OPEN FORUM 6:45 P

The meeting of the Newmarket Environmental Advisory Committee was held on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 in Mulock Room, 395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket.

 

Members Present:

John Birchall

Philip Breault

Doug Jagger

Dayna Laxton

Geoff Shore

 

 

Members Absent:

Councillor Twinney

Jill King

Joanna Parsons

 

 

Staff Present:

C. Schritt, Traffic Technician

C. Finnerty, Council/Committee Coordinator

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:36 p.m.

 

Geoff Shore in the Chair.

 

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

 

None.

 

Presentations

 

None.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

1.

Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes of May 7, 2014.

 

 

Moved by: Philip Breault

Seconded by: John Birchall

 

 

THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes of May 7, 2014 be approved.

 

 

Carried

Correspondence

 

2.

Moved by: Dayna Laxton

Seconded by: Doug Jagger

 

 

THAT the correspondence items, previously distributed by e-mail, be received.

 

 

Carried

 

Items

 

3.

Trail Map Update

 

 

 

D. Laxton advised that the Trail Map final draft has been approved and is awaiting print.

 

4.

Natural Heritage Areas Brochure

 

 

 

The Traffic Technician provided those in attendance with a Natural Heritage Areas brochure.  Discussion ensued regarding distribution of the brochure throughout the community. 

 

5.

Ian Gray Award Review and Action Items

 

 

 

G. Shore solicited feedback on the Ian Gray Award process and received the following recommendations:

·         The document is too long; scale down to two pages at maximum using simplified language;

·         Create a one-page, visually appealing brochure describing the grant and award process;

·         Remove the cost breakdown components from the application if the intent of the award is based on a measure of environmental impact;

·         Review the application questions to avoid repetition;

·         Clearly separate the grant process from the award itself in order to avoid confusion;

·         Make the April deadline either a month earlier or later in order to avoid scheduling conflicts with other award processes;

Discussion ensued regarding the recommendations.  G. Shore to prepare the text for a brochure with the application form to be rewritten at a later date.   

 

 

 

 

6.

Meeting Schedule for the Balance of the Council Term

 

 

 

J. Birchall inquired whether the Committee wished to convene over the summer months.  The Committee will meet on August 6, 2014 provided that quorum can be achieved.

 

7.

Discussion of NEAC Priorities to the end of November, 2014

 

 

 

The Committee discussed ongoing items and recommended that the following be given priority this term:

·         Environment Report

·         E-Waste

·         Environmental Staff Resourcing and an Accountability Plan

·         Emerald Ash Borer

·         Secondary Plan, if required

 

8.

Discussion regarding recommendations for the 2014-2018 NEAC term

 

 

 

J. Birchall suggested that NEAC members reflect on their experience serving on the Committee.  Recommendations will be discussed and compiled at the August meeting.   

 

9.

Community Garage Sale - Event Update  

 

 

 

D. Jagger provided a summary of the garage sale event.  Vendor attendance was up over previous years and the day was continuously busy.  D. Laxton provided a summary of her experience organizing the event. 

 

10.

2014 E-Waste Event

 

 

 

J. Birchall advised that an event planning meeting will be held on June 24, 2014.  Draft advertising items have been prepared and volunteer commitments will be requested closer to the event date.

 

11.

Environment Report to Council

 

 

 

J. Birchall discussed the preparation of an Environment Report identifying areas of significant priority for Council consideration.

 

12.

NEAC Follow-up Meeting with Council

 

 

 

J. Birchall suggested that a follow-up meeting with Council occur in early 2015 in order to provide the Committee time to work on current priorities.

 

 

Moved by: John Birchall

Seconded by: Philip Breault

 

 

The Newmarket Environmental Advisory Committee recommends to Council:

 

THAT the Newmarket Environmental Advisory Committee request a Council Workshop in December, 2014 or January, 2015 to discuss recommendations and priorities for the Environmental Advisory Committee 2014-2018 term. 

 

 

Carried

 

 

13.

Emerald Ash Borer Update

 

 

 

Development & Infrastructure Services Report PWS 2014-08 dated January 22, 2014 regarding Emerald Ash Borer Long Term Management Plan – Update and the e-mail from the Manager, Parks and Property Services dated June 4, 2014 regarding a PWS Update for NEAC were distributed to the Committee.   Discussion ensued regarding tree inventory results, a proposed tree preservation by-law and statistics regarding the number of trees killed by Emerald Ash Borer.

 

 

Moved by: J. Birchall

Seconded by: D. Jagger

 

 

THAT Development & Infrastructure Services Report PWS 2014-08 dated January 22, 2014 regarding Emerald Ash Borer Long Term Management Plan – Update and the e-mail from the Manager, Parks and Property Services dated June 4, 2014 regarding a PWS Update for NEAC be received for information. 

 

 

Carried

 

New Business

 

 

a) J. Birchall received a letter of resignation from Wesley Guldemond, who has stepped down as he is no longer a Newmarket resident.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moved by: Philip Breault

Seconded by: Dayna Laxton

 

 

a) THAT Wesley Guldemond's resignation from the Environmental Advisory Committee be accepted with regret and a letter of thanks be sent.

 

 

Carried

 

Adjournment

 

Moved by: Dayna Laxton

Seconded by: Doug Jagger

 

THAT the meeting adjourn.

 

Carried

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

Geoff Shore, Chair

 

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