MINUTES

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

2009-03-31

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MEETING NO. 2

 

Members

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Councillor Valerie Burke

Councillor Erin Shapero

Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Philip Ling, Markham Environmental Advisory       Committee

Brent Mersey, Markham Environmental

      Advisory Committee

 

Regrets:

Regional Councillor Tony Wong

 

Staff

Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community &

         Fire Services

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental

         Leadership

Nory Takata, Parks Planner. Operations

Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator

Karen Boniface, Technical Coordinator, Operations

Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space          Development

Learie Miller, Senior Planner Environmental Policy

Lindsay McMartin, Co-op Student

Judy Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at 2:05 p.m. with Councillor Erin Shapero in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

            FUND (MESF) – COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS

 

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School Outdoor Classroom  - $7,270 – Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reviewed an application from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School requesting MESF funding in the amount of $7,270 for the construction of an outdoor classroom and environmental experimentation.  Members were advised that the MESF guidelines direct that school may receive a maximum of $5,000 per funding cycle.  Mrs. Brenda Tabe, Project Manager, was in attendance, and provided some details of the project which will promote education, understanding and participation in environmental sustainability.

 

Committee briefly discussed the project and queried the source of other funding.  Ms. Tabe responded that the school is exploring funding through the Evergreen Foundation, which is available in September 2009.

 

 

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

That the application by Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School, for an outdoor classroom be approved for a maximum of $5,000 in MESF funding subject to the review and approval of tree species and site plan by Parks Staff.

CARRIED

 

 

Ontario Streams - $5,000 - Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reviewed an application from Ontario Streams requesting MESF funding in the amount of $5,000 in-stream and riparian rehabilitation for a section of the Little Rouge Creek, located on Rouge Park lands at 9th Line and Major Mackenzie Drive.  Ms. Urquhart noted that Ontario Streams had previously completed a successful project together with Milliken Mills High School.

 

Members queried the exact location of the project and raised some concerns regarding the possible use of former agricultural land.  Staff provided details of the project, noting that planting would be along the bank of the stream, and that the property owner is the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).  Members were advised that the agricultural land is approximately 100 metres north of the project area.  In response to a query regarding continued maintenance of the site relating to invasive species and litter concerns, staff advised that approval could be conditional on monitoring by Ontario Streams.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the application by Ontario Streams for MESF funding in the amount of $5,000 for a stream rehabilitation project be approved;

 

And that as a condition of the funding, Ontario Streams be required to monitor the site and prevent the establishment of invasive species.

CARRIED

 

 

Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series - $5,300 – Members had before them an application for MESF funding in the amount of $5,300 from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for a Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series .  Copies of a revised budget from TRCA were distributed.  Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reviewed the revised application requesting MESF funding in the amount of $2,400, noting that the speaker sessions had been reduced from six to four, and that the Town would provide free advertising and venues.  The purpose of the sessions is to further educate the public on natural lawncare, alternative gardening and sustainable landscapes.

 

 

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the revised application from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority for MESF funding in the amount of $2,400 for a Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series regarding sustainable landscapes be approved.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

            FUND (MESF) – STAFF APPLICATIONS

 

School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project - $10,050 – Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reviewed an application from staff requesting MESF funding in the amount of $10,050 for a School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project.  Mr. Lorenzo Mele, Town TDM Co-ordinator explained that the purpose of the project is to develop additional local cycling instruction capacity and to offer safe cycling skills training to a large number of Markham school children, based on the nationally recognized CAN-BIKE program.  High school students will be recruited and trained to become Junior CAN-BIKE cycling instructors.

 

Members discussed the details of the project, including: how the schools will be identified; what the training involves; the project’s timing; and proposed future expansion.  It was noted that Markham District High School operates an excellent leadership training program, and it was suggested that staff may wish to contact the School about working with the Town on this Project.

 

Staff was also requested to advise Members of Committee of the names of the selected schools.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

That the staff application for MESF funding in the amount of $10,050 for a School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project be approved.

CARRIED

 

 

Native Plant Demonstration Project - $7,950 - Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reviewed the staff application requesting MESF funding in the amount of $7,950 for the construction of a native plant demonstration garden at the south-west corner of Miller Avenue and Rodick Road, with the support of the North American Native Plant Society (NANPS). 

 

 

 

Ms. Karen Boniface, Technical Coordinator, Operations Department, explained the reasoning for the choice of this location, noting that it can be easily monitored and managed from the Town’s Miller Road Office, and then expanded to other locations across the Town, including the Civic Centre.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Philip Ling

 

That the staff application for MESF funding in the amount of $7,950 for a Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the south-west corner of Miller Avenue and Rodick Road be approved.

CARRIED

 

 

 

3.         MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

            FUND (MESF) – OTHER

 

Memorandum from Jeanette McLellan,  Unionville Meadows Public School – Ms. M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reviewed a request from Unionville Public School to allow the school to use remaining 2008 MESF funding, in the amount of $438.62, for prizes, and also approval in principle for an additional $2,600 for cameras to monitor recycling contamination.

 

Members expressed concern that the proposed uses for the unspent funds did not entirely comply with the environmental nature of the MESF funding guidelines, and that in the interest of accountability, it was generally agreed that unused funds should be returned to the Town.

