M I
N U T E S
GENERAL COMMITTEE
March 8, 2010
Meeting
No. 7
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
Alternate formats are available upon request.
Attendance
|
Deputy Mayor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor V. Burke Councillor. E. Shapero Councillor D. Hamilton Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Regrets Mayor F. Scarpitti Councillor C. Moretti Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor A. Taylor,
Commissioner of Corporate Services B. Librecz, Commissioner
of Community & Fire Services S. Andrews,
Director, Asset Management A. Brouwer, Deputy
Clerk F. Edwards, Election
Coordinator S. Huycke, Public Services & Records Coordinator P. Ingham, General
Manager, Operations K. Kitteringham,
Town Clerk P. Loukes, Director,
Operations J. Lustig, Treasurer J. Ryerson,
Director of Culture V. Siu, Acting
Manager Financial Planning N. Takata, Parks Planner K.
Bavington, Committee Clerk |
The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:03 a.m. with Councillor J.
Virgilio in the Chair for Finance and Administrative items, and for Community
Services items.
The Committee consented to move
in-camera at this time to hear deputations on an item listed on the in-camera
agenda.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
None disclosed.
IN CAMERA MATTERS
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matters:
1) A litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the Committee rise from the in-camera session (9:20 AM)
CARRIED
1. OVERVIEW
OF PROPOSED
ELECTION MODEL & KEY DATES
(14.0)
Kimberley Kitteringham, Town Clerk, and Andrew Brouwer, Deputy Clerk, gave a presentation on the proposed election model and key dates, seeking feedback from the Committee. The presentation included an overview of the statutory framework under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, and background information. The Clerk noted a recent Conference and Elections Canada Workshop held at Carlton University regarding online voting, that both the Clerk and Deputy Clerk had attended, and advised that Markham is a world leader in online voting.
Staff outlined the guiding principles, key considerations, and the rationale of the proposed election model. Key dates were reviewed, including Early Voting dates of October 16, 17, 18, and 19, 2010. The Committee suggested that Early Voting be available at the Civic Centre on all the Early Voting days, and that Early Voting hours be extended from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
In response to comments from the Committee, staff advised that Dr. Henry Kim of York University is evaluating voting literature to update his previous review of the risks associated with various voting materials. Dr. Kim’s findings will be made available to Council and the public.
The Committee discussed the legal implications of fraudulent voting practices, such as collecting online voter registration information; how to ensure that the entitled voter is the one who is voting online and how to ensure there are no undue influences. It was suggested that tracking activities for IP addresses may identify where an inappropriate number of votes have been cast at a specific computer, however staff advised that it is difficult to predict which computer a person will use to cast a vote. The Committee requested that staff provide a response to these issues and how they can be managed.
Staff responded that, by its nature, online voting is unsupervised. There is a two-step security process involving a PIN mail-out and a secondary credential provided through an encrypted, secure e-mail. Elections are fundamentally based on the honesty of the voter, and anyone who votes when they are not eligible is committing a criminal offence. Staff advised that the concerns identified can be brought forward to election authorities to consider amendments to election regulations.
The Committee also requested that in areas where second suites and unregistered voters are prevalent, additional promotion be provided regarding identification requirements, and that more resources, including language diversity support, be allocated in these areas to assist voters who are registering on election day.
The next steps include upcoming reports to General Committee on the establishment of a Compliance Audit Committee; and authority to use of an alternative voting method.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That the presentation by Kimberley Kitteringham, Town Clerk, and Andrew Brouwer, Deputy Clerk, entitled “Overview of Proposed Election Model & Key Dates” be received.
CARRIED
2. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2010
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of the February 8, 2010 General
Committee be received.
CARRIED
3. MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 1, 2010
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
(16.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of the February 1, 2010 Race Relations Committee be received.
CARRIED
4. MINUTES OF THE
JANUARY 18, 2010
VARLEY MCKAY ART FOUNDATION
OF MARKHAM (16.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of the January 18, 2010 Varley McKay Art Foundation of Markham be received.
CARRIED
5. MINUTES
OF JANUARY 14, 2010
CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the Minutes of the January 14, 2010 Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be received.
CARRIED
6. RESIGNATIONS –
ADVISORY
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (16.24)
The Markham Public Library Board is recommending that a replacement not be pursued at this time.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the resignation of Pat Durst from the Markham Public Library Board be received with regret and that a letter of appreciation be forwarded.
CARRIED
7. SUMMARY OF 2009
REMUNERATION & EXPENSES
FOR COUNCILLORS AND APPOINTEES TO BOARDS (7.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That Council receive for information the March 8, 2010 report entitled “Summary of 2009 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.
