M I N U T E S
TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE
2003-04-28
Attendance
|
Chair: Councillor J. Virgilio Members: Reg. Councillor T. Wong Councillor A. Chiu Councillor G. McKelvey Councillor E. Shapero Others: Councillor S. Daurio Councillor D. Horchik Mayor D. Cousens |
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer J. Baird, Commissioner of Development Services A. Brown, Director of Engineering P. Loukes, Director of Operations & Asset Management A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation/ Engineering A. Arbuckle, Manager of Infrastructure and Capital Works D. Smarrelli, Engineering Technician J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
The Transportation Committee convened at the hour of 1:05 p.m. with Regional Councillor T. Wong in the Chair. Councillor J. Virgilio assumed the Chair at 1:15 p.m.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
Mr.
Glenn Baron, 251 Helen Avenue, was in attendance to request the re-location of
a northbound bus stop from the south-east corner to the north-east corner of
Kennedy Road and Helen Avenue for the benefit of pedestrians. In addition, Mr. Baron expressed concern
that there are no sidewalks in front of BMW, even though it is one of the
conditions of Site Plan approval.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That
the deputation of Mr. Glenn Baron, 251 Helen Avenue, regarding the relocation
of a bus stop from
the south-east corner to the north-east corner of Kennedy Road and Helen
Avenue, be received;
And that the Region of York Transit Department be requested to review
the location of the bus stop at Kennedy Road and Helen Avenue;
And that an on-site meeting be arranged at Kennedy Road and Helen
Avenue with Mr. Glenn Baron, Region of York Transit Department staff, and Town
of Markham Engineering staff;
And that if the relocation of the bus stop is deemed appropriate by the Region of York, Town of Markham staff be requested to consider the matter of the installation of the sidewalk at the BMW/Kennedy Road/Helen Avenue location.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor A. Chiu
Seconded by Councillor E. Shapero
That staff continue to participate with the City of Toronto, York Region, Town of Richmond Hill, City of Vaughan and other GTA partners in preparing a stage two application to Transport Canada for the "Greater Toronto Area Travel Demand Management Program" as an Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP) initiative;
And that staff report back to the Transportation Committee when key program and cost elements of the "Greater Toronto Area Travel Demand Management Program" have been determined in consultation with other GTA partners in the program, for consideration by Committee and Council before confirming Markham's ultimate participation in the program;
And that the Town Clerk forward copies of this report to the Clerks of the Region of York, City of Vaughan, Town of Richmond Hill, City of Toronto, City of Mississauga, City of Brampton, City of Hamilton, Peel Region, Halton Region, and Durham Region.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor E. Shapero
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That Council approve construction of the following traffic calming projects for the 2002 Traffic Calming Programme:
TRAFFIC
CALMING
COMMUNITY WARD STREET NAMES DEVICES
Thornhill 2 Willowbrook Road/Aileen Road 12
And further that funding for this project in the amount of $105,000 (including 7% GST) be withdrawn from Project No. 4878 - New Traffic Calming Initiatives, in the 2002 Capital Budget (Account Number 065-5350-4878-005).
CARRIED
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Other
matters considered by Transportation Committee on April 28, 2003:
The Mayor reported that a SARS Economic Summit had been held earlier this date in the City of Toronto and that he had attended with Town staff, GTA politicians and government officials. The purpose of the Summit was to develop an action plan to respond to the effects of the economic impact of SARS on the business community.
He advised that a resolution will be presented to Markham Council at its meeting on April 29, 2003 with respect to the establishment of a Town task force to deal with issues relating to SARS. He noted that he would also be requesting staff to bring forward a detailed report on the mandate and activities of the task force.
In response to a query regarding the West Nile Virus situation, staff advised that a report has been prepared for presentation to the Community Services & Environment Committee meeting on May 12. Members requested that this report be brought forward to the May 5 Finance & Administrative Committee meeting. In addition, it was requested that information regarding the steps being taken to help reduce the health risk associated with the West Nile virus be placed on the Town Page of the local newspapers within the next week.
