MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room

April 26, 2007

7:00 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Members                                                                    Staff

Brent Mersey, Chair                                                     Pamela Cook, Committee Secretary

Philip Ling, Vice Chair

Mylene Batista Bezerra                                     Regrets

Joyce Chau                                                                  John O’Gorman

Sandra McEleney                                                         Regional Councillor J. Heath

Thomas Rado                                                               Mike Hough

Joan Maddock                                                             Lindsay Turko

                                                                                    Krista Olins

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

 

Brent Mersey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. and congratulated Joyce Chau and Mylene Batista Bezerra on their efforts for the tremendous success of the 2007 Earth Day celebrations.

 

2.      ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MARCH 29, 2007

 

Moved by Sandra McEleney

Seconded by Joan Maddock

 

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee held on March 29, 2007 be adopted as amended.

 

CARRIED

 

3.      MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

a.       MMC Budget – The Chair indicated that any receipts should be submitted to himself and / or Philip Ling, Vice-Chair for approval and submission to the Clerk’s office for payment.  Photocopies of the receipts will be kept by the Committee.  Pam will get a copy of the standard form for expenses from the Town and table a copy at the next meeting for members to copy and use as needed.  The Chair also expressed gratitude to Judy Kee, Clerks Department for expediting the payment for the reptilian display for Earth Day

 

b.      Pesticides – The Town will be voting on pesticide use by the end of June.  The Chair will circulate the CD of the pesticide meeting to members. 

 

c.       Earth Day Celebrations – Post Mortem - There was a lengthy discussion concerning the 2007 Earth Day Celebrations and how to improve for the future.  It was agreed that Pam will prepare a summary of the discussions and send it to the Chair for review and distribution to other committee members.  The edited document will be distributed to all Committee members with the draft minutes of this meeting.  Joyce will try and establish an on-line photo album for members to view the pictures taken during the celebrations.

 

d.      Smart Growth Meeting – Handouts – John O’Gorman forwarded electronic links for the Smart Growth Meeting he attended and reported on at the last meeting.  The Chair encouraged Committee members to review the information on these links

 

4.      REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES

 

a.       Waste Management  - Joan Maddock reported that the Town of Markham has sent out a big, glossy document on Waste Management and as a result she tabled a Waste Management Report dated April 26, 2007 for discussion.  There is a serious objection to the use of clear plastic bags for garbage pickup.  As one of the major goals of the Conservation Committee is Waste Management issues and how to best assist the Town in their programs, it was suggested that a senior staff person from that department  - perhaps Nory Takata could be invited to the next meeting to give a presentation, and talk about the Town’s initiatives and promotion of their programs.  It was agreed that Joan would make some minor editing to her report before she forwards a copy to Councillor Heath. 

 

b.      Community Outreach and Education  - there was no discussion on this item.

 

c.       Cycling & Pedestrian Committee – there was no discussion on this item.

 

5.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a.       Markham Conservation Committee ­ there was a lengthy discussion about the role of the Markham Conservation Committee.  It was noted that the Markham Conservation Committee was one of the first environmental advisory committees in Ontario and has inspired the formation of others in the GTS.  In that light, it was agreed that the formal name of the Committee should be changed to The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee to more accurately reflect its role.  .

 

6.      NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 31st at 7 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

 

7.      ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.