Members

Councillor E. Shapero, Chair

Regional Councillor J. Heath

Councillor J. Webster

B. Mersey, Chair, Markham Conservation

Committee

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Staff

M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental

Leadership

V. McGrath, Manager, Environmental

Leadership

L. Duoba, Project Coordinator, Environmental

Planning & Rouge Park

L. Mele, TDM Coordinator

V. Sawler, Manager, MECO

B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

Others

P. Ling, Markham Conservation

Committee

Councillor G. McKelvey

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 2:05m. with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON MARCH 30, 2006

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on March 30, 2006 be received.

CARRIED

2. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Ms. V. McGrath, Manager, Environmental Leadership, delivered a presentation regarding a proposed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Town of Markham. She briefly presented the background and overview of the EMP process. Noted, were the central objectives of the EMP which were to assist in the establishment of short and long-term environmental priorities for Markham, promote interdepartmental collaboration and coordinate the overall management of environmental initiatives. Ms. McGrath advised that a GAP analysis had been completed as a component of the plan which identified three key challenges facing Markham; the need for central coordination, the need for a policy to direct the establishment of environmental priorities, and the need for a performance measures and reporting process reflective of a life cycle analysis around environmental initiatives. Ms. McGrath indicated that a presentation on the EMP had already been delivered to Markham senior staff and was targeted for an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting.

The Committee discussed the potential of creating a central office within the Town which would be responsible for coordinating environmental priorities. It was noted that a central office may allow for a more comprehensive program to review and manage projects which are often directed independently through various departments. Members noted that some of the elements mentioned within the EMP were already being satisfied by existing programs led by the Town. It was suggested that a central coordinating body may allow for an improved synchronization of environmental programs and better management of priorities. There was majority consent that further review of the governance structure for an office designed to deal with environmental sustainability issues in Markham was necessary.

Members posed questions as to why the City of Toronto was not included as one of the communities used as a benchmark. Staff advised that Toronto’s EMP was based on both corporate and community components where Markham was in the initial stages of developing a corporate framework with the intention of creating a community plan at a later date.

The Committee directed Members and staff to forward comments and/or suggestions on the EMP to Ms. McGrath who will be presenting the draft to General Committee and Council. It was recommended that Ms. McGrath present any potential amendments apart from the presentation she just delivered.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the presentation by Ms. V. McGrath, Manager, Environmental Leadership, and draft report on the proposed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Town of Markham be received;

And that the Environmental Issues Committee be established as a Steering Committee responsible for the implementation of the EMP and to evaluate the option of creating an Office of Environmental Sustainability within the Town of Markham as proposed in the draft EMP report and to assess the feasibility of other governance models.

CARRIED

3. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FUND (MESF) APPLICATION (REVISED): ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM AT 610 BULLOCK DRIVE

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) Application for an Energy Conservation Program at 610 Bullock Drive be deferred until a review of the MESF criteria, as directed by Council, has been completed.

CARRIED

4. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the start time for all subsequent Environmental Issues Committee meetings be changed to 3:30pm.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 4:00 p.m.