Report to: General Committee                                                        Report Date: June 12, 2009

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Update

PREPARED BY:               Colin Service, Manager of Planning & Policy Development

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1)                  THAT the report entitled “Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Update” be received;

 

2)                  AND THAT the Town proceed with the completion of the Facility Accessibility ($3,200,000), Energy ($3,000,000) and Emergency Operations Centre ($1,000,000) Retrofits for a total cost of $7,200,000 and the Thornhill Community Centre & Library Renovations and Additions Project of $6,000,000 total cost on a 1/3 shared basis with the Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and Town of Markham;

 

3)                  AND THAT the Town of Markham’s share of $1,067,000 for the Facility Accessibility project be funded from the 2010-2014 Accessibility Annual Program capital project in the annual amount of $213,400;

 

4)                  AND THAT the Town of Markham’s share to a maximum of $1,000,000 for the Facility Energy Retrofit project be funded from the Lifecycle Replacement and Capital Reserve fund in the amount of $500,000 and the 2010 Federal Gas Tax grant in the amount of $500,000;

 

5)                  AND THAT the Town of Markham’s share of $333,000 for the Emergency Operations Centre Retrofit project be funded from the Lifecycle Replacement and Capital Reserve fund;

 

6)                  AND THAT the Town of Markham’s share of $2,000,000 for the Thornhill Community Centre & Library Renovations and Additions project be funded from the Lifecycle Replacement and Capital Reserve fund;

 

7)                  AND THAT four capital projects are created to undertake the work: Thornhill Community Centre and Library, Facility Accessibility Retrofits, Facility Energy Retrofits and Emergency Operations Centre;

 

8)                  AND THAT the CAO exercise his authority under the CAO By-law to proceed with executing appropriate agreements to ensure projects underway;

 

9)                  AND THAT authority be given to enter into agreements with Government of Canada and Province of Ontario to complete projects;

 

10)              AND THAT staff report back on the progress of the above initiatives in September;

 

11)              AND THAT staff be authorized and directed to take the actions set out in this report.

 

1. Purpose  2. Background  3. Discussion  4. Financial 

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to update General Committee on the status of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund Applications.  Further, the purpose is to seek approval to begin construction associated with approved applications, with authorization given to the CAO to make necessary financial commitments with appropriate parties during the summer recess of Council.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

On April 21, 2009, Council was provided a presentation outlining the various programs available for Infrastructure Funding.  At that time Council passed a resolution to proceed with three applications to the 2009 Federal Budget Stimulus Plan.  The projects identified by Council included: West Thornhill Storm and Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Flood Remediation Works; Facility Accessibility, Energy and Emergency Operations Centre Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project; Thornhill Community Centre Library Renovations and Additions Project. 

 

 

Details of the projects are as follows:

 

1.  West Thornhill Storm and Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Flood Remediation Works

o     Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

o     Storm Sewer Rehabilitation

o     Watercourse Rehabilitation and Environmental Remediation

 

2.   Facility Accessibility, Energy and Emergency Operations Centre Retrofit and    

Rehabilitation Project

o     Facility Energy Retrofits

o     Facility Accessibility Retrofits

o     Emergency Operations Centre

 

3.  Thornhill Community Centre Library Renovations and Additions Project

o     Renovation to lower level – renovate 10,880 sq. ft. and add 3,260 sq. ft. new construction for the purposes of youth, seniors and general programming space

o     Retrofit of the existing double-height library theatre/auditorium space to provide for multi-purpose rooms, children centre, computer training room and study rooms

o     Rehabilitation of part of the existing library

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The Town of Markham has been informed that two of the three applications have been approved: Facility Accessibility, Energy and Emergency Operations Centre Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project; and Thornhill Community Centre Library Renovations and Additions Project. 

 

One of the conditions of the funding is that the project is fully complete by March 31, 2011.  All expenses incurred after said date will not be eligible for funding.  Given the strict timelines, both projects must commence over the summer months.

