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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 8, 2007 Cil1J 0# Minutes WATERFRONT COORDINATING COMMITTEE March 8, 2007 7:00 pm Tower Room Attendees: Councillor Dickerson Councillor O'Connell Craig Bamford Jim Dike Steve Holt Patricia Korol David Steele David Stone Kevin Tower Doris Chee Absent: Mayor Ryan Linda Roberts Chandra Gocool Also Present: Maurice Brenner 1. Welcome & Introductions An informal introduction by each member to the meeting was made. Doris Chee, City of Pickering staff representative, welcomed all to the meeting and introduced herself as the Staff resource for the Committee and that Linda Roberts is the Committee Coordinator and minutes recorder. Linda was absent due to illness. Copies of the meeting agenda, Council's Resolution for the Waterfront Coordinating Committee, 2007 meeting schedule and current membership list was handed out. The current membership list was passed around for everyone to check their information and to make any necessary corrections. 2. Ap roval of Minutes Minutes from the September 21, 2006 meeting. Some members were not in attendance for the September meeting and therefore did not want to vote on the approving of the minutes. Those that were there voted. Moved by Jim Dike Seconded b Councillor O'Connell Page 1 CORP0228-2/02 Carried 3. Work Plan Doris Chee advised that one of the first tasks for the Committee was to put together a Work Plan. The Plan is to identify projects or concerns the Committee wishes to be involved in and be an advisor to projects that dealt with the City's Waterfront. It was requested for the members to think about projects for the next meeting to compile into a Work Plan. The Plan would be forwarded to Council for approval. Jim Dike stated that because the City's budget has not been approved and therefore it is premature to put a Work Plan together. Councillor Doug Dickerson stated that Parkland Dedication Budget is where Waterfront projects can draw from. Discussion ensued regarding projects that have been identified in the past and what possible funds were available. Jim Dike inquired about the Hydro spill and if the City ever received any compensation. Councillor Dickerson replied that the settlement from Hydro was to offset staff time in completing the cleanup and the balance was for use in the Waterfront. He requested that Doris Chee look into the breakdown of the settlement and report at the next meeting. Doris Chee to report at next meeting. Craig Bamford reported that Fairport Beach has some funding that could be tapped into. Discussion ensued on current and past projects. Some of the projects discussed were: -Waterfront Trail- Park To Marksbury currently underway. -Western Gateway Project - on hold until current discussions with the City of Toronto is complete. -Duffin Water Pollution Control Plant expansion at the east end - staff has been working with the Region and their Consultants on the plans and is know preparing the land transfer and closures of roads. The expansion includes realignment of a short portion of the Waterfront Trail. Approvals of the plans are currently underway. -Waterfront Trail Signage - 3 of the 4 signs have been installed to date. The last sign is to be installed once the Western Gateway is complete as the si n is to be located within the site. Page 2 CORP0228-2/02 Maurice Brenner discussed the Waterfront Regeneration Trust celebration of its 15th Anniversary which will be held in the fall of 2007. The celebration will have a number of activities and includes walking, riding., rollerblading, etc. the Waterfront Trail from the Golden Horseshoe to the border of Quebec. Committee should look at closing gaps along the City's Waterfront Trail before the celebration so that Pickering's Waterfront is complete. Councillor O'Connell suggested that the Committee not use the City's budget to limit project potentials in the Work Plan. She suggested being creative in terms of funding and working towards a framework that is doable in the next 4 years. An overall vision is what the Committee should strive for. Councillor Dickerson, Craig Bamford and David Steele discussed the Waterfront Task Force and the resulting report. The Task Force identified the concept trails (3), First Nations Trail, Peak and Monarch. Monarch Trail was to advance the area of the Frenchman's Bay and its surroundings which included the trail around the Bay and connecting the two spits. David Steele provided a discussion on the Frenchman's Bay Watershed Study. Councillor Dickerson suggested that Marshall Macklin Monaghan, the consultants working on the study, be invited to give a status report. He suggested that this will provide all members with an understanding of the study and be able to include projects in the Work Plan. It was also suggested that the Chair of this Committee write a letter to the MPP Wayne Arthur to update him on the study and projects to elicit funding. Craig Bamford suggested that Marshall Macklin Monaghan should have a PowerPoint presentation available to showcase and mobilize the communit before election. 