has proudly declared its commitment to the removal of barriers and the
promotion of the value of diversity by joining, along with more than 35 other
Canadian municipalities, the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and
Discrimination (CMARD); and,
Whereas Markham
takes seriously its membership in CMARD and the further commitment to share with
the community the responsibility for respecting and promoting Human Rights and
diversity; and,
Whereas Markham
takes immense pride in engaging its vibrant communities through year round
celebrations, proclamations and flag raisings that reflect its rich history and
diversity, such as but not limited to: Actifest, Black History Month Awards,
Canada Day Celebration, Chinese New Year Celebration, Christmas tree lighting
Celebration, India Independence Day, Junior Achievement’s Diversity Day, Many
Faces of Markham, Markham Fair, Markham Festival, Menorah lighting Celebration,
Milliken Children’s Festival, Pakistan National Day, Philippine Week, Seniors’
events, Taste of Asia, Thornhill Festival, Unionville Festival, all of which
underscore our philosophy of “One Family, One Markham, One Canada”; and,
Whereas it is
against this backdrop that we read with regret the November 22, 2010,
university ranking edition of Maclean’s magazine featuring an article
titled “Too Asian?”; and,
Whereas the
article racially profiles and stereotypes both Asian Canadian and Caucasian
Canadian students; and,
Whereas Markham,
regardless of Maclean’s statement and changed headline, continues to
find Maclean’s failure to provide a proper analysis of university
enrolment and student behaviour troubling; and,
Whereas that
failure resulted in and/or contributed to the promotion of division,
stereotyping and intolerance; and,
Whereas Markham
sees the varied reactions to the Maclean’s article as an opportunity to
open a positive dialogue that contributes to the enhanced understanding and
inclusion consistent with our shared Canadian values;
Therefore, be it
resolved:
1) That Markham Council
call on Maclean’s magazine to affirm its support for balanced, fair and
ethical reporting, and for promoting diversity, social justice and respect for
all; and,
2) That Markham Council
direct staff to organize a lecture series with a focus on the portrayal of
cultural communities in the media; and,
3) That Markham Council
continue to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to “One Family, One
Markham, One Canada”; and further,
4) That a copy of this
resolution be circulated to Maclean’s magazine, the Coalition of
Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD), the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Audit Bureau of Circulations, and the
Canadian Newspaper Association.
CARRIED
15. MACLEAN’S
MAGAZINE “TOO ASIAN” ARTICLE
- REQUEST FOR APOLOGY (12.2.6)
Communications
Moved by
Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded
by Councillor Carolina Moretti
1) That
the following Communications regarding the Maclean’s Magazine “Too Asian”
Article be received:
-
Danielle Sandhu, Vice-President Equity, University of Toronto Students’ Union
-
Colleen Hua, National President, Chinese Canadian National Council
-
Gordon Pon, Assistant Professor, Ryerson University
-
Brad Lee, Administrator, Too Asian? TALK BACK
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
16. PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT (5.10)
Regional Councillor Gord Landon advised that
Mr. Peter Loukes, Director of Operations provided a presentation regarding
Pavement Management (alternative methods for rehabilitating pavement) at the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference and as a result of that
information York Region has adopted this method.
17. DONALD COUSENS PARKWAY (5.10)
Regional Councillor Gord Landon advised
that the extension of Donald Cousens Parkway has been moved up to 2015.
18. SYNCHRONIZING OF STREET
LIGHTS WITHIN YORK REGION (5.12.1)
Regional Councillor Gord Landon advised the
Committee that Vivanext and York Region are developing a dynamic traffic
control monitoring system that will assist in synchronizing the street lights
within York Region.
19. OFF-DUTY MARKHAM FIREFIGHTER
(7.15)
Councillor Colin Campbell suggested that off-duty
Markham Firefighter captain Gord Hooper be recognized at a future Council
meeting for his outstanding efforts in helping someone out of their burning
Stouffville home.
20. SNOW REMOVAL (5.10)
The Committee discussed the level of
service related to snow removal. The
Committee suggested that there is a need for more communication on what to
expect regarding the level of service for snow removal and to educate residents
on the difference between primary, secondary and local roads.
21. REGIONAL SIGNS (5.10)
Councillor Carolina Moretti suggested that
the Regional Council request York Region to include the words
"By-Pass" to the street signs for Donald Cousens Parkway.
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee meeting adjourned at
11:27 AM.