Communities and Bloom Committee

TOWN OF MARKHAM

York Room, June 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Present                                                 Staff

 

Richard Jarrell, Chair                             Shanon Elliott, Program Coordinator, CIB

Councillor Alex Chiu                               Catherine Harrison, Manager, Communications Services

Elizabeth Hutchison                               Cathy Joyce, Manager, Marketing and

Sandy Khan                                           Community and Fire Services Commission

Nirmala Persaud-Armstrong                  Barbara Nanninga, Mayor’s Office

                                                               Joanne Olson, Executive Assistant

Tim Armstrong                                       Mark Ingwersen, Manager Parks Maintenance

Ed Law                                                   Lilian Pagnanelli, Committee Clerk

                                                               Julie Wilson, Public Relations Assistant, CIB

                                                              

 

1.                  CALL TO ORDER

 

Committee Chair Richard Jarrell called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

 

2.                  APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 3,  2006

 

Moved by Sandy Khan

Seconded by Tim Armstrong

 

That the minutes of the Communities in Bloom Committee held on May 3, 2006 be adopted as presented. 

 

CARRIED

 

3.                  REPORT FROM PROGRAM COORDINATOR

 

Shanon Elliott reported that all the work involved in preparation for the 2006 National Communities in Bloom competition is well underway.  She commented despite the rain, that the Unionville Street Festival on June 3rd was well attended, and briefly commented on the Kraft Boat Race that she participated in the festival with Tim. Ms. Elliott also commented briefly on the work she is currently involved in the refinement of the judges tour route.

 

 

4.                  REPORTS FROM SUB-COMMITTEES

 

a)                  Community Outreach

 

Nirmala Persaud-Armstrong presented the following report from the Community Outreach Sub-Committee:

 

·       Dorothea Moss Parkette – a successful clean-up and presentation during the adoption of this parkette by the Markham Conservation Association.

 

·       Unionville Street Festival – a successful day was had by all, in spite of the rain.  Tim and Nirmala participated in the parade (CIB Float).  Tim also participated in the Krazy Kraft boat races with Shanon Elliott and placed second.  The afternoon was spent manning the Communities in Bloom booth.

 

·       Knights of Columbus of St. Patrick’s Church, Markham – was approached by Tim for funding.  He was advised that no funding was available for this year.  Tim will approach KOC again next year.

 

·       Lion’s Club of Markham Dinner Meeting, June 1st – Shanon Elliott was brought in by Nirmala as the guest speaker on behalf of the Communities in Bloom project.  Following her presentation, a donation of $1,000.00 for CIB was requested by Shanon.  Carl van Shreeder of the Lion’s Club will get back to Nirmala regarding the request.

 

·       Rotary Club of Markham Dinner – this event will be held later in June.  Nirmala will bring Shannon to this event on behalf of the Communities in Bloom project.  Funding will also be requested from the Rotary Club following Shanon’s presentation.

 

·       Wismer Rate Payers Association – will be having a park clean up on June 24, 2006 in support of the Communities in Bloom project. Nirmala is the founding member and president of this group.

 

·       32 Rate Payer Associations across the Town Markham were contacted by Nirmala for funding in support of the Communities in Bloom project.  Some declined because they are a very small group but most are receptive in providing support.

 

Nirmala further advised that the subcommittee also attended the recent South Asian event and displayed CIB signs and pictures.  They are also trying to reach out to various diverse community groups as possible, and other fundraising events in the community. 

 

Councillor Alex Chiu mentioned that the Filipino community in Markham will be having an event in June and suggested to reach out to this group.

 

Shanon Elliott provided the following community events:

-          Sunday, June 11th   – Simonston Park opening, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

-          Saturday, June 17th – Markham Village Festival, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

-          Saturday, June 17th – Bayview Lanes Splashpad opening, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

-          Saturday, June 24th – Taste of Asia, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The opening ceremonies begin at 1:30.

-          Sunday, June 25th – Cornell Garden Festival, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

Shanon Elliott advised the committee regarding the need for volunteers for weekend events.

 

 

b)                 School Outreach

 

Elizabeth Hutchison presented the following report from the School Outreach Sub-Committee:

 

Elementary Schools:

·       Mobiles for Display during Judges Tour – two schools that provided as many hanging mobiles (in order to win the First Pizza Party for the students and teachers) are:   Reesor Park Public School and Central Park Public School.  Staff noted that a recount to determine the final number of hanging mobiles provided by these two schools will be made and the first prize winner will be announced following determination.  The total number of hanging mobiles from the following schools are not known at this time, however they will be reported at the next meeting: James Robinson School, Sir Richard W. Scott School, Unionville Meadows School, Cedarwood Public School, and Randall Public School.  Three hanging mobiles made by the students were shown to the committee.

 

·       Environmental and Stewardship Activities – the first prize winner of the $250.00 Gift Certificate to a Garden Centre is to be awarded to Unionville Meadows Public School.  The second prize winner of Freezies and other give-aways is to be awarded to Cedarwood Public School.

 

 

The School Outreach Committee Chair formally requested that a Certificate of Participation, as well as a Thank You letter from the Committee be sent out to all the schools who participated in the aforementioned contests.

 

High Schools

 

·       Environmental and Stewardship Activities – the first prize winner of the $250.00 Gift Certificate to a Garden Centre is to be awarded to Unionville High School. 

 

 

Ms. Hutchinson further advised that the hanging mobiles are currently being collected and will be hung in the front lobby of the Markham Town Centre.  At the end of the Communities in Bloom judging, the mobiles will be returned to each school.

