ENVIRONMENT
& TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
2002-02-25
Meeting No. 2
Attendance
|
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
M. F. Turner, Commissioner of Development Services
A. Brown, Director of Engineering
J. Klaus, General Manager of Waterworks
A. Mukherjee, Manager, Transportation
M. Ingwersen, Manager, Parks Construction &
Maintenance
P. Veiga, Waste Management Program
Coordinator
J. Kee, Committee Clerk
|
The Environment & Transportation Committee convened at
the hour of 1:05 p.m. with Regional Councillor G. Landon in the Chair. At 1:10 Regional Councillor G. Landon
vacated the Chair, and Councillor J. Virgilio assumed the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST - none
1. CLEGG ROAD EXTENSION (5.10)
Alan Brown, Ext. 7507
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor
J. Heath
That it be
recommended to Council that the preferred alignment for the extension of Clegg
Road as detailed in the Environmental Assessment Project File be endorsed;
And that the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and Hydro One Networks Inc. that
sets out the procedures which will apply to the acquisition of property and the
construction of the roadway be endorsed;
And that the
Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute the Memorandum of
Understanding;
And that staff
report back to Finance and Administrative Committee with details of the
proposed terms of the transaction to acquire the required property from Hydro
One Networks Inc. including the proposed compensation.
CARRIED
2. BULLOCK DRIVE HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC PROHIBITION (5.12)
Peter Loukes, Ext. 4894
Moved by Regional
Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional
Councillor B. O'Donnell
That it be
recommended to Council that the by-law to amend Schedule 14 of Traffic By-law
Number 106-71, by including Heavy Traffic Prohibition on Bullock Drive, between
Highway #7 and McCowan Road be approved;
And that the
Roads Department be authorized to install a truck prohibition sign in each
direction of Bullock Drive between Highway #7 and McCowan Road upon approval of
the by-law;
And that the
York Region Police Force be requested to enforce the Heavy Traffic Prohibition
upon approval of the by-law amendment and installation of the appropriate
signage.
CARRIED
3. MUNICIPAL WASTE INTEGRATION
NETWORK (mwin)
BILL 90, WASTE DIVERSION ACT,
2001 (5.1)
Committee received correspondence from the Municipal Waste Integration
Network (mwin), dated February 21, 2002, requesting endorsement of a resolution
to support Bill 90, Waste Diversion, 2001 and recommending that the Provincial
Government enact Bill 90 when the Legislature re-convenes. In addition, Committee had before them a
draft resolution from Community Services Commission staff supporting Bill
90. Members agreed to adopt the
proposed resolution from "mwin".
Moved by Regional Councillor G. Landon
Seconded
by Councillor D. Horchik
That it be recommended that Council support Bill 90, Waste Diversion
Act, 2001;
And that the Provincial Government be requested to enact Bill 90 when
the Legislature re-convenes;
And that copies of the resolution be forwarded to the local MPP's, and
to the Progressive Conservative Candidates for Leader.
CARRIED
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4. RAPID TRANSIT - PUBLIC/PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP (5.14.7)
Alan Brown, Ext. 7507
Alan Brown, Director of Engineering, and Mary-Frances
Turner, Commissioner of Development Services, presented an update on the Rapid
Transit Public/Private Partnership with respect to the delivery of
inter-regional rapid transit. Copies of
the Region of York's Agenda of the Rapid Transit Public/Private Partnership
Steering Committee meeting held on February 21, 2002 were distributed, in
addition to a schedule of up-coming key events leading to the selection of a
Partner by Regional Council in May of 2002.
Staff advised that copies of the RFP document would be made
available to Members of Council.
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
J. Heath
That the Commissioner of Development Services and the
Director of Engineering update on the Rapid Transit Public/Private Partnership
be received;
And that the Development Services Commission continue to
update Committee on the progress of this project.
CARRIED
5. MARKHAM BY-PASS - MORNINGSIDE ROAD
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY (5.14 & 13.4)
Alan Brown, Ext. 7507
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor
S. Daurio
That the Director of Engineering keep Committee appraised as
to the status of the Environmental Assessment Study for the extension of
Markham By-Pass from Hwy 407 to Morningside Avenue.
CARRIED
6. UPDATE
- HIGHWAY 407/WOODBINE
AVENUE INTERCHANGE (13.4 &
5.12)
Alan Brown, Ext. 7507
Moved by Mayor D.
Cousens
Seconded by Regional
Councillor F. Scarpitti
CARRIED
7. GREAT
TRANSPORTATION DEBATE (5.14)
Mary Frances Turner, Ext. 7840
Mary Frances Turner, Commissioner of Development Services,
distributed an information package containing a booklet and CD regarding The
Great Transportation Debate held on October 15, 2001, and made a brief
presentation.
