MINUTES FROM THE THIRD MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE IN 2008

 

Town of Markham

York Room - Civic Centre

March 19, 2008 – 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Members                                                                      Regrets

Diane More                                                                  Councillor C. Moretti

Peter Ross                                                                    Ibrahim Ali

Jonathan Mingay                                                          

Councillor J. Webster                                                  

Phil Howes, BIA

Keith Thirgood

Helen Walter

Deirdre Kavanagh

 

Staff

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage

Alida Tari, Committee Clerk

The third meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee meeting in 2008 was convened at 5:35 PM with Councillor John Webster in the Chair.

 

1.         MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 20, 2008 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

February 20, 2008, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

2.         UPDATES

 

a)                  Parking Lot Signs

 

The sign shop prepared a Parking Lot Map sign mock up for the Committee to review.  The Committee suggested the following adjustments be made:

·        Bigger scale and do not require the railway tracks and Parkway Avenue on the sign

·        Something that indicates where the entrance is to the parking lot

·        Main Street should be a little wider than the side streets

·        Each sign have a “you are here” indication if possible (can also be a separate sticker placed on the map)

 

The Committee suggested that Operations be notified of the above suggestions.

 

                                                ACTION:  Committee Clerk

 

 

(b)               Strategic Plan – Markham Main Street: Master Plan Subcommittee

 

The Committee reviewed the revised Strategic Plan and suggested two minor changes:

·        Remove the years from the opening paragraph

·        Overhead wires buried – change to “Long (EA)”

 

 

 

(c)                Interpretation Sub-Committee

 

Regan Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage, distributed a draft (three phase) outline of tasks to create a self guided, interpretive walking tour of Markham Village, as well as information on the Richmond Hill “Museum of Streets” concept.  Staff advised with the pending Environmental Assessment for Highway 48 the actual installation of interpretive panels/plaques would be delayed a few years and suggested that the published pamphlet/booklet could be used in the interim.  The Committee discussed having technical advancements incorporated for example, downloading to Ipods, cellphones or GPS systems.  The Committee endorsed in principle the three phase outline of tasks, as presented.

 

The Interpretation Sub-Committee will schedule a meeting to discuss potential themes, location, potential terms of references to be used for a Request For Proposal (RFP).

                                                 

ACTION:  Deirdre Kavanagh and Diane More

 

(d)               Tannery Pond

 

            Keith Thirgood advised that the signs are approved pending some minor issues such as colour and framing.  The signs are anticipated to be erected for Spring 2008.

 

            Mr. Thirgood advised that Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, has contacted Glen Harrington with respect to completing the meander work and have indicated an interest in completing the project.  Mr. Irvine is waiting for Glen Harrington to submit a proposal.

 

            Mr. Thirgood also mentioned that the Region had cleaned up the mess related to the water main break.

 

(e)               E-mail suggestion

 

Councillor J. Webster advised the Committee that he had received a request from a constituent who suggested having historical looking lights and hanging plants installed on Washington, Jerman and Albert Streets.  Staff advised that improvements such as these in already existing subdivisions would have to be done through a community improvement program that would be charged to the residents through their taxes and could potentially be as expensive as $20,000 per household (under-grounding of wires and new fixtures).

 

There was discussion regarding the hanging baskets and other flowers that the BIA pays for.  Councillor Webster will update the constituent on these issues.

 

                                                ACTION:  Councillor J. Webster

 

(f)                 Winter Damages on Main Street

 

Mr. Phil Howes advised the Committee that due to the terrible winter conditions this year the following items have been damaged and need to be replaced.

·        Three benches

·        One Light Pole

·        Retaining Wall (by the Old Curiosity Tea Shop)

·        All raised electrical boxes

·        Approximately three trees

 

The Committee requested these items be reported to Bob Walters, District Manager East, for repair and/or replacement.

 

                                                            ACTION:  Committee Clerk

           

 

3.                  NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee is scheduled for Wednesday April 16, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the York Room.

 

 

4.                  ADJOURNMENT

 

The Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 6:40 PM.