MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
COMMITTEE
2008-02-28 – 2:30
p.m.
YORK ROOM, MARKHAM
MEETING NO. 1
MembersRegional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor V. Burke Councillor E. Shapero Councillor L. Kanapathi B. Mersey, Chair, Committee |
StaffA. Seabrooke, Commission Lead, Library Services, Fire Services, Recreation & Culture M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership V. Sawler, Manager, Office R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage Planning N. Takata, Parks Planner L. Mele, TDM Coordinator L. Miller, Senior Planner, Environmental Policy C. Smith, Environment Assistant T. Shirazi, TDM Intern J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 2:40 p.m.
with Councillor Erin Shapero in the Chair.
1.
ADVANCEMENT (OCETA) – REQUEST FOR
FUNDING
Mr. Fred Granek, Vice-President, and Ms. Meenaz Hassanali, Coordinator, of
the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement, were in
attendance. Copies of a portfolio
providing details of the Toronto Region Sustainability Program; and P22
- Pollution Prevention, Payback and Performance were provided. Members were advised that OCETA is a private
sector, not-for-profit Ontario Corporation that develops alliances between
businesses and governments in the area of environmental issues, including
pollution prevention and energy efficiency technical assistance for small to
medium sized businesses (defined as fewer than 500 employees).
Mr. Granek gave a power point presentation in support of OCETA’s requests
for funding from
- Request for $10,000 for
- Request for $10,000 for
Pollution Prevention Education and Awareness
Outreach Forum
Copies of an information video were left for Members of Committee to
review at a later time.
Committee discussed the following matters relating to the requests:
clarification regarding size of businesses to be involved; support of workshops
by
The Manager, Environmental Leadership was
requested to discuss details of the Program with representatives of OCETA and
Economic Development staff, and to provide an update to Members of the
Environmental Issues Committee.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the request for $10,000 for the Markham Manufacturer’s
Sustainability Program be approved;
And that the Program start in September 1, 2008;
And that the Program be delivered with the assistance of Economic
Development staff;
And that the request for $10,000 for the Pollution Prevention Stakeholder
Workshop be approved, in principle, but a final decision be deferred pending
completion of the Sustainability Program to determine what is the best focus
for a potential workshop.
CARRIED
2.
FOR FUNDING - PETTICOAT CREEK
Committee had before it a staff report dated February 19, 2008 in
response to a request by the
Mr. Learie Miller, Senior
Planner, Environmental Policy, was in attendance, and spoke in support of this
initiative in the reduced amount of $5,000.
Committee
discussed the request, and it was noted that in 2000, the Town contributed
$5,000 to the Duffins/Carruthers Creek watershed management strategy, and it
would be reasonable to consider the same funding level. At that time, the funding was secured through
a Development Services Commission account.
Members
discussed funding options, either through a specific Development Services
Commission account or through the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund. Committee agreed to request funding through a
DSC account, however, if that is not possible, funding, on a one-time basis,
would be secured through MESF. The Clerk
was directed to ensure that this request was presented to the next meeting of
Development Services Committee (March 4, 2008) for their consideration.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Whereas the Environmental Issues Committee has reviewed the request for funding from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for the Petticoat Creek Watershed strategy development; and,
Whereas the Environmental Issues Committee supports the request for funding, in principle;
Therefore be it resolved that the Environmental Issues Committee requests that funding, in the amount of $5,000, be provided through a Development Services Commission account; and,
That if this is not possible, funding from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) will be made available, on a one-time basis.
CARRIED
3.
COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS:
Ms. M.
Urquhart, Manager, Environmental
Leadership, advised that four (4) community applications have been received for
funding from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF).
a) Unionville
BIA Requesting $10,000 for the “Unionville is Cool” LED
Lighting
Project
Mr.
Greg McCormick, Chair of the Unionville BIA, was in attendance and provided a
description of the “Unionville is Cool” project to reduce energy use on Main
Street Unionville through the use of LED, solar lights.
Committee
discussed the following matters relating to the project: approval to be
conditional upon support of Heritage Markham Committee, due to concern, in
part, with proposed additional lighting; solar panel sample requested; exciting
tourism aspects; energy reduction and greenhouse gas emissions;
Mr. McCormick was requested to
provide information to Ms. V.
Sawler, Manager, Markham Energy Conservation Office for the purposes of
calculating energy reduction and greenhouse gas emissions, and this information
would be included in the staff report.
In addition, Unionville
BIA was requested to work with Heritage Markham regarding the “brightness”
concern.
Committee requested that the
signage to be placed on Main Street Unionville to promote the program should
include wording acknowledging the assistance of the Markham Energy Conservation
Office and the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund.
