M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

(immediately following the Development Services Committee meeting)

 

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

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Jim Jones Regional Councillor Gord Landon Regional Councillor Joe Li Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor. Howard Shore Councillor Don Hamilton Councillor Colin Campbell Councillor Logan Kanapathi Councillor Alex Chiu   Regrets Mayor Frank Scarpitti Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Alan Ho

Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Conrad, Town Solicitor Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services Trinela Cane, Commissioner of Corporate Services Paul Ingham, Director, Operations Joel Lustig, Treasurer Colin Service, Manager, Recreation of Planning Standards & Innovation Alida Tari, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

The General Committee convened at the hour of 3:51 p.m. with Councillor Alex Chiu in the Chair and Councillor Logan Kanapathi Chaired Building, Parks and Construction related items.

 

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

 

Councillor Colin Campbell disclosed an interest with respect to Item #15 (Master Fire Plan Implementation), by nature of being a Fire Fighter, and did not take part in the discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such matters.

 

 

 

NOTE:            THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE REFERRED FROM THE JUNE 25, 2012 GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING TO THIS DATE

 

 

 

1.         FITNESS CENTRE UPDATE (3.0)

            Report     Attachment A     Attachment B     Attachment C                                                    

 

Note:   This item was referred from the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

The Committee inquired whether staff have considered offering a lower rate to the fitness centres for individuals over the age of 80.  Staff advised that they will be reporting back in September with respect to a subsidiary strategy.

 

Moved by Councillor Don Hamilton

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

 

1)         That the report entitled “Fitness Centre Update” be received; and

 

2)         That Staff continue to monitor and implement strategies to increase awareness and promotion of Fitness Centre as outlined in this report; and,

 

3)         That Staff report back in Fall 2012 on the various initiatives outlined in this report; and,

 

4)         That Staff engage a pricing consultant to undertake pricing elasticity testing to determine optimal pricing, utilizing funds within existing operating budget to engage a consultant; and,

 

5)         That Fitness Centre Memberships be excluded from the annual Consumer Price Index Fee increases scheduled for September, 2012; and further,

 

6)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         CONTRACT EXTENSIONS FOR HIRED GRADERS
AND LOADERS FOR WINTER MAINTENANCE (5.0)

            Report                                                                                                                                  

 

Note:   This item was referred from the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

Moved by Councillor Colin Campbell

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

1)         That the staff report entitled ‘Contract Extensions for Hired Graders and Loaders for Winter Maintenance’ be received; and,

 

2)         That the Director of Operations and Manager of Purchasing be authorized to enter into formal negotiations with existing contractors to secure contract extensions for both hired loaders and graders for local road winter maintenance; and,

 

3)         That the tender process be waived in accordance with Purchasing Bylaw 2004-341, Part 11, Section 7(1) c which states “when the extension of an existing contract would prove more cost-effective or beneficial; and,

 

4)         That the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to award contract extensions for tenders  012-T-03 and 128-T-03 for three (3) winter seasons (2012-2015) with an option for the Town to renew on a year by year basis for two (2) additional winter seasons (2015-2017); and,

 

5)         That the budget impacts resulting from the award of these contract extensions be dealt with through the 2013 Operating Budget process; and further,

 

6)         That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

3.         MASTER FIRE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION (7.15)

            Report     Attachment A     Attachment B                                                                              

 

Note:   This item was referred from the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services advised the Committee that each of the proposed actions will go through a business and action plan.

 

There was brief discussion regarding the proposed future training centre and the current process.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That this report titled “Master Fire Plan - Implementation Plan (MFPIP)” be received; and,

 

2)         That Council approve the Master Fire Plan including (Appendix ‘A’) subject to annual business planning, operating and capital budget processes; and further,

 

3)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         STIMULUS & RINC INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS: PROJECT COMPLETION AND
OPERATIONAL RESULTS (5.0)

            Report     Attachment A                                                                                                        

 

Note:   This item was referred from the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

Staff summarized the details outlined in the report.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

1)         That the report entitled “Stimulus & RInC Infrastructure Projects: Project Completion and Operational Results” be approved; and,

 

2)         That Markham’s portion of the surplus funds in the amount of approximately $533,139 be allocated as follows:

a.       $80,000 for the Thornhill Community Centre & Library Project to address minor deficiencies

b.      $150,000 for the solar panels at 8100 Warden

c.       $303,139 for Civic Centre ice rink site improvements

 

3)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

5.         MARKHAM SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURAL CENTRE (5.0)

 

Note:   This item was referred from the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath advised that he is concerned that a Public Information meeting is being held on June 27, 2012 without any subcommittee meetings haven taken place.

 

 

 

6.         APPROVAL OF THE NEW CITY OF MARKHAM FLAG (12.0)

 

Note:   Please see June 26, 2012 General Committee minutes for this item

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath suggested that General Committee pass a motion to approve the new Markham Flag.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Colin Campbell

 

That Council approve a change in the current Markham flag design to reflect Markham's new City Status and to include the years 1850, 1871, 1971 and 2012.

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         IN-CAMERA MATTERS

 

Note:   This item was referred from the June 25, 2012 General Committee meeting.

 

            The following in-camera session occurred during the June 26, 2012 Development Services Committee meeting.

 

That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) (c) (d) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in- camera to discuss the following confidential matters:

 

1)                  A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board. (Ward # 3 & Ward # 7)

 

2)                  A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board. (Ward #3)

 

3)                  Labour Relations or Employee Negotiations. (Restricted Agenda)

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The General Committee meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.