CYCLING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
MINUTES
Attendance
|
Committee: David Rawcliffe, Vice-Chair Arup Mukherjee Gerald Corbett Carole Robertson, Accessibility Rep. Andrew
Tronchin Peter Miasek Christopher Sauer, MEAC Rep. Agency Members: Vi Bui, Region of Megan Johnson-Lui, York Catholic District School
Board Lindsay Rosien, Region of Wincy Tsang, Smart Commute 404-7 Sgt. Courtney Chang, |
Regrets: Councillor
E. Shapero Councillor
L. Kanapathi Winston
Stewart 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
1. WELCOME
Ms.
2. MILNE
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
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.
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
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
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