M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

2008-09-22
Meeting No.17

Finance & Administrative Issues Community Services Issues

Chair: Councillor J. Virgilio Chair: Councillor A. Chiu

Chair, Budget Sub-Ctte: Councillor D. Horchik Environment & Sustainability Issues

Chair: IT Sub-Ctte: Reg. Councillor J. Jones Chair: Councillor E. Shapero

Chair: Grants Sub-Ctte: Councillor V. Burke

Attendance

Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor G. Landon Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor V. Burke Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fires Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer J. Lustig, Director, Client and Financial Services C. Service, Manager, Planning and Policy Development A. Tang, Acting Manager, Financial Planning P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation L. Wells, Manager, Programs C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

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

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

None.

1. CREATING AN ERUV ON THE JEWISH SABBATH (12.2.6)

Correspondence

Rabbi Avraham Plotkin, Chabad Lubavitch of Markham, spoke to request permission to construct an Eruv in Thornhill. Rabbi Plotkin advised that any required work will be undertaken without cost to the Town. Committee requested staff investigate ongoing maintenance arrangements and the feasibility of a required fence installation.

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the deputation by Rabbi Avraham Plotkin, Chabad Lubavitch of Markham, requesting permission to construct an Eruv in Thornhill, be received; and further,

That Council approve the creation of the Eruv, subject to the satisfaction of the Operations Department.

CARRIED

1. A. APPEALS OF COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT
VARIANCE DECISIONS TO
THE ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD
60 ROUGE STREET (10.12)

Mr. E. De Souza, Mr, P. Ross, on behalf of Vinegar Hill Ratepayers’ Association, and Mr. C. Webb spoke in general opposition to the proposal to create three (3) lots at 60 Rouge Street. Comments included that Mayhew Lane is too narrow to accommodate the proposal, that the off street frontages will disrupt the uniformity of Rouge Street and that the proposal has varied considerably since creation.

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the deputations from Mr. E. De Souza, Mr, P. Ross, on behalf of Vinegar Hill Ratepayers’ Association, and Mr. C. Webb in general opposition to the proposal to create three (3) lots at 60 Rouge Street, be received.

CARRIED

2. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

Minutes

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

That the minutes of the September 8, 2008 General Committee be received.

CARRIED

3. APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION
TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.24)

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

That the resignation of Mr. Anderson Coward from the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee be accepted with regret and a letter of appreciation be forwarded; and,

That the recommendation of the Board of the Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham to appoint Ms. Lana Champion as Varley's representative to the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee for the term ending June, 2009 be confirmed.

CARRIED

4. CONTRACTS AUTHORIZED BY THE
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FOR THE MONTHS
OF JUNE TO AUGUST 2008 AS PER BY-LAW 4-200 (2.0)

A. Moore, ext. 4711

Report 1

Some discussion on this item relating to a confidential legal matter took place in camera.

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That the report entitled “Contracts Authorized by the Authority to Chief Administrative Officer for the Months of June to August 2008 as per By-law 4-2000” be received.

CARRIED

5. JUNE 2008 YEAR-TO-DATE REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
AND YEAR END PROJECTION (7.4)

A. Tang, ext. 2433

Report 1

Committee received brief clarification on the figures related to rental income.

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That the report dated September 22, 2008 entitled “June 2008 Year-To-Date Review of Operations and Year-end Projection” be received.

CARRIED

6. PROPOSED 2009 BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE SCHEDULE (7.4)

A. Tang, ext. 2433

Report

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

That the report dated September 22, 2008 entitled “Proposed 2009 Budget Sub-Committee Schedule” be received; and,

That the Budget Sub-Committee meetings scheduled for the dates and times below be approved:

Meeting # 1 – Monday, October 27^th (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Canada Room)

Meeting # 2 – Monday, November 3^rd (2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Canada Room)

Meeting # 3 – Monday, November 24^th (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Canada Room)

Meeting # 4 – Monday, December 8^th (2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Canada Room); and,

That future Budget Sub- Committee meeting dates will be approved by the Budget Sub-Committee; and further,

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

CARRIED

7. CANADIAN SPORT INSTITUTE OF ONTARIO (CSIO)
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT (3.0)

C. Service, ext. 7543

Report 1 Presentation

Mr. C. Service, Manager, Planning and Policy Development, presented a recap of the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario (CSIO) Project Development. Committee was also provided with brief details relating to the Pan Am Games as well as proposed strategies for the future.

