M I N U T E S

BUILDINGS & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

2007-05-18

Meeting No. 5

 

Attendance

 

 

Members:

Councillor C. Moretti, Chair

Councillor V. Burke, Vice-Chair

Regional Councillor J. Heath

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor A. Chiu

 

 

 

Staff:

D. McClean, Fire Chief

C. Biss, Chief Executive Officer, Markham

           Public Libraries

S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management

A. Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services

J. Ryerson, Acting Director, Culture

W. Snowball, Deputy Fire Chief

L. Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space

           Development

D. Pearce, Manager, Real Property

G. Taylor, Manager, Community Centre            Operations

T. Murphy, Special Events Coordinator

A. Moore, Senior Buyer

H. Tse, Project Consultant

A. Wolfe, Project Consultant

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Building and Parks Construction Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with

Councillor C. Moretti in the Chair.  Councillor V. Burke assumed the Chair at 10:15 a.m.

 

Councillor C. Moretti disclosed an interest with respect to Items 4(a) and 5(b), by nature of her son being employed by Fieldgate Developments, and also by being on the Board of Directors of Markham Centennial Bocce Club and President of the Markham Bocce Association respectively, and did not take part in the consideration or discussion of or vote on the question of the approval of such matters.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF FOURTH BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2007 HELD ON APRIL 20, 2007

 

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

 

That the minutes of the Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting held on April 20, 2007, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

5.         RECREATION AND CULTURE

 

d)                  WARD BUILDING RECONSTRUCTION

 

Mr. Alan Wolfe, Project Consultant, introduced Mr. Peter Berton, and Mr. David Ecclestone of The Ventin Group, Ltd., Architects, who were in attendance to make a presentation regarding the Ward Building.  He noted that the purpose of today’s presentation was to provide information relating to the retention and restoration of the Ward Building and the general location of the new building, and to obtain feedback from Committee.  Next steps would include completion of the schematic design and presentation to Council.  Committee requested staff to make a further presentation to the Building and Parks Construction Committee prior to Council’s consideration.

 

Mr. Berton gave a detailed presentation of design options for the Ward Building reconstruction, including: advantages and disadvantages of each; potential size and site locations; preliminary cost estimates; and an interim project schedule.

Members were advised that a design charette had been held in the early spring and Members of the Museum Board had been unanimous in the support of renovating the existing Ward Building and constructing a new building located at the front of the Museum property.  A one-storey building with basement had been the preferred design at that time. 

 

Due to funding limitations, Mr. Wolfe suggested that this would have to be a project with two phases.  Mr. John Ryerson, Acting Director, Culture, provided details regarding space requirements, noting that 14,000 square feet will deal with the existing materials.

 

Following some discussion with respect to the importance of the new building making a “presence” on the property, Committee requested staff to look at a two-storey design.

 

The matter of the preservation of the official archives of the history of Markham was raised, which are currently housed in the Mount Joy School House.  Mr. Ryerson noted that a separate climate zone would be required for this material, in addition to staff being available to supervise it.  It was suggested that further into the Project, some fundraising could be undertaken for archive storage and use.

 

Committee raised the matter of the Federal Cultural Spaces Grant, and staff advised that $400,000 has been approved for 2007 and $400,000 in 2008.

 

Members queried how the existing Ward Building will be used, and staff advised that it is proposed to use it not as museum space, but as good storage space, and also for educational programs.

 

 

 

In response to a query regarding the overall layout of the Museum property and the new Master Plan, Ms. Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space Development, advised that the new collections building is consistent with the long term Master Plan, and described the importance of architecture and landscape working together in the Village Green. 

 

Staff noted that they are working within the $1.7M which was approved in the 2007 Budget, and it was suggested that the additional funding required to complete the project could be requested in the 2008 Budget.

 

Committee suggested that the Project should be done in two sections: a) proceed immediately on the reconstruction and repair of the Ward Building; and b) work on schematic design of new building.

 

Following some discussion, it was suggested that design options could include: the importance of the use of the Museum property for community events; availability of cooking facilities; an addition to the pavilion; the creation of a façade at the front of the property; or an edge that creates a threshold.

 

It was generally agreed that the Ward Building should be retained and renovated; the new building should be located at the front of the property (on Highway 48), rather than an addition to the existing Ward Building; and that a presentation be made to General Committee to obtain input from all Members.

 

The Chair asked staff to include the following issues in the presentation to General Committee:

·        Building location at front of property

·        The LEED designation of the building

·        Building is to be fully accessible

·        To include storage for Heritage Section materials

·        To include space for children’s’ programs

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

 

That the Building and Parks Construction Committee recommends that staff and Council examine the repair of the existing Ward Building, separately, as soon as possible;

 

And that staff examine funding options to ensure that the whole project could be done at once.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

2.         PARKS

 

            Update on Villages of Fairtree Community Park Tender – Ms. Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space Development reported that the Villages of Fairtree Community Park tender, with the cricket patch, has closed and a preferred vendor has been selected.  The tender award report will be going to General Committee on June 11th, and it is expected that construction will begin by late July.

