ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE

MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

York Room, Markham Civic Centre

December 18, 2002 - 6:30 P.M.

 

        MINUTES

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Members Present:                                                                      Members Absent:

Dave Adams                                                                            David Black  

Mark Champion                                                                     Morley Lem

Robert Lipka                                                                            Dianne More

Judi McIntyre                                                                           Frankie Rose

Jonathan Mingay                                                             Helen Walter

Iggy Natoli                                                                               Councillor George McKelvey

Peter Ross

Corina Sallaberger

Keith Thirgood

Councillor Jack Heath

 

Staff:

Candy Davidovits, Committee Clerk

Helen Fydyshyn, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Main Street Markham Committee meeting convened at the hour of 6:37 p.m. with Councillor Jack Heath chairing.

 

 

1.            ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE TENTH MEETING OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE – November 20, 2002

 

THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MAIN STREET MARKHAM COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 20, 2002, BE ADOPTED.

 

Matter Arising from Minutes

 

At the request of Dave Adams, Councillor Heath agreed to provide information to the next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee respecting the date when construction of the 407 interchange will commence.

 


2.            WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

 

Councillor Heath, on behalf of the Main Street Markham Committee, welcomed new members Mark Champion, Robert Lipka, and Jonathan Mingay, and invited them to introduce themselves to the Committee.

 

The Main Street Markham Committee also received an updated membership list.

 

 

3.            MERRY DINER CARD

 

            Iggy Natoli provided information relating to the sale of a Merry Diner Card, a discount card which could be used continuously in participating stores and restaurants. Mr. Natoli advised that the venture will be set up as non-profit, and that the cards can only be sold to raise funds.  Each card is renewable annually, and costs $20, with $10 from the proceeds given back to the organization selling the card. They have been offered to groups that need to raise funds and Mr. Natoli invited members of the  Committee to help market and sell the cards.  He also suggested that some could be allocated to the Main Street Markham Committee for projects.  The members indicated support in principle, and discussed a possible conflict of interest.

 

Judi McIntyre agreed to discuss the possibility of marketing this venture through the Markham BIA, and will provide an update on this matter at the next meeting.

 

 

4.            UPDATES:

 

            Main Street Markham Traffic Management and Streetscape Study (bump-outs)

 

The Committee deferred an update on this matter until its next meeting.

 

Markham Museum

 

Councillor Heath circulated the latest plans for the Visitor Centre at the Markham Museum. 

 

The Committee discussed the Little Theatre building proposed for the site, and requested that a representative from the Markham Museum be invited to attend the January or February 2003 meeting to discuss the development plans of the Markham Museum.

 

Dorothea Moss Garden

 

Dave Adams advised that the design is being completed and that a contractor is being hired.  He stated that staff is submitting a report to the Community Services Committee and Council in this regard and that it is expected that the project will be completed in the spring of 2003.

      Tannery Pond

 

The Committee deferred the update on this matter to its January 15, 2003, meeting when Councillor McKelvey will be present.

 

      Mural - 107 Main Street

 

As requested by the Committee at the last meeting, Keith Thirgood circulated a copy of the picture obtained by Judi McIntyre entitled “Farm Implement Delivery Day”, along with the picture originally proposed for the mural at 107 Main Street.  Mr. Thirgood advised that the new photograph is a more complex painting and that it could increase the cost of the mural.

 

The Main Street Markham Committee recommended that:

 

(1)               the “Wilson Street Superior Stores” photograph be approved as the mural to be reproduced on the building at 107 Main Street;

 

(2)               David Black be requested to approach the property owner at 107 Main Street with respect to the funding for this project; and

 

(3)               a copy of the photograph of the “Wilson Street Superior Stores” be forwarded to Heritage Markham for its information.

 

            Official Plan and Zoning Review Subcommittee

     

Peter Ross circulated a copy of a report (December 15, 2002) the subcommittee has submitted to staff in regard to this matter and advised that an update will be provided at the next meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee.

