M I
N U T E S
GENERAL COMMITTEE
2009-04-06
Meeting
No. 08
Finance & Administrative
Issues Community
Services Issues
Chair: 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 (a: 9:46 a.m.) Deputy Mayor J. Heath (a: 9:06 a.m.) Regional Councillor J. Jones Regional Councillor G. Landon Councillor V. Burke Councillor. E. Shapero (10:05 a.m.) Councillor J. Virgilio Councillor C. Moretti (a: 10:09 a.m.) Councillor J. Webster Councillor D. Horchik Councillor L. Kanapathi Regrets: Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor A. Chiu |
J. Livey, Chief
Administrative Officer B. Librecz,
Commissioner of Community & Fire Services C. Conrad, Town
Solicitor A. Brouwer, Deputy
Clerk B. Cribbett,
Treasurer P. Ingham, General
Manager, Operations P. Loukes, Director,
Operations A. Moore, Manager of
Purchasing |
The General Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Councillor
J. Virgilio in the Chair. Councillor Shapero
chaired the meeting for environment and sustainability issues, as well as
discussion regarding item 10, (Barrels and Baskets – 2009 Budget/Service
Reduction).
DISCLOSURES OF
INTEREST
No pecuniary interests were disclosed.
1. BARRELS AND BASKETS DELEGATION (3.0)
Marion Matthias stated her objection to the recommendations contained
in item 10, (Barrels and Baskets – 2009 Budget/Service Reduction) particularly
those in the Thornhill community and Heintzman House.
2. GROWING COMMUNITIES
HEALTH CARE ALLIANCE (13.2)
Tariq Asmi, Executive Director of
the Growing Communities Health Care Alliance presented an overview of the
current challenges facing growing communities across Ontario. He highlighted the absence of a
province-wide, population based health care funding model and the continuing presence
of a funding gap compared hospitals in large urban centres. A number of under-funded health care program
areas were highlighted, as well as concerns related to the Markham-Stouffville
Hospital and the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Mr. Asmi emphasized the need to
speed up the implementation of hospital growth funding commitments and provide
adequate and ongoing funding through a health-based allocation model. This model proposes that each LHIN receive
funding based on direct measures of health status and on population-based
factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status, rural geography and patient
flows. Mr. Asmi encouraged the Town to
consider a draft resolution in support of the health-based allocation model to
be forwarded to the Government of Ontario for consideration. The draft resolution was included in the
addendum agenda package.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Mayor F. Scarpitti
1)
That the presentation by Mr. T.
Asmi, Executive Director, Growing Healthcare Alliance, entitled “Better Care,
Close to Home” be received; and
2)
That Mr. Asmi’s presentation and
draft resolution be forwarded to Ms. J. Beed, President and CEO of the Markham-Stouffville
Hospital for review; and further,
3)
Ms. Beed be requested to attend a
future meeting of the General Committee to provide any comments related to Mr.
Asmi’s presentation and draft resolution.
CARRIED.
3. MINUTES OF
THE MARCH 23, 2009
GENERAL COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That the minutes of the March 23, 2009 General Committee be received.
CARRIED.
4. MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 19, 2009
MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That
the minutes of the February 19, 2009 Markham Environmental Advisory Committee
be received.
CARRIED.
5. MINUTES
OF THE FEBRUARY 23, 2009
CANADA DAY COMMITTEE (16.0)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That
the minutes of the February 23, 2009 Canada Day Committee be received.
CARRIED.
6. MARKHAM
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
FEBRUARY 23, 2009 (16.0)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That the minutes of the February 23, 2009 Markham Public Library Board be received.
CARRIED.
7. AWARD
OF TENDER 013-T-09
ASPHALT MAINTENANCE (7.12.2)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1)
That the
report entitled “Award of Tender 013-T-09 Asphalt
Maintenance” be received; and,
2)
That the
contract for Tender 013-T-09 Asphalt Maintenance be awarded to the lowest
priced bidder, D.Crupi & Sons Limited in the estimated annual amount of
$812,950.00 exclusive of GST; and,
3)
That the
Director of Operations and Manager of Purchasing be authorized to exercise the
option to renew the contract 013-T-09 Asphalt Maintenance for an additional 2
years (2010-2011) at the 2009 itemized prices subject to performance and budget
approval; and,
4)
That the
awards be funded from the Roads Department 2009 Operating and Capital budget
accounts as detailed in the financial considerations section and next years
budget upon approval; and further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
8. AWARD OF TENDER
001-T-09
SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF TOP
DRESSING MATERIALS FOR SPORTS FIELDS (7.12.3)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That the report entitled “Award of Tender 001-T-09 Supply and Delivery of Top Dressing Materials for Sports Fields” be received; and,
2) That the contract for Tender 001-T-09 Supply and Delivery of Top Dressing Materials for Sports Fields be awarded to the lowest priced bidder “Cliffords Haulage Ltd.” for a three (3) year term in the total amount of $516,375.00 exclusive of GST;
2009 - $ 141,750.00
2010 - $182,250.00
2011 - $ 192,375.00
3) That the 2009 award be funded from accounts 730-732-5415 (Sports Field Maintenance) and 700-10156999195 (Sports Field Maintenance & Reconstruction – Annual Program) in the amount of $141,750.00 as identified within the financial section; and,
4) That the 2010 & 2011 awards be budgeted for within the respective budget years and awarded upon budget approval; and further,
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
9. DEVELOPMENT CHARGE CREDIT
APPLICATION -
BOX GROVE HILL DEVELOPMENTS INC. (7.11)
Moved by
Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1)
That the
report entitled “Development Charge Credit Application – Box Grove Hill
Developments Inc.” be received; and,
2)
That
Council authorize Town Wide Hard Development Charge credits to Box Grove Hill
Developments Inc. and Box Grove North Inc., not exceeding $3,319,468.06, in accordance with the
Town’s Development Charge Credit Policy for the construction of public works
relating to a portion of Don Cousens Parkway and Copper Creek Drive; and,
3)
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a development charge
credit agreement, in the event that the credits are not included in a
subdivision agreement with Box Grove Hill Developments Inc. and/or Box Grove
North Inc., or their successors in title; and further,
4) That staff be directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this report.