Mr. Loy Cheah, Manager of Transportation Planning, Region of York, was in attendance and made a presentation with respect to the Transportation and Class Environmental Assessment study which was undertaken to address increasing traffic volumes along Woodbine Avenue between Major Mackenzie Drive and 19th Avenue, and to address concerns about traffic impacts within Victoria Square. Members were advised that of the options considered, the long westerly alignment, both south and north of Elgin Mills Road, is being recommended.
Mr. Neil Mortson, 11491 Leslie Street, was in attendance to express concern that the owner of the service centre on Woodbine Avenue in Victoria Square would loose all passing trade if the option being recommended were approved. He advised that a petition against this option is being circulated. Committee suggested that Mr. Mortson meet with representatives of the Victoria Square Ratepayers Association and the local Councillor to discuss the matter further.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor D. Horchik
That the presentation by Mr. Loy Cheah, Manager of Transportation Planning, Region of York, with respect to the Woodbine Avenue Transportation and Class Environmental Assessment Study, (Victoria Square By-Pass), be received;
And that the deputation of Mr. Neil Mortson, 11491 Leslie Street, in objection to the option being recommended, be received.
CARRIED
The Director of Engineering advised that Ms. Mary-Frances Turner, Executive Co-ordinator, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, had been unable to attend the meeting to present an update on the York Region Rapid Transit, and the matter was deferred.
The Director of Engineering distributed copies of a memorandum updating Committee on the status of the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue Extension and the South Unionville Stormwater Management Class Environmental Assessments. He noted that the final Public Information Centre had been held on April 24, and approximately 35 attended. Comments received will be incorporated into the environmental study reports, which will be filed for the mandatory 30-day review period on May 27, 2003.
Members received copies of email correspondence from Mr. Brian Roman, dated April 25, 2003, expressing concern regarding the option of connecting Main Street Unionville to Enterprise Drive.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the email correspondence dated April 25, 2003 from Mr. Brian Roman in objection to connecting Main Street Unionville to Enterprise Drive, be received;
And that the presentation by the Director of Engineering with respect to the Enterprise Drive Environmental Assessment and the Markham Centre/South Unionville Stormwater Management Environmental Assessment, be received.
CARRIED
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the following resolution be referred to the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 29, 2003:
"Enterprise
Drive
That staff be authorized to accelerate the design and construction of the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue extension from Warden Avenue to Kennedy Road including the construction of the GO rail line grade separation for completion by late 2004/early 2005;
Enterprise
Drive -Warden Avenue to GO Transit rail line
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a Development Charge credit agreement with Remington Homes for the construction of Enterprise Drive from Warden Avenue to the GO Transit rail line;
Enterprise
Drive - GO Transit rail line to Kennedy Road
And that the Engineering Department be authorized to retain the engineering consulting firm of McCormick Rankin Ltd to undertake the detailed design, tender preparation and coordination of approvals for the Enterprise Drive/CN grade separation for an upset fee of $ 570,000 plus GST to be funded from Development Charges;
And
that a contingency amount of $ 40,000
be authorized to cover the potential cost of GO Transit’s peer review and
expedited approval of the proposed grade separation to be funded from
Development Charges;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into an agreement with Go Transit/CN Rail for the rail crossing to the satisfaction of the CAO and Town solicitor;
And that Engineering Department be authorized to pre-qualify contractors for the tendering of the construction contract for the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue extension including the rail grade separation;
And that the Engineering Department report back with the construction tender award and final financing plan for Council’s approval;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into an agreement with Markham Centre East Precinct land owners for the dedication of land required to construct the roadways and the grade separation and if necessary the front-end financing of the construction of the Enterprise Drive/Helen Avenue extension and local services to the satisfaction of the CAO and Town solicitor;
And that the Engineering Department’s 2003 Capital budget funded by development charges be amended accordingly;
Birchmount
Road – Enterprise Drive to 14th Avenue
