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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-21Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee MINUTES March 21, 2023, 7:00 P.M. Board Room, Dianne Hamre Centre, Newcastle If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Participation: Y/N Person Y/N Person N Brian Reid (Past Chair) Y Leo Blindenbach Y Carmen Aiello N Patrick Bothwell Y Councillor Margaret Zwart (Council Liaison) Y Samantha Hansen Y Kate Potter (Chair) Y Tom Hossie (Vice Chair) N Leah Bourgeois Y Rod McArthur Y Leanne Fernandez Y Ken Mercer (Staff) Agenda Items 1. Call To Order And Welcome 2. Additions To The Agenda / Adoption Of The Agenda No additions to the agenda. Moved by Tom, seconded by Leanne, that the agenda be adopted. Carried. 3. Adoption Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting Moved by Sam, seconded by Leanne, that the minutes of February 13t" be adopted with the following changes: • Hanson to Hansen • Aeillo to Aiello • Fernadez to Fernades Carried. 4. Action Item Updates From Previous Meeting Not Already Covered In The Agenda None. 5. Committee Administration a. Completion of Accessibility Training Tom submitted his certification of completion. Kate's completion is still outstanding. Action: Kate will complete her training before the next meeting. b. Notification follow up Rod and Samantha have received their official notification. Marg said the letter will go to Council at the next available opportunity, likely within the next 4-6 weeks. c. Committee composition and roles - Terms of Reference Review There was discussion about the number of committee members, the most current documentation not be available on the website, and staff support resources. Ken informed the group that the Terms of Reference for all committees of council are under review. The Committee will get an opportunity to review the draft Terms of Reference before they are finalized. Regarding the letter for additional membership, the letter is going before Council within the next 4-6 weeks but will likely require an open call for volunteers. Action: Ken will circulate the draft Terms of Reference to the Committee for fPPdhar.k Action: Margaret will provide an update on the letter's discussion at Council when appropriate. d. 2023 Workplan Priorities - SWNA Management Plan Review (Kate) With the current review of the Terms of Reference and the Waterfront Strategy development, this item was tabled until the Terms of Reference were ready for review and the Strategy development process could provide a management plan update for the larger north -south corridor, including the SWNA. Yearly budget requests were also discussed. Action: Margaret will speak with Faye Langmaid (Clarington staff) about the possibility of the Management Plan being updated within the Waterfront Strategy development. 6. SWNA Workplan Updates: a. Interpretative Signage/QR Codes Project Ken brought a yellow, reflective square for possible use for the QR codes. Tom provided an overview of the project. Action: Ken will investigate having QR code stickers made by James Publishing. Next steps include getting the sticker quote, designing the QR code, getting the stickers printed, choosing the code locations, and installation. It was also suggested that the iNaturalist page be added as a QR code stop as well as some additional signage about the QR codes for the trailheads. Action: Kate will assist with the araphic desian It was also acknowledged that a land acknowledgement and the inclusion of Indigenous history, culture, should be discussed at a future meeting. b. Traffic/Usage Survey Kate has not made any progress on this item. Sam offered to help. Action: Kate will send the documents to Sam. c. Confirmed ideas for events/activities in 2023 i. Wildflower planting — May 27 OPG funding request letter has been submitted. Brian has contacted the Greenhouse who can supply the same list of plants for the same price. Leah has reserved a pop-up tent. The group also discussed not mowing as much of the wildflower area after the planting and outlining the area with posts and a description of why. Action: Ken will remind new contractors about the pre -planting mowing as well as the request for the increase in size of non -mowed area. Action: The group can pre -dig the planting holes in the days leading up to the event ii. Spring Cleanup — April 22 Leo, Rod, and Leanne will lead the clean up in the Port, Bond Head, and SWNA respectively). This is the 10t" anniversary of the event. The event will start at 10 am. Action: Leo asked the aroup to circulate the poster widelv. Action: Leo will follow up with Ken re: supplies needed (i.e. garbage bags, single use sharp boxes, small gloves). iii. Moth Night — week of July 22-30 Tom provided an overview of the event and offered to host the event again. Action: Tom and Ken will discuss liability acknowledgement statements in the advertising. iv. Monarch Tagging — September 9th ( September 16th as backup ) Action: Tom will provide a tagging update once released. d. Tentative ideas for events/activities for 2023 i.Presentation re Native Bees with Dr. Sheila Colla of York University Dr. Colla is unavailable. Tom may have an additional lead. Ken has booked Sunday May 14t" as a tentative day for a pollinator presentation. Action: Tom will reach out to additional lead for a aollinator presentation. ii. Presentation/Walkabout re birding photography Tom and Brian will investigate further. Action: Tom and Brian will investiaate a birdina presentation. iii.Calendar/Chart of Activities Action: Kate will update the timeline of activities. e. On -hold items for events/activities for 2023. i. Butternut Tree Planting No developments . ii. Parking along Toronto Street/ gating to hydro corridor Ken suggested this be removed from the agenda. iii. Hibernaculum This is on Ken's list for pruning. 7. External Project Updates a. Visioning Exercise organized by the Waterfront Strategy group The group discussed the potential of a park at the waterfront beach by the marina. b. Treatment Plant/ Storm Drainage Pond Project The group discussed the work to be done at the Treatment Plant as well as the restoration of the storm drainage pond. 8. Other Business a. Retractable banner Action: Ken will investigate for the next meeting. b. Bird Box Monitoring and Cleanout Leo, Rod, Brian and Carmen are doing this work on Tuesday April 4. c. Recognition of Past Chair Action: Margaret will follow up with some help from Leo. d. 25t" anniversary of SWNA Leo discussed the 25t" anniversary of the SWNA including a hard copy book about the history of the SWNA. Potential ideas included a social media campaign including the history of the area in partnership with the Newcastle Historical group. 9. Round Table — All Member The group discussed the tensions between fishers and conservation at this time of year. A small number of people causing a lot of damage. The fish hook receptacles are being used. Action: Ken to update and replace the dog -hook poster. At least 2 garbage cans are required at the beach during this high use time. Action: Ken will inquire about more garbage cans. Illegal fiddlehead collection will be happening in the first few weeks of April within the SWNA. The collection causes a lot of damage to the spring shoots. Action: Margaret will alert the by-law office. It was noted that many of the metal bluffs are either empty or leaning as well as the bollock (large parking lot garbage bins) are without lids. Action: Ken will address the parking lot garbage bins. 10. Next Meeting - April 18 Leo moved that the meeting be adjourned.