CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

 

Committee:

Sandra McEleney, Chair

David Rawcliffe, Vice-Chair

Arup Mukherjee

Gerald Corbett

Carole Robertson, Accessibility Rep.

Adam Poon

Andrew Tronchin

Gordon Walter

Peter Miasek

Christopher Sauer, MEAC Rep.

 

Agency Members:

Vi Bui, Region of York

Michelle Holmes, Rouge Park

Megan Johnson-Lui, York Catholic District

         School Board

Lindsay Rosien, Region of York Health

Wincy Tsang, Smart Commute 404-7

Sgt. Courtney Chang, York Regional Police

 

Regrets:

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Winston Stewart

Rachael Woodroffe

Nancy Letman, Staff

 

Staff:

L. Mele, TDM Coordinator

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

Guests:

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

 

 

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee convened at 7:05 p.m. with Ms. Sandra McEleney presiding as Chair.

 

 

 

1.         WELCOME

 

Ms. Sandra McEleney welcomed all members to the meeting and introduced Mr. Andrew Tronchin, recently appointed Member of Committee. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.         MILNE CAM CONSERVATION AREA –

            PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

 

The Chair advised that a Community Information Meeting has also been scheduled for this evening in the Council Chambers to update residents on all issues related to the Milne Dam Conservation Area multi-use pathway development, and those Members of CPAC wishing to attend were welcome to do so.  Mr. Peter Miasek volunteered to attend the Information Meeting on behalf of CPAC and left the meeting at this time.

 

 

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY

            COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MARCH 11, 2010

 

Moved by C. Robertson

Seconded by G. Walter

 

That the minutes of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting held on

March 11, 2010 be adopted;

CARRIED

 

 

 

4.         ROUGE VALLEY WALK

 

Deputy Mayor Jack Heath was in attendance to introduce the “Rouge Valley Walk”, which is being organized for residents and will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2010, beginning at 1:00 p.m. as part of the larger “Rouge Days” events.  It is expected that the walk will take 2-2 ˝ hours for the 5-6 kilometre distance.

 

In conjunction with this Walk, Mr. Gordon Walter invited Members of CPAC to take part in a Committee Members and Staff Walk on the Saturday prior (May 22nd) which will provide an opportunity to see the area and to help the organizers prepare the route for the “Residents Walk”.  Mr. Walter delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining details of the route, noting that some part of the trails are rough, and assistance is required to mark hazards, remove eye level branches and to put up trail markers to ensure people stay on the right path. 

 

Members discussed the following related matters:

-          Walk may take longer with a large group of people; possible one extra hour

-          Guides will accompany the walkers

-          This is an awareness walk to introduce residents to the area

-          The importance of developing trails in this area; area is included in the 5-year Plan

-          Town is working closely with Rouge Park and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority

 

 

 

 

 

Some concern was expressed regarding the impact of such a large group walking through the area, especially relative to nesting birds, trilliums, poison ivy, etc., and it was suggested that the organizers may wish to consider inviting a natural heritage biologist to take part.  Also, it was suggested that the organizers use flagging tape rather than spray painting to mark the trails.

 

Deputy Mayor Heath advised that a formal announcement/invitation will be sent out next week by email.

 

The Chair thanked Deputy Mayor Heath and Gordon Walter for the presentation and requested that follow-up information be presented to Committee following the Walk.  Those Members of Committee wishing to take part were asked to contact Mr. Walter by email.

 

 

 

5.         DRAFT 2010 CPAC BUSINESS PLAN

 

The Chair advised that the draft 2010 CPAC Business Plan had been previously presented to Members and comments from Members had been incorporated into the document.  The meeting this date was an opportunity to provide further comments and provide final approval.

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, delivered a presentation regarding the 2010 CPAC Draft Business Plan and briefly reviewed the following related items:

 

·       Overview

·       CPAC 2010 Budget

·       Five-Year Network Implementation Program

·       Pedestrian Network Implementation

·       Bicycle Racks – Steeles Avenue – Pilot Project

·       Bicycle Route Map

·       Kids Can-Bike Festival

·       CAN-BIKE Courses

·       School Safe Cycling Education Pilot Project Expansion

·       Markham Giro

·       Smart Commute 404-7

·       Major Mackenzie Multi-Use Pathway – Official Opening

·       Outreach Event Opportunities

 

Members were asked to provide further feedback regarding the Business Plan at this time.

 

Some concern was expressed regarding the large number of Bicycle Route Maps being proposed for printing, and it was suggested that the Town consider alternate electronic distribution channels above and beyond the current technologies for the production of the bicycle route map.

