ATTENDANCE

Members

Philip Ling, Chair

Lloyd Helferty

Zahra Parhizgari

Tom Rado

Carrie Sally

Christopher Sauer

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Guest

Gord Walter

Staff

Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Secretary

Regrets

Mylene Bezerra Batista

Joyce Chau

Gary Diamond

Erika Lontoc

Brent Mersey

Louis Priftakis

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:15 PM with Mr. Philip Ling presiding as Chair.

2. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

The agenda was accepted as distributed.

3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 18, 2010

It was

Moved by Carrie Sally
Seconded by Zahra Parhizgari

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

February 18, 2010 be adopted as distributed.

Carried

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

A. TOWN PATHWAY THROUGH VALLEY LANDS

Chair Philip Ling briefly outlined on a large scale map the approximate 6 km proposed pathway system. Guest Gord Walter of CPAC (Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee) showed Committee members a series of slides depicting the conditions along the path route. He noted that the last part of the path route is very rugged.

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath invited Committee members to coordinate the details of, and take part in, a walk to promote the pathway system, to be scheduled for Saturday May 29, 2010. This would require volunteers on May 22 to help mark the trail and warn of dangerous areas such as wash-outs, storm run-offs, fallen trees, etc. During the May 29th walk, Committee members would act as hosts and lead members of the public along the pathway system as part of Rouge Day Events organized by TRCA (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority) to raise the profile of the Rouge watershed. The number able to take part will be few and they will need to be experienced walkers, not children or pets, and they will need to wear shoes and clothing appropriate for the conditions to be experienced on the trail. Committee members will need to create an ad to solicit participants, ensure those taking part sign a waiver, and ensure there is someone to drive a van around the route to pick up participants from the various exit points.

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath will send an invitation to all members of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee, Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

B. SOLAR ENERGY AND COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVES

Chris Sauer gave a brief overview of the situation. He reminded Committee members that the Green Energy Act hoped to focus efforts on wind, solar and renewable energy through an increase in rooftop energy generation rather than through an expansion of rural initiatives. In addition, the Town of Markham has identified that one of its key priorities is to foster a healthy economy within an environmentally sustainable framework, including having a reliable power supply and participating in energy conservation programs. Markham has made a large capital investment in this area, has completed an inventory of all Town of Markham roofs, initiated projects and coordinated energy initiatives with Powerstream.

The challenge is that Markham`s renewable energy initiatives seem to be municipally, not community, based. The Committee wondered whether there might be a way to involve or include the community. This could have the effect of increasing profits for Markham which might in turn reduce taxes and/or increase involvement in other energy initiatives.

Committee members considered whether the benefits outweigh the costs for renewable friendly energy projects and whether Markham might be missing out on an opportunity to build a bond with the community by physically hosting and thereby facilitating the establishment of a community power project, where citizens of Markham would be able to own shares in a community solar array – and thereby share in the Ontario Green Energy Act’s goal of increasing renewable energy on the grid. A community project would not only be a tangible contribution to green energy in the Town, but would be a project people could say “I own a part of that solar installation, and get a cheque for the next 20 years…”. This is very different than Markham leasing out its roofs on a business basis. The Committee felt that the opportunity for the town should not be underestimated, as it is one that enables its citizens to participate in solar energy at a community level where otherwise capital costs or condo/apartment living would make it impossible.

The Committee agreed that it seems that the province wants people to get involved and to get educated about the issues. The Committee agreed to move forward with developing a proposal for a partnership between the Town of Markham and community investment. Chris Sauer will post relevant documents on the MEAC website.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. TOWN OF MARKHAM FOODBELT PROPOSAL MEETING

No report was available.

B. NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair Philip Ling advised that thirteen applications have been received for vacant positions on the Committee; he briefly reviewed some who have backgrounds that are very relevant to the goals of the Committee.

6. ADJOURNMENT

It was

Moved by Lloyd Helferty

Seconded by Christopher Sauer

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee adjourn at 9:15 PM.

7. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee has been scheduled for Thursday April 22, 2010.