M I N U T E S
GENERAL
COMMITTEE
2006-05 -15
Finance & Administrative Issues Transportation
Issues
Chair: Councillor
S. Daurio Chair:
Councillor K. Usman
Vice Chair,
Budget: Councillor D. Horchik
Vice Chair, IT: Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
Attendance
|
Mayor D. Cousens (d Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti (a Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones (a Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell Councillor S. Daurio Councillor E. Shapero Councillor J. Virgilio (a Councillor G. McKelvey Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik (d Councillor A. Chiu Regrets Councillor K. Usman |
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services S. Birrell, Town Clerk B. Cribbett, Treasurer P. Loukes, Director, Operations S. Chait, Director, Economic Development F. Wong, Manager, Financial Planning A. Brown, Director of Engineering A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/ Engineering L. Mele, Development Engineer B. Wiles, Manager, By-Law Enforcement & Licensing P. Loukes, Director, Operations & Asset Management J. Carnegie, Director, Corporate Communications B. Roth, Director, Recreation & Culture Services G. Taylor, Manager, Community Centre Operations P. Wealleans, Director, Taxation B. Labelle, Committee Clerk |
The General Committee convened at the hour of
The General Committee recessed at the hour of
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
Letter 1 2 Case Statement Executive Summery
Dr. Helena Jaczek was in attendance to deliver a presentation on the services provided by The York Centre, a community-based children’s mental health agency. She advised that organization provides a range of treatment and intervention services for approximately fifteen hundred (1500) children, youth and their families who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or mental health problems. Dr. Jaczek indicated that The York Centre is looking to the community in an attempt to secure two million dollars in funding in order to construct more appropriate facilities and to increase its overall service capacity.
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the request for funding from The York Centre be referred to staff
for an evaluation and assessment and that staff report back to a forthcoming
meeting of the General Committee.
CARRIED
Ms.
Toinette
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell
And that Markham staff, the community groups and the consultant
retained on behalf of the residents affected by the August 19, 2005 storm meet
with interested Councillors as quickly as possible, to review the preliminary
findings of the Town’s consultant, and to review documented questions and
concerns;
And
that
CARRIED
Ms. Emily Ng was in attendance to present
details with respect to a request for funding in the amount of $15,000 to
support the 2006 Taste of Asia Festival. She indicated that the event
celebrates diversity and has become the Town of
There was discussion regarding whether a budget and/or business plan had been submitted for the event. Staff advised that organizers of the Festival will be submitting a financial plan as soon as possible and that staff will undertake an assessment of the submission before funds are released.
Moved by Mayor D. Cousens
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the Taste of
CARRIED
Mr.
G. Robinson, York Region, was in attendance to present an update on the Ninth
Line reconstruction project. He noted
that construction on the project was targeted to begin in the fall of 2006 and
was to be completed by the fall of 2007. Mr. Robinson presented a status of the
project to date including details with respect to Streetscape opportunities,
noise policy, a community consultation program and an overview of adjoining
Regional road projects in 2006.
The
Committee posed questions regarding noise mitigation measures with respect to
Participation House. Mr. Robinson informed Members that consultations were
ongoing and that a commitment had been made by both parties to come to a
satisfactory arrangement.
Moved by
Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That
the update from Mr. G. Robinson, York Region, regarding the Ninth Line design,
be received.
CARRIED
Ms.
J. Carnegie, Director of Corporate Communications delivered a presentation on
the “Our Town” program, a WNED television series developed to highlight various
communities surrounding the cities of Toronto and Buffalo. She informed Members
that the program will focus on the Town of
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the presentation by the Director of Corporate Communications, regarding the “Our Town” program, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
That By-law 2005-254 “Animal Control By-law” be amended to include regulations and an approval process to allow for the keeping of exempted prohibited animals through an annual licence;
And that By-law 2002-276 “Fee By-law” be amended to include an annual $200.00 licencing fee for the keeping of prohibited animals to offset costs in administering the licence type
And that a request received from Ms. Christine McGeean to licence the keeping of a prohibited animal, one hawk, at 6 Erlane Avenue in Markham be approved, subject to:
And
that a request from Ms. Helen Tam to licence the keeping of prohibited animals,
two Sugar Gliders, at
CARRIED
Staff presented
a review of Council’s discretionary budget and items within the Town of
There was discussion regarding election year limitations for Ward Councillor newsletters and public notice letters. When asked, staff advised that there were no provisions within the current budget to allow for Regional Councillors to send Town wide newsletters. It was noted that About Markham is a publication Regional Councillors can utilize in order to correspond with residents prior to the deadlines established for election years.
The Committee discussed the policy for use of Town owned cell phones and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices used by Members of Council during an election year. There was also discussion regarding election content on websites in which the costs for hosting were financed as a discretionary expenditure by a Member of Council. Staff advised that all election campaigning through communication channels funded in whole, or in part, by the Town of Markham ought to be prohibited at all times. There was debate as to whether it would be reasonable to allow for a prorated arrangement whereby Councillors assume the costs for internet hosting and/or cell phone service from Nomination Day to Election Day. Staff agreed to undertake a review and report back on whether website domains funded, at one time, by the Town of Markham should be used for community information as well as election campaigning.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Mayor D. Cousens
That the presentation by the Treasurer regarding Council expenses and the use of corporate resources in election years be received;
And that
the issue of Council Newsletters and public notices be referred to staff to
review and report back with recommendations on methods for communication by
Regional Councillors, including provision of funding equal to funds afforded to
Ward Councillors.
