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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-11 Minutes Draft minutes – Not yet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 AT 7:00 P.M. Present: David Best Arthur Burrows (Voting) Jim Cleland Joe McKenna Kerry Meydam Karin Murphy Brian Reid Dan Stanoi John Stoner Councillor Willie Woo Also Present: Jennifer O’Donnell Peter Windolf (Non-Voting) Absent: Warren May (MNR) Jim Kamstra Jim Richards Greg Wells (GRCA) 1. Agenda Additions There were no additions to the agenda. Acceptance of Agenda MOVED by David Best, seconded by Jim Cleland THAT the agenda for September 11, 2007 be accepted. CARRIED 2. Minutes of July 10, 2007 Corrections There were no corrections to the minutes. Approval of Minutes MOVED by Karin Murphy, seconded by Jim Cleland THAT the minutes of July 10, 2007 be approved. CARRIED 3. Issues arising from the Minutes There were no issues arising from the minutes. 4. Future Projects Mulch It was suggested that mulch be placed around the benches and historical plaques in order to prevent weeds from growing. Also, removing the existing weeds and first lying landscape cloth may help prevent the growth of weeds in the future. Operations Department will be asked to provide the landscape cloth and more mulch. Tree Dating Discussion took place on the merits of cutting a slice from the trunk of an old fallen tree to establish the age of the tree. The findings could help boost historical interest of the site. A display could be created that would be a good complement to the secondary trail currently being installed by the Maintenance Committee. A large fallen tree would be ideal to create this feature. Committee Members will try to identify a suitable tree at the SWNA. Also, species-identifying signs placed throughout the woodland trails may also create more interest. Secondary Trail The maintenance sub-committee has finished spreading all of the woodchips from the pile supplied in August to create the first leg of the woodland trail. Additional woodchips are now required to complete the trail from the north end. Once the woodchips arrive the committee will complete the trail without the need for additional volunteers. Peter Windolf will notify Jim Cleland when the woodchips are delivered to the site. CFWIP Project The $1000 CFWIP grant for the Wilmot Meadow plating project must be spent before December 15. Deciduous and coniferous trees will be planted along the edge of the Wilmot Meadow for October planting. Thick grass and weeds in the Wilmot Meadow will make planting difficult. Operations will be requested to bush hog a planting strip adjacent to Toronto Street. This project will address one of the Management Plan objectives of restoring the row of trees along Toronto Street. Illegal dumping in the Wilmot Meadow is still occurring. Operations Department will be advised of the latest dumping. The merits of creating a defined ditch at the spot where the dumping is occurring will be investigated. Evergreen Grant Application The Committee was sent information about Green Grants Fall 2007, the most recent funding program sponsored by Wal-Mart and led by Evergreen. Any group that is partnered with a municipality may apply to receive up to $10,000, equalling 50% of the cost of a planting project. The deadline for application is October 31. Chair Stoner will review the application material and consider projects to be discussed at the October meeting. 5. Sub-Committee Reports Site Maintenance The MNR parking lot on Cobbledick Road is in poor condition and no longer appears to be used. It has become overgrown and occasionally dumping is occurring in the parking lot. MNR will be asked if they wish to keep the parking lot or close it. Communications Joe will use some of the projects listed in Future Projects for the next newsletter. 6. Updates Bugs, Birds and Butterflies Day Approximately 30 people attended the event. The Canadian Statesman ran a full page th article on the event on August 15. To improve this event for next year, James Kamstra should be booked earlier, advertising should be done sooner, and perhaps the program could be diversified with additional speakers. In addition to the butterfly walk it was suggested that a local bird expert could lead a walk. Viewing Platform Signs The signs have now been installed to guide people from the main trails to the viewing platforms. Kiosk The kiosk is complete. The woodchip area surrounding the kiosk needs to be expanded to merge with the adjacent trail. This will provide a well defined viewing area on the east side of the sign. Bridge Abutment Repairs The bridge abutment repairs have been completed and the rail has been restored. MNR Rangers The MNR Rangers have been sent a letter of thanks for their work and will be asked to return next year. PowerPoint Presentation The presentation is still in need of more photos taken from the nature area. Photos of birds animals, reptiles, amphibians and fish would all benefit the presentation. Joe McKenna indicated that he may have some digital photos on disk. Jim Richards has volunteered to take additional photos. Once photos have been submitted to Jennifer, the presentation will be completed. David Best mentioned that a group in Solina, which has monthly speakers, is interested in the presentation. This is an excellent opportunity for publicity and education. David will look into when they would like to see it, and is willing to do the presenting. 7. Other Business/Next Meeting Garbage The garbage barrels at the Cobbledick parking lot were both full and need to be emptied. A request was made to install recycling bins at each parking lot. This will be investigated further with Operations Department. Next Meeting th Due to a conflict, the October meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday October 10 at 7 pm in room 1A. Adjournment: 8:15 P.M. Wednesday October 10, 2007 Next Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Meeting Room 1A Notes prepared by J. O’Donnell