M I
N U T E S
GENERAL COMMITTEE
2008-11-03
Meeting
No. 22
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 Land,
Buildings and Parks Issues:
Councillor
C. Moretti
Attendance
|
Deputy Mayor 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 |
C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services B. Librecz,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services B. Cribbett,
Treasurer J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services P. Loukes, Director,
Operations J. Ryerson,
Director, S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management S. Laing, Director,
Human Resources C. Molloy, Manager,
Museum M. Shatil, Manager,
Facility Assets S. Tam, Manager,
Business Planning and Innovation C. Raynor, Committee
Clerk |
The General Committee convened at the hour of
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed.
1. COMMUNITY& FIRE SERVICES COMMISSION
RECEIVED LEVEL 3 AWARD (BEST IN CLASS)
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE FROM
PUBLIC SECTOR QUALITY FAIR (12.0)
Mr. P. Loukes, General Manager, Operations and Ms. S. Tam, Manager, Business Planning and Innovation, presented Committee with an overview of the work done in order to secure the Level 3 Award (Best in Class) Certificate of Excellence from the Public Sector Quality Fair.
Committee requested staff to present the
award to Council on
2. APPOINTMENTS
TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES (16.24)
There was brief discussion surrounding the vacancies on the Cycling and
Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
Leash Free
That Mr. Greg Dabrus be appointed to the
Leash Free Markham Committee for the term ending
Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory
Committee
That the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee request Council to declare two (2) positions on the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) vacant, and request staff to take the necessary steps to advise the incumbents and advertise for replacement members.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE MAY 8, 2008
CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes of the
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
MARKHAM
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes of the September 22, 2008 Markham Public Library Board be received.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES
OF THE OCTOBER 16, 2008
MARKHAM
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes of the October 16, 2008 Markham Environmental Advisory Committee be received.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES
OF THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2008
CANADA
There was
brief clarification of the contents of the minutes.
Moved by
Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by
Councillor A. Chiu
That the
minutes of the September 22, 2008 Canada Day Committee be received.
CARRIED
7. TAX WRITE-OFFS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 354 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001 (7.1)
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That taxes totalling $248,197.10 (includes penalty and interest in the amount of $10.62) as set out in the report entitled “Tax Write-Offs in Accordance with Section 354 of the Municipal Act, 2001”, dated November 3, 2008, be written off pursuant to the provisions of Section 354 of the Municipal Act, 2001, of which the Town’s portion is $178, 195.17; and,
That the applicable penalty and /or interest charges be adjusted accordingly; and further,
That the Treasurer be directed to remove the taxes from the Collector’s Roll.
CARRIED
8. SEPTEMBER
2008 YEAR-TO-DATE REVIEW OF
OPERATIONS AND YEAR END PROJECTION (7.4)
There was discussion on this matter and Committee sought clarification on some points, including the following:
- The current status of the various reserve accounts
- Factors affecting revenue generation
- Fee adjustments and associated legislation
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the report dated November 3, 2008 entitled “September 2008 Year-To-Date Review of Operations and Year end Projection,” as revised on the November 3, 2008 General Committee Addendum Agenda, be received.
CARRIED
9. PROPOSED
2009 WATER/WASTEWATER
RATE INCREASE (5.3)
There was
considerable discussion concerning this item. Staff noted that finalized
information is not yet available from York Region. Committee queried whether
the Regional portion of the water/wastewater rate increase has been set and how
it differs. Additionally there was a query as to how the Town charges for water
use and what factors are considered when setting the rates. Committee suggested
that alternative water sources, such as Peel Region, may be cheaper than the
currently-sourced water.
Committee
also noted that clean and safe water is of utmost importance and that the
water/wastewater rate should be sufficiently high to ensure the ongoing safety
of the supply.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the report dated
That staff be
authorized to hold a public meeting on
CARRIED
10. AUDITOR GENERAL UPDATE (6.7)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
That the reports entitled “Auditor General Mandate and Auditor General Audit Plan” be received and approved; and,
That the Auditor General be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
11. MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
BUILDING
E.
Adams, ext. 2710
Mr. P. Burton and Mr.
D. Ecclestone, Ventin Group, provided a brief update on the design of the
Mr. L. Smith, on
behalf of the Markham Historical Society, spoke in support of the proposal to
relocate the sundial.
Committee suggested
that enhancements to the sundial be considered such as seating and ground
coverings. There was brief discussion surrounding the proposed roof and façade.
It was noted that the finished building will reflect a heritage barn and that
the roofing and façade will be complementary. Additionally staff noted that
materials recovered from barn demolitions will be utilized where possible.
There was a suggestion that the windows in the new building have panes similar
to those in the existing building.
There was also
discussion surrounding a fenced enclosure to the north of the Museum site.
That the presentation
of The Ventin Group relating to the design of the proposed
That the deputation from Mr. L. Smith, on
behalf of the Markham Historical Society, in support of the proposal to
relocate the sundial, be received; and,
That the Ventin Group
be authorized to proceed with the Collections Building detailed design, site
plan application and the tendering for the project; and,
That staff report back
to General Committee to award the construction tender for the project; and
further,
That staff be
authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the
resolution.
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That, pursuant to
sections 239(2)(b) and (d) of the Municipal Act, being “personal matters about
an identifiable individual, including municipal…employees” and “labour
relations or employee negotiations” respectively, the Committee resolve in
camera at
(1) a confidential matter relating to the recruitment of Fire Chief;
and,
(2) a confidential personnel matter.
CARRIED
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
C. Moretti
That the Committee
rise at
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
General Committee adjourned at