THIRD MEETING OF THE
2006 BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
TOWN OF
Canada Room,
MINUTES
|
Budget
Sub-Committee Councillor D. Horchik, Chair Regional Councillor J. Heath Councillor S. Daurio Councillor K. Usman Councillor A. Chiu Others: Mayor D. Cousens Councillor J.
Webster Councillor G.
McKelvey Councillor J.
Virgilio Absent: Deputy Mayor F.
Scarpitti Reg. Councillor B.
O’Donnell Reg. Councillor J.
Jones Councillor E.
Shapero |
Staff J. Livey, Chief Administrative
Officer J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community & Fire Services A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services S. Laing, Director
of P. Loukes, Director,
Operations F. Wong, Manager, J. Kee, Committee
Clerk |
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The third 2006 Budget
Sub-Committee meeting convened at the hour of
1. APPROVAL OF
SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes of the November 15, 2005 Budget Sub-Committee meeting be adopted.
CARRIED
2. REVIEW REMAINING “PROJECTS TO BE
DISCUSSED”
Mr. Joel Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services, briefly
reviewed the remaining projects listed to be discussed, as follows:
#7044 Unionville Playground/Gardens, Fred Varley Parkette - Approved in 2006
Budget
Some concern was expressed regarding the amount
budgeted to complete the Unionville Playground and Gardens project and its
priority status. Staff advised that the
funds allocated will be sufficient to build a naturalized playground, and work
will commence in the spring of 2006.
Following some discussion regarding parks scheduling and construction, staff was requested to provide to the Building and Parks Construction Committee and all Members of Council, a regular listing of parks projects and the proposed construction schedule. In addition, staff was requested to consider the feasibility of increasing the current contract award authority by staff to expedite the construction process.
#7081 Anti Whistling – Railway Safety
Improvements - Deferred to a future year
#7195 Austin Drive Parking Lot Overlay –
Rugby Sports - Committee received correspondence dated October 1, 2003 and July 8,
2005 between the Town and the President and CEO of the Hunt Club regarding the
delay of the expansion and paving of the Austin Drive Parking Lot, and
following some discussion, staff advised that adjustments will be made to the
overall operating budget for paving in 2006 to accommodate this request.
#7136
#7219 CN
Bridge Painting (1 bridge) - Staff advised that a meeting has been arranged
with City of Vaughan regarding the CN Bridge Painting matter, and a report will
be presented to Council in the near future.
#7117 Thornhill Community Library Renovation - Deferred to a
future year
#06-0080 IT Strategic Plan (Portal) & #06-0017 Paperless Agenda - Staff advised that
reports will be presented to General Committee early in 2006 regarding the IT
Strategic Plan (Portal) and the Paperless Agenda. Also, Town Reserve funding will be required should
Council decide to proceed with these projects as neither of the projects
qualify for Gas Tax funding.
Attraction & Retention
Strategy - Ms. Sharon Laing, Director of
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That Option 2, the phase-in of $500,000 over 2 years ($250,000 in 2006 & $250,000 in 2007), be approved, which would implement adjustments to part time, contract and non-union staff grades to the market median, where applicable, over 2006 and 2007.
CARRIED
3. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS FROM THE
Committee had before it responses to questions raised at the November 15 Budget Sub-Committee. Members asked for further discussion on the matter of Project #7285 – Diversity Strategy, with respect to the hiring of a Diversity Co-ordinator. Committee discussed the merits of the strategy, both internal and external; feasibility of hiring a consultant, part-time or full-time staff; funding considerations, including start-up and additional costs; and the importance of establishing a framework in the interim.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor K. Usman
That the hiring of a of a consultant to formalize a Corporate Diversity Strategy be approved;
And that
CARRIED
Members of
Committee expressed appreciation to the Director of
4. REVIEW RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS FROM
PREVIOUS
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE MEETINGS BY
EXCEPTION:
-
-
Members had before them the responses to questions raised at the Budget Sub-Committee meetings held on October 11 and November 15.
Committee
requested clarification regarding Project #7059 – Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham,
and raised some questions regarding Projects # 7267, 7269 & 7270 with
respect to the mid block crossings at Highway 404, and the funding commitments
of other municipalities. Staff was
requested to provide a status update including funding and timing of the
projects to the
5. STATUS OF 2006 OPERATING BUDGET
SHORTFALL
The Director of Financial and Client Services reviewed the status of the
Operating Budget shortfall, and Committee discussed the options available to
reduce the current tax rate increase in the areas of:
·
2006 staffing requests;
·
planning, design fee and other revenue increases;
·
changes in policy/practice; and
·
service/program-related reductions.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the cost of the final year of the three-year Winter Maintenance phase-in
program, in the amount of $352,000, be phased in over two additional years, as
follows: 2006 - $176,000; and 2007 - $176,000.
CARRIED
There was some discussion regarding the annual repayment of the cost of
the Fire Services aerial apparatus. It
was agreed that the matter would be discussed at a later time, and no action
was taken.
Members considered the proposal to reduce the operating shortfall by removing
the No Tag Days and Bulk Pick-up Program. After some discussion relating to the merits
of amnesty days, the need for more public education and a long term strategy,
staff advised that a report will be presented to General Committee early in
2006 with options for alternatives to this Program.
Committee discussed the proposal to remove the item regarding streetlight
hydro savings and LED traffic sign savings, however, it was agreed that this
item, in the amount of $300,000, would remain in the 2006 Budget.
6. REVIEW COUNCILLOR REQUESTS
Committee had before it for review a listing of the requests received
from the Councillors for 2006.
Staff confirmed that the Councillor request for lighting improvements in
the South Hall at Thornhill Community Centre will be carried out through the 2006
Operating Budget.
There was some discussion regarding the request to add $4,000 to the
Celebrate Markham Budget for the Celebration of the Arts event.
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That $4,000 be added to the 2006 Celebrate Markham Budget for the
Celebration of the Arts event.
CARRIED
Committee raised the matter of additional funding for
Committee queried the status of the Unionville Train Station Community
Centre Board, and staff advised that a report regarding the formation of the
Board will be presented to General Committee early in 2006.
The request relating to River Crossing Signs (Don and
The Councillor request pertaining to costs for the Golden Jubilee
Greenway Granite Bolder was discussed, and staff advised that the bolder may be
eligible for Development Charge funding.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor K. Usman
That the purchase and installation of a granite bolder be approved for
the new Golden Jubilee Greenway;
And that funding be provided from either the
Golden Jubilee Greenway surplus or from Development Charges.
CARRIED
Committee discussed the request for additional funding for Mission Green
Expansion for Events to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability
Fund. Staff advised that a public
education campaign is planned for 2006 and more information will be presented
to General Committee.
7. NEXT STEPS
The Chair requested Committee’s direction regarding the scheduling of an
additional Budget Sub-Committee meeting early in January, and to also postponing
the Budget Breakfast to a later date.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Mayor D. Cousens
That a further Budget Sub-Committee meeting be scheduled at the earliest possible date in January, 2006;
And that the date of the Budget Breakfast not be confirmed at this time;
And
further that a notice detailing this information be forwarded to all Members of
Council and Senior Staff.
CARRIED
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Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That Committee recess in-camera to discuss a
personnel matter. (
CARRIED
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That Committee rise. (
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The third Budget Sub-Committee meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.