MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room

March 29, 2007

7:00 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Members                                                                    Staff   

Brent Mersey, Chair                                                     Pamela Cook, Committee Clerk

Philip Lang, Vice Chair

Mylene Bezerra Batista                                     Regrets

Joyce Chau                                                                  Joan Maddock

Sandra McEleney                                                         Lindsay Turko

John O’Gorman                                                            Thomas Rado

Regional Councillor J. Heath                                         Krista Olins

Mike Hough

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

 

Brent Mersey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. and welcomed guest observer, Lloyd Helferty, former candidate for Thornhill and member of the Green Party of Canada, and member of Richmond Hill Naturalists.

 

2.      ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007

 

Moved by John O’Gorman

Seconded by Regional Councillor Jack Heath

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee held on February 22, 2007 be adopted.

CARRIED

3.      ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

 

a.       David Suzuki’s Time of Action National Tour – The Chair distributed copies of a DVD on David Suzuki’s presentation to Committee members for information.  Copies will also be forwarded to Mayor Scarpitti and Lorenzo Mele.

 

b.      FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program) –The Chair reported that Victoria McGrath has been seconded to another position and is no longer with the Environmental office, and the co-op student assigned to work on the project has withdrawn.  For the time being this initiative will be put on hold until there is staff

Minutes – Markham Conservation Committee

March 29, 2007

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support available.  The Chair will send an E-mail to FLAP to ask them to set up a display or distribute material at the Earth Day celebrations.  A brochure on Lights Out Toronto, relating to similar concerns for migratory birds, was received for information as well.

 

4.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a.      Emergency Planning – John O’Gorman reported on a recent presentation by the Deputy Fire Chief concerning emergency planning.  Instead of addressing disaster planning, the presentation focused more on how individuals can make appropriate plans for a three or four day emergency – having enough food, water, money and blankets was stressed. 

 

b.      Smart Growth Meeting – John O’Gorman commented on his attendance at a recent Smart Growth meeting, and specifically addressed the relationship between Planners and Developers.  There were presentations at the meeting by planners from Kitchener / Waterloo and Burlington.  John will get copies of the presentation for distribution to MCC members.  Developers often attend municipal planning meetings and go through the list of requirements, conditions and provincial policies and work from there.  Smart Growth emphasizes that community planning should be a concept that is vibrant and complete.  Bill 51, which is an Act to amend Conservation Land Act and Planning Act is being presented to Council on April 3rd at 9 a.m.

 

c.       Pesticide By-law - Councillor Heath commented that the resolution to adopt the pesticide by-law will be going forward to Council on Monday, April 2nd.

 

d.      Free-cycle Markham – Mike Hough reported that there is a website called freecyclemarkham that allows you to post items that may be of value to others on their website for pickup.  This initiative allows for items to be recycled instead of put out for disposal.  Regional Councillor Heath further commented that Markham is investigating the possibility of expanding the number of recycle stations – one for each ward.  A monthly collection of old clothing, and possibly tires is also being considered.  There was also a brief discussion concerning disposal of old batteries and light bulbs.

 

e.      Rouge Park Association Meeting – The Chair reported on his recent attendance at the Rouge Park Association Meeting.  New land is being added to the park.  There is a concern about the heritage properties being destroyed by Transport Canada, despite requests to preserve them.  Councillor Heath commented that letters are being sent out to homes within the boundaries of Steeles on the South, Stouffville on the North, East Markham through to the York / Durham line addressing issues of de-population and preserving the existing rural property by conservation easements.

 

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March 29, 2007

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5.      MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

a.       Markham Conservation Committee 2007 Goals – It was agreed that we would co-ordinate MCC goals with the Markham Community Calendar, and that the Chair would contact Karen Boniface for information.  Councillor Heath indicated that the budget has been approved to fund many of these initiatives.  It was suggested that the guidelines for payments be printed and distributed to members.  Joyce Chau has requested that the Relay Adventure being held on 11th and 12th of June be added to the goals.  It was suggested that a poster with the Town logo be prepared, listing the MCC goals, and put on display at the Earth Day event at the Angus Glen Community Centre.

b.      MCC Mandate – The Chair has talked to the Mayor about the Mandate.  It was agreed that this document will be presented at the May 31st MCC meeting for approval and discussion.

c.       MCC Budget – It was suggested that once the Earth Day event is finished, there will be a review of other potential expenditures of the Budget.

 

6.      REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES

 

a.       Waste Management – The Chair indicated that pesticides will be tabled for discussion at the next meeting.  Councillor Heath suggested that a representative from MCC attend either the next General Committee Meeting or Council Meeting when pesticides is on the agenda.  In response to a query, Councillor Heath commented that licensing and surveys are often used to monitor these types of initiatives.

 

There are two major arguments against incineration of waste – possible toxins and that it may create more garbage.  More emphasis on reuse, recycle and reduce is still needed.  Richmond Hill has posted a ‘How to” video on You-tube for people to get a better understanding of the use of different waste receptacles.  Councillor Heath reported that residential waste is only 1/3 of all waste and that unfortunately commercial recycling is not yet regulated.  Joyce suggested that structuring a program to better educate the public on recycling should be added to the 2007 Goals.

 

b.      Community Outreach and Education – There will be a display and presentation on Sunday, April 22nd at Angus Glen Community Centre to celebrate Earth Day.  There was a discussion about the best location at the Centre to attract as much attention from the public as possible.  The Al Gore movie, “Inconvenient Truth” will be shown in the library on the evening of the 19th.  It was agreed that the David Suzuki dvd could be shown first.  Paramount Films have provided a contract for signature and require the copyright costs of $200 be paid.  The Chair will ask Judy Kee to contact the Town of Markham Legal Department to get their input on this direction. 

 

 

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March 29, 2007

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Lloyd Helferty commented that Victoria Serta has a created a slide show of about 600 slides which could be presented as well.  Lloyd will give Mylene her contact information.  Mylene indicate that volunteers are still needed from the Committee, particularly someone to host the event and someone to meet the people who come to see the movie.  Lloyd will also assist the Chair in getting the Earth Day Celebrations posted on the Celebrate our Environment website.

 

Rouge Park Alliance will have some Earth Day activities as well; probably tree planting.  It would be useful to collaborate something with them.

 

c.       Cycling and Pedestrian  - Sandra McEleney indicated that a meeting has not been held as Lorenzo has been away and Catherine Harrison from Communities in Bloom will not be able to participate but will sending display materials to promote the Cycling and Pedestrian Committee.  June 9th is the Bikefest, rain or shine, at Millennium Park.  There will be a 5 km cycling event and an informal 20 km ride.  The focus is to raise awareness about healthy, active lifestyles. 

 

The Business Plan for the Committee is being presented at the next Council meeting.  Lorenzo will be asked to report back on the decision.  It was commented that a small amount of funding is available to make some changes to the Master Plan, possibly to build some off-road trails.

 

7.      REPORTS FROM RELATED COMMITTEES

 

a.       Environmental Issues Committee – MESF Grant – The Chair indicated that the meeting scheduled for today was cancelled.  The MESF Grants have been posted on the internet and were presented to the Committee.  The process is very slow.  It was suggested that a poster or booth for Earth Day might increase awareness to the public.

 

b.      Regional Environmental Advisory Committee – this item will be removed form the Agenda until the May meeting.  The original idea was to have all the Environmental groups in York meet and talk about premium issues, but it has been hard to co-ordinate.

 

8.      NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Conservation Committee is scheduled for Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

 

Minutes – Markham Conservation Committee

March 29, 2007

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ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.