The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

CKLEAC2020-002

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Meeting Commencing at 2:30 PM - Electronic Participation Only

Lindsay Service Centre - 2nd Floor

180 Kent Street West

Lindsay, ON K9V 2Y6

Members:

• Councillor Tracy Richardson
• Virginia Colling
• Josh Feltham
• Robyn James
• Douglas Lowles
• Ryan Megraw
• Jamie Morris
• Deborah Pearson
• Karen Quinn
• Barry Snider
• Kristie Virgoe
• 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 2:35 p.m.  V. Colling, J. Feltham D. Lowles, J. Morris, D. Pearson, B. Snider, and Councillor T. Richardson were in attendance.

Staff present were Manager of Planning, R. Holy, and Recording Secretary E. Hallett.

Absent: R. James, R. Megraw, K. Quinn, and K. Virgoe and Director of Development Services C. Marshall.

Beth Wylie attended the meeting as a guest.

2.

Administrative Business

2.1

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved By V. Colling
  Seconded By J. Morris

  That the agenda be adopted as circulated.

  Carried

2.2

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

2.3

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved By D. Pearson
  Seconded By V. Colling

  That the minutes of the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting held on January 23, 2020, be adopted as circulated.

  Carried

3.

Deputations/Presentations

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest noted.

4.

Correspondence

5.

Action Item Updates

5.1

CKLEAC Work Plan Updates by Project Team Leaders

Plastics Reduction

D.Pearson reported that Government Legislation regarding plastics reduction will be coming into effect in the near future. D. Pearson recommended we keep our Plastic Reduction plans and initiatives on our Agenda, but wait and then move forward in line with the government legislations when they come into effect.

Pollinator Action Committee

P. Warren advised that a presentation would be made at the November 3^rd Committee of the Whole meeting to congratulate the winners of the Bee a Hero Award. Certificates and gift cards would be awarded to the seven winners.

Active Transportation

J. Morris reported that there has been a large influx of people using Active Transportation during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Use of the Rail Trail has substantially increased, and local retailers report large increases in bicycle sales.

Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Active Transportation Master Plan has been temporarily put on hold.  Efforts are being made to get the Plan moving forward again shortly and hopefully the Old Mill Park project installations will proceed in the spring, and further steps taken toward the Queen’s Square project.

Discussion of the Ibrans development in the north end of Lindsay ensued. It was agreed that a CKLEAC member should attend the meeting as a representative of the committee.  The following motion was adopted by CKLEAC:

Moved By V. Colling

Seconded By B. Snider

“That, J.Morris make a deputation to attend the upcoming Planning Advisory Committee meeting to bring forward concerns and encourage Active Transportation options regarding the Ibrans Development in the north end of Lindsay on behalf of CKLEAC.”

                                                                                                                                                                                               Carried

5.2

Discussion of Project Workplans for 2021

2021 Work Plans

R.Holy will send out a template for 2020/2021projects to members. Please complete and return to R. Holy prior to Christmas.

New Initiatives:

Solar Farms

B.Snider voiced concerns regarding solar farms and their impact on land in the area. B. Snider, V. Collings, D. Pearson and P. Warren will form a committee to look further into the issues and best practice set of conditions to consider in terms of solar farms.

 

Farming Practices

B.Snider expressed interest in the amount of wetlands being lost, and the environmental impacts of the loss. Issues such as agricultural consolidation, loss of hedgerows, soil care, massive tile drains and hydrology were brought forward. The tree cutting by-law was discussed and R. Holy and T. Richardson assured members the by-law is still progressing forward.

5.3

Resolution for Prize money on Bee Hero Awards

Since there were no Environmental Hero Awards presented this year, CKLEAC decided to honour members of the community that have developed pollinator friendly gardens.  CKLEAC wanted to recognize these efforts and adopted by CKLEAC:

• Moved By D. Pearson
  Seconded By V. Colling

  That CKLEAC release funds in the amount of $350 for the purchase of gift certificates for the seven winners of the Bee a Hero competition.

  Carried

5.4

Bee City reapplication process and Resolution

• Moved By J. Morris
  Seconded By Councillor Richardson

  That CKLEAC release funds for the renewal of the Bee City membership.

  Carried

6.

New or Other Business

6.1

Bee a Hero - P. Warren

This topic was covered earlier in the meeting.

6.2

Short Term Rentals - D. Lowles

D. Lowles expressed concern regarding the need for septic system inspections (or re-inspections) on short term rental properties. D. Lowles suggested that often times lakefront properties are rented out to several families at one time. The septic systems are not designed to handle such a large capacity. Recommendations were made that the City have some sort of process in place to ensure the systems remain in good repair. T. Richardson will look further into the matter, and discuss further at the next meeting.

6.3

Canopy Project - J. Morris

J.Morris brought forward the Canopy Project which is a Lindsay based initiative to raise money to expand the tree canopy. The first planting is to take place at the Boys and Girls club in October. J. Feltham suggested the College may be able to assist with this project, and will make some enquires. J. Feltham and J. Morris will work together to move forward with the process to collaborate with the college in hopes of having a planting next fall.

6.4

Environmental Hero - D. Pearson

Members debated whether to continue with the existing competition, or to start fresh in the new year. No firm decisions were made, but the existing applications will be reviewed before arriving at a conclusion.

6.5

Healthy Environment Plan and National Climate League - D. Pearson

D.Pearson mentioned the National Climate League and wondered if the City of Kawartha Lakes would participate. Discussion moved to the Energy Stewards Group and the Healthy Environment Plan. T. Richardson agreed to seek an update and will bring the information to the next meeting.

7.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be Thursday, November 19th at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom.

8.

Adjournment

• Moved By V. Colling
  Seconded By D. Pearson

  That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting adjourn at 4:26 p.m.

  Carried