COMMUNITY
SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
2004-06-07 – 1:00
p.m.
Canada Room
Meeting No. 4
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Allen, Chief Information Officer
S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction & Utilities
C. Marsales, Manager, Waste Management
B. Roth, Director, Recreation and Culture
Services
S. Taylor, Director, Strategic Services
J. Ryerson, Director, Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery
E. Uffren, Publications Coordinator
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The Community Services and Environment Committee convened at the hour
of 1:00 p.m. with Councillor A. Chiu in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. YORK
REGION EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (13.4.4)
Mr. B. Meekin, General Manager, Emergency Medical Services, and Mr. G.
McEachen, Director of Operations, gave a presentation outlining the services
offered by York Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and performance levels
for those services. The Committee was advised that a Stakeholders’ Committee
was created to develop strategies to improve the overall level of EMS service.
The Committee expressed some concern that average response times are
too slow. It was suggested that a campaign educating drivers to provide a clear
route for EMS vehicles could be beneficial. It was noted that speed humps do
not constitute a material factor in overall response times.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation by Mr. B. Meekin, General Manager, and Mr. G.
McEachen, Director of Operations, both of Emergency Medical Services, outlining
the services offered by York Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and
performance levels for those services, be received;
And that the following recommendations from the York Region
Commissioner of Health Services be endorsed:
“That York Region staff contact the Minister
of Health and Long-Term Care with requests regarding:
a) the examination of current Emergency
Medical Services dispatch services;
b) the impacts to resource deployment regarding the transfer of
care in hospitals;
c) the
provision of non-emergency transport services;
d) the possibility of a provision for a consequence to the
service provider for any abuse of the EMS system;
And that York Region staff be directed to
prepare a report highlighting potential response time reductions if York Region
controlled its own EMS dispatch service;
And that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care be requested to establish standards which allow for the timely transfer of
patients from the care of paramedics to hospital emergency department staff to
effect the immediate return of ambulances to active service.”
CARRIED
2. MARKHAM
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE -
REGARDING A CONTRACT WITH ORANGE IDEA (16.28)
There was considerable discussion about the background of the Markham
Conservation Committee’s proposed contract with Orange Idea. There was
agreement that a policy regarding Advisory Committee websites should be
developed.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That staff assist the Markham
Conservation Committee in creating a page on the Town of Markham website
providing basic information on the work and activities of the Committee, as an
interim solution until a detailed policy on the use of websites by Town of
Markham Advisory Committees is developed;
And that staff develop a policy
concerning the use of websites by Town of Markham Advisory Committees, and
report back to a future meeting of the Finance and Administrative Committee;
And that staff be authorized to
engage an independent developer to create the interim solution for the Markham
Conservation Committee, if staff has insufficient resources available.
CARRIED
3. RECREATION AND CULTURE GUIDES,
ADVERTISING RATES FOR 2005
(6.0) Weblink
Mr. S. Taylor, Director, Strategic Services, briefly advised the
Committee of the advertising rates proposed for 2005 for the Town’s Recreation
and Culture Guides. The Committee was advised that currently there is no need
to annually review advertising rates.
Ms. E. Uffren, Publications Coordinator, provided clarity on the
differing rates for commercial and community advertisers. Staff agreed to
distribute a notice to community advertisers offering a further reminder of the
special advertising rates for community groups. It was also noted that the
arrangement for delivering the Guides with the Economist and Sun newspaper has
proven to be successful.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the report entitled “Recreation and Culture Guides, Advertising
Rates for 2005” be received;
And that the advertising rate for the Town of Markham Guide commercial
and community advertisers be increased 3% effective Winter 2004/2005 guide;
And that the advertising rates for front and back cover space in the
Town of Markham 2004/2005 guides be increased according to Table 2 in Appendix
A (attached to the original Council minutes kept on file in the Clerk’s
Office);
And that the Town of Markham offer fee for services such as full
colour, preferential placement, design, and ad re-adjustments et cetera to
advertisers;
And that By-law 2002-276, a by-law to impose fees or charges for
services or activities provided or done by the Town of Markham, be amended to
reflect the new rates;
And further that notice to the public be provided in accordance with
By-law 2002-275, a by-law to prescribe the form and manner and times for the
provision of reasonable notice.
CARRIED
4. THREE-STREAM
IMPLEMENTATION -
DIVERSION TARGET, BAG LIMITS AND COMMUNICATION
AND EDUCATION PLAN (5.1) Weblink
Mr. S. Bertoia provided a brief overview of the three-stream collection
program.
The Committee suggested that volunteers could be willing to operate
information booths at certain locations in the Town and staff agreed to examine
the possibility. The Committee also suggested that newspaper advertisements
detailing changes in the collection schedule should better specify the affected
areas.
Staff noted that the bag limit will be three (3) bags every two weeks.
Staff advised that there will be an information booth at the Canada Day
festival, and that they are taking steps to ensure that York Region provides
its share of funding for the three-stream collection program. Staff agreed to
provide updates to the area municipalities to keep them informed of progress in
this matter.
