MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
COMMITTEE
2010-03-24
CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM
Members
Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor Councillor Logan Kanapathi Advisory Committee |
Staff
Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership David Pearce, Manager, Real Property Nory Takata, Parks Planner Karen Boniface, Technical Coordinator,
Operations Learie Miller, Senior Planner Environmental Policy Katie Burns, Sustainability Coordinator Judy Kee, Committee Clerk |
The Environmental Issues Committee convened at
1.
FUND (MESF) APPLICATIONS
a) COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS
Little Rouge Creek Rehabilitation
Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental
Leadership, provided a brief summary of the application from Ontario Streams
requesting MESF funding in the amount of $5,000 for a program to rehabilitate
two (2) sites of Little Rouge Creek. The
proposal is to increase natural plantings along the banks of the Creek at a
site north of Donald Cousens Parkway/East of 9th Line; and also at a
site south of
Committee raised the following:
·
location
of plantings? distance from stream bed?
· Rouge Park Implementation Task Force
recommendation respecting natural heritage restoration on lands that have been
used for agriculture in the last 5 years;
·
monitoring
and maintenance of project
Staff advised that Ontario Streams will be working on the north side of the Little Rouge Creek and riparian shrub plantings will be within 0-3 metres of the water’s edge. It was noted that the land has not been under cultivation previously, and that the project will be monitored and maintained by Ontario Streams for three years following completion.
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the application by Ontario Streams for MESF funding for a stream rehabilitation project be approved in the amount of $5,000;
And that staff ensure that the land has not been cultivated in the last five years;
And that the Town be recognized for funding support on the Ontario Streams’ website;
CARRIED
Ecological Action
Conference
Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental
Leadership, provided a brief summary of the application from the Youth
Environmental Network of York Region requesting MESF funding in the amount of
$9,377.70 to hold an environmental conference for elementary school students in
the fall of 2010. This will be the third
annual conference held by this group and their Budget has increased this year
as they are hoping to engage a high profile keynote speaker. It was noted that staff will work with the
group to try to reduce their budget with Town in-kind assistance, and they are seeking
funding from other sources.
Committee raised the following matters:
· the composition of the group was queried and staff advised that it is Markham-based
· use of local caterer; promotion of Zero Waste
· target audience to be increased
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by P. Ling
That the application by the Youth Environmental Network of York Region (YENYR) for MESF funding for the third annual Ecological Action Conference in the fall of 2010 be approved in an amount not to exceed $10,000, following review and approval of a revised detailed budget by Town Communications staff;
And that YENYR consult with the Manager, Environmental Leadership and the Town’s Communications staff in the development of the conference;
And that staff be directed to work with YENYR to refine the details of the conference, including: the use of a local caterer; the engagement of a keynote speaker; increasing the size of the target audience; and participation/displays by Region of York and other organizations.
CARRIED
Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership,
provided a brief summary of the application from
Committee reiterated the importance of using native plant species and directed that the consent of the York Region District School Board also be confirmed.
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the
application by
CARRIED
Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, provided a brief
summary of the application from
In response to a query of Committee regarding other funding sources, staff advised that the School has obtained additional funding and in-kind support from other organizations, including: Sheridan Nurseries; York Region District School Board, and Avante Property Services in Stouffville.
Staff provided details regarding the Garden Party, and it was noted that Members of the Environmental Issues Committee would be very interested in attending this event.
Committee suggested that the School may wish to consider working with the North American Native Plant Society (NANPS) regarding information on native plants available and potential access to photographs to include in the field guide.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the application by Unionville Meadows Public School for MESF funding for a garden project in the amount of $3,572 be approved, conditional on the following:
· species selection for the garden and field guide publication being reviewed by Town Parks staff; and
· the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund contribution be recognized in the field guide publication and through newsletters, the school website, etc.
CARRIED
b) STAFF APPLICATIONS
Legacy Organic Garden
Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, provided a brief
summary of the application from Ms. Victoria McGrath,
Sustainability Office, requesting MESF funding in the amount of $2,500 for a community
garden pilot project near Markham Green Golf Course. Members were advised that the pilot project
is for an organic community garden, which would provide a sustainable use of
the lands currently dormant. It was
noted that this pilot project is to assist the Sustainability Office staff in preparing
the Community Garden Guidelines that are in the process of being developed for
the establishment of more community gardens in
Members raised the following issues:
· who would the users of this garden be? it should be open to all residents; priority could be given to Legacy residents and those within walking distance
· availability of water?
· sufficient parking facilities?; number of gardeners may have to be limited
· types of plants to be used?; end products would be shared
· promotion of pollinators? – program is available to survey this; report back on species attracted?
· background of local farmer requested
· feasibility of consultation with the public following issues raised being resolved by Sustainability Office Staff
· it should be made clear that “this is a Town-initiated project”
· Markham Green Golf Course is in support of this project on their lands
· size of garden: 50 feet by 100 feet
Katie Burns, Sustainability Office, reported that the soil has been tested and is not contaminated, and Committee requested that a copy of the soil test analysis report be included with the application. Members agreed that the application could be approved in principle and that staff be requested to report back with further information.
