HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 16, 2025 Page 1 of 5
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee
June 16, 2025
Hybrid - Electronic Meeting Main Committee Room 7:00 pm
Attendees: G. MacPherson
A. McGean A. Small K. Stott L. Tidd
I. Dewar, Ontario Power Generation
K. Dunlop, Alkame Dragon Boat Services X. Kane, Pickering West Shore Community Association J. Kyte, Toronto Region and Conservation Authority S. Stanleigh, Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association
A. Zeeb, Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club Councillor M. Brenner Councillor M. Nagy Jia Dhatt, Coordinator, Parks Development, Engineering Services
A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development (Staff Liaison)
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: A. Bathe, Region of Durham
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 G. MacPherson
That the Agenda for the June 16, 2025, Meeting of the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
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4. Approval of Minutes
Moved by G. MacPherson
That the Minutes of the March 17, 2025, Meeting of the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
5. Delegations/Presentations
5.1 Waterfront Safety Presentation
C. Thompson, Commodore, PARA Marine Search & Rescue (PMSAR)
With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, C. Thompson, Commodore, PARA Marine Search & Rescue (PMSAR) appeared before the Committee and provided a brief
overview of their 58+ years of service, briefly discussed
their strategic plan, their training programs, and rescue services.
C. Thompson noted that PMSAR was a non-profit organization and briefly noted methods employed to
maintain financial sustainability. He noted their mission to
fund a new search and rescue vessel as a current priority.
C. Thompson highlighted discussion points specifically relevant to the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee including:
• PARA Marine SAR future home base and vessel(s)
• Past discussions in 2019 following drownings
• Response: Pickering Fire and Coast Guard
• Year-round access and use
• Safety equipment and signage on beaches
• PFD loaner programs (children focused)
• What are other similar organizations / areas doing
Discussion between Committee Members and C. Thompson ensued regarding:
• whether the safety equipment provided at the beaches were monitored and whether the newly renovated areas would be equipped;
• how the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee could support PMSAR;
• providing visibility and awareness through PMSAR presence at organized community events;
• how the WVAC could aid PMSAR in raising funds for the replacement search and rescue vessel;
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• whether the WVAC could provide a letter stating that the Committee supports Council seeking federal funding for
PMSAR to replace their seek and rescue vessel; and,
• additional signage to identify PMSAR information and messaging regarding safety provided in simplified, plain language.
Moved by G. MacPherson That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee requests that Council seek Federal funding for a replacement vessel for PARA Marine Search and Rescue and endorses a letter of support for
Council to seek federal funding. Carried
6. New Business
6.1 Follow-up discussion on Council presentation of May 26, 2025 for Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee 2025 work plan priority items
S. Stanleigh advised that the presentation brought to Council was well received and solicited Committee Members to identify the highest-ranking priority of the Waterfront Visionary Advisory
Committee’s five listed priorities that were brought to Council in the 2025 Work Plan.
Committee Members noted that the health of the Bay and waterfront safety would be an essential precursor to addressing and fulfilling each of the other priorities. Members also
requested research and information provided by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) regarding the health of the Bay.
Discussion among committee members ensued regarding who was responsible for the three sailboats that were abandoned in
the Bay.
Moved by S. Stanleigh Seconded by L. Tidd
That the Waterfront Visionary Advisory Committee identifies the top two priorities of the Committee as;
1. Health of the Bay; and, 2. Waterfront Safety.
Carried
6.2 Waterfront Tree Canopy and Landscape Attraction Zones
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With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, L. Tidd and A. McGean provided a brief summary of three working goals and action plans to bring forward regarding tree canopy and
vegetation including:
• reviewing ongoing projects with the intention of identifying vegetation needs;
• identifying needs or gaps in the tree canopy on “Gateway
Routes”; and,
• promoting Pickering’s waterfront through developing special projects and attractions through the lens of trees
and vegetation.
A. McGean shared images to provided concept images.
Discussion among Committee Members ensued regarding:
• highlighting existing attractions such as the butterfly
gardens in Cliffview Park and Rotary Frenchman’s Bay
West Park;
• seeking community volunteers to help maintain public gardens; and,
• identifying and filling the gaps in tree lined boulevards.
6.3 Frenchman’s Bay Water Quality Issues G. MacPherson provided a brief overview of discussions with A. Mostert and City staff regarding the Request for Proposal for the City’s Frenchman’s Bay Watersheds Stormwater Management Master Plan Update and noted the project scope was
comprehensive and would be foundational and provide many
benefits.
G. MacPherson identified the ongoing need to address the weeds in the Bay and noted that there were still small pockets of soluble reactive phosphorus that needed to be addressed.
G. MacPherson requested access to TRCA reports showing
action and analysis information, as well as ideas for solutions and suggestions for habitat restoration.
J. Kyte provided there would be support in future initiatives and suggested a collective approach. She noted that four key areas
had been identified to improve water quality conditions and that
TRCA staff would be open to coordinating a meeting to address and facilitate discussions regarding next best steps for improving water quality conditions.
6.4 Beachfront Park Revitalization (phase 1) project update
With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, A. Mostert provided a
project update on the Beachfront Park Revitalization,
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demonstrating the progress on construction since the previous WVAC meeting. A. Mostert highlighted the final art images for the boardwalk railing panels; five Indigenous Artists were
commissioned to create the artwork for four panels each.
6.5 Shoreline Assessment Study, West Shore Boulevard to Marksbury Road – project update
With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, A. Mostert provided a project update on the Shoreline Assessment Study. He provided a brief overview of the GHD Study Results of the Erosion Hazard Limits.
Discussion between Committee Members ensued regarding:
• concern that the design maintain as much of the natural environment as possible;
• erosion risk management being a priority; and,
• the Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association donating funds to support community engagement in the form of an informational signage board.
7. Other Business
K. Stott noted that one of five access points to Alderwood Park
was closed to the public and requested that all access points be re-opened to the public.
A. McGean noted concern regarding unsafe conditions for pedestrians on Sandy Beach Road. It was provided that OPG
was refurbishing the road with a sidewalk with a one-year
timeline.
A. Mostert to
provide updates from operational staff.
8. Next Meeting
June 16, 2025
8. Adjournment
Moved by G. MacPherson
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:12 pm