 

 

 

 

 

Additional outreach event opportunities were suggested, such as:

-          Canada Day, and

-          Taste of Asia Event to be held on June 26-27, 2010 on Kennedy Road, north of Steeles Avenue, organized by the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM)

 

Mr. Mele noted that Members of Committee are welcome to take the lead on arranging the outreach events.

 

Moved by D. Rawcliffe

Seconded by G. Corbett

 

That the 2010 CPAC Business Plan be accepted, with the following modifications:

-          Bicycle Route Map – alternate electronic distribution channels to be considered above and beyond the current technologies, and

-          Outreach Event Opportunities to also include: Canada Day on July 1, and the Taste of Asia event held on June 26-27, 2010.

CARRIED

 

 

 

6.         5 YEAR CYCLING, PATHWAYS AND TRAILS

            IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM

 

The Chair advised that CPAC has considered the 5-Year Cycling, Pathways and Trails Implementation Program at two previous meetings, and the meeting this date was a further opportunity to provide comments.

 

Mr. Mele, TDM Coordinator, reviewed the draft 5-Year Cycling, Pathways and Trails Implementation Program, noting that copies of the key map had been previously distributed to Members for information. 

 

Committee was advised that an Open House is being held for Members of Council on Tuesday, May 11th to provide an opportunity for Councillors to review and comment on the draft 5-Year Program.  Staff will be preparing a report and presentation to seek Council’s endorsement of the Program and to seek approval for funding.  Mr. Mele advised that there will be considerable public consultation with the assistance of a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) which will support Council, the community, staff and consultants in determining the pathway alignment and design.

 

It is proposed that the first project will be the pathway section through Milne Dam Conservation Area from Toogood Pond to Bob Hunter Park; however Mr. Mele noted that the Implementation Program is still in draft and further comments will be incorporated.

 

 

 

 

 

Committee noted that the Region of York Plan and the Town of Markham Plans must be synchronized and all existing bicycle lanes must appear on the map, including those on Steeles Avenue.  In addition, Committee noted that staff should make sure that pedestrian needs and views are also addressed; sidewalks well thought through, and that there is good site design.

 

Moved by C. Robertson

Seconded by G. Walter

 

That the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee accepts the 5-Year Cycling, Pathways and Trails Implementation Program, with the condition that if anything unexpected arises, the information will be presented to Committee for consideration;

 

And that the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee be provided with periodic updates of the Program’s progress and Consultants’ input.

CARRIED

 

 

 

7.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Accessible Customer Service – Guide for Town of Markham Board and

Advisory Committee Members and Volunteers

 

Members were reminded that late last year copies of the Town’s Accessible Customer Service Guide had been distributed to Members of CPAC.  More recently, additional copies have been received by the Chair, along with a form requesting that all Members review the Guide and forward confirmation that they have done so by signing the document provided.  The Chair encouraged Members to comply with this request and sign the document at the next CPAC meeting.

 

Ms. Carole Robertson provided details of the Accessibility Committee’s initiative working with the Markham Board of Trade regarding the 2010 Business Excellence Awards, which will be presented in November, to retailers who have done the best job to make their businesses more accessible to customers.

 

 

Safe Streets Program/Strategy

 

The Chair raised the matter of the Town’s current Safe Streets Strategy, and it was suggested that information regarding cycling and pedestrian safety issues be presented at a future meeting of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Future Presentation by “TRAILBLAZERS”

 

Ms. Carole Robertson advised that she had been in contact with the President of Trailblazers, who had advised that they would be pleased to have a representative attend the next meeting of CPAC to make a presentation regarding their organization and to explore opportunities for possible collaboration.

 

 

Sidewalk Continuity

 

Some concern was expressed with respect to pedestrian safety issues where there are gaps in sidewalk continuity, specifically on Major Mackenzie Drive between Kennedy Road and Prospector’s Drive.  Mr. Mele advised that staff are preparing a strategy and will report back at the next meeting.

 

 

 

8.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

Committee discussed the feasibility of holding the next meeting off-site, so that a bicycle ride and walk could be arranged on one of the local pathways.  A short business meeting could be held for the first hour, and then the ride could be arranged to follow.  It was suggested that the Angus Glen Community Centre might be a good location for both.  Mr. Mele will work with Gerald Corbett and Arup Mukherjee to arrange details, and Members will be advised by email.  It was suggested that the “Trailblazers” be invited to attend this meeting and take part in the ride.

 

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee would be held on:

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 AT 6:00 P.M.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by D. Rawcliffe

Seconded by G. Corbett

 

That the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourn. (9:05 p.m.)

CARRIED