FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE
2003-02-17 - Council Chambers
Meeting No. 5
Attendance
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Mayor D. Cousens (1:30pm)
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J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Mascarin, Acting Town Solicitor
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire
Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
V. Shuttleworth, Acting Commissioner of Development Services
J. Allen, Chief Information Officer
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
P. Loukes, Director of Operations & Asset
Management
P. Wealleans, Director, Taxation
S. Chait, Director, Economic Development
S. Tam, Small Business Consultant
B. Nanninga, Executive Assistant to Mayor
J. Kee, Committee Clerk
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The Finance & Administrative Committee convened in camera, without
quorum, at the hour of 1:15 p.m. with Councillor S. Daurio in the Chair. Quorum was reached at 1:30 p.m.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. TENDER
210-T-02, SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF
TWELVE VEHICLES (7.12 &
7.12.2)
In response to a query of Committee with respect to expanding the
criteria of tenders for vehicles to include hybrid vehicles, staff advised that
the policy relating to the purchase and management of Town vehicles is
currently being reviewed.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That tender 210-T-02 for the Supply and Delivery of
Twelve (12) Vehicles for 2003 be split and awarded to the following four lowest
acceptable bidders totalling $412,484.30 inclusive of 7% GST and 8% PST
($398,137.02 inclusive of 3% GST and 8% PST) as per Appendix "A":
- Bill Houston
Ford Limited for 1 vehicle, Item 3 in the amount of $35,996.15 inclusive
of all taxes
- Freeway Ford
Sales Ltd. for 7 vehicles, Items 1, 2 and 7 totalling $257,808.15
inclusive of all taxes
- Milton
Chrysler Dodge Limited for 2 vehicles, Item 4 totalling $47,283.40
inclusive of all taxes
- Royal Woods
Ford Lincoln Sales Ltd. for 2 vehicles, Items 5 and 6 totalling $71,396.60
inclusive of all taxes;
AND THAT funds for TWO (2) vehicles, Item 4 in the
amount of $47,283.40 inclusive of 7% GST and 8% PST ($45,638.76 inclusive of 3%
GST and 8% PST) are provided for in Clerk's, By-law & Licensing
Department's 2002 Capital Budget account # 45 5350 4983 005 Appendix
"B";
AND THAT funds for the remaining TEN (10) vehicles in
the amount of $365,200.90 inclusive of 7% GST & 8% PST ($352,498.26
inclusive of 3% GST and 8% PST) are provided for in Capital Assets Department's
2002 Capital Budget account # 56 6150 4706 005 Appendix "B";
AND THAT the remaining budget in Capital Assets Department's
2002 Capital Budget account #56 6150 4706 005 will be applied to the remaining
corporate fleet replacements as approved.
CARRIED
2. ASPEN
RIDGE HOMES (CORNELL) LTD. - PARTIAL RELEASE
AND ABANDONMENT OF STORM AND
SANITARY SEWER
EASEMENT OVER PART OF BLOCKS
1, 4, 6 AND 7,
PLAN 65M-3637 (8.1 & 10.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That a by-law be enacted authorizing the Mayor and
Clerk to execute a partial release and abandonment of a storm and sanitary
sewer easement over lands legally described as Part of Blocks 1, 4, 6 and 7,
Plan 65M-3637, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
3. EDEN
OAK (UNIONVILLE) INC. - RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION
AGREEMENT - PART OF LOT 8,
CONCESSION 6, 19TM-98018
PHASE 2 RECONVEYANCE OF 0.3 M
RESERVE BEING
BLOCK 95, PLAN 65M-3593 (8.5)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That Part of Block 95, Plan 65M-3593 being Part 2 on
the draft reference plan (to be deposited at the Land Registry Office) be
declared surplus property pursuant to By-law 178-96;
And that notice of the property disposition of such
lands be placed on the agenda for the Council meeting on February 25, 2003;
And further that a by-law be enacted at the Council
meeting on March 18, 2003, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute a
Transfer/Deed of Land to Eden Oak (Unionville) Inc. for lands legally described
as Part of Block 95, Plan 65M-3593, being Part 2 on the draft reference plan in
a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATION
OF TAX RATIO RESPONSIBILITY - 2003 (7.3)
Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That the Region of York retain responsibility for
setting tax ratios for 2003, in consultation with finance staff of the area
municipalities;
And that staff report back to Council on the proposed
tax ratios prior to Regional Council's adoption of the ratios for 2003;
And further that the Treasurer
examine the industrial tax class and report back on whether the Town can
achieve the objective of reaching the range of fairness in the near future.
