M I N U T E S

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITEE

2005-03-31

Meeting No. 3

 

Members

Chair: Councillor E. Shapero

Regional Councillor J. Heath

Brent Mersey, Chair, Markham

       Conservation Committee

 

 

 

Staff

L. Duoba, Project Coordinator, Environmental

            Planning & Rouge Park

A. Wolfe, Project Management Consultant

M. Taylor, Architect, Oleson Worland Taylor

            Smyth

D. Oleson, Architect, Oleson Worland Taylor

            Smyth

B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 3:45 p.m. with Councillor E. Shapero in the Chair.

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

            ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON FEBRUARY 24, 2005

           

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on February 24, 2005 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         GREEN ROOF PRESENTATION BY ARCHITECT FOR
            CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE

 

Mr. M. Taylor and Mr. D. Oleson, Architects, Oleson Worland Taylor Smyth, Architect, presented details on the potential to develop a Green Roof as a component of the Centennial Community Centre project. Mr. Taylor indicated that Green Roofs have the ability to reduce urban heat and associated energy costs, clean dust and pollutants from the air and decrease the amount of storm water run off. Mr. Taylor illustrated architectural concepts suggesting possible installation sites and provided a rough assessment of the process in which it would be installed and the connected costs. The presenters noted that maintenance costs for the roof would be minimal.

 

The Committee discussed possibilities as to the placement of the roof so that it would be visible from various locations in and around Centennial Community Centre. Members also suggested additional areas where materials used for the Green Roof could be presented within a storyboard concept and utilized as an educational component. The Committee considered various funding options including the possibility of engaging partners in the project.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That an extensive Green Roof, as presented by architect Michael Taylor, be installed on the roof of the swimming pool of the Centennial Community Centre;

And that $62,500 in 2005 and $62,500 in 2006 be drawn from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund and used towards the installation costs of the Green Roof;

And that should the cost of the green roof exceed $125,000, the source to cover the balance of funding be determined by Council at the time the contract is awarded;

And that staff investigate partnership opportunities with Xerofloor and TD-Canada Trust;

And that staff investigate the entrance canopy area to assess whether an additional Green Roof installation could take place so that the project becomes more visible to the public.

CARRIED

 

3.         MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FUND (MESF):

 

            a.         MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE TORONTO

AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (TRCA) AND
MARY HOPPERTON

 

Ms. Urquhart informed the Committee that since Ms. Mary Hopperton is not associated with any organization, the TRCA would be managing funds received by her from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund to be used for the Walden Walk About event. In order for this to occur an agreement must be drawn between Ms. Hopperton, the TRCA and the Town of Markham setting out the responsibilities for each party.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Town of Markham enter into an agreement with Mary Hopperton and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) so that the TRCA can manage funds from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund granted to Mary Hopperton in September 2004 for the Walden Walk About event;

 

And that the agreement be in a form satisfactory to the Town Solicitor and be signed by the Mayor and Clerk on behalf of the Town.

 

CARRIED

 

 

            b.         MATERIAL FROM DOUG HARRIDGE

 

Ms. Urquhart submitted pictures from Mr. Doug Harridge, Teacher, Markham Gateway Public School, illustrating an Eco Camp Students Outdoor Classroom and Naturalization project, which was funded by the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) and advised that they would be posted to the Town’s website. The issue of signage advertising the MESF for the project was also discussed.

 

The Committee requested that an invitation be sent to Ms. M. Rebane, Manager, Corporate Communications, to attend the next meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee for the purposes of finalizing branding options for the MESF and to discuss the appearance of permanent signage to be placed in front of project sites funded by the MESF. Members also noted that the forthcoming MESF cheque presentations could take place at Council meetings.

 

 

            c.         APPLICATIONS TO DATE

 

Ms. Urquhart noted that two applications requesting funding from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund had been received and would be considered after the April 15th deadline.

 

The Committee agreed on a few opportunities to further increase the MESF awareness including the Earth Day presentation at Markville Mall and the upcoming hybrid car demonstration.

 

 

            d.         FORMAT FOR MARKAHM ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY FUND (MESF) APPLICATION FORM

 

Members recommended that the current format of the MESF application form be reviewed by the Environmental Issues Committee at its next meeting.

 

 

 

4.         STATUS UPDATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
            PLAN

 

Ms. M. Urquhart informed the Committee that interviews for a consultant to assist with the development of an Environmental Management Plan would take place on April 7th. She noted that Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti and Councillor E. Shapero would be participating in the selection process as observers.

5.         CELEBRATE THE ENVIRONMENT CALENDAR

 

Ms. K. Boniface presented the layout and delivery mechanisms for the recent edition of the Celebrate the Environment Calendar. The Committee agreed that the layout and design were extremely well done. Members recommended that, if possible, information regarding the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund be included.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That staff be recognized and commended for their work on the Celebrate the Environment Calendar, especially Ms. Karen Boniface and Ms. Diane Sewell, as their contribution each year continues to improve to the benefit of the environment and the Town of Markham.

 

CARRIED

 

 

6.         COMMUNICATIONS

 

There was brief discussion regarding an update on the pesticide By-law report. The Committee recommended that the report be reviewed at the Environmental Issues Committee prior to General Committee. Members suggested that coordinating the launch with Toronto’s By-law would allow for optimal public exposure.

 

The Committee indicated that stakeholder meetings regarding the anti-idling By-law would be forthcoming.

 

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That a 2003 briefing from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Pesticide Task Force (APTF) providing background, discussion and recommendations for municipalities regarding pesticide usage, be received. 

           

CARRIED

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

 

 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

April 28, 2005 in the Canada Room