General Committee
December 15, 2014
Meeting
Number 2
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
Stephen Chait, Director of Economic
Development
Alida
Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator
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The General Committee meeting convened at the hour of 9:07 AM in the
Council Chamber with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath as Chair. Mayor Frank Scarpitti assumed the Chair at
9:18 AM.
The General Committee recessed at 9:15 AM and reconvened at 9:18
AM. The General Committee recessed at
12:41 PM and reconvened at 12:46 PM.
Disclosure of
Interest
None disclosed.
1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR (16.0)
Moved
by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
Seconded
by Councillor Alex Chiu
That
Deputy Mayor Jack Heath begin as the Chair of today's General Committee
meeting; and,
That
Mayor Frank Scarpitti assume the Chair of the General Committee meeting upon
his arrival.
Carried
2. US AMBASSADOR TO CANADA
BRUCE HEYMAN (12.2.6)
Remarks
Mayor Frank Scarpitti welcomed and introduced US
Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Bruce Heyman, to General Committee and provided key
information about his professional background in various leadership roles.
Ambassador Heyman addressed Committee and provided a
brief speech to General Committee.
There was brief discussion relative to the
Windsor, Ontario and Detroit bridge; Keystone Pipeline and ecosystem
protection.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor Jim Jones
That the verbal presentation from US
Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Bruce Heyman be received.
Carried
3. LEGISLATION 101 EDUCATION
AND TRAINING (16.0)
(Municipal
Act
Planning
Act
Municipal
Conflict of Interest Act
Municipal
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Bill
8)
Presentation
Catherine
Conrad, City Solicitor addressed the Committee and provided some opening
remarks with respect to the Legislation 101 Education and Training
presentation.
Bruce
Engell, Partner, WeirFoulds LLP and Kim Mullin, Partner, WeirFoulds LLP
delivered a PowerPoint presentation regarding governance and Council
responsibilities.
The
Committee discussed the following relative to governance and Council
responsibilities:
·
Municipal
by-laws may not override a conflicting Federal or Provincial statute
·
The
role of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)
·
Potential
implications if a Member of Council releases confidential information without the
consent of Council
·
Ontario's
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) - that
all documents including e-mails are considered to be records of the Corporation
·
How
do you determine a conflict of interest?
·
Municipalities
have the authority to restrict the placement of election signs
The
Committee thanked Mr. Engell and Ms. Mullin for a great presentation and requested
that a copy of the presentation be forwarded to all Members of Council.
Moved by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
Seconded by
Councillor Colin Campbell
1) That the presentation
provided by Bruce Engell and Kim Mullin of WeirFoulds LLP regarding Legislation
101 Education and Training be received.
Carried
4. THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY
ENVIRONMENT (5.7)
Attachment
Tammy
Morrel-Bellai addressed Committee regarding a proposed environmental rights
recommendation based on concepts by the Suzuki Foundation and suggested that
Committee consider following the lead of other Canadian cities that have passed
a resolution to provide their citizens the right to a healthy environment.
Aaron
Korbacher, Markham resident addressed the Committee regarding the right to a
healthy environment and spoke in support.
Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
That the proposed "Model Municipal
Declaration: The Right to a Healthy Environment" be referred to staff.
Carried
5. ONTARIO BAND ASSOCIATION
(7.6)
Mark Caswell addressed Committee regarding the Ontario
Band Association application for financial assistance through Celebrate Markham
Grant and requesting their support.
There was discussion regarding the date and location
of the event.
Staff provided a brief summary of the Ontario Band
Association 2015 Celebrate Markham application.
There was brief discussion regarding any unallocated
2014 Celebrate Markham funds. It was
noted that there are $1,877 remaining in the 2014 Celebrate Markham
account. The Committee suggested
allocating $1,877 towards the 2015 Ontario Band Association Celebrate Markham
application. The Committee also
suggested that representatives of the Ontario Band Association work with certain
Members of Council to try and engage corporate sponsorships in future events. The Committee briefly discussed the potential of also seeking funds
from other municipalities where schools participate in the event.
