M I N U T E S

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

2005-04-28 / 2005-05-10

Meeting No. 4

Members Chair: Councillor E. Shapero Regional Councillor J. Heath Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti Councillor J. Webster Brent Mersey, Chair, Markham Conservation Committee

Staff M. Urquhart, Acting Manager, Environmental Leadership L. Duoba, Project Coordinator, Environmental Planning & Rouge Park M. Rebane, Manager, Corporate Communications P. Ingham, General Manager, Operations B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 4:05 p.m. with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON MARCH 31, 2005

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on March 31, 2005 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. UPDATE ON PESTICIDE FREE SPRING 2005 PROMOTIONS

Ms. M. Rebane, Manager, Corporate Communications, advised that an agreement was reached between the Town of Markham and OMG with respect to posting pesticide free posters to various silver recycling boxes from May 2, 2005 until June 26, 2005 at no charge to the Town. She also noted that pesticide information was updated on the Town’s website as well as included in the recent Communities in Bloom supplemental distribution.

The Committee posed questions relating to the length of the advertising period permitted by the OMG and details about the appearance of the posters. There was debate as to whether the look and feel of the posters could be modified to reflect the urgency of the pesticide issue. The Committee discussed the distribution of pesticide calendars to residents in Ward 2 as well as its availability through the Town of Markham website. Members also suggested that, if possible, the 10 Steps to a Healthy Lawn publication be made available through the website as well. Ms. Rebane noted that the publication would also be available at Community Centres and libraries throughout the Town.

3. REVIEW OF SIGNAGE (BRANDING) FOR THE MARKHAM
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FUND (MESF) PROJECTS

Ms. M. Rebane, Manager, Corporate Communications, advised that the Town of Markham is currently reviewing an official branding and logo process which would be considered by the General Committee at its May 2, 2005 meeting.

The Committee presented various recommendations regarding the appearance of the proposed MESF signage. There was debate regarding the potential to include additional creative components to the sign in order to increase an identity for the MESF and enhance the look and feel. There was discussion regarding the possibility of creating smaller permanent signs in addition to larger temporary A-frames that will be placed adjacent to an environmental project with funding from the MESF. There was further deliberation on the placement of the Town’s logo and how to physically present the MESF identity. The Committee agreed that further discussion on this matter would follow the next meeting of the Communications Committee as well as the May 2, 2005 meeting of General Committee.

4. UPDATE ON TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

STUDENT ENVIRONMENT NETWORK CONFERENCE

Councillor E. Shapero advised that she had attended the most recent Toronto District School Board Student Environment Network Conference and reported the highlights of a Green Roof presentation given by students of Jackman Avenue Public School. Councillor Shapero suggested that due to the quality of the presentation, the students should be invited to Markham to make a similar presentation. Councillor Shapero agreed to follow up on this recommendation.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That students from Jackman Avenue Public School, Toronto, be invited to attend a forthcoming meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee to make a presentation in support of their Green Roof project.

CARRIED

5. UPDATE ON LAUNCH OF ANTI-IDLING CAMPAIGN AND

STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS

Ms. M. Urquhart, Acting Manager, Environmental Leadership, updated the Committee on the public information meeting held with respect to the launch of the anti-idling initiative. She noted that the meeting was attended by four (4) members of the public and that no representatives attended on behalf of the taxi industry. Ms. Urquhart advised that this maybe an indication that there was general support for the by-law.

The Committee discussed the delivery mechanisms used to publicize the meeting and agreed that stakeholders had been properly advised. There was discussion regarding the content of the draft anti-idling by-law and how it relates to similar legislation proposed by the City of Toronto. There was further debate regarding the timing and process involved with passing the anti-idling by-law.

Members discussed the current employment status of the Strategic Services Anti-Idling Technicians. It was agreed that they both did excellent work on the initiative and Members expressed concerns about the lack of continuity the anti-idling education campaign may take in their absence. Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti agreed to follow up these concerns with Mr. J. Sales, Commissioner, Community Services and Environment, respecting appropriate staffing of the education component for this project.

Ms. Sari Merson was in attendance to present an update on the Markham/Newmarket Idle-Free Challenge. Members discussed ways in which they could further promote the competition.

6. COMMUNICATIONS

The Committee discussed the process in which Markham’s draft pesticide by-law would come forward for the Committee’s review. Members debated whether to hold a public meeting prior to the draft by-law, using the City of Toronto’s by-law as a model to gather input from stakeholders. Ms. M. Urquhart, Acting Manager, Environmental Leadership, advised that there is no Council position on this matter yet and a report must be completed and Council’s direction sought prior to holding a community meeting. Members noted the urgency of the initiative and debated proposed timelines for the draft as well as the amount of funding currently allocated towards educating the public on the proposal.

The Committee agreed that consensus would be difficult to achieve on the pesticide initiative, but that it was important to take a leadership role similar to York Region’s undertaking of the No Smoking by-law.

