HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 18, 2024
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee
March 18, 2024
Hybrid - Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: G. MacPherson
A. McGean
A. Small
K. Stott
L. Tidd
A. Bathe, Region of Durham
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
C. Mugo, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor M. Nagy
J. Joyce, The MBTW Group
K. Coleman, Manager, Fitness, Courts & Aquatics, Community Services
Department
A. St. Aubin, Senior Manager, Corporate Relations & Projects, Pickering Nuclear
R. Holborn, Director, Engineering Services
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: N. Bryan, Ontario Power Generation
X. Kane, Pickering West Shore Community Association
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1. Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
A. Mostert read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
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Moved by L. Tidd
That the Agenda for the March 18, 2024, Meeting of the Waterfront
Visionary Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Approval of Minutes
Moved by A. Zeeb
That the Minutes of the November 20, 2023, Meeting of the
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
5. Delegations/Presentations
5.1 Beachfront Park Revitalization – Jana Joyce, the MBTW
Group
J. Joyce provided an update on the Beachfront Park Revitalization
project and noted that Phase One includes the Waterfront Trail
Reconstruction and Phase Two includes West Beach Area &
Millennium Square. Phase One design drawings are currently
underway, construction is anticipated in 2024-2025 and Phase Two
construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.
J. Joyce provided a response to the seven key comments that
were raised by the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee at the
Beachfront Park Revitalization presentation given at the November
2023 WVAC committee meeting.
Discussion with the Committee members ensued regarding:
• appropriate disposal units for fishing lines and lures;
• educational signage in reference to environmental significance
of area;
• use of signage for storytelling of indigenous history;
• the benefits of using PermaTrak for boardwalk material;
• the consideration of safety and the placement of rescue
equipment along the trail;
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• placement of location markers to identify in the case of
emergencies; and,
• the elevation level of the boardwalk, accounting for the effect of
wave uprush and various weather events. TRCA had requested
that the boardwalk elevation be raised another 0.6m, which
would pose a problem for beach accessibility
5.2 Paddlesport Lease request
K. Colman gave an overview of the considerations given to
selecting a viable location for Waterfront Paddle Sports locations. It
was noted that staff would recommend Rotary Frenchman’s Bay
West Park as the most suitable site to lease for a Waterfront
Paddle Sports location.
Discussion with the Committee Members ensued regarding:
• whether there would be additional washrooms set up closer to
the site;
• that the intent of the City is to find a qualified vendor to run the
Paddlesports rentals through a Request for Proposal (RFP);
• ensuring the safety of the public;
• whether any funds are designated to go back into the
maintenance of the Bay;
• requiring coordination with the other recreational watersports,
such as the Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club and Alkame Dragon
Boat Services, already utilizing the Bay;
• that any structures required for the operation of the
Paddlesports be temporary;
• that all concerns and necessary stipulations to run the
Paddlesports would be added to the conditions of the contract;
• consultation and considerations are still occurring, and the
Paddlesport lease is projected for 2025.
• requiring a fully developed safety plan in place;
• recommending paddling season should begin no earlier than
May 1 and no later than the end of September, and that cold
water training should be required;
• the increased volume of business would require additional
portable washrooms;
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• there being power available; and,
• the impact of noise on the community.
5.3 Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Update
A. St. Aubin made a presentation to the Committee providing an
overview of the planned refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear
Generating Station. A. St. Aubin noted the growing demand for
energy sources and that the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
could contribute to meeting the increasing needs for electricity and
that refurbishment is scheduled to begin in 2028. A. St. Aubin
highlighted Pickering Nuclear’s commitment to community
engagement.
Discussion with Committee Members ensued regarding:
• the possibility of beautifying the appearance of the Nuclear
Station and incorporating artwork representative of the City of
Pickering;
• upgrading the intake structure at the plant during the
refurbishment to mitigate fish impingement; and,
• inviting the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) environment team
to speak to initiatives being taken by Pickering Nuclear.
