HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-98-98~. ~ - DN: PD-9&96
THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
REPORT
Meeting:
General Purpose and Administration Committee
File# Cla.~,z_
Date:
Monday, August 31, 1998
Report #: PD-98-98 FILE #:
Subject: COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
BLUE CIRCLE
Recommendations:
Res. #~~~'~~ '9~
By-law #
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD-98-98 be received ;
2. THAT the attached Terms of Reference for the Blue Circle Cement Community
Relations Committee be approved;
3. THAT the Director of Planning and Development be authorized to convene the first
meeting of the Blue Circle Cement Community Relations Committee;
4. THAT a copy of this Report and Council's decision be forwarded to Blue Circle
Cement Inc., Port Darlington Community Association, Aspen Springs Community
Association and The Waterfront Regeneration Trust.
1. APPLICATION DETAILS
1.1 In April 1995, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust presented a number of
recommendations regarding Blue Circle's operation, including focusing on a
proposed solution to quarrying the Westside Marsh. One of the recommendations
of the Waterfront Trust was that "(Blue Circle) and the community should set up a
Community Relations Committee with an independent and mutually agreed upon
facilitator to share information and seek solutions to mutual problems."
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REPORT NO.: PD-98-98
PAGE 2
1.2 In November 1997, the Municipality of Clarington and Blue Circle Cement entered
into a legal agreement that builds on the recommendations of the Trust. The
"Principles of Understanding" provides a solution for some of the community's
concerns about the future of the Westside Marsh while maintaining the economic
viability of the Company.
1.3 In January 1998, Council directed Staff to prepare Terms of Reference to establish
and guide a new Community Relations Committee. The draft Terms of Reference
were prepared in March 1998 and forwarded to Blue Circle Cement, Port
Darlington Community Association, and Aspen Springs Community Association.
Aspen Springs Community Association was asked to join the Committee after Staff
received several calls from residents expressing concerns about Blue Circle's
operation. The Terms of Reference were subsequently revised based on the
comments received. They were reviewed at a meeting held in June 1998.
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an overview of the proposed
Community Relations Committee.
2. A COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
2.1 The process leading to the solution for the Marsh improved the relationship
between the residents and Blue Circle Cement Inc. A Community Relations
Committee will provide an opportunity for open dialogue regarding other issues
related to Blue Circle Cement's operations. The Terms of Reference for the
Committee (Attachment #1) are briefly summarized below.
2.2 The Committee will share information and discuss issues of mutual interest and
issues of concern to residents related to Blue Circle's operations. The Committee
may discuss issues such as:
irritants from Blue Circle's operations;
638
REPORT NO.: PD-98-98
PAGE 3
progress of work as it relates to the Principles of Understanding between the
Municipality and Blue Circle Cement;
• the progress of construction of the bridge over Westside Creek and
reconstruction of Cove Road.
The Committee may also review but may not formally comment on applications
made under provincial and federal legislation. The Committee will not be involved
in the planning and management of the Westside Marsh/Bowmanville Marsh open
space area.
2.3 The Committee will be comprised of a maximum of 8 individuals:
• two members from the Port Darlington Community Association, (one executive
members, one non-executive member);
• two members from the Aspen Springs Community Associations, (one executive
member, one non-executive member);
• three members from Blue Circle Cement, including one member from Blue
Circle Aggregate, (formerly CBM); and
• two Clarington Staff members.
The Committee may request the presence of representatives from Ontario Hydro,
Central Lake Ontario Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the
Ministry of Natural Resources at certain meetings, if required.
The Committee will be co-chaired by one member from Blue Circle Cement and
one member from a community association. The Committee shall elect the Co-
chairs.
639
REPORT NO.: PD-98-98
PAGE 4
2.4 The Committee will meet no less than four times a year. The Minutes of each
meeting shall be recorded and distributed to Committee members, the community
associations and the Municipal Clerk. The Clerk shall place minutes on the Council
agenda for information. The Co-chairs shall appear before Council to inform them
of the Committee's progress on an annual basis.
2.5 The Committee may reassess its mandate, membership structure and reporting
functions from time to time. Any major changes shall be discussed with Council.
3. COMMENTS
3.1 Among the comments received through the consultation process, the Port
Darlington Community Association requested that a budget be established for the
Committee in order to:
a) retain a facilitator, in accordance with the Trust's recommendations, to
establish goals and objectives;
b) record and distribute minutes; and,
c) assemble information required by the Committee in order to identify viable
solutions to problems or issues.
The Terms of Reference have not been revised the reflect this request. The
Municipality's costs related to the Westside Marsh solution are considerable and
Staff are of the opinion that the Committee can function adequately without
financial support from the Municipality. The Municipality can, however, provide
administrative support for the Committee such as photocopying, mailing and
providing a meeting venue from time to time. Regarding a facilitator, Staff suggest
that, should the Committee decide a facilitator is required, it should seek out the
resources to retain such an individual. Blue Circle may wish to consider this as an
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RIEPORT NO.: PD-98-98
PAGE 5
important investment in community relations and fund a facilitator. Finally, with
respect to funds required for reviewing studies or assembling information, Staff
suggests that should the Committee feel that studies or peer reviews are required,
the co-chairs should approach Council to request funds.
4. CONCLUSION
4.'I In the coming years, Blue Circle's operations will lead to a number of significant
changes to Bowmanville's waterfront. As such, formation of a Community Relations
Committee as outlined in the attached Terms of Reference should assist in
improving communications between the community and company.
