M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

2009-03-23
Meeting No. 07

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. Heath Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor. E. Shapero Councillor C. Moretti Councillor J. Webster Councillor L. Kanapathi Regrets Mayor F. Scarpitti Regional Councillor J. Jones Councillor A. Chiu Councillor D. Horchik Councillor J. Virgilio

B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Brouwer, Deputy Clerk C. Conrad, Town Solicitor B. Cribbett, Treasurer P. Fu, Manager, Capital Right of Way K. Kitteringham, Town Clerk J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services P. Loukes, Director, Operations C. Marsales, Manager, Waste Management P. Wealleans, Director of Revenues Y. Xu, Senior Stormwater Management Engineer K. Dennison, Manager of System Engineering K. Ross, Manager of Development Finance

The General Committee convened at the hour of 1:00 p.m. with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.

1. STORM WATER FLOOD REMEDIATION CLASS ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT AND WEST THORNHILL SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM INFLOW DEPUTATIONS (5.5)

Two deputations were heard by Committee related to item 4 (West Thornhill Storm Water Flood Remediation Class Environment Assessment) and item 5 (West Thornhill Sanitary Sewer System Inflow and Infiltration).

Eileen Liasi, representing the German Mills Ratepayers Association suggested that storm water management systems be altered to address the potential increase in precipitation resulting from global warming. Ms. Liasi also questioned the ability for the current storm water management system to accommodate flood events and whether residents should be responsible for costs associated with storm water system improvements. Ms. Liasi also suggested that water conservation practices be encouraged all year round to mitigate flood concerns.

Toinette Bezant, representing the Bayview Glen Residents Association thanked the Town for its efforts to improve storm water systems in Thornhill. Ms. Bezant questioned whether legislation prohibited the Town from charging residents to recover storm water system improvements, suggested that storm water management practices in other jurisdictions such as the City of Waterloo be explored; and suggested that a seasonal water table study be undertaken.

2. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 9,
FEBRUARY 23, AND MARCH 2, 2009
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)

Feb. 9 Feb. 23 Mar. 2

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

1) That the minutes of the February 9, February 23, and March 2, 2009 General Committee be received.

CARRIED.

3. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2008,
DECEMBER 17, 2008, AND JANUARY 21, 2009
ANIMAL CARE COMMITTEE (16.0)
Nov. 12 Dec. 17 Jan 21

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

1) That the minutes of the November 12, 2008, December 17, 2008, and January 21, 2009 Animal Care Committee be received; and,

2) That Council adopt the following resolution passed at the Animal Care Committee held on January 21, 2009:

That the Town of Markham proclaim the week of April 6^th -12^th, 2009 “National Wildlife Week“; and,

That the Town of Markham proclaim the week of May 3^rd – 9^th, 2009 “Be Kind to Animals Week”.

CARRIED.

4. SUMMARY OF 2008 REMUNERATION
& EXPENSES FOR COUNCILLORS
APPOINTEES TO BOARDS (16.23.2)

Report 1

Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

1) That Council receive for information the March 23, 2009 report entitled “Summary of 2008 Remuneration & Expenses for Councillors and Appointees to Boards”; and,

2) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED.

5. WEST THORNHILL STORM WATER FLOOD
REMEDIATION CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT STUDY PROJECT UPDATE (PART A) (5.5)
Presentation

Pheobe Fu, Manager, Capital Right of Way, provided a status report on the progress with respect to the West Thornhill Storm Water Flood Remediation Class Environmental Assessment, as outlined in the presentation slides included with the agenda package.

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

1) That the presentation entitled “West Thornhill Storm Water Flood Remediation Study, Class Environmental Assessment Study Project Update” be received, and,

2) That staff be authorized to host Public Information Meeting (PIC) No. 1 to present the existing conditions and alternative solutions.

CARRIED.

6. WEST THORNHILL SANITARY SEWER
SYSTEM INFLOW AND INFILTRATION
REDUCTION (PART B) (5.5)

Presentation

Peter Loukes, Director of Operations, provided an overview of the West Thornhill Sanitary Sewer System Inflow and Infiltration Reduction project as outlined in the presentation slides included with the agenda package.

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

1) That the presentation entitled “West Thornhill Sanitary Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Reduction” be received, and;

2) That Staff report back with the evaluation of the Downspout Disconnection Pilot Program, and with a proposed work plan extending the Downspout Disconnection program in the 4^th Quarter 2009; and further,

3) That Staff report back on feasibility, timing and funding source for identified projects.

CARRIED.

7. FORMER SABISTON LANDFILL SITE
– STATUS PRESENTATION (5.7)
Presentation

Moved by Councillor E. Shapero

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

1) That the presentation entitled “Former Sabiston Landfill Site” – Information & Status Update” be received; and,

2) That Staff be authorized to host a public meeting with the Ward Councillor on the remedial options for the former Sabiston Landfill; and,

3) That Staff report back to the General Committee with the results of the public information meeting and recommendations on the remedial options, including the leachate collection system for the landfill.

CARRIED.

8. BLUE BOX PROGRAM PLAN REVIEW (5.7)

Report 1 2

Claudia Marsales, Manager, Waste Management provided an overview of the plans to review the Blue Box Program as outlined in the staff report.

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

1) The report entitled “Blue Box Program Plan Review” be received; and,

2) That Council endorse the Inter-municipal Waste Diversion Committee’s February 27, 2009 comments on the WDO – “Draft Preliminary Report for Consultation Review of the Blue Box Program Plan”; and,

3) That prior to finalizing the preferred options for the new Blue Box Program Plan, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment be requested to:

(a) more clearly define preferred options/models for advancing Ontario’s blue box material recycling system be provided and that extensive and meaningful Province-wide consultation be conducted with the public, municipalities and interested groups; and,

(b) ensure current service level expectations by the public are maintained and ideally enhanced in the future; and,

4) That staff prepare status reports to Council on the new Blue Box Program Plan review process including financial and service level implications; and,

5) That a copy of this Report be forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment, and Waste Diversion Ontario;

6) That staff work with Council to develop a vision and strategy to address the future of the Blue Box Program, to be communicated to Waste Diversion Ontario, and further,

7) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

CARRIED.

9. DEVELOPMENT CHARGES
BY-LAW UPDATE - SOFT SERVICES (7.11)
Report Presentation

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon

1) That the presentation entitled “Development Charges Update (Soft Services)” be received.

2) That the report on the “Development Charge update – Town Wide Soft” be received; and,

3) That the Development Charges Sub-Committee be reconvened to review the update to the Town Wide Soft Development Charge by-law; and further,

4) That Staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this report.

CARRIED.

10. 2009 TAX RATIOS (7.1)
Report

Moved by Councillor J. Webster

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

1) That the report entitled “2009 Tax Ratios” be received for information; and,

2) That Council support retaining the same 2008 ratios as established by Regional Council for the 2009 tax year; and,

3) That the Region of York be informed of Council’s decision; and further,

4) That staff be authorized and directed to take the actions set out in this report.

CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

The General Committee adjourned at 1:58 p.m.