CARRIED
Staff
delivered a presentation highlighting the Town of
Moved
by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded
by Regional Councillor Heath
That
the presentation by the Manager, Financial Planning, regarding the 2006 First
Quarter Financial Summary be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the minutes of the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting held on
And that the following recommendation of the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be approved:
That May 28 –
And that the Town of
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That Residential taxes totalling $47,491.99 be adjusted under Section 357 (in the amount of $24,897.34) and Section 358 (in the amount of $22,594.65) of the Municipal Act, 2001 of which the Town’s portion is estimated to be $11,398.08;
And that the associated interest be cancelled in proportion to the tax adjustments;
And that the Treasurer be directed to adjust the Collector’s Roll.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
a by-law to provide for the levy and collection of property taxes totalling
$425,561,433 required by the Town of
Town
of
Region
of
School Boards: $164,878,847
Old
Unionville BIA $ 159,933
Total: $425,561.433
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the report entitled “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of April 2006” be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the report entitled “Award of Tender 063-T-06 Replacement of
And
that Tender 063-T-06 Replacement of
And that the use of the $34,500 contingency, exclusive of GST, will be guided by the Expenditure Control Policy;
And that the award be funded from Asset Management Department, Capital Works, ROW’s 2006 Capital Budget Account # 058 6150 7035 005 Bridges and Culvert Improvement Program in the amount of $2,315,000.
CARRIED
The Committee
posed questions with respect to a motion passed by the Environmental Issues Committee
(EIC) on
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the minutes of the General Committee meeting of
CARRIED
Members
noted concerns with respect to the fact that representatives from the Markham
Skating Club were not in attendance. Staff advised that they have been in
consultation with the Markham Skating Club on a number of occasions and were
working with them to promote their current programming. The Committee discussed
alternative arrangements and the potential impacts if the Town were to
surrender control as the service provider for the Learn-to-Skate program.
Moved by Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report entitled “
And that representatives from the Markham Skating Club be forwarded a
copy of the this report along with an invitation to attend the June 12, 2006
meeting of the General Committee.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That
Council approve issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire an architect to
design and administer the construction of Phase 1 of the
And
that Council approve including a provision for the architect to develop a
schematic design for a possible future Phase 2 of the
And
that Council approve establishing a Technical Advisory Committee as described
in this report to oversee the design of the
CARRIED
When queried,
staff confirmed that the Jennings Gate Municipal Water System Fees By-Law will
allow for homeowners to prepay on the total owing in the amount of $17,168. It
was also confirmed that the interest rate will be calculated on the amount
outstanding, after any initial prepayments, and that the Town of
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath
That the report entitled “Jennings Gate Municipal Water System – Fees By-law” be received;
And that Council enact a Fees By-law pursuant to Section 391 of the Municipal Act 2001;
And that the Finance Department be authorized to collect the total project costs for the Jennings Gate Municipal Water System from the property owners of Jennings Gate Estates (as set out in the Fees By-law) in the amount of $17,168 per lot;
And that the costs per lot be paid as either an interest free lump sum payment or over 10 years accruing interest at the current Region of York 10 Year Debenture Rate, 4.7% calculated annually in advance;
And that any unpaid amounts be added to the tax account of each property owner.
CARRIED
The
Committee asked whether it would be feasible to remove the existing waste material
at the site. Staff confirmed that such a program would be time and labour
intensive, disrupt the community, tax the existing roadways and create
difficulties in locating a transfer site. Staff also indicated that
regeneration and naturalization of the area will occur at a much greater rate
if the proposal for an aerobic landfill is approved.
Members
requested that staff deliver a presentation on the vision for Settler’s Park at
the forthcoming public information meeting. The Committee also noted concerns
with respect to the timing of the public meeting and it was agreed that details
would be worked out between Councillor E. Shapero and staff. Councillor Shapero
also requested that, if interested, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and
the
Moved by
Seconded by J. Virgilio
That the report entitled “Implementation of Aerobic Landfill at Settler’s Park Landfill Site” be received;
And that Beatty & Associates be retained to carry out the final design, preparation of tender document, site supervision and contract administration for the Installation of Aerobic Landfill and Leachate Recirculation System at the Settler’s Park Landfill site at an upset limit of $108,000 (excluding GST);
And that the tendering process for retaining consultant services be waived in accordance with Purchasing By-Law 2004-341, Part II Section 7(h) “where it is necessary or in the best interests of the Town to acquire non-standard items or Consulting and Professional Services from a preferred supplier or from a supplier who has a proven track record with the Town in terms of pricing, quality and service”;
And that the cost for the project be funded from the 2006 Capital Budget, Account No. 058-5399-7028-005;
And further that a Public Information meeting be held in July/August 2006 to advise the local residents of the undertaking.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
That Fee By-law 2002-276 be amended to reflect an Administration Fee of 10% to be added to the Costs for Recoveries for Street Lighting Energy and Maintenance from Developers of subdivisions not yet Accepted for Maintenance by the Town;
And that the additional revenue of $30,000 be credited against the Town’s Revenue Strategy target;
And that public notice be provided in accordance with the Notice By-law 2002-275.
