GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-10-15
Meeting
No. 25
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
A. Seabrooke, Acting
Director, Library Services, Fire
Services, Recreation and Culture
P. Loukes, Acting
Director, Operations and Water Works
J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
B. Cribbett,
Treasurer
J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services
P. Loukes, Director,
Operations
B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor and
Council
B. Labelle,
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.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None.
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Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
That the
Committee resolve in-camera to discuss a confidential matter with respect to
the sale of a heritage property (9:00 a.m.).
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the Committee rise (9:20 a.m.)
CARRIED
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1. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER
18, 2007
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes
of the September 18, 2007 Special Meeting of the General Committee be received.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
GENERAL
COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the minutes
of the September 24, 2007 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
3. 2007 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/BOARD
APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Heritage
Markham Committee
That the
resignation of Mr. Nelson Torres from the Heritage Markham Committee be
received with regret;
And that the
vacant position be advertised with all other upcoming advisory committee
vacancies in the fall of 2007.
Markham Race
Relations Committee
That the
resignation of Councillor Shapero from the Markham Race Relations Committee be
accepted with regret.
Don Watershed
Council
That the
resignation of Councillor Shapero from the Don Watershed Council be accepted
with regret.
CARRIED
4. AUGUST
2007 YEAR-TO-DATE REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
AND YEAR-END PROJECTION (5.0)
Report
Moved by
Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report
dated October 15, 2007 entitled “August 2007 Year-To-Date Review of Operations
and Year-end Projection” be received.
CARRIED
5. SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURES BY-LAW
EXEMPTION (2.15)
Report
Mr. M. Montgomery was in attendance on
behalf of Mr. Gordon Stollery, 10450 Kennedy Road, to withdraw the variance
request and advise that the pool will be constructed in compliance with the
Town of Markham Swimming Pool Enclosure By-Law. It was noted that the target
date for completion was November 30, 2007.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
That the request
form the Owner of 10450 Kennedy Road for a variance to the Swimming Pool
Enclosure By-Law to permit the swimming pool currently located on the property
to remain unfenced be denied;
And that the applicant be given until November 30,
2007 to comply with the By-Law;
And that Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
5(a). INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE 2007 MARKHAM
SANTA CLAUS PARADE (7.0)
Report
The Committee posed various questions regarding the cost of the Town’s
current liability coverage for designated Town events. Members directed staff
to investigate alternative pricing options for the Town’s current liability
coverage. Staff was also directed to review the possibility of extending
coverage to events held without official designation from the Town. Staff
advised that the current provider would not opt to cover events that were not solely
run by the
Town but indicated that the
option may be available by way of a premium or through
another provider. Staff agreed to report back to a forthcoming meeting of
General Committee.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report entitled “Insurance Coverage for the 2007 Markham Santa
Claus Parade” be received;
And that the Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise obtains $2 million of
Commercial General Liability insurance coverage for the 2007 Santa Claus Parade
naming the Corporation of The Town of Markham as additional insured;
And that staff investigate
options and alternatives and report back to General Committee with respect to the
potential of extending the Town’s liability insurance to cover events held without
official designation from the Town.
CARRIED
6. COMMUNITY AND FIRE SERVICES UPDATE
(6.0, 3.0)
Presentation
Mr. A. Seabrooke, Acting
Director, Library Services, Fire Services, Recreation and Culture presented an
update on various Community and Fire Services issues. Highlights regarding the
Town’s Recreation Services, Fire and Emergency Services and Strategic Services
were presented. Mr. Seabrooke also provided details with respect to various
issues including the success of summer programming directed by the Varley Art
Gallery, Markham Museum, Markham Theatre and Markham Public Library.
The
Committee posed questions regarding the proposal to erect a new fire station in
the East end of the Town. Staff advised that details would be brought forward
to a forthcoming meeting of General Committee. There was discussion regarding
funding provided to the Varley Art Gallery Markham Museum and Markham Theatre. The Committee requested that staff
ensure that all options relating to pool construction be brought forward to
General Committee prior to their initiation.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the presentation
on Community and Fire Services be received.
CARRIED
7. MARKHAM WAXERS CORRESPONDANCE AND
DEPUTATION
FROM SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 GENERAL
COMMITTEE MEETING (6.0)
Report
The Committee expressed concerns that
representatives from the Markham Waxers were not in attendance to speak to the
matter.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
That
the matter regarding the Markham Waxers Correspondence and Deputation from the September
10, 2007 General Committee Meeting be deferred to the October 22, 2007 General
Committee;
And
that staff be directed to invite a representative of the Markham Waxers to
appear as a delegate.
CARRIED
8. MUNICIPAL DRINKING WATER LICENSING
PROGRAM (5.3)
Staff presented
information with respect to legal obligations, implications for waterworks and
financial planning and the next steps regarding the Municipal Drinking Water
Licensing Program. Details concerning the requirements imposed by the Safe
Drinking Water Act and financial plan requirements coinciding with the
impending tangible capital asset program were discussed in depth.
There was lengthy
discussion regarding the proposed organizational structure of the Quality
Management System (QMS) for the Town of Markham. The Committee discussed the
function, governance and potential liability of each group within the QMS structure
including the accredited operating authority. Members expressed concerns
regarding jurisdictional liability and how it relates to the Region of York,
the City of Toronto and other municipalities who impact on shared water
infrastructure. There was also discussion regarding the reporting mechanisms in
place for staff to disseminate information to General Committee and Council.
Members expressed
concerns regarding the current pricing structure in place for water
distribution and suggested that staff review the feasibility of converting to a
flat rate/variable system as well as the potential to initiate an educational
component to assist residents in reducing the amount of water they use. The
implications were also noted to be reviewed in the upcoming 2008 Reserve Study.
Staff noted that a report forthcoming to General Committee would address the
matter.
Moved by Councillor D.
Horchik
Seconded by Deputy
Mayor J. Jones
That the report titled “Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program” be
received;
And that staff report back to
Council with a detailed strategic plan for the creation and implementation of
the Quality Management System; preparation of the Operational Plan; and accreditation of
Town staff as the Operating Authority for the Markham drinking water system;
And that staff report on options with respect to governance
including the organization and structure of the accredited Operating Authority;
And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to
give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
And that a memorandum providing information regarding the
issue of a boiled water advisory recommended for Angus Glen over the
Thanksgiving weekend come to a forthcoming meeting of General Committee;
CARRIED
9. RECREATION
SERVICES-2007
STAFF IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (6.4)
Report
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report
titled “Recreation Services – 2007 Staff Implementation Schedule” be received;
And that the
Recreation Services Staff Implementation Schedule for 2007 be approved;
And that Staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at 11:25 a.m.