The Committee requested that staff report back to
General Committee in January 2015 regarding the 2015 Celebrate Markham
application for Ontario Band Association.
Moved by Deputy Mayor
Jack Heath
Seconded by
Councillor Karen Rea
That the deputation
from Mark Caswell on behalf of the Ontario Band Association application for
financial assistance through Celebrate Markham Grant 2015, be received; and,
That $1,877.00 be approved
toward the 2015 Ontario Band Association Celebrate Markham application.
Carried
6. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2014
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the November 17, 2014 General Committee meeting be confirmed.
Carried
7. MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 8, 2014
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the December 8, 2014 Special General Committee meeting be confirmed.
Carried
8. MINUTES OF THE JUNE 19, 2014 &
OCTOBER 16, 2014
MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
June
19 October
16
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the June 19, 2014 and October 16, 2014 Markham Environmental
Advisory Committee meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
9. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 28, 2014
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the October 28, 2014 Markham Public Library Board meeting be
received for information purposes.
Carried
10. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 14, 2014 & NOVEMBER 18, 2014
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
October
14 November
18
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the October 14, 2014 and November 18, 2014 Seniors Advisory
Committee meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
11. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 24, 2014
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTRE
AND LIBRARY SUB-COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the November 24, 2014
Southeast Community Centre and Library Sub-Committee meeting be received
for information purposes.
Carried
12. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2014
FLATO MARKHAM THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the minutes of the October 20, 2014 Flato Markham Theatre Advisory Board meeting be received for information purposes.
Carried
13. APPROVAL OF FIRST QUARTER
2015 CELEBRATE MARKHAM GRANTS (7.6)
Report
A. Tang, extension 2433
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That the report entitled “Approval of First Quarter 2015
Celebrate Markham Grants” be received; and,
2) That the following Celebrate Markham events: Chinese New
Year Celebration ($10,000), Black History Month ($3,000), and the Tamil New
Year Celebration ($4,000) be approved at the 2014 funding level; and,
3) That Staff to bring forward the remaining 2015 Celebrate
Markham Grant requests at a future Budget Sub Committee meeting; and,
4) That Staff will bring forward a report to General Committee
in January 2015 outlining a proposed approach for administration of the
Celebrate Markham Grant process with implementation commencing in 2016; and
further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
14. PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET
SCHEDULE (7.0)
Report
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the report dated December 8, 2014 entitled “Proposed 2015 Budget Schedule” be
received; and,
2) That
the Budget Sub-Committee meetings to review the proposed 2015 Budget be
approved for the dates and times below (subject to change pending appointment
of the Chair of the Budget Sub-Committee):
Meeting #1 – Friday, January 23, 2015 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Canada Room)
Meeting #2 – Wednesday, February 4, 2015 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Canada
Room)
Meeting #3 – Monday, February 9, 2015 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Canada Room)
Meeting #4 – Tuesday, February 10, 2015 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Canada
Room)
Meeting #5 – Wednesday, February 18, 2015 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Council
Chamber)
Meeting #6 – Monday, March 9, 2015 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Council Chamber);
and,
3) That the draft presentation
on the proposed 2015 Budget (based on the budget status following the February
18th Budget Sub-Committee meeting) for the public meeting be presented at the February
23rd General Committee meeting; and,
4) That
a public meeting be held at the Civic Centre in the Council Chamber on Wednesday,
March 4th, 2015 at 7:00pm to receive public feedback on the 2015 Budget; and,
5) That
feedback on the public meeting and recommendation of the 2015 Budget be
presented at the March 23rd General Committee meeting; and further,
6) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
15. STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014 (7.12)
Report
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That
the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of November 2014” be
received; and,
2) That
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
Carried
16. DEVELOPMENT CHARGES INDEXING –
JANUARY 1, 2015 (7.11)
Report
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That the report
titled “Development Charges Indexing – January 1, 2015” be received; and,
2) That Council approve
an increase in development charges of 0.9%, effective January 1, 2015; and
further,
3) That staff be
directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this report.
