M I N U T E S

BUILDING & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

2004-08-20

Meeting No. 5

Attendance

Chair: J. Livey, CAO Members: Councillor A. Chiu Councillor G. McKelvey Others: Regional Councillor J. Heath

J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services A. Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate Services S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction & Utilities K. Boniface, Parks Planner L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services D. McClean, Fire Chief T. Murphy, Special Events Co-ordinator B. Roth, Director, Recreation and Culture Services W. Snowball, Deputy Fire Chief N. Unsworth, Park Development Coordinator R. Wark, Project Management Consultant A. Wolfe, Project Management Consultant C. Raynor, Committee Clerk Others: E. Brewer, Markham Library Board P. McIntosh, Thomas E. Brown Architects M. Taylor, Oleson Worland_Taylor Smyth Architects

The Building and Parks Construction Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Mr. J. Livey, CAO, in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF FOURTH BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2004 HELD ON JULY 16, 2004

It was agreed that the minutes of the Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting held on July 16, 2004, be adopted.

2. PARKS

a) Updates

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, gave a brief update on the status of Centennial Skatepark. It was noted that the park should be ready for opening in October 2004.

There was brief discussion surrounding the naming of the park. Ms. Irvine suggested that the users can offer their own suggestions. The Committee stated that “Markham” should be included in the name as part of the Town-wide branding.

It was stated that staff will report to the next meeting with options to tackle graffiti in the park. Also, staff will report to the next meeting on the issue of supervision at the park.

b) Lighting in Parks

Mr. J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services briefly outlined a potential solution to the problem of lighting in Aldergrove Park. Three (3) lights can be provided within the park between Aldergrove Drive and Digby Crescent. The approximate cost is $21,000, which is available within the 2004 budget.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That staff proceed with the installation of three (3) lights within Aldergrove Park on the path between Aldergrove Drive and Digby Crescent, at a cost not to exceed $21,000, the funds for which are available in the 2004 budget.

CARRIED

c) Topsoil berms at Milne Park

Ms. K. Boniface, Parks Planner, outlined plans by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to install topsoil berms on land they own at the northwest corner of Highway 48 and 407 ETR. It was stated that a public meeting was held in July with residents of Princess Street to discuss the operation, and that a further meeting will take place soon.

The Committee agreed that if there is still disagreement with the way the operation will proceed following that meeting, the matter should be brought before the Community Services and Environment, or Development Services, Committees for further discussion.

3. EVENTS UPDATE

Ms. T. Murphy, Special Events Coordinator, gave a brief update on scheduled openings. The Committee agreed that the sod-turning for the Museum Reception Centre should take place on September 25, 2004 in order to tie in with Applefest. The Committee also agreed that a grand opening of the Thornhill Community Centre should be planned for Spring 2005 following completion of Phase 2 of the project.

There was brief discussion surrounding the parkettes in Wismer. The Committee suggested an opening event on October 16, 2004.

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning, advised that the German Mills Ratepayers Association wishes to be involved in the development of the survey to residents on the naming of McLaren Park. Ms. Irvine noted that a schedule will be developed following a meeting with ratepayers in September.

4. FIRE:

a) Bur Oak Fire Station

Mr. S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction and Utilities, provided a cost comparison between the Bur Oak and Riviera Fire Stations. He noted that there will be savings of $137,930 in the Bur Oak project as compared to Riviera. Staff noted that the project will be going to tender shortly.

There was some discussion surrounding the possibility of distinguishing the Bur Oak Fire Station from Riviera by using different coloured bricks. Councillor G. McKelvey advised that he will obtain feedback and report back to a future meeting of the Committee.

b) Cornell Fire Station

Mr. D. McClean, Fire Chief, advised that a number of possible sites for the Cornell Fire Station have been identified. IT is analyzing response times at each site and a report will be forthcoming to the next Committee meeting on September 17, 2004.

5. RECREATION AND CULTURE

a) Angus Glen Community Centre and Library

Mr. A. Wolfe, Project Consultant, advised that the Angus Glen Community Centre and Library will be ready for occupancy in the first half of September 2004. He noted that the project should be completed within the allocated budget.

The Committee was advised that the Advisory Committee on Accessibility has suggested that the Town install, for the benefit of the visually-impaired, the most advanced signage possible in the Angus Glen facility. Staff noted that this will require two (2) separate sets of signs at considerable expense, and that such funding is not available within the current budget. It was noted that staff are examining the issue of improved signage across the Town as part of the 2005 budget.

b) Pingle House

Mr. Wolfe advised that a contract for tender for the Pingle House is being developed.

c) Museum Reception Centre

Mr. Wolfe advised that site servicing will begin on August 23, 2004, with construction planned to begin in October 2004.

Staff noted that they had worked to secure $250,000 from Ballantrae Homes towards the construction cost. Further, $80,000 has been saved on the servicing costs.

d) Centennial Community Centre Expansion

Mr. Wolfe advised that the Advisory Committee on Accessibility has reviewed the plans for the Centennial Community Centre Expansion project.

Mr. M. Taylor, Olesand Worland_Taylor Smyth Architects, advised that energy modelling analysis has been completed for the project. He noted that the current plans will result in an annual 9% saving in energy costs, based on standard Building Code requirements. Additional expenditure of $131,500 might result in savings of 35%, and additional expenditure of $190,000 might result in savings of 50%.

Staff will present a report to the next meeting of the Committee on September 17, 2004 containing details of the potential energy savings and the work necessary to increase cost savings from 35% to 50% annually.

There was brief discussion of incorporating a green roof into the design. The architect agreed to add the option as an alternative price within the tender.

The Committee was advised that the Advisory Committee on Accessibility has noted that certain areas of the existing facility are not accessible. Staff advised that a cost-benefit analysis of improving those areas will be brought to the Committee at its meeting on October 15, 2004.

The Committee was advised that the financing of the bocce courts is still not resolved, and that the bocce clubs are to present a business plan in September. The Committee suggested that staff issue a letter to the clubs advising them of the deadline for resolving this matter in order not to delay the project.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That staff review the energy modelling analysis of the Centennial Community Centre Expansion project for accuracy, and to ensure it includes all anticipated costs;

And that, if staff are satisfied with the findings of the energy modelling analysis, they proceed with the design development process.

CARRIED

e) Thornhill Phase 2

Mr. R. Wark, Project Consultant, provided a brief update on the status of Thornhill Phase 2.

6. LIBRARY

i) Markham Village Library Expansion

There was no update on the matter of the Markham Village Library Expansion.

7. NEW BUSINESS

a) Co-location of Cornell Community Centre with Markham Stouffville Hospital

Mr. J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services, advised that the Board of Markham Stouffville Hospital has agreed to enter into discussions with the Town to discuss the possibility of co-locating the proposed Cornell Community Centre with Markham Stouffville Hospital. Staff will report on the matter at a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee noted that there are a number of other issues for which the Hospital could provide assistance. It was requested that Hospital representatives be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee on September 17, 2004 to discuss these matters.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the letter from the Board of Markham Stouffville Hospital, dated August 16, 2004, inviting the Town to enter formal discussions regarding the possibility of co-locating the Cornell Community Centre with Markham Stouffville Hospital, be received and referred to staff;

And that the Committee Clerk distribute copies of the letter to the Mayor and Members of Council for information.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 10:30 a.m.