THE CATARAQUI REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

Transcription

1 LEMOINE POINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LPAC) MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY APRIL 28, 2015 CRCA ADMINISTRATION OFFICE BOADROOM Present: Lisa Osanic, Chair Hillar Aitken Suzanne Hamilton Chris Hargreaves Laura Turner, Vice-Chair Staff Present: Steve Knechtel, General Manager/Secretary-Treasurer; Tom Beaubiah, Biologist; Donna Campbell, Administrative Assistant; Krista Fazackerley, Communications Coordinator; Rob Gerritsen, Conservation Lands Coordinator; Rick Knapton, Forestry Technician The meeting commenced at 5:32 P.M. Introductions by Lisa Osanic, Chair of the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee (LPAC) Mrs. Osanic also thanked staff for adding the list of items at the end of the agenda for discussion. 1. Roll Call and Introductions There were six (6) members present. 2. Approval of Agenda Hillar Aitken THAT the agenda be approved as circulated. 3. New Member Orientation (presentation) Using a Power Point Presentation, Rob Gerritsen, Conservation Lands Coordinator, provided a brief orientation session for new members. This provided some background and greater definition about the CRCA (e.g. strategic plan, governance and structure, staffing and budget overview, our relationship with Conservation Ontario and the Foundation). 4. Declarations of Conflict of Interest There were none. 5. Delegations/Presentation There were none.

2 PAGE 2 OF 8 6. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair (note only City Councilors are eligible candidates) Based on the current Terms of Reference, Lisa Osanic was elected to the position of the Chair and Laura Turner to the position of the Vice-Chair of the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee for LPAC THAT Lisa Osanic and Laura Turner be confirmed as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, of the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee for Approval of the October 8, 2014 Minutes (distributed with agenda) Hillar Aiken THAT the minutes of the October 8, 2014 meeting of the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee be approved. 8. Business Arising There was none. 9. Correspondence a. Letter from Harry Cleghorn regarding appointment to the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee, March 18, 2015 (distributed with agenda) A letter from Mr. Harry Cleghorn was received informing us of his resignation from the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee owing to his personal schedule. The Chair informed members that the City of Kingston had advertised for someone to fill this vacant position.

3 PAGE 3 OF 8 LPAC Laura Turner THAT the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority receive, with regrets, the letter of resignation from Harry Cleghorn. 10. Reports a. Proposed Signage Strategy for the Lemoine Point Conservation Area 2015 (Revision to 2015 Capital Projects) (Report IR distributed with agenda) Rick Knapton, Forestry Technician, spoke to his report which was distributed with the agenda which seeks a recommendation with respect to the implementation of a signage strategy. This includes an educational component at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area (LPCA) and involves changes in the 2015 capital projects expenditures approved in He indicated that his report was prepared with input from CRCA communications and lands management staff. Mr. Knapton explained that the capital projects expenditures amount could potentially be reduced if a grant proposal for funding to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is approved. Krista Fazackerley, Communications Coordinator, provided a presentation that outlined the proposed integrated strategy that would include different types of signs with unique purposes and specifications (e.g. directional signs, You are Here maps, point of interest signs, educational signs, and regulatory signs). She advised that the sign colouring would change to allow for greater visibility, and the sign symbology is consistent with other organizations. There was considerable discussion and members expressed their appreciation for the work involved. However, they also expressed concerns related to enforcement issues, most prominently damage from visitors going off trail and dogs being off leash. On the whole, members thought there was room for improvement and liked the concept for signage as an educational and enforcement tool. The Committee also provided input related to accessibility and trail classification (numbering and naming).

4 PAGE 4 OF 8 Mr. Gerritsen announced that a report was being prepared related to enforcement on all conservation areas and would be presented in the future. He noted the report would also discuss concerns expressed about the perceived low level of service provided by the current contractor. LPAC Chris Hargreaves THAT the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority approve the revised 2015 capital project expenditures for 2015, for the Lemoine Point Conservation Area, as outlined in the Forestry Technician s report dated April 22, b. Pilot Project to Control Buckthorn with Herbicides (Report IR distributed with agenda) Rick Knapton, Forestry Technician, spoke to his report which was distributed with the agenda. He noted that this report seeks a recommendation from the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee (LPAC) to the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority s Board (CRCA) with respect to an herbicide trial project to control buckthorn, an invasive species, at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area. He provided some background information and indicated that the expenditures are to be covered under the 2015 or 2016 forestry component of the LPCA s operations budget. There was considerable discussion and members expressed their concern for the effectiveness of the technique proposed by Mr. Knapton based on past attempts to eliminate buckthorn. Mr. Knapton assured members that LPCA will run its own trial process and move forward pending successful results. He also advised that the Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington Health Unit would be kept apprised of this project. The majority of members were in support of this pilot project to control this invasive species.