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That the Great Transportation Debate package be received,
for information.
CARRIED
8. REGION OF YORK TRANSPORTATION
MASTER PLAN (5.10)
Alan Brown, Ext. 7507
The Director of
Engineering distributed copies of a notice of final Public Consultation
Meetings with respect to the draft Transportation Master Plan.
Members discussed the
staff report before them, which presented comments with respect to the content
of the Region of York's Transportation Master, and the Director of Engineering
reviewed the staff recommendations and suggested rewording, where
appropriate.
After further discussion,
staff was asked to reconsider some key areas, including the following:
extending the widening of Steeles Avenue to four lanes from Markham Road, past
the Markham By-pass to Taunton Road; amendment of wording relating to 6 and 7
lane road widenings; addition of "potential" midblock crossings of
Highway 404; defer elimination of jog at 14th Avenue and Durham boundary;
Region to be advised that the Town is completing its own transportation plan
and will forwarded by middle of April; LRT routing to extend as far west as
possible; addition of transit bus routes for Box grove and Cornell areas; Hwy
48, north of Hwy 7 bump outs to be included; and include dedicated transit
lines instead of HOV.
The Commissioner of
Development Services suggested that the report be referred back to staff, and
these comments would be incorporated into the report, which will be referred to
the next meeting of the Environment & Transportation Committee scheduled
for March 25, 2002.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Region of York be commended for their comprehensive
process and efforts to achieve this milestone report;
And that the York Region Transportation Master Plan, Draft
Final Report, be endorsed subject to the addition of a section of the report
indicating the northeast area of the Town of Markham as a "special study
area" requiring further study and that this study be included in the Five
Year Action Plan;
And that the widening of Steeles Avenue to four lanes from
Markham Road to the future
Markham By-Pass be incorporated into the Road Network Plan
and the Five Year Action Plan;
And that the designation of a core HOV network along 16th
Avenue and connecting Markham to the City of Toronto be re-considered and
re-designated as Transit Priority routes;
And that further discussions continue with the Region to
adjust the 10-year road improvement program for 2011 to incorporate the
alternative road-widening program developed by the Town of Markham to reduce 6
and 7 lane road widenings and incorporate/investigate midblock crossings of
Highway 404 to reduce congestion on Regional arterials;
And further that an all "BRT/LRT" scenario be
added as an option in the Implementation Strategy.
DEFERRED
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
J. Heath
That the report be referred back to the Commissioner of
Development Services to incorporate all comments made this date and forward to
the next meeting of the Environment & Transportation Committee to be held
on March 25, 2002.
CARRIED
9. ONTARIO CLEAN AIR ALLIANCE - PHASING
OUT
PURCHASES OF COAL-FIRED ELECTRICITY
(5.7 & 13.5 & 13.7)
Mr. Ravi Mark Singh, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, was in
attendance and made a presentation requesting the Town of Markham to consider
phasing out its purchases of coal-fired electricity, and asking Committee to
pass the issue on to staff for study.
Members discussed the matter suggesting that the issue be referred to
the Chief Administrative Officer for review.
Moved by Regional
Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional
Councillor B. O'Donnell
That the deputation of
Mr. Ravi Mark Singh of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, with respect to phasing
out purchases of coal-fired electricity, be received;
And that the Town of
Markham endorse, in principle, the objective of phasing-out its purchases of
coal-fired electricity;
And that staff be requested to bring back a report to the
Environment & Transportation Committee on the emission reduction benefits
and financial costs of phasing-out the Town's purchases of coal-fired
electricity by a) 2005; b) 2007; and c) 2010.
CARRIED
10. MINUTES – PESTICIDE REDUCTION STEERING
COMMITTEE - OCTOBER 22 & NOVEMBER 29, 2001
(5.7 & 16.34)
Members expressed concern with respect to the activities of
the Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee, and agreed not to receive the
October 22 and November 29, 2001 minutes, but to refer them to Community
Services staff for a report. This
report, to be presented to the next Environment & Transportation Committee
meeting, would provide clarification on issues, including: the initial goal of
the Committee; the relationship between Committee and staff; budget
considerations; and involvement by user groups
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
G. McKelvey
That the minutes of the Pesticide Reduction Steering
Committee meetings held on
October 22 and November 29, 2001, be referred to the next
meeting of the Environment & Transportation Committee to permit Community
Services staff to prepare a report to include clarification on issues of
concern relating to the Pesticide Reduction Committee.
CARRIED
11. TERMS OF REFERENCE -PESTICIDE REDUCTION
STEERING COMMITTEE (5.7 & 16.34)
Members expressed concern regarding the Terms of Reference for
the Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee and directed that the matter be
referred to the next meeting of the Environment & Transportation Committee
to provide an opportunity for staff to report back on issues raised.
