GENERAL COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Sales, Commissioner of Fire and Community Services Stuart Taylor, Director, Strategic Services
	PREPARED BY:	Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership
	DATE OF MEETING:	November 21, 2005
	SUBJECT:	Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund - Fall Funding

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT staff report titled “Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund – Fall Funding”, dated

November 21, 2005, be received;

AND THAT Council approve the three projects as evaluated and recommended by staff and the Environmental Issues Committee in the amount of $15,950, as outlined in this report, to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), Account #87 2800168;

AND THAT the application submitted by the York Regional Environmental Alliance for their proposed Organic Lawn Care project be amended to be combined with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Healthy Yards program with funding being provided to the TRCA;

AND THAT an exception to the maximum $10,000 limit for a project be made to allow a $10,950 award for this combined program (YREA Organic Lawn Care project/Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Healthy Yards project);

AND THAT the timeframe for completion of the rain barrel program by the Thornhill Boy Scouts be extended for eight (8) months;

AND THAT a formal cheque presentation be made at Council to all applicants who received funding in 2005.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to:

· bring forward for Council approval the projects recommended to receive fall funding from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund;

· update Council on the Town funding projects as approved to date; and,

· provide a progress report on this program and expenditures to date.

This report outlines the projects recommended to be funded by the MESF in the second half of 2005. Funding is being issued twice a year (every 6 months) to reduce the planning timeframe for community groups.

BACKGROUND:

In 2001, Town of Markham Council created the MESF, to provide financial assistance in funding Town internal and community-based projects and initiatives that promote environmental responsibility and innovation. The fund is intended to provide financial resources for Town of Markham-based projects and initiatives that promote environmental responsibility and enhance the protection of the Town’s natural resources.

DISCUSSION:

Under the administration guidelines approved by Council in April 2004, the MESF is replenished annually to $300,000, or more. Community projects are allocated up to $100,000 annually (approximately one-third of the fund) with the remaining $200,000 available for Town internal projects.

Program Requirements

The following objectives are to be considered by Environmental Issues Committee when reviewing the applications:

· the project provides a widespread lasting environmental benefit for the community;

· the project is a leading environmental innovation that can be showcased by the Town of Markham;

· the projects promotes education, understanding and participation in environmental sustainability in the Town of Markham; and,

· the project supports the Town’s environmental policies and strategic plan

Projects are expected to meet at least one of these criteria.

Community Funding Criteria

These are as follows:

· projects must be within the Town of Markham, initiated by Town Staff or Councillor of the Town of Markham or Town of Markham community groups;

· applicants can request a maximum of $10,000 from the MESF per project per year;

· applicants may only apply once a year, for projects that will be completed within that same one-year time frame;

· only materials and equipment costs (not consulting services) are eligible for funding from the MESF; and,

· the project should have measurable results.

Description of 2005 Projects

This report examines 2005 projects related to the MESF:

· Community Projects Recommended for Approval in this Report

· Town Internal Projects Approved for Funding to date

2005 Community Projects Requesting for Funding

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

• requesting $4,450 for Healthy Yards (formerly Markham Green Neighbourhoods Program)

This program was previously funded by MESF in spring 2004 for $7,600 and has been successfully run in the Town of Markham for 3 years. Through 3 years of program delivery, partnerships with Town staff and community associations have strengthened and the following has been accomplished:

• 1,400 information kits distributed;
• 470 trees and shrubs planted;
• 5,125 wildflowers/grasses planted;
• 185 naturalized gardens planted;
• seven public events engaging 500 participants;
• 70 lawn signs distributed; and
• 75 Healthy Yard pledges signed.