 

The Main Street Markham Committee requested that staff provide the new members of the Committee with the following documents:

 

-                     Vision Statement;

-                     link to the web site in regard to the Main Street Markham Committee;

-                     streetscape guidelines; and

-                     a list of things to do from the vision.

 

            Master Plan Subcommittee

 

Keith Thirgood advised that the subcommittee will be meeting again between now and the next Main Street Markham Committee meeting, and that a draft document will be provided at the next meeting.

 

 

            Farmers’ Market

 

Judy McIntyre advised that the Farmers’ Market was very pleased to receive a Heritage Markham award in November and that Iggy Natoli, Helen Walter, Judy McIntyre, Keith Thirgood and Jack Heath were all present to receive the award. 

 

Tremont Hotel

 

Councillor Heath advised that the Markham Conservancy conducted a poll during the recent Festival of Lights regarding the renovation of the Tremont Hotel.  The overwhelming majority of the approximately 200 to 300 residents polled indicated that they would like to see the property restored and that the municipal government should be involved in some way.  Councillor Heath stated that he is pleased that the Markham Conservancy is taking an interest in this property.

 

            2003 Budget

 

Councillor Heath advised that full details regarding the 2003 budget will be provided at the January 15, 2003, meeting.

 

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Tax Arrears Sale of Property

 

Councillor Heath provided information respecting a piece of property that was offered for sale, located in the Robinson Street and Tannery Pond vicinity.  He advised that Markham Council had passed a resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds to acquire this property and that today was the deadline for receiving offers.  The Committee requested that Councillor Heath send an e-mail to all members of the Committee advising of the outcome of this sale.

 

Heritage Entrance Signage

 

This matter was deferred until the next meeting for an update from Regan Hutcheson.

 

Doors Open Markham

 

Judi McIntyre advised that a Doors Open Markham committee, chaired by Elizabeth Plashkes, has been struck, with representatives from the Heritage, Historical and Conservancy committees, BIAs, Museum, and Town of Markham, to bring Doors Open, a province-wide celebration of community heritage that is supported by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, to Markham.

 

The dates chosen are Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, 2003. A number of sites have been selected that include all four of the Town areas – Villages of Markham, Unionville, Thornhill and Milliken Mills. The sites have not been finalized as yet but there will be about 25 sites altogether, such as: Heintzman House, Markham Village Train Station, Salem Eckardt House, Buttonville Heritage School House, Victoria Square United Church, and Peaches United Church. Walking tours are planned for Markham Village, Historic Unionville, Historic Thornhill, Markham Heritage Estates, and Pacific Mall. There will be a selection of new/modern facilities as well: Varley Gallery, IBM Laboratory, Cathedral on Woodbine Ave., etc.

 

Ms. McIntyre also advised that the committee will be applying for a Trillium Foundation grant to support this financially as well as seeking some corporate sponsorships. 

 

The Main Street Markham Committee received the foregoing information.

 

Heritage Markham Representatives

 

Corina Sallaberger advised that she is no longer a member of Heritage Markham and therefore is no longer the Heritage Markham representative on the Main Street Markham Committee.  She further stated that she would like to continue serving as a member of the Main Street Markham Committee.

 

Councillor Heath advised that he will look into the status of the representatives of Heritage Markham on the Main Street Markham Committee and report back to the Committee at the next meeting.

 

2003 Schedule

 

The Main Street Markham Committee was advised by the Clerk that its meetings will continue to be scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month, as follows:

 

            January 15

            February 19

            March 19

            April 16

            May 21

            June 18

            July 16

            August 20

            September 17

            October 15

            November 19

            December 17

 

The Main Street Markham Committee received the foregoing schedule for information.

 

 

 

 

6.                  NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2003.

 

 

7.            ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting of the Main Street Markham Committee adjourned at 8:15 p.m.