Staff clarified that a detailed program to monitor compliance with the
three-stream program has not yet been developed.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the report entitled “Three-Stream Implementation – Diversion
Target, Bag Limits and Communication and Education Plan” be received;
And that Council adopt a waste diversion target of 70% to be achieved
after full implementation of 3-stream collection in 2007;
And that the existing 3-bag limit remain until a study can be completed
in the Phase 1 area to determine if a bag limit change is required;
And that staff implement the communication and education strategy
outlined in the above report.
CARRIED
5. APPROVAL
FOR RENTAL OF A PORTION
OF THE MUSEUM SITE TO SUNNYSIDE AMUSEMENTS (6.7) Weblink
The Committee expressed some concern that the use of a portion of the
Museum site by Sunnyside Amusements could be viewed as a commercial event.
Staff noted that the approval for rental would be on a one-time basis.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report entitled “Approval for Rental of a Portion of the
Museum Site to Sunnyside Amusements” be received;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a contract with
Sunnyside Inc. (The Conklin Group) for rental of a portion of the Museum site
for the period July 19 to July 26, 2004, in a form satisfactory to the Town
Solicitor;
And that staff report back on
the outcome of the event organized by Sunnyside Amusements.
CARRIED
6. FOLLOW-UP
TO APPROVAL OF DISPOSAL
OF DEACCESSIONED COLLECTION (6.7) Weblink
The Committee requested clarification on the process for disposing of deaccessioned
collections. Staff agreed to provide the full list of deaccessioned items.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report titled “Follow-up to Approval of Disposal of
Deaccessioned Collection” be received;
And that Council approve the process for disposition of surplus
collections as outlined in this report;
And that Part Vii, Clause 33, of By-law 143-2000 (Purchasing By-law)
regarding the Disposal of Personal Property be waived as it relates to the
items to be disposed of to other museums;
And that Council approve the transfer of any funds received from the
sale of artifacts and the proceeds from the sale of scrap metal to the Museum’s
endowment fund.
CARRIED
7. APPROVAL FOR RECEIPT AND USE OF FEDERAL
MUSEUMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT (6.7, 7.6)
Weblink
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the staff report entitled “Approval for Receipt and Use of Federal
Museums Assistance Program Grant” be received;
And that Council approve the objectives for the project, as outlined in
the above report;
And that the Museum be authorized to allocate portions of its approved
operating and capital budget allocations to support the work outlined in the
above report;
And further that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the
agreement required to receive the approved Museum Assistance Program funds in
the amount of $38,000, such agreement to be subject to the approval of the Town
Solicitor.
CARRIED
8. ELIMINATION OF PLASTIC BAGS FOR LEAF
AND
YARD MATERIAL COLLECTION
(5.1) Weblink
There was some discussion surrounding the amount of funding to be
requested from York Region in connection with the elimination of plastic bags
for leaf and yard material collection.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the staff report entitled “Elimination of Plastic Bags for Leaf
and Yard Material Collection” be received;
And that the Town amend its Waste Management
By-law 32-95 to delete plastic bags as an approved container for residential
leaf and yard material effective January 1, 2005;
And that a multi-year communication,
education, and enforcement program be implemented at an estimated cost of
$10,000 in 2004 to be absorbed into the 2004 Waste Management Operating Budget
and $65,000 in 2005 to be included in the 2005 Waste Management Capital and
Operating Budgets;
And that the Region of York be requested to
provide 50% of the cost of Markham’s communication and education costs
estimated at $5,000 in 2004 and $32,500 in 2005;
And that staff investigate and report back to
Council on the cost and benefits of offering a weekly collection service for
leaf and yard material during the months of May, June, October and November in
2005.
CARRIED
9. FREDERICK
HORSMAN VARLEY
ART GALLERY OF MARKHAM BOARD - REGARDING
REORGANIZATION OF PROGRAM/ART COMMITTEE (6.12, 16.0)
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the following resolution arising from the minutes of the Frederick
Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham Board meeting on May 10, 2004, be
adopted:
“That
the present Program and Art Committees be dissolved;
And that the Program and Operations Committees be combined into a
Program and Operations Committee;
And that a separate Art
Committee be created;
And that the Art Committee will
consist in part of members of the Gallery Advisory Board and members of the
Foundation. As well, it should include a significant number of outside members
representing collectors, academics, artists and members of the broader arts
community;
And that the responsibilities of
the Art Committee will include, but not be limited to:
a) Advising the Director on the suitability of acquisitions and
donations of works of art after considering the curatorial arguments put
forward by the Director, staff, or outside curatorial advisors;
b) Approving or rejecting the Director’s recommendations for
acquisitions or donations of works of art;
c) Review and update policy for the Gallery that can serve as a
guide for the acquisition or donations of works of art;
d) Pursuing a vigorous program of encouraging collectors to become
involved with the gallery with an eye to possible donations;
e) Advising the Director concerning exhibitions that will promote
the Gallery’s collections policy;
And that the responsibilities of
the Program/Operations Committee will include but not be limited to:
a) Review, and advise on, the Gallery’s educational programs and
exhibition related support programs;
b) Review,
and advise on, the exhibitions program of the Gallery;
c) Review, advise on, and help to develop, the Director’s plans
for community involvement and
outreach;
d) Review, and advise on, various aspects of operations of the
Gallery including staffing,
attendance, marketing, etc;
e) Review, and advise on, financial budgets of the Gallery;
f) Review, and advise on, maintenance and care of physical assets
of the Gallery.”