Carried
17. MUNICIPAL ENERGY PLAN UPDATE
(5.7)
Report Appendices
Moved by
Councillor Valerie Burke
Seconded by
Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong
1) That Council receives the report titled “Municipal Energy
Plan Update” for informational purposes; and,
2) That Staff report back on Markham’s Municipal Energy Plan
stage two in 2015 and stage three in 2016, prior to their completion; and
further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
18. MASTER FIRE PLAN UPDATE
(5.0)
Presentation
Bill Snowball, Fire
Chief delivered a PowerPoint presentation providing an update of the Master
Fire Plan.
The Committee
discussed the following relative to the Master Fire Plan:
·
National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) standards
·
Locations of fire stations
and rationale behind their locations
·
Should amalgamation of Fire
Services across York Region be studied?
·
Would consolidating fire and
paramedic services be financially, operationally advantageous while improving
operational performance?
·
Imperfections within the
current dispatch system and the need for a new protocol that will embrace the
superior capabilities of fire services
·
Proposed changes that will
continue to increase the fire department budgets and how will municipalities
sustain this in future
Moved by Councillor
Alex Chiu
Seconded by Regional
Councillor Joe Li
1) That the presentation
provided by Bill Snowball, Fire Chief entitled “Master Fire Plan Update” be
received.
Carried
19. ALTERATION OF MUNICIPAL BOULEVARD -
10 ECKARDT AVENUE, UNIONVILLE (2.0)
Presentation
Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala
Armstrong
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
1) That the presentation provided
by Bob Nicholson, Acting Director
of Operations, entitled “Alteration of Municipal Boulevard – 10 Eckardt Avenue,
Unionville” be deferred to the January 26, 2015 General Committee meeting.
Carried
20. MASTER FIRE PLAN UPDATE
(5.0)
Report
The Committee
suggested that a half day work session be scheduled in mid to late January 2015
to further discuss the Fire Master Plan.
Moved by Councillor Alex Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor Joe Li
1)
That the report entitled “Master Fire Plan Update” be deferred to a Special General Committee
Workshop in mid to late January 2015; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
21. ALTERATION OF MUNICIPAL BOULEVARD -
10 ECKARDT AVENUE, UNIONVILLE (2.0)
Report
Attachment
Moved by Regional Councillor Nirmala
Armstrong
Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke
That the following
recommendations be deferred to the January 26, 2015 General Committee meeting:
1) That the report and presentation entitled “Alteration of
Municipal Boulevard - 10 Eckardt Avenue, Unionville” be received; and,
2) That an exemption to municipal By-law 2013-136 (Road
Occupancy) not be granted to the property Owner of 10 Eckardt Avenue; and
further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things
necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried
22. AMENDMENT TO SMOKE-FREE
ONTARIO ACT -
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015
PROHIBITING SMOKING ON AND AROUND
MUNICIPALLY- OPERATED SPORTS FIELDS,
SPORT SPECTATOR AND PLAYGROUND AREAS (6.0)
Memo
There was brief
discussion regarding signage.
Moved by Councillor
Colin Campbell
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor Jack Heath
1) That the memorandum
entitled “Amendment To Smoke-Free Ontario Act - Effective January 1, 2015 Prohibiting
Smoking On And Around Municipally-Operated Sports Fields, Sport Spectator And
Playground Areas” be received.
Carried
There was
no new business.
IN-CAMERA
MATTERS
Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell
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 (3:09 PM):
23. GENERAL COMMITTEE IN-CAMERA MINUTES – NOVEMBER 17, 2014 (16.0)
[Section
239 (2) (c) (b) (e)]
24. PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING
MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES (BOARD APPOINTMENTS) (16.24)
[Section
239 (2) (b)]
25. A PROPOSED OR PENDING
ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD (WARD 8)
(13.7)
[Section
239 (2) (c)]
Carried
Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell
Seconded by Councillor Alan Ho
That the General Committee rise from the in-camera session 3:31 PM.
Carried
Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Alan Ho
Seconded by Councillor Amanda
Collucci
That the General Committee meeting adjourn at 3:31 PM.
Carried