CARRIED
5. MARCEL
BEAUBIEN FINAL REPORT - PROPERTY
ASSESSMENT AND CLASSIFICATION
REVIEW (7.1)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the report of the Treasurer dated February 17,
2003, be forwarded to the Minister of Finance as the Town of Markham's response
to the final report by Mr. Beaubien entitled "Property Assessment and
Classification Review".
CARRIED
6. AUDIO/VISUAL
ENHANCEMENTS OF CANADA ROOM (7.13)
Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the Information Technology Services Department
(ITS) report on Civic Centre Audio Visual Systems Upgrade be received;
And that ITS be authorized to commence with the
upgrade of audiovisual systems within the Canada Room at a cost of $55K;
And that ITS report back to Council on the scope,
timing, and costs of future audiovisual system upgrade phases for approval
prior to commencing.
CARRIED
7. JENNINGS
GATE ESTATES MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM (5.3)
Staff was requested to advise Members of Councils, by an Information
Memorandum, which options will be used for the municipal water distribution
system on Jennings Gate Estates, prior to the final design.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That the Technical Services Department be authorized
to retain an engineering consulting firm to design and prepare contract
documents for a municipal water distribution system for Jennings Gate Estates,
at a cost not to exceed $75,000;
And that the consultant's fee be funded from the 2003
Capital Budget, Project No. 5250 and that budget pre-approval for this project
be authorized;
And that the consultant's fee form part of the total
project cost in accordance with the Local Improvement Act;
And further that should the property owners not wish
to proceed under the Local Improvements Act, a report recommending an
alternative funding source for the design costs be provided to Council.
CARRIED
8. MARKHAM
SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE (10.16 & 12.2.6)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the report entitled "Markham Small Business
Enterprise Centre" be received;
And that the Town of Markham enter into a Letter of
Agreement with the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity
and Innovation regarding the Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre in order
to secure a one-time capital contribution of $20,000 and an annual operating
grant of at least $50,000;
And that the Town of Markham's financial contribution
(to be determined upon Council's receipt and approval of the Innovation-Synergy
Centre Business Plan in March 2003) to the establishment of the Markham Small
Business Enterprise Centre (MSBEC) will be from within the 2003 Economic
Development Department budget;
And that the Markham Small Business Enterprise Centre
become part of the Province of Ontario Small Business Enterprise Centre
Program;
And that the Markham Economic Development Department
be designated as the service delivery agent for the Small Business Enterprise
Centre Program;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute
a Letter of Agreement in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
9. MARKHAM
PRAYER BREAKFAST - NOVEMBER 26, 2003 (12.2.6)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That approval be granted for the purchase of two (2) tables of ten (10)
for the Markham Prayer Breakfast, to be held on November 26, 2003; one table to
be designated for Councillors and one table for the Mayor's Youth Task Force.
CARRIED
10. IN
CELEBRATION OF WOMEN AWARDS BANQUET - MAY 3, 2003 (12.2.6)
Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That approval be granted for the purchase of a table of ten (10) for
the "In Celebration of Women" Awards Banquet, to be held on May 3,
2003 at Di Nardo's Mansion & Banquet Centre;
And that if Councillors cannot use all tickets, the remainder be
offered to senior staff;
And further that a silent auction item be donated on behalf of Mayor
and Members of Council.
CARRIED
11. THE
HERBERT H. CARNEGIE FUTURE ACES FOUNDATION
CHARITY BALL - SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 22, 2003 (12.2.6)
Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That tickets be purchased for Councillors that wish to attend The
Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation Charity Ball to be held on Saturday,
February 22, 2003 at the Thornhill Country Club.
