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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-11 Minutes Draft minutes – Not yet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2014 7:00PM Present: (Voting) Kate Potter Karin Murphy Michael Goleski Suzanne Land Melanie McArthur Geoff James Jim Cleland Regrets: Brian Reid Leo Blindenbach Bonnie Seto Councillor Corinna Traill 1.AGENDA Additions Michael Goleski requested that a wish list for the next term be added to the agenda. Acceptance of Agenda MOVED SECONDED : by Geoff James by Suzanne Land THAT : the agenda for November 11, 2014 be accepted CARRIED 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Approval of Minutes MOVED:SECONDED by Kate Potter by Melanie Mac Arthur THAT: the minutes of September 9, 2014 be approved as amended. CARRIED SWNA November 2014 Minutes 2 3. ITEMS/UPDATES Karin Murphy chaired the meeting Fall Clean-up The October meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum but several committee members met at the site for litter pick-ups in October and November. The anglers group that assisted the past 3 years also did a site clean-up in October. A windshield notice was created to politely request that all visitors to the SWNA use the waste receptacles. The committee recommended that a notice be placed on both Kiosks to thank users for helping to keep the SWNA Clean. SWNA Photo Contest The committee discussed ways to increase interest and participation in the annual photo contest. It was recommended that moving the deadline for the contest to the late summer or fall would give photographers the opportunity to take photos in all seasons. The VAC will be contacted to see if there is availability for the photo exhibition in September or October. To generate interest earlier, notices will be placed on-site this fall to remind user’s that the contest will be occurring again in 2015. Toronto Street Construction Project The Region of Durham will be constructing a new sewer connection to their Toronto Street Treatment Plant in 2016. During construction the section of Waterfront Trail along Toronto Street would be have to be closed. Engineering Department staff are considering a project in the 2015 capital budget to permanently relocate the trail off road and connect it to the existing trail behind the sewage treatment plant. This would eliminate the need to close the trail during construction and would also remove the on-road section of the Waterfront Trail from Toronto Street. If approved the project would occur in 2015, in advance of the road reconstruction. Scavenger Hunt Update th Kate Potter reported that the Scavenger Hunt took place on Saturday October 4 and was attended by a few families with children. There was heavy rain in the morning before the 10:00 AM start which affected the turnout. Kestrel Wraggett from GRCA gave an educational talk after the hunt. If the event is held again the committee will consider moving it to May or June to encourage a larger turnout. SWNA November 2014 Minutes 3 Waterfront Trail Reconstruction Project The re-alignment of the Waterfront Trail on the east side of the pedestrian bridge is now complete except for some minor deficiencies. The old trail route has been removed and restored with topsoil. In the spring trees will be planted on the old trail as part of the OPG planting project. SWNA Committee Applications Applications were handed out at the meeting for any members wishing to return to the SWNA committee for the next term of Council. The Clerks Department has not established a deadline for returning the applications but members were encouraged to return their applications by the end of November. A digital copy of the application will also be sent to all committee members to ensure that members absent from the meeting would have a copy. Appointments to the next SWNA committee will likely be made in January. Michael Goleski indicated that he will not be returning to the committee but hoped that the committee would pursue protection and preservation of the SWNA by making sure that development doesn’t occur on the east side of Toronto Street adjacent to the SWNA. Those lands are outside of the SWNA and are not be part of the committee’s mandate. Michael also suggested that a sub-committee be formed to specifically address invasive species at the SWNA and that a valley trail be considered to connect the SWNA with Hwy 2. 4. OTHER BUSINESS Jim Cleland indicated that he has removed 10 bird boxes for the winter. The other bird boxes will need to be removed before the end of November. Jim also informed the committee that seven pickets have been kicked off on the west viewing platform by the lake. Operations will be asked to repair. 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN MOVED: SECONDED by Jim Cleland by Geoff James THAT: the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Adjournment 8:00PM Next Meeting: TBA Notes prepared by: P.Windolf