A meeting of the Newmarket
Environmental Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 6:30
p.m. in the Mulock Room at 395 Mulock Drive.
Present: John Birchall
Wes
Guldemond
Doug
Jagger
Jill King
Dayna
Laxton
Absent: Councillor
Twinney
Philip Breault
Joanna Parsons
Geoff Shore
Staff: C. Kalimootoo, Director of Public Works Services
C. Schritt,
Traffic Technician
C. Finnerty,
Council/Committee Coordinator
The meeting was called to order at
6:40 p.m.
Doug Jagger in the Chair.
additions
to the agenda
None.
declarations
OF INTEREST
None.
1.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 1
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
Environmental Advisory
Committee Minutes of February 12, 2014.
Moved by Dayna Laxton
Seconded by Wes Guldemond
THAT the
Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes of February 12, 2014 be approved.
CARRIED
2.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 2
CORRESPONDENCE
Moved by John
Birchall
Seconded by Dayna
Laxton
THAT the
correspondence items, previously distributed by e-mail, be received.
CARRIED
3.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 3
NATURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION PRESENTATION
The Traffic
Technician circulated a Natural Heritage Area brochure for the Committee’s
review. The brochure outlines the importance of natural heritage preservation
in Newmarket and includes a map identifying areas designated as Natural
Heritage in the Official Plan.
Review of the
brochure was deferred to the April 2, 2014 meeting. The brochure will be
circulated electronically with all comments to be submitted to Dayna Laxton not
later than Wednesday, March 26, 2014.
4.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 4
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/REQUESTS FOR FEEDBACK
John Birchall advised that any time sensitive feedback
requests can be handled by email. The Chair requested that the subject line of
any email identify the sensitivity and requirement for action.
5.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 5
COUNCIL REVIEW WORKSHOP
UPDATE/PLAN
John Birchall
advised that the Council Review Workshop is tentatively scheduled for March 24,
2014 pending confirmation by staff. The workshop will identify what needs to
be accomplished for the balance of the term of Council and establish a framework
for the next Committee.
6.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 6
ENVIRONMENTAL VISION STATEMENT FOLLOW-UP
John Birchall made
a verbal presentation regarding the environmental vision statement that was
prepared by NEAC in December, 2008 and subsequently adopted by Council. The
vision was intended to be used on an interim basis until resident and
stakeholder engagement was completed and a draft Community Environmental Plan
prepared. John Birchall advised that the Town is not taking advantage of some
of the environmental grants and incentives available as there is no staff resource
responsible for environmental co-ordination, planning and accountability.
Moved by John
Birchall
Seconded by
Jill King
The Environmental
Advisory Committee recommends to Council:
a) THAT
Council direct staff to find a dedicated staff resource to coordinate
environmental matters, establish environmental priorities based on best
practice guidelines, seek appropriate funding and provide environmental
accountability reporting within the Town of Newmarket;
b) AND
THAT an environmental accountability report be prepared each year for
presentation to Council and the public;
c) AND
THAT Council reaffirm the 2008 draft environmental vision statement pending the
preparation of a draft Community Environmental Plan;
d) AND
THAT Council recommend to the new council that budget priority be given in the
next term of Council to fund the PCP Community Environmental Plan.
CARRIED
John Birchall
indicated he would attempt to acquire job descriptions for reference purposes.
7.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 7
GARBAGE/WASTE
BY-LAW REVIEW
John Birchall
prepared a draft recommendation for the Committee’s review based upon Philip
Breault’s presentation to the Committee at the February 12, 2014 meeting and
subsequent discussion around the clear bag program in Markham.
Moved by Jill
King
Seconded by
Wes Guldemond
The
Environmental Advisory Committee recommends to Council:
Whereas staff
and NEAC recommended approximately four years ago a plan to reduce the amount
of garbage bags picked up at curbside; and
Whereas
Council decided that more time was needed before making a change; and
Whereas green
bin success continues to reduce the need for actual garbage to be picked up;
and
Whereas there
have been successful programs to use clear plastic bags with Aurora being the
first to proceed in the N6 municipalities;
a) It
is therefore recommended that Council direct staff to prepare a report on waste
reduction and curbside garbage pickup;
b) AND
THAT such report addresses the waste strategy and communication implementation
plan;
c) AND
THAT NEAC be consulted on any recommendations included in the plan;
d) AND
THAT the report be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2015.
CARRIED
The Committee
requested that the report address garbage limits for secondary dwelling units
and biomedical waste separate from other waste reduction strategies.
8.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 8
NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY GARDENS
John Birchall spoke
with representatives from the York Region Food Network who advised that the
community garden could be expanded this year to include an additional two rows
of plots without any requirement for a water line expansion. Volunteers would
mark the gardens, using wood chips to delineate each plot. He presented a
video prepared by the York Region Food Network on upStream Aquaponics project.
The business operates a water based method of growing fresh produce in a closed
loop system using tilapia and vermin composting.
Moved by John
Birchall
Seconded by Wes
Guldemond
The
Environmental Advisory Committee recommends to Council:
Whereas there
is no additional requirement for water to be provided at the existing community
gardens.
Therefore be
it resolved that Council authorize an extension of two rows at the existing
community gardens;
AND THAT NEAC
contribute a maximum of $500.00 toward plowing and site preparation.
CARRIED
9.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 9
EVENTS UPDATE
Community
Garage Sale
The Committee
set Saturday, May 31, 2014 as the event date. The Chair suggested that NEAC
invest in new signs.
Moved by John
Birchall
Seconded by
Dayna Laxton
THAT the
Committee authorize an expense up to $600 from the NEAC budget for the purchase
of new signs for the Community Garage Sale.
CARRIED
Earth Hour
John Birchall
advised that Earth Hour is March 29, 2014. The theme is ‘Keep Your Parents in
the Dark’. Newmarket Hydro has donated 500 t-shirts and there will be an event
on March 22, 2014 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Magna Centre to engage
children in the cause.
E-Waste
Challenge
The E-Waste Challenge
will take place on September 27, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Upper
Canada Mall.
10.
NEWMARKET EAC MINUTES – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 10
APPLICATION FOR OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT, ZONING BY-LAW
AMENDMENT, DRAFT PLAN OF CONDOMINIUM AND DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION - SILKEN
LAUMANN DRIVE - NEAC COMMENTS
John Birchall
advised that NEAC’s comments on the proposed Silken Laumann Drive development
were received at the Public Meeting held on February 24, 2014. Planning staff
expressed their thanks for the in-depth review and comment submission.
11.
NEWMARKET EAC – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 11
TRAIL MAP UPDATE
Trail map update
deferred to the April 2, 2014 meeting.
12.
NEWMARKET EAC – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 12
ATTENDANCE
Staff are in
receipt of the notice of resignation from Stacey Tidman. The resignation will be
received at the April 2, 2014 meeting.
13.
NEWMARKET EAC – MARCH 5, 2014 – ITEM 13
new business
None.
Moved by Dayna Laxton
Seconded by Wes Guldemond
THAT the meeting adjourn.
CARRIED
There being no further business,
the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
______________________ _____________________________
Date Doug
Jagger, Meeting Chair
Next Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2014 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Mulock Room.
Meeting Chair – Wes Guldemond