M I
N U T E S
GENERAL COMMITTEE
2008-12-15
Meeting
No. 27
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
|
Deputy Mayor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong (a: 9:27) Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti (9:11) Councillor J. Webster Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services B. Librecz, Commissioner
of Community & Fire Services J. Baird,
Commissioner of Development Services A. Brouwer, Deputy
Clerk T. Casale, Senior
Buyer C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor B. Cribbett,
Treasurer I. Kutter, Auditor
General A. Moore, Manager,
Purchasing V. Sawler, Manager,
Markham Energy and Conservation Office G. Taylor, Acting
Director, Recreation Services M. Urquhart,
Manager, Environmental Leadership L. Wells, Manager,
Programs 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 Item 7.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None
1. PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO THE PURCHASING BY-LAW (7.9)
Mr. A. Moore, Manager, Purchasing, outlined proposed amendments to the Purchasing By-law. Ms. I. Kutter, Auditor General, advised that she has reviewed the proposals and, subject to robust budget development and policing programs in place, is supportive. Amendments include increased authorization for staff to award tenders but it was noted the Request for Proposal process will remain unchanged.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the presentation by Mr. Alex Moore, Manager of Purchasing, regarding proposed amendments to the purchasing by-law be received.
CARRIED
2. RECREATION SERVICES UPDATE (6.0)
Ms. L. Wells, Manager, Programs, presented an update on Recreation Services, including current activities, programs and events. Committee sought clarification on some minor details such as the extent of special needs programs, the possibility of partnering with outside sports organizations, and the activities of the Parents Advisory Committee.
Staff agreed to provide a breakdown of attendance figures at each Community Centre and the use of Milne Park facilities compared to other sports fields. Committee suggested that zero waste signage be improved to assist in selecting the appropriate waste disposal stream for items and that Council be kept aware of the special events taking place such as the Provincial Lifesaving Championships which were held in Markham.
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the presentation by Ms. Lori Wells, Manager, Programs, regarding recreation services update be received.
CARRIED
3. GRID TIED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) PILOT PROJECT (5.7)
Ms. V. Sawler, Manager, MECO, presented a proposal to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on the Markham Civic Centre. Committee was provided with the economic, social and environmental considerations.
Mr. E. Kalmbach, President, Generation PV, presented information relating to the installation and operation of PV panels.
Mr. P. Ling, local resident, spoke briefly of his experience of installing PV panels on his home.
There was discussion of the merits of such a venture and of the budget implications and it was suggested that other Town buildings may also be viable locations.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the presentations by Ms. Viive Sawler, Manager, Markham Energy Conservation Office, Mr. Eric Kalmbach, President, Generation PV, and Mr. P. Ling, local resident, regarding grid tied solar photovoltaic (PV) pilot project at the Civic Centre be received; and,
That the report dated December 15, 2008 titled, “Grid Tied Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Pilot Project” be received; and,
That Council authorize the installation of a 10 kW grid-tied solar PV installation at the Civic Centre that includes web-enabled software to promote the educational and awareness building value of this project; and,
That Council authorize funding for this project to an upset cost of $100,000 through MESF and up to $25,000 for design/feasibility work through MECO; and,
That Staff report back to General Committee with budget and design details for the proposed project upon completion of the Request for Proposal process; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES
OF THE NOVEMBER 24, 2008
GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING (16.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the minutes of the November 24, 2008 General Committee meeting be received.
CARRIED
5. OCTOBER 2008 STAFF AWARDED CONTRACTS
MONTHLY INFORMATION UPDATE (7.12)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the report dated November 20, 2008 entitled “October 2008, Staff Awarded Contracts Monthly Information Update” be received.
CARRIED
6. APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES (16.24)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
appointment of the following persons to the Victoria Square Community Centre
Board be confirmed for the term ending December 31, 2009:
Edith Friedel, Chairperson
Ruth Brock
Joy Mortson
Jean McCron
Don Boynton
CARRIED
7. UNIONVILLE WINTER TENNIS CLUB
IN CARLTON PARK – FOLLOW UP (3.0)
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the report dated November 24, 2008 entitled “Unionville Winter Tennis Club in Carlton Park – Follow Up” be received; and,
That Staff be directed to continue work with Heidi Stassgeurtl and Costa Nicolaidis to develop a public/private partnership for the provision of Winter Tennis in an alternative location that is less intrusive on residential properties; and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
8. REGULATIONS
RESPECTING THE
USE AND SALE OF COSMETIC PESTICIDES (5.7)
Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental
Leadership, presented an overview of the proposed provincial regulations
respecting the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.
**Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That Markham Staff Report on Regulations Respecting
the Use and Sale of Cosmetic Pesticides dated, December 15, 2008, be received; and,
That this report containing recommendations be
submitted as the Town of Markham’s comments to Provincial Environmental
Registry, prior to December 22, 2008; and,
That the province be advised that Markham Council supports the new
legislation, in principle and urges the provincial government to ensure
rigourous restrictions on pesticides, a comprehensive education and enforcement
program be undertaken; and,
That Staff monitor the
progress of these regulations and provide comments and updates to Council; and
further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
**Amended by Council at its meeting on December 16, 2008 to add the following paragraph:
“That this report and resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of the Environment of Ontario and the Local Area MPPs.”
9. 2009 CAPITAL AND
OTHER PROGRAMS
BUDGET PRE-APPROVAL (7.5)
There was
brief discussion concerning Budget pre-approval for three additional items –
Tony Roman Memorial Hockey Tournament, Black History Month, and the Chinese New
Year celebrations. It was agreed that consideration of these will be brought
forward to Council on December 16, 2008.
Moved by
Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by
Regional Councillor T. Wong
That the
report dated December 15, 2008 entitled, “2009 Capital and Other Programs
Budget Pre-Approval,” be received; and,
That the
projects, sources of funding and amounts listed in Appendix A to this report be
approved in advance of Council approval of the overall 2009 Budget; and
further,
That staff
be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this
resolution.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee adjourned at 11:09 a.m.