MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room 

JANUARY 27, 2005

7:00 PM

 

MINUTES

 

                                        ATTENDANCE

 

 

Members:

 

Staff:

Brent Mersey, Chair

Lindsay Turko

John O’Gorman

Joan Jenkyn

Joan Maddock

Krista Olins

River He

Karen Boniface, Parks Planner

Judi Kosch, Committee Clerk

 

Regrets

Romila Verma

Councillor Erin Shapero

Karen Volpe

Regional Councillor Jack Heath

Stephanie Sokolyk

Jean-Pierre Bombardier

 

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

 

Brent Mersey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm 

 

2.      CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:10 – 7:15 pm)

 

Brent Mersey advised of the following additions to the agenda:  under Matters Arising from Minutes, John O’Gorman will speak about a recent Small Streams meeting; Krista Olins asked that the item regarding Compensation for Members, discussed at November’s meeting, be discussed; there were three items under Items for Information submitted by Karen Boniface – Celebrate Our Environment, Markham Susie Garden Awards and Markham Green Neighbourhoods.

     

3.      ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM CONSERVATION

COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 25, 2004 (7:15 – 7:20 pm)

 

Moved by Joan Maddock

Seconded by Lindsay Turko

THAT the minutes of the Markham Conservation Committee meeting held on November 25, 2004, be adopted.

CARRIED

     


 

4.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a)   York Region Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) (7:20 – 7:37 pm)

The Chair gave a brief overview of the meeting he attended at the Region of York offices of York Region EAC’s on November 30th; the Markham Conservation Committee was cited as a model for the newly established EAC’s.  The Chair went on to highlight the various issues raised:  forest conservation by-law, woodlands study, energy program, the critical need for expanded green space in light of the Asian Long-Horn Beetle invasion, Richmond Hill’s heritage study, East Gwillimbury’s plastic diversion program; he also stated that there will be 4 Regional EAC meetings per year and it is the intent to have them in different locations.  Consideration should be made to host a meeting in Markham.  The arrangements should be made by the MCC designates (Brent or Krista) to check with the Clerk’s Department to book a room as soon as possible.

 

b)   2005 Meeting Dates (7:37 – 7:44 pm)

      The Chair reviewed the proposed meeting dates for 2005 and it was agreed that the dates would be as follows:  February 24, March 31, April 28, May 26, June 23, July/August - no meetings, September 29, October 27, November 24 and there would be no meeting in December.

 

c)   Insights, observations, personal objectives (7:44 – 8:40 pm)

The Chair called on each member to provide their comments with the goal being able to highlight the most important issues and assist the Committee in setting its goals for 2005.  The issues raised covered a wide range of topics including: 

§         when the town has environmental surveys done, the Committee should be provided copies;

§         MCC should try to arrange a visit to the Region of Durham to review their bio-solids waste management process;

§         the need for a further cleanup of the Don River as well as Robinson Creek;

§         Committee should speak at Council meetings on a routine basis to apprise Council of activities/concerns;

§         waste management is a critical issue;

§         source separated organics;

§         formation of community groups to protect Don Watershed;

§         importance of clean streams/parks;

§         the question was raised as to what impact MCC has on Council – members feel uncertain that anyone is listening to the concerns they raise;

§         education and community outreach continues to be a critical role for MCC;

§         on a similar vein, mention was made of the proposed provincial Accessibility Bill which will set standards for accessibility advisory committees across the province – the question was raised that possibly the Province should set similar standards for environmental/conservation committees;

§         when requests/suggestions are forwarded by MCC to Council, a definitive date should be in place for response;

§         the issue of infrequent Councillor presence at MCC was expressed  - the suggestion made that a Committee member liase with the Councillors on a routine basis;

§         and arrangements for guest speakers to MCC was mentioned.

 

      In closing, the Chair stated he would review everyone’s comments and would circulate a list of potential goals to all members for their review prior to next month’s meeting.

           

5.      MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

a)   Markham Conservation Committee Goals 2004/2005 (8:43 – 8:45 pm) – refer to Item 4 (c) above.

 

b)   Tree by-law – John O’Gorman will contact Linda Irvine and provide an update at the February meeting.

