GENERAL
COMMITTEE
2006-05 -01
Meeting No. 9
Finance
& Administrative Issues Community
Services & Environment Issues
Chair: Councillor
S. Daurio Chair:
Councillor A. Chiu
Vice Chair,
Budget: Councillor D. Horchik Vice Chair, Fire & Emergency Services:
Vice Chair,
IT: Regional Councillor B.
O’Donnell
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Vice
Chair, Recreation & Culture:
Councillor J. Webster
Vice
Chair, Character Community:
Councillor J. Webster
Vice
Chair, Environment Issues:
Councillor E. Shapero
Attendance
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J. Livey,
Chief Administrative Officer
C. Conrad,
Town Solicitor
J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community &
Fire Services
A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell,
Town Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
D. McClean,
Fire Chief
B. Roth,
Director, Recreation and Culture
Services
A. Brown,
Director, Engineering
P.
Wealleans, Director, Taxation
J. Ryerson,
Director, Varley
Art Gallery
W. Snowball,
Deputy Fire Chief
A. Arbuckle,
Manager. Infrastructure and Capital
Works
L. Irvine,
Manager, Parks and Open Space
Development
F. Wong,
Manager, Financial Planning
B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor
and Council
J. Kee, Committee
Clerk
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The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:30 a.m. with Councillor S. Daurio in the
Chair.
The General Committee recessed at the hour of
9:45 a.m. and reconvened at
the hour of
10:00 a.m. with Councillor S. Daurio in the Chair.
At 11:30
a.m. Councillor S. Daurio remained as the Chair for the Community
Services and Environment portion of the General Committee in the absence of
Councillor A. Chiu.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None
declared.
1. MARKHAM ENGINEERING -
CAPITAL
PROJECTS UPDATE (5.0)
Presentation
Mr. Alan Brown, Director, Engineering, provided an update on the Town’s
major capital projects, which were divided into the following categories:
road/structures; servicing; transportation; and environmental. Committee commended staff on an excellent
format.
Members raised questions
regarding the Birchmount Road Extension and the likelihood of delays. The status of the Clegg Road project was queried with
respect to possible delays, and easement and zoning issues. Staff will provide a further update
Councillors later in the week.
Committee queried the status of
the Enterprise Drive/Main Street Unionville project, and as property matters
were to be discussed, Committee moved to In-Camera session at this time.
-------------------------------------------
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the Committee resolve In Camera to discuss a confidential property
matter. (9:45 a.m.)
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the Committee rise. (10:00
a.m.)
CARRIED
-------------------------------------------
Moved by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the
verbal update from Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering, regarding the major
Engineering Capital Projects, be received.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES
– GENERAL COMMITTEE
APRIL 24, 2006 (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That
the minutes of the General Committee meeting held on April 24, 2006 be confirmed.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES
– INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE
APRIL 18, 2006 (7.13 &
16.34)
Minutes
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That
the minutes of the Information Technology Sub-Committee meeting held on April 18, 2006 be received.
CARRIED
4. TAX
WRITE-OFFS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 354 OF THE MUNICIPAL
ACT, 2001 (7.3)
Report
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That
taxes totalling $99,862.50 (includes penalty and interest estimated in the
amount of $8,885.25) as set out in this report be written off pursuant to the
provisions of Section 354 of the Municipal Act, 2001;
And
that the applicable penalty and/or interest charges be adjusted accordingly;
And
that the Treasurer be directed to remove the taxes from the Collector’s Roll.
CARRIED
5. 2006
CELEBRATE MARKHAM
GRANTS (7.6)
Report Att
Committee expressed concern regarding the inequitable funding
allocation for the Taste of Asia Festival for 2006, compared to other Town
festivals, and directed that this grant request be deferred until further
information is provided by the organizers of the event.
The Commissioner of Community and Fire Services reported that various
in-kind services/support are provided by Town staff depending on the type of
event. Details of the support provided
by the Town both to this event and in general will be presented to General
Committee.
