Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2024 Page 1 of 5 Minutes/Meeting Summary Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee November 18, 2024 Hybrid - Electronic Meeting Main Committee Room 7:00 pm Attendees: G. MacPherson A. Small K. Stott L. Tidd A. Bathe, Region of Durham I. Dewar, Ontario Power Generation K. Dunlop, Alkame Dragon Boat Services S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association A. Zeeb, Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club J. Kyte, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Karen Coleman, Manager, Fitness, Courts & Aquatics Chantal Whitaker, Manager, Sustainability & Strategic Environmental Initiative Jia Dhatt, Coordinator, Parks Development, Engineering Services Melanie Edmond, Coordinator, Sustainability A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development (Staff Liaison) J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: A. McGean X. Kane, Pickering West Shore Community Association Councillor M. Brenner Councillor M. Nagy Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (Include deadline as appropriate) 1. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment A. Mostert read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved by L. Tidd That the Agenda for the November 18, 2024, Meeting of the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved. Carried Page 2 of 5 3. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 4. Approval of Minutes Moved by G. MacPherson That the Minutes of the April 15, 2024, Meeting of the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 5. Delegations/Presentations 5.1 Community Climate Adaptation Plan M. Edmond, Coordinator, Sustainability, joined the meeting via electronic connection and with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation provided an overview of the Community Climate Adaptation Project. A brief question and answer period ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding: • concerns of flooding at Sandy Beach Road and the possible causes and solutions; • there being noticeably less weed growth in Frenchman’s Bay, and that Zebra Mussels were present; • increasing the tree canopy and the multiple benefits this would contribute to the Climate Adaptation Project; and, • revisiting prior stormwater plans with the lens of climate adaptation. 6. New Business 6.1 Paddle Sport Lease Public Consultation Update K. Coleman, Manager, Fitness, Courts & Aquatics, joined the meeting via electronic connection and, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided a brief summary of the Paddle Sports Proposal Survey Response Report. K. Coleman summarized the next steps, upon approval of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). A brief question and answer period ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding: • clarification of how the location of the shipping container was chosen; • concerns of the environmental impact of locating a shipping container for storage at the Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park; Page 3 of 5 • clarification that the shipping container was a temporary structure and would be removed from Rotary Frenchman’s Bay once the rental season was over; • reconsidering the East Bay as an option given the greater foot traffic and there being broader economic benefits of where there were multiple local businesses to support; • concerns of parking challenges and ensuring toilet facilities were available; • concerns of providing safety measures; and, • the committee receiving a copy of a location analysis report to support the location choice, including physical attributes, biological attributes, and cultural attributes of the chosen site. A. Mostert to follow up with the Parks Manager regarding a location analysis report. 6.2 Tree Planting and other landscape attraction zones on the waterfront A. Mostert noted that A. McGean was unable to attend the WVAC Meeting. A. Mostert provided that the main points of A. McGean’s presentation were to include a request that the waterfront be allotted a portion of the City’s tree planting budget to strategically plant new vegetation for maximum impact. Discussion among Committee Members ensued regarding: • ensuring planting would not include invasive species and focus on regionally appropriate planting; • considering butterfly parkland landscaping; • seeking recommendations from TRCA assessments and recommendations for locations for planting; • seeking Federal funding for significant planting in the watershed; • factors such as planting trees to improve water quality and avoiding paving where possible; and, • enlisting student volunteers to assist with weeding and planting. 6.3 Pickering Rouge Canoe Club representation on the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee K. Stott provided a brief history of the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club and noted that they were a community-based non-profit organization. K. Stott solicited committee members to consider adding the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club to the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee (WVAC) and noted they had 30 years of experience with Frenchman’s Bay and could provide valuable contributions to the WVAC. A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members regarding adding the Canoe Club to the WVAC considering a voting membership and a non-voting membership. Page 4 of 5 Committee Members resolved to invite the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club to Delegate at a future WVAC meeting. 6.4 Beachfront Park Master Plan Implementation (phase 1) and Alex Robertson Park Parking Lot, project update J. Dhatt, Coordinator, Parks Development, Engineering Services appeared before the Committee and with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided an update on the Beachfront Park Master Plan Implementation (Phase 1) and Alex Roberson Park Parking Lot projects. A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding: • repurposing the three trees that were required to be taken down; • mitigating erosion by breaking waves before they hit the shoreline; and, • that the estimated finish date was summer 2025. 6.5 Shoreline Coastal Assessment Study – West Shore Boulevard to Marksbury Road, project update A. Mostert provided a brief update on the Shoreline Coastal Assessment Study and will continue to provide the Committee with information as it becomes available. 6.6 Review of 2025 Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee meeting Schedule Moved by A. Zeeb That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee 2025 Meeting Schedule be approved as presented. Carried 7. Other Business A. Zeeb enquired about the status of the sale of Frenchman’s Bay and the role of the City. A. Mostert to reach out to staff and provide an update. 8. Next Meeting March 17, 2025 8. Adjournment Page 5 of 5 Moved by S. Stanleigh That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting Adjourned: 9:05 pm