Full Authority Minutes March 18, 2015

Transcription

1 Full Authority Minutes March 18, 2015 A meeting of the Full Authority of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the Administration Centre. Members Present: Ian Chard Bill Mackie Marcel Meyer Staff Present: Joe Gordon Betsy McClure Kathleen Sebestyen Scott Elizabeth VanHooren Southwold Township City of St. Thomas City of London Central Elgin Thames Centre Malahide Township City of St. Thomas City of London Middlesex Centre City of London Director of Operations Stewardship Program Supervisor Financial Services Supervisor General Manager/Secretary Treasurer 1. Introductions & Declarations of Pecuniary Interest The Chair called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. The February 6, 2014 meeting was cancelled due to the lack of quorum resulting in a heavy March agenda. 2. Minutes of Meeting FA24/2015 That the minutes of the January 21, 2015 Full Authority meeting be approved as circulated. Page 2 of 103

2 FA25/2015 Marcel Meyer That the minutes of the February 18, 2015 Annual General Meeting be approved as circulated. 5. Matters Arising a) January/February/March Media Coverage b) March Project Tracking Staff were pleased to report that a contract was secured with Ontario Power Generation for tree planting services for $75,000 per year for the next three years. The contract is a partnership with Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. There was significant discussion on a recent article in the London Free Press that reported on the demolition of a house outside of Delaware on the banks of the Thames River. The house is being demolished as erosion had claimed the house s rear yard. Staff pointed out that the house in question was built before conservation authorities hazard regulations were in place. And, while conservation authorities can restrict new development in hazard prone areas there is currently a policy gap preventing conservation authorities or even municipal building officials from warning property owners to vacate or move existing dwellings that are now jeopardized by cliff erosion. Members hoped that recommendations within the Updated Shoreline Management Plan would help formalize a process to address this policy gap. Staff also noted the passing of Mr. Patrick Unger on Monday, March 16, Mr. Unger served as chairman of the Board from He was remembered by many members as a strong leader who had guided the authority through a difficult time of financial constraint. Members directed staff to send condolences on their behalf to the family. A tree will be planted in Mr. Unger s memory in the Community Forest this fall. FA26/2015 That the January/February/March Media Coverage and March Project Tracking be received as information. c) Watershed Conditions Report Ms. VanHooren reported that despite another cold winter with a good snow pack the spring melt was beginning in a controlled fashion with no major concerns. Full Authority Meeting Minutes March 18, 2015 Page 2 of 7 Page 3 of 103

3 FA27/2015 That the Watershed Conditions Report for March be accepted. d) 2015 Nominating Committee Report. Provided for the information of members. e) 2015 Board of Directors Contact List Provided for the information of members. f) Audit Finding Letter The audit identified no significant matters. FA28/2015 That the audit finding letter dated February 4, 2015 be accepted. g) Pilkington Drain Update Spriet Associates London Ltd. presented proposed engineering options to repair the damaged Pilkington Drain and outlet at an informal meeting on February 25, The proposed improvements would result in KCCA being assessed for a total of $3,658. The affected landowners are still questioning the proposed repairs to the Pilkington Drain Extension. Work will likely not commence until an engineered plan for all the proposed work is in place. FA29/2015 That the staff report on the Pilkington Drain be accepted. h) Dog Lover s Days Staff had previously sought the Board s permission for KCCA to act as a host to the Dog Lover s Days event at Dan Patterson in cooperation with the St. Thomas Dog Owners Association. After further discussions with the organizers of the event, staff felt that due to tight time restrictions that it was not appropriate for KCCA to host the event in However, KCCA is still renting the Full Authority Meeting Minutes March 18, 2015 Page 3 of 7 Page 4 of 103

