M I N U T E S
COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMITTEE
2002-04-15 1:00 p.m.
Canada Room
Attendance
|
Chair: Councillor
A. Chiu Vice Chair, Recreation & Culture: Councillor E. Shapero Vice Chair, Fire & Emerg. Serv.: Councillor J. Heath Members: Reg. Councillor B. ODonnell Councillor
D. Horchik Dep.
Mayor F. Scarpitti Others: Reg.
Councillor T. Wong |
J. Sales, Commissioner, Community Services L. Manuel, Acting Manager, Recreation A. Wolfe, Project Consultant J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
The Community Services Committee convened at the hour of 1:05 p.m. with Councillor Alex Chiu in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE
OF INTEREST
None Declared
Mr. Alan Wolfe, Project Consultant, was in attendance and made a brief presentation with respect to the proposed Centennial GO Station and proposed expansion of Centennial Community Centre. Ms. Irene McNeil, Manager of Planning, Region of York Transit, was also in attendance and presented information on transit service that will be provided once the Centennial GO station is operational.
Committee expressed concern with respect to visual impact of the station operations on the surrounding residents, and requested that only the portion of the staff recommendation dealing with the GO Station be dealt with this date, as a detailed report on the proposed expansion of Centennial Community Centre will be forthcoming.
Mr. Wolfe advised that the GO Station tender closed on April 2nd and was awarded by GO Transit to the lowest bidder, Dagmar Construction at an approximate cost of $1,060,000. He noted that this cost is within budget, and it is expected that work will start in the middle of May, 2002 and be completed by the end of summer 2002.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by
Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
That the Region of York be
requested to extend the right turn lane on McCowan Road from Bullock Drive to
the CN Railway crossing and provide a bus drop-off for the new GO Station, and,
as part of this work, provide a right-in and right-out entrance to Centennial
Community Centre from McCowan Road;
And
that Council approve proceeding with the following operational improvements to
the Centennial Community Centre prior to the opening of the new GO Station:
1) Install two speed bumps in the drop-off area
in front of the main entrance for the estimated cost of $2,000.00.
2) Place
a fence along the east side of the playground for the estimated cost of
$7,000.00;
And that these operational improvements be
funded within the projects approved for the Centennial GO Station as part of
the 2002 Capital Budget;
And that GO Transit be requested to
contact the homeowners who have expressed concerns regarding the visual impact
of the station operations and enter into discussions regarding possible
solutions.
CARRIED
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Ms. Sandy Ducharme, President of the Markham Aquatic Club, was in attendance and made a presentation with respect to their current use of Town facilities and their future requirement. Ms. Anne Urbanek, Secretary, and Ms. Cathy McIntosh, Treasurer, were also in attendance. Ms. Ducharme noted that MAC is a non-profit competitive swim club, which has been in operation in the local community since 1973, and has a current budget of approximately $230,000.
In response to their concern that as of June 2002, the Club's income from operating bingos for the City of Toronto will cease, eliminating up to $40,000 in annual revenue for the Club, Committee suggested that MAC obtain from the Clerk's Department a list of current Bingo operators within the Town, and contact them for possible new means of raising revenue.
Members were advised that MAC currently rents office space at Crosby Arena, and the Club would like to have office space made available to them within one of the Town's pool facilities.
Members were also advised that growth of the Club has been restricted by the limited amount of available pool time, which also restricts swimmers' competitive advantages. In addition, the following requirements were submitted for Committee's consideration:
- up to date International Swimming Federation requirements be met (pool depth/width)
- increase in lane/pool size (6-8 lanes)
- request for a 50m pool with movable bulkhead
- diving blocks
- electronic timing devices
- adequate bleachers/stands for viewing
- adequate deck space
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the presentation by Ms. Sandy Ducharme, President of the Markham Aquatic Club with respect to a current and future requirements of the Club, be received;
And that the Markham Aquatic Club
pool requirements be referred to the Commissioner of Community Services to
review in the context of the Recreation, Culture and Library Master Plan;
And that the Markham Aquatic Club
pool requirements also be referred to the York Region District School Board for
consideration of a potential partnership with the Town of Markham;
And further that the request for
appropriate office space for the Markham Aquatic Club be referred to the
Markham Centre Steering Committee for consideration and inclusion in expansion
plans relating to either the Centennial Community Centre or the Angus Glen
Community Centre.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the report entitled "Award of the Lifesaving Society Council Cup to the Town of Markham, Aquatic Staff", be received as information;
And that the following staff of the Recreation Services Department be recognized for their contribution:
Lorraine Wilson-Saliba
Lisa Beckley
Karen Carlin
Sheri Stewart
Janice Carroll
Len Manuel
And further that the staff be invited to attend the Council Meeting to be held on April 30, 2002 for an official presentation.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Markham Museum Board meetings held on February 6 and March 6, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Markham Theatre Board meetings held on January 28 and February 25, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Varley Art Gallery Board meetings held on January 21 and February 18, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Mayors Youth Task Force meetings held on February 12, February 26, March 5, March 26 and April 2, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility meeting held on February 20, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Markham Race Relations Committee meetings held on January 7, February 11 & March 4, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the minutes of the Golden Jubilee Committee of Markham meetings held on February 13 and March 6, 2002, be received.
CARRIED
Mr. Jim Sales, Commissioner of Community Services, advised that the Region of York had recently supported in principle the concept of a centralized fire dispatch service within the Region, and had requested all municipalities to consider and respond to this action.
As there was some urgency that this response is forwarded to the Region as soon as possible, Committee directed that the resolution be placed on the Council Meeting agenda of April 16, 2002.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That the report dated April 15, 2002, entitled "Centralized Fire Dispatch Update", be received
And that the Town of Markham endorse the concept of a consolidated fire communications function if the same or better service can be assured with future enhancements guaranteed;
And that this service be provided at a cost equal to, or lower than what currently exists;
And that the positive labour relationship between the Town of Markham and the Markham Professional Firefighters Association is maintained;
And
further that the matter be considered at the Council Meeting scheduled for
April
16, 2002.
CARRIED
Councillor Jack Heath advised that staff had recently arranged an excellent tour with representatives of Council and young adults to view a number of skateboard parks within the GTA. A report is being prepared by Development Services staff and will be presented to Committee in the near future.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by
Councillor D. Horchik
That
Ms. Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, Development
Services Commission, and Ms. Lori Wells-Macdonald, Program Manager, Community
Services Commission be commended for organizing the tour of skateboards parks
on April 13th with Council Members, staff and students.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The Community Services Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 2:35 p.m.