And that staff be authorized to accelerate the design and construction of Birchmount Road from Enterprise Drive to 14th Avenue including the construction of a CN rail line grade separation for completion by late 2005/early 2006;
And
that the Mayor and Clerk be
authorized to enter into a development charges credit agreement with Remington
Homes for the construction of Birchmount Road from Enterprise Drive to Hwy 407;
And that the Engineering Department be authorized to retain a qualified consulting engineering firm on a cost plus basis to provide Program Management Services to the Town for the construction of Birchmount Road from Highway 407 to 14th Avenue to an upset limit of
$85,000 plus GST;
And that the Engineering Department be authorized to enter into negotiations with and to retain qualified consulting engineering firms for the design and tender preparation of this project to an upset limit of $ 375,000 plus GST;
And that Engineering Department be authorized to pre-qualify contractors for the tendering of the construction contract for the Birchmount Road extension including the rail grade separation;
And that the Engineering Department report back with the construction tender award for Council’s approval;
And that the Engineering Department 2003 Capital budget be amended as required to include the Birchmount Road Program Management and consulting engineering fees to be funded from development charges;
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into the necessary agreements with 407ETR, Ministry of Transportation, CN Rail, Hydro One and the Ontario Realty Corporation for the land acquisition and construction of the Birchmount Road extension to the satisfaction of the CAO and Town solicitor;
Capital
Infrastructure Program
And that the 10 Year Road Capital Infrastructure program, including acceleration of Enterprise Drive and Birchmount Road (south of Enterprise Drive), be endorsed;
And that the Engineering Department update the 10 Year Road Capital Infrastructure program on a yearly basis for endorsement by Council;
And that staff be directed to provide the statutory notice of a public meeting required under the Development Charges Act, 1997to consider proposed area specific development charge by-laws for Markham Centre;
And that notice of the public meeting be provided in the Markham Economist and Sun;
And that the public meeting be scheduled for September 2003."
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That
the letter dated April 9, 2003 from Monarch Construction Limited, and
memorandum dated March 5, 2003 from Ron Blake, Senior Project Coordinator,
regarding Victoria Square By-Pass Environmental Assessment, be received.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated April 3, 2003 from the Region of York respecting
the "Shape the Future" report prepared by the Central Ontario Smart
Growth Panel, be received.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated April 17, 2003 from Region of York regarding the
proposed GTA Travel Demand Management Program that is to be submitted to the
Federal Urban Transportation Showcase Program for funding as part of a
cooperative proposal from the regions and municipalities of the GTA, be
received.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated April 17, 2003 from the Region of York requesting
input from municipalities before May 15, 2003 with respect to the Yonge
Corridor Environmental Assessment Preliminary Preferred Alignment Alternative,
be received and referred to staff.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated March 28, 2003 from the Region of York advising
that the Region has included the installation of traffic control signals at the
intersection of 16th Avenue and Stone Mason Drive/Mingay Avenue in their 2003
Capital Improvement Program for Intersections, Bridges and Resurfacing, and
that the Traffic Signal Warrant policy adopted by Regional Council on October
17, 2002 be maintained, be received.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated March 28, 2003 from the Region of York advising
that the Executive Coordinator of the York Rapid Transit Plan has been
authorized to formally submit the Markham North-South Rapid Transit Link
Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference to the Ministry of the Environment
for the Environmental Assessment Act statutory review, be received.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated March 28, 2003 from the Region of York with
respect to requesting the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to prepare
a new general Provincial Policy to support York Region rapid transit
initiatives, be received and referred to staff.
CARRIED
Moved
by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded
by Councillor G. McKelvey
That the letter dated March 21, 2003 from the City of Vaughan regarding the establishment of GTA-wide travel demand management program for Transport Canada under the Urban Transportation Showcase Program, be received.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The
Transportation Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 2:25 p.m.