Staff from the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Secretariat will be in touch with municipalities whose projects have been selected for funding to sign a Contribution Agreement.   Once the agreement is forwarded by the Secretariat it will be executed by the Town’s signing authorities.

The two projects that have received funding support are as follows:

1.     Facility Accessibility, Energy and Emergency Operations Centre Retrofit and   Rehabilitation Project – (Total Project Cost $7.2 Million)              

 a)  Facility Energy Retrofits:

o     Solar water/ air heating for all Town owned swimming pools with waste heat recovery

o     Centralized monitoring and control of building systems for major Town facilities. 

o     Hi-efficiency heating and cooling system upgrade 

o     Electrical load reduction through application of high efficacy lighting, variable speed drives and sensors

o     Instantaneous on-demand heating of water to reduce standby energy losses 

o     Replacement of single pane windows with more efficient (thermal) windows

 

Locations:

 

o     Thornhill Community Centre  (7755 Bayview Avenue, Thornhill),

o     Angus Glen Community Centre (3990 Major Mackenzie Drive, Markham),

o     Morgan Outdoor Pool (Parkway and Elm, Markham),

o     Rouge River Outdoor Pool (120 Rouge Bank Drive, Box Grove),

o     Thornlea Pool (8075 Bayview Ave),

o     Armadale Community Centre (2401 Denison Street, Milliken),

o     Varley Art Gallery (216 Main Street, Unionville),

o     Markham Civic Centre (101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham), 

o     Markham Village Library (6031 Hwy 7, Markham),

o     8100 Warden Avenue, Markham.

 

 

 b)  Facility Accessibility Retrofit:

 

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) came into effect in 2001.  In accordance with the Act, Council established the Accessibility Plan in October 2003.   In 2008, a audit  of  Town of Markham facilities was conducted  that detailed all actions needed to make our public facilities fully compliant and barrier free.   The audit will be the basis for undertaking the accessibility retrofits across the Town.  The project scope and program will be reviewed with the Accessibility Committee of the Town of Markham.

 

Accessibility retrofits for the following buildings will be undertaken:

o     Markham Civic Centre

o     Milliken Mills Community Centre

o     Armadale Community Centre

o     Crosby Memorial Community Centre

o     Markham Village Community Centre

o     Markham Theatre

o     Mount Joy Community Centre

o     R.J. Clatworthy Arena

o     Thornhill Community Centre and Unionville Library

o     Markham Train Station

 

 

c) Emergency Operations Centre:

 

Construct a new Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at the Municipal building of 8100 Warden Avenue, by renovating a portion of the building  The new EOC will be able to provide a more effective facility to respond to and manage Town-wide and regional emergency situations.

 

2.          Thornhill Community Centre:  (Total Project Cost:  $ 6.0 Million)

 

o     Retrofit of the existing double-height library theatre/auditorium space to provide for multi-purpose rooms, children centre, computer training room and study rooms

o     Expansion of approximately 3200 sq ft of new indoor space with the addition of a new entrance from the courtyard

o     Reconfiguration of lower level (old fitness centre) to improve over 10,800 sq ft for the creation of dedicated youth and seniors space and multi purpose programming rooms

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:

Prior to release of any funds by the Provincial and Federal Governments, the Town of Markham must provide proof of support of each approved contribution and confirmation of municipal contribution.  Through this report, it is recommended that Council support the projects and commit $7.2 million for Facility Accessibility, Energy and Emergency Operations Centre Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project and $6.0 million for Thornhill Community Centre Library Renovations and Additions Project.  The Town’s share for each project is $2.4 and $2.0 million respectively.

 

 

 

There will be operational savings from the Energy Retrofits which will be an E3 project for 2010 and 2011.

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

These projects will compliment the findings in the Integrated Leisure Master Plan and will support the Growth Plan strategies, Accessibility Guidelines through the Diversity Initiative and will contribute a positive environmental impact.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Finance

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Brenda Librecz                                   John Livey

                                      Commissioner, Community & CAO   

                                      Fire Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

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