Members

Councillor J. Webster

Regional Councillor J. Heath

Brent Mersey, Chair, Markham

Conservation Committee

Regrets

Chair: Councillor E. Shapero

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Staff

Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental

Leadership

Catherine Harrison, Program Manager,

Communities in Bloom

Karen Boniface, Senior Parks Planner

Lilli Duoba, Project Coordinator, Environmental

Planning & Rouge Park

Blair Labelle, Committee Clerk

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 2:25 p.m. with Regional Councillor Heath in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON NOVEMBER 25, 2004

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on November 25, 2004 be adopted with the following amendment:

Item 2 Resolution (Page 2)

That the word, “in” be changed to “by” so that the resolution will read, “That the Town of Markham adopt an anti-idling by-law by the spring of 2005…”.

CARRIED

2. MARKHAM ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
FUND (MESF) APPLICATION FORM AND UPDATE

Ms. M. Urquhart reviewed the changes she had made to the MESF application form. The Committee agreed that the amendments would better facilitate the application and assessment process. Ms. Urquhart affirmed that she will be circulating the applications to those departments that may be affected or wish to comment on the application.

Ms. Urquhart acknowledged that there had been two MESF applications submitted since the last allocation of funding. She noted that herself and Ms. K. Boniface, Senior Parks Planner Bloom, are reviewing submissions.

The Committee discussed a funding schedule for the 2005 MESF. It was recommended that the two application deadlines occur only at the middle of April and one in the middle of September. It was also suggested that up to a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the funds be allotted each time.

Ms. C. Harrison noted that the April cut-off for the first portion of 2005 MESF funding would compliment the Communities in Bloom (CIB) initiative. Members considered methods to publicize the MESF programme including publication to the Town of Markham website and calendar, posting to the CIB flyer and to the “Celebrate our Environment” communiqué. Ms. K. Boniface acknowledged that she would also forward 2005 MESF details to upcoming workshops and seminars as well as her individual contacts.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the deadlines to receive applications for the 2005 Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF) occur on April 15, 2005 and September 16, 2005.

CARRIED

3. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE

Ms. M. Urquhart acknowledged that January 21, 2005 is the closing date for the RFP released to retain a consultant to assist in the development of an environmental management plan for the Town of Markham. She informed Members that as per a resolution passed by the Community Services and Environment Committee, Councillor E. Shapero and Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti will sit on the interview panel and that the Environmental Issues Committee will act as a steering committee for the initiative. Ms. Urquhart mentioned that updates would be forthcoming to the Committee as the plan progresses.

4. ONTARIO CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT SEMINAR

Ms. M. Urquhart presented details concerning the upcoming Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) seminar scheduled for February 11, 2005. She noted that the event was free, but required registration for those planning to attend. Two staff members will be presenting and there will be an anti-idling booth set up for demonstration.

5. ANTI-IDLING REPORTS AND PARTNERSHIP WITH

GTA CLEAN AIR COUNCIL

Ms. M. Urquhart informed Members that two (2) anti-idling reports and a presentation would be going forward to General Committee on January 21, 2004. She acknowledged that funding for the recommendations would be directed from the Longo’s account.

Ms. Urquhart commented on the partnership with the GTA Clean Air Partnership (CAP) regarding the development of a Markham anti-idling by-law. She notified members that she had met with Ms. E. Legeti, Executive Director, GTA CAP and Ms. S. Lane, Project Manager, GTA CAP to sicuss development of an anti-idling by-law and enforcement program. It was also noted that the payment of outstanding fees to the GTA CAP was also drawn from the Longo’s account.

6. ADJOURNMENT

The first (1^st) meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

February 24, 2005 in the Canada Room