2005-02-24
MembersChair:
Councillor E. Shapero Deputy Mayor F.
Scarpitti Councillor J. Webster Regional Councillor J. Heath Brent Mersey, Chair, Conservation Committee |
Staff Planning & Paul Ingham, General Manager, Operations and Asset Management Laurie Canning, Supervisor, Fleet Maintenance Blair Labelle,
Committee Clerk |
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The Environmental
Issues Committee convened at the hour of
1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That
the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on
2. PUBLIC
NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE
APPLICATIONS
Ms. J. Murray,
The Committee
discussed Provincial legislation currently in place, which regulates pesticide
usage and requires temporary notification prior to spraying. Ms. Murray noted
that this law was difficult to enforce and that companies were often in
non-compliance as a result. Members acknowledged that they are currently
reviewing the City of
There was
discussion on the feasibility for holistic alternatives to be used as a
replacement for traditional pesticides. Members provided assessments with
respect to the distinctions between pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and other plant growth
regulators. It was also recommended that notification signage be required to
indicate what type of pesticide will be used.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That the presentation by Ms. J. Murray
regarding her proposal for the Town of Markham to enact a By-law that would
require pesticide companies to install temporary notification signs in the area
prior to spraying, be received;
And whereas Provincial regulation is
in place staff is directed to seek a legal opinion as to whether the Town of
CARRIED
3. PROPOSED
REVISIONS TO THE 2005 FLEET REPLACEMENT
PROGRAM – GREEN FLEET TRANSITION
PLAN
Mr. P. Ingham and Mr. L. Canning presented an update on proposed revisions to the 2005 Fleet
Replacement Program – Green Fleet Transition Plan. Staff indicated that the
production of natural gas based vehicles is on the decline due to the lack of
refuelling stations. As a result, staff noted that hybrid vehicles would be a
good alternative to natural gas when considering replacements and additions to
The Committee discussed details regarding the Hybrid Ford Escape compact
SUV including cost, efficiency and how it might complement the current fleet.
There was also discussion in relation to the two current hybrid vehicles the
Town has been using, the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. Staff noted that the
experience to date has shown these vehicles to be extremely reliable with very
low maintenance costs.
THE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That the presentation by Mr. P. Ingram
and Mr. L. Canning regarding proposed revisions to the 2005 Fleet Replacement
Program - Green Fleet Transition Plan, be received;
And that a separate report regarding
an update on the Hybrid Vehicle Pilot Program be
forthcoming to the Environmental Issues Committee.
CARRIED
4. FORMATING OF
THE GREEN FLEET TRANSITION
TO REFLECT THE CITY OF
Mr. P. Ingham sought direction from the Committee with
respect to the format for a comparative analysis between the current fleet and
new vehicles planned for purchase. The Committee agreed that there should be a
comparison made between the older fleet vehicles currently in use and the
proposed new vehicles, contrasting fuel economy and emissions. It was also
suggested that staff indicate that the new vehicles would be enhancements to
the existing fleet.
There was some discussion on four stroke motors and new
technologies in truck lighting that would allow some Town vehicles to be turned
off while servicing. Staff acknowledged that these and other recommendations
would be highlighted in a forthcoming report. Mr. Ingham indicated that staff
would also be reviewing the City of
5. PESTICIDE REDUCTION EDUCATION
PROGRAM
The Committee noted that the Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee was
no longer meeting and requested that former Members be invited to the
Environmental Issues Committee when pesticide related business is in
consideration. Councillor E. Shapero illustrated education materials produced
and gathered by the Pesticide Education Subcommittee for distribution in
conjunction with the Ward 2 Pesticide Pilot Project. There was debate with
respect to whether these materials should be circulated to all
THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That the pesticide reduction education
materials presented by Councillor E. Shapero be received;
And that staff be directed to post the
education materials to the Town of
CARRIED
6. PESTICIDE
BY-LAW
The Committee
discussed details of the potential for
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:
That a Town of
CARRIED
7. MARKHAM
PARKS TURF MAINTENANCE
Mr. P. Ingham submitted a Request for Purchase regarding
turf maintenance in
8. COMMUNICATIONS
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 deferred to the next Environmental Issues Committee meeting.
CARRIED
9. IDLE FREE
ZONE UPDATE
There was discussion regarding the official launch of the
Markham Idle Free Zone. Staff noted that
ADJOURNMENT
The Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at
DATE OF
NEXT MEETING