The funding, if granted, will be used to coordinate, promote and deliver two high-quality events – a native plant gardening workshop in the spring of 2006, and an organic lawn care workshop in the fall. The balance of the funds will be used to compile and distribute natural gardening information kits at select locations including: Contact Markham and Information Markham counters at the Civic Centre and cash counters at local nurseries. These kits will include the following items:

• Healthy Yards brochure outlining available native plants
• Organic lawn care kits;
• Healthy Yards Fact Sheets;
• Healthy Yards bookmark;
• Town of Markham composting literature;
• York Region Water for Tomorrow brochure; and,
• Healthy Yard pledge form.

The budget shows that the total cost of the program is $6325 with $4450 from MESF and some funding from TD Friends of the Environment. The estimated “in kind” value is 802 hours. Funding will be used for: shrubs, mulch mats, refreshments, books, bags of grass seed, bags of compost, brochures, posters, bookmarks, fact sheets, pledges and labels.

While TRCA does not constitute a community group as set out in the program criteria above, it is a public agency and funding has been provided in the past for this program (Green Neighborhoods project was funded from the MESF in 2004). The application was circulated to Parks, Urban Design, Roads and Planning staff. Parks staff advises that this has been a very successful and popular project with the community in the past and they would recommend approval of this application. The project would be undertaken in late March and completed in early November 2006. It would not exceed that maximum funding cap of $10,000 for a project in one year. Environmental Issues Committee has requested that the applicant use the name “Markham Green Neighbourhood Healthy Yards Program” for their project.

Approval of the application is recommended, however, since a complimentary project was received from the York Region Environmental Alliance for an organic lawn program, staff are recommending that the two projects be combined as described in detail below.

York Region Environmental Alliance

• Requesting $6,500 for lawn care manual and educational organic lawn care workshops

This application is for a project to educate Markham residents about organic lawn care and alternatives to pesticides. The applicant is the York Region Environmental Alliance which is an incorporated, not for profit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of York Region residents about local and global environmental issues. The YREA initiates projects designed to protect and improve environmental quality and educate residents about local environmental issues. The intent of the project is to:

• teach residents of Markham about environmentally sustainable lawn care techniques and products;
• create a comprehensive guide to organic lawn care for Markham residents that will also include a list of locally available products;
• reduce the use of lawn pesticides in the Town of Markham;
• Improve the water quality of streams and rivers in the Town of Markham.

The proposal is to write, design and distribute 750 copies of a manual entitled “Lawn Care that Won’t Cost the Earth” which will provide comprehensive information on organic lawn care and

be a local resource guide. They also intend to hold numerous educational workshops throughout Markham (in the community and at local nurseries and hardware stores) to teach residents the basics of organic lawn care. YREA will also offer a minimum of 50 site visits to provide Markham residents with an organic lawn care assessment and personalized advice to eliminate pesticide use at $20 per visit which will include a written evaluation. 35 volunteers will be recruited, including high school students, to assist with the project.

The proposal does not meet the MESF application criteria since YREA is not a Town of Markham community group. However, should the YREA apply and work together with the TRCA, then funding could be provided to the TRCA. To do this, a revised combined application would be required. This would also enable the YREA to better coordinate their program with the proposed TRCA Healthy Yards Program to ensure no overlap or inconsistencies in their work.

It is therefore recommended that the TRCA application for the Healthy Yards Program and the York Region Environmental Alliance Organic Lawn Care application be combined into a single application and project, and that funding be provided to the TRCA since YREA does not qualify for funding under MESF.

The maximum funding cap for a project funded by the MESF is $10,000. Since this revised project represents a combination of two projects: Healthy Yards Program, proposed by the TRCA, and the Organic Lawn Program proposed by YREA, Staff would recommend a variance to the maximum to permit funding in the amount of $10, 950.

