MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

January 20, 2011

ATTENDANCE

Members Tom Rado, Chair Mylene Bezerra Batista Lloyd Helferty James Lin Philip Ling Zahra Parhizgari Carrie Sally Christopher Sauer Erica Tsang Guest Janice Merton Staff Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Secretary

Regrets Phil Fung Erika Lontoc Brent Mersey Dennis Yip Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) was called to order at 7:11 PM with Mr. Tom Rado presiding as Chair. He thanked immediate Past Chair Philip Ling for all his efforts over the past two years to increase awareness of MEAC's role and accomplishments with Town of Markham Council.

2. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

The agenda was accepted with the following additions:

- Paperless Initiative

- Community Liaison Committee - Update

- Regional Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Forum

- Committee Member Biographies

- Meeting with Mayor Frank Scarpitti

- Representation on Town of Markham Committees

3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010

It was noted that former committee member Louis Priftakis was included in the list of members who had sent their regrets for the November 18, 2010 meeting; however Mr. Priftakis had resigned from the committee. The minutes were accepted with the removal of Mr. Priftakis` name.

It was

Moved by Philip Ling
Seconded by Chris Sauer

That the minutes of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) held on

November 18, 2010 be adopted as amended.

Carried

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

No matters were identified.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. MEAC GOALS for 2011

Vice Chair Chris Sauer led a lengthy discussion about potential goals for MEAC to pursue in 2011. It was recommended that

- the Committee submit a formal request for Town of Markham staff representation and attendance at MEAC monthly meetings

- committee members approach their elected Council member to increase their awareness about MEAC mandate, goals, and accomplishments

Committee members also suggested that the Committee investigate:

- implementing a food forest

- continuing solar initiatives, e.g. Markham Theatre solar project

- assisting the Town of Markham in Earth Day or Earth Hour activities that it might be planning

- providing support to Town of Markham staff in implementing GreenPrint activities

- working more closely with Town of Markham staff on environmental projects in general and, in particular, establishing a "Night Sky Protection" policy and bylaw

- raising awareness of environmental issues and activities by submitting to local newspapers articles on pertinent topics, e.g. Environmental Sustainability Fund projects, Earth Day or Earth Hour

- outreach by approaching corporations involved in environmental initiatives - perhaps they might make presentations at MEAC meetings or provide helpful connections for MEAC projects

Committee members were asked to send feedback on corporate outreach initiatives to Chris Sauer and Tom Rado before the February meeting.

B. PAPERLESS INITIATIVE

Vice Chair Chris Sauer led a discussion about the possibility of MEAC becoming paperless by reducing reliance on copies of Committee minutes and agendas printed by Town of Markham staff.

It was

Moved by Chris Sauer
Seconded by James Lin

That MEAC members will either print their own copy of the agenda and minutes or will request a copy of these at least three days in advance of a MEAC meeting.

Carried

C. COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE FOR THE TOOGOOD POND TO BOB HUNTER MEMORIAL PARK MULTI-USE PATHWAY - UPDATE

Philip Ling provided a brief history of the Town of Markham's efforts to create a multi use pathway from Toogood Pond to Bob Hunter Memorial Park. He felt it would be interesting to see how this committee resolves issues such as location of the pathway, accessibility, maintenance, and impact on the environment.

D. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY (EAC) COMMITTEE

Chair Tom Rado advised that the next Regional EAC meeting will be held on April 6, 2011 at the Koffler Scientific Reserve, 17000 Dufferin Street, King City. Tom Rado and Chris Sauer will attend on behalf of MEAC but all Committee members are invited to attend.

Chair Tom Rado is interested in creating and formalizing a provincial Environmental Advisory Committee made up of representatives from Regional EACs and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. He felt that this would be an excellent means for the Ontario government to learn about environmental issues at the local and regional levels.

E. COMMITTEE MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES

Chair Tom Rado reminded Committee members to submit a biography indicating their background; these will be shared with Town of Markham Council to increase awareness of the resource that MEAC can be for them.

F. MEETING WITH MAYOR FRANK SCARPITTI

Chair Tom Rado, Vice Chair Chris Sauer, and Immediate Past Chair Philip Ling will meet with Mayor Frank Scarpitti on February 16, 2011 to discuss how the Committee might become a more comprehensive resource on environmental issues for the Town of Markham. Chair Tom Rado requested that committee members advise him of any issues they would like raised in the meeting.

G. REPRESENTATION ON TOWN OF MARKHAM COMMITTEES

Further to discussion at the November 18, 2010 meeting, the Committee formalized its intent to recommend to Town of Markham Council the appointments of MEAC members to other Town of Markham committees.

It was

Moved by Tom Rado
Seconded by Carrie Sally

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Town of Markham Council that Erica Tsang replace Brent Mersey as one of MEAC's representatives on the Markham Centre committee and that. Philip Ling remain on the committee as the other MEAC representative.

Carried

It was

Moved by Tom Rado
Seconded by Zahra Parhizgari

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Town of Markham Council that Mylene Bezerra Batista replace Philip Ling as MEAC's representative on the Environmental Issues committee, and that Lloyd Helferty replace Brent Mersey as the alternate representative.

Carried

It was

Moved by Tom Rado
Seconded by Philip Ling

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Town of Markham Council that James Lin replace Chris Sauer as MEAC's representative on the Markham Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory committee.

Carried

6. ADJOURNMENT

It was

Moved by James Lin

Seconded by Chris Sauer

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee adjourn at 9:00 PM.

Carried

7. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee has been scheduled for Thursday February 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Ontario Room.