MINUTES

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

2007-10-16 – 12:30 p.m.

YORK ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

MEETING NO. 3

 

 

Members

Councillor E. Shapero

Councillor V. Burke

Regional Councillor J. Heath

B. Mersey, Chair, Markham

            Conservation Committee

 

Staff

M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental

            Leadership

L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space

            Development

R. Hutcheson, Manager, Heritage

C. Marsales, Manager, Waste Management

N. Takata, Parks Planner

L. Mele, TDM Coordinator

C. Smith, Strategic Services Energy and

            Environment Assistant

J. Kee, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 12:35 p.m. with Councillor Erin Shapero in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

            ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON OCTOBER 1, 2007

 

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Mr. Brent Mersey

 

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on October 1, 2007 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

 

2.         MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

FUND (MESF) APPLICATIONS – COMMUNITY APPLICATIONS:

 

The Chair advised that the purpose of this meeting was to receive additional information relating to three MESF applications which had been considered at the October 1, 2007 meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee.

 

UNIONVILLE MEADOWS PUBLIC SCHOOL

 

a) Waste Reduction Project

 

Ms. Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership, reported that a meeting had been held with the Principal, lead teacher (Green Team leader) and the custodian of Unionville Meadows Public School, along with Markham’s Waste Management staff to discuss options relating to the school’s proposed waste reduction project to make it more rigorous and beneficial.  A suggested revised project was discussed with MESF funding used for the purchase of organics recycling bins for all of the classrooms; exterior bins; the larger tote bins; and educational materials and newsletters, which will also be translated.  Town staff would provide guidance to the school and assist them in their goal to target zero waste.  The school’s original proposal to purchase reusable plates, glasses and cutlery could remain part of the project, and staff would suggest that they also ban polystyrene products in the school.

 

The Principal, Custodian and Student “Green Team” are all supportive of this revised project to encourage waste reduction in their school.  Staff noted that this would be a great opportunity to showcase a Markham school with the source separated organics (SSO) program, and it would be a model for other schools.

 

Members raised the following matters:

·        potential school board involvement

·        suggest that dishes and cutlery be purchased at either Value Village or Goodwill stores

·        availability of resources to clean the dishes and cutlery, i.e. dish soap, tea-towels, etc.

·        suggest use of eco-soap

·        potential partnering with large grocery store, i.e. Loblaws

 

It was noted that follow-up and feedback are important on the MESF projects, and staff advised that the files are kept active and the programs and expenditures are monitored regularly.  It was requested that staff provide a report to a future meeting of General Committee highlighting all projects and accomplishments since the establishment of the Fund in 2004, including visuals, and potential opportunities for future growth.

 

The school will be asked to provide a revised application, including a revised budget, with the assistance of the Manager, Environmental Leadership and Manager, Waste Management.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the revised waste reduction project at Unionville Meadows Public School be approved in principle, subject to staff receiving a formal revised application with revised budget.

 

CARRIED

 

 

b) Tree Planting Proposal

 

Ms. Urquhart reported that further discussions had taken place with Operations’ staff regarding their tree planting project and the school’s possible involvement in the Town’s Tree Planting Initiative.  It was generally agreed that any action would be premature at this time although a school outreach component is being reviewed.

 

 

 

STONEBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL

 

a) Goose Awareness Program

 

Ms. Urquhart presented a revised budget relating to the MESF application for a goose awareness program at Stonebridge Public School.  One hundred posters, 20 x 14, will be printed in the amount of $1,200, and signage will cost $2,000, totalling a reduction of $800.00.  Staff advised that they support the application and recommend that $4,000 be provided from the MESF funding for completion of the project.

 

Members discussed the proposal, noting that the Awareness Program will promote living in harmony with the geese in addition to educating residents that the natural habitat of the geese is being destroyed.

 

Committee requested staff to ask the school to consider the use of FSC-certified paper and soy-based ink for the posters.  The school will be asked to provide a revised application, including budget.

 

Moved by Councillor V. Burke

Seconded by Mr. Brent Mersey

 

That the revised goose awareness project at Stonebridge Public School be approved, subject to staff receiving a revised detailed budget.

CARRIED

 

 

 

UNIONVILLE BIA

 

a) Tree Planting Project

 

Ms. Urquhart advised that staff had been unsuccessful in contacting Mr. Greg McCormick, Chair of the Unionville BIA, since the last Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on October 1st to discuss a revision of the application.  In the interim, Town staff had met to discuss the long term strategy for tree planting on Main Street Unionville, the significant costs involved, and the ramifications of a tree planting program at this time. 

 

 

Staff generally agreed that to ensure the health of trees on Main Street Unionville, the program should be taken on comprehensively, and under the guidelines of the Unionville Heritage District Plan.  However, prior to any action being taken, staff advised that a tree study must be carried out to ensure the survival of the trees.  It is estimated that the cost of such a study would be approximately $25,000.  The study would include: rationale; the importance of planting trees; inventory of current tree coverage across the Town; longevity of trees; and the necessary funding requirements. 

 

Members agreed that the proposal in its present form raised serious concerns regarding the survival of the trees. .  Committee suggested that the tree planting study could be considered as a Town of Markham internal project and that staff could make an application through the MESF funding.  Staff advised, however, that the MESF funds available for 2007 through the internal application process have been depleted, due to major environmental projects being approved directly by Council.  Ms. Urquhart would clarify the financial status and report back.  Committee expressed concern that such projects had not been directed through the Environmental Issues Committee first, and requested that staff provide a list of all Town projects that have been funded since the Committee’s inception at its next meeting.

 

It was noted that the Unionville BIA also plans to install benches and bicycle racks along the Main Street, at their own cost, and Committee was supportive of providing MESF funding for the bike racks, subject to approval of design and locations.  Staff advised that they will advise the Unionville BIA of the Committee’s support for the bike rack initiative, which could be considered at the next meeting in February 2008.

 

Moved by Regional Councillor J. Heath

Seconded by Councillor V. Burke

 

That the application from the Unionville BIA be deferred.

CARRIED

 

 

Due to time constraints, staff was directed to proceed with the approved MESF applications from this date and October 1, and prepare a report for consideration of General Committee.

 

 

 

3.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Mr. Lorenzo Mele, TDM Coordinator, advised that the Town, through the MECO Office, Environmental Leadership Group, Mission Green and the cycling program, will be participating in the Philips Canada Sustainability Fair, which is being held on Wednesday, October 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Philips Electronics Ltd.

 

 

Philips Electronics is located at 281 Hillmount Road in Markham, and members of Committee were invited to attend.  Copies of the invitation will be forwarded to all Members of Council.

 

 

4.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting will be at the call of the Chair, (February 2008).

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Environmental Issues Committee meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.