Report to: General Committee – Finance and Administration March 19, 2007

SUBJECT: Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund – Spring Funding

PREPARED BY: Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, x7502

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT staff report titled “Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund – Spring Funding”, dated February 27, be received;

AND THAT Council approve funding for Town-initiated and Community Projects and fund promotion as evaluated and recommended by staff and the Environmental Issues Committee as set out in this report, in the amount of $29,557.10 as follows:

Town-Initiated Projects

Karen Boniface, Technical Co-ordinator, Parks Department - $5,906 for Adopt-A-Park - Community Support and Awareness Program

Community Projects

Pomona Mills Conservationists Inc. - $3,601.10 for a Cleanup/Planting and Signage Program;
Unionville Villager’s Association - $10,000 for Aerial Pathway Signage;
10,000 Trees for the Rouge Valley - $5,250 for a Wildlife Habitat Restoration (including a 5% administration fee for TRCA);
St. Justin Martyr Council, Knights of Columbus - $4,800 for interpretative signage (2 signs).

to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), Account #87 2800168;

AND THAT North American Native Plant Society’s request for $10,000 for a native garden, signage (2 signs) and brochure be deferred as requested by the applicant and Staff;

AND THAT Council deny the Community project application from York Region Condominium Corporation #636 for a boiler retrofit project since there would be direct financial benefit to the fund recipient contrary to the MESF funding criteria;

AND THAT Council approve $1,550 for the purchase of small trees for: distribution to Markham volunteers to recognize their efforts and encourage tree planting; and for MESF labels to promote the fund as outlined in this report, to be funded from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), Account #87 2800168;

AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding with 10,000 Trees and TRCA for the transfer and administration of the MESF funding on behalf of the Town, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor;

AND THAT Staff be authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to the above.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The purpose of this report is to recommend projects for Markham Environmental Sustainability Funding in the first half of 2007. This funding cycle includes Town initiated projects proposed by Town Staff, as well as Community Projects. This report recommends funding for one Town staff-initiated project and four community projects totaling $29,557.10 along with $1,550.00 for MESF promotion. All of these applications conform to objectives established by Council and have been circulated to affected departments for comments.

The recommended Town Project is for an Adopt-A-Park - Community Support and Awareness Program.

The recommended Community Projects are:

Cleanup/Planting and Signage Program in Pomona Mills
Aerial Pathway Signage in Unionville
Tree planting for Annual Wildlife Habitat Restoration in the Rouge Valley
Interpretative signage (2 signs) for Toogood Pond

An application for a native garden planting program around the Civic Centre is deferred at the request of staff and the applicant.

An application by York Condominium Corporation No. 636 is not recommended for approval since it does not meet the requirements of the MESF program. Markham Council approved changes to funding criteria on June 27, 2006, to preclude any further applications with direct private financial benefits to fund recipients following debate around a similar application for YRCC #792 at 610 Bullock Drive.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The balance of the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund for 2007, including the 2007 top up (Strategic Services Capital Project #7822 – MESF Top $248,900) submitted for consideration in the proposed 2007 Capital Budget, is $300,000. This funding is split between Internal/Town Projects ($200,000) and External/Community Applicants ($100,000).

Included in the proposed 2007 Capital Budget is project #7638 - MECO – Energy Retrofit, with a budget of $287,800, with funding provided from MESF ($106,000) and the Life Cycle reserve. This report recommends funding for four Community projects for $23,651.10 and one Town initiated project for $5,906; and $1,550 for tree planting.

MESF FUNDING 2007
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR TOWN PROJECTS	$200,000.00
*Town Projects included in the proposed 2007 Capital Budget*
#7638 MECO – Energy Retrofit	$106,000.00
FUNDS REMAINING FOR TOWN PROJECTS TO DATE	$94,000.00

*Town Projects/Promotion Recommended for Approval in this Report*
Adopt-A-Park - Community Support and Awareness Program	$5,906.00
Trees for volunteers & promotion material	$1,550.00
*Total* *Town* *project approved for 2007 - 1^st Half*	*$7,456.00*
2007 Funds Remaining for Town Projects	$86,544.00