4.2 It is important to view the Community Relations Committee not as a municipal
committee. It is a committee of industry representatives and residents working to
resolve issues in their mutual interest. The Municipality is seeking only to facilitate
the discussions between these parties and to address issues arising from the
Principles of Understanding. It is foreseen that Staff's role on the Committee will
decline as the Principles of Understanding are implemented.
Re<_pectfully submitted,
Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning & Development
CS*DC*FW*df
August 10, 1998
Attachment #1 -Terms of Reference
Reviewed by,
W.H. Stockwell,
Chief Administrative Officer.
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REPORT NO.: PD-98-98
Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision:
Ms. Lynn Davidson
Environmental manager
Blue Circle Cement Inc.
400 Waverly Road South
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario
L1C 3K3
Ms. Glenda Gies, President
Port Darlington Community Association
R.R.#2, Group 2, Box 63
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario
L1C 3A6
Mr. Anthony Skinner
166 Vail Meadow Crescent
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario
L 1 C 4T4
Dr. Kathleen Hoch
52 Westside Drive
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario
L 1 C 4Y8
Mr. David Crombie
Waterfront Regeneration Trust
207 Queen's Quay West, Suite 580
TORONTO, Ontario
M5J lA7
PAGE6
642
TERMS OF REFERENCE
BLUE CIRCLE CEMENT
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
1. BACKGROUND
Blue Circle Cement and the residents of Bowmanville's waterfront have had, at
times, an acrimonious relationship. The impacts from the Company's quarry
operation in close proximity to residents and the construction and operation of the
shipping dock have been a source of aggravation for many residents. In addition,
the uncertainty of Westside Marsh's future added to the friction.
In December 1993, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, at the request of the
Municipality of Clarington and Blue Circle Cement, agreed to help resolve the
numerous issues related to Blue Circle's operation, including finding a solution to
quarrying the Westside Marsh. One of the recommendations of the Waterfront
Regeneration Trust was that "(Blue Circle) and the community should set up a
Community Relations Committee with an independent and mutually agreed upon
facilitator to share information and seek solutions to mutual problems."
In November 1997, the Municipality of Clarington and Blue Circle Cement entered
into a legal agreement that builds on the recommendations of the Waterfront Trust.
The 'Principles of Understanding' is a product of many months of public
consultation and negotiations. It provides a solution to some of the community's
concerns about the future of Westside Marsh while maintaining the economic
viability of the Company.
The process leading to a solution for the Westside Marsh has resulted in improved
communications and has fostered a better relationship between community and the
Company.
In January 1998, Council directed Staff to prepare Terms of Reference to establish
and guide a new Community Relations Committee.
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Community Relations Committee is to build on the improved
relationship and create an opportunity for open dialogue between the community
and Blue Circle Cement.
x,43
3. MANDATE
The Committee will share information and discuss issues of mutual interest and
issues of concern to residents related to Blue Circle's operations. The discussions
will focus on finding viable solutions to problems, which recognize the interests of
both Blue Circle and the residents. The types of issues to be discussed by the
Committee could include:
• Irritants from Blue Circle's operation including noise, dust, vibrations from
blasting and operations on the shipping dock; and
• Progress of work as it relates to the Principles of Understanding including the
temporary haul road, Westside Marsh reconfiguration, the Westside Creek
diversion, construction of the overflow channel, phasing of extraction and
relocation of Blue Circle Aggregate (formally CBM) and Hutton Transport.
In addition, the Municipality of Clarington can report on the progress of
construction of the bridge over Westside Creek and reconstruction of Cove Road.
The Committee may review, but cannot comment, on applications made under the
Planning Act, the Aggregate Resources Act, Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act,
Conservation Authority's Act or Fisheries Ad.
4. MEMBERSHIP AND STRUCTURE
The Community Relations Committee shall be comprised of the following
membership:
• two members from the Port Darlington Community Association, (one executive
members, one non-executive member);
• two members from the Aspen Springs Community Associations, (one executive
member, one non-executive member);
• three members from Blue Circle Cement, including one member from Blue
Circle Aggregate, (formerly CBM); and
• two Clarington Staff members.
4 ,~
The Committee, at its discretion, may augment its membership from time to time by
including representatives from other agencies, such as Ontario Hydro, Central Lake
Ontario Conservation Authority, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the
Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Committee shall be co-chaired by one member from Blue Circle Cement and
one member from a community association. The Committee shall elect the Co-
chairs.
The Committee may reassess its mandate, membership, structure and reporting
functions from time to time. Prior to any changes however, the Co-chairs must
discuss any proposed changes with Members of Clarington Council.
The Co-chairs must inform the Municipal Clerk of the replacement of any individual
on the Committee.
5. REPORTING TO COUNCIL
Meetings shall be held no less than four times a year. A member of the Committee
will record the Minutes of meetings, perhaps on a rotating basis. The Minutes shall
be distributed by the Municipality of Clarington Planning and Development
Department. They will be distributed to Committee members and the President of
the Port Darlington Community Association, the President of the Aspen Springs
Community Association, the Environmental Manager from Blue Circle Cement and
to the Municipal Clerk to be placed on the Council agenda for information. The Co-
chairs shall appear before Council to inform them of the Committee's progress on
an annual basis.
Date: August 10, 1998
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