M I N U T E S

BUILDING & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

2004-09-17

Meeting No. 6

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 E. Adams, Project Manager S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction & Utilities D. Clark, Town Architect L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning P. Loukes, Director, Operations and Asset Management 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: 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 FIFTH BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2004 HELD ON AUGUST 20, 2004

It was agreed that the minutes of the Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting held on August 20, 2004, be adopted.

2. DISCUSSION WITH MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL –

CHRISTINE JOE, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIP

Ms. C. Joe, Director of Planning and Partnership, Markham Stouffville Hospital provided an overview of the operations of the Hospital. She noted that a general wellness centre, combined with the proposed community centre in Cornell, would create a valuable resource and destination point.

Staff advised that a report containing a proposed Memorandum of Understanding for further discussion with the Hospital will be presented to the next Finance and Administrative Committee meeting.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the presentation by Ms. C. Joe, Director of Planning and Partnership, Markham Stouffville Hospital, providing an overview of the Hospital’s operations, be received.

CARRIED

3. PARKS

a) Updates

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, providing information relating to graffiti at the skatepark. She advised that most municipalities adopt a zero-tolerance approach whereby all graffiti is removed as soon as possible. Ms. Irvine advised that such a program will cost in excess of $15,000.

Ms. Irvine provided brief information on the status of other parks under construction.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the presentation from Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning, be received;

And that Ms. Irvine work with Mr. J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services, Mr. A. Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate Services, and Ms. L. Wells, Manager, Programs in order to examine the effectiveness of, and source of funding for, a zero-tolerance graffiti removal program for the skatepark.

CARRIED

b) OPERATION OF SKATEPARK

Ms. L. Wells, Manager, Programs advised that, following discussions with the Town’s insurance company, the designer of the skatepark, and risk management advisors, there will be no supervision at the skatepark. However, regular inspections for cracks, and other deficiencies, will be carried out regularly. Staff were requested to consult further with the Town Solicitor.

There was some discussion of when to hold an opening event for the skatepark. Currently, an event is being planned for spring 2005.

4. EVENTS UPDATE

Ms. T. Murphy, Special Events Coordinator, gave a brief update on scheduled openings. The Committee was advised that some Councillors require more flexibility in the openings budget to allow for spending on different forms of entertainment. The Committee agreed to allow more discretionary spending, although the budget caps will remain the same.

Staff agreed to examine an appropriate budget for the openings of the Parkettes in Wismer.

It was suggested that the tender process takes too long in some cases. Staff advised that the Purchasing By-law is being reviewed, and that situations with excessive delays will be examined further. Staff were requested to review recent projects in order to analyze the projected completion dates as compared with the actual completion dates.

5. FIRE:

a) Bur Oak Fire Station

Mr. R. Wark, Project Consultant, advised that the tender for Bur Oak Fire Station will close on September 22, 2004.

b) Cornell Fire Station

Mr. D. McClean, Fire Chief, provided information on five (5) alternative sites for the Cornell Fire Station. It was noted that there could be a possibility of co-locating the Station with Emergency Medical Services, but that no response has yet been received.

6. RECREATION AND CULTURE

a) Cornell Community Centre

This item was discussed in connection with Item #2.

b) Angus Glen Community Centre and Library

Mr. A. Wolfe, Project Consultant, advised that the library is expected to be ready in mid-November, and the pool in early 2005.

c) Pingle House

Mr. Wolfe advised that a report on the Pingle House will be forthcoming to a future meeting of the Finance and Administrative Committee, and that, once approved, work will take approximately eight (8) weeks to complete.

d) Museum Reception Centre

Mr. Wolfe advised that site servicing has been completed and that work is underway to restore the road to the rear. He noted that the contract for the building and parking has closed and that a report will be presented to Committee of the Whole on September 28, 2004.

e) Centennial Community Centre Expansion

The Committee was advised that the bocce club will provide its business plan at the next meeting of the Building and Parks Construction Committee.

Mr. M. Taylor, Oleson Worland_Taylor Smyth Architects presented information relating to cost savings available through increasing energy efficiency at the Centennial Community Centre. The Committee agreed that the Heat Recovery option from the pool should proceed at an estimated cost of $224,000. It is estimated that operational savings will result in payback in approximately three (3) years. The capital funds will be borrowed from reserves and paid back from the annual operating budget.

Staff were advised to ensure that the Town’s energy conservation expertise remains informed of, and consulted on, developments in this area. The Committee directed that other capital facility projects should be reviewed in order to determine ways of increasing energy efficiency. It was suggested that the energy conservation group be consulted early in a project’s development in order that potential efficiencies be quickly

identified.

f) Thornhill Phase 2

Mr. R. Wark, Project Consultant, advised that Thornhill Phase 2 is underway with no issue to report at this time.

g) McKay-Eckardt Restoration

Mr. J. Ryerson, Director, Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery, advised that three (3) public meetings regarding the McKay-Eckardt restoration have been held to date. He provided information on two (2) concepts for the surrounding landscape. It was stated that there is little cost differential between the two.

It was suggested that local volunteers could be enlisted to assist with regular maintenance of the grounds once completed.

It was noted that work on the restoration must comply with existing Town heritage planning standards.

7. LIBRARY

The Committee was advised that there will be an update on the Markham Village Library Expansion at the next meeting of the Committee.

8. NEW BUSINESS

a) Review of Capital Works and Facilities section

Mr. S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction and Utilities, advised that Mr. A. Wolfe will be leading the Capital Works – Facilities section to review processes for project delivery, and to provide general direction.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 10:45 a.m.