M I N U T E S

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITEE

2005-11-02 and 2005-11-07

Meeting No. 7

Members Chair: Councillor E. Shapero Councillor J. Webster Regional Councillor J. Heath Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti* K. Boniface* B. Mersey* *attended the Nov 2^nd meeting only

Staff M. Urquhart, Strategic Services, Environmental Leadership V. McGrath, Strategic Services, Environmental Leadership* B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 10:05 a.m. on November 2, 2005 with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

The Environmental Issues Committee recessed at 11:30 a.m. on November 2, 2005.

The Environmental Issues Committee re-convened at the hour of 9:05 a.m. on November 7, 2005 with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

1. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FUND (MESF) APPLICATIONS

APPLICATION ONE: TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (TRCA) – HEALTHY YARD PROGRAM

The TRCA requests $4,450 to assist with the development of a Healthy Yards Program in which information workshops would be held to inform Markham residents on how to best maintain a healthy lawn and garden. Native plant kits would be distributed to those residents attending the workshop. Ms. Colleen Cirillo, Stewardship Technician, TRCA, was in attendance to respond to various questions posed by the Committee. There was discussion regarding MESF branding of the initiative as well as to the methods in which it will be promoted. The Committee recommended that a telephone and or email follow-up program be engaged subsequent to the workshops.

Members requested that the final design for all MESF signage be brought back to the Environmental Issues Committee for approval.

It was further requested that the TRCA’s initiative be renamed the Markham Green Neighbourhood’s Healthy Yard Program.

APPLICATION TWO: YORK REGION ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE (YREA) – “HOW TO” MANUAL ON ORGANIC LAWN CARE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON ORGANIC LAWN CARE

The YREA requests $6,500 to develop a “How To” Manual on Organic Lawn Care in order to teach residents about environmentally sustainable lawn care products and techniques. Staff advised that although the YREA’s initiative was not coordinated through a local community group, there was a possibility for the applicant, Janet May, YREA, to work together with the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) to ensure that the funding directly benefits communities in Markham. Ms. May noted that the educational manual would focus on the problems that Markham residents face with respect to organic lawn care.

There was discussion on a similar program being developed by the Town and how it may be aligned with the proposal in question. The Committee also discussed the possibility of doing a pilot run with respect to the distribution of the manual, and whether the information could be duplicated, posted and/or linked to the Town’s website.

Members recommended that staff work with the YREA and TRCA in order to come up with a solution that meets their application requirements as well as the MESF funding criteria.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the application by the York Region Environmental Alliance (YREA) requesting funds in the amount of $6,500 to assist with the development and distribution of a “How To” manual on Organic Lawn Care be rejected as proposed;

And that the YREA and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) re-submit a joint application requesting funds to assist with the TRCA’s Healthy Yard Program and the development and distribution of the YREA’s “How To” Manual on Organic Lawn Care.

CARRIED

APPLICATION THREE: TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (TRCA) – HEALTHY HOMES KIT

The TRCA requests $2,500 to assist with the development of a “Healthy Homes Kit” which is intended to consist of consumer products as well as a work plan advising as to how Markham residents can do their part to reduce impacts to air and water quality.

Members noted that some of the items potentially listed for the kits did not appear to align with the purpose of the initiative, which in and of itself, was vague. There was debate as to whether MESF funding, in general, should be used to purchase consumer products. The Committee discussed whether criteria should be established to ensure that any goods acquired using MESF funds are environmentally sound. It was also noted that this project may be overlapping with similar undertakings such as PowerStream’s recent fluorescent bulb program.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the application by the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority requesting funds in the amount of $2,500 to assist with the development of a “Healthy Homes Kit” be rejected as proposed;

And that the applicant, Ms. Melanie Williams, be invited to resubmit her application and attend the next meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee in which the first cycle of the 2006 Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund allocation will be discussed.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FOUR: GREENSBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOL – OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

The Greensborough Public School Eco Camp Students request $6,600 to develop a naturalized learning environment. The project includes the planting of various trees and shrubs on the premises of Greensborough Public School to improve the natural setting of the school yard and to facilitate an educational experience for the children to learn more about naturalization and practices supporting environmental sustainability.

The Committee recommended that staff assist the applicant, Mr. Doug Harridge, with locating trees and other materials to be used at the best possible cost.

The Environmental Issues Committee amended the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) funding criteria on May 10, 2005 to limit the approval of applications by schools to three (3) per selection cycle, and to allow for a maximum of $5,000 in each case.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That Greensborough Public School be awarded $5,000 from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund to assist with the development of an “Outdoor Classroom” project subject to final approval from Town of Markham staff.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FIVE: SOUTH UNIONVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – ADOPT A MAILBOX

The South Unionville Community Association requests $2,918 to assist with a program designed to enlist community volunteers in order to clean up local mailboxes. The funding will be used to purchase items for a cleanup kit, display kiosk, newsletter, reward dinner and monitory program. Parks staff advised that they have met with Canada Post on this issue.

The Committee discussed the proposal and questioned whether the intent was in line with the MESF funding criteria. They also discussed whether the mailboxes, which are owned and operated by Canada Post, ought to be maintained by residents. Members agreed that the submission had many potential benefits for the community and that funding through the Communities in Bloom initiative may be more appropriate. Staff confirmed that they are reviewing possibilities in this regard.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the application by the South Unionville Community Association requesting funds in the amount of $2,918 to assist with the development of an “Adopt A Mailbox” program be rejected;

And that staff address this matter through the Communities in Bloom “Tidiness Strategies” and forward a letter acknowledging this to the applicant, Mr. Chris Sauer.

CARRIED

2. EXTENSION REQUEST BY THORNHILL EAST DON SCOUTS (T.E.D.S.) REGARDING THEIR ROLLY THE RAIN BARREL/DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTION PROGRAM

Staff advised the Committee that the T.E.D.S. group was requesting an eight (8) month extension for its Rolly the Rain Barrel/Downspout Disconnection Program.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That an eight (8) month extension be granted to the Thornhill East Don Scouts (T.E.D.S.) Group for its Rolly the Rain Barrel/Downspout Disconnection program;

And that staff be requested to provide an update to the Environmental Issues Committee at its January meeting.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 9:30 a.m. on November 7, 2005.