M I N U T E S

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITEE

2004-09-02

Meeting No. 4

Members Councillor J. Webster Regional Councillor J. Heath Donna Sardone, Chair, Markham Conservation Committee Regrets Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti Councillor E. Shapero

Staff Victoria McGrath, Manager, Environmental Leadership Mavis Urquhard, Manager, Environmental Leadership (Interim) Karen Boniface, Parks Planner Bob Walter, Manager, Roads Maintenance Blair Labelle, Committee Clerk

The Environmental Issues Committee convened at the hour of 2:05 p.m. with Councillor J. Webster in the Chair. Committee met without benefit of quorum.

1. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL

ISSUES COMMITTEE HELD ON JUNE 24, 2004

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That the minutes of the Environmental Issues Committee meeting held on June 24^th, 2004 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. OIL SPILL IN MILNE CREEK

Mr. B. Walter, Manager, Roads Maintenance, addressed matters relating to an oil spill in Milne Creek on June 29^th, 2004. This occurrence was reported by Leslie Price, Secretary/Treasurer, Milne Park Conservation Association. Mr. Walter outlined the department’s spills response protocol and noted that details surrounding the incident at hand could be found in his memorandum dated August 13^th, 2004. He highlighted that events of this nature are first reported to York Region and then to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). Markham often assumes only a supportive role in the containment effort. He declared that the MOE does not usually respond to minor spills, and that it is sometimes difficult to assess what it considers actionable. In this case, the spill may not even have been responded to if it were not for the immediate reaction of Markham staff.

Mr. Walter noted that upon inspection of the Drakefield Ave. and Banfield Rd. site of the Milne Creek, the film on the water appeared to be gasoline. He immediately contacted on-call staff members and put in a call to the MOE. Upon further examination he decided it would be best to install two booms on either side of the spill in order to contain it. He then notified the MOE of the action taken an arranged a meeting the following day to discuss.

There was further discussion surrounding the disposal of paint and gasoline cans and how it continues to be a problem for the Town, especially with respect to the Three Stream Implementation currently underway.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That Markham representatives meet with Kim Lendvay of the MOE to verify their protocol as to when they will respond to spills and in what fashion;

And that education campaigns continue to address the proper disposal of potentially unsafe materials by posting information on the Town of Markham website and community mail outs.

CARRIED

3. RECEIPT AND APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS

FOR MESF FUNDING

Ms. Victoria McGrath, Manager, Environmental Leadership notified the Committee that Mavis Urquhard, Planning, would be replacing her while she is on maternity leave.

Ms. McGrath indicated that there was five applications put forward for the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund (MESF). Of these five, it was noted that two were schools, two were scout groups and one came from an individual on behalf of a community project. Decisions on the proposed projects will be ratified at the Finance and Administrative Committee meeting on September 20^th, 2004. This will allow the MESF launch to go forward on October 2nd, 2004 in conjunction with the native plant sale in the Markham Civic Centre atrium.

Amendments to the application were made throughout the approval process.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That the following amendments be made to the MESF application form:

1) Page two of the application, add Storm Water Management and Water Quality as options for “What best describes the nature of your project”.

2) Last page, insert a phrase describing the method in which the applicant can attach supporting documentation.

3) Include a request for an itemized budget to be attached as a supporting document.

4) Insert a question asking whether additional Town services would be required in addition to the funding requested.

5) Last page incorporate the question, “Do you declare the contents of this application to be true to the best of your knowledge” and provide a space for the date and signature of the applicant.

CARRIED

APPLICATION ONE: Markham Gateway Public School

This application was to assist in a naturalization project currently underway by Markham Gateway Public School Eco Camp students. The purpose of the project was to further develop an outdoor learning centre that was originally established in 2003. The requested $4,000 would contribute to purchasing and planting seven to eight large trees which would be added to the extended woodlot area.

The Committee generally accepted that the application for this project had complied with funding criteria. However, there was debate surrounding whether the estimated $500 per tree was excessive in comparison to the $250 Markham usually spends to purchase and plant a large tree.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That $4,000 be granted to Markham Gateway Public School for this project and be referred to the Finance and Administrative Committee for approval.

CARRIED

APPLICATION TWO: Mary Hopperton

This application was put forth by Mary Hopperton of 610 Bullock Dr on behalf of the “Walden Walkabout”, a project focused on the naturalization of Austin Park. She requested $12,450, which exceeded the permissible maximum of $10,000 originally established by the Committee at hand. Funding would be used for materials as well as plants and shrubs.

Staff confirmed that the project had other funding even though the application indicated that no additional funds were sought. There was discussion with regards to how the money would be spent if it were approved, as there was no itemized budget included with the application. Staff had added that this applicant was sincere in her dedication to clean up the Park and the surrounding area.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That $10,000 be granted to Mary Hopperton for this project and referred it to the Finance and Administrative Committee for approval;

And that an itemized budget be requested in the letter of acknowledgement.

