M I N U T E S
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE
2001-03-19 - Canada Room
Attendance
|
Chair: Councillor
K. Usman Vice Chair,
Budget: Deputy Mayor
F. Scarpitti Vice Chair, IT: Councillor S. Daurio Members: Regional
Councillor G. Landon Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor J. Heath Ex-officio: Mayor
D. Cousens Others: Councillor
G. McKelvey Councillor D. Horchik Regional Councillor T. Wong Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell Councillor E. Shapero |
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services R. Robinson, Town Solicitor M.F. Turner, Commssioner of Development Services A. Wolfe, Commissioner of Community Services B. Cribbett, Treasurer P. Wealleans, Director of Taxation T. Houghting, Director of Financial Reporting J. Hodgson, Director of IT S. Chait, Director, Corporate Quality & Effectiveness Office G. LaForce, Chief Executive Officer, Markham Libraries J. Lustig, Manager, Financial Planning S. Tam, Manager of Corporate Effectiveness Rick Dominico, Manager of Corporate Quality M. Scott, Executive Coordinator S. Birrell, Town Clerk D. Smith, Committee Clerk |
The Finance and Administrative Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti in the Chair.
Councillor K. Usman assumed the Chair at 9:05 a.m.
DISCLOSURE
OF INTEREST
None declared.
Mr. Paul Wealleans, Director of Taxation, presented format for the Tax Bill required by the Province together with samples of the impact of reassessment on a variety of properties in the Town. He advised that further details of costs will be presented to Council when final figures are received from the Province.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Town request the Province to amend the Provincial Standard Tax Bill to include: (1) the actual 2001 levy amounts for both lower tier and upper tier purposes in addition to the tax rates currently shown on the bill; (2) the actual 2000 taxes levied in addition to the '2000 Annualized Taxes'; (3) the 1996 Current Value Assessment; (4) changes in the Business Improvement Area (BIA) charges between 2000 and 2001 as well as any other special charges on the 'Explanation of Tax Changes' section of the bill;
And that a brochure be forwarded with all tax bills giving detailed information of all charges.
RECOMMENDATION:
That $43,000 plus GST be provided to continue progress on the 'Smart Markham' initiative until such time as partner contributions are received.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Town of Markham's combined water and wastewater billing be increased by $0.03 per cubic metre in 2001 to coincide with the Regional Rate increase;
And that the billings for 2002 and 2003 be provisionally increased by $0.03 each year subject to review of the study being prepared at the present time;
And that the Region of York be requested to implement their combined water and wastewater rate increase of $0.01 per cubic metre effective April 1, 2001.
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approve the attendance of four members of Council at the Annual Conference and Municipal Expo of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, May 25 to 28, 2001, Banff, Alberta, with authorized expenses to be paid in accordance with Town policy.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Treasurer be authorized to make application for an appeal, to the Assessment Review Board, on behalf of the Town of Markham, where such action is necessary to protect the Town's assessment base;
And that any necessary applications be filed prior to the legislated deadline of March 31, 2001, for valuation of properties returned on the assessment roll December 2000.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the request for a grant from the Markham Firefighters Athletic Club be approved at $1,000;
And that the request for a grant from the Rotary Club - Santa Claus Parade be approved at $10,000 (a core grant of $8,400 plus additional funding of $1,600);
And that the request from the Thornhill Cruisers Car Club and the Expression of Praise - Gospel Youth Choir be denied as they do not comply with current Town policy;
And that staff be directed to review the existing grant policy and provide a presentation on options for a new grant policy to the Committee of the Whole on April 10, 2001.
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council give approval to hold a Town-wide event to recognize Markham volunteers in honour of the International Year of Volunteers 2001;
And that Regional Councillor Gordon Landon form a committee to organize this event;
And that Council approve the Banner Program that includes the following wording:
(Corporate Sponsor Logo)
Proudly Celebrates International Year of Volunteers
(IYV 2001 Logo)
(Town of Markham Logo)
And that the existing standard sign by-law be waived to allow the lamppost banners for the IYV 2001 to be suspended across the following streets:
Community Street From/To
Thornhill John Street from Woodbine Avenue to Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Milliken Denison Street from Markham Road to Woodbine Avenue
Unionville Carlton Road from McCowan Road to Warden Avenue
Main Street from Carlton Road to Railway Tracks
Markham Main Street from Princess Street to 16th Avenue
Beginning April 1, 2001 until April 1, 2002;
And that $35,000 be included in the proposed 2001 Operating Budget for this event;
And that a separate function be arranged for those volunteers who retired from Town Advisory Committees last year.
RECOMMENDATION:
That tender 046-T-01 for Ice Slab Replacement at Thornhill East Arena be awarded to Dinardo C. Group Inc. in the amount of $506,324 (inclusive of 8% PST, 7% GST) being the lowest acceptable bid received ($488,713.02 inclusive of 8% PST and 3% GST).
And that the Manager of Purchasing be authorized to execute the purchase order contract in the total amount of $506,324.
And that pre-budget approval be granted with funding to be taken from the Recreation Services Capital Replacement Program account for the sum of $488,713.02 inclusive of taxes (8% PST, 3% GST);
And that pre-budget approval be granted for the specification and design fees for the Slab Replacement at Thornhill East Arena of $16,650 inclusive of taxes (8% PST, 3% GST) with funding to be taken from the Recreation Services Capital Replacement Program account (The total funding required for both the contract award and the design fees is $505,363.02).
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Corporate Leave of Absence Policy attached hereto as Schedule A be adopted.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Fire and Emergency Service Department change the Uniform Shoulder Flash as illustrated on the attached Schedule B be approved.
RECOMMENDATION:
That all members of Council be appointed "Champion" to assist with the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life fund raising effort at the Markham Fair Grounds on June 15th and June 16th, 2001.
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Mr. Ian Jones, new Director of Economic Development was welcomed to the Town of Markham.
Mr. S. Chait, Director, Corporate Quality and Effectiveness Office gave a presentation to update Council regarding the progress made to date and to highlight the process and timeline for the strategic planning and growth management initiatives.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the staff report and presentation entitled "2001/2002 Business Planning Initiatives" be received;
And that the Executive Management Team be invited to present their corporate business plans to Council in early April;
And that a further report with respect to the proposed Vision 2020 implementation program be brought forward to the next Finance & Administrative Committee.
The Mayor advised that he is working closely with York Region District School Board on The Quest for Character Conference, an International Symposium on Character Education to be held at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Convention Centre on April 26, 27 and 28, 2001.
The findings and recommendations of 'Getting Started', a Review of the Greater Toronto Services Board prepared for the GTSB by Deloitte Consulting was discussed in detail.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Chief Administrative Officer be requested to prepare a report to the next Committee of the Whole meeting that outlines the concerns of the 905 area regarding their participation at the GTSB level.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled 'Staff Award of Contracts for the month of February' be received for information only.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report on Policy on Council Conference attendance be received.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled Unionville Home Society and Water Street Seniors Centre' and dated March 19, 2001 be received;
And that the Commissioner of Corporate Services provide further information with respect to Provincial Grants and Region of York policy.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled 'Provincial Performance Measures - Year ending December 31, 2000' be received.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report dated March 19, 2001 entitled 'Library Board - Staff Time Savings' be received for information.
At 12:05 p.m. Council recessed in camera to discuss a property matter and reconvened at 1:29 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The Finance and Administrative Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 1:30 p.m.