6. New Business
6.1 Petticoat Creek Conservation Park
R. Holborn provided members information pertaining to the
discussions the City of Pickering has been having with Toronto and
Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) that had started in April
2023, regarding the acquisition of Petticoat Creek Conservation
Park. R. Holborn noted the significant financial investments that
would be associated with operating the Park, incorporating more
community use, and the subsequent work that would be required.
By Council Resolution #379/24, staff will continue discussion with
TRCA and report back to Council by Q4, 2024.
Discussion with Committee Members ensued regarding:
• holding a special meeting for discussion of the acquisition of
Petticoat Creek Conservation Area, inviting essential
stakeholders, TRCA and consultants KPMG.
6.2 Tree Planting and other landscape attraction zones on the
waterfront – A. McGean – to next meeting -
Agenda topic deferred to June Agenda.
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6.3 Waterfront Trail connection from West Shore Boulevard to
Marksbury Road – project update
A. Mostert provided an update of the project.The City and TRCA
have initiated discussions regarding the shoreline hazard studies
that would be required between West Shore Boulevard and
Marksbury Road to permit the construction of the trail through this
area. The studies and concept design would proceed in 2024 and
detailed design and construction may proceed in 2025 pending
budget approval. One building lot may be severed off at the north
side, facing West Shore Boulevard.
6.4 Waterfront Trail Reconstruction from Bruce Handscomb
Park to Elvira Court – project update
A. Mostert provided an update of the project, showing the progress
of construction of the trail with a slide deck, noting it is still
projected to open prior to summer.
Discussion with Committee Members ensued regarding:
• the importance of the completion before the Dragon Boat festival
for safety concerns.
6.5 Sandy Beach Road reconstruction – project update
R. Holborn provided an overview of the Sandy Beach Road
reconstruction project, located between Bayly Street and
Montgomery Park Road and noted that design is 90% finalized and
that the City will be applying for the TRCA permit this year.
In consideration of the Elexicon work, the land acquisition, the
design completion, and the TRCA permits and approvals, a tender
is projected to come out by the end of 2024. Construction may
begin in spring of 2025 and take approximately eight months.
Discussion with Committee Members ensued regarding:
• the new design mitigating any opportunity for trucks to use the
shoulder area as a layby;
• the new design providing for more efficient flow, but that there
will not be additional lanes; and,
• if the Durham Region Transit will alter routes.
6.6 Frenchman’s Bay, Water Quality And Weed Control – Staff
Update
A. Mostert provided an update regarding the Parks and Operations
budget which accounts for one cut in early July for the purpose of
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weed control. He noted that this is less than previous years, which
included two cuts per year.
Discussion with Committee Members ensued regarding:
• that this year may be a higher growing year for weeds in the bay
due to current environmental conditions, (i.e., low water level
and high temperatures);
• concerns that operations in the Bay area may be disrupted due
to excessive weeds;
• looking into alternative methods of weed control;
• the role of the Pickering Harbour Company in maintenance of
the Bay; and,
• that the City retained the service of TRCA to monitor water
quality.
Moved by K. Dunlop
That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee request that
Council reconsider the funding of a second cut of weeds in
Frenchman’s Bay.
Carried
6.7 Waterfront parking and shuttle bus service plans
A. Mostert provided information regarding the shuttle bus service
and that staff have been in discussions with DRT about a proposed
bus schedule.
6.8 Annual Report to Council
A. Mostert invited Committee Members to assist with presenting
the 2024 Annual Report to Council.
S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association,
volunteered for the 2024 Annual Report presentation at the May
27, 2024, Council Meeting.
A. Mostert will provide the Report to Committee Members via email
for comment.
7. Other Business
Councillor M. Nagy raised concern that the Waterfront Visionary
Advisory Committee meetings run short of time impeding the ability
to have fulsome discussions in a timely manner.
Moved by G. MacPherson
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That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee hold an
additional special meeting on April 15, 2024 at 7pm.
Carried
8. Next Meeting
April 15, 2024
8. Adjournment
Moved by A. McGean
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:33 pm