The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

CKLEAC2020-003
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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.

1.
Call to Order
 

P. Warren called the meeting to order at 2:37 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.

Emma Northey attended the meeting as a guest.

2.
Administrative Business
 

2.1
Adoption of Agenda
 

  • Moved ByV. Colling
    Seconded ByCouncillor Richardson

    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 ByJ. Morris
    Seconded ByV. Colling

    That the minutes of the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting held on October 22, 2020, be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

3.
Deputations/Presentations
 

There were not deputations or presentations.

4.
Correspondence
 

5.
Action Item Updates
 

5.1
CKLEAC Work Plan Updates by Project Team Leaders
 

 

Plastics Reduction

D. Pearson reports the Plastics Reduction initiative will remain on the agenda, but it remains on hold for the time being due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.

Pollinator Action Committee

Bee A Hero awards were presented at Committee of the Whole on November 3rd, 2020.  The presentation went well, received very positive feedback, and served as an excellent engagement tool. 

Active Transportation

J. Morris reviewed the goals set for 2021:

  • providing support to C. Marshall in carrying out the Active Transportation Master Plan
  • providing input and encouraging the incorporation of Active Transportation friendly features in planning applications for new developments
  • a challenge or competition to raise awareness and promote Active Transportation – for example a car-less competition to encourage walking or cycling rather than driving for short distances
  • moving forward with work on Queen’s Square cycling infrastructure
  • developing a bike share program for Lindsay

6.
New or Other Business
 

6.1
Pollinator Uses in Solar Farms - B. Snider
 

B. Snider provided a summary of the research he has conducted, and outlined some of the benefits of sheep grazing on solar farms. B. Snider was in contact with a solar grazing association in the United States, as well as with a farmer from the Ottawa area. Locally, B. Snider reports there are seven solar farms, and he will visit one next week for further research.

 

6.2
Farming Practices - B. Snider
 

B. Snider will investigate further and report his findings at the next meeting.

Councillor Richardson will reach out to Kawartha Conservation and also report her findings that the next meeting.

6.3
Environmental Hero - D. Pearson
 

Committee will meet on December 10th, 2020 to further discuss the Environmental Hero Awards, and the winners will be presented at the Committee of the Whole meeting in January 2021.

Moved By D. Pearson

Seconded By J. Morris

That CKLEAC will acknowledge the Environmental Heroes at the Committee of the Whole meeting in January 2021.

                                                                                                                                         Carried.

6.4
Canopy Project - J. Morris
 

J. Morris and J. Feltham are working together to move forward on the project.

Councillor Richardson will forward information from Ganaraska Conservation regarding the Trees for Rural Roads program to CKLEAC members.

6.5
Healthy Environment Plan - D. Pearson
 

D. Pearson voiced concerns regarding whether the City is on track with the implementation of the Healthy Environment Plan, and how the progress was being monitored. Councillor Richardson assured the Committee that the Plan was still on the radar, but slowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Councillor Richardson will further investigate the progress and report back to Committee.

6.6
Bill 229 Schedule 6 - V. Colling
 

V. Collings expressed grave concerns about the proposed changes to the role of our Conservation Authorities contained in Schedule 6 of the budget bill.

Councillor Richardson reported that this would be the main topic for the upcoming Otonabee Conservation Authority and Ganaraska Conservation Authority meetings.  Councillor Richardson will attend the meetings and report back to the Committee.

V. Collings suggested members contact their MPP and voice their concerns.

P. Warren will contact Kawartha Conservation and report back to the Committee.

7.
Next Meeting
 

Proposed meeting dates for 2021:

  • January 28, 2021
  • March 25, 2021
  • May 27, 2021
  • Sepember 23, 2021
  • October 28 , 2021
  • November 25 , 2021

The next meeting will be Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom.

8.
Adjournment
 

  • Moved ByD. Lowles
    Seconded ByB. Snider

    That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting adjourn at 4:10 p.m.

    Carried
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