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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-14 Minutes Draft minutes – Not yet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2015 7:00PM Present: (Voting) Kate Potter Leo Blindenbach Patrick Bothwell Suzanne Land Melanie McArthur Councillor Corinna Traill Jim Cleland Brian Reid Absent: Michael Apt 1.ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Being the first meeting of this term the committee was ask to elect a Chair and Vice Chair. Brian Reid was elected as Chair and Kate Potter was elected as Vice-Chair. 2.AGENDA MOVEDSECONDED : by Suzanne Land by Leo Blindenbach THAT : the agenda for April 14, 2015 be accepted CARRIED 3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Approval of Minutes MOVED:SECONDED by Kate Potter by Melanie Mac Arthur THAT: the minutes of November 11, 2014 be approved. CARRIED SWNA April 2015 Minutes 2 3. ITEMS/UPDATES Grants Transportation Diesel Spill The committee was provided an update on the clean-up related to the December 16, 2014 tanker truck accident on the 401 that resulted in a diesel spill of approx. 14,500 litres. Some of the diesel fuel made it into the Wilmot Creek. EFI Global is the company hired by the insurer to manage the clean-up. EFI Global has provided an interim Environmental Report which details the accident and the clean-up efforts to date. A Project summary was passed out at the meeting. The full report will be included in the distribution of the April SWNA minutes. A site inspection with EFI, Clarington, GRCA and MOE is planned for April 17 to identify any remaining concerns. The committee questioned whether any environmental fines would be levied against the transport company. If so could those fines be directed to SWNA related projects since the Nature Area was directly affected by the spill? Brian Reid suggested that in lieu of fines perhaps some of the SWNA trails could be improved by the insurer or their client. Since MOE would be responsible for levying any fines, P. Windolf will discuss with MOE at the April 17 meeting. Fall 2014 Waterfront Trail Construction Project There are a few remaining deficiencies from the trail construction that occurred in the fall of 2014. The trail is open for use, the outstanding deficiencies will be rectified this spring once the site is dry enough to access with equipment. SWNA Photo Contest Last fall 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 Visual Arts Centre (VAC) was contacted regarding availability for the photo exhibition in October and November. The VAC indicated that two dates, October 9 and November 12 were available. The committee preferred November 12 so the VAC will be asked to confirm and book Nov. 12 for the opening of the photo exhibition 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. Funding has been approved 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 will eliminate the need to close the trail during construction and will SWNA April 2015 Minutes 3 also remove the on-road section of the Waterfront Trail from Toronto Street. Design is being done by Clarington engineering staff and construction is expected to begin in the summer. Birds of Prey Event The Newcastle Lions have generously provided $500 in funding to allow the SWNA Committee to arrange a public education event themed around Birds of Prey. The Mountsberg Raptor Centre has provided a very good educational session at the SWNA before, however there is a local falconer that may be able to provide a similar show. The Ontario Falconry Centre will be contacted to see what type of show they could provide. The preferred date is Saturday June 20 in the morning. P. Windolf will provide an update at the May meeting. Spring Clean-Up Now that the snow has melted, litter is visible throughout the SWNA. The committee decided to do a site clean-up on Saturday April 25 starting at 10:00AM. That’s the same day that Leo Blindenbach has scheduled a clean-up in the Port Of Newcastle. After some discussion it was decided that two meeting places will be offered for residents who want to participate, the Toronto Street parking lot and the Admiral’s Walk Clubhouse. Leo will direct some of the volunteers from the Admiral’s Walk to the Toronto Street parking lot. Brian Reid, Patrick Bothwell and Councillor Traill have confirmed they will be at the Toronto Street parking lot to guide the volunteers. Councillor Traill will be there at 9:00AM in case there are early arrivals. OPG/Scouts Planting project On Saturday May 2 from 9:00AM to noon a group of Scouts and parents have volunteered to plant 300-400 bare root trees just south of the railway line at Toronto Street. This is the second consecutive year that OPG has organized this event. Committee members are encouraged to attend if they are available. Last year the planting was completed by 11:00AM. Some trees will also be planted on the bank where the trail has been removed and relocated. 4. OTHER BUSINESS Vehicles continue to access the SWNA via the hydro access point just south of the transition lines. A cable to close off that access point has been unlocked for a long time. OPG will be contacted to see if they can reinstate the cable or provide a gate at this location to eliminate the unauthorized vehicular access. Operations will be asked to provide three 45 gallon garbage cans for committee members to monitor and empty. One for the barrier beach, one for the Waterfront Trail at Toronto Street and the third for the Waterfront Trail at the pedestrian bridge. 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN MOVED: SECONDED by Leo Blindenbach by Patrick Bothwell SWNA April 2015 Minutes 4 THAT: the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Adjournment 8:30PM Next Meeting: Tuesday May 12, 6:30 PM at the SWNA Toronto Street parking lot. Please note the May 12 meeting will be ON-SITE Notes prepared by: P.Windolf