5 PAGE 5 OF 8 LPAC THAT the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority approve the European Buckthorn Herbicide Trial Pilot Project for the Lemoine Point Conservation Area, as outlined in the Forestry Technician s report dated April 22, c. Deer Management and Monitoring at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area (Report IR distributed with agenda) Tom Beaubiah, Biologist, spoke to his report which was distributed with the agenda. He noted that this report seeks approval to continue monitoring whitetailed deer populations at Lemoine Point Conservation Area (LPCA). His report suggested a correlation between humans providing food to the deer and the prevalence/increase in herd size. This practice of hand feeding has negatively impacted the effectiveness of assessing the herd size through game camera deployment. Mr. Beaubiah highlighted various methods to control the deer population, most notably public education/enforcement through posted signs. Ultimately, continued monitoring is needed at LPCA to yield conclusive results on which to base management decisions. There was some discussion and members agreed to support ongoing monitoring. LPAC Laura Turner Suzanne Hamilton THAT the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority direct staff to continue to monitor the population of white-tailed deer and related impacts at the Lemoine Point Conservation Area, as outlined in the Biologist s report dated April 22, 2015.

6 PAGE 6 OF 8 d. Statement of Expenditures and Revenues to March 2015 (distributed with agenda) Rob Gerritsen, Conservation Lands Coordinator, spoke to members regarding the Statement of Expenditures and Revenue. He advised that on a monthly basis the Statement of Expenditures and Revenues (SER) was generated and shared with the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee at scheduled meetings. He noted that these expenditures were within seasonal norms. LPAC THAT the Statement of Expenditures and Revenues for the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee for the period ending March 31, 2015 be received. e. Minutes of the Friends of Lemoine Point dated September 8, October 6, November 10 and December 8, 2014 and January 5 and February 9, 2015 (distributed with agenda) It was noted that in the future the Minutes of the Friends of Lemoine Point (FLP) will be distributed electronically to the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee upon receipt by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority but are still to be brought forward and received at these meeting. There were no comments or questions on the various minutes. LPAC Laura Turner Chris Hargreaves THAT the Minutes of the Friends of Lemoine Point dated September 8, October 6, November 10 and December 8, 2014 and January 5 and February 9, 2015 be received.

7 PAGE 7 OF Announcements or Inquiries/Information The following items were provided for member s information. (verbal) a) 40 th Anniversary of the Lemoine Point Conservation Area Land Acquisition Rob Gerritsen, Conservation Lands Coordinator, noted that the property was acquired in 1975 in partnership between the then City of Kingston and the Township of Kingston. b) Land Acquisition Rob Gerritsen, Conservation Lands Coordinator, noted that there were no new developments to report at this time. c) Length of appointment for Advisory Committee members Lisa Osanic, Chair, advised that the City of Kingston, which appoints the members of the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee, requested two and four year staggered terms to better transfer knowledge between new and experienced committee members. Members also acknowledged the maximum limit of six consecutive years on the committee. There was some discussion and members concurred that, Suzanne Hamilton and Chris Hargreaves would serve four years and Hillar Aitken, and the vacant position, to be filled by the City of Kingston, would serve two years. This information is to be reported back to the City of Kingston. LPAC Laura Turner THAT, Suzanne Hamilton and Chris Hargreaves be confirmed as members for a four year term and that Hillar Aitken, Jane Murphy and the vacant position be confirmed as members for a two year term on the Lemoine Point Advisory Committee. d) Topics of Interest for Discussion and/or future reporting: i) Bobolink habitat restoration Rick Knapton, Forestry Technician, provided an update on the success of the management plan initiated in October 2012 for Bobolink habitat enhancement at Lemoine Point Conservation Area. He strongly suggested that this strategy continue.

8 PAGE 8 OF 8 ii) Wild parsnip management Tom Beaubiah, Biologist, provided an update on wild parsnip found throughout our properties, specifically at LPCA, and various methods of control (e.g. herbicides, removal and mowing regimes). Mr. Beaubiah concluded that avoiding the plant when encountered is the best defense. iii) Wildlife live release options Lisa Osanic, Chair, recognized that the public and animal control businesses have, on occasion, released wildlife into LPCA. She noted that public education and enforcement signs are necessary to prevent this practice. iv) Tree planting Lisa Osanic, Chair, announced that there is a spring tree planting event at LPCA on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 9:00-11:00 A.M. Mr. Knapton noted there would also be a planting event in the fall. v) Enforcement of regulations Lisa Osanic, Chair, advised that as indicated earlier in the meeting, CRCA staff are drafting a report related to enforcement on all conservation areas, to be presented in the fall. 12. Location, Date and Time of Next Meeting It was noted that the next meeting will be held in September Agenda topics will include a tour of Lemoine Point Conservation Area and 2016 Budget. 13. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:09 P.M. on a motion by Laura Turner, seconded by. Steve Knechtel General Manager/Secretary- Treasurer Lisa Osanic Chair