RECOMMENDATION:
That the staff
report entitled “Idle Free Zone at Civic Centre and Funding Requirements for
Anti-Idling Campaign”, dated January 24, 2005, be received;
And that
Council authorize designation of the Markham Civic
Centre as an idle-free zone and that the following be undertaken, as described
in this report:
·
a letter announcing the
Idle-Free Zone and encouraging employees not to idle their vehicles be sent
from the Mayor and Chairman of the Environmental Issues Committee;
·
five permanent metal signs be
placed in front of the Civic Centre;
·
Markham Idle-Free key-tags and
Idle-Free windshield decals be distributed to staff on the idle-free day; and,
·
a 20 minute lunch hour presentation by Natural Resource Canada
officers and experts be arranged on idle-free municipal initiatives.
And that Town of Markham Idle-Free brochures be
printed for distribution at libraries, GO Train stations and other locations
within the Town of Markham as part of the Idle-Free Campaign;
And that the
cost of these initiatives in the amount of $2500, be funded from the reserve
account 086-2700083 (Clean Air Initiatives).
PURPOSE:
The
purpose of this report is to: recommend designating Markham Civic Centre as an
idle free zone to educate all municipal employees and visitors about the
importance of not idling their vehicles; and, to
secure funding in support of the anti-idling campaign.
BACKGROUND:
The Town of Markham has made a
commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kyoto
Protocol in the proposal of an anti-idling by-law. Anti-idling by-laws have been passed in seven
other cities and towns in Ontario out of growing concern
for the diminished air quality and related impacts on human health. Each year there are increasing numbers of
smog alerts and air quality advisories, resulting in increased rates of lung
and respiratory health illnesses.
In September, two Anti-Idling Technicians were hired on a part-time
basis for 5 months to promote anti-idling to town staff, residents, and
businesses in Markham. A campaign is
underway to educate and distribute idle-free communication material through
classrooms and in public places such as libraries, community centers and GO
stations (see Appendix 5 – Idle-Free Campaign Accomplishments).
To date, booths have been set up at community centers and libraries and
presentations have been well received by numerous audiences including the
Mayor’s Youth Task Force, secondary schools, and Town’s fleet and fleet
managers. Guest speakers from Natural Resources Canada and other towns and
municipalities have come to Markham to discuss their
programs and successes with us. The next initiative is to demonstrate the
Town’s support of the public’s environmental concerns by declaring the Markham
Civic Centre an “Idle-Free Zone”.
DISCUSSION:
If
authorization is received, Markham Civic Centre would be declared an Idle-Free
Zone with an official idle free day. A letter from the Mayor establishing the
Idle-Free Zone is to be included with all Town staff’s pay statements. On this
day, Markham Idle-Free windshield decal (Appendix 3) and idle-free key tags
(Appendix 4) will be distributed to Markham employees. It is also proposed on this day that five
official metal anti-idling signs be placed underneath the “no parking” signs
along the drop off zone along the front of the civic building (see Appendix 1).
Lastly, it is proposed that Town Staff be invited to attend an idle-free
luncheon presentation of approximately 20 minutes hosted by representatives
from Natural Resources Canada who will speak of other municipal idle–free
successes. The requested communication
materials and the metal signs all would feature the Town of Markham’s logo. Distribution
of these materials will show both the public and employees that Markham supports this
important initiative.
To
date, approximately 200 brochures, 100 windshield decals, and 20 posters
provided by the federal government have been distributed. The request for
additional materials is to have a supply of “Markham-branded” materials for
booth placements at the Markham Public Libraries, as well as site visits to
local GO Train stations and Community Centres.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Communication materials
to date including windshield decals, posters, fleet smart brochures have been
obtained at no cost through the federal government Idle-Free Campaign.
A reserve account was
established from the Longo’s Partnership revenue for Town of Markham Clean Air Initiatives and this report proposes a total
$2,500 expenditure from that fund for promoting the anti idling campaign as
follows:
·
1000 key tags -
$1,200
·
1000
Idle-Free windshield decals - $600
·
1000
Town of Markham
Idle-Free brochures - $700
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The Finance and Communications departments have
been consulted respecting this initiative.
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix 1 – Proposed Town
of Markham Metal Sign Design
Appendix
2 – Proposed Town of Markham Brochures
Appendix
3 – Proposed Town of Markham Windshield Decal
Appendix
4 – Proposed Town of Markham Key Tag Design
Appendix
5 – Idle Free Campaign Accomplishments
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Mavis
Urquhart
Manager,
Environmental Leadership
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Stuart
Taylor
Director
of Strategic Services
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Jim Sales
Commissioner of Fire and Community Services
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R:\Strategic
Services\Members\Victoria McGrath\Reports\2004 Reports\Idle free Zone
report.doc
