MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room

October 18, 2007

7:00 p.m.

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

Members Staff

Brent Mersey, Chair Pamela Cook, Committee Secretary

Philip Ling, Vice Chair Viive Sawler, Manager, MECO

Mylene Batista Bezerra Regrets

Joyce Chau Sandra McEleney

Justin Chin Regional Councillor J. Heath

Lloyd Helferty Joan Maddock

Christopher Sauer

Absent Serena Chin

Samuel Yip

Lisa Wilson

Tom Rado

1. CALL TO ORDER

Brent Mersey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and welcomed and introduced Vive Sawler, Manager, Markham Energy Conservation Office.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON JUNE 28^TH, JULY 19^TH, AUGUST 19^TH, AND SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

Moved by Mylene Batista Bezerra

Seconded by Justin Chin

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee held on June 28^th, 2007 be adopted as amended.

CARRIED

Moved by Joyce Chau

Seconded by Lloyd Helferty

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee held on July 19^th, 2007 and August 19^th, 2007 be adopted as amended.

CARRIED

2. continued / ….

Moved by Joyce Chau

Seconded by Mylene Batista Bezerra

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee held on September 20^th, 2007 be adopted as amended.

CARRIED

3. PRESENTATIONS:

a. Markham Energy Conservation Office

Vive Sawler, Manager, Markham Energy Conservation Office (MECO) made a presentation to the Committee on the background, projects and initiatives of that office since its inception in 2005. Vive explained that the Town worked from a Provincial grant to review and change the lighting in the underground parking at the Town of Markham. The Vice-Chair asked MECO to advise on specific outreach activities that the Committee could assist them with. It was suggested that the Powerstream retrofit project might be suitable. Lloyd Helferty suggested that condo boards and businesses might be a good place to start. The Chair commented on the Committee’s mandate under the Terms of Reference to support the Town on their initiatives. The Committee will wait for MECO to contact regarding assistance with outreach with them.

The Chair thanked Vive for her presentation and it was agreed that the Clerk’s office would be asked to E-mail the handout to other members for their information.

b. Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Justin Chin reported on the Centennial College Environmental Student Society (ESS) involvement with the local community to participate in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Specifically, Justin’s group worked on removal of debris from the Highland Creek Watershed. The initiative included collection of data on the type of debris and education of participants on litter prevention. Justin further explained that the ESS’s main goal is to encourage students and members of the community to take part in various environmental events and to increase awareness of key environmental issues.

The Chair thanked Justin for his presentation and it was agreed that the Clerk’s office would be asked to E-mail the handout to other members for their information

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a. Pesticides – The Town is waiting until March to launch their new Pesticide by-law. Brent commented that the Committee should begin talking to them in February in order to provide enough time to get instructions on how they can assist the Town with this initiative.

b. Revised Terms of Reference – The Chair and Vice-Chair reported on their meeting with Mavis Urquhart, Allan Seabrooke and Councillor Heath. There was discussion about the name change and the role of the Committee. It is very important for the Committee members to maintain their attitude of support to both the Town and staff. Allan and Mavis agreed to move the paperwork through to General Committee for approval of our revised Terms of Reference and our name change. It was agreed that the Committee would / could have a floating membership of up to 16 members, but that a quorum of six was adequate for voting of issues that would be moved forward to Council or Management Committees.

The Chair stressed the importance of Committee members keeping themselves aware of decisions and discussions of the main committees of the Town. It would be useful to check agendas on line and attend for issues where there may be a particular interest to each and every MCC member.

5. NEW BUSINESS

a. Tree By-Law A handout on the Tree By-law was tabled for the Markham Conservation Committee. The Chair asked members to review the Powerpoint presentation on the Tree By-law for discussion at the next meeting. The Clerk’s office will be asked to E-mail this document to members who are not present at this meeting.

b. Community Outreach - Sara Sterling will be invited to the next meeting of the MCC to discuss Earth Day and other outreach initiatives that the Town is working with that the Committee might be able to assist with

c. 2008 Meeting Schedule – in keeping with the plan to meet the Third Thursday of the Month, the Committee agreed on the following schedule for 2008:

January 17^th July – no formal meeting

February 21^st August – no formal meeting

March 20^th September 18^th

April 17^th October 16^th

May 15^th November 20^th

June 19^th December – no formal meeting

7:00 p.m., Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

6. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, November 15^th, at 7 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

7. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on a motion from Philip Ling, seconded by Joyce Chau at 9:04 p.m.