LONG POINT REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
FULL AUTHORITY – MINUTES
DECEMBER 5th, 2007
(as approved at the Full Authority Meeting held February 6, 2008)
R. Sackrider, LPRCA Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 in the LPRCA Boardroom with all members present. Staff in attendance were C. Evanitski, B. Baskerville, J. Robertson, D. Holmes and D. McLachlan.
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS
An Emerald Ash Borer update was added as item 6 (b) by C. Evanitski.
DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST
None recorded.
DEPUTATION:
HEATHER KING, NORFOLK COUNTY RE: 2007 HAY CREEK PROGRAM
Heather King, Community Programs Supervisor with Norfolk County, provided the 2007 highlights of Norfolk County Recreation Division’s use of LPRCA’s Hay Creek Conservation Area. A handout was provided listing the numerous activities hosted in 2007. These included:
· Leadership program
· Two family events: spring fling and owl prowl
· Summer day camp programs with 550 participant visits
· Overnight campouts for a total of 40 children
· Supervised walks
S. Lamb asked if the pond had been cleaned up for swimming since H. King mentioned that their campers do not swim in the creek but participate in other water activities. D. Holmes responded that the creek is still the same and there are no plans for recovery work.
R. Sackrider asked where the owl prowl was held and how many attended. H. King responded that it was held at Hay Creek and approximately 40 people were in attendance. The owls were heard but unfortunately not seen.
P. Black mentioned that there is also an owl prowl at Backus Heritage CA where owl recordings are played in order to solicit responses from owls in the woods.
R. Sackrider thanked Ms. King and felt encouraged to see the Norfolk County Recreation Division participating and organizing these programs.
minutes of previous meetings
MOTION M - 91 moved by P. Ens, seconded by R. Geysens and carried that the minutes of the Full Authority’s Regular Meeting held November 7th, 2007 be adopted as circulated.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
LPRCA SEASONAL SITE STANDARDS
D. Holmes contacted Haldimand County after the last meeting. A tour of the Haldimand CA was conducted and about 90% of the decks or additions on trailers do not conform to the existing County Building Code. D. Holmes said LPRCA will be sending out notices to those campsites not in compliance and that a similar meeting with Norfolk County staff is pending.
P. Black asked if it is LPRCA’s job to enforce compliance. D. Holmes responded that as landowners we are responsible.
D. Holmes suggested another option although he didn’t think it was in our best interest. We could give permission to seasonal campers for them to get building plans and request a building permit from the County.
B. Sloat asked if campers could approach the County for a building permit for add-ons or decks that go beyond LPRCA’s regulations. D. Holmes answered no. Since the land belongs to LPRCA, campers would need a letter of permission from LPRCA in order to get a building permit from the County.
EMERALD ASH BORER UPDATE
C. Evanitski reported that the CFIA had officially announced that the emerald ash borer is now in Toronto. C. Evanitski and D. Holmes have been trying to get more information about EAB in this region and what strategies are being developed to deal with this issue.
REVIEW OF COMMITTEE MINUTES
MOTION A – 92 moved by R. Geysens, seconded by J. Hunt and carried that the minutes of the Backus Advisory Board meeting of October 17th, 2007, be received for information.
CORRESPONDENCE
MOTION A – 93 moved by L. Bartlett, seconded by J. Hunt and carried that correspondence outlined in the Full Authority Agenda of December 5th, 2007, be received as information.
PLANNING
FILL, CONSRUCTION APPLICATIONS
B. Baskerville reported on two fill, construction and alteration to waterways permits.
L. Bartlett asked about the permit in Jarvis. B. Baskerville replied that work involved was located in the flood plain.
NEW BUSINESS
A.D. LATTORNELL CONFERENCE UPDATE
C. Evanitski attended and advised that more thank 1300 delegates were at this year’s conference which included a number of very good guest speakers.
B. Sloat attended and said he found it enlightening. He felt that the main benefit of such conferences is the valuable contacts made which potentially may lead to funding in the future for LPRCA.
