MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room – Markham Civic Centre

JUNE 26, 2003 – 7:00 P.M.

 

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

 

 

Members:

 

Staff:

Richard Jarrell (Chair)

John O’Gorman

Stephanie Sokolyk

Gary Atkins

Valerie Burke

Joan Jenkyn

Councillor Jack Heath

Judi Kosch, Committee Clerk

 

Regrets

Councillor Erin Shapero

David Cheng

Donna Sardone

Romila Verma

Donna Sardone

Karen Volpe

 

 

1.                  CALL TO ORDER

 

Richard Jarrell, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

2.                  CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

Election of Vice-Chair under 4.

 

3.                  ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON May 22, 2003

 

Moved by Valerie Burke

Seconded by Stephanie Sokolyk

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee meeting held on May 22, 2003, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

4.                  MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

a)         Environmental Sustainability Fund – Councillor Heath stated that the Committee will have involvement with the administration of this fund; but, also the report has yet to go before Committee; Vicky McGrath is preparing a policy to identify projects eligible to receive monies from the Fund.  There followed general discussion on the work involved to get the fund set up and running.

 

b)         Don Watershed Survey Report – The Chair agreed to speak to Vicky McGrath on this issue.

 

c)         Town Kyoto Project – Councillor Heath advised his report is complete but it must go before Community Services before coming to MCC; he also advised that Vicky McGrath’s report is still outstanding.  Councillor Heath also informed Committee that he and Councillor Shapero have discussed the changes on the environmental side.

 

d)                  Attendance – The Chair advised that David Cheng has resigned due to an extremely heavy work schedule; he also encouraged John O’Gorman to complete and mail in his application.  Councillor Heath advised that he would get Council approval for the appointment of Eric Wong.

 

e)                  June Workshop and Smog Summit Forum:  The Chair advised the turnout for both events was small but successful.  Committee agreed with the proposal that a letter be sent to Council strongly endorsing that the Town of Markham host the 2004 Smog Summit and that a letter should be forwarded to the appropriate parties at the City of Toronto.  It was suggested that funds from the Environmental Sustainability Fund could possibly be used to offset the costs to host the Summit.

 

f)                    New Members:  Refer to item 4(d) above.

 

g)                  Election of Vice-Chair:  The Chair advised that he would be stepping aside as Chair for the remainder of the year and as approved at an earlier meeting, Donna Sardone would take over.  There followed general discussion on who would be Vice-Chair.  It was agreed that Joan Jenkyn would assume the Vice-Chair role.

 

It was moved by Valerie Burke and seconded by Gary Atkins that Joan Jenkyn would assume the role of Vice-Chair.

CARRIED

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Summer Executive – Following discussion it was agreed that the new Chair and Vice-Chair along with Romila Verma would make up the summer executive if any issues should arise until regular meetings resume in September.

           

6.         REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES

a)         Waste Management –   Joan Jenkyn reviewed the ongoing discussions with the Community Outreach members relative to ‘Garbage as Art’ initiative – while there were numerous ideas presented, no decision had been reached.  The Subcommittee also raised the following issues: a) who will be controlling the Recycling Depots if waste management is transferred to the Region of York; b) why isn’t it advertised that damaged blue boxes will be replaced at no cost; c) the brochures published by the Town on recycling mention tetra pack drinking containers.  Councillor Heath advised that the Region of York has turned down implementing the 3-stream program this year; he also agreed to obtain the voting results from the Regional meeting to ascertain how the Regional Councillors voted; he also advised that the Town is looking at other options without Regional involvement on furthering waste reductions.  Councillor Heath briefly mentioned the possibility of a Workshop on this topic sometime in the fall.

 

 

b)         Community Outreach and Education – Karen Volpe that she is working on the website and have it operational this summer; she will provide further details on financial matters, etc. in the fall.  Karen also advised that the group will be meeting to re-organize the group and is asking for more members

 

c)                  Fundraising – Nothing to report at this time

 

d)         Natural Resource Management Subcommittee – Nothing to report at this time.

 

7.         REPORTS FROM RELATED COMMITTEES

 

a)                  Markham Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee – Valerie Burke advised that she had been to a Council meeting where it was agreed to continue with the pesticide free area in Wart 2.  Councillor Heath advised that he will oppose any Regional by-law on Pesticide control/reduction; he wants the Town to have its own Pesticide By-law.

 

8.                  ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

 

Joan Maddock spoke of her meeting with the Manager responsible for the fish ladder work in Milne Park – very encouraged by the meeting and feels that the work is progressing well.

 

The Chair spoke of the Tree by-law in light of the recent destruction of trees at Verclaire Gate and Highway 7 and that there is even more incentive now to get a by-law in place.  Councillor Heath spoke of the difficulties with enforcement issues relative to the by-law and also that Linda Irvine is working on terms of reference for a consultant to prepare a by-law.

 

The Chair advised that he had been at a Development Services Committee meeting where the Rouge Park North OPA was discussed – he spoke of concerns now with small streams in Markham, as there was little mention of them in the revised OPA.  Councillor Heath spoke at length on the problems being encountered relative to the Rouge Park Management Plan and feels it will be appealed to the OMB.

 

Valerie Burke spoke of the Town’s Commemorative Tree Program – if someone is wishing to have a tree planted in memory of someone, they should contact the Town’s Park’s Department who will make the arrangements and they in turn would provide the person with a certificate.

 

There was brief discussion on the East Markham Strategic Review report going to Council on July 8; there are plans to expand Rouge Park in the east end, amongst other projects in the area; a park north of 16th Avenue; and the preservation of heritage homes in east Markham.

 

Gary Atkins addressed his disappointment in the lack of activity by the TRCA relative to the Backyard Naturalist – nothing has been done and the year is almost over – there are funds available to implement projects.

 

 

Joan Jenkyn spoke briefly of the Doors Open Markham initiative, which entails touring heritage buildings not normally open to the public.

 

The Committee gave a resounding round of thanks to Richard Jarrell for his efforts on behalf of conservation in Markham over his tenure as Chair.

 

9.                  NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Conservation Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

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