Moved
by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded
by Councillor V. Burke
That
the application from the Unionville BIA requesting $10,000 for the “Unionville
is Cool” LED Lighting Project be approved, conditional on review and approval
of the proposal by:
·
Heritage
·
Manager, Utilities and Contracts
·
Manager, Environmental Leadership
·
Manager,
And
that the Unionville BIA agrees, in writing to make acceptable arrangements with
staff with respect to maintenance, replacement and repairs;
And
that the Unionville BIA agrees to work together with the Markham Energy
Conservation Office to track all energy cost comparisons to traditional
lighting, including energy
reduction, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon credits, and promote and publicize energy
savings in the community;
And
that promotional brochures acknowledge the assistance of Markham Energy
Conservation Office and the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund.
CARRIED
b)
Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager,
Environmental Leadership, advised that
Committee expressed concern that the local school boards have not been
partnering in such projects in the past, and the Manager of Environmental
Leadership was requested to draft letters for the Mayor’s signature to be forwarded
to both the York Regional District School Board, and to the York Catholic
District School Board enquiring about their policy in this area, and encouraging
their participation in these types of projects in the future. It was also
requested that the local school board trustees be copied on these letters.
Concern was also raised with respect to on-going watering and
maintenance of newly planted trees. Members directed that staff ensure
that the proper MESF signage is installed.
Moved
by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded
by Councillor V. Burke
That
the application from
CARRIED
c) All
Saints Catholic School Requesting $5,000 for School Yard Beautification
Ms. M.
Urquhart, Manager, Environmental
Leadership, advised that All Saints Catholic Elementary School has submitted an
application for funding in the amount of $5,000 for school yard beautification,
including the planting of trees.
It was suggested
that the school provide a revised, strengthened plan, with a more comprehensive
educational component. Mr. N. Takata,
Parks Planner, advised that staff would be pleased to work with them to
accomplish this.
The suggestion to
encourage schools, in future, to investigate funding from others, such as the
Moved by Councillor
L. Kanapathi
Seconded by
Councillor V. Burke
That the application
from All Saints Catholic School for funding in the amount of $5,000 for yard
beautification be approved in principle, subject to staff working with the
school to provide a strengthened proposal, with a more comprehensive
educational component to the program.
CARRIED
d) 10,000
Trees Requesting $7,000 from MESF for Spring Planting
Event
in the
Ms. M. Urquhart,
Manager, Environmental Leadership,
advised that an application has been received from 10,000 Trees for the Rouge
Valley for the planting of trees on Town of Markham property on the north side
of Donald Cousens Parkway, just east of 9th Line. The project is to
establish forest cover on the site increasing the landscape diversity, native
flora and nesting habitats for woodland species. Parks staff has reviewed the proposal and are
in support.
Committee queried
matters, including: placement of permanent signage; the number of trees to be
planted; on-going maintenance, including watering, mulching, and weeding.
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That funding for 10,000 Trees for the
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with 10,000 Trees and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority for the transfer and administration of the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) funding on behalf of the Town in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor.
CARRIED
4. MAYOR’S YOUTH TASK FORCE – YOUTH ENVIRONMENT
NETWORK CONFERENCE UPDATE
Mr. Vino Jayapalan, Co-Chair of the Mayor’s
Youth Task Force, was in attendance and provided an update on the group’s plans
for “An Ecological Action Conference – A Forum of Change for Youth”, scheduled
for April 9, 2008 in the Town of
The purpose of the Conference is to create a
stronger awareness of environmental issues and sustainability among young
people. Registration will be $5.00 per
student, both elementary and secondary.
Members were advised that workshops and
speakers are being arranged, and the organizers are hoping to have Mr. Justin
Trudeau as the Keynote Speaker. Mr.
Jayapalan advised, however, that some financial or in-kind assistance would be
required to deal with the travel and accommodation requirements of Mr. Trudeau,
if he was able to attend.
Committee discussed contacting the local
Hilton Suites Hotel to determine if they would be willing to donate the
accommodation.
The Chair suggested that if additional
speakers were still required, the group may wish to contact students at William
Lyon MacKenzie Collegiate Institute in
5. NEW BUSINESS
Signage
for Environmental Projects
The Manager of Environmental Leadership and the Manager of the Markham
Energy Conservation Office will meet to discuss signage relating to recent MECO
retrofit projects to save energy, and the Green Roof at Centennial Community
Centre. The Chair asked that draft copies
be circulated to Members of Committee.
Focus
of MESF Fund
There was brief discussion about the focus of
the MESF Fund, and the Committee asked staff for a presentation about the
projects undertaken since it’s inception in 2004.
6. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be at the call of the
Chair.
ADJOURNMENT
The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 4:30 p.m.