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS	$100,000.00
*Projects Recommended for Approval in this Report*
Cleanup/Planting and Signage Program in Pomona Mills	$3,601.10
Unionville Villager’s Association Aerial Pathway Signage	$10,000.00
Tree planting for Annual Wildlife Habitat Restoration in the Rouge Valley (10,000 Trees)	$5,250.00
Interpretative signage (2 signs) for Toogood Pond	$4,800.00
*Total Town project approved for 2007 - 1^st Half*	*$23,651.00*
2007 Funds Remaining for Community Groups	$76,348.90


2007 TOTAL FUND REMAINING	$162,892.90

Provided all projects and the request for funding for purchase of trees and labels as recommended in this report are approved, the new balance will be $162,892.90 ($86,544.00 + 76,348.90). Project awards will be made in the fall. (The next deadline for applications is September 7, 2007).

Under the administration guidelines, 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. These projects must meet the Program Requirements of the fund. A total of 4 Community and 1 Town-initiated projects were received this cycle. The applicant and staff have agreed to the deferral of one application (native planting program at the Civic Centre). One application was deferred last fall (Unionville Villagers Association request for interpretative signage in local parks) with a request to be brought back to the Committee with further information. Finally, one application was referred to Environmental Issues Committee from General Committee for further consideration (Walden Pond boiler retrofit project).

Program Requirements

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

· the project is a leading environmental innovation (i.e. pilot project) that can be showcased by the Town of Markham;

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

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

Both community and Town initiated projects are expected to meet at least one of these requirements.

2007 Town-initiated Projects Requesting for Funding:

Karen Boniface, Technical Co-ordinator, Parks Department

requesting $5,906 for Adopt-A-Park - Community Support and Awareness Program (Appendix 1)

The MESF contains funding for staff projects, as well as community projects. This encourages Town staff to come up with innovative environmental ideas and carry out special environmental projects. In the past successful staff projects have included: a free Community Shuttle, a bike pool project, an electric powered utility vehicle and a fluorescent lamp retrofit of the Civic Centre underground garage. The purpose of this project is to provide community volunteers with litter clean up tools and to raise awareness about not littering. The proposal is to the purchase of 100 litter bags and 150 fluorescent safety vests.

The Town of Markham encourages community groups to voluntarily adopt parks throughout the Town and conduct clean up at least twice a year. This project will give residents a tangible activity to help in keeping their parks and streets clean while educating people of all ages not to litter. It strengthens neighbourhood ties and encourages Civic pride on an ongoing basis. This activity also reduces the Town staff time in keeping the community clean.

The Town, together with Pitch-in Canada, provides kits for volunteer litter pickers including bags and gloves. The MESF would be used to purchase litter pickers (bags with a handle and a rake) and safety vests (for roadside clean up) sufficient for those people already participating and to accommodate future groups. It would also be used to purchase logo decals which would be placed on special event waste containers to reinforce the message to put garbage in its place. This initiative is in keeping with National Quality Institute by showing Town and community leadership to take action on litter and citizen focus and satisfaction. The project cost is $6,901 with $5,906 coming from MESF. $1,019 will come from other sources and it is anticipated there will be 5,600 hours of in-kind support. The application has been authorized by the General Manager, Operations. Staff support this application.

2007 Community Projects Requesting Funding

1. Pomona Mills Conservationists Inc. (Appendix 2)

Requesting $3,601.10 for a Cleanup/Planting and Signage Program (2 Signs)

This is a request for funding for an annual cleanup/native species planting program and installation of aerial signage in Pomena Mills Park in Thornhill. It is to be carried out by a local group of Thornhill volunteers. The purpose of the project is to help restore and rehabilitate the East Don River within Pomona Mills Park.

This group has conducted successful planting programs and clean up in the past and worked with hundreds of volunteers and in partnership with various groups including TRCA, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and various business and financial communities. They received funding from MESF in May 2006 for another planting and signage program in the park (see map attached to application). The proposed budget of $3,601.10 includes for $2,411.10 for trees and shrubs and related materials, $1,150 for signage and $40 for printing. Volunteer time is estimated to be 470 hours. The project is to be undertaken in April 2007. The application has been circulated to pertinent staff across the municipality.

