Ontario
Room
ATTENDANCE
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Members: |
Staff: |
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Brent Mersey, Chair Philip Ling, Vice Chair Krista Olins Joyce Chau John O’Gorman Regional Councillor Jack Heath |
Regrets
Mike Hough |
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Brent Mersey,
Chair, called the meeting to order at
2.
CHANGES
OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Under Item 4:
Erosion Restoration
‘Blue Creek’ update
Under Item 5:
Economic Development Strategy
3.
ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE
The committee identified the following corrections in italics:
“4. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
e) School Council Meeting at Thornlea School
– K. Olins advised of a recent
meeting at the school concerning the Region of York’s plans to widen all
north/south routes – Bayview, McCowan, Kennedy, Warden, Leslie, Bathurst to
help address the needs of those residents in the northern part of the Region in
their commute to downtown; little thought is being given to the existing
neighbourhoods in the southern part of the Region that will be negatively
impacted by such a proposal. What is the
Town’s stance on the proposed north/south road widenings?
7. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES
a) Waste
Management – K. Olins commented on the
location of the compost facility on Bloomington and is inquiring if the Town is
considering a site closer to the Town to make it more practical for town
residents to use – a number of garbage bags full of yard waste have been
spotted in various open space areas as residents are reluctant to make the trek
up to Bloomington.”
Moved by Sandra McEleney
Seconded by Krista Olins
THAT the minutes of the Markham
Conservation Committee meeting held on
CARRIED
4. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a) Report on Pesticide Meeting
of October 26/06 – The Chair advised that he has a CD copy of the October
Pesticide Meeting; approximately 3 hours are required to view the CD. The Chair
will bring a laptop to the next meeting so committee members can view some of
the highlights.
Notes of the meeting prepared by Mike Hough were distributed for
information. Since M. Hough was not present, discussion of the notes was
deferred to the next meeting.
b) Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition
– A brochure, detailing Accomplishments in 2006, was distributed for
information. Joyce Chau reported that the Oak Ridges Moraine Symposium, held on
February 12 and 13, was well attended. Notes from the Symposium should be
posted on its website in March.
c)
A letter received from Jay
Silverstein, Project Coordinator, York Region Waste Management Branch, was
distributed for information. The letter advises that changes will be made to
hazardous waste and electronic waste programs because of suggestions received from
J. O’Gorman. J. O’Gorman also credited the efforts of Councillor Jack Heath in
bringing about this successful outcome.
d)
Erosion
Restoration
J. O’Gorman
reported that the recent Developmental Services Committee meeting included
discussion of a Small Stream study, which is well underway; it would be
opportune for a committee member to join the study team. The Markham Erosion
Restoration Implementation plan was also discussed. J. O’Gorman is interested
in visiting erosion sites identified in his area and hopes other committee
members will visit erosion sites in their areas.
The committee
discussed a number of ways it could be effective in this area, including
pairing up to discuss and work through ideas, and monitoring Council and other
committee agendas and minutes for pertinent topics.
e) ‘Blue Creek’ – K. Olins reported that
she has been in contact with Town staff concerning the blue water incident last
fall; it is unlikely that action will be taken as the offending firm is unknown.
She will follow up and draft a final report.
5.
NEW BUSINESS
a) Economic Development Strategy – A
letter from J. O’Gorman to the Mayor and Council was distributed for
information. The letter encouraged Council to include the concepts of
walkability, environmental sensitivity and human scale in future strategies and
official plans.
6.
MATTERS
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
a) David Suzuki’s Time for Action National Tour stop in
S. McEleney
reported that this event was a great success – it was well attended and much
positive feedback has been received. She thanked all committee members for
their assistance in coordinating this event on short notice. It was noted that
Anna Rose at the
b) FLAP
(Fatal Light Awareness Program) - The Chair advised that Victoria McGrath
has contacted him about the possibility of assigning a co-op student to assist
FLAP in its endeavours in
c) Markham Conservation
Committee 2007 Goals – Ideas submitted by
d) MCC
Mandate – The Chair reported on the discussions of a meeting with Mayor
Scarpitti. He reported that the Mayor is supportive of an updated mandate for
the committee as reflected in a new committee name – Markham Environmental
Advisory Committee. The Mayor will work to ensure budget support and increased
web presence for the committee.
e) MCC
Budget – P. Ling distributed and reviewed a draft budget. He reminded
committee members that invoices should be submitted to him for processing.
7. REPORTS
OF SUBCOMMITTEES
a) Waste Management –
Councillor Heath reported that the Three Stream Committee might need the help
of this committee with three projects:
1 – a pilot project testing a
mesh like lid for blue boxes;
2 – another pilot project
introducing the use of clear plastic bags for waste that cannot be recycled, to
ensure only residual garbage is actually disposed of this way; committee
members may be needed to serve as ambassadors to support this initiative;
3 – expansion of the Goodwill
project at Thornhill Community Centre, e.g. recovering toys etc. from residual
garbage.
Blue bags have been introduced in
multi-unit dwellings; funds have been included in the Town’s budget to
introduce the use of green bins for organic waste.
b) Community Outreach and Education –
Joyce Chau reported that Markville Mall is not available for Earth Day
celebrations; the sub-committee is considering using the Angus Glen Community
Centre and hopes to confirm this venue soon. Arrangements have been made to
screen the environmental documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” on Thursday April
19th .
The sub-committee is hoping to
invite members of Council and other VIPs to participate but are finding it
difficult to have letters produced on Town letterhead. It is hoped that
Councillor Heath’s office can provide guidance and help coordinate the
Committee’s and Town’s Earth Day activities to ensure they are not in conflict.
c) Cycling & Pedestrian Committee –
Sandra McEleney reported that the Bike Network Launch at the
8. REPORTS
FROM RELATED COMMITTEES
a) Environmental
Issues Committee (EIC) – The Chair reported that there were a number of proposals
for the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF).
b) Regional Environment
Advisory Committee – No report was
available.
9. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Markham
Conservation Committee is scheduled for
There being no further business, the
meeting adjourned at
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