General Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Number: 2

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

Live streamed

Roll Call

• Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
• Regional Councillor Jim Jones
• Regional Councillor Joe Li
• Regional Councillor Alan Ho
• Councillor Keith Irish
• Councillor Ritch Lau
• Councillor Reid McAlpine
• Councillor Karen Rea
• Councillor Andrew Keyes
• Councillor Juanita Nathan
• Councillor Isa Lee

Regrets

• Mayor Frank Scarpitti
• Councillor Amanda Collucci

Staff

• Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer
• Trinela Cane, Commissioner, Corporate Services
• Morgan Jones, Commissioner, Community Services
• Claudia Storto, City Solicitor and Director of Human Resources
• Chris Nearing, Fire Chief
• Joseph Silva, Treasurer
• Sumon Acharjee, Chief Information Officer
• Alex Moore, Manager of Purchasing & Accounts Payable
• Chris Bullen, Manager, By-Law Services
• Mark Visser, Senior Manager Strategy Innovation & Investments
• Eddy Wu, Director, Environmental Services
• Jay Pak, Senior Manager, Financial Planning & Reporting
• John Wong, Technology Support Coordinator
• Emil Bautista, Technology Support Specialist II
• Anushrut Bharadwaj, Assistant to Council/Committee
• Iyana Mundo, Assistant to Council/Committee
• Rajeeth Arulanantham, Election & Committee Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We acknowledge the communities in circle. The North, West, South and Eastern directions, and Haudenosaunee, Huron- Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples. We share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to ensure the dish is never empty and to restore relationships that are based on peace, friendship, and trust. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

General Committee convened at 9:32 AM with Councillor Keith Irish presiding as Chair.

2.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

3.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

3.1

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 21, 2025 GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Karen Rea
  Seconded by Councillor Ritch Lau
  1. That the minutes of the January 21, 2025 General Committee meeting be confirmed.
  Carried

4.

PRESENTATIONS

There were no presentations.

5.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

7.

PETITIONS

There were no petitions.

8.

CONSENT REPORTS - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

8.1

2024 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the report dated February 4, 2025 entitled “2024 Investment Performance Review” be received; and further,
  2. That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

8.2

NEW USER FEES (7.4)

The Committee made comments on the Permitting of Noise By-Law Exemption fee for business owners and restaurants.

The Committee also asked questions on the Investigation Of an Open-Air Burning Complaint from Public/Fire Crews fee.

Chris Nearing, Fire Chief, responded to questions from Committee on this new fee for attending an open-air burning complaint investigation. Chief Nearing clarified that this is a new fee and is in addition to the fine for an open-air burning without a permit.

• Moved by Deputy Mayor Michael Chan
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Alan Ho
  1. That the report titled “New User Fees” be received; and,
  2. That the new user fee, permit and fines as outlined in Appendix A be approved; and,
  3. That By-Law 2012-137, Licensing, Permit and Service Fees be amended to reflect the proposed fee changes as outlined in Appendix B (Table 1.1); and,
  4. That By-Law 2002-276, To Impose Fees and Charges for Services or Activities provided or done by the City of Markham, be amended to reflect the proposed fee changes as outlined in Appendix B (Table 1.2); and,
  5. That Schedule A of By-Law 2018-109, a by-law to regulate the use, alteration, and occupancy of highways within the City of Markham be amended with changes as outlined in Appendix B (Table 1.3); and further,
  6. That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
  Carried

8.3

MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the minutes and notes of the September 26, 2024, Environmental Advisory Committee be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.4

MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 16, OCTOBER 28, AND DECEMBER 16, 2024 ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the minutes and notes of the September 16, October 28, and December 16, 2024 Advisory Committee on Accessibility be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.5

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 15, 2024 BOX GROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE BOARD (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the minutes and notes of the October 15, 2024 Box Grove Community Centre Board Member Meeting be received for information purposes.
  Carried

8.6

MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 25, 2024 MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD (16.0)

• Moved by Councillor Andrew Keyes
  Seconded by Councillor Isa Lee
  1. That the minutes and notes of the November 25, 2024, Markham Public Library Board be received for information purposes.
  Carried

9.

MOTIONS

There were no motions.

10.

NOTICES OF MOTION

There were no notices of motion.

11.

NEW/OTHER BUSINESS

There were no new/other business.

12.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

13.

ADJOURNMENT

• Moved by Regional Councillor Joe Li
  Seconded by Councillor Juanita Nathan

  That General Committee adjourn at 9:41 AM.

  Carried