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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-12 Minutes Draft minutes – Not yet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD TUESDAY MAY 12, 2015 6:30PM Present: (Voting) Kate Potter Leo Blindenbach James Hodge Suzanne Land Melanie McArthur Brian Reid Jim Cleland Regrets: Patrick Bothwell Councillor Corinna Traill Taullie Thompson Paul Davidson Dyan Amirault 1. AGENDA MOVEDSECONDED : by Leo Blindenbach by Melanie McArthur THAT : the agenda for April 14, 2015 be accepted CARRIED 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Approval of Minutes MOVED:SECONDED by Jim Cleland by Suzanne Land THAT: the minutes of April 14, 2015 be approved. CARRIED SWNA May 2015 Minutes 2 3. ITEMS/UPDATES Grants Transportation Diesel Spill A site inspection with EFI, Clarington, GRCA and MOE was held on April 17 to identify any remaining concerns. Suzanne Land attended on behalf of the SWNA Committee. An inspection along the banks of the creek revealed no visible evidence of the fuel spill in the water or on the banks. It was determined that no further action is required in the water. An inspection of the trails revealed many areas where the trail was disturbed by vehicles involved in the clean-up. Those areas were identified and inventoried by EFI Global who have hired Kamstra Landscaping to repair in May. Fall 2014 Waterfront Trail Construction Project During a site walk the new section of trail was inspected by the committee. Several items remain to be repaired by the general contractor who is scheduled to return to complete deficiencies the week of May 18. The trail is open for use. 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. At the April meeting the committee decided that November was the preferred month for the photo exhibition. Unfortunately the November date was not available. The committee decided that Thursday October 8 would be the next best date for the opening. The VAC has been contacted and the date is booked. 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. Peter Windolf met on-site with Sam Trentadue from the Ontario Falconry Centre to discuss the type of event the committee would like to hold. The Ontario Falconry Centre has done many shows across the province that focus on public education about native raptors. The event is scheduled for Saturday June 27 at 1:00PM and will include several native raptors such as Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Kestrel and Harris Hawk. Some committee members requested hard copies of the event poster. P. Windolf will print the copies and then notify the members when ready for pick-up. A digital version of the event poster will be circulated with the May minutes. Committee members are encouraged to post it or share it as they see fit. SWNA May 2015 Minutes 3 Spring Clean-Up A site clean-up was done on Saturday April 25 in conjunction with a clean-up in the Port Of Newcastle. Between the two sites over 1700lbs of trash was picked up. Approximately 60 people attended, with about 20 people at the SWNA. The coordination between the two sites worked very well and will be done again in 2016. OPG/Scouts Planting project On Saturday May 2 a group of Scouts, parents, and SWNA committee members planted 450 bare root trees at two locations. The primary planting location was just south of the railway line at Toronto Street to create a buffer between the railway and the Wilmot Meadow. The second location was in the vicinity of the newly re-aligned Waterfront Trail. This is the second consecutive year that OPG has organized this event. Carbon Farmer tree planting proposal The municipality was contacted by a private company called the Carbon Farmer in April 2014 about the possibility of planting trees at the SWNA. The company plants trees on behalf of individuals and corporations for carbon offsets. The Carbon Farmer plants the trees and maintains them for two years until they are established. They plant small re-forestation size native trees. The committee agreed that creating a buffer of trees between the Wilmot Community and the Lake Meadow would be a good addition to the SWNA. A sketch of the location was sent to the Carbon Farmer for consideration but they did not respond by the end of 2014. P. Windolf was contacted earlier this month by the Carbon Farmer who appears to be interested in planting the trees in late May. They have yet to confirm their intentions or a date. 4. OTHER BUSINESS A cable was re-instated by OPG to control vehicular access just south of the transition lines on Toronto Street. The cable had been missing for a long time and resulted in unauthorized access to the SWNA by many vehicles. The cable now has a double lock system that will allow the municipality or Hydro to unlock as needed. 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN MOVED: SECONDED by Leo Blindenbach by Suzanne Land THAT: the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED SWNA May 2015 Minutes 4 Adjournment 8:00PM Next Meeting: Tuesday June 9, 7:00 PM Please note the June 9 meeting will be in a room yet to be determined. Committee members should gather in the lobby at 7:00PM to be escorted to the meeting room. Notes prepared by: P.Windolf