 

 

            Update on Angus Glen Community Park Public Information Meeting – Ms. Irvine advised that the Public Information Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 20th at Angus Glen Community Centre and Library, in Activity Rooms 2 and 3, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Notices will be placed in the local newspapers twice, and notices will also be posted at the Community Centre.

 

 

            Update on Cornell Rouge Parks Public Information Meeting – Ms. Irvine reported that a Public Information Meeting was held on May 10 at Participation House to discuss options for two parks in the Cornell Rouge area, which had been very well attended.  Staff are preparing working drawings and it is expected that the project will be tendered in late summer in anticipation of a fall construction start.

 

 

            Update on Orchard View Neighbourhood Park – Greensborough – Ms. Irvine advised that the construction tender has closed and a report is being prepared for General Committee on June 11th.  It is expected that construction will begin in late July."

 

 

 

3.         EVENTS UPDATE

 

            Ms. Tina Murphy, Special Events Coordinator, provided details on eleven (11) parks

Opening Ceremonies events scheduled for September and October of 2007 in Wards 2, 3,

4 and 5.

 

In recognition of Ms. Murphy resigning from the Town this date, Members of Committee expressed their appreciation for her work with the Town over the past eight years.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor v. Burke

 

That the Opening Ceremonies, as presented this date, schedule in Wards 2, 3, 4 & 5 for September and October, 2007, be approved.

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         FIRE

 

LAND ACQUISITIONS – CATHEDRAL AND CORNELL

 

Mr. David Pearce, Manager, Real Property, advised that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has approved the flood line limits relating to the Cathedral property.  He noted that one remaining issue relates to the Major Mackenzie road widening.

 

Staff advised that work is continuing on the preliminary design of both stations, and it is expected that a report will be presented to General Committee before the end of June on the status of the two property acquisitions and which will go ahead first.  It was noted that the siting of a fire station is an emotional issue in the community, and it was requested that staff include comments in the report relating to what areas will be serviced by each of the stations.

 

 

 

5.         RECREATION AND CULTURE

 

a)         EAST MARKHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE AND LIBRARY – Mr. Alan Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services, advised that a report is being presented to General Committee next week; that a charette is planned with the architect in June; and a follow-up report of the charette will be presented before the summer break.  He noted that work will continue during the summer on potential options for design, and that additional public information meetings will be held in the fall.

 

Committee suggested that Shore Tilby Irwin Partners, Architects be invited to attend a meeting of the Building and Parks Construction Committee to make a presentation before the charette, if possible.

 

 

b)         CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE EXPANSION – Mr. Alan Wolfe, Project Consultant, provided an update on the progress of construction, and an update on the contingency budget (Appendix A). 

 

It was noted that some issues have arisen relating to the construction schedule.  There are critical milestones for the contractor to meet including the following:

1)         Completion of exterior work for Phase 1, including landscaping, parking lot

lights, exterior furnishings by early June;

2)         Completion of women’s change-room by mid June

 

Staff will report if these milestones are achieved at the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

The change required to lower the Bocce Courts may result in a delay to the project of up to three (3) weeks.  Every effort will be made to mitigate the effect of this change and maintain the substantial completion date of November 27, 2007.

 

 

c)         GO TRANSIT PARKING DECK – Mr. Alan Wolfe, Project Consultant, and Mr. David Pearce, Manager, Real Property, updated Committee on the status of the design issues and the Memorandum of Understanding.  It was noted that GO has received the MOU and have been requested to make comments and report back to the Town within the next week.

 

 

 

6.         LIBRARY

 

MARKHAM VILLAGE LIBRARY – Mr. Alan Wolfe, Project Consultant, provided an update on construction and also presented an update on the contingency budget (Appendix B).   He reported that some challenges were encountered that have impacted the schedule for completion of the project.  These issues include the following:

1)         The fire suppression sprinkler system in the existing building is substandard

and must be completely replaced;

2)         The permanent power for the building was delayed by two weeks as a result of

            power grid failures in the neighbouring area.  The effect of this delay was

mitigated by installing a temporary generator to provide the necessary power for

work to proceed.

 

As a result of these delays, that are not attributable to the contractor, the substantial completion of the building is now estimated to be the end of August 2007.

 

 

 

7.         NEXT MEETING

 

Friday, June 15, 2007, 9:00 a.m., Canada Room

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

SCHEDULE ‘A’

 

CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE EXPANSION

Construction Contingency Report

 

 

•         Increased contingency amount               $795,000

•         CO approved to date                             $598,500

•         Contemplated CO (Estimate)                  $102,000

•         Contingency remaining                          $  94,500

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE ‘B’

 

MARKHAM VILLAGE LIBRARY

Construction Contingency Report

 

 

•         Initial contingency amount                      $381,250

•         Contingency increase (from within the

          contract budget)                                    $  53,000

•         Contingency Available for

          Contractual Changes Orders*                $402,000

•         Approved Change Orders                                $240,500

•         Contemplated CO (Estimate)                 $134,000

•         Contingency remaining                           $  28,000

 

 

*$32,255 of the construction contingency has been identified as the funding source for the transformer upgrade.