SEVENTH MEETING OF THE
2009 BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
CANADA ROOM,
JANUARY 19, 2009
MINUTES
|
Budget
Sub-Committee: Mayor F. Scarpitti (3:25 pm) Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor J. Webster Councillor C. Moretti Councillor D. Horchik, Chair Councillor L. Kanapathi Councillor
A. Chiu Regrets: Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor G. Landon |
Staff J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services P. Loukes, Director, Operations S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management A. Brown, Director of Engineering S. Tam, Manager, Business Planning and Innovation A. Tang, Manager, Financial Planning J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
The Seventh 2009
Budget Sub-Committee meeting convened at the hour of 1:30 p.m. with Councillor
D. Horchik in the Chair. Councillor J.
Virgilio assumed the Chair for a portion of Item 5.
1. MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY
12, 2009 BUDGET
SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the minutes of the January 12, 2009 Budget Sub-Committee meeting be adopted.
CARRIED
2. RESPONSES TO
QUESTIONS FROM PREVIOUS BUDGET
SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETINGS
Members had before them, as Appendix B, responses to eight (8) questions raised at previous Budget Sub-Committee meetings. It was requested that Questions 2 and 3 be pulled for discussion.
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the responses from previous Budget Sub-Committee meetings, Question 1 and Questions 4 to 8, attached to the Agenda as Appendix B, be received.
CARRIED
SE Community Centre Park – Two Soccer Fields (Project #9350)
Staff had been requested to report back on the feasibility of adding facilities that would accommodate outdoor events. It was reported that a plan to include a dedicated treed permanent picnic area with a shelter and tables, a multipurpose treed area for picnicking or gathering, and a parking lot and pathways would be the most flexible and would accommodate a wide variety of community needs. Staff advised that the revised cost for the additional facilities and 9% internal consulting fees (on the cost of the total project) would be $345,000; (funding from 90% from Development Charges; and 10% from non-DC’s). This would be in addition to the cost for the two soccer fields in the amount of $930,000.
Committee briefly discussed the park’s boundaries and the public consultation process which will include options respecting the detailed design of the park.
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the expenditure of $345,000 for the additional picnic areas at the SE Community Centre Park (Project #9350) be approved.
CARRIED
Staff had been requested to reconsider the inclusion of Projects #9017 and #9018 in the 2009 Budget, since the plan to open the Cornell Fire Station was not until 2011. Members were advised that staff had reviewed the two Projects and determined that the majority of the two Projects could be deferred until the 2010 Budget, with the exception of funding for the design of the Cornell Fire Station.
There was a query regarding the need for the purchase of either a new pumper truck and/or an aerial ladder truck for the new fire station, and staff was requested to report back on the status.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That Project #9018, East Markham Fire Station – Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment be deferred until the 2010 Budget; and
That Project #9107, East Markham Fire Station – Design and Construction be reduced to $350,000 for the funding of the design of the Cornell Fire Station in the 2009 Budget; and
That the remaining amount of $3,154,000 of Project #9107 be deferred to the 2010 Budget.
CARRIED
3. REVIEW OF THE 2009
CAPITAL BUDGET – PROJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED
Members had before them a list of projects to be discussed, attached to the Agenda as Appendix C.
Project #9352 –
Moved by Councillor C. Moretti
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That Project #9352, Berczy Park South – Final Phase, be approved in the amount of $2,666,100.
CARRIED
Project #9353 –
Project #9100 –
Project #9219 – Permanent
Public Washrooms - $400,000 – Members discussed the
installation of permanent washrooms on
Staff pointed out that the washrooms must be accessible, have soft cleaning components, and be both male and female. There was some discussion regarding construction design options; new technology; the importance of cleanliness and maintenance; the feasibility of phasing-in; and policy and strategy.
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
That $400,000 be allocated to the 2009 Budget for the installation of permanent public washrooms; and
That if there is a need to phase-in the washrooms, staff proceed accordingly.
CARRIED
Some Members expressed concern regarding this action, and following further discussion, it was requested that the matter be reconsidered.
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
That the matter of the installation of permanent public washrooms be reconsidered.
CARRIED
(Two Thirds Vote Required and Obtained)
Moved by Councillor J. Virgilio
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
That $400,000 be allocated to the 2009 Budget for the installation of permanent public washrooms; and
That if there is a need to phase-in the washrooms, staff proceed accordingly.
LOST
Committee discussed alternative sources of funding for the washrooms; public standards; needs; building construction requirements; and the importance of a Town policy on this matter. Members put forward two motions/amendments regarding suggested locations for the permanent washrooms, and also on the feasibility of phasing in the installations, however, both motions/amendments either had no seconder or was lost.