There was considerable discussion relating to funding strategies and the merits of linking the CSIO proposal to a bid to stage the Pan Am Games. Committee noted the importance of securing a letter of endorsement from the Mayor of the City of Toronto and suggested that private partners may be required for the arenas. Committee noted that the Town must continue to work hard to promote Markham as the best location for this facility.

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

That the presentation by Brenda Librecz , Commissioner of Community & Fire Services, entitled “CSIO Project Development” be received; and,

That the report entitled “CSIO Project Development” be received; and,

That the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized to engage use of external consultants to assist with a business case submission to Infrastructure Ontario and Infrastructure Canada for funding, and to ensure that development of the Canadian Sports Institute Ontario compliments a Pan Am Games Bid but is not reliant upon a Pan Am Games Bid; and,

That the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized to spend up to $50,000 for consultant and any necessary market studies needed in preparation of business case submission; and,

That Allan Seabrooke be considered a preferred supplier in conducting work as a primary consultant in the development of the submissions to Infrastructure Ontario and Infrastructure Canada; and,

That the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized to spend up to $15,000 as the Town’s share of the cost for architectural services for preliminary site layout and facility fit plans for the CSIO in the context of the Markham Centre Secondary Plan/East Precinct Plan; and further,

That the CAO and Commissioner of Community & Fire Services be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution;

CARRIED

8. SENIOR GRANT CRITERIA – 2008
CELEBRATE MARKHAM GRANTS (7.6)

Lori Wells, ext. 7536

Report 1 2

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong

That the report dated August 19, 2008 entitled “Senior Grant Criteria – 2008 Celebrate Markham Grants Allocation” be received; and,

That the grant be officially named as the “Markham Seniors’ Participation Grant;” and,

That the Markham Seniors’ Participation Grant Criteria and Application outlined in Appendix 1 be approved; and,

That the Celebrate Markham Grants sub-committee schedules a meeting to approve and allocate the 2008 Markham Seniors’ Participation Grant funds prior to year end; and further,

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

CARRIED

9. GRANT APPLICATION TO
MUNICIPAL ECO-CHALLENGE FUND (5.7)

V. Sawler, ext. 7523

Report

Ms. V. Sawler, Manager, Markham Energy Conservation Office, provided a brief overview of the Municipal Eco-Challenge Fund. There was some discussion surrounding energy audits at the Community Centres and whether the results from previous audits can be re-used. Staff agreed to show previous results alongside updated results so that progress can be better illustrated.

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

That the Report titled, “Grant Application to the Municipal Eco-Challenge Fund”, be received; and,

That Council support the grant application being made to the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s Municipal Eco-Challenge Fund (MECF) by the Markham Energy Conservation Office for the purpose of obtaining funding support to conduct energy audits at: Thornhill Community Centre, Angus Glen Community Centre, Markham Village Arena and Mt. Joy Community Centre; and further,

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

CARRIED

10. MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CORPORATION (MPAC’S)
ASSESSMENT NOTICE (7.1)

Letter

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

That the letter dated August 29, 2008 providing a copy of MPAC’s new “2008 Property Assessment Notice” be received.

CARRIED

11. CREATING AN ERUV ON THE JEWISH SABBATH (12.2.6)

Correspondence

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That the correspondence from Rabbi Avraham Plotkin, dated August 11, 2008 regarding the creation of an “Eruv” on the Jewish Sabbath be received.

CARRIED

12. UPDATE ON THE 2009 TAX REASSESSMENT (13.5.1)

Mr. P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation, provided details of the 2009 Tax Reassessment. Committee was provided with information on the new four year assessment cycle, the phase-in process, changes to the appeal system and some illustrations of how the changes will affect the various tax bases.

Committee sought clarification on some minor issues and staff noted that the impact of these changes on the existing tax ratios will need to be assessed once more detailed information is made available.

Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

That the presentation by Mr. P. Wealleans, Director, Taxation providing an update on the 2009 Tax Reassessment, be received

CARRIED

13. GREENBUILD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
BOSTON, MASS. NOVEMBER 19-21, 2008 (5.7)

Committee was advised that the U.S. Green Building Council’s GreenBuild International Conference is taking place in Boston, Mass. on November 19-21, 2008.

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Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

That the Committee resolve in camera to discuss the following confidential matters (10:55):

1. In-Camera General Committee Minutes – September 8, 2008

2. Confidential Legal Matter regarding the appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) with respect to the property at 60 Rouge Street

CARRIED

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

That the Committee rise (11:28)

CARRIED

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ADJOURNMENT

The General Committee adjourned at 11:33 a.m.