The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

CKLEAC2021-006

Friday, November 05, 2021

1:30 P.m. - 3:30 P.m.

Lindsay Service Centre - 2nd Floor

180 Kent Street West

Lindsay, ON K9V 2Y6

Members:

• Councillor Tracy Richardson
• Virginia Colling
• Josh Feltham
• Douglas Lowles
• Erin McGregor
• Ryan Megraw
• Jamie Morris
• Deborah Pearson
• Karen Quinn
• David Ryrie
• Barry Snider
• Pat Warren

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Please contact [email protected] if you have an accessible accommodation request.

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1.

Call to Order

P. Warren called the meeting to order at 1:33 p.m.  V. Colling, D. Lowles, E. McGregor, J. Morris, D. Pearson, D. Ryrie and Councillor T. Richardson were in attendance.

Staff present were Acting Director of Development Services, R. Holy and Recording Secretary E. Hallett.

Absent: J. Feltham, R. Megraw, K. Quinn, and B. Snider.

2.

Administrative Business

2.1

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved By V. Colling
  Seconded By D. Pearson

  That the agenda be adopted with the addition of item 6.10 -  Strategic Planning Meeting

  Carried

2.2

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

2.3

Adoption of Minutes

May 17, 2021

May 27, 2021

• Moved By D. Lowles
  Seconded By J. Morris

  That the minutes of the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting held on May 17,2021 and May 27, 2021, be adopted as circulated.

  Carried

3.

Deputations/Presentations

4.

Correspondence

5.

Action Item Updates

5.1

CKLEAC Work Plan Updates by Project Team Leaders

Plastics Reduction

Plastics reduction initiative has been put on hold due to the COVID 19 pandemic.  D. Pearson suggested that with Federal Legislation policies rolling out regarding single use plastics, perhaps it is time for CKLEAC to step back from this initiative and simply monitor how stores and businesses are conforming.  Members discussed and agreed to take the Plastic Reduction initiative off of the Agenda for now and revisit the topic in one year’s time.

Pollinator Action Committee

P. Warren reported that the second annual Bee a Hero competition was a success.

Moved By P. Warren

Seconded By D. Lowles

That, CKLEAC release $350 for the purchase of gift certificates from local nurseries to be used for prizes for the Bee a Hero contest.

                                                                                                                               Carried

P. Warren noted the good turnout for the Biking for Pollinators event, and hopes the Kawartha Cycling Club will assist again next year making it an annual event. There was some good publicity on social media, and positive feedback.

The Pollinator Action Committee looks forward to moving ahead with other initiatives, attending various fairs and events as the COVID 19 pandemic restrictions begin to lift.

D. Pearson provided an update on the small street island on Broad Street and Fallingbrook Crescent. Neighbours came together to provide funds for the planting of a memorial tree on the island, and hope to continue to plant other native plant species. CKLEAC members discussed potential ways the Committee may assist with the project both financially and physically.  R. Holy suggested that Parks Division be contacted to investigate possible ways CKLEAC and the City could provide support.  D. Pearson will contact Parks Division, and report back to the Committee on potential ways to move forward in the spring.

Active Transportation Plan

J. Morris reported things are moving along well with the Queen’s Square plans to install a cycling repair facility.

J. Morris announced the formation of the CKL Active Transportation Group. It is a collection of local clubs and organizations who share the common interest of Active Transportation. Some of the members include:

- Environmental Action Bobcaygeon

- Green Trails Alliance

- Kawartha Cycling Club

- Protect CKL Roads

- CKLEAC

- East Cameron Lake Residential Association

- Kawartha Land Trust

- Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association

J. Morris agreed to act as the representative for CKLEAC for this newly formed group and P. Warren suggested she would be available to assist as well.

J. Morris requested R. Holy provide an update on the Active Transportation Master Plan. R. Holy reported that a consulting firm of CIMA+ had been hired to work on the Plan, and an initial meeting with staff had taken place. A report will be going to Council later this year to endorse the creation of a Task Force.  Positions on the task force for members of the public will be advertised in local papers, and emails will be sent to interested parties.  The Planning staff contact for the Active Transportation Task Force will be Jonathan Derworiz, Planner II.  R. Holy suggested the project would take a year to a year and a half to complete.

6.

New or Other Business

6.1

Bee a Hero - J. Morris

 

CKLEAC members discussed the Bee a Hero competition and suggested possible means of promoting, advertising, and expanding the project in the years ahead.  Ideas brought forward included the potential of before / after photos, accompanying written submissions describing what makes the garden pollinator friendly, and perhaps having members visit the gardens.

6.2

Bee City Pollinator Mapping - P. Warren

 

P. Warren acknowledged the help the City provided in having the Pollinator Mapping appear on the Environmental portion of the City website. Questions were raised as to whether it could also appear in the Mapping portion of the City website, and additionally on the Bee City Canada map. R. Holy will contact GIS Division and report back.

6.3

Roadside Mowing - V. Colling

 

A sub committee was formed at the last meeting, and members met for discussion. A list of questions were provided to B. Robinson of Public Works Division.  The response to the questions was circulated to CKLEAC members. 

Sub committee members are investigating the practices and policies of other communities including Port Hope, Peterborough, and Haliburton.  Members will continue their research, and report back to CKLEAC with the findings.

6.4

Heritage Tree Registration - J. Morris

 

J. Morris reported that the Urban Canopy Project group applied for Heritage Tree Recognition through Forests Ontario for the five 131 year old sycamore trees on Victoria Avenue. The nomination was reviewed and approved, and a certificate and plaque provided. The trees will be added to the Heritage Tree Map in the winter of 2022.

6.5

Environmental Hero 2021 - J. Morris

 

CKLEAC members discussed the upcoming deadline of February 26, 2022 as well as effective ways to promote the challenge including having nomination forms available at local businesses, media coverage, getting the word into schools, and use of social media.

P. Warren will contact R. Cowieson of Communications Division to discuss promoting the Environmental Hero Challenge.

6.6

Tree Preservation By-Law - J. Morris

 

R. Holy suggested the Tree Preservation By-law has temporarily slowed down due to staff shortages in the Planning Division. He hopes to have staffing levels restored as soon as possible, and continue to move forward with the Tree Preservation By-law at that time.

6.7

Flato Developments - P. Warren

 

P. Warren expressed concerns over recent Flato Developments and the use of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZO’s) and that they have by-passed the traditional planning review and consultation processes.  R. Holy provided an overview of the situation and explanation of how MZO’s work.  MZO requests have been received by Council from FLATO Development for approximately 2,000 residential dwelling units on the east side of Lindsay and by Bromont Homes for three sites on the south side of Lindsay for approximately 2,250 residential units.  If Council endorses a request, then the matter is sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval and an MZO is issued.  The City will however still enter into Agreements with both developers to ensure that they fulfill the obligations that they publicly agreed to fulfill at Council.  These Agreements will be forwarded to Council in January for endorsement.

Commenting on Development Applications

CKLEAC members expressed an interest in reviewing development proposals through Planning Division. Members talked about what sort and what size of proposals should be reviewed.  It was agreed that perhaps the larger development applications or site plans with environmental impacts would be a good place to start.

6.8

Air Pollution - Air Traffic Over Lindsay and Car Idling - D. Pearson

 

D. Pearson suggested there has been an increase in air traffic over Lindsay in recent months and expressed concerns over noise, pollution, flight paths, and safety.

Councillor Richardson noted the additional hangers at the airport, expansions, and possibility of additional use due to the COVID 19 pandemic – more people working remotely and using vacation home more frequently.

R. Holy noted that Engineering Division oversees the management of the Airport. R. Holy will reach out to J. Rojas, Director of Engineering and ask if a presentation could be made on the topic at an upcoming CKLEAC meeting.

P. Warren suggested in the interest of time, that Car Idling be discussed at the next CKLEAC meeting.

6.9

Agricultural Board - V. Colling

 

P. Warren suggested this topic relates closely with the Healthy Environment Plan, and again in the interest of time, it be discussed at the next CKLEAC meeting.

6.10

Strategic Planning Meeting - V. Colling

 

V. Colling suggested the need for a Strategic Planning meeting. The focus could be on scaling down topics, focusing on initiatives most importantly the Healthy Environment Plan, and next steps relating to the Plan. P. Warren asked that members send her ideas and initiatives and that she would set the agenda. It was suggested that members read over the Healthy Environment Plan prior to the meeting.  The Strategic Planning Meeting will be held on December 9^th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.

7.

Next Meeting

The next CKLEAC meeting will be Thursday, December 9th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.

8.

Adjournment

• Moved By V. Colling
  Seconded By D. Lowles

  That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting adjourn at 3:38 p.m.

  Carried