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Protecting Parks Use
Council approved a new schedule of fines under Part 1 of the Provincial Offences Act that will allow Police and By-law Officers to issue on-the-spot offense notices. The fines are intended to act as a deterrent to anyone thinking of engaging in unacceptable behaviour and will help ensure the parks are clean and safe for all to use. A $300 fine will be charged under the Municipal Code, Chapter 942, Park-Use, for any of the following offenses: damaging or defacing park property; entering a restricted area; frequenting a park between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. without a permit; possessing alcohol in a park except in licensed premises with a permit; and operating a motorized recreational vehicle in a park area not designated for that purpose. In addition, time restrictions have been put into place, as well as restrictions regarding park use between certain hours at night, except by permit. Contact Les Pengally, Special Projects Consultant, at (905) 771-8800, ext. 3520 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 2, 2004, Staff Report SRPD.04.024). New Membership Fees Will be Phased in for Bocce After much discussion and consideration, Council passed a motion to change the current fee structure for use of the indoor bocce facility at the Rouge Woods Community Centre. The fee structure will be phased in over a two-year period and at that time, Town Council will subsidize 25 per cent of the operation. Effective September 1, 2004, members who wish to play during prime time will pay $75 per year and then, as of September 1, 2005, the rate will increase to the required fee of $125. This fee is all inclusive and the current court fee charge of $5 per hour will also be eliminated. The current non-prime time rate of $25 per year for seniors 60 years of age and older will remain. Contact Darlene Joslin, Director of Recreation & Culture, at (905) 771-8800, ext. 2423 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 16, 2004, Staff Report SRPRC.04.04). Richmond Hill to Join Mayor's Megawatt Challenge Council endorsed the Town's participation in the Mayor's Megawatt Challenge. The Challenge, launched in May 2003 by the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority and supported by the GTA Clean Air Council, is a new clean air initiative designed and implemented to help pool energy management knowledge and expertise. Participating municipalities are collectively targeting at least one megawatt of electrical demand savings during 2003 and 2004. Richmond Hill is one of 12 municipalities participating in the Challenge. Based on the population of the participating municipalities, Richmond Hill's share of the megawatt reduction is approximately 3 per cent (0.02MW) or 245,000 kwh. The Town achieved significant progress in 2003, saving 1,620,000 kwh - equal to 18 per cent of the collective Megawatt Challenge target. The Town is well on its way to achieving more than 26 per cent of the collective reduction, far exceeding the 3 percent target reduction expected. The Town has been committed to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases since 1996, has been actively implementing Clean Air Initiatives and is currently participating in the FCM's Partners for Climate Protection program and the GTA's Clean Air Council. Contact Dan Olding, Environmental Coordinator, at (905) 771-8800, ext. 5505 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 16, 2004, Staff Report SRPROP.04.04). Partnership That Promotes Transportation Alternatives Council confirmed its commitment and the Town's participation in the GTA-wide Smart Commute Initiative. The Town's submission was recently selected as one of eight successful proposals chosen across Canada by the Federal Government's Urban Transportation Showcase Program and is intended to showcase initiatives that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative will receive up to one-third ($2.5 million) of the estimated $7.7 million total project cost over the next three years. The Smart Commute Initiative's intent is to establish a series of 10 local Transportation Management Associations (TMA), one of which is to be located in the employment area of Richmond Hill and Markham - the Hwy 404/Hwy 7 corridor. At a recent Committee of the Whole Meeting, staff provided an update on the progress of the TMA and the implementation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) initiatives in the employment corridor and identified the need to establish a TMA Steering Team comprised of local business owners, Councillors from Richmond Hill and Markham, the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Markham Board of Trade. Council appointed two representatives, Councillors Barrow and Cohen, to participate in the TMA Steering Team. The Town's goal for its part is to help reduce traffic congestion and help businesses to attract employees for the Beaver Creek Business Park area and other employment areas in the Hwy 404/Hwy 7 vicinity. The Smart Commute Initiative and the development of a TMA in this area will serve to improve the transportation system in the neighbourhood by promoting public transit and alternative modes of transportation for people to get to and from work, as identified in the Town's Strategic Plan. Implementation of projects like this also support the Town's efforts to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability. Contact George Flint, Development Coordinator, at (905) 771-8800, ext. 2455 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 16, 2004, Staff Report SRE.04.036). Town-wide Pesticide Ban Being Investigated Council directed staff to prepare a report regarding a possible ban on pesticide use throughout the municipality. Council requested more information from Town staff on the following: background information on the issue of pesticide use; issues and ramifications with respect to the implementation of a Town-wide pesticide ban; a proposed plan and time frame for the implementation of such a ban (if approved by Council); and staff comments on the sample pesticide by-law and regarding the feasibility of the implementation of a Town-wide pesticide ban. Contact Lynton Friedberg, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Culture, at (905) 771-8800, ext. 2422 (From Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 16, 2004, New Business). The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 1, 2004 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council meeting is Monday, March 8, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers. This document was produced by the Communication Services Division staff at the Town of Richmond Hill. The contents of this summary are intended to be for information purposes only. The actual test of Council resolutions can be found on the Town's Website, www.richmondhill.ca. Copies of staff reports and other correspondence can be obtained from the Council Support Services/Town Clerk Division. |