While the requirements of the Fund specify that funding cannot be issued to the same community group within 1 year (from cheque issuance), staff has no objection to a minor adjustment in this requirement of one or two months since this is a project with that has been successful project in the past.

2. Unionville Villager’s Association

Requesting $11,500 for Aerial Pathway Signage (6 signs) (Appendix 3)

This application was deferred pending a staff presentation to Environmental Issues Committee on Interpretative Parks Signage and consideration of other funding sources for this project.

The Unionville Villager’s Association is a Markham community organization made up of residential and commercial owner/tenants with a goal to preserve, improve and promote the heritage building and environment within the Unionville Heritage Conservation District. They are proposing to develop 6 aerial pathway signs with natural heritage information to be installed at trail entrances of Bruce’s Creek, Denby Valley and Mildred Temple Parks. The application states that the project will provide a permanent and lasting reference for all Markham pathway/trail users and will clearly show all pathway/trail entry and exit points within the context of the larger community.

The purpose of this project is to encourage residents and visitors to use the pathways and trails within and around Unionville Heritage Conservation District. The applicant is requesting $11,500 from the fund and has $500 in funding from the UVA and will be contributing an estimated 25 hours of volunteer work. The application states that the MESF contribution will be recognized on the signage and promoted by UVA internally and through the community.

Staff met with the Manager, Parks and Open Space Development and determined that there is no conflict with other signage programs in the parks as these proposed signs serve a special purpose (natural heritage interpretation and show trail routes). Karen Boniface, Technical Co-ordinator, explained to Environmental Issues Committee the need for Interpretative Parks Signage and noted that there is currently no funding available for such projects.

This project exceeds the project funding limit of $10,000 by $1,500. Staff recommends this project but concurs with the Environmental Issues Committee that the funding limit should be maintained as much as possible and will work with the applicant to see how the project can be modified to fit the budget or, alternatively, if there are opportunities for the group to secure additional funding.

3. 10,000 Trees for the Rouge Valley (Appendix 4)

Requesting $5,000 for 18^th Annual Wildlife Habitat Restoration

10,000 Trees for the Rouge Valley is a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to restoring natural habitat within the Rouge River watershed. They organize a public one-day tree planting each year during Earth Week. This is a request for a planting program on a 5 acre site the northeast corner of Markham Road and 9^th Line. The purpose of the project is to plant this site with 5,000 native trees and shrubs to begin the process of establishing a riparian forest along this part of the Little Rouge River and nurture a recreational green space for residents living on the south side of the Markham Bypass. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is the owner of the property. The application states that a copy of the planting plan has been provided to TRCA Real Estate Co-ordinator with a permit request.

10,000 Trees has a core of 15-20 volunteers that organize a one day tree planting that takes place in April. The planting attracts around 1000 planting volunteers and during the past 17 consecutive plantings the volunteers have planted over 130,000 indigenous trees and shrubs. This group is requesting $5,000 from MESF to support their initiative for the purchase of native species. The total project cost is $58,000 with funding from others including: EcoAction, Evergreen, TD Friends of the Environment and others. There will be an estimated 4,000 hours of in-kind support, as well as numerous donations.

The MESF application form states that non-government organizations must work through local community groups. This is to ensure that all funding is directed locally and the community supports the projects. 10,000 Trees is not a local community group. The application states however that 10,000 Trees for Rouge Valley will be working with Cornell Ratepayers Association, York Headwaters Scouts and area High schools although 10,000 Trees is still the applicant. To ensure installation of the plantings in accordance with the proposal on Toronto and Region Conservation lands staff recommend that the Town enter into a memorandum of understanding with TRCA and 10,000 Trees setting out that TRCA will administer the funding and verify the plantings. There is a 5% administration fee for this. Staff therefore recommends that the TRCA administrative costs be added to the amount of the grant for a total of $5,250.

