Report to: General Committee                                                        Report Date: April 27, 2009

SUBJECT:                          Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund, Spring 2009

PREPARED BY:               Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, x7502

RECOMMENDATION:

1)      THAT staff report “Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) – Spring 2009 Funding”, dated April 27, 2009, be received;

 

2)      AND THAT Council approve funding for three community projects and two staff projects in the amount of $30,400;

 

3)      AND THAT application by Sir Wilfred Laurier Public School, for an outdoor classroom, be approved, for $5,000 in funding, subject to the review and approval of tree species and revised site plan by Parks Staff; 

 

4)      AND THAT the Ontario Streams application for a stream rehabilitation project be approved, for $5,000 in funding, conditional on monitoring the site to prevent establishment of invasive species and that recognition for MESF funding be provided on their website;

 

5)      AND THAT the revised application for the Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series on sustainable landscapes be approved for funding of $2,400;

 

6)      AND THAT the application for a School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project be approved in the amount of $10,050;

 

7)      AND THAT the application for a Native Plant Demonstration Garden be approved in the amount of $7,950;

 

8)      AND THAT Unionville Meadows Public School be requested to return all remaining MESF funds from their previously approved Waste Audit project, but that recognition of the School’s Waste Audit project be made at Council and that their request for an additional $2,600 for camera equipment not be approved;

 

9)      AND THAT funds come from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), account #87 2800168;

 

10)  AND FURTHER THAT Staff be authorized to do all things necessary to give effect to the above.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This report recommends projects for MESF funding in the first half of 2009, totaling $30,400. All of the recommended projects conform to objectives established by Council and have been circulated/discussed with affected departments. Applications are appended to this report.

 

This report also describes the energy savings seminar hosted by the Town of Markham on March 11, 2009, with representatives from Enbridge, NRCan and Powerstream for high rise residential condominium and apartments.

 

Finally, it provides a brief update on the pollution prevention program being undertaken by OCETA (Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement) which received funding from the MESF.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The balance of this Fund at the beginning of 2009 is $300,000. This funding is split between Town Projects ($200,000) and Community Applicants ($100,000). This Spring report recommends funding for 3 Community projects for $12,400 and 2 staff projects equaling $18,000 for a total of $30,400 (see following chart). Funding would come from Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF), account #87 2800168. The next deadline for applications is September 18, 2009.

 

MESF FUNDING 2009

TOTAL FUNDING

 $300,000

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

$100,000

Town Projects included in 2009 Capital Budget to date

 

None

0 

Community Projects Recommended in this report – 1st Half of 2009

$100,000 

Sir Wilfred Laurier Public School Outdoor Classroom

$5000

Ontario Streams

$5,000

Markham Green Neighborhood Speakers Series

$2,400

Total

$12,400

Funds Remaining for Town Projects in 2009

$87,600

 

 

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR TOWN PROJECTS

$200,000

Town Projects Recommended  – 1st  Half of 2009

 

School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project

$10,050

Native Plant Demonstration Project

$7,950

Total

$18,000

 Funds Remaining for Community Projects in 2009

$182,000

 

 

TOTAL MESF FUNDS RECOMMENDED FOR  PROJECTS

$30,400

2009 TOTAL MESF FUNDS REMAINING

$269,600

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to:

·        Recommend 2009 MESF Fall funding for Staff and Community projects; and,

·        provide a progress report on expenditures to date.

 

 

 

BACKGROUND:

This Section describes the Community applications:

1.         Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School  Hazelton Avenue (n. of Major Mackenzie and west of Woodbine Ave. requesting $7,270 for an outdoor classroom (Attachment 1)

This application has come from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School Council. The proposal is for an outdoor classroom (approximately 30 feet by 30 feet), adjacent to the East Cathedral Town Community Park with experimental planting beds. The purpose of the project is to promote education, understanding and participation in environmental sustainability by nurturing environmental responsibility in students. The applicant intends to link the construction and use of the outdoor classroom to the Ontario Curriculum. Project is proposed to be phased:

Phase  1:          outdoor classroom construction including rock seating - Spring 2009

Phase 2:           Environmental Experimentation which includes hands on instruction, tree            protection and various projects - Fall 2009 and Spring 2010

 

The budget shows that the total value of the project is $10,270 with $7,270 to come from MESF and $3,000 from other sources. Funding sources and in-kind support include:

  • $2,000 from Sir Wilfrid Laurie PS Council fundraising for start-up costs of contents for planting beds
  • $1,000 from Sir Wilfrid Laurie PS Council annually for maintenance
  • wood chip mulch in-kind donation from Town of Markham
  • volunteer hours - 40 hours+ for project design and research from playground subcommittee
  • Application to be submitted to Evergreen in September 2009 for additional trees

All plantings would be native species. The fund criteria provides for a maximum grant of $5,000 per school per funding cycle. The applicant has agreed to revise the proposal.

