Report to: General Committee Report Date: June 22, 2009

SUBJECT: West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation Class EA Study – Update

PREPARED BY: Yanli Xu, Senior Stormwater Management Engineer, ext.2894

Phoebe Fu, Manager, Capital of Right-of -Way, ext.3010

RECOMMENDATION:

1) THAT the report entitled “West Thornhill Stormwater Remediation Class EA Study – Update” be received;

2) AND THAT staff report back to General Committee with study recommendations.

3) AND THAT staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

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

5. Others (HR, Strategic, Affected Units) 6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to outline the next steps for West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation Class B Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study.

BACKGROUND:

On August 19, 2005 the Town of Markham experienced a rainstorm event measuring 120 millimetre (5-inches) of rainfall in a three hour duration. Significant surface and basement flooding occurred in some areas of West Thornhill.

In response, Markham initiated in February 2008, a Municipal Class B Environmental Assessment study to assess the existing stormwater system conditions and the alternative solutions to improve the stormwater system performance in West Thornhill to an acceptable level of protection.

On June 2, 2009, Staff presented to Council at a Special Development Services Committee and obtained Council’s authorization to host Public Information Meeting (PIC) No. 2 to present the draft preferred alternative solution for the study. On June 3, 2009 at a Council meeting, Staff further discussed this matter and below is the Council Resolution:

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 3, 2009 Council meeting regarding the Project Update be received, and

3) 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

4) 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

5) 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,

6) That Council confirm its position regarding the "#4 - 100 year level of protection" subsequent to the announcement on the infrastructure grant funding and the submission of a final recommendation of staff; and,

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

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

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

As per Council resolution Item 6, Council is to confirm its position regarding the "#4 - 100 year level of protection" subsequent to the announcement on the infrastructure grant funding. Following the June 3, 2009 Council meeting, the Town was informed that the West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation improvement application did not receive Infrastructure Stimulus Funding. Therefore, staff would like to further review the number of options and financial implications.

Staff will report back in the Fall of 2009 with the Class EA recommendations. Once the Council makes the decision on the level of protection, staff will move forward to host the Public Information Centre #2 in the Fall of 2009. Subsequently, staff will report to the Council with final recommendations and file the Class EA report in winter of 2009/2010.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not applicable

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not applicable

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

This report is consistent with the Building Markham’s Future Together strategic priority on the “Environment” as it considers sustainability on the built environment.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable

RECOMMENDED

BY:

________________________ ________________________

Steve Andrews Brenda Librecz

Director, Asset Management Commissioner, Community and Fire Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Not Applicable

Q:\Asset Management\CAPITAL RIGHT OF WAY\Design\08-004_Thornhill Storm Water Flood Remediation Study\Admin\council report\GC Jun 22 09\West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation Class EA Study_GC Jun22 09_FINAL.doc