4. North American Native Plant Society

requesting $10,000 for a native garden, signage (2) and brochure

The Society was requesting MESF funding to support a project to:

i) plant a native garden at the Civic Centre around the pond

ii) exhibit the native garden as an educational example of attractive and functional habitat

iii) erect 2 interpretive signs to inform the public on which plant species are native to the area

iv) design and produce 2000 copies of a brochure that informs the public of the importance of native plant gardens

This group was founded in 1984 by a small group of dedicated conservationists as the Canadian Wildflower Society and has grown to include hundreds of members across North America. NANPS is dedicated to the study, conservation, cultivation and restoration of native plants. They were requesting $10,000 from the MESF to create a showcase garden of native plants at the Civic Centre adjacent to the pond to highlight the ecological benefits and landscaping possibilities of native species.

The applicant and Staff have agreed to defer this project to enable staff and the applicant address a number of issues with this proposal.

5. St. Justin Martyr Council, Knights of Columbus

requesting $4,800 for interpretative signage (2 signs) (Appendix 5)

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals living in the community in which local Councils have been established. These Councils support local institutions, sponsor athletic and educational projects and work with local groups. This chapter (Unionville) annually publicize and manage the Annual July Fishing Event at Toogood Pond for the Town of Markham.

This request is for informational signage at Toogood Pond in Unionville. The purpose of the signage is to educate visitors to Toogood about fowl and fish species found in the pond. Two signs will be developed for placement in the West/Southwest quadrant of the Park which will carry the Logos of the supporting groups (see map attached to application). There will be a dedication ceremony for the Community.

The total budget for this project is $5,280 with $4,800 proposed to come from MESF and $480 from other sources. The funding from MESF will be used for the signage and the balance will go towards flyers, refreshments and a school contest. Volunteer hours are estimated to be 308 hours. The signage will be erected in the locations identified on the attached map and will be installed prior to the dedication ceremony which will be held for the community in October 2007 to coincide with Community Parks week. Staff supports this initiative.

6. York Region Condominium Corporation #636 – Walden Pond II

requesting $10,000 for Boiler Retrofit – (Appendix 6)

This application for retrofitting high efficiency boilers into a condominium project was referred back to Environmental Issues Committee by General Committee for consideration following a presentation by the applicant on October 16, 2006.

This application by York Condominium Corporation No. 636 is not recommended for approval since it does not meet the requirements of the MESF program. Markham Council approved changes to funding criteria on June 27, 2006, to preclude any further applications with direct private financial benefits to fund recipients following debate around a similar application for YRCC #792 at 610 Bullock Drive. Since the residents of YRCC #636 condominium applying for the funding would potentially get a reduction in the cost of heating their own units as a result of MESF funding, this is considered a direct private benefit and would not comply. Moreover, the original application by YRCC #792 (Hunt Club) was for a “pilot project” that could provide historical data related to energy consumption to Markham Energy Conservation Office to track current data, consumption and determine energy saving potential for all Markham condominiums to use. Otherwise, there are over 150 condominium corporations in the Town of Markham that could potentially apply for financial assistance.

There are 3 main options for this request:

provide an exception specifically for this proposal subject to conditions
defer pending report on separate incentive program for boiler retrofits
refuse

Staff does not recommend this application since it is not the same nature as other applications to date (except for the Hunt Club) and does not meet fund criteria as recently set by Council. Should Committee decide however to encourage and provide incentives for more condominium retrofits then Staff would have to report on creating a separate program. (A detailed memorandum on this matter from Staff is appended with the application – Appendix 6).

Environmental Issues Committee has questioned whether this project may be more appropriately funded under the Markham Energy Conservation Office. MECO staff advises that while MECO is keen to work with the private sector to encourage conservation, provide advice or information on accessing funding incentives it is not a funding organization itself and therefore would not be able to offer funding incentives for this type of project.

Funding for Trees and Promotion

The final request is for $1,550 to promote the MESF by purchasing five hundred 6” trees for volunteers of Celebrate the Environment, Susie’s Awards and the Fall Cornroast. It would also be used for the purchase of MESF labels to promote the fund at the Adopt-A-Park Clean-up. This will be taken from the Town’s portion of the Funding.

Advertising

Staff has advertised the MESF for this funding cycle as follows:

· Advertising in the Markham Recreation Guide (Fall)

· Emails to all Ratepayer groups

· Advertising posting in Community Centres, Libraries, Civic Centre, Museum, YMCA

· Town E news

· Town website

· Meeting with Staff to promote the fund internally

· Town Page in the local newspaper

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.