Staff would work with TRCA and the YREA respecting the appropriate number and location of workshops and would review and approve all materials and documentation/materials, prior to release to the public.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

• requesting $2,500 for Healthy Home Kits

This proposal is to develop 25 Healthy Home Kits and instructions for rural homeowners in the Little Rouge Corridor submitted by the TRCA. The kits will include things such as: non-toxic cleaning products; biodegradable garbage bags; compact fluorescent light, water reduction devices (such as back flow valve, sink aerator) etc. and will cost $125 each. The objective of the program is to provide rural landowners with the kits to assist them with saving water, relying on natural products for cleaning, reducing waste, improving air quality and reducing green house gases so they will contribute to a healthier environment for their families and ultimately their neighbours in urban areas, downstream. These kits will be distributed at source water protection workshops where TRCA Staff will be available to provide additional resources and technical advice to ensure the product use and application are satisfactory to participants receiving the kits. There will also be follow up monitoring and evaluation of the program. The proposed budget shows that $2,500 will come from the MESF and $625 will be sought through other funding. It is proposed that the kits be developed in the fall of 2005 and distributed in the late fall and winter of 2006. Again while TRCA does not constitute a community group funding has been provided in the past for projects initiated by this agency (Green Neighborhoods project was funded in 2004).

The application was circulated to Parks, Urban Design, Roads and Planning staff. The Environmental Issues Committee noted that some of the items potentially listed for the kits did not appear to align with the purpose of the project, which was vague. The Region of York has a water conservation program and PowerStream has a fluorescent bulb program. It is also noted that the cost of the kits is very high ($125) and the distribution limited (25 homes). As a result, the application is not recommended for approval, as proposed.

South Unionville Association

• requesting $2,918 for an Adopt-A-Mailbox Project

This application is made by South Unionville Association which is a Markham volunteer community group. They have submitted a proposal to enlist community volunteers to act as stewards of their local mailboxes to clean up trash (junk mail) and graffiti, rather than wait for it to become severe enough to involve Canada Post. The program has been developed to provide necessary regular maintenance for 33 South Unionville mailboxes and to ensure that Canada Post is promptly notified when more serious issues arise. The volunteers would be responsible for:

• regular clean up of small amounts of trash/junk mail;
• notify Canada Post of graffiti and ensure Canada Post responds efficiently to clean the mailboxes;
• notify Canada Post where trash around mailbox is beyond the scope of what the mail steward can easily clean up; and,
• ensure Canada Post clears the mailbox area of snow to provide a safe environment for residents to retrieve mail.

Each volunteer would be provided with a “Cleanup Kit” funded through MESF. Other costs identified in the budget include: display kiosk, newsletter, reward dinner and monitoring program. The application was circulated to Parks, Urban Design, Roads and Planning staff. Town staff is going to address this issue as part of Markham’s “Tidiness” strategies under the Communities in Bloom program which may involve the South Unionville Committee Association.

On this basis, this application is not recommended for approval. In the event Committee chooses to recommend approval of this application, consent of Canada Post would have to be obtained for the project to proceed.

Greensborough Public School

• requesting $6,600 for 3 outdoor classrooms

This application is made by Greensborough Public School EcoCamp Students. This school is located at 80 Alfred Patterson Road (southwest corner of Bur Oak Avenue and Alfred Patterson Road). The application states that the purpose of this project is part of the Living School Concept to promote a healthy and active lifestyle and link them to the need for sustainable natural space as part of healthy communities. The project is intended to provide an authentic opportunity for the Eco Camp students to learn and share their ideas, plans and the benefits of the project with the students in the school, with other schools, the school council and the larger community through the school newsletter and other postings. The project is intended to provide an incentive for students to become empowered and involved in future environmental initiatives.

There will be 3 seating areas that can be used by classroom teachers or groups of students for shaded meetings/classes and the areas may also be used as exercise stops. The project is to be completed by Spring 2006. The budget includes trees, amour stones, fertilizers, bark chips, mulch, etc., as well as building supplies for benches. The school will provide $770 in other funding. The application was circulated to Parks, Urban Design, Roads and Planning staff. The school lies adjacent to a Town Park and a meeting was held with the Manager of Parks and Open Space to review the proposal and approve the plan.

