MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
COMMITTEE
2010-11-03
CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE
Members
Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Councillor Valerie Burke Councillor Erin Shapero Regrets Councillor Logan Kanapathi Advisory Committee |
Staff
Mavis Urquhart,
Manager, Environmental Policy and
Program Development Karen Boniface, Technical Coordinator,
Operations Katie Burns, Sustainability Coordinator Christie Cestra, Environmental Technician Peter Loukes, Director, Operations Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space
Planning Carole Manning, Centennial Community Centre Claudia Marsales, Manager, Waste Management David Merriman, Facilities Coordinator Alex Moore, Manager of Purchasing Raj Raman, Manager, Accounting and Expenditure Control Ruth Rendon, Senior Planner, Environmental Policy Nory Takata, Parks Planner Warren Watson, Centennial
Community Centre Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator |
The Environmental Issues Committee convened at 9:18 a.m. with Councillor
E. Shapero in the Chair.
1.
FUND (MESF) APPLICATIONS
a)
COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS
i)
Sustainable Energy Initiative, Dr. Jose Etcheverry
Dr. Jose Etcheverry, Assistant Professor, York University, gave a presentation and requested $3,320 for a Sustainable Energy Initiative, to provide hands-on experience to students with renewable energy assessment tools.
Dr. Etcheverry discussed the importance of enhancing awareness of climate change and other environmental concerns. This proposal would provide an opportunity to promote the potential of renewable energies, particularly for young people. Dr. Etcheverry belongs to a group that tracks annual renewable energy investments, which is growing substantially. Ontario has become a major proponent in this field.
York University and Centennial College have a partnership with Kortright Centre and are proposing a training program for future RE leaders, at York University and then at the Centre. Funding is requested for this purpose, as well as for the purchase a Solmetric SunEye 200, a tool that determines a building’s RE capacity. Students would use the tool to assess buildings in Markham, starting with Town buildings, and expanding to School Board, corporate, and private buildings in the future. It would enhance student understanding and encourage leadership in RE initiatives. A demonstration of the operation and capability of the SunEye 200 was given to the Committee, through the product website at www.solmetric.com It was noted that school board consent for this project has been obtained.
The Committee considered that it is important to promote and publicize this program, and suggested increasing the funding amount up to $5,000 to include a signage display at the school and a website. A media release and staff Lunch & Learn events were recommended. Dr. Etcheverry agreed to consider these suggestions and advised that the program could be branded with a website to enable contact by potential users.
The Committee questioned ownership of the equipment. It was agreed that the Town
could provide funding to purchase the tool and then enter into a use agreement with the school to ensure the equipment comes back to the Town. It was recommended that the equipment be managed by Graham Seaman, Sustainability Office, subject to him agreeing and the tool being made available for use by others.
The Committee supported a funding request to a maximum of $5,000 subject to: confirmation of signage and website costs, which will be submitted to Mavis Urquhart; and an agreement, providing that the Town obtains ownership of the tool.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the application by Dr. Jose Etcheverry, York University, for a Sustainable Energy Initiative be approved, to a maximum of $5000, subject to confirmation of signage and website costs by Ms. Urquhart and subject to York University executing an agreement with the Town, in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor, confirming the Town’s ownership of the Sun Eye Analysis device;
And that the Commissioner of Community and Fire Services be authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the Town.
CARRIED
ii) David Suzuki Public School
Staff explained that the funding request is to enable an outdoor classroom incorporating native plants and shrubs that attract birds and butterflies. It was noted that school board consent has been provided.
Moved by Councillor V. Burke
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That the funding application by David Suzuki Public School, for $2,040 for an outdoor classroom, be approved, subject to final review and approval of a site plan and species selection by Parks staff.
CARRIED
iii) James Robinson Public School
Staff explained that the funding request is to develop an organic waste recycling program. The Manager of Waste would work with the school to become a zero waste school.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the application by James Robinson Public School, for $5,000 for an organic waste recycling project, be approved, subject to working with Town of Markham Waste Management staff.
CARRIED
b)
STAFF APPLICATIONS
i)
Green Spin Studio
Applicant David Merriman, Facilities Coordinator, is requesting $33,285 for a green spin studio at Thornhill Community Centre.
Mr. Merriman gave a brief summary of the proposal to install energy generators on 15 stationary bicycles in the fitness centre, converting the cyclist’s energy into electricity that will be applied directly to the facility. This has been done in many other facilities with positive results, and Markham would be the first municipality to do so. The technology is being expanded for use in treadmills and other equipment.
The Committee was very supportive, and directed that a media release be organized for the launch. The return on investment was questioned. Mr. Merriman will provide a memo in response, as well as information about the amount of electricity saved annually. Staff was also directed to clarify the impact by expanding the energy and impact calculations chart to one and ten years. The key benefit, however, is the message to the public.