4 lands to the St. Thomas Dog Owners Association to run the event at Dan Patterson July under a contract similar to that which is in place with the Kettle Valley Pioneers for the Elgin Historical Show. 6. Correspondence That the correspondence be received as forwarded. 7. Statement of Expenditure and Revenues FA30/2015 That the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the period ending March 18, 2015 be approved as submitted. 8. New Business a) SpellBound 2015 The Kettle Creek Environmental Trust is organizing their first ever fundraiser. It will take place April 25, 2015 and is a team oriented adult spelling bee. Members were asked to show their support of the event by sponsoring a team. Members interested in being part of the team should advise Elizabeth as soon as possible. FA31/2015 That KCCA register a team for the Kettle Creek Environmental Trust s fundraiser SpellBound 2015 at a cost of $300. b) 2015 WECI Applications Ms. VanHooren briefed members on two applications that staff had submitted to the Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure Program for The first was solely a KCCA project for vegetation removal and erosion repairs to Union Dam. Total project costs for the Union Dam project are $21,350 with $10,675 being funded by WECI. The second application is in cooperation with the Township of Southwold for repairs to the Southwold Retaining Wall gabion wall replacement. The total project cost for this application is $185,000 of which $92,500 could be funded through WECI. Full Authority Meeting Minutes March 18, 2015 Page 4 of 7 Page 5 of 103

5 FA32/2015 That the Board support a 2015 WECI application for vegetation removal and erosion repair work to the Union Dam. FA33/2015 Ian Chard That the Board support a 2015 WECI application for the replacement of the gabion wall with a new concrete block wall at Southwold Retaining Wall. c) Smoke Free Ontario FA34/2015 That staff be directed to apply smoke free areas at all KCCAs playgrounds, swimming pools, beaches, and public spaces within 20 metres of these facilities, as required by the Smoke Free Ontario Act. d) Seasonal Employment Interview Protocol The proposed Seasonal Employment Interview Protocol was first introduced in 2014 as a pilot program. Staff are pleased with the protocol and asked the Board to endorse it as a permanent policy. FA35/2015 That the Criminal Record Check Policy be adopted as amended. e) Additional Mower Equipment Purchase The 2015 capital budget included the allocation of $13,000 for the replacement of a zero turn mower. By securing a 2014 model staff are under budget on this purchase by roughly $2,800. Staff would like to use these cost savings to purchase a bagger system. The total cost of the lawnmower and bagger system is $14,750. Full Authority Meeting Minutes March 18, 2015 Page 5 of 7 Page 6 of 103

6 FA36/2015 That staff proceed to purchase the zero turn lawnmower and bagger system for $14,750. f) Dalewood Drive Bridge Environmental Assessment Commencement KCCA received notice that the City of St. Thomas will be proceeding with an Environmental Assessment of the Dalewood Drive Bridge. The attached letter from staff dated February 20, 2015 outlines preliminary comments from KCCA as a commenting agency and as a concerned landowner. As a commenting agency KCCA has advised that permits from KCCA may be required. In addition, KCCA has advised that the operation of the Dalewood Dam does impact the Dalewood Drive Bridge. In fact, in 2009 and 2011 the Dalewood Bridge had to be closed as a result of storm events. As a concerned landowner KCCA has advised the City that Dalewood Drive is a major access road for the Dalewood campground. Any short or long term impacts to the Dalewood Bridge may cause significant financial hardship to the campground, which constitutes a considerable portion of KCCAs self generated revenue. KCCA staff will continue to monitor the progress on this file. g) Section 28 Permit Activity Report FA37/2015 That the KCCA Board of Directors acknowledges and concurs with the January to March 2015 Section 28 Permits Report and Activity Summary. In Camera Meeting The In Camera meeting began at 11:25 p.m. FA38/2015 That the Full Authority move to In Camera session to discuss Legal, Personnel or Property matters. Full Authority Meeting Minutes March 18, 2015 Page 6 of 7 Page 7 of 103

7 FA39/2015 That the Full Authority revert to Open Session and Report. The Open Session resumed at 11:57 p.m. FA40/2015 That the minutes of the In Camera meeting of the Full Authority of January 21, 2015 be approved as circulated. The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. Elizabeth VanHooren General Manager/Secretary Treasurer Full Authority Meeting Minutes March 18, 2015 Page 7 of 7 Page 8 of 103