M I N U T E S

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITEE

2006-02-16

Meeting No. 1

 

Members

Councillor E. Shapero, Chair

Regional Councillor J. Heath

P. Ling, Markham Conservation

      Committee

 

Regrets

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Councillor J. Webster

B. Mersey, Chair, Markham Conservation

      Committee

Staff

M. Urquhart, Manager, Environmental

          Leadership

V. McGrath, Manager, Environmental

          Leadership

B. Walter, District Manager, Operations

A. Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate Services

B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

 

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 1:35 p.m. with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

 

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON NOVEMBER 24, 2005

           

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on November 24, 2005 be received.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         MESF APPLICATION: T.E.D.S. ROLLY THE RAIN BARREL PROGRAM

 

Mr. D. Murray, Chair, Scouts Canada, Thornhill East Don Scout Group (T.E.D.S.), provided an update on his group’s “Rolly the Rain Barrel Program” which received funding in 2005 from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF). Staff advised that they will be working with the T.E.D.S. group to assist with a communications plan and to locate an area for storage of the barrels. It was suggested that 555 Miller Avenue may be a suitable area to temporarily store the barrels. The Committee posed questions and discussed details as to the administration of the program.

 

 

3.         CLEAN AIR COMMITTEE COMMITMENTS

 

Ms. V. McGrath, Manager, Environmental Leadership, submitted an update and presented ongoing clean air commitments made by the Clean Air Committee. She noted and discussed the status of the following commitments:

 

  • Anti-idling By-Law
  • Review status of bicycle master plan and develop a bicycle implementation strategy
  • Perform emissions audits at all Town of Markham buildings, starting with the Civic Centre
  • Develop a monitoring program for restoration projects in Town of Markham – database containing information on groups, locations planted, area restored, etc.
  • Develop incentives for environmental initiatives, including clean air initiatives

 

The Committee posed various questions regarding the commitments and discussed the particulars involved. Members noted that issues such as the Green Procurement Policy, Travel Demand Management Strategies and business initiatives programs such as the tree planting proposal were not noted as a part of the submission. It was recommended that the commitments made at previous Smog Summits be reviewed and added to the list along with the name of a staff member who was coordinating the effort. The Committee suggested that, following the amendments, the list should come back to the Environmental Issues Committee for further review.

 

 

 

4.         ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

 

Ms. McGrath advised that she is currently working with a consultant to formulate and develop an Environmental Management Plan for the Town of Markham. She informed that she hopes to circulate a draft to the Technical Advisory Committee and then bring it forward to the April 27, 2006, Environmental Issues Committee meeting for further discussion.

 

 

 

5.         MESF APPLICATION PERIOD

 

Ms. McGrath informed Members that six (6) MESF applications have been received and are in the process of being reviewed by staff. It was recommended that an additional meeting be set up to facilitate one applicant who is unable to attend the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 30, 2006.

 

 

 

 

6.         CLIMATE CHANGE SCOPING STUDY – VALUE PROPOSITION
            TO THE TOWN OF MARKHAM

 

Ms. McGrath briefly outlined the details of the application for a Climate Change Scoping Study noting that the proposal intends to illustrate how climate change can affect infrastructure, development and other operations directed by the Town. The Committee noted the merits of the proposal and discussed the feasibility of bringing in other climate change specialists to educate Council and staff. Mr. Bob Walters, District Manager, Operations, advised that he had attended climate change workshops in the past. He advised that he may be able to bring in a specialist from Environment Canada to speak to the Committee, Council and staff. Members agreed that this educational exercise would be of great benefit to the Town and suggested that staff make the arrangements and report back.

 

 

 

7.         2005 MESF APPLICATION – RURAL HEALTHY HOMES KIT

 

Ms. McGrath submitted a letter dated February 10, 2006 from Ms. Melanie Williams, Project Ecologist, Rural Clean Water Program, providing further details in regards to her 2005 MESF application. The Committee noted that they still have some concerns with respect to the Rural Healthy Homes Kit program.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the letter dated February 10, 2006 from Ms. Melanie Williams, Project Ecologist, Rural Clean Water Program, to Ms. Victoria McGrath, Manager, Environmental Leadership providing further information regarding the Rural Healthy Homes Kit program be received.

  CARRIED

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 3:02 p.m.