M I N U T E S

BUILDING & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

2004-06-18

Meeting No. 3

 

Attendance

 

 

Chair:                  J. Livey, CAO

Members:            Councillor A. Chiu

                           Reg. Councillor J. Jones

                           Councillor G. McKelvey

                           Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Others:                Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

 

 

A. Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate         Services

S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction         & Utilities

C. Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Library

T. Murphy, Special Events Co-ordinator

J. Ryerson, Director, Varley Art Gallery

W. Snowball, Deputy Fire Chief

G. Taylor, Manager, Community Centre         Operations

B. Varner, Real Property Manager

R. Wark, Project Management Consultant

D. Watson, Manager, Library Strategy

A. Wolfe, Project Management Consultant

C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Building and Parks Construction Committee convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. with Mr. J. Livey, CAO, in the Chair.

 

1.         MINUTES OF SECOND BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2004 HELD ON MAY 21, 2004

 

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting held on May 21, 2004, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         PARKS

 

Staff provided a listing of the construction status of various park projects. The Committee advised that there may be too few swings and play areas in Benjamin Marr Park and staff agreed to review the matter.

 

The Committee suggested that there are too few soccer fields in the Town to cope with the growing demand. It was noted that the proximity of Alma Walker Park becomes very congested during soccer events. Staff advised that they are in discussions to ensure that parks have adequate parking facilities, and Councillor J. Webster agreed to work with staff to develop a solution to the situation at Alma Walker Park. The Committee requested that staff also enforce parking restrictions in the area. Additionally, Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell agreed to discuss the matter further with the Markham Soccer Club.

 

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the report outlining the construction status of various park projects be received.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         EVENTS UPDATE

 

Ms. T. Murphy, Special Events Coordinator, advised that the opening of the Seniors’ Centre at Thornhill Community Centre was a success. Staff agreed to discuss further with Council the requirements for a sod turning in connection with the proposed fitness centre.

 

The Committee was advised that the purchase of the Deacon Woods lands on Warden Avenue has closed. The Committee suggested that a celebration barbeque be organized with local residents.

 

Staff agreed to report back to the next meeting on the naming of McLaren/Simonston Park.

 

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the presentation by Ms. T. Murphy, Special Events Coordinator, providing an update on events in the Town be received.

CARRIED

 

4.         FIRE:

 

            a)         Bur Oak Fire Station

           

The Committee viewed design documentation relating to Bur Oak Fire Station. The Committee urged that the north side of the building be finished attractively as it will face nearby residences.

 

The Committee sought clarity on the costs of the building. Staff were directed to analyze the unusual and extra costs associated with the construction of a fire station with a view to creating economies, and to report back to the next meeting on July 16 2004. Staff also agreed to report back on the issue of guaranteeing that nearby townhouses to the west of the fire station have access to Bur Oak Drive, and to provide larger scale schematics demonstrating this.

 

The Committee was advised that a boulevard on McCowan Road will need to be reconfigured to allow access to emergency vehicles. Staff agreed to present diagrams illustrating the desired reconfiguration to the next meeting on July 16, 2004.

 

The Committee was advised that a public meeting on the Bur Oak fire station is scheduled for July 13, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Canada Room, Markham Civic Centre.

 

 

b)         Cornell Fire Station

 

Mr. B. Varner, Real Property Manager, provided information on the potential sites for the Cornell Fire Station. The Committee was advised that Highway 7 and Ninth Line was the preferred location.

 

Staff agreed to report back to the next meeting on July 16, 2004 with more detailed information on the potential sites, and the possibility of integrating the fire station with the Cornell Community Centre.

 

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the staff updates on the Bur Oak and Cornell Fire Stations, be received.

CARRIED

 

5.         RECREATION AND CULTURE

 

a)         Angus Glen Community Centre and Library

 

Mr. A. Wolfe, Project Management Consultant, gave a brief update on the Angus Glen Community Centre and Library. He noted that the shelving tender has been awarded The Committee was advised that the tender for the library furniture was split because no single vendor was able to supply all the required items. A report will be forthcoming to Finance and Administrative Committee on June 28, 2004. 

 

b)         Pingle House

 

Mr. A. Wolfe advised that staff is reviewing contractors within the budget range for the Pingle House project and that site servicing is underway.

 

c)         Museum Reception Centre

 

The Committee was advised that staff is awaiting a permit from the Ministry of Transportation Ontario before servicing by ConDrain can commence. Enbridge Gas Corporation is providing gas servicing at no cost, an estimated saving of $10,000.

 

d)         Centennial Community Centre Expansion

 

Mr. A. Wolfe advised that Finance and Administrative Committee approved the schematics for the Centennial Community Centre expansion on June 14, 2004, but the funding of the bocce courts has still to be resolved.

 

Staff will proceed with the detailed design of the expansion and it will be presented at a public meeting scheduled for July 8, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Centennial Community Centre.

 

e)         Thornhill Phase 2

 

The Committee was advised that Finance and Administrative Committee has approved the tender for Thornhill Phase 2 and that a purchase order has been issued to the contractor. Work is expected to begin in late June/early July 2004, with an estimated completion date of July 2005

 

f)          McKay House Project Schedule

 

Mr. J. Ryerson, Director, Varley Art Gallery, advised that the architectural request for proposal for the McKay House project will close on June 25, 2004. A stakeholder meeting involving the architect is scheduled for July 14, 2004. He advised that the designs will be brought to the September 2004 meeting of the Building and Parks Construction Committee for review.

 

Staff agreed to examine the issue of paid parking in the area.

 

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the staff updates on the Angus Glen Community Centre and Library, Pingle House, Museum Reception Centre, Centennial Community Centre expansion, Thornhill Community Centre Phase 2, and the McKay House project schedule, be received.

CARRIED

 

6.         LIBRARY

 

                        i)          Markham Village Library Expansion

 

Mr. R. Wark, Project Management Consultant, advised that “Option 4” – expansion to the north of the existing Markham Village Library with a shade garden between the expanded building and the existing arena – will be presented to Council on June 22, 2004.

 

Staff agreed to examine the feasibility of including an elevator in order to improve accessibility to the second floor.

 

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the staff update on the Markham Village Library expansion, be received.

CARRIED

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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