ATTENDANCE

Members

Philip Ling, Chair

Joyce Chau

Lloyd Helferty

Erika Lontoc

Brent Mersey

Tom Rado

Carrie Sally

Christopher Sauer

Guest

Andrew Knox

Staff

Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Secretary

Regrets

Mylene Bezerra Batista

Justin Chin
Serena Chin
Gary Diamond

Zahra Parhizgari

Louis Priftakis

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:10 PM with Mr. Philip Ling presiding as Chair. As Chair, he will write to Committee members who have not attended the last several meetings to determine their interest in continuing to serve as Committee members.

2. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

The agenda was accepted with the following addition as New Business:

a) Towns in Transition - presentation by Andrew Knox

3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 15, 2009

It was

Moved by Brent Mersey
Seconded by Tom Rado

That the minutes of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) held on

October 15, 2009 be adopted as distributed.

Carried

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

A. ROUGE PARK IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

B. UPDATE ON MESF PROJECTS

The Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) is a Town of Markham program that provides financial assistance for projects in Markham that promote environmental responsibility and enhance the protection of Markham`s natural resources. Total funds available are $300,000 per year split between Town Projects ($200,000) and Community Applicants ($100,000). Funding is limited to $10,000 per year for each community initiative and $5,000 per year for schools. Requests for funding are considered by the Town of Markham Environmental Issues Committee (EIC); Philip Ling and Brent Mersey of MEAC are members of the EIC. It was noted that the scope and direction of projects has improved over time. Current projects include invasive plant awareness, solar trash composters and Markham's Environmental Kick Start project.

C. SOLAR POWER INITIATIVE UPDATE

Christopher Sauer has met with local developer Jeff Chan about the possibility of creating a solar installation on the roof of the apartment building the developer is erecting. He also reported that Mayor Frank Scarpitti is interested in the proposal and Chair Philip Ling is trying to arrange a meeting with Councillor Erin Shapiro about it. If this solar installation were to be implemented, it would give additional credibility for the original proposal involving solar power installations on the roof surfaces of Town of Markham buildings. Christopher Sauer has started creating a proposal for the Committee to consider making to Town of Markham Council.

It was agreed to have Christopher Sauer invite newly elected Ward 3 Councillor Don Hamilton to a future meeting to discuss the proposal.

D. STREET TREES SYMPOSIUM

Past Chair Brent Mersey attended this event. He reported that Markham is ahead of many communities in focusing on green space. Trees in an urban setting usually only live 5 - 8 years and this symposium presented new considerations for planting and growth management to ensure trees have a larger root base that will allow them to live longer.

E. MARKHAM SUSTAINABILITY FAIR

MEAC hosted a booth at the fair and asked Fair attendees to complete a survey to gauge their opinions about environmental matters. Chair Philip Ling will collate the responses and report the results to the Committee.

Chair Philip Ling reported that, as part of Markham`s Sustainability Initiatives, there is a meeting on December 3, 2009 where a Sustainability Plan will be presented. He and Brent Mersey will attend the meeting and will report back to the Committee about the meeting discussions.

F. ANNUAL REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING

The 2009 Regional EAC meeting hosted by the Newmarket EAC on October 28, 2009 was very successful. A second meeting has been planned for Wednesday January 20, 2010. Chair Philip Ling will represent MEAC and make a report at its meeting on January 21, 2010. Lloyd Helferty also indicated an interest in attending the Regional EAC meeting.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. TOWNS IN TRANSITION

Andrew Knox, a PhD student and former renewal energy consultant, presented information on setting up town programs that accelerate their transition to sustainability. Known as Towns in Transition, the concept was developed by Rob Hopkins. He recognized that oil is a finite resource and suggested replacing it with permaculture to bring about an evolution to earth stewardship. The general aim is to raise awareness of sustainable living and build local resilience. Communities are encouraged to seek out methods for reducing energy usage as well as increasing their own self reliance. Twelve steps to transition include, among others, raising awareness, using open space, re-skilling, and creating an energy descent pathway. While the aims remain the same among towns in transition, the methods used to achieve them vary. For example, Rob Hopkins' hometown of Totnes England has introduced its own local currency, the Totnes pound, which is redeemable in local shops and businesses helping to reduce food miles and supporting local firms. Peterborough, Guelph and Ottawa are Ontario towns in transition.

6. ADJOURNMENT

It was

Moved by Erica Lontoc

Seconded by Lloyd Helferty

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee adjourn at 9:00 PM.