 

Following some discussion with respect to providing some recognition at Council for the School’s Waste Audit project, staff was directed to follow-up with the School to invite them to a future Council Meeting.

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Philip Ling

 

That Unionville Meadows Public School be requested to return all remaining MESF funds from their previously approved Waste Audit project;

 

And that their request for an additional $2,600 for camera equipment not be approved;

 

And that staff be requested to invite representatives from Unionville Meadows Public School to attend a future Council Meeting in recognition of the School’s Waste Audit project.

 

CARRIED

 

4.         MARKHAM TREES FOR TOMORROW FUND APPLICATIONS

 

Urban Forest Studies Partnership – Mr. Nory Takata, Parks Planner, reminded Members that Council, in early March of 2009, approved the Town’s participation in an Urban Forestry Studies partnership with York Region and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to conduct a UFORE (Urban Forest Effects Model) study in Markham, and that in part, $17,000 had been approved out of the Markham Trees for Tomorrow Fund.

 

Committee requested that staff provide a brief update on this Study to all Members by memorandum.

 

 

10,000 Trees for the Rouge – $20,000 - Mr. Nory Takata, Parks Planner, reviewed an application from 10,000 Trees for the Rouge requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $20,000 for the 20th Annual Wildlife Habitation Restoration project, to be located on the north side of Donald Cousens Parkway, east of 9th Line.  Members were advised that the event is to be held on Sunday, April 26th, and it proposed to restore five (5) acres of urban greenspace to native forest cover.  The land is currently owned by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

 

Members discussed the boundaries of the proposed planting and again expressed concern regarding the use of former agricultural land.  Staff was directed to investigate the recent agricultural use (history) of this land and provide information to Committee, including: the history of the land use; crops planted; what years the land was farmed; and the classification of the soil.  Members also discussed the current Trees for Tomorrow Application Form, and it was agreed that the Form should include an area where detailed agricultural land information can be provided , and indicate clearly that it is the Town’s desire not to plant on lands that have been farmed in the last five years.  Staff was directed to amend the form accordingly for consideration of Council.

 

It was noted that that the Town of Markham logo had been used on the April 26th Event notice, rather than the MESF logo, and staff was requested to follow-up with the Communications and Community Relations Department regarding their policy on this matter and that a Communications representative be requested to attend the next meeting of Committee.

 

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

 

That the request by 10,000 Trees for the Rouge for Trees for Tomorrow funding  in the amount of $20,000 be approved, subject to receiving information that the land has not been used as agricultural land in the past five years;

 

 

 

 

And that the Trees for Tomorrow Application Form be amended to provide for the inclusion of detailed agricultural land information.

CARRIED

 

 

Friends of the Rouge Watershed - $30,000 - Mr. Nory Takata, Parks Planner, reviewed an application from the Friends of the Rouge Watershed requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 for the planting of 18,000 trees, 2,000 flowering shrubs and 5,000 wildflowers to restore diverse native habitat to 18 hectares of the Bob Hunter Park. 

 

Committee discussed various aspects of the restoration project, including: location; timing (spring and fall); status of agricultural land; and the types of planting – edge planting and on berm, and requested that more details be provided regarding the fall planting.  Staff advised that more details will be provided, in addition to a planting map.

 

Moved by Councillor Valerie Burke

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

That the request by the Friends of the Rouge Watershed for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 be received;

 

And that the spring planting be approved;

 

And that the fall planting be approved subject to a review of details and timing.

CARRIED

 

 

Evergreen - $30,000 - Mr. Nory Takata, Parks Planner, reviewed an application from Evergreen requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000, for eight (8) community tree planting events during the spring and fall of 2009 within the Town of Markham, as part of the Growing Communities project.  It is proposed that 2000 native trees and shrubs will be planted in Markham’s parks and open spaces, and than education, outreach and site tours will be key components of the project.

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

That the request by Evergreen for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 be approved;

 

And that staff coordinate with Evergreen to maximize the Town’s investment in the Growing Communities Project.

CARRIED

 

 

 

Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) – $30,000 - Mr. Nory Takata, Parks Planner, reviewed an application from Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000, for a backyard tree planting program.  Members were advised that last year’s pilot project had been very successful by providing hands-on assistance to residents wanting to plant trees and shrubs in their yards.

 

Committee discussed the details of the program, including the advertising and application process, cost, maintenance, and replacement is necessary.  Staff was requested to advise Committee Members of the number of responses received this year.  It was suggested that LEAF be asked to have a place on their application where residents can indicate where they heard about the program.

 

Moved by Philip Ling

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the request by Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 be approved.

CARRIED

 

 

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Plastic Water Bottles and Plastic Bags – Councillor Burke queried the status of the use of plastic water bottles and bags within the Town.  The Commissioner of Community and Fire Services advised that Waste Management staff eliminated the use of plastic bags throughout the Town as of November 2008, and discontinuing the use of plastic bottles is being reviewed.

 

In response to a query regarding alternatives to the use of plastic bags, it was noted that paper, hemp and cloth are currently being recommended.

 

The Commissioner advised that a meeting would be scheduled soon to further discuss the matter of plastic water bottles.

 

 

 

6.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting will be at the call of the Chair.

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by Councillor Logan Kanapathi

Seconded by Councillor Valerie Burke

 

That the meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee adjourn.  (4:10 p.m).

 

CARRIED