 

 

c)                  Business Outreach

 

Shanon Elliott presented the following report from the Business Outreach Sub-Committee:

 

Performance Measurements

·       40 Adopt-a-parks have been targeted

·       13 Color-your-corner (one above target)

·       Increase number of pitch in

·       6 Commemorative trees and benches (one above target)

-          Banner sales are on going and 12 sold to date

-          Barrel sales are ongoing and 29 sold to date

 

Shanon further reported that approximately 50 businesses have been involved.

 

Catherine Harrison reported that she had sold two barrels.  Shanon Elliott also mentioned that she had sold the banner allocated to her and that she has potential to sell 6 to 8 more banners.  Committee members were requested to call Shannon if they know of anyone who wish to purchase barrels and banners.

 

 

d)                 Judges Tour

 

Barbara Nanninga presented the 3rd Draft of the CIB National Competition Judges Tour, Sunday July 23rd to Tuesday, July 25th  (copy was distributed at the meeting).  Ms. Nanninga highlighted and provided the rationale for the following changes/additions:

Day 1

·       8:00 p.m. Tour of Angus Glen Property via Golf Cart

·       10:00 p.m. Judges will be returned to the Hilton

 

A copy of the biography of Ed Lawrence (one of the CIB judges) was distributed to the members for information.

 

Day 2

·       8:15 a.m. Judges will be picked-up from the Hilton

·       8:30 – 10:20 a.m. – Breakfast meeting at the Town – Canada Room

·       10:35 – Flyover

·       12:00 noon – 12:45 p.m. – Heintzman House Luncheon

·       12:50 p.m. – Depart Heintzman House

·       1:00 p.m. – Thornhill Village Library Garden Tour

·       1:20 p.m. – Shoudice Hospital drive around

·       2:00 p.m. – Bishop Cross Park

·       3:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Beaupre Park

·       5:30 p.m. – Pick-up Judges from the Hilton; Drive to Millennium Bandstand and Unionville Walking Tour and Presentation of Commemorative Stone.

·       6:00 p.m. – 7:15 – Dinner at the Chophouse, Walk to Mckay House and gardens

·       8:00 p.m.  - Entertainment/Presentation at Varley Art Gallery

·       10:00 p.m. – Return Judges to the Hilton

 

Day 3

·       7:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Business breakfast at the Hilton

·       8:45 a.m. - IBM

·       9:20 a.m. - District Energy

·       9:50 a.m. - Rouge River Community

·       10:20 a.m. – Cornell Mews for coffee

·       11:00 a.m. – Carmen Lewis’ Home and Markham Community Gardens

·       11:30 a.m. - Heritage Estates

·       12:00 noon – Skateboard Park

·       1:00 p.m. – 2:30 – Visit to First Markham Place and Lunch at Chinese Restaurant (Ding Tai Fung), 3235 Hwy 7 East, Unit 18B.

 

e)                 Special Events

 

Sandy Khan presented the following report from the sub-committee:

 

·       Saturday, June 3 – the CIB/Councillor’s Float in the Unionville Street Festival was a success despite the rain.

 

·       Monday, July 24 – the planning for the Main Street Unionville activities and events for the evening of the Judge’s Tour is being co-ordinated with the Judges Tour Subcommittee and CIB staff – no report at this time.

 

f)                   Communications

Catherine Harrison presented the following report from the sub-committee:

·       An outline of various communications and marketing activities that have been accomplished or ongoing (copy distributed to all members).

·       Mayor’s Message published in the June 2006 edition of the Thornhill Post (copy distributed to all members).  The Mayor’s Message provided the vision of the Town of Markham’s participation in Communities in Bloom 2006 competition. 

·       Particimeter Event will be held on Wednesday, June 28th, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., Markham Civic Centre, to recognize different groups of people for their participation, and to create excitement that the “Judges Are Coming.” 

·       Update on Environmental Art Event – Ms. Harrison mentioned the names of 5 different performance artists (painters of various medium, sculpture, and photography) that will be participating in a Environmental Art Exhibition starting from July 10th to 21st at various locations (as mentioned) to be visited by the Judges in Unionville.  The Judges will see for themselves the interaction between the artists and members of the community.

·       Update on Photo Contest – the contest closed on Monday, June 5th.  The judging will be held on June 13th. 

·       Update on Garden Recognition – A flyer/announcement has been prepared asking staff that next time they traveling to work, walking the dog or running an errand, to take a moment to notice the properties that they pass, jot down the address of one that is outstanding and phone it in.   A Markham Garden Recognition Hotline will be open between June 15th and July 14th.  Communities in Bloom Garden Recognition signs will be placed in the gardens and the property owners will receive a letter from the Mayor acknowledging their contribution in making Markham a winning community.  In addition, the Markham Horticultural Society will be approached to recognize at least 10 outstanding gardens.

 

           

 

 

6.                  OTHER BUSINESS

 

a)      Sale of Flower Barrels – Shanon Elliott encouraged and requested all members to help support the sale of flower barrels.  Businesses along the John Street , Esna Park, and Birchmount area that have neglected their gardens will be the target.  The cost of a barrel with plants is $175.00 (the owner keeps the barrel).  Barrel order forms are available from Shanon. 

 

Catherine Harrison also mentioned that there are a couple of property owners along Main Street Unionville that have neglected their gardens.  The owners will be approached to buy the plants and volunteers will plant them.

 

 

7.                  ADJOURNMENT

 

The Communities in Bloom Committee adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

 

NEXT MEETING:   Wednesday, July 5, 2006, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers