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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-10 Minutes Draft minutes – Not yet approved by Committee NOTES OF MEETING OF SAMUEL WILMOT NATURE AREA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2015 7:00 PM Present: (Voting) Kate Potter Leo Blindenbach James Hodge Paul Davidson Melanie McArthur Brian Reid Jim Cleland Regrets: Taullie Thompson Councillor Corinna Traill Patrick Bothwell Dyan Amirault Suzanne Land 1. AGENDA MOVEDSECONDED : by Leo Blindenbach by Kate Potter THAT : the agenda for November 10, 2015 be accepted CARRIED 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Approval of Minutes MOVED: SECONDED by James Hodge by Melanie McArthur THAT: the minutes of September 8, 2015 be approved. CARRIED SWNA November 2015 Minutes 2 3. ITEMS/UPDATES Newcastle Fall Festival/Scavenger Hunt The 2015 Scavenger Hunt was held on October 3 at 11:30 AM in conjunction with the Newcastle Fall Festival. Despite the event being well promoted the turnout was disappointing. The weather was cool and windy and it may have contributed to the low turnout. SWNA Committee also had a booth at the Newcastle Town Hall in the morning to promote the event and raise awareness of the SWNA. The committee discussed the merits of holding a Scavenger Hunt in 2016 but the general feeling was that a different type of public event should be investigated. The committee also recommended the increased use of social media to promote SWNA events. Invasive Species Event in 2016 In July 2015 GRCA Biologist Ken Towle led some committee members on a walk to discuss invasive species at the SWNA. It was a very informative presentation that highlighted the prevalence of invasive species at the SWNA. The GRCA along with other agencies held an Invasive Plant Management Strategy session with Municipal and Regional staff on November 6. Raising awareness of invasive plants is a very important part of the strategy. The committee is in support of hosting a public event in 2016 in conjunction with the GRCA to raise awareness of invasive plants. The event could highlight the ecological damage and the toxic effects of some invasive plants. Further discussion with GRCA will be required to confirm the event. Fall Clean-up A fall clean-up was held on Saturday October 24. Committee members who attended noted that there was less litter this year and that the garbage receptacles were being well used. The anglers group who have participated in the past organize their own clean-up the following day. They typically clean up along the edge of the creek and also noticed less litter this year. Great Lakes Guardian Fund application The Municipality in conjunction with the SWNA committee has submitted an application to this provincial grant program to convert the existing woodchip trail at the S/E corner of the SWNA to limestone. No dates were provided by GLGF to indicate when applicants would hear back regarding their applications. Birdhouse Removal Jim Cleland has removed 11 or 12 birdhouse on the west side of the SWNA for the winter. Brian Reid will remove those on the east side in the coming weeks. Lots of nests were found in the birdhouse again this year. A local resident has been building birdhouses and installing them at various locations around the SWNA. They are more decorative than the existing SWNA November 2015 Minutes 3 birdhouses but they have been made to the same specifications. Some are located next to trails or are too low to attract nesting birds. Those birdhouses will also be removed for winter cleaning and will be relocated next spring to more appropriate locations around the SWNA. Committee Attendance The past few meetings have not been well attended. The July and October meetings did not have a quorum. The Terms of Reference for the committee require 51% of voting members to be present to have a quorum. With twelve voting members appointed by Council, seven members are required at each meeting for a quorum. Tonight’s meeting was attended by seven members so it was an official meeting, but just barely. The committee discussed options to help achieve a quorum on a more consistent basis such as revising the terms of reference to reduce the quorum percentage to 50%, or adding additional members. All options have been deferred until Chair Brian Reid has an opportunity to get additional feedback from members. 4. OTHER BUSINESS Brian Reid discussed the condition of the wood surface on the north viewing platform and missing latch on the Toronto Street waste receptacle. Household and construction garbage is being dumped in the Molok because the lid is no longer secure. The wood on the north viewing platform has been patched but more work in 2016 will probably be required. The committee believes that the planks need to be replaced but it is beyond the committee’s ability to fix. Melanie McArthur advised that a large hemlock tree has fallen across the path leading to the north lookout. Operations will be advised of these concerns. 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN MOVED: SECONDED by Kate Potter by Paul Davidson THAT: the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED Adjournment 8:15 PM Next Meeting: Tuesday December 8, 7:00PM in 1A Notes prepared by: P.Windolf