HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 9, 2010
City o0 Minutes / Meeting Summary
Pickering Blooms Advisory Committee
February 9, 2010
PI KERI 2:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Dave Ryan, Mayor - City of Pickering (Co-Chair)
Bill McLean, Regional Councillor, Ward 2 - City of Pickering (Co-Chair)
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability - City of Pickering
John Hannah, Superintendent, Municipal Operations - City of Pickering
Rob Gagen, Foreperson, Parks & Property - City of Pickering
Tanya Ryce, Marketing, Promotions/Graphic Designer - City of Pickering
Kathy McKay - Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Larry Noonan - Altona Forest Stewardship Committee
Sigrid Squire - Pickering Horticultural Society
Marla Shim, Executive Assistant, Councillors' Office - City of Pickering
(Recording Secretary)
Absent: Allan Arsenault - Pickering Town Centre
Mike Bender - Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Chris Braney - Durham District School Board
Donald Igbokwe - Multi-Faith Group
Gail Lawlor - Durham Sustain Ability
Jim McCafferty.- Durham Catholic District School Board
Lorna Murphy - Pickering Town Centre
Julie Oakes - Bloomers & Britches
Heather White - Pineridge Arts Council
Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items / Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome and Introductions
Mayor Ryan'welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked
committee members for once again returning to participate in
the Pickering Blooms program.
Mayor Ryan also acknowledged and thanked staff and
volunteers for all of their hard work on the program.
He is hopeful that we will eventually be in a position to get
into National and International competitions and feels that we
are heading in the, right direction. A lot of positive feedback
has been received from the community.
T. Melymyuk advised that John Hannah will be in charge of
the 2010 program.
Page 1
CORP0228-2/02
J. Hannah commented that Communities in Bloom was a
great start, but we have evolved and are now ready to look at
making changes for the future. Last year's Pickering Blooms
program was very successful and many good suggestions
were received. The biggest success was the Garden
Showcase.
He advised that R. Gagen and T. Ryce will be the major staff
representatives on the program and will work in conjunction.
with S. Squire and the Pickering Horticultural Society.
L. Noonan advised that the best way to engage the R. Gagen to arrange a
schools is to contact the superintendents and ask that meeting with staff, L.
they pass along the information to the principals Noonan and a school
Find a way for the program to be more beneficial to local representative.
businesses and allow them to showcase their businesses Mayor Ryan will attend
through early bird participation, etc. if available, but
• Registrants will be listed under the participants section suggested that the
and will be offered a participants web button for posting meeting not be
on their website, with a link to the Pickering Blooms page planned around his
schedule.
Councillor McLean joined the meeting.
Mayor Ryan'welcomed Councillor McLean, excused himself
to attend another meeting and turned the Chair over to him.
2. ,;Review of 2009 Pro . ram
• R. Gagen advised that gateway beautification has been
an ongoing project and that they are working with an area
resident to refurbish Maple Gate at Finch Avenue
• Will use the Sustainable plant list to create a low
maintenance garden
• R. Gagen informed members that OPG is delaying the
expansion of their biodiversity plan due to the construction
of the sewer trunk line that will be going through their
property in Alex Robertson Park
• They are hoping to refurbish the south side of the bay
(next to the Sandy Beach bridge)
• To be sustainable, will have generic signs that can be
used every year
• The garden plaques will still be used this year, but will
look into having larger signs (with pins) for each year of
participation in 2011
• R. Gagen advised that they are looking for a community
group to take over the maintenance of the butterfly garden
in David Farr Park
Page 2
CORP0228-2/02
• Councillor McLean suggested contacting Mary Cook for R. Gagen will contact
assistance Mary Cook to find out if
• Councillor McLean recommended installing a sign to note she can assist with the
that it is a butterfly garden butterfly garden.
• J. Hannah advised that they will focus on the youth
component this year, but are looking into setting up a
growth plan that can expand into the business community
in 2011
3. `Pro 6sed"20.10' Pro ram
R. Gagen will handle the program components and T. Ryce
will deal with promotional opportunities.
T. Ryce informed members that the 2010 program is slated
for launch in early April, with the erection of street banners, a
mail-out registration campaign and posting on the updated
website.
• A media event will be held in May to officially launch the
Garden Showcase and Mentorship program
• A separate media event will also be held at one of the
local schools
• A promotional kit has been developed to reach youth
organizations, pre-schools and engage event participants
A youth and family category has been added to the
Mentorship Program
• Councillor McLean offered to assist in encouraging school
participation
• To increase program enrollment and expand into the
business community, a partner and supporter program will
be developed
• Local garden centers will be invited to become program
partners in exchange for an in-kind donation and/or
program participant discount
• Past participants will be contacted to determine if they are
willing to take part in this year's program
• Horticultural Society members will canvas with brochures
• A media release will be placed in L. Noonan's newsletter Staff will look into the
• Promote at the Horticultural Society's May 1St Garden feasibility of tying in
Show and Mother's Day event at the Recreation Complex the two events.
• Councillor McLean recommended combining the unveiling
of the butterfly garden with the Mother's Day event Staff will contact the
• Councillor McLean suggested distributing registration Rotary Club regarding
forms and displaying the Pickering Blooms banner bug at displaying the banner
the Rotary Club's Music Festival. The competition runs bug and registration
from February 25th to March 12th forms
Page 3
CORP0228-2/02
4 Advisory Committee Involvement
It was recommended that more Advisory Committee
meetings be held this year Staff will prepare a
• Send a letter to members asking for their interest in letter to members
various areas of the program They can share their asking for their interest
expertise in the fields that they are most qualified in and. in participating in
omit the need to attend all committee meetings specific areas.
5:` Next Meetin Date
To be determined.
Meeting Adjourned: 3:00 pm.
Copy: City Clerk
Page 4
CORP0228-2/02