Moved by Councillor L. Kanapathi
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the application by the Town of Markham’s Sustainability Office for MESF funding in the amount of $2,500 for a community garden pilot project on Markham Green Golf Course lands be approved in principle;
That funding not be released until all necessary licensing, approvals and guidelines are obtained/met;
And that Sustainability Office staff be directed to report back at a further meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee, to be scheduled as soon as possible, on issues and queries raised this date.
CARRIED
2.
Mr.
Nory Takata, Parks Planner, provided details of an application from Local
Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF), requesting Trees for Tomorrow
funding in the amount of $30,000, for the continuation of their Backyard Tree Planting
Program in
Members were advised that information is
available on the Program if Councillors are interested in promoting it within
their Wards.
The Chair suggested that LEAF may wish to
contact Mr. Dennis Flaherty, Acting Director of Communications and Community
Relations, regarding their participation in upcoming Green Print activities at events
such as the Unionville Festival and others.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the request from LEAF (Local Enhancement
and Appreciation of Forests) for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of
$30,000 to continue to offer LEAF’s highly regarded Backyard Tree Planting
Program to Markham residents be approved.
CARRIED
Evergreen
– Growing Communities Program
Mr.
Nory Takata, Parks Planner, provided details of an application from Evergreen
requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 to conduct
community tree planting events, stewardship and outreach programs with
Committee
queried the role of TRCA in this project, and Mr. Takata advised that they
identify priority sites and provide planting prescriptions. Potential sites for the planting may include
the Wismer area; and the MOE demonstration pond on
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the application from Evergreen for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 for community tree planting events, stewardship and outreach programs be approved.
CARRIED
10,000
Trees for the
Restoration Project
Mr.
Nory Takata, Parks Planner, provided details of an application from 10,000
Trees for the Rouge Valley requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount
of $7,500 to conduct a
large scale tree
planting project which builds upon restoration work which has been ongoing at
this site for the past several years. The
planting will take place on the north side of
Committee queried the former use of the land, and staff advised that it has not been used as agricultural land in the past five years.
Moved by P. Ling
Seconded by Councillor v. Burke
That the application from 10,000 Trees for the Rouge Valley for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $7,500 to conduct a large scale tree planting project be approved;
And that staff ensure that the land has not been cultivated in the last five years;
And that staff coordinate with the Event Committee to ensure the success of this 21st Annual Tree Planting Event
CARRIED
Friends
of the Rouge Watershed – Restoration Project for
Mr.
Nory Takata, Parks Planner, provided details of an application from Friends of
the Rouge Watershed (FRW) requesting Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount
of $30,000 to conduct spring and fall plantings in
Committee briefly discussed the three planting sites and some concern was expressed regarding the location. Members asked if an alternate site could possibly be considered, and also raised the issue of the use of former agricultural land. Staff was requested to work with FRW to ensure that all criteria are met.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by P. Ling
That the application from the Friends of the Rouge Watershed for Trees for Tomorrow funding in the amount of $30,000 to conduct spring and fall plantings be approved;
And that staff ensure that the land has not been cultivated in the last five years;
And that staff
coordinate with FRW staff to ensure the successful completion of their 2010
tree planting project in
CARRIED
3.
Deputy Mayor J. Heath advised that Members
of the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force (RPITF) had met earlier this date,
and had reviewed the status of the RPITF revised recommendations of
Committee was requested to put forward a
resolution regarding the houses, however, some concern was expressed that the
Rouge Park issues are not part of the Environmental Issues Committee’s mandate,
and copies of the current Terms of Reference were distributed for review and
clarification. Following some further
discussion, it was generally agreed that this was not the correct venue for
Other issues addressed in the RPITF
recommendations were briefly raised, including: the Cedarena property; by-law
enforcement relating to hunting in the Park, i.e. crossbows; and the approach
being taken in
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor L. Kanapathi
That the Environmental Issues Committee is
satisfied with the work done by the Rouge Park Alliance in
CARRIED
The Chair suggested that perhaps the Rouge Park Implementation Task Force should be reinstated, and suggested that the Deputy Mayor may wish to raise the matter with the Commissioner of Development Services.
4 NEW BUSINESS
a) Committee’s Terms of Reference
Copies of the current Terms of Reference document for the Environmental Issues Committee (EIC) were distributed. It was noted that the Council direction that the EIC Committee review and make recommendations regarding the Markham Trees for Tomorrow Fund had not been incorporated into the Terms of Reference.
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That staff be requested to amend the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Issues Committee to include the mandate to review and make recommendations regarding the Markham Trees for Tomorrow Fund;
And that staff be directed to include any other recent amendments as directed by Council;
And that the revised document be presented to the next meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee for their approval.
CARRIED
b) Update on the Status of the
Environmental Land Acquisition Fund
Staff was requested to schedule a meeting to receive and discuss an update on the status of the Town’s Environmental Land Acquisition Fund.
5. NEXT MEETING
A further meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee will be scheduled to receive information on the following:
· Legacy Organic Garden
· Committee’s Terms of Reference – Amended, and
· Status of the Environmental Land Acquisition Fund
Members will be advised of the date once confirmed.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Mr.
That the meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee adjourn. (
CARRIED