M I
N U T E S
GENERAL COMMITTEE
2007-03-05
Meeting
No.8
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: Councillor
J. Virgilio Chair:
Councillor
A. Chiu
Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Transportation
Issues
Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Reg. Councillor G.
Landon
Chair:
Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke Environment
& Sustainability Issues
Chair:
Councillor E.
Shapero
Attendance
Mayor F. Scarpitti Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor G. Landon Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services J. Sales,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services S. Birrell, Town
Clerk B. Cribbett,
Treasurer C. Biss, Chief
Executive Officer, J. Ryerson,
Director, A. Seabrooke,
Director, Strategic Services J. Bosomworth,
Manager, Strategy and Innovation J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management D. Taylor, Manager,
Executive Operations B. Nanninga,
Executive Assistant to Mayor and Council B. Labelle,
Committee Clerk |
The General Committee convened at
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Mr. J.
Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, was in attendance to present
information regarding the proposed transfer of the Nanticoke Power Plant from a
coal burning plant to a natural gas facility. He advised that Nanticoke was the
largest producer of air pollution in Canada and that by phasing out coal-fire
operation at the plant, Canada would be in compliance with one third (1/3) of
its Kyoto Protocol requirement. Mr. Gibbons indicated the gradual process of
transferring to natural gas would not put excess strain on the electricity
supply. He also advised that the Ontario Power Authority had indicated that by
2010
The Committee
questioned the delegate about the potential for an interim interruption of the
electricity supply. Mr. Gibbons cited reports produced by the Ontario Clean Air
Alliance which indicated this would not be the case. The Committee suggested
that the supposed reluctance on the part of the Province to issue a request to
phase out coal was due to approaching technologies that may supplant natural
gas and/or be a more suitable phase out model.
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the
presentation by Mr. J. Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, regarding
the Nanticoke Coal-Fired Power Plant be received and the issue be deferred for
one month to allow an opportunity for additional information to be made
available.
CARRIED
Mr. P.
Dawson and Mr. G. Gervais, Co-Chairs of the 2007 Markham Stouffville Hospital
Legacy 5KM Event, were in attendance to update Council and staff on the
There was
a brief discussion regarding the Town of
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster,
Seconded
by Councillor A. Chiu
That the
verbal update from Mr.
P. Dawson and Mr. G. Gervais, Co-Chairs of the 2007 Markham Stouffville
Hospital Legacy 5KM Event, be received with enthusiastic support;
And that a
written request for the $1500 donation to the 2007 Legacy Run be approved
contingent upon a positive report from the Mayor’s Executive Assistant.
CARRIED
J. Bosomworth, Manager,
Strategy and Innovation, Ms. V. Siu, Sr. Analyst and
Town Staff were in attendance to deliver a presentation on the Town’s
Development Fee Model. Mr. Bosomworth presented background information which
included a synopsis of Bill 124 implementation requirements. He indicated the
overall revenue for the planning package was not really affected, but the model
was altered to reflect the actual costs relating to Planning/Design,
Engineering and Building. Mr. Bosomworth advised the Planning/Design and
Engineering fees were increased while Building fees were decreased. He noted
that the Town of
The Committee posed various questions relating to the decrease in building application fees and expressed concerns that other municipalities did not follow suit. Staff advised that the new fee model restructured the manner in which revenue was collected in that the decrease to building application fees was complimented by an increase to service fees which provided for a more detailed account of the actual costs involved for each application.
The Committee discussed the use of the reserve account in 2006 to cover a loss in revenue due to a reduction in the volume of building applications received. Staff advised that they would be bringing forward the annual report outlining the financial results from 2006. The Committee requested a report detailing the decreased volume of building applications and the resulting financial impacts. The Committee also expressed concerns that certain applications draw more of the Town’s resources than others and that the associated costs would not be recoverable.
Due to the difficulties in forecasting the specific
volume of development within
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the presentation by Mr. J. Bosomworth, Manager, Strategy and Innovation, Ms. V. Su, Sr. Analyst and Town Staff regarding the Development Fee Model be received;
And that staff bring forward a report on the decreased building revenues, comparing the number of building permits received in 2004, 2005 and 2006, more detailed information on the predictions of interest rates and sewer allocations, and on the respective reserve operations;
And that all future financial updates with respect to development fees be reported to General Committee on a quarterly basis.
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the February 26, 2007 General Committee be confirmed.
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
minutes of the second Budget Sub-Committee meeting in 2007 dated
CARRIED
Ms. S.
Birrell, Town Clerk, presented an overview of a proposed By-law that would permit
the use of public property for wedding photography. Ms Birrell advised the need
for the program was a result of problems in the
The
Committee expressed some concerns with respect to some of the parking
provisions for limousines in designated areas. Ms. Birrell advised that there
will be a number of signs placed on designated parks notifying of the
requirements for a permit and the penalties for proceeding without one. She
indicated that draft signage would go forward to General Committee for approval
of content and placement prior to installation. Staff presented the Committee
with the fees charged by
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by
Councillor J. Webster
That a
By-law be enacted to permit use of public property for Wedding Photography;
And that a
By-law be enacted to amend By-law 167-92, a By-law regarding the management and
regulation of parks within the Town of
And that
Fee By-law 2002-276 be amended to provide for a fee for a permit to conduct the
activities of wedding photography on public property;
And that
Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to
this resolution.
CARRIED
The Committee reviewed
a report on the updated schedule for the Markham Village Library renovation
project. Mr. S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management, advised that
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the report entitled “Markham Village Library Schedule Update, Contract #188-T-05” be received for information.
CARRIED
Mr. A.
Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services delivered a presentation on the
Cultural Facilities portion of the Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library
Master Plan. Mr. Seabrooke advised no additional museum and theatre sites were
recommended as a part of the data collection and public consultation process.
He noted the building space for the
Ms. C. Biss, Chief
Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries, delivered a presentation on the current
selection of multilingual items available through Markham Public Libraries and
performance measures established to improve the collection. The Committee
discussed the materials requisition system used by
The
Committee suggested that staff review the possibility of engaging
Moved by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
Second by
Councillor J. Webster
That the
presentation by Mr. A. Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services, regarding the
Parks, Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan be received.
C ARRIED
The
Committee briefly discussed an email from Councillor L. Pabst,
Moved by
Regional Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That Councillor
J. Virgilio be appointed as the
CARRIED
------------------------------------------------------
Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Councillor
J. Virgilio
That the Committee
resolve in camera to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition of land for Town
purposes. (
CARRIED
Moved by Regional
Councillor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional
Councillor T. Wong
That the Committee
rise. (
CARRIED
------------------------------------------------------
The General Committee
adjourned at