GENERAL
COMMITTEE
Finance
& Administrative Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair,
Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D.
Horchik Environment & Sustainability Issues
Chair:
IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor
J. Jones Chair: Councillor
E. Shapero
Chair: Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke
Attendance
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
A. Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services
P. Loukes, Director, Operations
S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management
J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services
W. Snowball, Deputy Fire Chief
B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement and Licensing
M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership
B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
C. Raynor, Committee Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor E. Shapero assumed the Chair for Environmental
& Sustainability Issues Items 5-6 and Finance and Administrative Issues
Items 7-14.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Regional
Councillor G. Landon disclosed an interest with respect to Agenda Item 7 by
nature of being a Director of CSDC Systems and did not take part in the
consideration, discussion, or vote on the question of the approval of such
matter.
1. 2008
BUDGET (7.5)
Mr. J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services, presented an
overview of the 2008 Budget recommendation. Mr. Lustig provided information on
the factors and indices affecting the total budget amount. There was brief
discussion concerning the tax increase and the opportunity to identify
additional outside funding sources.
Committee requested that there be a summary of comments made at the
last Budget Sub-Committee meeting.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation entitled “2008 Budget” by Mr. J. Lustig,
Director, Financial and Client Services be received;
And that staff report back to General Committee on February 11, 2008 to
look at additional funding opportunities in an attempt to reduce the tax
increase to 3.75%.
CARRIED
2. DOWNSPOUT
DISCONNECTION PROGRAM (5.3)
Presentation
Mr. S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management presented information
relating to the Downspout Disconnection Program and an overview of the Town’s
Storm Water Management Strategy. Mr. Andrews provided an overview of the proposed
pilot project in Thornhill.
There was considerable discussion surrounding the details of the pilot
project, including cost, goals and process. Committee suggested the pilot
should tackle connections to the storm and sanitary systems rather than storm
system only and that the use of rain barrels should be promoted. Staff noted
the program is still in the early development stage and that a more detailed
report will be forthcoming in March, 2008. Committee noted the urgency of this
matter.
There was brief discussion concerning the creation of a Task Force to
oversee the program.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the presentation regarding the Downspout Disconnection Program by
Mr. S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management and Ms. K. Dennison, Manager, System
Engineering be received;
And that Deputy Mayor J. Heath, Regional Councillor T. Wong, Councillor
E. Shapero and Councillor V. Burke be appointed to a Downspout Disconnection
Working Group.
CARRIED
3. DEPUTATION FROM DECEMBER 10, 2007
GENERAL
COMMITTEE MEETING CONCERNING EXISTING
BY-LAW TO CHARGE FEES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED
BY MARKHAM FIRE & EMERGENCY
SERVICES (3.0)
Report
Bylaw
Addendum
Mr. W. Snowball, Deputy Fire Chief, provided information relating to
the fees charged by Markham Fire and Emergency Services for services provided.
It was noted that there is no fee when a fire truck is in attendance for less
than ten minutes.
Committee requested, and received clarification on various matters such
as when fire trucks might be called out, what the policies are in place in
other municipalities and current fee collection rates.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the report entitled “Deputation from December 10, 2007 General
Committee Meeting Concerning the Existing By-law to Charge Fees for Services
Provided by Markham Fire & Emergency Services” be received;
And that By-law 111-98, as amended, be further amended so as to permit
the fees imposed by this by-law to be waived or reduced where circumstances
warrant with approval of the Town of Markham Fire Chief;
And that the policy to be used by the Fire Chief to waive or reduce the
fees imposed be comprised of the following circumstances:
- In
attendance at an incident over the ten minutes prescribed in the By-law,
but only for the reason to await the arrival of another agency;
- When
one truck would have been sufficient to provide services but another truck
was dispatched and was at the site for more than ten minutes but never
performed any fire related services;
And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
4. GOVERNANCE OPTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATING STRUCTURE OF THE OPERATING AUTHORITY FOR THE MARKHAM DRINKING WATER
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (5.3)
Report
Mr. P. Loukes, Director, Operations, provided a brief outline of the
Governance Options for the Management and Operating Structure of the Operating
Authority for the Markham Drinking Water Distribution System.
**Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report entitled “Governance Options for the Management and
Operating Structure of the Operating Authority for the Markham Water
Distribution System” be received;
And that Council direct staff to proceed with the implementation
strategy for the Quality Management System leading to Accreditation of the Town
as the Operating Authority for the Markham Drinking Water System based on the
existing operational structure – Mode l #1;
And that the Corporation of the Town of
Markham assume the roles and responsibilities of the Owner of the Markham
Drinking Water System as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and required
by the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard;
And that the Corporation of the Town of
Markham assume the roles and responsibilities of the Operating Authority of the
Markham Drinking Water System as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and
required by the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard;
And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
**Amended by Council
on February 12, 2008 to add the following clauses:
“And that the Corporation of the Town of
Markham assume the roles and responsibilities of the Owner of the Markham
Drinking Water System as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and required
by the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard;
And that the Corporation of the Town of
Markham assume the roles and responsibilities of the Operating Authority of the
Markham Drinking Water System as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and
required by the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard;”
5. MARKHAM
PARTICIPATION IN EARTH HOUR 2008 (5.7)
Report
Committee viewed a video regarding Earth Hour 2007 which involves the
switching off of non-essential lights for one hour. Committee supported the
Town’s participation in 2008 and requested that staff report back with the
results. It was noted that the Markham Board of Trade and the Town’s Top 20
energy consumers will be requested to participate.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “Markham Participation in Earth Hour 2008” be
received;
And that Council support the Town of Markham’s participation in Earth
House 2008, an event scheduled for March 29, 2008, whereby citizens,
businesses, and government are encouraged to turn off the lights for one hour
between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm;
And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
6. PESTICIDE
BY-LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION
PROGRAM (5.7)
Report
Schedule
A Schedule
B Schedule
C Schedule
C(cont) Schedule
D Schedule
E Email
Ms. S. Merson, local resident, spoke on behalf of Mr. G. Foreman,
Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the
Environment. Mr. Foreman expressed concern about the use of toxic chemicals to
combat grub and chinch bug infestations and requested that such use be
disallowed immediately.
Mr. B. Wiles, Manager, Enforcement and Licensing and Ms. M. Urquhart,
Manager, Environmental Leadership, presented an overview of the Pesticide
By-law Education and Enforcement Program.
Committee noted the importance of ensuring educational materials reflect
the multi-cultural nature of the Town, and suggested that some of the local
community non-profit groups be engaged. Committee suggested the communications
program and workshops be multi-lingual and noted the City of Toronto may have
translated materials that might be used.
There was brief discussion concerning provincial legislation to
restrict the sale and use of chemical pesticides. It was noted that this is at
the consultation stage and Committee agreed that the Town will be willing to
work with the Provincial government to develop such legislation.
There was brief discussion concerning the exemption for Hydro
substations and Committee suggested that Hydro One and Powerstream should work
to reduce or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides. Staff advised that Hydro
One will not be using chemicals to treat Rights of Way in 2008 and will report
back following a detailed assessment.
It was suggested that applicators be required to submit reports
regarding their use of pesticides so that the Town may track the use of such
materials.
Committee requested staff apply to the Province to permit $300 fines
for the misuse of pesticides.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the deputation from Ms. S. Merson, local resident, on behalf of
Mr. G. Foreman, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians
for the Environment, expressing concern about the use of toxic chemicals to
combat grub and chinch bug infestations, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report titled “Pesticide By-law Enforcement and Education
Program” be received;
And that a by-law be enacted to amend Pesticide By-law No. 2007-146 to
provide for an exemption for hydro substations;
And that the use of pesticides for grub and chinch bug infestation be
permitted in 2008 only;
And
that by-laws be enacted to licence both Pesticide Applicators and Organic and
Non-Pesticide Lawn Care Applicators;
And that By-law 2002-284, a by-law to establish licence fees for the
Town of Markham be amended to include a $100 licence fee for applicators;
And that the Province of Ontario be requested to take immediate action
to introduce legislation restricting the sale of pesticides across the Province
for the benefit of all Ontario residents and the environment;
And that the email from Ms. L. Wener, dated January 23, 2008, regarding
the use of pesticides for infestations in 2008 be received;
And that the
Province be advised that the Town of Markham would be pleased to assist them in
the development of legislation to reduce the use of pesticides;
And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution;
CARRIED
Clause 3 was voted on separately
and was carried by majority vote
7. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 14, 2008
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Regional
Councillor G. Landon disclosed an interest with respect to Agenda Item 14 by
nature of being a Director of CSDC Systems and did not take part in the
consideration, discussion, or vote on the question of the approval of such
matter.
