CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010

ANGUS GLEN COMMUNITY CENTRE

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

 

Committee:

Sandra McEleney, Chair

David Rawcliffe, Vice-Chair

Gerald Corbett

Carole Robertson, Accessibility Rep.

Adam Poon

Gordon Walter

Peter Miasek

Christopher Sauer, MEAC Rep.

Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

Agency Members:

Vi Bui, Region of York

Wincy Tsang, Smart Commute 404-7

Ken Deering, D’Ornellas Racing Team

 

Guests:

Lynda Spinney, Trailblazers

Chris Spinney, Trailblazers

 

Regrets:

Winston Stewart

Rachael Woodroffe

Arup Mukherjee

Andrew Tronchin

Michelle Holmes, Rouge Park

Megan Johnson-Lui, York Catholic District

         School Board

Lindsay Rosien, Region of York Health

Sgt. Courtney Chang, York Regional Police

Councillor E. Shapero

 

Staff:

L. Mele, TDM Coordinator

Nancy Letman, Recreation Services Staff

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee convened at 6:10 p.m. with Ms. Sandra McEleney presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.         WELCOME

 

Ms. Sandra McEleney welcomed all members and advised that the meeting this date would be brief so that a bike ride and walk could be held on the cycling and pedestrian network adjacent to the Angus Glen Community Centre immediately following the meeting.

 

The Chair welcomed Chris and Lynda Spinney who were in attendance representing Trailblazers, Tandem Cycling Club, and would be making a presentation later in the meeting.

 

 

2.         MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY

            COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 29, 2010

 

Moved by D. Rawcliffe

Seconded by G. Walter

 

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

April 29, 2010 be adopted;

CARRIED

 

 

3.         SUMMER EVENTS

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, briefly reported on the Children’s Safety Village event which had been held May 28-29, with approximately 40 attendees.

 

Members were advised of two upcoming events organized by the Toronto Chinese for Ecological Living (TCEL), as follows. 

 

-          Volunteer Recruitment and Training Day – June 15th at Markham Civic Centre; and

-          Eco Transport Fair @ Taste of Asia – June 26-27 on Kennedy Road, north of Steeles Avenue

in Markham.

 

In addition, Mr. Mele advised that the Markham Giro is scheduled for Sunday, August 8th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Cochrane Drive and Delta Markham (East Valhalla Drive).  Mr. Ken Deering of the D’Ornellas Racing Team provided additional information on the event which will also include a BBQ.

 

More details will be provided by staff by email prior to the events, and those Members wishing to take part were asked to contact Mr. Mele.

 

 

4          CPAC BUSINESS PLAN

 

Mr. Mele, TDM Coordinator, advised that the Five-Year Cycling, Pathways and Trails Implementation Program is scheduled to be presented to Development Services Committee on June 22nd.  He noted that an Open House had been held for Councillors to review the implementation plan and provide comments, and a presentation had also been delivered to members of the Unionville Ratepayers Association.

 

Committee raised the issue relating to pedestrian/vehicle conflicts and Members discussed the suggestion that a study be conducted to determine concerns, needs and experiences of people in this area.  Staff noted, however, that a public opinion survey had been conducted on cycling in 2007 and copies of the final presentation/report would be circulated to Members for their information.  It was suggested that it might be beneficial to have volunteer Members conduct a survey at the summer events this year, however, Committee asked that it be given the opportunity to review the scope of the work before the survey is finalized.

 

Mr. Mele noted that the proposed year one project will be between Toogood Pond and Bob Hunter Park; however, Committee will be presented with the Plan prior to presentation to Council to discuss the prioritization of the remaining projects.  The Chair asked that staff provide details of the projects that are moving forward before Committee starts to move ahead on the rest of the projects.

 

Committee queried the status of the Town’s sidewalk program and requested that a representative of the Town’s Operations Department staff be requested to attend the next meeting of Committee to discuss the program.  It was noted that Council endorsed the 2010 and five-year sidewalk construction and illumination installation program earlier this year, however, based on demonstrated need the program can be updated and priorities shifted.

 

Moved by P. Miasek

Seconded by G. Corbett

 

That a representative of Town staff responsible for the sidewalk program be requested to attend the next meeting of the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to provide information on the five-year sidewalk construction program, (not multi-use trails);

 

And that such information include an update on recently completed sidewalk construction; proposed projects; project criteria; and time-lines involved;

CARRIED

 

 

5.         TRAILBLAZERS – TANDEM CYCLING CLUB

 

Chris and Lynda Spinney were in attendance and gave a brief presentation on the tandem cycling club, Trailblazers.  They explained that the Club has been in operation in Toronto since 1987 and provides an opportunity for people who have limited or no vision to cycle with sighted volunteers on two-seater bicycles.  The Club is happy to accept donations and is always looking for volunteers who are good cyclists.  Copies of the Club brochure were distributed to Members for their information.

 

The Chair thanked Mr. & Mrs. Spinney for their presentation and Committee agreed that Markham residents should be made aware of this very worthwhile organization.

 

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         Accessible Customer Service Brochures – The Chair reminded Members that they are to read the Accessible Customer Service guide which provides information on how to interact with a person with a disability.  A signing sheet will be available at the next meeting of Committee indicating that the Brochure has been read.

 

 

b)         York Region Workshop Materials – Copies of the documents “Cycling and Risk”, and “Best Practices and Innovation in Bikeway Design” would be forwarded to Members, once received from Region of York staff.

 

 

 

7.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

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

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE YORK ROOM

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Moved by D. Rawcliffe

Seconded by A. Poon

 

That the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting adjourn. (7:15 p.m.)

CARRIED

 

At this time, Members took part in either a bicycle ride or walk along the trails adjacent to Angus Glen Community Centre.