MARKHAM CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room

July 19, 2007 – 7:00 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Members                                                        Regrets

Brent Mersey, Chair                                         Thomas Rado

Mylene Batista Bezerra                         Joan Maddock

John O’Gorman                                                Lloyd Helferty

Philip Ling, Vice Chair                          Sandra McEleney

Serena Chin                                                      Lisa Wilson

Justin Chin                                                        John O’Gorman

Joyce Chau                                                      Christopher Sauer

Regional Councillor J. Heath                             Bonnie Leonard

Samuel Yip

 

Staff   

Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership

Allan Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services

Pamela Cook, Recording Secretary

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER

 

Brent Mersey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and welcomed Mavis Urquhart, Manager, Environmental Leadership and Allan Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services from the Town of Markham. 

 

  1. PESTICIDES

 

A By-Law to Regulate the Non-essential Use of Pesticides on Public and Private Property, By-Law 2007 – 146 was passed unanimously by Markham Town Council on 26th June, 2007 and is scheduled to come into effect January, 2008.  Mavis Urquhart distributed an information package to the Committee and encouraged everyone to visit the Town’s website for more detailed information. 

 

Mavis reported that Council relied a lot on the City of Toronto’s health-related research, as the Town does not have their own Health Department.  It was further commented that the City of Toronto received a grant from the Province to develop their By-Law, with the understanding that they would share their information with other municipalities.


Minutes – Markham Conservation Committee

July 19, 2007

Page 2

 

 

There are a number of definitions in the By-Law, but one of the key ones is ‘infestation’.  The By-Law has taken steps to clarify what is meant by infestations and have set out what can and cannot be used to treat them.  Schedule A outlines what can be used on lawns to treat problems.

 

In discussion about enforcement of the By-Law, Councillor Heath suggested that it is a ‘social by-law’ and will require co-operation and neighbourhood watch to ensure pesticides are not being used.  Mavis commented that this type of behaviour related By-Law usually results in successful convictions as the neighbourhoods have involved themselves in reporting use of pesticides. 

 

The Markham Conservation Committee committed themselves to the Town of Markham to help educate the community by promoting / developing an ambassadorship program.  A previous Board member, Romila Verma was active in the Mission Green and Earth Day project and has offered to advise / assist in a similar one for introducing the new pesticide By-Law.  Mavis reported that the Town was looking to get media material out in the Fall and could benefit from assistance in determining the message and how to deliver it.  In response to a suggestion to co-ordinate with sister-municipalities, it was commented that the City of Toronto and Oakville have been the most successful thus far.  Romila will be asked to make a presentation to the Committee on her experiences with the Mission Green Ambassador Program.

 

Philip Ling suggested an ‘ask me’ approach for the ambassadors, which Mavis suggested could be considered when the Town develops their strategies for outreach.  Mylene Batista Bezerra volunteered to work with the Town on behalf of the Conservation Committee.  Following a discussion on how to best solicit input from the community-at-large before the By-Law comes into effect, it was agreed that the Committee would try and set up an information booth at the Markham Fair.  Philip Ling will speak to Dan O’Brien, the contact for the Markham Fair and determine whether it would be feasible for the Conservation Committee / Town of Markham to have a booth to distribute flyers and educational material. 

 

The Chair thanked Mavis for her presentation and suggestions on how the Committee can be of assistance to the Town.

Minutes – Markham Conservation Committee

July 19, 2007

Page 3

 

 

  1. EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS – POST MORTEM

 

The Chair commented on the feedback from the Earth Day event held in the spring of this year.  Allan Seabrooke, Director, Strategic Services reported that Sara Sterling, Special Events Coordinator for the Town will be available as a resource for next year.  She will assist with marketing and will help co-ordinate the event with the Committee.  Allan further commented that the Town is involved in a number of different activities in celebration of Earth Day and agreed that Mylene will be notified of all activities planned for 2008. 

 

In response to the notes from the past event, it was agreed that Angus Glen worked well, but it would be better to have a more central presence in the facility – perhaps both entrances.  The problem with Markville Mall is that you can only apply two months in advance and if they have customers who wish to pay for space, they get the preferred locations.

 

The Chair will forward his notes from the Earth Day discussions, along with a checklist submitted by Sandara McEleney to all committee members.  The notes and checklist can be used as a guideline / reference for Committee planning for 2008 Earth Day Celebrations.  Pesticide use and the new By-Law may be a major focus for activities planned for 2008.  Councillor Heath suggested more than one event or spread over a two day period might better deliver the message to the community.  It was agreed that having animals or some other attraction for children was instrumental in drawing in better attendance.  Councillor Heath agreed to work with the Town to ensure better financial support for the event(s).  .

 

  1. NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Markham Conservation Committee will be held on Thursday, August 16th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.