M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

2007-11-26
Meeting No. 33

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. Heath

Regional Councillor T. Wong

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, Director, Strategic Services

P. Wealleans, Director, Taxation

J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services

P. Loukes, Director, Operations

S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management

S. Laing, Director, Human Resources

A. Tang, Acting Manager, Financial Planning

C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair.

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None disclosed

1.         CHILDREN AND SMOKE FREE CARS (13.4)
Communication

Ms. C. Jaynes, Director of Healthy Lifestyles, Regional Health Services, presented background information relating to a resolution passed by York Regional Council urging the federal government to pass legislation to ban smoking in cars with children. Ms. Jaynes presented research on second hand smoke and its effects and the results of public surveys on the subject.

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the deputation by Cathy Jaynes, Director of Healthy Lifestyles, Regional Health Services, regarding Children and Smoke Free Cars be received;

And that the letter dated October 18, 2007 from Mr. D. Kelly, Regional Clerk regarding a resolution passed by York Region Council urging the federal government to pass legislation regarding children and smoke free cars, be received;

And that the resolution passed by York Region Council urging the federal government to pass legislation regarding children and smoke free cars be endorsed.

CARRIED

2.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2007
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

That the minutes of the November 12, 2007 General Committee be received.

CARRIED

3.         MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 29 AND OCTOBER 3, 2007
MARKHAM MUSEUM BOARD (16.0)
August 29th   October 3rd

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

That the minutes of the August 29 and October 3, 2007 Markham Museum Board be received.

CARRIED

4.         MINUTES OF THE JUNE 25 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
MARKHAM THEATRE BOARD (16.0)
June 25th   September 24th

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

That the minutes of the June 25 and September 29, 2007 Markham Theatre Board be received.

CARRIED

5.         MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 14, 2007
GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE (16.0)
Minutes

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik

That the minutes of the November 14, 2007 Grant Subcommittee be received;

And that the request to increase the 2008 Grants Sub-Committee allocation by $40,000 over 2007 be referred to the Budget Sub-Committee.

CARRIED

6.         2007 ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (16.24)

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

Markham Race Relations Committee

That the resignation of Mr. Jan Godschalk from the Markham Race Relations Committee be accepted with regret;

And that the vacant position be included with all other upcoming advisory committee vacancies in the fall of 2007;

Markham Theatre Advisory Board

And that the resignation of Mr. Bernard Yeung from the Markham Theatre Advisory Board be received with regret;

And that the vacant position be considered with all other upcoming advisory committee vacancies;

Victoria Square Community Centre Board

And that the following persons be appointed to the Victoria Square Community Centre Board, for the term ending December 31, 2008:

Edith Friedel, Chairperson

Ruth Brock

Joy Mortson

Jean McCron

Don Boynton

Dan Horchik

Councillor Appointments

And that one (1) Councillor be appointed to the Don Watershed Regeneration Committee for the term ending June, 2009;

And that one (1) Councillor be appointed to the Markham Race Relations Committee for the term ending November 30, 2008;

And that one (1) Councillor be appointed to the Markham Arts Council for the term ending November 30, 2008.

CARRIED

7.         STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS
FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2007(7.12)

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That consideration of the report titled, “Staff Awarded Contracts for the Month of October, 2007” be deferred to December 3, 2007.

CARRIED

8.         CROWN OWNED PROPERTIES
PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES (13.5.2)

Report

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

That the report entitled “Crown Owned Properties – Payments in Lieu of Taxes” be received;

And that Council support the motion by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) requesting that the Federal Government withdraw its appeal for properties in the City of Montreal and pay its fair share of property taxes to the local government in communities where it owns property;

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

CARRIED

9.         2008 WATER/WASTEWATER
RATE INCREASE (5.3)

Report   Appendix A  B  C  D

There was brief discussion of two (2) of the phasing-in options.

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the report dated November 26, 2007 entitled “2008 Water/Wastewater rate increase” be received;

And that the minutes of the Public Council Meeting held November 20, 2007, regarding water/wastewater rate increases, be received;

And that the 2008 Water/Wastewater rate increase be equivalent to the Region of York’s (“Region”) increase of 6.35% resulting in an increase in the Town of Markham’s (“Town”) Water/Wastewater rate of $0.1006 per cubic metre (m3);

And that in addition to the Region’s increase, a Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Surcharge of $0.4137/m3 will be phased-in over 10 years effective January 1, 2008 with an increase of $0.0827/m3 (20% of total increase) in 2008 and an increase of $0.0621/m3 (15% of total increase) in 2009.  The remaining 65% increase of $0.2689 will be spread evenly over the following 8 years which is equivalent to an increase of $0.0336/m3 per year from 2010 to 2017 inclusive.  The Infrastructure Surcharge will be applied to the Water/Wastewater rate to address the ongoing replacement and rehabilitation requirements for Waterworks infrastructure;

And that the total 2008 Water/Wastewater rate be increased from $1.5838/m3 to $1.7671/m3, an increase of $0.1833/m3 or 11.6%;

And that By-Law 2002-276, the bylaw on fees and charges for services or activities provided or performed by the Town of Markham, be amended to reflect the increase in Water/Wastewater rate;

And that Staff report back to Council annually on the Region’s Water/Wastewater rate increase and the status of the Water/Wastewater Reserve Balance and any potential Infrastructure Surcharges in addition to the total increase of $0.4137/m3;

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

CARRIED

See following motion to amend which was lost

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That Option 9 be approved which represents a 15% increase in 2008 and a 15% increase in 2009, with the remaining 70% increase being spread over eight years.

LOST

10.       CANCELLATION, REDUCTION
OR REFUND OF TAXES
UNDER SECTIONS 357 & 358 OF
THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001-COMMERCIAL (7.1)

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred to the December 3, 2007 meeting of General Committee:

“That the non-residential taxes totalling $99,740.52 be adjusted under Section 357 (in the amount of  $97,846.05) and Section 358 (in the amount of  $1,894.47) of the Municipal Act, 2001 of which the Town’s portion is estimated to be $19,879.91;

And that the associated interest is 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

11.       TAX WRITE-OFFS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 354 OF THE
MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001 (7.1)

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred to the December 3, 2007 meeting of General Committee:

“That taxes totalling $245,757.85 (includes penalty and interest estimated in the amount of $24,012.69) as set out in this report be written off pursuant to the provisions of Section 354 of the Municipal Act, 2001, of which the Town’s portion is $58,815.90;

And that the applicable penalty and/or interest charges be adjusted accordingly;

And that the Treasurer be directed to remove the taxes from the Collector’s Roll.”

CARRIED

12.       STREET LIGHT ENERGY REVIEW, EXISTING SYSTEM
AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS (10.0)

Report   Attachments

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred to the December 3, 2007 meeting of General Committee:

“That the report dated October 17, 2007, entitled “Streetlight Energy Review, Existing System and Alternative Energy Efficient Products” be received;

And that the Asset Management Department and the Markham Energy Conservation Office (MECO) continue to investigate alternative streetlighting products on an ongoing basis and make recommendations to the Engineering Department for revisions to the Town’s streetlighting standards for use in new developments, when and if such products are proven to be more energy efficient and as reliable as existing standards and to report back to Council on an on-going basis;

And that the Asset Management Department and MECO, be authorized to undertake a pilot project to reduce the wattage of existing cobra head streetlight fixtures in the Allstate Parkway industrial/commercial area (Highway 7 and Woodbine Avenue) at a cost not to exceed $50,000 and to report back to Council in 12 months on the results of the pilot project;

And that the Asset Management Department, MECO and the Engineering Department be authorized to study options to reduce energy consumption and light pollution of the existing decorative globe fixtures on Town Centre Boulevard and to report back to Council;

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

CARRIED

13.       MARKHAM TAXI PRIORITY LIST (2.23)

Attachment

Mr. M. Eid spoke on behalf of Mr. B. Dager, a Markham taxi driver requesting an appeal on the decision to remove his name from the Taxi Priority List. Committee expressed concern that language difficulties may inhibit effective communication between the Town and the taxi industry. Staff agreed to consider this matter.

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

That the letter from Mr. B. Dager, taxi driver, requesting an appeal on the decision to remove his name from the Taxi Priority List;

And the deputation from Mr. M. Eid on behalf of Mr. Dager be received;

And that a Licensing Committee hearing be convened to hear Mr. B. Dager’s appeal against the removal of his name from the Taxi Priority List.

CARRIED

14.       WINTER MAINTENANCE REVIEW (5.0)

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred to the December 3, 2007 meeting of General Committee:

“That the presentation from Mr. P. Ingham, General Manager, Operations, providing a Winter Maintenance Review, be received.”

CARRIED

15.       CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS (12.0)

Committee was advised that a video-recording of the proposed presentation will be made available to Councillors.

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the Citizen Survey Results be deferred to a future meeting of General Committee.

CARRIED

16.       DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
BY-LAWS RENEWALS (7.11)

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the staff memorandum concerning the continuance of the limited Development Charges exemption on non-residential developments to August 31, 2009 be deferred to the December 3, 2007 meeting of General Committee.

CARRIED

17.       MINUTES OF THE BUILDING AND PARKS
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
MEETING OF NOVEMBER 16, 2007 (16.0)

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That consideration of the following recommendation be deferred to the November 27, 2007 meeting of Council:

“That the minutes of the Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting of November 16, 2007 be received;

And that the following recommendation from item 5(b) of the minutes be approved:

“That the request for the extension of Centennial Community Centre Addition and Renovation Contract Number 055-T-05, be received;

And that Contract Number 055-T-05 between the Town of Markham and Canning Contracting Limited for the expansion and renovation of the Centennial Community Centre be extended from November 27, 2007 to January 31, 2008.”

CARRIED

18.       NOMINATION OF OPERA YORK FOR
PREMIER’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS (13.5.12)

Letter

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the letter dated November 15, 2007 from the City of Vaughan regarding Vaughan’s nomination of Opera York for the Premier’s Award of Excellence in the Arts and requesting that the Mayor submit a letter of support for the nomination by November 30, 2007, be received;

And that the Mayor write a letter in support of the nomination.

CARRIED

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Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the Committee resolve in camera to discuss a confidential personnel matter (9:15)

CARRIED

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

That the Committee rise (11:40)

CARRIED

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Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Heath

That the Committee resolve in camera to discuss a confidential legal matter (12:30)

CARRIED

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the Committee rise (12:45)

CARRIED

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ADJOURNMENT

The General Committee adjourned at 12:45 p.m.