Recommendation:

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

 

2.         Ontario Streams

            Requesting $5,000 for Little Rouge rehabilitation program (Attachment 2)

This is an application by Ontario Streams which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and rehabilitate streams and wetlands in Ontario through communications and community action. This application is for the planting component of a larger project (Redside Dace Rehabilitation initiative). It is to clear debris blocking the stream and plant approximately 800 native shrubs and 100 trees in the riparian zone on the north and south side of the Little Rouge stream east of the Ninth Line. The total value of the project is indicated to be $27,586.40, excluding volunteer hours. The applicant is working with volunteers from Milliken Mills High School and other community members. Planting would take place in the fall of 2009. The project will be monitored and maintained by Ontario Streams for 3 years. A detailed description of the program was included with the application including details of the short and longterm benefits.

Requested funding and in-kind support include:

  • $5000 from MESF for native shrubs and trees
  • $3,450,40 from others for equipment
  • $19,136 in professional time and resources/supplies
  • 480 volunteer hours

 

Ontario Streams is not proposing signage but is open to recognizing the financial support of the Town. It is recommended that such recognition be added to their website. In 2006, funding was provided to Milliken HS who partnered with Ontario Streams to undertake a successful habitat rehabilitation - planting 400 native shrubs and 210 native trees within Toogood Pond park along Bruce Creek using MESF funds. Where possible, MESF funding is provided to the community groups, who are working with non-government organizations to ensure funding is spent in Markham. Staff has no objection in this specific instance to providing fudning to Ontario Streams since the fund is paying for trees only and Parks staff is participating in the project, so we can confirm that MESF funds have been spent here. A request was made at Environment Issues Committee to ensure invasive species are controlled in the planting program.

Recommendation:

That the Ontario Streams application for a stream rehabilitation project, be approved, for $5,000 in funding and that as a condition of the funding, Ontario Streams be required to monitor the site and prevent the establishment of invasive species. Finally, that recognition of the funding support be advertised on the Ontario Streams website.

 

3.         Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority requesting $2,400 (Attachment 3) – revised request

This application is for a speaker series that would be held by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in the Town of Markham. The project will be run by Colleen Cirillo, Coordinator, Social Marketing, who has run successful programs in Markham in the past and builds upon the well-established partnership between the Town and the Conservation Authority. The purpose of the program is to educate the public on sustainable residential landscapes, including organic lawn care, lawn conversion, water-efficient native plants, downspout disconnection and invasive garden species. Funding for four events are now requested which would run from May to September. Expert speakers will present on various garden related topics. A total of $2,400 is requested from MESF. There will be 112 hours of in kind support. Costs include:

Ø      4 speakers at $150 each =                    $600

Ø      refreshments =                          $100

Ø      mileage =                                              $250

Ø      grass seed =                                         $250

Ø      herbaceous plants =                              $250

Ø      communication materials =                    $750              

 

The Town can assist by providing space for the programs, registration and promotion on the Town page which reduces costs. Surveys will be undertaken at these workshops for feedback. Various green neighbourhood programs have been run successfully by TRCA in the past. This series is very complimentary to the popular community workshops that were run last year and builds upon the need to assist residents in establishing sustainable landscapes.

Recommendation: That the revised application for the Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series on sustainable landscapes be approved for funding of $2,400.

           

This Section describes the Town applications:

1.         School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project

Request from Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator for $10,050 (Attachment 4)

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has prepared a cycling Master Plan for on and off road cycling facilities across the Town and beyond. A component of that plan is education of the public about cycling. Funding is being requested for a complimentary pilot education program to promote safe and responsible bicycle use using youth as trainers and mentors. The purpose of this project is to develop additional local cycling instruction capacity to offer safe cycling skills training to a greater number of Markham school children. The teaching program is based upon the nationally recognized CAN-BIKE programme. The primary objectives  is to recruit and train high school students to become trained in CAN-BIKE cycling instruction. The secondary objective is to encourage students to become more active and to use other modes of transportation and develop leadership skills. The Budget breakdown is as follows:

Ø      Value of this pilot is shown as: $15,360

Ø      MESF contribution: $10,050

Ø      Funding from other sources: $4,950

 

In kind support is shown as 336 hours. The program would be maintained with the assistance of the Mayor’s Youth Task Force and the recreation co-ordinator and potentially the schools boards. Promotion of MESF is proposed at training sessions, and branding on Tshirts.

