M I N U T E S
GENERAL COMMITTEE
2008-11-17
Meeting
No. 23
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
|
Mayor F. Scarpitti (a: 9:11) Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor T. Wong (a: 9:49) Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik (d: 12:20) Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services B. Librecz,
Commissioner of Community & Fires Services J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services J. Bosomworth,
Manager, Strategy and Innovation A. Brown, Director,
Engineering C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor B. Cribbett,
Treasurer J. Klaus, General
Manager, Waterworks J. Lustig, Director
of Financial and Client Services V. Shuttleworth,
Director, Planning and Urban Design A. Tang, Acting
Manager, Financial Planning G. Taylor, Acting
Director, Recreation Services P. Wealleans,
Director, Taxation B. Wiles, Manager,
Enforcement and Licensing J. Wright, Director,
Building Standards C. Raynor, Committee
Clerk |
The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor A. Chiu assumed the Chair for discussion
of Community Services Issues Agenda Items 12-13.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None disclosed
1. FOUR-SIDED POOL FENCE ENCLOSURES (6.0)
Letter By-law
Dr. K.
Kurji, Medical Officer of Health, York Region, provided an overview of a
proposal to require four-sided pool enclosures in line with the recommendation
from Safe Kids Canada.
Mr. S.
Daurio, 31 Silver Aspen Drive, spoke in opposition to by-law amendments to
require four-sided pool enclosures and stated that the existing by-law provides
adequate safety for children.
There was
considerable discussion regarding potential by-law amendments. A number of
issues were considered and staff was directed to consider these in the final
report.
Moved by
Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by
Mayor F. Scarpitti
That the
deputation by Dr. Karim Kurji, Medical Officer of Health, York Region, be
received; and,
That the deputation by Mr. S. Daurio, 31 Silver
Aspen Drive, in opposition to amendments to the Town’s current Swimming Pool Enclosures
By-law 59-75, be received; and further,
That the letter from York Region, dated
September 23, 2008, regarding “Four-Sided Pool Fence Enclosures” be received
and referred to the Manager, Enforcement and Licensing and Director, Building
Standards for a report regarding potential by-law amendments to require
four-sided pool enclosures that should address the following issues:
- Potential enforcement issues;
- Additional requirements that gates be closed and secured at all
times;
- Staff authority to enter properties to assess compliance;
- Options for grandfathering existing pools;
- Implementation of a resident education program;
- Discussion of Markham’s pre-1975 Pool Enclosure By-law along with
statistics on infant drownings in Markham and/or York Region since 1975.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF
THE OCTOBER 20, 2008
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the minutes of the October 20, 2008 General Committee be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE
OCTOBER 20, 2008 Page
37
VARLEY
MCKAY ART FOUNDATION OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the minutes of the October 20, 2008 Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham be received for information only.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6, 2008
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the minutes of the October 6, 2008 Markham Race Relations Committee be received for information only.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES OF THE
OCTOBER 21, 2008
CANADIAN SPORTS INSTITUTE
ONTARIO COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by
Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the minutes of the October 21, 2008 Canadian Sports Institute Ontario Committee be received for information only.
CARRIED
6. MINUTES OF THE
AUGUST 18, 2008
PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the minutes of the August 18, 2008 Parking Advisory Committee be received for information only.
CARRIED
7. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 27, 2008
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE (7.5)
That the minutes of the October 27, 2008 Budget Sub-Committee be
received for information only.
8. MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 17 AND
OCTOBER
15 MARKHAM ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.0)
It was noted that the resolution from the Town of Newmarket has the support of staff. Additionally, staff noted that where recommendations from Advisory Committees do not have staff support, the recommendation to General Committee will be to receive and refer to staff for a report.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the minutes of the September 17 and October 15, 2008 Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be received; and,
That the following resolution from the October 15, 2008 meeting of the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be endorsed:
“That the Town of Markham support the following resolution from the Town of Newmarket regarding penalties for the misuse of disabled parking permits and spaces:
“WHEREAS it is in the public interest to ensure that access to disabled parking spaces for persons with disabilities is readily available;
AND WHEREAS it would appear that there is a misuse of disabled parking permits and parking spaces;
AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government of Ontario supports quality of life for persons with disabilities through its Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontarians with Disabilities Act legislation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the Town of Newmarket, and supported by its Accessibility Advisory Committee, as follows:
THAT the Premier of Ontario be requested to take action to eliminate the misuse of disabled parking permits and parking spaces, including but not limited to such actions as:
· Ensure that Justices of the Peace enforce the minimum fines that apply to offenders
· Provide for a two point penalty on the offender’s driver’s license
· Establish penalties for the misuse of a disabled parking permit including fines and a two point penalty on the offender’s driver’s license
· Require people who hold a disabled parking permit to obtain a special photo identification card
· Provide for minimum fines for those who block disabled parking spaces (i.e. using disabled parking spaces for snow storage)
AND
THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario for
action, the Attorney General, the Lieutenant Governor and to the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario for email circulation to municipalities and their
Accessibility Advisory Committees requesting their support.”