 

c)   Don Watershed Survey Report:  (8:45 – 8:53 pm)

      John O’Gorman briefly reviewed the recently completed Small Streams Study – it will apply to existing areas, retrofitted where possible, and also uncover buried streams if viable.  He indicated that developers/speculators are pushing to have the Study overturned and there is considerable political pressures to have the Study’s implementation delayed further; there is a February 9th deadline to comment on the Study.

 

      It was discussed that studies of this type should be made available to the public through the public library system.  MCC would need to put in a request to Council for approval, and direct Town staff to send copies to the library.

 

      It was also discussed that MCC should put in a request to the Clerks Department for a storage area for past minutes, studies, etc.  Judi will check with the Clerks Department on this.

 

d)   Town Kyoto Project

      Lindsay Turko advised the Kyoto Committee is still looking for volunteers and will keep the Committee apprised.

 

e)   Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF):  Deferred to February meeting.

 

f)    Compensation for Committee Members – Deferred to February meeting.

     

6.   REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES

 

a)   Waste Management (8:53 – 8:55 pm)

      Joan Maddock circulated a handout and drew members attention to the article on “The Dirty Dozen” – items that have been banned at the Region’s transfer station as a result of recently passed legislation in Michigan – it is critical to find out where this banned material is going. 

 

 

      It was agreed that the Chair would draft a letter on behalf of MCC to go to the Mayor, Regional Councillors to establish where precisely this banned material is being sent.  There was also a suggestion made that each Committee member should be given a green bin which would better enable them to answer questions when asked at various promotional events for this program.

 

b)   Community Outreach and Education  (8:55 – 8:57 pm)

      The Chair indicated that Stephanie Sokolyk is still working with Markville Mall to set a date for Earth Day.  Stephanie needs to contact Karen Boniface ASAP with the date and description for inclusion for Celebrate Our Environment.  

 

      Milliken Mills High School hosting an Eco Festival on May 7; and are requesting community groups to conduct hands on educational activities for children.   Stephanie has been notified of this request.

 

      Mayor Cousens will be endorsing a ’20-Minute Makeover’ as a component of Communities in Bloom to encourage everyone to go out in their area and do a clean up for 20 minutes.  Groups and individuals will be requested to register their clean ups with the Contact Centre prior to the date.

 

      It was discussed that MCC could do a clean up of the valleyland by Leslie Street and 14th Avenue.

 

7.   REPORTS FROM RELATED COMMITTEES

 

a)      Markham Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee:  Deferred to February meeting.

 

8.   ITEMS FOR INFORMATION (8:57 – 9:10 pm)

 

a)   Markham Susie Garden Awards/Markham Green Neighbourhoods

      Karen Boniface highlighted the MCC information including Brent’s name as a contact and other community participation programs in the recently published “Living in Markham” Community Guide, which has been sent out to all homeowners.

 

Karen is working on the “Celebrate Our Environment” information package, and needs the event date for MCC’s Earth Day.  Karen will contact Stephanie.

 

The next Communities in Bloom meeting is February 9th; at 7:00 p.m. in the York Room.  An MCC representative would be welcomed.

 

Earth Day is April 22nd; and the Mayor’s 20 Minute Makeover could use some promotion by MCC.

 

The Pitch-In Canada website has some good resources with lots of information and promotional material.  Karen will forward to Stephanie Sokolyk the Pitch-In Canada newsletter.

 

 

Karen also spoke of the Susie Awards and the implementation two years ago of the Eco Susie Awards and asked MCC to volunteer as judges.  Krista Olins and Joan Maddock expressed interest in judging.  Karen will get them in touch with Lesley Price.  Anyone else interested in judging should forward indication of interest to participate to Judi Kosch and Karen Boniface prior to the next MCC meeting. It is hoped that all MCC members will get as many front yard gardens registered as possible – the judging would occur the during the weeks of July 3 to 18 with a presentation of the Awards at the end of September. 

 

Markham Green Neighbourhood is a joint initiative with TRCA for pesticide-free reductions and environmentally friendly yards; kits will be available for purchase, in the spring, and pick-up is scheduled at a workshop on June 9; a follow-up workshop is scheduled for September 14 on organic lawn care.

 

9.      NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Conservation Committee is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2005 at 7:00 pm in the Ontario Room.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

      There being no further business, it was moved by John O’Gorman and seconded by Krista Olins, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 pm

      CARRIED

 

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