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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPAC Minutes July 9 2014 Page 1 of 4 Minutes/Meeting Summary Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee Wednesday, July 9, 2014 11:30 am Main Committee Room Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair, City Councillor, Ward 2 Peter Rodrigues, Regional Councillor, Ward 3 Tom Melymuk, Director, City Development Grant McGregor, Manager, Sustainability & Economic Development Gilbert Boehm, Supervisor, Energy Management Chantal Whitaker, Coordinator, Sustainability Sanwal Gilani, Coop Student Jean Finn, Clerk, Support Services (Recording Secretary) Absent: David Pickles, Vice-Chair, City Councillor, Ward 3 Michelle Pearce, Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs Jessica Macina, Administrative Assistant l Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Introduction of Sanwal Giliani Councillor Dickerson Councillor Dickerson called the meeting to order at 11:35 am. Councillor Dickerson welcomed Sanwal Gilani, Sustainability Coop Student from Dunbarton High School. 2. Review the draft concept drawing for the Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhood Community Enhancement Project Chantal W. C. Whitaker distributed two draft concept drawings to Committee members for the Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods program infrastructure project at Ernie L. Stroud Park. Components of the project were chosen based on the results of the resident survey that Dunbarton students conducted, interests of the Dunbarton High School Environmental Council and City staff comments with regard to feasibility. Page 2 of 4 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) There are four main project components. 1. Drought tolerant educational garden. C. Whitaker distributed a handout that listed and showed a picture of the perennial species being considered for planting. C. Whitaker explained that these may change slightly based on feedback from A. Mostert. The garden will be planted in a landscaped, tailored manner. A foot path will encourage people to walk through the garden and signage will identify the species so that people can consider incorporating them in their own garden. The site will need to be prepped for this type of garden. The long term maintenance of the site needs to be finalized. The students will be able to assist during the school year. M. Pearce is going to contact the Adopt a Park partner and Environmental Stewardship Pickering about assisting with maintenance during the summer. Councillor Dickerson commented that each plaque within the site should recognize Dunbarton High School Environmental Council and that only the common name of the species be used. He also commented that black matting be used below the mulch to reduce weeds. He commented that the existing junipers could be removed to tidy up the space. Councillor Rodrigues added that the plaque should also identify the year. He asked that the blooming period be considered so that there is always something in bloom and that adequate mulch be used. 2. Additional seating space will be added. There are currently only two benches in the whole park and they are in the sun right beside the playground structure. Dunbarton High School’s September woodworking class will construct at least two benches. A third bench will be carved out of a fallen ash tree. The ash tree bench will serve as seating, educational (about invasive species) and visual interest. Councillor Dickerson asked staff to look into using a concrete strip instead of a full pad to secure the benches. 3. Riparian planting. Additional planting will be done in the wet area of the stormwater management pond to improve habitat function for the species using the site including pollinators. Mowing will be slightly reduced on the flat area of the stormwater management pond. 4. Tree planting. The ash trees along the south fence by Kingston Road will be taken down this summer. These will be replaced by four different tree species. C. Whitaker commented that the number of trees planted may be altered based on budget. C. Whitaker to look at the signage used at the Bicentennial Garden at Finch and Rosebank as well at the drought tolerant garden in Progress Frenchman’s Bay East Park. Page 3 of 4 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Councillor Rodrigues asked about tree size. C. Whitaker responded that final determination hasn’t been made but that she’ll be able to provide that information once the draft budget for each project component is finalized. Discussion ensued about ensuring the main focus of recognition is on Dunbarton High School. A celebration event will take place in the fall of 2014 at the site once the projects have been completed. Contributors will be invited. Councillor Dickerson asked about having a sign that lists the contributors. T. Melymuk commented that the other Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhood groups should be advised about the enhancement project and invited to the event. He continued that plaques should also reference that this project was done as part of the Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods program. Sanwal Gilani, Sustainability Coop student is preparing a letter to be jointly issued from Dunbarton High School and the City to the residents surrounding the park to inform about the project. Councillor Dickerson asked Sanwal to think if there were any specific students or teachers that should be recognized as part of this project. Councillor Dickerson thanked the staff and school for their work on this project. The Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee provided approval for C. Whitaker to continue working with Dunbarton High School, City and TRCA staff on the community enhancement project as described above. As a next step, C. Whitaker to finalize aspects of the project and provide a draft budget to SPAC. 3. Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods Program C. Whitaker C. Whitaker updated the Committee about the 2014 Celebrating Sustainable Neighbourhoods program. To date 10 groups, made up of close to 1000 participants have signed up. The number is expected to grow since the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade EcoBusiness Advisory Committee recently confirmed their desire to sign up. C. Whitaker asked if there were opportunities to promote the program though SPAC member newsletters or website. C. Whitaker provided an update about the activities each of the groups have done to date. C. Whitaker to work with Councillor Dickerson for a submission in the Retail Pages. Page 4 of 4 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Discussion arose about the extent of littering that takes place after some sporting events by the players, parents or guests. C. Whitaker to follow up with M. Pearce about including a monetary clause within sport field use contracts so users leave the field as clean as it was as when they got there. 4. Other Business All Councillor Rodrigues initiated discussion regarding energy audits and associated energy projects. G. Boehm commented that discussions began yesterday (July 8th) with Finance, Operations and C&R staff on the implementation of the Corporate Energy Management Plan’s Technical Actions. This prompted discussion with Councillor Dickerson regarding LED street lighting in south Pickering. T. Melymuk offered to raise the matter at a future Director’s meeting. T. Melymuk to bring LED street lighting discussion to a future Director’s meeting Meeting Adjourned: 1:40 pm Next meeting: August 13, 2014 Copy: City Clerk