CARRIED
9. APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES (16.24)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the following persons be appointed to the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the three-year term ending November 30, 2011:
Arup Mukherjee
Winston Stewart
Andrew Tronchin
That Rachael Woodroffe be re-appointed to the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the term ending November 30, 2011; and,
That the resignation of Ms. Rashi Sharma from the Markham Public Library Board be accepted with regret and a letter of appreciation be forwarded; and,
That the position be declared vacant and staff be requested to take the necessary steps to fill the vacancy; and further,
That Mr. Scott Labbett and Ms. Jacqueline Bell be appointed to the Advisory Committee on Accessibility for the term ending November 30, 2011.
CARRIED
10. 2008 THIRD QUARTER INVESTMENT
PERFORMANCE REVIEW (7.0)
Committee received brief clarification on the financial status of U.S. municipalities.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the report dated November 17, 2008 entitled “2008 Third Quarter Investment Performance Review” be received.
CARRIED
11. NOVEMBER 2008 CANCELLATION, REDUCTION OR
REFUND OF TAXES UNDER
SECTIONS 357 & 358 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, 2001 (7.3)
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That taxes totalling approximately $206,563.43 be adjusted under section 357 (in the amount of $169,719.11) and Section 358 (in the amount of $36,844.32) of the Municipal Act, 2001 of which the Town’s portion is estimated to be $32,721.92; 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 further,
That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. OLDER ADULT SERVICE UPDATE (12.2.6)
Staff agreed to note that awards under the Markham Seniors’ Participation Grant can be used to fund the cost of room rentals.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the report entitled “Older Adult Service Update” be received as information; and,
That the revised ‘Older Adults/Seniors Clubs Facility Use’ policy, as attached as Appendix B to this report, be approved; and,
That Council authorize staff to investigate the options of relocating the Milliken on the Move Seniors Club to Armadale Community Centre and 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. COMMUNITY LEAD
TESTING PROGRAM –
STATUS REPORT (2) (5.3)
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the report “Community Lead Testing Program – Status Report (2)” be received; and,
That staff report back to Council with the findings of the Community Lead Testing Program after completion of Sampling Period # 3; and further,
That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
14. DEVELOPMENT FEES UPDATE (7.11)
Mr. J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services, presented a Development Fees Update. Committee sought clarification on some issues such as whether there is a requirement that reserves be maintained at a certain level, the current status of the reserve balance, appropriate fee levels, how negative reserve balances will be offset, and the status of discussions with the Developers’ Roundtable.
Staff noted that the public consultation meeting on this matter will take place on November 18, 2008. Committee was advised that future meetings of the Budget Sub-Committee will address some of the issues raised.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the presentation by Mr. J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services, entitled “Development Fees Update” be received.
CARRIED
15. 2009 PROPOSED WATER/WASTEWATER
RATES PRESENTATION (5.3 & 7.0)
Mr. J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services, presented details of the 2009 proposed water/wastewater rates. There was considerable discussion concerning the different options and methodologies, the status of the reserve fund, the annual residential bill increase, and the transparency of the Town’s portion of the water bill.
Committee suggested that when the rates are presented at the Public Meeting on November 18, 2008 that residents be advised of the actual dollar amount of the potential monthly bill increases rather than percentage increase. It was also suggested that the public be educated on the factors contributing to the Region of York’s rate increases and that the water rate increase be fully broken out to show the Region’s and Town’s portions of the rate increase and the Town’s infrastructure fee.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti
That the presentation by Mr. J. Lustig, Director, Financial and Client Services, entitled “2009 Proposed Water/Wastewater Rates” be received.
CARRIED
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Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That, pursuant to section 239(2)(c) being a “proposed or pending…disposition of land by the municipality” and section 239(2)(e) being “litigation…including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality,” of the Municipal Act, the Committee resolve in camera to discuss the following confidential matters at 11:38 a.m.:
1) Property Matter related to the Proposed
Sale of Union Street Road Allowance
abutting 12 Euclid Street;
2) Litigation Matter regarding the Appeal of Ontario Municipal Board Decision with respect to 179 John Street, Thornhill;
3) Property Matter regarding a Proposed Conveyance of Parts 1 and 2, Registered Plan 65R-30497 to Box Grove Hill Development Inc. (Lands for the Donald Cousens Parkway);
4) Confidential Minutes of the October 20, 2008 General Committee;
5) Litigation Matter regarding a Property on Ravengloss Drive.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the Committee rise at 12:27 p.m.
CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee adjourned at 12:27 p.m.