Staff advised that a report, including the results of a feasibility study, policy and implementation plan, will be presented in February or March of 2009.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That $200,000 be allocated to
the 2009 Budget for the installation of permanent public washrooms in the Town
of
CARRIED
Staff will review the grant allocation and provide a recommendation on the re-allocation of the Infrastructure grant to accommodate the $200K for the public washrooms.
4. REVIEW OF THE
PROPOSED GRANTS ALLOCATION
Members had before them a list of projects recommended to be funded from Grants and Other Funding Sources. Staff advised that Project #9350, SE Community Centre, would be updated according to earlier direction of Committee this date.
Members discussed Project
#9226, Bridge Improvement –
Members were advised that a study is also underway by a consulting firm, and options will include leaving the bridge as is or widening and raising the bridge. Staff will speak to the firm regarding the availability of preliminary recommendations.
In response to a query, staff explained that there is no time limit on this grant and it would be possible to substitute another project, however, the importance of having a placeholder in the amount of $1.2M for this project was emphasized.
The Director of Engineering was requested to bring back a report, as soon as the environmental assessment is finalized, regarding the actual funds required for this project for 2009, the status of the environmental assessment, and preliminary recommendations of the consultants.
It was requested that it may be prudent to be less specific with the description of this project and staff was requested to change the project description for #9226 to “Other Road and Bridge Improvements”.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the Projects recommended to be funded from Grants and Other Funding Sources, as presented as Appendix D, be approved.
CARRIED
5. COUNCILLOR’S
TELECOMMUNICATION BUDGET
At the January 12 Budget Sub-Committee meeting, staff had been requested to provide information with respect to the telecommunications portion of the Councillors’ Discretionary Budget. Staff presented an analysis of the actual costs, current practice and options available.
It was noted that currently cell phone usage expenses are charged to their individual discretionary budgets, Blackberry data fees are charged to a corporate budget, and all costs related to personal calls are reimbursed to the Town.
There was considerable discussion and motions put forward that were lost. It was suggested that staff look into the feasibility of IP phones, which operate through the Internet at very low cost.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
That the Councillor’s Non-Discretionary Budget be increased by $13,000 to accommodate voice telecommunications.
CARRIED
6. CONTINUATION WITH
THE REVIEW OF COUNCILLOR’S
REQUESTS
At the January 12. 2009 Budget Sub-Committee meeting, Members reviewed the list of Councillor’s Requests, #1 - #6. The remainder of the Requests, #7 - #21, attached to the Agenda as Appendix E, were before them for consideration this date in addition to the departmental responses. The Chair requested Members to raise matters by exception only.
#8 –
#9 –
#13 – Royal Conservatory of Music Proposal/Theatre – Staff will prepare a Briefing Note on this matter to update members on the status of this matter.
#18 – Anthony Roman Centre – The status of future plans of the Civic Centre and surrounding property was queried, and staff advised that a concept plan has been prepared of the area showing development potential, however, this is anticipated to be in the longer term as Markham Centre develops. It was agreed that this matter would be raised during the 2010 Budget discussions.
#20 – Career Bridge and Career Ability Programs – Staff outlined the proposal to elevate the two Programs by hiring four 6-month interns and by approaching the Library, PowerStream, MDEI and other not-for-profit organizations to also hire four 6-month interns.
7. NEXT
STEPS
January 26, 2008 –
General Committee - Public Consultation
Budget Presentation
The Chair noted that
there were still a few outstanding matters that should be dealt with by
Committee, however, staff suggested that funding will be re-allocated to
accommodate the direction of the Committee this date, and there would be no
need for a further Budget Sub-Committee meeting.
Following some
discussion, it was agreed that staff will deliver, to the General Committee on
January 26th, a draft of the Public Budget Presentation, including
the direction of Committee today. At
that time, there will be a recommendation to discharge the Budget
Sub-Committee.
February 4, 2009 – Budget Public Consultation
The Chair reported
that a Budget Breakfast was not being held this year, but instead a Budget
Public Consultation has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 4 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers. Staff will be
forwarding invitations to various organizations and groups, including the
following:
·
Ratepayer Associations
·
Advisory Committee and Boards, and
·
Staff was requested
to send the list of those being invited to the Budget Consultation Meeting to
all Members of Council. Those Members
wishing to invite any additional persons were requested to advise staff as soon
as possible.
February 9, 2009 – General Committee – Public Consultation Feedback
February 10, 2009 – Council Meeting – 2009 Budget Approval
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That the Seventh Budget Sub-Committee meeting adjourn. (4:00 p.m.)
CARRIED