Members requested clarification regarding the item relating to”
Allocation for Signage”, and queried future requirements for funding of the
Milliken Mills Children’s Festival. It
was noted
that the Thornhill Village Festival’s website incorrectly states that
the Festival is “self-funding”, and it was suggested that it should be amended
to include the financial support from the Town and in-kind services.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That approval of the Celebrate Markham
allocation for 2006 for the Taste of Asia
Festival be deferred;
And that Dr. Ken Ng be invited to attend General Committee to provide
additional information regarding the 2006 Taste of Asia
Festival funding request.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the report dated May 1, 2006
entitled “2006 Celebrate Markham Grants” be received;
And
that the Grants Sub-Committee’s proposed allocation of Celebrate Markham grants
as shown on Appendix A, with the exception of the
Taste of Asia Festival, be
approved.
CARRIED
6. ONTARIO OMBUDSMAN’S REPORT
ON
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT (7.1)
Report
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That
the report “Ontario Ombudsman’s Report on Property Assessment” be received for
information.
7. MARKHAM
BY-PASS/MORNINGSIDE AVENUE
EXTENSION (5.10)
Report
Mr. Alan Brown, Director, Engineering, provided a verbal update
regarding correspondence received from the City of Toronto
concerning the preferred alignment for the Markham By-Pass/Morningside Avenue Extension.
Committee discussed environmental assessment implications; corridor
protection, the need to obtain Provincial support and assistance, and that the
issue is linked to the development of Steeles
Avenue. Members were reminded that a meeting has been
scheduled between the City of Toronto and Markham representatives
for May 16 to discuss this and other issues.
It was suggested that the installation of a stoplight at the
intersection of 9th Line and Steeles would assist in traffic control
and safety concerns, and this could be raised at the meeting on the 16th.
Moved by Deputy
Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
update from Mr. A. Brown, Director, Engineering, regarding the Markham By-Pass/Morningside Avenue Extension,
be received;
And
that the Ministry of Transportation be requested to intervene in this issue.
CARRIED
8. TIMES
INVESTMENTS LIMITED – APPLICATION FOR
PHASE 1 SITE PLAN APPROVAL –
SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF HIGHWAY 7 AND SOUTH
TOWN CENTRE
BOULEVARD, PART OF LOT 10,
CONCESSION 4, MARKHKAM
CENTRE (HASHEM GHADAKI
PROPERTY) (10.5 & 10.6)
In response to a suggestion to post a sign advising of a lack of
servicing allocation for the subject Times development application, the Town
Solicitor advised that it would be legal for the Town to place a sign on
municipal property only, but that it would have to be extremely factual, and
include a date, and clearly indicate the deficiencies regarding sewage and
water capacity, and lack of site plan approval.
Members expressed concern regarding the Town becoming involved in this
matter. There was some discussion
regarding developer’s group agreement, and the allocation of units. Staff advised that an update on the matter
of unit allocation will be presented to the Development Services Committee
meeting on May 16th .
A motion to post a sign on municipal property was lost for want of a
seconder.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That the
verbal update from the Town Solicitor on the legality of posting a sign on municipal
property advising of a lack of servicing allocation for the Times Investments
Limited development at the southeast corner of highway 7 and South Town Centre
Boulevard, be received.
CARRIED
(Regional Councillor J. Heath was opposed)
9. ECKARDT
MCKAY LANDSCAPE DESIGN
AND GARDEN CAMPAIGN (6.12
& 6.0)
Report Att
Mr. John Ryerson, Director, Varley Art Gallery, gave a brief statement
regarding the staff report relating to the landscape project for the McKay
House on Main Street Unionville.
Some concern was expressed regarding the poor
state of some of the other back-yard properties on Main Street Unionville, and
it was requested that staff inspect these properties, with a view to issuing
Property Standards Orders.