8. MARKHAM
DISTRICT ENERGY CAPITAL -
GAS TAX FUNDING (7.3)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor J. Jones
1) That the report dated February 19, 2010 entitled “Markham District Energy Capital – Gas Tax Funding” be received; and,
2) That Council approve the allocation of $16.0 million of Gas Tax funding to Markham District Energy (MDE); and,
3) That the Treasurer be authorized to transfer, as a grant, $16.0 million to Markham District Energy (MDE) when deemed appropriate over the next four years; and further,
4) That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
9. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS -
2010 MUNICIPAL ELECTION (14.0)
The Committee directed that Early Voting be available at the Civic Centre on all the Early Voting days, and that Early Voting hours be extended from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Moved by Webster
Seconded by Erin
1) That the Report entitled “Administrative Matters - 2010 Municipal Election” be received; and,
2) That a by-law be adopted to establish the 2010 early voting dates, times and locations within the Town outlined in Attachment “A”; and,
3) That a by-law be adopted to establish special voting hours for institutions and retirement homes in the form attached hereto as Attachment “B”, and,
4) That a by-law be adopted to provide for election-related information to be made available in languages other than English and French as outlined in Attachment “C”; and,
5) That Early Voting be
available at the Civic Centre on all the Early Voting days, and that Early
Voting hours be extended from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
and further,
6) That staff be authorized to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
10. NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
MAY 16 – 22, 2010, PUBLIC
WORKS: “ABOVE,
BELOW, & ALL AROUND YOU”
(5.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That the Mayor and Council proclaim the week of May 16-22, 2010, as ‘National Public Works Week’ in the Town of Markham; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
11. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY (8.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor D. Hamilton
1) That the report entitled “Delegation of Authority” be received; and,
2) That the Gallery Manager be authorized to execute and be granted signing authority for contracts relating to the Varley Art Gallery collection in accordance with the Varley Art Gallery Collection Policy and Procedures and in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor. Contracts include: art and archives loan agreements; agreements to acquire art and archives materials; gift agreements; agreements to exchange art and archives with other galleries and archives; and agreements granting permission to third parties to use and/or reproduce art images or archival materials owned by the Town; and further,
3) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
12. GIANT HOGWEED CONTROL STRATEGY (5.7)
Deirdre Kavanagh, a member of the Markham Horticultural Society, addressed the Committee in support of the staff recommendation. Ms. Kavanagh displayed photographs of Giant Hogweed plants in the Markham area, and advised that there are serious public health implications, as the plant can cause severe allergic reactions. The use and application of the pesticide Glyphosate (Round Up) was discussed.
Ms. Kavanagh advised that the plants can be found along many sideroads and that consideration should be given to assisting residents in ridding their properties of the plants. Wild animals are immune to the plant, but domesticated dogs and cats are not.
Nory Takata, Parks Planner, outlined the proposed control strategy, and advised that if the pesticide is injected properly, there is a 96% chance of destruction with one application. The Region of York is aware of this infestation, and has taken action at one location on the 9th Line, under the Noxious Weed Act.
The Committee discussed the injection and manual removal methods, and disposal of the plant remnants. Staff confirmed that once the plant material is desiccated it is not harmful. Caution was expressed for the use of pesticides within the valley corridors with respect to contamination of the water courses. Staff have consulted with agencies and municipalities who have experience with this problem, including the TRCA and Credit Valley Conservation Authority and will continue to do so.
With respect to private property, staff suggested that landscape professionals would be able to provide assistance and that the pesticide would be available for this non-cosmetic use. All landscape providers who are permitted to buy pesticides must be licensed and certified. TRCA is also available to provide advice. The Town can identify and encourage pesticide injections as the preferred method of control.
Public education will be highlighted on the Town website and information brochures will be prepared. The Committee requested that a further report be provided on measures taken to increase public awareness. Staff advised that they will continue to discuss this issue with neighbouring municipalities, to ensure the plant does not spread.
The Committee thanked Ms. Kavanagh and staff for their presentations.
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That the deputation by Ms. D. Kavanagh regarding the Town’s giant hogweed strategy be received.
2) That the report entitled Giant Hogweed Control Strategy be received; and,
3) That Council approve Option 3 – ‘Treatment with Glyphosate’ as the preferred strategy option to address eradication and control measures for Giant Hogweed in Markham; and,
4) That injections be explored as the preferred method of
pesticide application;
5) That Council acknowledges that this Control Strategy represents the first year of a multi-year program; and,
6) That Council approve funding in the amount of $30,000 be allocated from Parks Operating Account # 730-730 5399 to implement control measures; and,
7)
That staff report back to General Committee on a program of
increasing public awareness, including updating the town website and preparing
an information pamphlet; and further,
8) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED
IN CAMERA MATTERS
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That, in accordance with Section 239 (2) (e) of the Municipal Act, General Committee resolve into an in-camera session to discuss the following confidential matters:
1) Confidential General Committee Minutes.
2) A litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor J. Webster
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the Committee rise from the in-camera session (11:08 AM)
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee meeting adjourned at 11:08 AM.