When considering MESF applications this past June it was resolved that a maximum of 3 schools should be funded per cycle and that the maximum amount of funding for schools should be capped at $5,000. Ashton Meadow Public School is the only other school funded in 2005. It is therefore recommended that $5,000 in funding be provided to Greensborough Public School and that the balance of funding come from other sources. Environmental Issues Committee has recommended that funding and advice/potential additional funding for this program be sought by the applicant from the Evergreen Foundation.

Thornhill Boy Scouts

“Rolly the Rainbarrel” Program

Applicants are required to complete their projects within one year of receiving MESF funding. In October 2004, the Thornhill Scouts received funding in the amount of $10,000 to undertake a rainbarrel program. Staff has met with the applicant in an effort to assist with the program and as well, suggested a partnership with the TRCA in a similar program, run by the Authority. At the time of writing this report, however, the Rolly the Rain barrel program has not commenced and the applicant is requesting an extension. An extension of 8 months is recommended.

Town Internal Projects Approved for MESF Funding - Update

Green Roof

Funding for a green roof installation at the Civic Centre in the amount of $125,000 has been identified from the MESF. Asset Management staff will be reporting shortly to Council on the viability of the installation of a green roof on the Centennial Community Centre in the spring of 2007. Funding for the green roof on Centennial would also be identified from the MESF.

Solar Thermal Project

On March 29, 2005, Council adopted a resolution directing staff to undertake a feasibility study for a solar thermal district energy project. This study will examine the technical and economic feasibility of a solar domestic hot water system for a residential development in the Town of Markham. At that time Council also approved funding for the feasibility study to an upset limit of $25,000 from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund to help cover the cost of preparing the feasibility study which will cost up to $100,000. The intent to apply has been approved by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and an application for funding is currently before them for consideration and is anticipated to be approved shortly.

Anti-Idling Program

In 2004, $20,000 was identified from the MESF to fund the anti-idling campaign which is now complete. An idling control by-law was passed in June 2005 and a by-law promotion and enforcement program is now underway using funding from the federal government and the clean air partnership. $2,407 was spent in 2005 and the balance was spent in 2004.

Rouge Park Alliance

In November 2004, the Town granted $15,000 to the Rouge Park Alliance to assist in the preparation of the Little Rouge Creek Master Plan in 2005. That project is underway and staff anticipates bringing a report forward to Development Services Committee this month.

2005 MESF Community Projects - Advertising and Promotion

The MESF Community Projects were advertised on the Town’s web page and Town’s Community Page in the Markham Economist and Sun. In addition, the MESF was communicated to environmental and community groups Celebrate your Environment Calendar.

Pictures from the events are posted on the website. All community projects approved for funding in 2005 will be invited to an official cheque presentation at Council with media opportunities.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The balance of the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund for 2005, including accumulated interest is $388,831. This funding is split between Internal/Town Projects ($238,831) and External/Community Applicants ($100,000). The following table shows the projects MESF has funded to date in 2005:

The Environmental Sustainability Reserve Fund’s current balance, adjusted for the approved projects listed above, plus interest, is $147,424 ($71,424 + $76,000). Provided all projects recommended in this report are approved, the new balance will be $131,474 ($71,424 + $60,050). No further Community projects will be awarded this year.

CONCLUSION

The MESF was created to assist the Town with funding innovative and leading environmental initiatives that contribute to the sustainability and health of the natural environment. The fund is

intended to provide financial resources for Town of Markham-based projects and initiatives that promote environmental responsibility and enhance the protection of the Town’s natural resources. This fund is in its infancy, however, Staff will continue to improve communications to promote the fund to attract better and more applications and also to improve the review process as this program grows and matures.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Parks Department

Operations and Asset Management

Urban Design

Finance Department

By-law Enforcement

Clerks Department

Stuart Taylor Director, Strategic Services

Jim Sales, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix 1 Letter from Dennis Murray requesting extension to complete “Rolly the Rainbarrel Program