M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

2007-11-19
Meeting No. 31

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 T. Wong

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor. E. Shapero

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

C. Conrad, Town Solicitor

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

S. Birrell, Town Clerk

B. Cribbett, Treasurer

A. Seabrooke, Acting Commissioner, Markham Public             Libraries, Fire and Emergency Services, Recreation             Services and Culture

P. Loukes, Acting Commissioner, Asset Management

S. Laing, Director, Human Resources

D. Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations

C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor E. Shapero assumed the Chair for discussion of Environment and Sustainability Issues Item 8.

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None disclosed

1.         DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
BY-LAWS RENEWALS (7.11)
B. Cribbett, ext. 4735

Ms. B. Cribbett, Treasurer, presented information on the Area Specific Development Charge (ASDC) By-laws. It was noted that there are currently 27 ASDCs and that it is proposed that this be reduced to 14. This can be achieved by reallocating $18m in local costs to be collected through Development Agreements and by reallocating $97m to Town Wide Hard (TWH) Development Charges.

There was discussion surrounding the impact on higher density dwellings. Staff noted that the costs associated with such dwellings were deliberately kept deflated in 2004 by a policy decision of Council.

There was discussion surrounding environmentally aware development. It was suggested that conservation measures and encouraging the use of transit may reduce development costs for the Town. Staff advised that these factors have not been considered during this review but will likely be tackled during the next one.

There was brief discussion regarding crediting developers using indexed dollars.

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the presentation from Ms. B. Cribbett, Treasurer, regarding Development Charges By-laws Renewals, be received;

And that Council endorse in principle the Development Charges Sub-Committee recommendations, save and except that consideration of the continuance of the limited exemption on non-residential developments to August 31, 2009, be deferred to General Committee on November 26, 2007, pending a report from staff on the financial implications of continuing the exemption;

And that staff be directed to meet with the development industry and present the recommendations of the DC Sub-Committee along with the financial data;

And that staff provide periodic updates of results from consultations with the development industry.

CARRIED

2.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the minutes of the November 5, 2007 General Committee be received.

CARRIED

3.         MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2007
BUILDING & PARKS COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes

There was discussion as to the wall covering for the west wall of the East Markham Community Centre and Library, including the type of material to be used and the ongoing maintenance cost implications.

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the minutes of the October 19, 2007 Building & Parks Committee be received;

And that consideration of the wall covering for the west wall of the East Markham Community Centre and Library be deferred and referred to Development Services Committee on November 20, 2007, pending further background from staff, including information on the decision-making process for determining the materials to be used.

CARRIED

4.         CANCELLATION, REDUCTION OR REFUND
OF TAXES UNDER SECTION 357 AND 358
OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001
RESIDENTIAL (7.1)
P. Wealleans ext. 4734

Report

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Jones

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That the residential taxes totalling $74,421.58 be adjusted under Sections 357 (in the amount of $31,071.67) and Section 358 (in the amount of $43,349.91) of the Municipal Act, 2001 of which the Town’s portion is estimated to be $19,469.23;

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 accordingly;

And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED

5.         AMENDMENTS TO THE PROCEDURAL BY-LAW (13.2)
K. Kitteringham, ext. 8220

Report   Attachment

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the report entitled “Bill 130 –Revisions to Procedural By-law 2001-1” be received for information purposes; and

That Reasonable Notice By-law 2002-275 be repealed and the requirements contained in this By-law be incorporated into Procedural By-law 2001-1 as a Schedule; and

That Procedural By-law 2001-1 be further amended to:

1)      update the definition of “Committee” and “Meeting” as prescribed by the Municipal Act;

2)      reflect the ability for Council to now close a meeting to the public for the purposes of educating or training, provided that the business or decision making of Council is not materially advanced during such meetings; and

3)      make two minor housekeeping amendments related to the ability to hold Council meetings in an adjacent municipality and to the inclusion of transportation items under the list of subject matters to be considered by the Development Services Committee; and

That notwithstanding the definition of Committee provided for in Procedural By-law 2001-1, all Town Committees be required to comply with the requirements of Procedural By-law 2001-1 in order to ensure consistency in meeting administration; and further,

That a copy of the report entitled “Bill 130 –Revisions to Procedural By-law 2001-1” be provided to Markham’s Local Boards and Committees for information/action.

CARRIED

6.         CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS (12.0)
R. Dominico, ext. 6920

This item was deferred to the November 26, 2007 meeting of General Committee.

7.         WINTER MAINTENANCE REVIEW (5.0)
P. Ingham, ext. 4852

Mr. P. Loukes, Acting Commissioner, Asset Management, presented an overview of the Winter Maintenance Program. Mr. Loukes outlined the service levels for the clearing of snow from arterial and other roads, and from sidewalks, walkways, Transit standing areas and facility parking lots. Committee also received information on the Town’s Salt Management Program.

Issues for discussion included local street ploughing threshold, level of service for secondary and local roads, the driveway windrow removal program and assumption by the Region for treating Transit standing areas.

Committee suggested that the cost implications of increasing the level of service on secondary and local roads be considered. It was noted that service levels may need to be adjusted as the number of seniors is increasing as are the numbers of residents working non-traditional hours.

There was also discussion about offering the windrow clearing service for a fee to the population at large, not just seniors. It was suggested that the service be contracted out but that the Town might administer it.

Further discussion of this matter was deferred to the November 26, 2007 meeting of General Committee. Councillors were invited to forward questions directly to Mr. Loukes prior to the meeting.

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

That the presentation from Mr. P. Loukes, Acting Commissioner, Asset Management, providing a Winter Maintenance Review, be received;

And that the balance of the discussion be deferred to the November 26, 2007 meeting of General Committee.

CARRIED

8.      MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY FUND – FALL FUNDING (5.7)
M. Urquhart, ext. 7502

Report 1

There was brief discussion on each of the projects seeking grants from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund. There was discussion regarding financial support for condominium groups seeking to install high efficiency boilers. There was discussion regarding rebate programs. Staff advised that the Markham Energy Conservation Office operates a number of such programs is working on ways to increase awareness of these.

There was brief discussion surrounding the lunch shuttle bus pilot project.

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor J. Virgilio

That staff report titled “Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund – Fall Funding”, dated November 12, 2007, be received;

And that Council approve funding for the following Community Projects as evaluated and recommended by staff and the Environmental Issues Committee as set out in this report, in the amount of $19,000.00 as follows:

·         Youth Environmental Network of York Region ($10,000)

·         Unionville Meadows Public School ($5,000)

·         Stonebridge Public School ($4,000)

to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), Account #87 2800168;

And that staff report back with details for a recognition and financial incentive system for condominiums corporations seeking to replace existing boilers with high efficiency boilers;

And that staff investigate options for providing incentives to encourage the adoption of other sustainable practices;

And that Staff be authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to the above.

9.         PARKING AT MARKVILLE MALL (5.12.4)

Staff agreed to investigate options for providing additional parking spaces at Centennial Community Centre in order to capture overspill from the GO Station. It was noted that Markville Mall will commence ticketing overspill cars starting next week.

Committee noted the need to ensure the extra parking is clearly marked as being a temporary arrangement that will be ongoing through the holiday season only.

10.              DEVELOPMENT CHARGES FOR EXPANSIONS (7.11)

Staff agreed to consider the possibility of granting some relief for Development Charges for expansion projects, particularly for Participation House in recognition of the good work it undertakes.

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Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the Committee resolve in camera to discuss a confidential personnel matter. (1045)

CARRIED

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That the Committee rise. (1120)

CARRIED

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ADJOURNMENT

The General Committee adjourned at 12:00 p.m.