MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room

JUNE 29, 2006

7:00 pm

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

Members:	Staff:
Brent Mersey, Chair Krista Olins Sandra McEleney Regional Councillor Jack Heath Philip Ling Mylene Batista Bezerra John O’Gorman Thomas Rado Mike Hough	Judi Kosch, Committee Clerk Claudia Marsales, Manager, Waste Management Regrets Joyce Chau Joan Maddock Romila Verma, Vice Chair Councillor Erin Shapero Lindsay Turko

1. CALL TO ORDER

Brent Mersey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.

2. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

a) Under Item 4, Climate Change T.V. movie; and under Item 5 – New Idea; under Item 7 – Grants; under Item 8 - ICLEI.

3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION

COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD ON APRIL 27 AND MAY 25, 2006

Moved by Sandra McEleney

Seconded by Philip Ling

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee meetings held on April 27, 2006 and May 25, 2006 respectively, be adopted.

CARRIED

4. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

a) Update on Durham-York Incinerator Issue (7:17 – 7:50) – Claudia Marsales provided copies of a recent letter sent to both Durham and York Region along with each of the area municipalities which outlined the current status of the York/Durham Waste EA Study. She went on to outline the background on the items mentioned in the letter and also recognized the great material put together by MCC, presented by Brent Mersey at the recent Steering Committee meeting. Staff had suggested a Work Shop for Council be arranged for September to look at the options being proposed by the consultants and encouraged MCC to get involved; she will keep members informed on the details as they unfold. It was also stressed that it was critical to ascertain exactly what the real numbers will be in relation to the size of the incinerator.

The question relating to the percentage of sludge and how it will be dealt with was raised as well as how to deal with the Michigan issue and what will happen if the State closes its borders to Ontario’s garbage.

b) Durham-York Residual Waste Study (7:45 – 9:00) – Andy Campbell, York Region, gave a power point presentation on the environmental assessment process and timelines (a copy will be provided) in relation to the York/Durham Waste issue.

c) Waste Diversion Strategy (9:00) – Mike Birrett, Region of York advised that he would be prepared to come back to another MCC meeting to give his presentation.

d) Earth Day Survey Results (9:05 – 9:10) – Mylene Bezerra Batista advised that 53 people responded to the survey (details attached). The Chair thanked Mylene for all her efforts and the committee agreed the results were enlightening. There was discussion on the possibility of expanding the survey to other venues; this will be discussed further at subsequent meetings.

e) Climate change television movie (9:11 – 9:13) – Krista Olins spoke of a recent television movie entitled ‘Too Hot Not To Handle’ on climate change in the U.S. and brought in a taped copy for anyone interested.

5. NEW BUSINESS

a) MCC Mandate – deferred

b) New Idea (9:13 – 9:15) – Krista Olins suggested that MCC create a ‘conservation tips’ type item on the MCC Web Page to encourage people to conserve, i.e. turn up the air conditioner by one degree, keep curtains closed during heat of the day; use dishwasher late in the evening.

6. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

7. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES

a) Waste Management – deferred to August 24 meeting

b) Community Outreach and Education - deferred to August 24 meeting

c) Cycling & Pedestrian Committee – deferred to August 24 meeting

d) York Region Growth Management Plan – deferred to August 24 meeting

e) Grants (9:15 to 9:30) – The Chair spoke briefly on this issue and asked that the item be placed on the next agenda. He mentioned a website which lists all the funding agencies and contains a wealth of information on what grants might be available. The municipalities of Aurora, Newmarket and King have expressed interest in joining with Markham for a 2-year subscription at a cost of $3000.00 to research what grants can be applied for. He will e-mail the information to all members.

8. REPORTS FROM RELATED COMMITTEES

a) Environmental Issues Committee (EIC) - No meeting was held.

b) Regional Environment Advisory Committee - deferred to August 24 meeting

9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Markham Conservation Committee is scheduled for Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 7:00 pm in the Ontario Room.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.

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