Moved by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
minutes of the January 14, 2008 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
8. ADVISORY
APPOINTMENTS (16.0)
Moved
by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded
by Councillor C. Moretti
That Council appoint Deputy Mayor J. Heath to the Don Watershed
Regeneration Committee;
And that the current composition of the Markham Race Relations
Committee be reduced from three Councillors to two Councillors;
And that Council appoint Regional Councillor G. Landon to the Markham
Arts Council.
CARRIED
9. STAFF AWARDED CONTRACT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2007 (7.4)
Report
Attachment
Committee
expressed concern with the process for 090-Q-07 Supply and Delivery of Various
Fitness Equipment. Staff agreed to provide details to Council on February 12,
2008.
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of
November 2007” be received.
CARRIED
10. AWARD
OF TENDER 180-T-07 CONSTRUCTION OF ANGUS GLEN
SOCCER FIELD (7.12.3)
Report Financial
Information
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report entitled “Award of Tender 180-T-07, Construction of
Angus Glen Soccer Field” be received;
And that the contract for Tender 180-T-07 Construction of Angus Glen
Soccer Field be awarded to the lowest priced qualified bidder, S&F
Excavating in the amount of $468,751.00 which includes a $5,000.00 testing
allowance and provisional item 3 (which is a $9,250.00 credit from the base bid
for alternate water servicing and irrigation), exclusive of GST;
And that a construction contingency amount of $45,000.00 exclusive of
GST be established to cover any additional consulting services and/or
sub-consulting fees and that the Manager of Parks and Open Space Development be
authorized to approve expenditure of this contingency amount up to the
specified limit in accordance with the Expenditure Control Policy;
And that the award be funded from Planning and Urban Design’s Capital
Budget account 81-5350-7827-005, Angus Glen Soccer Field in the amount of
$4,000,000.00;
And that additional capital funding in the amount of $165,439.00 be
funded from the Development Charges Reserve (90% / $148,895.10) and tax-funded
Capital Contingency 44-6300-6395-005 (10% / $16,543.90) and transferred to
account 81-5350-7827-005;
And that upon payment of all invoices associated with this project, any
remaining funds will be returned to the original funding sources;
And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
11. MUNICIPAL
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
INITIATIVE OPTIONS (7.6)
Ms. B. Cribbett, Town Treasurer, provided an overview of the Municipal
Infrastructure Investment Initiative and projects that might be eligible to
receive the grant. There was brief discussion concerning the different options,
including budgetary impacts and the process for submitting applications. It was
stated that only one application can be submitted.
There was general agreement that the Cycling and Trails System was the
most eligible project. Committee made a number of suggestions such as ensuring
the proposal be presented as a single project, that the total cost be reduced
in line with the maximum grant, which was not agreed to, and that the recent
Citizen and Click With Markham surveys be used to show the justification for
the project.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the Cycling and Trail System be the preferred option for a grant
submission under the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative.
CARRIED
12. CITY
OF OSHAWA
PROPOSED INCINERATOR IN
CLARINGTON (5.1)
Correspondence
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the letter from the City of Oshawa, dated January 22, 2008,
containing a resolution in opposition to a proposed incinerator in Clarington
be received.
CARRIED
13. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 28, 2008
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Regional Councillor
T. Wong
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J.
Heath
That the minutes from the January
28, 2008 Budget Subcommittee be received.
CARRIED
14. HERITAGE
CANADA GRANT APPLICATION (7.6)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That Ms. J. Olson, Special Events Assistant, Town of
Markham, be authorized to submit a financial request in the amount of $2,000 to
the Department of Canadian Heritage in relation to the “Celebrate Canada!”
Program for organizing activities to celebrate Canada Day in the Town of
Markham.
CARRIED
15. GUATEMALA EXPEDITION (12.0)
Committee requested that staff that participated in the recent
expedition to Guatemala to assist with the construction of a community centre in San Miguel
Escobar, Antigua, Guatemala be invited to a future meeting of General Committee
to provide a presentation on the matter.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at
1:24 p.m.