4. Election of Chair Councillor Dickerson nominated Councillor O'Connell as Chair. Craig Bamford and David Steele were in agreement that the Chair should be a member of Council due to the importance of projects and the interaction involved with Council and politicians. CORP0228-2/02 Doris Chee to have report available to new members before next meeting Doris Chee to setup presentation by Marshall Macklin Monaghan Councillor O'Connell Page 3 It was suggested that Councillor Dickerson be Chair however, Councillor Dickerson declined due to his time commitment with the Seaton Lands. Moved by David Steele Seconded by Jim Dike That Councillor O'Connell be made Chair and Councillor Dickerson be made Vice Chair. Carried Councillor Dickerson brought forward the following motion: Moved by David Steele Seconded by Craig Bamford Maurice Brenner be appointed to the Committee as a voting member due to the fact that Mr. Brenner was the past Chair and knows the history of Committee and its past accomplishments. Carried 5. Other Business University of Toronto Councillors O'Connell and Dickerson were approached by the University regarding a graduate program involving the studying of the Frenchman's Bay. Both Councillors felt it appropriate to bring this program to the Committee for approval. David Steele presented to the Committee a description of the fieldwork to be conducted by Professor Wells and completed by graduate students during the months of June and July of this year. The study will complement the Watershed Study that was discussed earlier. The study will be made available to the City for reference and information. This program and the study will be at no cost to the City. It was also suggested that Council's approval of the program and study is not necessary if the Committee approves of it. Steve Holt asked if there were any 'down side' to the program and study. Page 4 CORP0228-2/02 Councillor O'Connell advised that she and Councillor Dickerson had scrutinized the proposal and asked many questions and found that there are no 'down side' or 'hook' to the proposal. Moved by Jim Dike Seconded by Kevin Tower That the Waterfront Coordinating Committee approve the graduate program and study and that the University of Toronto provide a hard copy of their findings which will be received as information. Carried David Stone asked about the house on the West Spit. Discussion ensued on the history of the house and the current status. Jim Dike inquired if the next Canada Day celebration will be held in the Bay and not in Kinsmen Park. Maurice Brenner indicated he would like to have a barge secured for the celebration in the Bay, which could be used for fireworks. This would provide a safer venue. There would be more parking available and more community involvement. He stated we should encourage the use of trle waterfront. This would open the waterfront for further events and activities. The barge is owned by Steve Richardson who has agreed to donate it for the City's Lise. Kevin Tower stated the Dragon Boats are involved with celebrations. Further discussion ensued on the Frenchman's Bay Festival. Other suggestions made . Mardi Gras theme . Jazz festival on barge . Timing could be changed . Vendors for sponsorship . Fireworks Councillor Dickerson indicated that it may not happen this year as there are further discussions needed with the Festival Committee. Page 5 CORP0228-2/02 II~ Councillor O'Connell indicated that the barge is an ideal location for focal point to be located on the water and open up the waterfront area to accommodate other community events and activities. Events such as jazz festivals, bands and performance on the barge and fireworks in the Bay can be sponsored. Sponsorship of the barge will mean money for the waterfront. Patricia Korol inquired if Vendors were permitted. Councillor Dickerson indicated yes but away from the already existing commercial areas to avoid competition. Councillor O'Connell indicated that she will discuss with Ron Taylor about the expansion to the Duffin Water Pollution Control Plant and set up a meeting with the consultants to examine the plans to ensure they are on track with Committee's vision because with the new Council things may have changed. She will report back to the Committee. 6. Next Meetin Doris Chee indicated that at the next meeting the Work Plan will be discussed. The Terms of Reference for this Committee will also be available next meeting and the terms could be adjusted to suit the Committee's needs. David Stone noted that he will be unable to attend the April, June and October meetings as scheduled. Councillors O'Connell and Dickerson also will not be able to attend the April meeting as scheduled. It was decided that the April 19th meeting be moved to April 26th at the same time. Craig Bamford suggested that other members of the community that have an interest in the Waterfront should be invited to future meetings. Some of these members had representation in previous years: TRCA, OPG, Pickering Harbour Company, Region of Durham (DWPCP), etc. That a bigger meeting room should be used if other Public groups are to join the Committee meetings. It was agreed that invitations should be sent out. The next meeting will be held on April 26th, at 7 pm in the Main Committee Room. CORP0228-2/02 Councillor O'Connell to discuss with R. Taylor and set up meeting. Linda Roberts to confirm date and meeting room. Linda Roberts to send invitation to past represented groups. Page 6 Page 7 CORP0228-2/02