Moved by Councillor
J. Virgilio
Seconded by
Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
That the
report titled “Eckardt-McKay
Landscape Design & Garden Campaign” be received;
And that the
Landscape Plan for the Eckardt-McKay House, attached as Appendix A, be
approved;
And that the
Fundraising Campaign and Targets, as outlined in the report be approved;
And that the
Donor Recognition Program, as outlined in the report be approved;
And that
funding in the amount of $127,000 be committed from the 2007 Capital budget;
$86,400 from Development Charges and $40,600 from the Lifecycle Replacement and
Capital Reserve;
And further
that the additional operation costs in the amount of $6,400 will be brought
forward for consideration in the 2007 Parks Maintenance budgets.
CARRIED
10. PURCHASE
OF FIRE PUMPERS AND APPARATUS
PREFERRED SUPPLIER (7.15)
Report
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That
Council authorize the Fire Chief and
the Manager of Purchasing to enter
into a sales agreement with Safetek Emergency Vehicles, as the Canadian sales
distributor for Smeal Fire Apparatus
Co. (Inc.), Nebraska U.S.A., for the purchase of two (2) - Pumper Fire Apparatus for an amount not to exceed
$1,300,000 inclusive of import fees;
And
that $750,000 of the funding for the pumper replacements be funded from the
2006 Fleet capital account 57-6150-7112-005;
And
that the 2006 Fleet capital account 57-6150-7112-005 be amended to include one
additional pumper replacement;
And
that the shortfall in funding in the amount of $550,000 be provided for from
the Life Cycle Replacement and Capital Reserve;
And
that pumper 921 and pumper 941 be disposed of in accordance with the Purchasing by-law 2004-341 upon receipt of the two
new pumpers.
CARRIED
11. MARKHAM SPORT COUNCIL
UPDATE (6.4, 6.10)
Report Appendix
Moved
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
the report tilted Markham Sport Council Update
dated May 1, 2006
be received as information.
CARRIED
12. PROCLAIM
JUNE AS RECREATION AND PARKS
MONTH (6.3, 6.4)
Report
Moved
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the staff report titled Proclaim June as Recreation and Parks Month, dated May 1, 2006 be received;
And that June be proclaimed as Recreation and Parks Month.
CARRIED
13. MINUTES
- MARKHAM THEATRE ADVISORY BOARD:
FEBRUARY 27, 2006 AND MARCH
27, 2006 (6.2, 16.34)
Feb
27 Mar
27
Moved
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
the minutes of the Markham Theatre Advisory Board meetings held on February 27, 2006 and March 27, 2006 be received.
CARRIED
14. MINUTES
- MARKHAM
CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE: MARCH 30, 2006
(3.0)
Mar
30
Moved
by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes of the Markham Conservation
Committee meeting held on March
30, 2006, be received.
CARRIED
15. ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES COMMITTEE: MINUTES OF
MARCH 30, 2006 AND MARCH 31,
2006 (3.0)
March
30 March
31
Committee expressed concern regarding the
recommendation of the Environmental Issues Committee meting held on March 31, 2006 relating to
a pesticide by-law and directed that it be deferred.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the following recommendation of the Environmental Issues Committee,
passed at their meeting held on March
31, 2006, be deferred:
“That Town of Markham staff proceed with the established
process leading to a pesticide By-law being brought forward to General
Committee on June 12, 2006.”
CARRIED
(See following recorded vote) (7:3)
YEAS: Mayor D. Cousens, Regional Councillor B.
O’Donnell, Councillor S. Daurio, Councillor J. Virgilio, Councillor G.
McKelvey, Councillor J. Webster, Councillor D. Horchik. (7)
NAYS: Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti, Regional Councillor
J. Heath, Regional Councillor J. Jones. (3)
ABSENT: Councillor E. Shapero, Councillor K. Usman,
Councillor A. Chiu. (3)
Moved by
Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Seconded by
Councillor G. McKelvey
That the minutes of the Environmental Issues
Committee meeting held on March 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, be received;
And that the following recommendations of the
Environmental Issues Committee at its March 30, 2006 meeting, be approved:
“That the application by the Milliken Mills High School TEAM Program requesting funds in the amount of $4,000 to
complete a Bruce Creek Redside Dace Habitat Improvement and
Naturalization Program be approved.”