Councillor E. Shapero noted numerous concerns about the process that reports follow to be adopted by Council. She recommended that all items relating to environmental issues should be reviewed by the Environmental Issues Committee before going to General Committee.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the City of Toronto By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 612) regarding the use of pesticides be received and referred to staff.

CARRIED

The Environmental Issues Committee resolved that a recommendation be made to staff to consider holding a community meeting in late May or early June to gather input on Markham’s draft pesticide by-law.

The Environmental Issues Committee recessed at 6:08 p.m. and planned to reconvene on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. in the Ontario Room.

The Environmental Issues Committee reconvened on May 10, 2005 at 11:06 a.m. with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

7. MESF APPLICATIONS

APPLICATION ONE: Milne Park Conservation Association

This application requests $7,500 to assist with a natural and cultural heritage restoration project in Mine Park at Highway 48 and Highway 407. Ms. M. Urquhart advised that the project would focus on increasing forest coverage and naturalizing the area. She noted that this request was circulated to other Town of Markham departments who did not object. The Committee discussed details regarding the location area and how it would be impacted by the project.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That $7,500 from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund be granted to the Milne Park Conservation Association for a natural and cultural heritage restoration project at Highway 48 and Highway 407.

CARRIED

APPLICATION TWO: The Canadian Peregrine Foundation

This application requests $10,000 for an education program in which proponents would provide a unique wildlife learning experience for up to two hundred (200) Markham students with respect to live Peregrine Falcons and other birds of Prey.

It was noted that this organization is not working through a Markham community group and the Committee agreed that as a result, the application did not meet the requirements of the selection criteria. The Committee also discussed details as to whether Peregrine Falcons were natural inhabitants of the Markham area.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the application by The Canadian Peregrine Foundation in which they have requested $10,000 for an education program in which proponents would provide a unique wildlife learning experience for up to two hundred (200) Markham students with respect to live Peregrine Falcons and other birds of Prey be rejected;

And that the Foundation be informed that they should consider working with a Markham community group for future applications;

And that future applications be required to focus more on tangible aspects in addition to an education component.

CARRIED

APPLICATION THREE: Ashton Meadow Public School

This application requests $8,165.10 for a yard improvement program. The Committee discussed whether the school board should assist with funding school projects and the limits to which the Town of Markham should contribute. Members agreed that the intent of the project was excellent in that it would benefit the public who visited the park directly adjacent to Ashton Meadow Public School.

Members agreed that part of the end agreements should include consent for the Town to post their own signage on areas funded by the MESF. The Committee agreed that a request to maintain the project area should be added as a component of the end agreement as well as ensuring that only indigenous natural species are used in the improvement program. Members recommended that staff contact the applicant to suggest additional funding possibilities such as TD-Canada Trust and or the Evergreen Funding Corporation.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) applications submitted by schools or school boards in the Town of Markham be limited to a maximum number of three (3) per selection cycle;

And that a maximum of $5,000 be granted in each case;

And that $5,000 be allocated to the Ashton Meadow Public School to fund their yard improvement program.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FOUR: Thornhill East Don Scouts (T.E.D.S.)

This application requests $10,000 to be used towards the installation of five (5) solar panels in Settler’s Park. Ms. Urquhart advised that the Parks Department does not support this application. She also noted that the T.E.D.S. rain barrel program funded by MESF in the fall of 2004 was only now being initiated. Although this application proposed the conversion of existing lights to a solar powered system, Ms. Urquhart noted that Parks staff advised her that there were currently no lights in place nor would they be supported in the area.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the application by the Thornhill East Don Scouts (T.E.D.S.) Group requesting $10,000 towards the installation of five (5) solar panels in Settler’s Park be rejected;

And that the T.E.D.S. group complete the rain barrel program previously funded by the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) in the fall of 2004;

And that a business plan setting out proposed energy and costs savings accompany any future applications.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FIVE: Thornhill East Don Scouts (T.E.D.S.)

This application requests $1,500 for a project in which trees and shrubs would be planted along the river bank in Settlers Park. The Committee agreed with Ms. Urquhart that the applicant should submit information confirming that only native species will be planted in the area as well as details regarding the proposed timing for the project.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That $1,500 from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund be granted to the Thornhill East Don Scouts group to assist with a tree and shrub planting program in Settlers Park.

CARRIED

8. TORONTO WILDLIFE CENTRE INQUIRY

Ms. Urquhart advised that a letter was submitted by the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) in which they requested funding through the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) to finance a wildlife support and education program. It was noted that the TWC is currently engaged in the Town of Markham and frequently provides requested services such as wildlife control, relocation and rehabilitation.

Councillor. E. Shapero advised that the Markham Conservation Committee had unanimously agreed that the Environmental Issues Committee strongly consider the TWC application as a valid request for MESF funding. The Committee discussed whether funding could be granted as the TWC was not working with a Markham community group. Further debate ensued regarding whether the request should be heard by the General Committee as it was agreed that the TWC would be operating on an ongoing basis.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the application by Toronto Wildlife Services to finance a wildlife support and education program to referred back to staff.

CARRIED

9. ADJOURNMENT

The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 12:10 am.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

May 26^th in the Canada Room.