MINUTES FROM THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2007

 

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

 

April 18, 2007 – 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Members                                                                      Regrets

Keith Thirgood                                                             Councillor C. Moretti

Peter Ross                                                                    Frankie Ross

Helen Walter                                                                Michelle Sukul-Chan

Jonathan Mingay                                                                      

Councillor J. Webster

Diane More

Phil Howes, BIA

Deirdre Kavanagh                                                       

 

Staff

Linda Irvine, Manager Parks and Open Space Development

Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

 

 

The fourth meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting in 2007 convened at

5:45 p.m. with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 21, 2007 MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Minutes of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting held on March 21, 2007, be adopted.

 

CARRIED

 

2.         COMMITTEE MEMBERS

           

Councillor John Webster welcomed the new member, Deirdre Kavanagh, to the Main Street Markham Committee.  It was suggested that the Committee Membership List be revised to remove inactive members such as Mr. David Black.  The Committee Clerk was also asked to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. David Black, Monopoly Commercial Realty Inc. for his contribution during his term on the Committee.

 

Councillor John Webster recommended that the Committee request a representative from the Greensborough and Wismer Communities join the Committee. 

                                                                                                ACTION:  Councillor John Webster

 

3.         UPDATES:

 

a)                  Incoming Planning Applications

 

Councillor John Webster advised the Committee of a Committee of Adjustment application from Tid Heeshamal Inc., 6050 Highway 7, Markham.  Committee members reviewed the drawings and raised concerns on the available parking spaces being allocated to the site.  Councillor John Webster indicated he will raise the Committee’s concerns at the next Committee of Adjustment meeting.

                                                                                    ACTION:  Councillor John Webster

 

b)         Highway 48 Transfer of Jurisdiction Discussions

 

No report

 

c)         Environmental Assessment – Highway 48

 

Councillor John Webster advised that The Terms of Reference for the Main Street Markham Class Environmental Assessment was updated according to the changes he requested.  Item 1 includes “following public consultation” and Item 5 includes Vinegar Hill Ratepayers Association.

 

 

d)         Master Plan Environmental Sub-Committee

 

The Committee was advised that Mr. John Mingay will co-ordinate with Bob Walters, the removal of the bench and waste bin located  in front of the coffee shop at Robinson Street and Main Street.

ACTION: J. Mingay

 

e)         Promotion of Main Street Sub-Committee

 

Mr. Phil Howes, Markham BIA, advised the Committee that a web site, www.mainstreetmarkham.com has been established to promote all of the fantastic shops and events available at Main Street Markham.  Mr. Phil Howes is aiming to increase the level of customers that shop in the area. 

 

Mr. Phil Howes indicated that they have selected a mascot.  Their mascot is the Canada Goose and they will be strategically placing them along the shops windows and walkways.

 

Kieth Thirgood and Helen Walter have refreshed the presentation to promote Main Street Markham.  Keith is suggesting the formation of a “functioning committee” to bring the presentation forward.  Councillor John Webster suggested Keith contact Bob Youngberun to determine if he would be interested in promoting the presentation to School Boards, Ratepayer Associations and other groups.

 

f)          Tannery Pond

 

Linda Irvine, Manager of Parks and Open Space development advised the Committee that currently there is an approved budgeted amount of $14,550.00 available for the project.  Linda indicated that there is no need for a Request for Proposal (RFP) and that the available funds will be sufficient to contract a consultant.  The Committee suggested Harrington and Hoyle (the consulting firm that did the first phase of the project) be contacted to do the following:

·        Finish the meander, and not have it as a forced one

·        Bridge work

·        Continuing naturalization of the water flow

·        Plant more native plants

·        Review the original work that was completed

 

Linda Irvine also suggested the Committee look at other possible funding strategies such as The Regional Municipality’s Initiative to increase habitat restoration program.

 

Moved by:  Peter Ross

Seconded by:  Keith Thirgood

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Main Street Markham Committee authorize Linda Irvine to access the existing funds under project name “Markham Main Street 2004 – Studies of Robinson Creek and Pathway Connections” to hire the consulting firm.

 

CARRIED

 

h)         Merge Lanes on Main Street South

 

Peter Ross reported that people seem to be a little more cautious with respect to the usage of the merge lanes on Main Street South.  Councillor John Webster indicated he will endeavour to obtain a letter from the police department advising that a “Merge Left” would be of assistance at the location.

ACTION: Councillor J. Webster

 

i)          Budget Update

 

            No Budget Update report  was available.

 

j)          Brainstorming regarding new Budget initiatives

           

            This item was deferred to the next meeting.

 

           

 

 

 

k)         Newspaper boxes on Main Street

 

            Councillor John Webster had provided Frankie Ross with a phone number of an individual who will remove any newspaper boxes that do not conform with the Town of Markham’s by-law.  Frankie Ross indicated he will contact the individual and have the newspaper box removed.

                                                                                                ACTION:  Frankie Ross

                                                                       

 

l)          Trees on Private Property

 

Phil Howes indicated he will find out which Town of Markham staff member is responsible for co-ordinating trees planting.  Phil will report back to the Committee at the next meeting.

                                                                                    ACTION:  Phil Howes

 

m)        Status of Town Square Feasibility Study

 

            Linda Irvine confirmed that a Request for Proposal for a feasibility study is pending.

 

n)         Leanery Park

                               

            Linda Irvine reported that the following concerns need to be addressed before any work on Leanery Park can commence:

·        Who owns what land between Highway 7 and Highway 407

·        Will The Regional Municipality of York use their portion to expand the street

·        Find out what trees are currently there, look at the condition of the trees and rectify any that were dead or damaged

             

 

o)         Heritage District Event Notification Signage

 

Phil Howes reported that the Markham BIA has purchased the plaques for the two stand alone signs and that the Markham BIA will put up the signs, and be responsible for storing them.

 

Moved by:  Keith Thirgood

Seconded by:  Deirdre Kavanagh

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Main Street Markham Committee agree that the two stand alone Heritage District Event Notification Signs be created with white lettering with a black background; and that the overall look of the signs be the same as the other signs on Main Street Markham.

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 

p)         Mural at 107 Main Street

           

            Keith Thirgood reported that he met with Mr. David Black and Mr. Black will donate $2,500 towards the cost of having the mural at 107 Main Street done.  Keith Thirgood feels that another approximately $4000.00 will be need and that the Committee members should consider ways to raise the required funds.

 

 

4.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is May 16, 2007.

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 7:50 p.m.