FIRST MEETING OF THE

2010 BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE

 

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

OCTOBER 19, 2009

 

MINUTES

 

 

Budget Sub-Committee:

 

Councillor D. Horchik, Chair

Deputy Mayor J. Heath

Councillor V. Burke

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor J. Webster

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Councillor A. Chiu

 

Other Members:

Mayor F. Scarpitti

Regional Councillor J. Virgilio

 

Regrets:

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor G. Landon

Councillor C. Moretti

 

 

 

Staff

 

J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer

J. Baird, Commissioner of Development             Services

A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

B. Librecz, Commissioner of Community and

            Fire Services

B. Cribbett, Treasurer

J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services

A. Tang, Manager, Financial Planning

V. Siu, Senior Business Analyst

B. Snowball, Fire Chief

S. Laing, Director, Human Resources

C. Biss, CEO, Markham Public Libraries

P. Loukes, Director, Operations

J. Ryerson, Director, Culture

G. Taylor, Acting Director, Recreation Services

S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management

D. Taylor, Manager, Strategic Initiatives

R. Raman, Manager, Accounting &

            Expenditure Control

I. Kutter, Auditor General

P. Ingham, General Manager, Operations

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The First 2010 Budget Sub-Committee meeting convened at the hour of 1:05 p.m. with Councillor D. Horchik in the Chair. 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         2010 BUDGET SCHEDULE & BUDGET PROCESS

 

Mr. Joel Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services, briefly reviewed the Agenda for the Budget Sub-Committee meeting this date.

 

Members were advised that Budget Sub-Committee meetings have been scheduled as follows for the 2010 Budget process:

 

Monday, October 19

Tuesday, October 20

Wednesday, October 21, and

Friday, October 23 (if required)

 

The Director of Financial and Client Services reviewed the Town’s 2010 Budget process advising that the preliminary budget is based on a combination of the fiscal scan, Business Plans, the Reserve Studies, the Integrated Leisure Master Plan, Councillor Requests, and the Development Charge Background Study.  He advised that the preliminary budget is reviewed by the Directors Forum (Capital only); the CAO and Commissioners’ Committee; and extensively reviewed by the Budget Sub-Committee, and public input is obtained prior to Council approval.

 

 

 

2.         FISCAL SCAN

 

The Director of Financial and Client Services provided detailed information relating to the many budget pressures and economic environment that must be taken into account when preparing the current budget.  These include: wage settlements; municipal service contracts; infrastructure; growth; provincial legislation; and economic trends.

 

Committee queried the recent CUPE wage settlements in the City of Toronto; and in response to a query regarding MPFFA (Fire) contract expectations, staff later advised the wage settlement at the City of Toronto.  Committee also discussed fuel costs, and waste reductions, and staff was requested to provide an update on the status of the three-stream waste program for hi-rise buildings at a future meeting of General Committee.

 

 

 

3.         2010 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET

 

2010 Base Operating Budget Assumptions

 

The Director of Financial and Client Services advised that by following an incremental budgeting method all accounts at the 2009 base budget levels were reviewed and reallocations and/or reductions were adjusted accordingly; (details were outlined in the Agenda material).

 

2010 Preliminary Operating Budget Summary

 

The Director of Financial and Client Services reviewed the 2010 Preliminary Operating Budget Summary, excluding Planning & Design, Engineering, Building Standards, and Waterworks, with details on Revenues and Expenditures.  Committee was advised that the projected shortfall and tax rate increase is currently at $0.61M or 0.58% respectively.

 

The Director reviewed options to further reduce the Operating Budget shortfall, as follows:

·        pre-commitment of 2011 Gas Tax Funding to the 2010 capital program; and

·        contribution to Land Acquisition Reserves from $1M to $0.6M

 

Committee queried the reduction in the contribution to the Land Acquisition Reserves, and staff advised that the reserve balances, Environmental Land Acquisition Reserve is currently at $6.2M, and the Land Acquisition Reserve is at $2.7M.  Staff was requested to report back on the number of properties that are currently on the Environmental Land Acquisition list, and on the estimated value of the properties.

 

The Chair suggested and Members agreed that Committee would consider the Operating Budget presentation at this time, submit comments and questions, and then consider the Councillors’ Requests.  The Capital Budget presentation will be delivered at the October 20th meeting of Committee.

 

Members queried the assumption of a 2% increase in assessment growth, and the expected increase in investment income.  Staff advised that they are optimistic regarding the 2% increase, and advised that a report will be presented to General Committee in the next month or so regarding a Capital Gains Strategy.

 

 

 

4.         COUNCILLOR’S REQUESTS

 

Committee was provided with a listing of nineteen (19) Councillor requests for items to be included in the 2010 Budget, with corresponding comments from staff.  Members discussed the items, by exception, and provided direction, as follows

 

#1 - Speed Humps to Calm Traffic and Traffic Infiltration (Highglen Ave. between McCowan and Markham Road) –Members were advised that Council has previously directed staff to not proceed with further traffic calming until the Traffic Calming Program review has been completed, and any new projects would be subject to the environmental assessment process.  Committee discussed the need for increased enforcement, the importance of education, and consideration of other options, such as speed boards, traffic signals, diamonds, medians, photo radar, and radar boards.  Staff was requested to forward the list of top 25 priority streets to Members for their information.

