Move of Markham council offices could cost $100,000: deputy mayor

Move is 'common practice among Ontario municipalities': staff

Yorkregion.com
November 7, 2018
Tim Kelly

Two Markham city councillors are questioning why they estimate the city is spending $50,000 to $100,000 to move four councillor offices from the third to the fourth floors of Markham Civic Centre.

Newly elected deputy mayor and regional Coun. Don Hamilton and re-elected Ward 4 Coun. Karen Rea don’t feel the move is required and believe it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.

The pair were located on the third floor of city hall this past term but, along with Ward 1 newcomer Keith Irish and Ward 7 Coun. Khaled Usman, are being moved to the fourth to join the mayor’s office and the other eight councillor’s offices.

“I asked the head of our asset management department why this renovation was needed when there are currently offices on the third and fourth floors,” said Hamilton, who made the jump from Ward 3 councillor to regional councillor this past election.

Hamilton, who said he doesn’t recall council voting to “approve this unnecessary expenditure” said he couldn’t get the total cost for the move or an explanation for why the move is necessary from the head of asset management and says the $50,000 to $100,000 cost is an estimate on his part.

“I like it on the third floor. It’s quiet and we were never asked (if we wanted to move). That’s the problem,” said Rea.

Asked why the City of Markham is making the move and how much it will cost taxpayers, the city responded with a statement: “Markham City Councillors and their respective Executive Assistants will now all be physically located within the same work area on the fourth floor of the Markham Civic Centre.

“Such a seating arrangement offers more opportunity for collaboration amongst colleagues and is a common practice in Ontario municipalities. The City is not expanding the fourth floor but we are maximizing the existing floor space to be as efficient as possible.

“The costs associated with this project are contained within the current approved budget and will be reported out in an upcoming report to council.”

City staff would not confirm the cost of the move.