“That
the application by the Unionville
Meadows Public School requesting funds
in the amount of $4,966 to develop an Outdoor Classroom / Peace Garden, be approved.”
“That the application by the Friends of Thornhill Heritage Garden requesting funds in the amount of $6,589.28
to do restoration work and install educational signage at the Thornhill
Heritage Garden site,
be approved.”
“That the application by the South Unionville Community Association requesting funds in the amount of $6,072
to build a naturalized garden on Piera
Gardens between Castan Avenue and South Unionville Avenue, be approved.”
“That the application by the Pomona Mills Park Conservationists requesting funds in the amount of $4308.32
to fund their spring planting initiative which will take place in the west
section of Pomona Mills Park, be
approved.”
CARRIED
16. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
FUND SPRING 2006 FUNDING (3.0)
Staff
distributed copies of the report entitled: “Markham Environmental
Sustainability Fund – Spring 2006 Funding”, recommending funding for five
projects, previously approved in Item #15 this date, and one additional one
from the Hunt Club. Also, staff was recommending
revisions to the MESF application form and guide to preclude private benefits.
A
letter dated April 28, 2006
from Mr. Frank Vetere, President and CEO of York Region Condominium Corporation
#792 was also distributed with respect to the application for funding for an
energy retrofit at The Hunt Club, 610
Bullock Drive in Markham.
Some
concern was expressed with respect to the allocation of funding to private
corporations, and it was agreed that the terms “public and private interests”
need more definition.
Moved
by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded
by Councillor D. Horchik
That the staff report titled “Markham
Environmental Sustainability Fund – Spring 2006 Funding”, dated May 1, 2006, be received;
And that approval of the project application for MESF funding made by
the Hunt Club in the amount of $10,000, be deferred for one month;
And that staff be requested:
·
to
provide more criteria and definition of the terms “public” and “private”
interests;
·
to
further investigate other funding sources, such as the Markham Energy Conservation Office (MECO);
and
·
to
provide implications relating to condominium corporations; commercial and
industrial organizations;
And that such report be presented for consideration by June 12, 2006.
CARRIED
17. PROCTOR AVENUE CULVERT REPLACEMENT
– EXEMPTION TO THE TOWN OF MARKHAM NOISE
CONTROL BY-LAW 2003-137 (2.10)
Report Attachment
Moved
by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded
by Councillor D. Horchik
That
the report entitled Proctor Avenue Culvert
Replacement – Exemption To The Town Of Markham Noise Control By-Law 2003-137
be received;
And
that an exemption to the Town of Markham’s Noise Control By-law 2003-137 be
approved to permit water pumping operation for the Proctor Avenue Culvert
Replacement project to proceed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the duration
of 2-3 weeks between May 15 to June 30;
And
that the above exemption be subject to staff from the Asset Management
Department and its consultant advising abutting residents on Proctor Avenue.
CARRIED
18. YORK REGION RESIDUAL
WASTE STUDY – DRAFT
EXECUTIVE STUDY (13.4)
Study
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That
a draft executive summary dated April
18, 2006 entitled Evaluation of
“alternatives to” and Identification of the Preferred Residuals Processing
System, be received.
CARRIED
19. INTRODUCTION
OF DEPUTY CLERK,
CLERK’S DEPARTMENT (12.2.6 & 11.3)
The Town Clerk introduced Ms. Kim
Kitteringham, recently appointed as Deputy Clerk in the Clerk’s
Department. Mayor Don Cousens welcomed
her on behalf of Council and staff and wished her great success in the
position.
20. FRONT
AND EXTERIOR YARD PARKING/DRIVEWAY ISSUE (10.5)
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the Town Clerk be requested to contact Members of Council to
request that they submit names of persons to serve on the Working Group that is
being established to review proposed amendments to the Town’s Zoning By-laws
relating to front and exterior yard parking regulations;
And that the names be presented to the meeting of Committee of the
Whole on May 9, 2006.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee adjourned at the hour
of 12:30 p.m.