 

Following further discussion, staff advised that they will bring forward to the Development Services Committee in early 2010 a comprehensive report on the future direction of the Safe Streets Strategy, which will include, but not be limited to information relating to Highglen Avenue, other streets with issues/complaints, numbers of accidents, feasibility of photo radar boards, and the Province’s position on photo radar.  It was suggested that possible solutions could include: educational brochures, and the publishing of license plates.

 

 

#5 - Storm and Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure – Concern expressed regarding potential local improvement charges to residents.  $2M will be included in the 2010 Capital Budget, pending the report to Council on finalization of the environmental assessment, phasing and funding.

 

 

#7 - Gateway Beautification – Yonge & Steeles, and Flowers on John Street Bridge – Staff advised that this will be a component of the new Public Realm Program which will be developed with the Beautification Committee – The 2010 Capital Budget includes $150,000 for a Town-wide Public Realm Program.

 

 

#8 (a & b) - Yonge Street Heritage Area – Banners on posts to celebrate heritage and define heritage area; and Christmas lights on trees – To be considered in the development of the Public Realm Plan initiative – The 2010 Capital Budget includes $150,000 for a Town-wide Public Realm Program.

 

Concern expressed that area is unattractive.  Staff will work with the local Councillor regarding the establishment of a BIA, and investigate the feasibility of obtaining sponsors for the banners.  This initiative is being referred to the Beautification Committee for further discussion and review.

 

 

#9 - Pomona Mills Tennis Club – Improve Exterior of Clubhouse – To be funded from the 2009 Budget; further work not to exceed $9,000. 

 

 

#11 - Increase Assistance to Senior’s Clubs – Following some discussion, the following motion was put forward:

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor J. heath

Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

That the annual allocation to the Grants Sub-Committee for assistance to Seniors Clubs be increased by $15,000.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED

 

 

#12 Expanding Trees for Tomorrow Program – Committee discussed suggestions for expanding the Trees for Tomorrow program with the community and service clubs.  Staff advised that $30,000 was allocated for the LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program in 2009, which is Town-wide, in addition to $170,000 Trees for Tomorrow pooled funds.  Members further discussed suggestions to encourage the Program, including: marketing and promotion; notices in tax bills and/or water bills; partnering with local nurseries; and the capability to have residents add their newly planted tree to map on Town’s website.  This initiative is being referred to the Trees for Tomorrow Committee.

 

In response to the suggestion to partner with the owners of Highway 407 to replace and plant trees along the Highway, staff advised that the owners of Highway 407 will be approached regarding the replacement of dead trees.

 

Staff will bring forward a presentation/report to update Members on the Trees for Tomorrow Program at a future meeting of General Committee, and such report will include ways to promote the Trees for Tomorrow program with all active service clubs.

 

 

#13 - Portable Outdoor Stage – Committee discussed the advantages of the Town owning its own portable outdoor stage.  Staff was requested to report back at the next Budget Sub-Committee meeting on the pros and cons of purchase versus rental.

 

 

#14 - Trails in Rouge Valley and in Markham’s Rouge Park – Staff will be presenting a 5-year Cycling and Trail Implementation Plan to Council for approval in November of 2009.  Committee requested staff to work with the Region of York, Rouge Park Alliance and TRCA to incorporate the Rouge Park Trail network.

 

 

#15 - The Rouge Park Implementation Task Force – Staff advised that $150,000 has been included in the 2010 Capital Budget, subject to approval of the governance review.

 

 

#16 - The Downspout Disconnect Program – Staff will be presenting a report on the Roof Downspout Disconnection Program in early 2010.

 

 

#17 - A By-Election Reserve Fund – Staff advised that there currently is funding available in a corporate contingency fund, and/or Corporate Rate Stabilization Reserve, that would be used for any unexpected events, such as a by-election.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#18 - Integration and Improvement of Parking Areas at the Rear of the Properties on the E/S of Main Street Unionville – Members were advised that a study has been recently completed; that agreement is necessary from the Unionville BIA and local property owners; and that the project could be phased in.  Committee requested staff to prepare a presentation for the next Budge Sub-Committee meeting on the Unionville Main Street Parking Lot which would include preliminary drawings, concepts and costs.

 

 

#19 - Purchase of Church Property Adjacent to the Varley Art Gallery, and Church’s Parking Lot – Church would be valuable to the Varley Art Gallery and community.  Parking lot could be improved for public use.  As more information is required, the matter was referred back to staff for evaluation and report back to a future General Committee meeting, rather than Budget Sub-Committee meeting.

 

 

 

5.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

Members were advised that the next meeting of the Budget Sub-Committee is scheduled as follows, and that all Members are to bring their Capital Budget Binders to the meeting:

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Canada Room

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti

Seconded by Councillor J. Webster

 

That the First 2009 Budget Sub-Committee meeting adjourn. (4:00 p.m.)

CARRIED