CARRIED
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Other matters
considered by the Community Services & Environment Committee at its meeting
held on June 7, 2004
10. MINUTES – MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
MAY 27, 2004 (16.28)
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee meeting held on
May 27, 2004 be received.
CARRIED
11. MINUTES – FREDERICK HORSMAN VARLEY
ART GALLERY OF MARKHAM
BOARD - MAY 10, 2004 (6.12)
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the minutes of the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham
Board meeting held on May 10, 2004, be received.
CARRIED
12. MINUTES – MARKHAM THEATRE BOARD
JANUARY 26, FEBRUARY 23, AND
MARCH 22, 2004 (6.2)
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the minutes of the Markham Theatre Board meetings held on January
26, February 23, and March 22, 2004 be received.
CARRIED
13. MINUTES – ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
ACCESSIBILITY
MAY 19, 2004 (16.9)
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting
held on May 19, 2004, be received.
CARRIED
14. MINUTES – MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS
COMMITTEE
MAY 3, 2004 (16.10)
The Committee was advised that the Markham Race Relations Committee
expected to appoint one further member.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the minutes of the Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held
on May 3, 2004, be received.
CARRIED
15. LIFESAVING SOCIETY NEW SWIM PROGRAM (6.4) Weblink
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report entitled “Lifesaving Society New Swim Program” be
received as information.
CARRIED
16. FIRST WATER QUALITY QUARTERLY REPORT FOR
2004 (5.3) Weblink
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the First Water Quality Quarterly Report be received.
CARRIED
17. COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM (3.0, 6.0)
There was considerable discussion on the matter of the Communities in
Bloom program. There was general agreement that the Town should participate but
the Committee noted the importance of creating a lasting legacy following the
conclusion of the program. It was noted that the staff report on the matter did
not contain references to existing programs that could be incorporated into the
Communities in Bloom program, for instance, Suzie Garden Awards, Adopt a Park,
Perennial Gardens, and Pesticide Free. Staff agreed to produce a revised report
detailing these programs.
The Committee noted that participation in the program would require a
great effort, mainly from volunteers. It was suggested that staff convene a
public meeting with potential volunteers in order to ascertain the level of
support from the community.
Staff advised that a more detailed report would be presented at the
September 13, 2004 meeting of the Community Services and Environment Committee.
This will contain information relating to resource and budget impact.
**Moved by Mayor Cousens
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That, as soon as possible, staff
convene a public meeting involving all parties interested in volunteering to
work on, and in association with, a Communities in Bloom Steering Committee;
And that in the meantime, staff develop a
strategy for providing the means to enable the Town of Markham to participate
in the Communities in Bloom program;
And that staff report back to Council, as
soon as possible, on the feedback from the public meeting, and with details
relating to the implementation strategy;
And that staff provide a supplementary report
on other possible initiatives.
_____________________________________________________
Amended by Council at its
meeting on June 8, 2004 to add the following clause:
“And that staff provide a
supplementary report on other possible initiatives.”
CARRIED
18. YORK REGION
EXTENSIONS OF CONTRACTS FOR
THE
OPERATION OF MATERIAL RECOVERY
FACILITIES (5.1, 13.4)
That the letter from York Region, dated May
21, 2004, outlining a resolution extending by one year its contracts with
Miller Waste Systems and Roger LaRue Enterprises Limited for the provision and
operation of the Material Recovery Facilities in Markham and Georgina
respectively, be received.
CARRIED
19. YORK REGION
YORK-PEEL WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
UPDATE
PROJECT 77300 (5.6, 13.4.3)
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Councillor E. Shapero
20. MR. D. FELTHAM
MEMORIAL FOR DOREEN QUIRK (6.3)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the fax from Mr. D. Feltham, dated May 3, 2004, proposing that Don
Valley Park be renamed as a memorial to Doreen Quirk, or if that is not
possible, that a similar memorial be erected elsewhere, be received and
referred to staff.
CARRIED
21. CLOROX COMPANY OF CANADA
PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL
LAUNCH PACKAGES TO
SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
PHASE I OF THE
THREE-STREAM WASTE DIVERSION
SYSTEM (3.0, 5.1)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the letter from Mr. D. Gordon, Manager, Environmental Waste
Programs, Clorox Company of Canada, proposing to offer 15,000 educational
three-stream waste diversion launch packages free of charge to the Town of Markham
for distribution to residents, be received and referred to staff.
CARRIED
22. CITY
OF TORONTO
PESTICIDE BY-LAW (5.7, 13.5.2)
Regional Councillor J. Heath provided documentation relating to the
City of Toronto Pesticide By-law.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the documentation relating to the City of Toronto Pesticide By-law
be received and referred to staff;
And that staff report back to the Community Services and Environment
Committee in the fall, concerning a Pesticide By-law.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Community Services and Environment
Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of
3:45 p.m.