CARRIED
The
Committee discussed extending the time period in which election signs are to be
removed by candidates following an election. When questioned, staff confirmed
that they have, in the past, used staff outside of the By-law Department to
remove signage during the election campaign period particularly the final days
prior to Election Day. There was also discussion on the use of vehicles
as signs and whether the current By-law regulates such usage. It was noted that
a vehicle visibly marked with advertising parked stationary in one area is
currently considered a sign and subject to action taken through the current
By-law. When asked, staff also confirmed that the Town of Markham cannot
prohibit wrapped signage appearing on York Region Transit buses as such
regulation falls outside of the municipality’s jurisdictional control.
The
Committee had considerable discussion regarding the proposed prohibition of
affixing election signage to back lot fencing. Staff also noted, when asked,
that only lawn signs are permitted on the boulevards adjacent to the front and
flankage yards.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the proposed by-law be enacted to amend By-law 2002-94 “Sign By-law” to provide
appropriate revisions to effect the changes outlined in Schedule A – Identified
Issues & Amendment Solution Table be amended
as follows and as amended, it be enacted:
·
Election sign removal period
be extended to seven (7) days following Election Day;
·
Election signage be
permitted in back lots as long as they are independently attached to the ground;
·
The definition of “campaign
headquarters” specify a “building”;
And that the matter relating to the use of vehicles as signs
be referred to staff to acquire a legal opinion and report back with
recommendations;
CARRIED
The Committee
discussed the possibility of a system designed to allow for tarrif rates to
fluctuate with gas prices. Staff noted that the current process allows for
staff to review the tarrif rates every two (2) years in an attempt to remain
consistent with gas prices and to align with the City of
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That By-law 2002-308, “A by-law for licensing, regulating and governing owners and drivers of taxicabs and taxicab brokers” be amended to:
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That a by-law be enacted to stop up and close that portion of Castan Avenue legally described as Part of Lots 1, 2, 141, 144, 169 and 170, Plan 65M-3178, designated as Parts 1, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 11, Plan 65R-19804 and all of Lots 142 and 143, Plan 65M-3178;
And that the temporary diversion of Castan Avenue being lands legally described as Lots 1, 2, 141, 142, 143, 144, 169 and 170, Plan 65M-3178 be declared surplus pursuant to Town of Markham By-law 178-96 and that notice of the proposed disposition of such lands be placed on the agenda for the Council meeting of May 23, 2006;
And
that a by-law be enacted at Council on
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report entitled
“Crossing Agreement with GO Transit in the Greensborough Community” be
received;
And that the three GO Transit standard crossing agreements as modified
by the Town in consultation with GO Transit, to allow for the construction of
Castlemore Avenue across the GO Transit right-of-way in the Greensborough
Community, be executed by the Mayor and Clerk as authorized on December 10,
2002, by Council;
And that GO Transit be requested to expedite the execution of these
crossing agreements for the construction of Castlemore Avenue to be completed
by the Greensborough Developers’ Group;
And that timing of completion of construction of the extension of
CARRIED
Staff
advised that they are satisfied with the participation from Town of
Moved
by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the presentation from Mr. L. Mele, TDM Coordinator, providing an
update on the Employee Commuter Options Program, be deferred to the June 12,
2006 meeting of the General Committee.
CARRIED
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Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the Committee resolve In Camera to discuss a confidential property
matter. (
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the Committee rise and report. (
CARRIED
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Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
report entitled “Region of York 2006/2007 and 10 Year Capital Budget” be
deferred to the Development Services Committee meeting on
CARRIED
Mr. A.
Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation, will be in attendance to speak to this
issue.
Moved
by Councillor J. Webster
Moved
by Councillor A. Chiu
That
the report entitled “
And
that a by-law be passed to prohibit trucks on
And
that York Regional Police be requested to prioritize truck prohibition
enforcement on
And
that the $1,081,910 received from the
And
that the Engineering Department 2006 Capital Budget be amended to include an
allowance of $25,000 for installation of regulatory and advisory signs on
adjacent roads under the jurisdiction of the Town, MTO, Region of York and
Highway 407ETR, to be funded from the Lifecycle Replacement and Capital
Reserve;
And
that the tendering process to retain a sign installation contractor be waived
in accordance with Purchasing By-law 2004-341, Part II, Section 7(1);
And
that staff monitor the truck volumes and enforcement levels and report back to
Council on the results.
CARRIED
Moved by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
report entitled “Region of York 2006/2007 and 10 Year Capital Budget” be
deferred to the Development Services Committee meeting on
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio
That the letter dated May 6, 2006 from Miss Penny Parmenter, Richmond Hill, expressing concern regarding possible cruelty to animals involved in the Great Markham Rodeo event on May 27, 2006, be received.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee adjourned
at the hour of