CARRIED
12. CITY OF REGINA - INVITATION TO
PARTICIPATE IN
MUNICIPAL LEADERS' FORUM ON
IMPLEMENTING KYOTO
REGINA,
APRIL 27 TO 29, 2003 (5.7)
**Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the letter of invitation dated January 20, 2003 from the Mayor of
the City of Regina with respect to participation in the "Municipal
Leaders' Forum on Implementing Kyoto" being held in Regina, April 27 to
29, 2003, be received;
And that authority be granted for one
Councillor and one member of staff to attend the Forum.
** Amended by Council at its meeting held
on February 25, 2003 to add the following paragraph:
And that the
appointment of attendees be deferred and referred to the March 3, 2003 Finance
and Administrative Committee.
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13. STAFF
AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THE PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 7 TO FEBRUARY 4, 2003
(7.12)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That the report entitled "Staff Awarded Contracts
for the period from January 7 to February 4, 2003" dated February 17, 2003
be received for information only.
CARRIED
14. RESOLUTION
TO THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT - CAPPING/
CLAWBACK PROGRAM FOR
COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL
AND MULTI-RESIDENTIAL CLASSES
(7.3)
Members expressed concern with the wording of the resolution before
them, and discussed various amendments, including holding a Public Information
Meeting with small businesses
It was generally agreed that Sub-Clauses 3, 4, & 6 were acceptable,
however, following much discussion, it was agreed that the entire matter be
deferred.
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That Council of the Town of Markham support resolutions from
the Town of Newmarket, City of Vaughan, City of Kingston and the Association of
Municipal Tax Collectors of Ontario (AMCTO) requesting the Ontario Government
to amend legislation relating to the mandatory property tax capping and clawback
provisions, and specifically adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Ontario Government passed Bill 140, The Continued Protection for Property Taxpayers Act,
2000, that results in a mandatory tax capping program for
commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties, which limits
assessment related tax increases to 5% per year, and
WHEREAS assessment and taxation reforms, implemented in 1998,
are being delayed to perpetuity, and
WHEREAS this legislation continues significant inequities in
the taxation of these properties across the Province, and
WHEREAS this legislation protects newly constructed and new
to class properties, at the expense of other property owners, and
WHEREAS the result is a difficult and complicated system of
property taxation,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Markham urge
the Ontario Government and the Premier to either:
A. Amend the Municipal Act to change the tax capping
program to be a phase-in program that will:
i.
Become effective in the 2004 taxation year and end preferably in 5
years,
but
not more than 10 years,
ii.
Be a fixed annual adjustment in each year, which will be, for increasing
properties,
the 2003 cap adjustment divided by the number of years
provided
in the preceding point.
iii. Not include any properties that are new
construction or new to class
beginning
in 2004,
iv. Continue
to allow municipalities the choice to fund the program by with-
holding
decreases or through municipal budgets.
v. Require that the minimum yearly phase-in
increase be the greater of the
fixed
annual adjustment or $1,000, and
vi. Remove
a property class from the phase-in program when its tax ratio is
within
the Provincially established range of fairness;
OR
B. Provide the appropriate
funds to each municipality to finance the cost of the capping program as
determined by the 5% limit on tax increases;
And that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister
of Finance, the Regional Municipality of York and the local municipalities in
York Region.
DEFERRED
(See following motion to
defer)
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That the motion of Councillor E.
Shapero and Councillor D. Horchik be deferred for two months, to provide an
opportunity for staff to review and clarify the queries raised this date, and
to bring back a further report at that time.
CARRIED
15. SECONDMENT
OF MR. THOMAS WEBSTER AS ACTING COMMISSIONER,
STRATEGY, INNOVATION AND
PARTNERSHIPS (11.0)
Members were advised that Mr. Thomas Webster, recently with the Region
of York, has been seconded as the Acting Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation and
Partnerships, as of March 3, 2003.
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the information regarding the
secondment of Mr. Thomas Webster as Acting Commissioner, Strategy, Innovation
and Partnerships, effective March 3, 2003, be received.
CARRIED
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Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the meeting resolve in-camera to discuss two
property matters.
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the Committee rise. (2:20 p.m.)
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the meeting resolve in-camera to discuss a
personal matter.
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the Committee rise. (3:35 p.m.)
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The Finance & Administrative Committee meeting adjourned at the
hour of 3:35 p.m.