JUNE 2, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

MINUTES

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Meeting No. 20

All Members of Council

Development Services                                                                 Economic Development

Chair:              Councillor J. Webster                                                                             Chair:              Regional Councillor T. Wong

Vice-Chair:      Councillor D. Horchik                                                                            Transportation Issues

                                                                                                                                        Chair:          Regional Councillor G. Landon

 

Attendance

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor J. Virgilio (6:05 p.m.)

Councillor C. Moretti

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor D. Horchik

 

Regrets

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

B. Librecz, Commissioner and Fire Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management

A. Brown, Director of Engineering

J. Lustig, Director, Financial & Client Services

B. Lee, Mgr. Development Engineering & Transportation

B. Penner, Supervisor, Business System Improvement

S. Sito, Sr. Environmental Development Engineer

P. Fu, Manager, Capital of Right-of-Way

Y. Xu, Senior Stormwater Management Engineer

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

The Special Development Services Committee meeting convened, without quorum, at the hour of 5:15 p.m. in the Council Chamber with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.  Quorum was reached at 5:20 p.m.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

 

None disclosed.

 

 

1.         WEST THORNHILL STORMWATER FLOOD
            REMEDIATION CLASS EA STUDY (5.7)

            Report  Presentation 

 

Members had before them the staff report entitled “West Thornhill Stormwater Floor Remediation Class EA Study”, dated June 2, 2009. 

 

 

Ms. Phoebe Fu, Manager, Capital Right-of-Way delivered a presentation regarding the "West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation Class Environmental Assessment Study".  Amended copies of a portion of the Presentation, pages #19-#28, were distributed.

 

Ms. Fu advised that the purpose of the presentation and meeting this date was to provide an update on the status of the Study, and to also obtain Council’s authorization to host a second Public Information Meeting for the purposes of presenting Council’s preferred alternative solution to increase the level of flood protection in West Thornhill Area.  Ms. Fu provided an overview on the Stormwater Management Strategy, and detailed information regarding the West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation Study.  Data included: the location of the study area; problem identification; options explored; alternative solutions; funding/analysis; and evaluation criteria & decision making process.  Members were advised that application has been made for infrastructure grants, and explained related implications.

 

In response to requests of Committee, staff explained the amendments which had been made to the Presentation, and also provided clarification regarding funding sources and potential infrastructure grants available.  Committee raised concerns with respect to the environmental impact and the potential increase in river bed erosion.

 

Ms. Marilyn Ginsburg was in attendance and spoke on behalf of the Grandview Area Residents Association, and acknowledged staff for their great cooperation throughout the study to date.  Expressing some concern with respect to the decision making process, and noting that funding source is not to be considered until after the preferred solution is chosen, Ms. Ginsburg recommended that the minimum level of protection be 100 years; that only the West Thornhill area be improved at this time; and that a general tax increase would be preferred rather than a charge to the West Thornhill residents.

 

Ms. Eileen Liasi was in attendance and spoke on behalf of the German Mills Ratepayers Association.  She recommended that the 100 year level of protection be chosen, as it would be of more benefit to the natural environment, and in the best interests of the residents and businesses of Thornhill.

 

Staff advised that Council was being requested this date to provide comments and feedback, and it was hoped that some consensus could be reached in choosing one of the alternative solutions.  It was pointed out that the funding source is not to be considered in this exercise.  Ms. Fu explained how the evaluation criteria tool is applied with the use of weighting factors, and presented the following alternative solutions, requesting Committee to discuss the “weighting value” for each criteria:

 

1) Do Nothing

2) 5 Year Level of Protection

3) 25 Year Level of Protection

4) 100 Year Level of Protection

 

Committee expressed some concern that all Members of Council were not in attendance, and that this important matter should be discussed when all Members are present. 

 

Staff advised that if the infrastructure grant is received, it is planned to hold a second Public Information Meeting (PIM) on Wednesday, June 17th and report back to General Committee on June 22nd with final recommendations.  If the infrastructure grant is not received, a PIM would be held in the fall of 2009.

 

Suggested weighting factors were put forward by both Committee and staff, however, due to time constraints of the meeting, it was generally agreed that the draft preferred alternative solution would be the “100 year level of protection”, and that the matter would be forwarded to the Council Meeting on June 3, 2009 for further consideration.

 

**Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero

 

1)      That the report entitled “West Thornhill Stormwater Remediation Class EA Study – Project Update” be received; and,

 

2)      That the presentation provided by Ms. Phoebe Fu, Manager, Capital Right-of-Way at the June 2, 2009 Special Development Services Committee meeting regarding the Project Update be received; and,

 

3)      That the deputations from Ms. Marilyn Ginsburg, on behalf of the Grandview Area Residents Association, and Ms. Eileen Liasi, on behalf of the German Mills Ratepayers Association at the June 2, 2009 Special Development Services Committee meeting be received; and,

 

4)      That staff be directed to hold Public Information Centre (PIC) No. 2 and present the draft preferred alternative solution: "#4 - 100 year level of protection" to increase the level of flood protection in West Thornhill Area; and,

 

5)      That staff report back to General Committee with final recommendations on June 22, 2009; and,

 

6)      That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution; and further,

 

7)      That this item be placed on the Agenda of the June 3, 2009 Council Meeting for consideration.

CARRIED

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**Note: Please see Council Minutes dated June 3, 2009 for final resolution.

 

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ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

 

That the Special Development Services Committee meeting adjourn. (6:58 p.m.)