CARRIED.
10. LEGAL FEES INCREASE
(8.0, & 7.0)
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Councillor J. Webster
1) That the report dated March 30, 2008 entitled “Legal Fees Increase” be received; and,
2) That Schedule A to By-law 2002-276, as amended, be further amended in accordance with Appendix A attached hereto, increasing the fees for services charged by the Legal Department and providing for additional fees to be charged as set out in Appendix A; and,
3) That the increases in the Legal Fee & Service Charges will be effective June 1st, 2009; and,
4) That notice to the public be provided in accordance with the Town of Markham Procedural By-law 2001-1; and further;
5) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
11. ACCESS COPYRIGHT –
MUNICIPAL PHOTOCOPYING
LICENCE RENEWAL (7.0, & 8.0)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
1) That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Municipal Government Licence with Access Copyright, the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, to permit the photocopying of copyrighted materials, including digital copies, at the Town, including annual renewals thereof.
CARRIED.
12. EXPIRATION OF COUNCILLOR APPOINTMENTS
TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES (16.24)
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor G. Landon
1)
That the current appointment of
Members of Council to various Town committees and boards which expired on
November 30, 2008 be extended until November 30, 2010; and further,
2)
That staff report back to General
Committee in June, 2009 with a recommendation regarding the preferred length of
appointments for citizens serving on Town committees and boards.
CARRIED.
13. MARKHAM ECOFEST (5.7)
Moved by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
1) That sales be permitted at the Markham EcoFest being held by the Youth Environmental Network of York Region on the day of April 17, 2009; and,
2) That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
14. BARRELS & BASKETS
–
2009 BUDGET / SERVICE REDUCTION (3.0)
Paul Ingham, General Manager, Operations provided an overview of the
three options presented to Committee, noting that Option 2 was being
recommended by staff. Mr. Ingham noted
that the Downtown Markham Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Unionville BIA were
both informed of staff’s recommendation and did not respond with an objection.
Committee discussed the challenges and opportunities related to the
item, including economic restraints, fairness/appropriateness, desire to move
to perennial plantings and desire to integrate water reservoir plantings.
Moved by Councillor J. Horchik
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
1) That the report entitled “Barrels
and Baskets – 2009 Budget/Service Reduction” be received; and,
2) That the reduction in barrels and baskets
outlined in Option 2 of this report be implemented in 2009 to achieve an
estimated 50% reduction in program operating costs; and,
3) That Community & Fire Services and
Development Services Commissions work collectively (through the Markham
Beautification Committee) on a public realm initiative that will undertake to
identify and implement future beautification programs to supplement barrels and
baskets; and further,
4) That Staff be authorized and directed
to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
CARRIED.
15. DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL/ ENTERTAINMENT
RELATED FACILITIES IN THE TOWN OF MARKHAM (16.23.2)
Regional Councillor J.
Jones provided a brief verbal report with respect to his recent trip to
China. He referenced four memoranda of
understanding which he signed on behalf of the Town of Markham related to
sister cities and the development of cultural/entertainment-related facilities
in the Town of Markham.
Moved
by Regional Councillor J. Jones
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
1)
That the verbal report of Regional
Councillor J. Jones regarding his recent trip to China be received; and
further,
2)
That staff be directed to review and
report to a future meeting of the General Committee on the Memoranda of
Understanding signed by Regional Councillor Jim Jones during his recent trip to
China between the Town of Markham and the following parties and report back to
a future General Committee meeting:
a)
With Jilin City, China with
respect to establishing a sister city relationship with the Town of Markham;
b)
With Jiangyin, China with respect
to establishing a sister city relationship with the Town of Markham;
c)
With the Baiquan (U.S.A.)
Investment Group with respect to an interest in an equity position in the
Markham sport, cultural, entertainment event centre and retail hub complex; and
d)
With Jiangsu Province Jianxin
Group with respect to an interest in an equity position in the Markham sport,
cultural, entertainment event centre and retail hub complex.
CARRIED.
16. GREENBELT COUNCIL MEETING (16.23.2)
Councillor E. Shapero
summarized a presentation made by Ministry of Transportation representatives at
a recent Greenbelt Council meeting. She
indicated that the Ministry’s more immediate (i.e., 10-year) public transit
infrastructure plans focus on the provision of roadway improvements for bus
service along Highway 407, rather than the development of a light rail transit system,
suggested to be undertaken in 20 years.
She suggested that the Town may want to formally respond to the Ministry
with respect to its timing on the implementation of a light rail transit
system. The Mayor provided further
clarification with respect to this issue.
Moved by Councillor
E. Shapero
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
1)
That the verbal
report of Councillor E. Shapero with respect to the Ministry of
Transportation’s presentation at a recent Greenbelt Council meeting be received.
CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
The General Committee
adjourned at 10:55 a.m.