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
G. McKelvey
That the Terms of Reference of the Pesticide Reduction
Steering Committee, be referred to the next meeting of the Environment &
Transportation Committee to permit Community Services staff to prepare a report
to include clarification on issues of concern relating to the Pesticide
Reduction Committee.
CARRIED
12. LOYALIST COURT -PETITION - PARKING/
SNOW REMOVAL CONCERNS (2.17 & 5.10)
Councillor Jack Heath had requested that this item be placed
on the agenda.
Moved by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
Seconded by Councillor
G. McKelvey
That the
letters and petition, dated December 28, 2001, from the residents of Loyalist
Court regarding parking and snow removal concerns be referred to the Town Clerk
and Director of Street Services for resolution.
CARRIED
13. REGION
OF YORK TRANSIT FIVE-YEAR
SERVICE PLAN - DRAFT REPORT
(5.14)
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
That the communication from the
Region of York, dated January 25, 2002, circulating the Draft Report of Transit
Five-Year Service Plan and requesting comments, be received;
And that the staff at the Region
of York be requested to make a presentation to a future meeting of the
Environment & Transportation Committee on this matter.
CARRIED
14. REGION
OF YORK EMPLOYEE TRANSIT
DISCOUNT PROGRAM (5.14)
Moved by Councillor A.
Chiu
Seconded by Regional
Councillor F. Scarpitti
That the communication from the
Region of York, dated January 25, 2002, requesting municipalities to consider
the implementation of a program similar to York Region's transit discount
program that provides a discount of 50% to all Regional employees for the
purchase of York Region Transit Adult fare media for their commuting purposes
be referred to the Commissioner of Development Services for report.
CARRIED
15. EARTH
TECH CANADA LTD. - YORK-DURHAM SEWER
SYSTEM SOUTHEAST COLLECTOR
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT - NOTICE OF PROJECT
INITIATION AND
PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE NO.
1 (5.5)
Committee received correspondence
from Earth Tech Canada Inc., dated February 13, 2002, advising that a Class
Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the expansion of the York-Durham Sewage
System - Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer has been initiated.
Moved by Councillor J.
Heath
Seconded by Regional
Councillor F. Scarpitti
That it be recommended to the
Region of York that a Residents' Committee be established, comprised of
residents of the Box Grove and Cedar Grove communities and Councillors, to
consider any local issues that may be raised;
And further that the Region of
York be requested to hold a public information meeting as soon as possible.
CARRIED
16. WOOD SMOKE: A BURNING ISSUE -
CORRESPONDENCE
FROM BILL CLOSE, 26 HEPWORTH
WAY, MARKHAM AND
TOWN OF SIOUX LOOKOUT BY-LAW
TO REGULATE THE
LOCATION AND INSTALLATION OF
OUTDOOR SOLID FUEL
BURNING APPLIANCES (5.7)
Councillor J. Heath advised that a copy of this
correspondence has been forwarded to the Markham Conservation Committee for
their consideration, and the Commissioner of Development Services advised that
staff would review the matter.
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That the communication from Mr. Bill
Close, dated January 18, 2002, expressing concerns that wood smoke is a source
of pollution, and the By-law from the Town of Sioux Lookout dealing with
outdoor wood furnaces be received.
CARRIED
17. MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST
(Seaforth, Ontario)
RESOLUTION RE USE OF ROAD
SALTS (13.5.1 & 5.10)
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor
A. Chiu
That the correspondence from the
Municipality of Huron East, dated January 25, 2002, forwarding a resolution
asking for Council endorsement of a resolution to ask the Government of Canada
(Minister of the Environment) to not add road salts to the list of CEPA
toxic substances, be received.
CARRIED
18. FEDERATION OF CANADIAN
MUNICIPALITIES
FCM-CH2M HILL SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY
AWARDS (13.12.4)
Moved by Councillor G.
McKelvey
Seconded by Regional
Councillor G. Landon
That the correspondence from the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities, dated February 14, 2002, seeking award nominations for national
recognition of projects that demonstrate environmental responsibility and
excellence in municipal service
delivery, be received.
CARRIED
19. MARKHAM HYDRO
SUB-COMMITTEE
ON TELECOM ISSUES (13.7 &
12.2.6)
Mayor D. Cousens advised that Markham
Hydro has established a special committee to review telecom issues, including
such matters as fibre-optics. This
committee will be comprised of representatives from Hydro, Council, the Town
Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Engineering.
ADJOURNMENT
The Environment and Transportation Committee meeting
adjourned at the hour of 3:50 p.m.