R. Sackrider also attended and believed it was a tremendous conference.
GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT
C. Evanitski outlined meetings and conferences attended. At A.D. Lattornell Conference LPRCA reps met with Jim Vollmersahausen, Regional Director General of Environment Canada. C. Evanitski extended an invitation to J. Vollmersahausen on behalf of the LPRCA to visit early in the new year.
P. Black asked when a report will be presented by the Building Committee re: the tour of other CAs. C. Evanitski stated it would be hopefully ready for February.
L. Chanda reviewed the Building Committee’s visit to Ottawa in which two opposite approaches to new administrative buildings were viewed. One was a renovated school and the other a brand new building.
R. Sackrider feels that adhering to a conventional design should be cost-effective.
LPRCA WATERSHED CONDITIONS UPDATE
B. Baskerville stated that the latest monthly totals are not yet available. Although, there is better stream flow in all gauges, rainfall is still down. Big Otter Creek and Sandusk Creek will likely be upgraded to Level 1 shortly.
L. Bartlett noted that this past week has seen the largest water flow in Sandusk Creek since January of 2007.
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION UPDATE
C. Evanitski presented the list of committee members and a map showing the geographical locations of those members. He stated that the Management Committee had a number of difficult decisions, but in the end had done a very good job in ensuring good representation throughout the Lake Erie Source Protection Region.
B. Sloat wondered why there was not a name from the Grand Valley partnership. C. Evanitski responded that is was up to Haldimand to bring forth a name.
P. Black appreciated the map and noted those in the LPRCA area. He is pleased to see Jim Oliver included but would have liked to see an Ag rep in the Norfolk area. R. Sackrider commented that it was encouraging that there was a lot of interest for the various committee positions by a number of very qualified people.
MOTION A – 94 moved by P. Ens, seconded by R. Geysens and carried that the LPRCA approves the tree marking prescription/operating plan for the Harris, Harris, Harris, Floyd tract 2007/2008.
MOTION A-95 moved by L. Chanda, seconded by S. Lamb and carried that the Full Authority of the LPRCA authorizes the following employee to carry forward the following days of vacation into 2008:
a) Ginny Van Louwe – 14 days
MOTION A- 96 moved by L. Chanda, seconded by S. Lamb and carried that the Full Authority of the LPRCA authorizes the purchase of a turkey or ham for staff employed this time of year.
CALENDAR UPDATE
J. Robertson noted that December is usually quieter in terms of events. The Road to Bethlehem had great weather and that Backus Heritage CA remains an ideal site for seasonal celebrations.
The Forest Capital of Canada brochure was distributed.
C. Evanitski made note that as part of the 60th anniversary the AGM will be held at Camp Trillium April 4th, 2008.
LPRCA COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
C. Evanitski reported that in order to reduce the amount of administrative work held at the Annual General Meeting, that LPRCA Committee appointments be held at the inaugural meeting of each year. The GM noted that the AGM is for the most part, ceremonial and that this business might be better done at the first meeting which typically has a lighter agenda and also has scrutineers present for the Chairman/Vice-chairman elections, should they be required to decide committee appointments. A sign-up sheet was produced for members to list which committees they would like to stand for.
MOTION A – 97 moved by P. Lee, seconded by S. Lamb and carried that the Full Authority of the LPRCA supports staff’s recommendation to conduct committee appointments at the inaugural meeting of the Full Authority on an annual basis.
MOTION A – 98 moved by P. Lee, seconded by B. Sloat and carried that, the Full Authority of the LPRCA does now enter into an “In Camera” session to discuss personnel matters about an identifiable individual, including Conservation Authority employees; a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Conservation Authority; and litigation or potential litigation, including matters affecting the Conservation Authority.
IN – CAMERA SESSION
There being matters to discuss In-Camera.
MOTION A – 100
Moved by B. Sloat, seconded by P. Lee and carried, that the Full Authority of the LPRCA does now adjourn from the “In Camera” session.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting.
Ron Sackrider Dana McLachlan
Chairman Administrative Assistant
FULL AUTHORITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Leroy Bartlett, Peter Black, Larry Chanda, Paul Ens, Roger Geysens,
John Hunt, Sam Lamb, Pat Lee, Ron Sackrider, Harry Sloat
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