CARRIED

APPLICATION THREE: Ressor Park Public School

This application was submitted by the Reesor Park Woodlot Committee, which has requested $7,500 for the restoration and maintainance of the woodlot area adjacent to Reesor Park Public School. On the application it was noted that MESF support would go towards purchasing trees, mulch and the services of an arborist. It was noted that additional sources of funding had been previously requested from Environment Canada, TD Canada Trust, and Shell Environmental.

The Committee discussed the feasibility of MESF allocation towards hiring staff, and decided that releasing funds for the school to hire an arborist would be in contravention of the funding criteria in place. There was further debate on whether an allotment of the requested funding should be granted to purchase materials, but not used as compensation for an arborist.

Staff agreed that in the case of poison ivy a herbicide would be the only recourse for removal.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That $7,500 be granted to the Reesor Park Public School and referred to the Finance and Administrative Committee for approval;

And that the letter of acknowledgement includes a request for an itemized budget in which the cost of an arborist would be deducted.

CARRIED

APPLICATION FOUR: Scouts Canada

This application was submitted by Scouts Canada requesting $10,000 be allocated towards their “Rolly the Rain Barrel” project. They have proposed funding to be directed to the acquisition of a minimum number of rain barrels, accessories, and the marketing of the program. Scouts would be selling and installing the barrels for a fee of $100. Profits from the project would be directed towards sustaining the purchase of additional barrels.

Ms. D. Sardone, Chair, Markham Conservation Committee declared a conflict of interest with respect to applications four and five, as she has an affiliation with Scouts Canada.

The Committee debated whether a self-sustaining project in which profits were raised from MESF monies would be acceptable based on the funding criteria. Upon review of the application, uncertainties were also raised with regards to whether the barrels would be marked with a City of Toronto logo as it was indicated that smaller quantities of barrels could be purchased directly from Toronto, Dept. of Works.

Staff suggested that a down spout disconnection platform is often considered a better program because the maintenance and storage of rain barrels can often become problematic. If approved, the Committee confirmed that displays could be set up at community centers, but the Town of Markham would not be responsible for the storage of barrels. The Committee also communicated that, if funding were approved for this program, barrels should not be sold outside Markham.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That $10,000 be granted to Scouts Canada for this project and referred to the Finance and Administrative Committee for approval;

And that the following stipulations be communicated within the letter of acknowledgment:

1) Each barrel is branded as “The Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund”

2) The sale of barrels is only to take place within Markham boundaries

3) Markham would not be responsible for storing barrels

CARRIED

APPLICATION FIVE: Thornhill East Don Scout Group

This application was submitted by the Thornhill East Don Scout Group (TEDS), which has requested $10,000 to fund their efforts in regenerating Settlers Park. The monies would go towards purchasing shrubs and small trees from the TRCA nursery. The trees would be planted alongside German Mills creek that runs through the park in an attempt to control erosion and engage bank stabilization. It was also noted that the applicant hoped to manage wild grape vines in the area.

Staff advised the Committee that there is no master plan in place for the park and that the Urban Design Department may wish to pursue a public process to determine a consensus on how to regenerate the area. A full allocation of the monies requested might be counter productive, as the work it would fund may not be what the public wants. Further to this, staff noted that the applicant already received a grant of $1,200 from the Town of Markham for similar purposes.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That $1,200 be granted to the Thornhill East Don Scout Group (TEDS) and referred to the Finance and Administrative Committee for approval;

And that the letter of acknowledgment indicate the allocation of funds are to be used for tree planting rather than for bank stabilization efforts.

CARRIED

4. NEW BUSINESS

The Committee discussed signage and how it should pertain to the projects using MESF as a source to fund their program.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That two “A-frame” signs be created and placed in front of approved projects, and displayed at the launch of MESF and Green Neighborhoods Program Projects on October 2^nd, 2004.

And that the sign have the Markham logo on it and read “Another project with funding from the Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund”.

CARRIED

5. PROPOSED LAUNCH OF MESF FUNDING

Ms. Victoria McGrath updated the Committee about the launch of MESF to coincide with the launch of the Green Neighborhoods Program at 12 pm, October 2^nd, 2004 at 12:00pm. Councillor Erin Shapero will recognize the projects and distribute cheques in the lower atrium at that time.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That the update regarding the proposed launch of MESF funding be received.

CARRIED

6. CONFIRMATION OF DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE RECOMENDS:

That the dates for future meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 2-4pm. (Confirmed dates: September 23^rd, October 28^th, November 25^th, December 23^rd)

CARRIED

7. ADJOURNMENT

The fourth meeting of the Environmental Issues Committee adjourned at 4:22pm.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The September 23^rd, 2004 meeting will commence at 2:00pm in the Ontario Room.