MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

January 21, 2010

ATTENDANCE

Members Mylene Bezerra Batista Joyce Chau Lloyd Helferty Brent Mersey Zahra Parhizgari Carrie Sally Christopher Sauer Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Guest James Lin Staff Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Secretary

Regrets Gary Diamond Philip Ling, Chair Erika Lontoc Louis Priftakis Tom Rado

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:10 PM with Mr. Brent Mersey presiding as Chair.

2. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

The agenda was accepted with the addition of Rouge Park Agricultural Strategy Meeting as a New Business item.

3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2009

It was

Moved by Joyce Chau
Seconded by Lloyd Helferty

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

November 26, 2009 be adopted as distributed.

Carried

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

A. ROUGE PARK IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE

Brent Mersey briefly described Markham's efforts to merge its part of Rouge Park with that of Toronto to form the largest national park in Canada. Deputy Mayor Jack Heath reported that negotiations have begun with the Rouge Park Alliance, TRCA (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority), the City of Toronto, Pickering and the Regional Municipality of Durham. Negotiations will decide the boundaries, uses, governance and infrastructure for the park.

B. SOLAR POWER INITIATIVE UPDATE

Christopher Sauer reported that he has met with developer Mady Corporation and representatives from Direct Energy about the possibility of creating a roof-top solar installation; it appears that this project will move forward. He felt that the key to the project is that the developer is interested in the potential of renewable energy projects. It also provides an interesting model for the Town of Markham for solar power installations on the roof surfaces of Town of Markham buildings; revenue generated from such "green" energy could be used to support other green initiatives. Next steps involve socializing the concept with the community and discussing Town of Markham involvement with Deputy Mayor Jack Heath.

C. MARKHAM SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Chair Philip Ling had emailed to MEAC members the Sustainability Plan, part of Markham`s Sustainability Initiatives, and had requested that they review the document for discussion.

Committee discussion noted that it would be helpful to have a similar report to compare with this one. It was also felt that communication plans should be strengthened so that the public is aware of guidelines and mandatory requirements; knowledgeable consumers might put pressure on developers to meet the requirements of the plan.

It was

Moved by Christopher Sauer
Seconded by Carrie Sally

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) has reviewed the Markham Sustainability Plan document, endorses its intent/direction, requests opportunities to participate in the future development of the plan, and recommends that there be a specific focus on broader community awareness as it pertains to the Markham Sustainability Plan.

Carried

It was

Moved by Mylene Bezerra Batista
Seconded by Joyce Chau

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) requests that the writers of the Markham Sustainability Plan document make a presentation to MEAC at a future meeting to increase MEAC members' understanding of it.

Carried

D. ANNUAL REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MEETING

Brent Mersey reported that he will post on the MEAC web site his report of the Regional EAC meeting held on January 20, 2010.

5. NEW BUSINESS

A. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

It was

Moved by Christopher Sauer

Seconded by Lloyd Helferty

THAT Philip Ling be appointed by unanimous acclamation as Chair of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee.

CARRIED

It was

Moved by Joyce Chau

Seconded by Mylene Bezerra Batista

THAT Tom Rado be appointed by unanimous acclamation as Vice Chair of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee.

CARRIED

B. RESIGNATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

It was

Moved by Carrie Sally

Seconded by Zahra Parhizgari

THAT the Committee accept with regret the resignation of members Justin Chin and Serena Chin..

CARRIED

C. ROUGE PARK AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY MEETING

Zahra Parhizgari attended this meeting on January12, 2010. She reported that discussion focussed on the Town of Markham's Agricultural Strategy in the Rouge Park, the White Belt and the general area of the Town. It was reported that three areas have been identified in the Rouge Park: Bob Hunter park, Little Rouge and East areas. The proposal for Bob Hunter park is to keep the farms on the east permanently as farmlands and restore some lands on the west so that the park becomes more of a continuous shape.  The Little Rouge is the area adjacent to the river; the area is proposed to be restored to a width of 600 m (on each side).  The remaining area is mostly agricultural and will remain so. 

At the meeting, the public made a number of comments, including that farmers want longer leases than what is currently allowed, urban development is pressuring farmers, farmers are environmentally-conscious, and they don’t want others to tell them what to grow.

Committee discussion included the concept of market gardens vs. cash crops and whether the Town of Markham would have enough available land for agricultural initiatives.

D. INFORMATION

Brent Mersey advised that he would send an email to MEAC members about two Invasive Plant Awareness Program events planned by the North American Plant Society and the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund for February 9 and 11, 2010. He also circulated a flyer promoting Energize King in King City, a presentation on the Green Energy Act by the King City Environmental Advisory Committee on January 28. 2010.

6. ADJOURNMENT

It was

Moved by Christopher Sauer

Seconded by Lloyd Helferty

That the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee adjourn at 9:10 PM.