Draft Minutes

German Mills Residents’ Association

(see Minutes for approval of Change of Name from German Mills Ratepayers’ Association)

12th Annual General Meeting

German Mills Public School

Wed., Sept 23, 2009

7:00 p.m.

 

Attendees:      Fred Webber               (President)

                        Marsha Winton            (Vice President)

                        Donna Webber            (Secretary)

                        Alan Myers                  (Treasurer)

                        Frank Scarpitti             (Mayor of Markham)

                        Jack Heath                   (Deputy Mayor)

                        Erin Shapero                (Councillor)

                        90 Members of the Community

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m.

 

Welcome and Introduction: of Executive and Guests.

Approval of Minutes:

  • From May 12, 2008 General Meeting. Motion to pass by Paul Fink, seconded by Bob James.
  • Passed unanimously.

Election of Directors:

  • Mary Cook was acclaimed Secretary to replace Donna Webber.
  • Brahm Satov was acclaimed 2nd Vice President, a new position on the executive. 

Financial Report:

  • The treasurer, Alan Myers, presented the Treasurer’s Report for the year to July 31, 2009.
    • Revenue:                      $1050
    • Expenses:                     $ 716
    • Currently in Bank          $1264
    • + new membership $ received day of meeting.
  • Expenses were incurred for newsletter printing/distribution and meeting room rentals. 
  • Motion to accept report unanimously passed.

Name change:

  • From German Mills Ratepayers’ Association to German Mills Residents’ Association unanimously passed.

Communication and Participation:

  • Daniel Aufgang has the website up and running.  Website address is www.gmra.ca 
  • Street Captains are still needed.
  • From show of hands it was revealed that most people at the meeting were notified via the flyer.  Most people who attended the meeting revealed they do have e-mail addresses.
  • It was suggested that once date for Annual Meeting for next year is selected, the town should be notified and the date displayed on the town web site.
  • It was suggested that new residents to the area, both home owners and renters receive a welcome package with contact information for the Residents’ Association
  • It was suggested that signs be posted in the neighbourhood to notify community of meetings. 
  • It was suggested that notification be posted on school billboards. It was noted that this would be up to the individual principal in each school to decide whether to allow such a posting in the school.
  • It was suggested that Town billboards be used, in particular Thornhill Community Centre. It was noted that town billboards require plenty of notice and will only provide the space if no paid advertiser has acquired the space.
  • It was suggested that a strong neighbourhood presence is needed to address community issues.  Every attendant at the meeting should speak to their neighbours, friends and acquaintances in the area.
  • It was agreed that our resources are limited even with increased numbers belonging to the Association and that it is up to the Town to address community problems and call meeting with regard to them.
  • Mayor Scarpitti responded that as a community group it is important for us to have a stand and our agenda will then be addressed.
  • It was pointed out that our officials are elected by us and that our numbers tell them what we want and whether they are representing our interests.
  • It was suggested that we expand the perimeter of our area association.
  • Commendation was given to those in the community who have kept the association going during the years while there have been no community crisis to deal with.

2nd Suites:

Update by Eileen Liasi.

  • On May 12, 2009 Council voted NOT to legalize 2nd suites in areas of Markham where the bylaw currently prohibits them. 
  • Councillor Shapero voted against legalizing 2nd suites and voted for enforcing the bylaw that prohibits them.
  • Suites created and registered prior to November, 1995 are grandfathered, which means that they may continue provided they are registered with the Town and comply with fire and electrical codes and property standards when inspected.
  • German Mills remains zoned single family residential and is an area where the bylaw currently prohibits 2nd suites and will now be enforced. 
  • According to Councillor Shapero this means giving any tenants 2 months notice and reverting 2nd suites back to original configuration.
  • It was noted that intergenerational families living in the same home are not affected by this bylaw.

 Storm Sewers:

Update given by Eileen Liasi.

  • Explanation was given of different types of storm sewers. Problem of funding upgrades to storm sewers in areas which need to be upgraded was addressed.  German Mills is one of those areas.  Eileen reported that German Mills has a 2 year storm sewer system but Councillor Shapero had been advised we had a 5 year system.  It was agreed that the correct information would be requested from staff. 
  • Councillor Shapero and Jack Heath (deputy mayor) support all Markham taxpayers covering the cost of improvements to the systems in the areas affected and not burdening the individual communities that are affected since they have subsidized the newer communities with their systems. Deputy Mayor Heath said that he could not envision that individual property owners would be expected to pay the full cost of upgrading the stormwater systems and that these costs should be spread townwide, although he did admit that the Local Improvement Charge was still one of the funding options. He also said that that was the opinion of everyone on Council that he had spoken to. It was pointed out that the Town did make a submission to the federal government for assistance and the funding for this project was turned down.

 General Remarks by Mayor:

  • Mayor Scarpitti thanked the community for coming out to express their point of view and allowing himself, Jack and Erin to listen to our concerns and follow up on them
  • The Mayor complimented the hard work of our Councllor Erin Shapero.
  • The Mayor announced that the following projects had been approved to go ahead with Federal Infrastructure Funding.
    • Expansion of Thornhill Community Centre with more space for seniors and youth.
    • An artificial turf soccer field at St. Roberts School for community use with a bubble for year round use.
  • The Mayor noted that the number one issue resident’s seem to be concerned with for the past three municipal elections is TRAFFIC.  Only minor roads in our town are under the jurisdiction of Markham.  Major roads are under the jurisdiction of York Region and Steeles Aveis under the jurisdiction of City of Toronto.  The Town is pushing for the subway to extend up Yonge Street and for all day GO service.

 LRT:

  • The Mayor addressed the issue of a proposed LRT on Don Mills Road and the recommendations that the Town has made.  He requested community involvement along with our Councillor Erin Shapero to work on this challenge.   Councillor Shapero noted that she adamantly opposes the LRT running through our community and will suggest that Viva limited-stop buses which are not in place at the moment should be first considered and then if that is not sufficient to then consider other options, including other options including the LRT. 

Shops on Steeles:

  • The Mayor pointed out that it is the right of the owner of the property to apply for zoning change and it is then the job of the Town to evaluate the application.  The applicant has decided to reapply with a modified application to the previous one submitted.  This application has not yet been received.  He noted that Markham Council decisions can be overridden by the OMB.  He noted that this tract at Don Mills and Steeles was never slated for intensification and that the Town is trying to keep density to the Hwy. 7 and Yonge St. area which will not impact on existing communities. 
  • Counsellor Shapero thanked all of those present for coming out and commended the executive.  She commented on the special process of the Working Group and the  collaboration with City of Toronto with regard to this proposed development.  She also commented on the Applicant having decided to revise the application but expects it will still be for mixed use.  She noted that at the last meeting with regard to this project of the 6 families who are owners of Wycliffe Properties 3 of the families were personally represented.  She will advise us when the revised application is submitted and then another community meeting can be arranged and/or an e-mailing of the contents of the submission.  She expects this application will be received some time this fall.

Power Outages:

  • Concern for frequent power outages in the area was brought up.  Councillor Shapero noted that Power Stream is examining the problem.

 Simonston Park:

  • It was noted that new signage honouring the McLaren family is now in place.  The story of the family is told along the trail.  One weekend in October the McLaren family is going to have a reunion.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.