Recommendation: That the application for a School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project be approved in the amount of $10,050

 

2.         Native Plant Demonstration Project  - SW Corner of Miller Avenue and Rodick Road (Attachment 5)

Request from Karen Boniface, Technical Coordinator together with of North American Native Plant Society (NANPS) requesting $7,950 (Attachment 5)

This is a proposed native plant demonstration garden to be located at the southwest corner of Miller Avenue and Rodick Road. The purpose of the project to provide the community of Markham and Town staff with educational opportunity to see and experience a native plant demonstration garden as an inspiration for future public and private landscapes. Operations staff, in partnership with the North American Native Plant Society will develop the garden and adopt it as their own and will monitor and care for it over time. Environmental objectives would be fulfilled from this project including implementation and learning about a garden that is pesticide-free, natural and drought tolerant that could be promoted to the community. Detailed description of the environmental benefits and work plan included in the application. The requested budget is for $7,950 as follows:

  • Signage                                    $1000
  • Native plants                            $2800
  • Bed preparation                        $1000
  • Delivery                                    $150
  • Educational brochures               $3000

and 40 hours of in kind support are indicated on the application. The garden will be maintained by Operations staff and it is anticipated that with proper plant selection the beds will require little maintenance.

Recommendation: That the application for a Native Plant Demonstration Garden be approved in the amount of $7,950

 

Request from Unionville Meadows Public School  (Attachment 6)

In addition, a memorandum was received from Jeanette McLellan, teacher, at Unionville Meadows Public School, who has run a very successful waste audit program together with the assistance of Markham Waste Department staff.

The school is requesting:

  • That unspent funding ($438.62) from their project be used for pizza prize lunches
  • Approval, in principal, for an additional $2,600 for document cameras to monitor their recycling contamination rate

This has been an excellent program and this school is closely involved in other environmental initiatives and should receive recognition, however, it is recommended that recognition, (such as a plaque) be given by Markham Council, rather than prizes to the school children. The request for cameras would require an application for funding. In the past, school equipment has not been approved for funding by the Committee and Waste Management staff has indicated cameras are not essential for the waste audit program.

Recommendation:

That Unionville Meadows Public School be requested to return all remaining MESF funds from their previously approved Waste Audit project, however, recognition of the School’s Waste Audit project be made at Council and that their request for an additional $2,600 for camera equipment not be approved.

 

Energy Savings Information Program - Update

In November 2008, General Committee directed that Staff undertake a partnership program with Natural Resources Canada, Enbridge and Powerstream to deliver a joint information program regarding the rebate programs available to high rise residential condominium corporations and apartment buildings to facilitate sustainable practices and boiler retrofits.

 

The Manager, Environmental Leadership, worked with NRCan, Enbridge and PowerStream representatives and the Manager of Markham Energy Conservation Office to develop a comprehensive energy savings breakfast seminar (Attachment 7). It offered comprehensive information about energy saving programs and rebates for residential condominium apartments and rental apartments. 80 building representatives were contacted and 30 attended. The 3 organizations each provided materials, gave a presentation and provided one-on-one advice to attendees. Surveys were received from 17 attendees of which the majority indicated a high rate of approval of the seminar and its content. This may be a pilot for continued collaboration between the 3 organizations in other jurisdictions and across the Province.

 

OCETA (ONTARIO CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT) - Update

Funding in the amount of $10,000 was approved for OCETA (private, not for profit) to run a pollution prevention program for small to medium-sized manufacturers in Markham. Under this program participants receive a funding incentive to help offset the cost of the pollution prevention assessment which is facilitated by OCETA. Over 80 targeted industries have been contacted about this program and a brochure has been produced explaining the program. There is also a link on the Markham website. For more information about the program see the attached brochure (Attachment 7 to this report) or contact Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership at ext. 7502.

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Under the administration guidelines, the MESF is replenished annually to $300,000, or more. Community projects are allocated up to $100,000 annually (approximately one-third of the fund) with the remaining $200,000 available for Town internal projects. These projects must meet the Program Requirements of the fund. A total of 3 Community and 2 Town projects are recommended for approval

 

 

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE:

“Not applicable”

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The MESF supports the Town of Markham’s strategic priorities related to the community and corporate vision of environmental focus.

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

“Not applicable”

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The MESF supports the Town of Markham’s strategic priorities.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Parks

Finance Department

Communications and Community Relations

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Peter Loukes, P. Eng.                         Brenda Librecz

                                      Director, Operations                           Commissioner,

                                                                                                Community and Fire Services   

 

ATTACHMENTS:

ATTACHMENT 1         Sir Wilfred Laurier Public School 

ATTACHMENT 2        Ontario Streams

ATTACHMENT 3         Markham Green Neighbourhood Speaker Series

ATTACHMENT 4         School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project

ATTACHMENT 5         Native Plant Demonstration Project -

ATTACHMENT 6         Request from Unionville Meadows Public School 

ATTACHMENT 7         Incentive/Rebate Program brochure

ATTACHMENT 8         OCETA brochure