MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room – Markham Civic Centre

MAY 22, 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 (7:10 pm)

Judi Kosch, Committee Clerk

 

Regrets

Councillor Erin Shapero

David Cheng

Joan Maddock

Romila Verma

Donna Sardone

Karen Volpe (7:35 pm)

 

 

1.                  CALL TO ORDER

 

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

 

2.                  CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

 

3.                  ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 24, 2003

 

Moved by Joan Jenkyn

Seconded by Romila Verma

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee meeting held on April 24, 2003, be adopted as amended.

CARRIED

 

4.                  MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

a)         Environmental Sustainability Fund – No report at this time

 

b)         Don Watershed Survey Report – The Chair advised he has received several requests for the CD; he asked that the Committee secretary research the status of the Don Community Council proposal and report back to the next meeting.

 

d)                  Town Kyoto Project – Councillor Heath advised that a report, from the conference, is being prepared which will outline what other municipalities are doing across North America to address this issue; he will provide more a further update at the next meeting.  The Chair advised that he and Donna had met with the Deputy Mayor on this issue; he and Donna will also be meeting with Vicky McGrath who is preparing a report.

 

e)                  Attendance – The Chair asked the Committee secretary to contact the Clerk’s Department to ascertain if there were any other résumés on file of interested citizens and to report back.  The Committee accepted with regret Sandra Guido’s resignation and acknowledged her work over the year.  Councillor Heath suggested the re-appointed of John O’Gorman.  Donna will call David Cheng to establish his intentions.

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Interested person for sub-committee work – The Chair advised that he has been in contact with a person interested in doing sub-committee work.

           

6.         REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES

a)         Waste Management –   Joan Jenkyn referred Committee to the previous minutes relative to fluorescent bulbs and asked Councillor Heath if there is anything the Town is prepared to do to address this.  Councillor Heath indicated he would speak to V. McGrath and report back to the next meeting.  Joan Jenkyn will prepare a draft letter to Waste Diversion Ontario; she also introduced Rodney Muir from Waste Diversion Toronto, who is interested in the Town’s 3-stream program.  Councillor Heath advised the program is going forward in Ward 1 and target date is still set for September; he indicated that work with the Region on this initiative is ongoing.  It was agreed that the hard part of the program is changing people’s mindset from plastic to paper.

 

Community Outreach and Education – Karen Volpe provided a brief update on the success of the Earth Day event at Markville Mall in spite of the ice storm and SARS – great work done by all volunteers who attended; she will ensure the website is updated with the details.  It was agreed that ‘Ozzie the Owl’ was a great success and should be used at more events.

 

            The Chair reviewed the workshop done by the Evergreen Foundation; there is another being planned in York Region and they want this Committee to sponsor the event.  The Chair advised of MCC’s 3rd annual workshop coming on June 14 – items on the agenda will be water and dirty air.  It was agreed that refreshments will be served in the morning at a cost not to exceed $200.

 

            Moved by Richard Jarrell

            Seconded by Karen Volpe

           

            That an expenditure, not to exceed $200, for refreshments for the Markham Conservation Committee’s 3rd Annual Workshop to be held on June 14, 2003 be approved.

CARRIED

 

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 the Committee had met to discuss the draft report; it was agreed to defer approval until further changes were made and the Steering Committee would meet again in a couple of weeks.

 

8.                  ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

 

Valerie Burke informed the Committee of an ongoing problem with grass cutting along the Don River – not adhering to the ‘no mow’ buffers instituted by the Town.  The Chair advised of a meeting he has had with Linda Irvine regarding parks design and the naturalization of parkland.

 

The Chair also spoke of the Millennium Gardens initiative that had received Council approval in principle to do – it needs to be re-ignited; he has been approached to sit on a Committee with 4-5 councillors to review long-range planning for the Anthony Roman Centre.

 

The Chair asked that an item, summer executive, be added to the June 26th meeting.

 

9.                  NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Conservation Committee is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

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