It was requested that Interpretive Signage be provided adjacent to the equipment, including energy and impact information from the chart, in addition to promotional brochures and signage outside of the studio to inform the public of this innovative venture. Staff will review the sign cost estimates and provide any updated expenses to Council.
Warren Watson and Carol Manning from the Centennial Community Centre were in attendance to support the proposal.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the funding application by David Merriman, Facilities Coordinator, for $33,285 for a Green Spin Studio, be approved, subject to submission of any additional signage costs.
CARRIED
ii)
School/Townhouse Condominium Garden
Applicant Vicky McGrath, Director of Sustainability, is requesting $4,932 for a school garden at Baythorn Public School and a community garden at a townhouse condominium complex off Bayview Avenue.
Staff provided a brief explanation of the proposal and recommended that a community garden policy be established. While staff did not have objections to a community garden at Baythorn Public School, concerns were raised about use of public funds for a garden on the condominium lands as well, matters such as parking for users, accessibility of the gardens, etc.
Katie Burns, Sustainability Coordinator, gave an overview of project. Lynne Koss of Seeds of Change advised that over 200 school gardens have been created in Toronto, noted and all of the owners of the 58 condominium units are in agreement with this project.
The Committee directed that costs be separated into school and condominium portions, for Council. It was agreed that policy issues need to be addressed regarding MESF funding, particularly for public/private ownership and benefits. Staff noted that the Town Solicitor has flagged concerns regarding whether satisfactory approval has been provided by the condominium corporation for locating a community garden on their property.
It was suggested that the School Board be approached about absorbing the cost of printing the promotional flyers, which are intended to provide information on community gardens in general, region-wide. It was also clarified that a “communication program” is a better description as there will be a much wider communications approach than just “flyers”. It was suggested that Claudia Marsales work with Lynn to develop the communications program. It was also noted that all printed materials funded by MESF should be on recycled fiber with vegetable-based ink.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the application by Vicky McGrath, Sustainability Office, for a school demonstration garden at Baythorn P.S., be approved, subject to submission of a separate budget for the school in an amount not to exceed $2,500 and the consent of the school board;
And that the request for Town funding of a community garden on a private condominium property be approved, subject to submission of a separate budget for the condominium complex and securing condominium board approval to the satisfaction of the Town Solicitor;
And that the Sustainability Office staff take all necessary steps, prior to release of funding to ensure all necessary approvals are secured and soil testing has been taken.
CARRIED
iii)
Educational Awareness on Green Purchasing
Applicant Alex Moore, Manager, Purchasing, is requesting $50,000 to hire a person to promote Green Purchasing practices in the Corporation. Mr. Moore clarified that the term would be for one year, not six months as stated in the report. A student had been hired in 2010 to produce the Green Purchasing Guide for Town sustainability practices, which is now in its final stages. The funding request would extend the contract to allow completion of the project and to provide promotional/educational opportunities and implementation support.
Ms. Urquhart briefly described the proposal and advised of staff’s recommendation. The Committee acknowledged that the project scope was much larger than originally thought, and supported extension of the project to completion. The Committee agreed promotion/education and implementation of the Guide could be considered a second phase.
Discussions included the mandate of the Committee and funding criteria. The Committee determined that a short term extension could be supported to complete the current project, and Phase 2 would have to be considered in the 2011 Finance budget.
Raj Raman, Manager, Accounting and Expenditure Control, responded to comments from the Committee. The Committee directed staff to circulate the draft Green Purchasing Guide to the members, when it is completed. A small working group of Committee members and staff will be established to assist the Finance Department in completing the project over the next few months (suggested completion March 2011). Finance will work on developing a budget for additional resources to oversee implementation.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the report and recommendation from staff be received;
And that the funding application received from Alex Moore, Purchasing, to extend the contract for a part-time person until the end of March, 2011, to complete the Green Purchasing Guide be approved to a maximum amount of $15,000.
CARRIED
2. MARKHAM TREES FOR TOMORROW FUND
APPLICATIONS
i) Requesting $8,100.00 for tree planting for 10,000 Trees for the
Rouge Fall restoration planting 9th Line and Donald Cousens Parkway.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor V. Burke
That the funding request by 10,000 Trees for the Rouge, for $8,100, to conduct a series of fall tree plantings to restore 3 acres of floodplain along the north bank of the Little Rouge River to enhance the biological diversity and increase the effective riparian buffer along a 500+ m reach of this sensitive watershed area, be approved.
CARRIED
3. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee expressed appreciation to the retiring Chair, Councillor Erin Shapero, for her dedication and hard work on the Environmental Issues Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 11:45
a.m.