M I N U T E S

GENERAL COMMITTEE

January 18, 2010
Meeting No. 2

Finance & Administrative Issues Community Services Issues

Chair: Reg. 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

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

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer C. Conrad, Town Solicitor A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services J. Lustig, Acting Treasurer K. Kitteringham, Town Clerk F. Edwards, Election Coordinator J. Ryerson, Director of Culture E. Lariviere, Manager, Theatre C. Molloy, Manager, Museum M. Creighton, Director of Recreation Services B. Wiles, Manager of By-law Enforcement and Licensing E. Valente, Zoning Supervisor A. Brouwer, Deputy Town Clerk K. Bavington, Committee Clerk

The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Regional Councillor J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor C. Moretti chaired the meeting for the Building, Parks, and Construction items.

1. ELECTION SIGNS (14.0)
Attachment

Bill Wiles, Manager of By-law Enforcement and Licensing, provided an overview of the current Election Sign By-law; feedback from the 2006 General Election and the 2009 By-election; the proposed 2010 election sign program; and possible amendments for Committee’s consideration.

The election sign regulations are being brought in line with Regional regulations, with some exceptions, and apply to Provincial and Federal elections as well. The City of Toronto’s Election Sign By-law applies to both sides of Steeles Avenue.

The presentation highlights included the types of permitted signs, location of placement, removal deadlines, and recycling practices. The awareness program includes the provision of an election sign booklet and ward/town-wide maps. Candidate and campaign staff meetings and field sign placement tours will also be held.

The Committee discussed the recommended amendments and provided feedback. Staff provided clarification where required. With respect to the proposed amendment to allow placement of signs six weeks prior to the election, Committee debated whether fours weeks would be sufficient. Staff agreed to map out regional roads to clarify permitted locations, if the Town does not align Markham’s regulations with Regional time frames. Concern was expressed regarding prohibiting the placement of lawn signs between the curb and sidewalk. Clarification was provided that lawn sign placement restrictions are 1.8m from a curb, or 0.6m from a sidewalk. With respect to changes to fees, support was indicated for the increase, however there was discussion involving the method of collecting fines and equity between property owners and tenants.

The Committee expressed interest in receiving feedback from the candidates in the recent Ward 3 By-election held in November, 2009. Staff will present a report and draft by-law within the first quarter of 2010.

Moved by Councillor C. Moretti

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

1) That the presentation by Mr. B. Wiles, Manager of By-Laws, Enforcement, & Licensing, entitled “Election Signs” be received.

CARRIED

2. ELECTION HEADQUARTERS (14.0)

Bill Wiles, Manager of By-law Enforcement and Licensing, explained that election headquarters are currently considered “Office Use” under the zoning regulations and are also permitted in a residence under the Home Occupation By-law. The Sign By-law permits an exemption from signage restrictions for any campaign headquarters in a commercial/retail building, but not for a Home Occupation. These “temporary occupancies” are commonly located in vacant spaces; however, there are a limited number of vacancies permitting office uses.

Mr. Wiles referred to a recent situation during the Ward 3 By-election, and the direction given to staff to prepare a report on this issue to provide certainty for candidates and to provide a wider range of eligible properties for future elections.

Staff reviewed two options:

(1) restrict campaign headquarters to locations where they are permitted under zoning regulations only

(2) implement a town-wide zoning amendment to permit temporary occupancy for a campaign headquarters in most zone categories, with some limitations.

The pros and cons of each option, the proposed definition of a campaign headquarters, and a proposed zoning by-law amendment provision were reviewed.

The Committee questioned the treatment of Heritage districts, the size of the permitted signs in the various zones, the requirement for campaign staff to be present, and public access to the headquarters in the event that it is a residence. Discussions included the process to obtain a permit for the use, Building Code regulations, and the restriction on the use up to 60 days or up to one year.

The Committee indicated support for the option to implement a town-wide zoning amendment to permit temporary occupancy for a campaign headquarters in industrial, commercial and retail zone categories, and directed staff to prepare a draft zoning by-law amendment for further discussion, prior to proceeding to a Public Meeting. Staff will report back to a future General Committee meeting in conjunction with the Election Sign issue as early as possible.

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones

1) That the presentation by Mr. B. Wiles, Manager of By-Laws, Enforcement, & Licensing, entitled “Election Headquarters” be received; and

2) That staff prepare a draft zoning bylaw amendment to permit campaign headquarters as a temporary use in industrial, commercial, retail, and residential zones for consideration at a future General Committee meeting.

CARRIED

3. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 18 AND DECEMBER 16, 2009
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY (16.11)

Nov. 18 Dec. 16

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

1) That the Minutes of the November18, and December 16, 2009 Advisory Committee on Accessibility be received.

CARRIED

4. MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 21 AND NOVEMBER 18, 2009
MARKHAM VILLAGE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA (3.11)

Oct. 21 Oct. 21 Attachment Nov. 18 Nov. 18 Attachment

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

1) That the Minutes of the October 21 and November 18, 2009 Markham Village Business Improvement Area be received.

CARRIED

5. APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS -
ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (16.24)

Moved by Councillor A. Chiu

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

1) That the resignation of Ms. Sheynoor Karsan from the Achievement and Civic Recognition Awards Committee (ACRA) be received with regret and a letter of appreciation be forwarded; and,

2) That the Clerk's Department be directed to advertise for the vacancy.

CARRIED

6. MUSEUM CAPITAL REALLOCATION (6.7)
Report Attachment

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu

1) That Council approve the re-allocation of previously approved capital project funds to meet the current needs of the museum as outlined in appendix A; and,

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

CARRIED

7. ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF ONTARIO
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (13.12.2)

Letter

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

1) That the letter from Peter Hume, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, regarding progresses that have been made and what lies ahead, be received.

CARRIED

8. EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI (16.23)

Letter

The Committee expressed condolences to the victims and Canadians affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

Moved by Councillor D. Horchik

Seconded by Councillor C. Moretti

1) That the email from Councillor Logan Kanapathi requesting that the Town issue a press release to help raise money for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti, be received.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The General Committee meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.

Alternate formats for this document are available upon request.