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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-08 MinutesI - 1 Draft minutes -Not yet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY MAY 8, 2007 AT 7:00 P.M. Present: David Best (Voting) Jim Cleland Joe McKenna Karin Murphy Jim Richards-Vice Chair John Stoner-Chair Arthur Burrows Jim Kamstra Kerry Meydam Brian Reid Dan Stanoi Councillor Willie Woo Also Present: Jennifer O'Donnell (Non-Voting) Warren May (MNR) Absent: Greg Wells (GRCA) 1. Agenda Peter Windolf Additions Future planting projects, a portable toilet, benches, and lookout signage will be discussed in `Other Business'. Acceptance of A eg_ nda MOVED by Joe McKenna, seconded by Arthur Burrows THAT the agenda for May 8, 2007 be accepted. CARRIED 2. Minutes of April 10, 2007 Corrections There were no corrections to the minutes. Approval of Minutes MOVED by Kerry Meydam, seconded by Karin Murphy THAT the minutes of April 10, 2007 be approved. CARRIED 3. Issues arising from the Minutes There were no issues. 4. Sub-Committee Updates Site Maintenance The Site Maintenance Sub-Committee will be picking up garbage during the site tour following the regular meeting. Some t-bars have been removed from trees and placed in front of the birdhouse. The Committee will keep them as they may be useful for future projects. Communications The Communications Sub-Committee met on Apri125th to consider possible projects they could implement. Some of the topics they discussed were: • finding sponsors for the newsletter • formatting the newsletter to pdf for easier and wider circulation • creating a 3-panel brochure for distribution • a Power Point presentation to be shown to schools or potential sponsors They also spoke about holding a special event in mid-June. The Sub-Committee will discuss prospective themes for the event further. Municipal staff will create a PowerPoint presentation to be reviewed with the Committee at a future meeting. 5. Updates Kiosk Update The sign graphics have been finalized and approved and are with Page Graphics. The construction and installation of the kiosk sign will be done in conjunction with the Lion's Memorial Forest sign, which is also being done by Page Graphics. Taxis Contracting should be completing the stone work on the columns this month. The Site Maintenance Committee will place limestone screenings around the base of the kiosk once the restoration work is completed by the contractor. DEAC Awards Reception The awards reception takes place on Thursday May 10. Derry, Joe, Karin, Jim R., and John have all been confirmed as attending representatives of the Committee. Viewing Machine Vandalism The lens cover and some of the internal mechanisms of the viewing machine have been damaged by vandals. Hi-Spy, the supplier of the viewing machine, has provided a quote for its repair. They will be given authorization to proceed with the repairs. St. Stephens Planting Project In mid April a teacher from St. Stephens Catholic High School approached the Municipality with a request to participate in a planting project. Despite the short notice a planting project was arranged for the Foster Meadow. On Tuesday May 1St, approximately 25 students, two teachers, and five Committee members planted 125 bare root trees. A thank you letter will be prepared for St. Stephens's high school. Evergreen Grant Opportunities John attended atwo-evening seminar run by Evergreen on fundraising. Each session was three hours in length. Participants learned about ways to access funding for environmental projects and made contacts with other like minded organizations. John will provide the reference material he picked up at the event. Bridge Abutment Repairs Totten Sims Hubicki has drawings ready for tender. Before tendering TSH will get final comments from GRCA. The project is progressing, with a July 1 construction start anticipated. 6. Other Business Future Planting Project The possibility ofdoing alarge-scale tree planting was discussed. The funding for such a project could possibly come from an MNR grant or a stewardship account of the Municipalities Planning Department. The Committee would need to find enough volunteers to undertake such a project. Potential planting areas could include the Wilmot Meadow, the Lake Meadow and the Foster Meadow. A tree planting could be scheduled in the fall as a special event. Different vegetation zones and wildlife habitats are desirable to maintain at the SWNA so all of the former agricultural lands should not necessarily be reforested. Benches Residents of the Wilmot Creek community would appreciate more benches along the trails, especially the Lake Meadow Trail. Replacing the bench that that was removed due to vandalism on the east side of the SWNA is also a priority. If funding becomes available additional benches can be purchased. The status of our remaining Capital funding will be much clearer once the bridge abutment project is awarded. Signs for Viewing Platforms The viewing platform locations are not easily seen from the trails. Signs at the entrance points to the platform could help visitors to the SWNA find the platforms. Two directional signs (one for each platform) will be ordered. Portable Toilet The committee requested that a portable toilet be installed at the Cobblediclc parking lot. The SWNA is becoming a very well used nature park. Visitors can spend hours on site walking the trails. There is no other public or private washroom facility available in the area. It was noted by some members that other large municipal parks in Clarington have portable toilets. It was agreed that the request has merit and should be passed on to the Operations Department. Adjournment: 8:45 P.M. Next Meeting: Tuesday June 12, 2007 7:00 p.m. Meeting Room lA Notes prepared by J. O'Donnell