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Home My WebLink AboutEtobicoke -Mimico Watershed Coalition Minutes 2015.pdfToronto and Region 0 Conservation %orTltc L N ing Cit} THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY INDEX IZI�7 MINUTES OF THE ETOBICOKE - MIMICO WATERSHEDS COALITION #2/14 June 19, 2014 Page MINUTES Minutes of Meeting #1/14, held on March 20, 2014 H17 PRESENTATION 41. Downtown Brampton Etobicoke Creek Revitalization Study — Alex Taranu, Manager, Architectural Design, City of Brampton H17 4.2 Community Engagement Process: a Model for Success, Heathercrest Park — Michael Bielecki and Brian Yawney H19 ETOBICOKE CREEK, VALLEYWOOD TRAIL LINK PHASE I AND 11, TOWN OF H22 CALEDON ITEMS FOR COALITION INFORMATION H25 MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE VERBAL UPDATE H24 NEW BUSINESS H25 ONE HUNDRED YEAR RECOGNITION OF THE EXTINCTION OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON H23 PROJECT TEAM UPDATES H24 TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY IN THE TORONTO REGION 2003 - 2012: A DECADE OF MONITORING UNDER THE TERRESTRIAL VOLUNTEER MONITORING H2O VALLEYWOOD STEWARDSHIP PROJECT H21 Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H16 MINUTES OF THE ETOBICOKE- MIMICO WATERSHEDS COALITION #2/14 June 19, 2014 The Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition met at GTAA Administration Building on March 30, 2014. David Thomas, vice chair of the Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT Gail Anderson ............ ............................... Debora Bielecki ......... ............................... Dennis Bradley .......... ............................... Al Farrugia ................. ............................... RonFay ..................... ............................... JonGee ..................... ............................... Derek Gray ................ ............................... Susan Jorgenson ...... ............................... Rosemary Keenan ..... ............................... DavidLaing ............... ............................... Chris McGlynn ........... ............................... Doug McRonney ........ ............................... BobNoble .................. ............................... David Thomas ........... ............................... GUESTS Michael Bielecki ........ ............................... Thaia Jones ............. ............................... AI T Member Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member .................. Member ..... ........................Friends of Heathercrest Park ............................... Peel Region,.Sierra Club exaranu ......................................................... ... I........................... City of Brampton Brian Yawney ....................................... ............................... Friends of Heathercrest Park STAFF CindyBarr ............................................... ............................... ...........................TRCA VinceD'Elia .............................................. ............................... ...........................TRCA TheresaMackenzie ............................................................. ............................... TRCA JoannaParsons .................................................................. ............................... TRCA ChandraSharma ....................................... ............................... ...........................TRCA REGRETS BrianBailey ..................................................... ............................... BrianBaird ......................................... ............................... SuzanneBarrett .............................................. ............................... AngelaBrooks ................................................. ............................... EddieColacchio ............................................. ............................... AdamDe Souza .............................................. ............................... Janette Harvey .................................... ............................... MichaelGusche .............................................. ............................... KaitlinKennedy .............................................. ............................... AdelleLeaney-East ........................................ ............................... JimLaird ...:..................................................... ............................... . ............................... Member ........................... Member .. ............................... Member . ............................... Member ...... ............................... Chair . ............................... Member ................... City of Toronto . ............................... Member . ............................... Member . ............................... Member . ............................... Member Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H17 TimManley ..................................................................................... ............................... Member GordMcClure ................................................................................. ............................... Member AndreaMcLeod .............................................................................. ............................... Member DanielMillard ................................................................................. ............................... Member PeterMitchell ................................................................................. ............................... Member LeoO'Brien ..................................................................................... ............................... Member Gem Lynn O'Connor ....................................................................... ............................... Member MathewRossi ................................................................................. ............................... Member TedRouse ...................................................................................... ............................... Member Natalie Salkauskis .......................................................................... ............................... Member Brittannie Semper ............................................................................ ............................... Member JoeSilva ......................................................................................... ............................... Member Allan Thompson .............................................................. ............................... Member ClintWilson .................................................................. ............................... Member WELCOME RES. 91114 Minutes Moved by: David Laing Seconded by: Chris McGlynn THAT the Minutes of Meeting #1/14, held on March 20, 2014, be approved. CARRIED PRESENTATIONS: 4.1 Downtown Brampton Etobicoke Creek Revitalization Study Background Joint technical team was initiated in 2011 with representatives from TRCA and the City. Work began on the Special Policy Area (SPA) update. SPA report was released in April 2013 outlining feasibility studies scope. Detailed plan of the work of consulting team (AMEC and TPP) was made. A short list of options, modelling, altematives/combinations, urban design concepts, and estimates resulted. Main attributes of the Downtown Etobicoke Creek Revitalization initiative Include: • Solving the flooding problems and result in a flood -free downtown; • Creating a very attractive feature in the downtown which is now missing. This will combine natural and man -made open spaces, a strong public realm, and public art all of which will attract visitors, residents and businesses. • The project will create extensive economic development opportunities. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2114 H18 • There will be an opportunity for consolidation and development of the infrastructure (utilities, amenities). 2014 - 2015 Work Plan • SPA update completion (April 2013) • Feasibility Studies Phase 1 completion (May 2014) • Feasibility Studies Phase 2: Integrated Riverine /Urban Flood Study + upstream/downstream impact assessment • EA Initiation (FPL, channel reconfiguration, Church Street bridge) — scope, Terms of References, resources • Other studies (associated with the EA): - Ken Whilans EA completion - Surveys, geotechnical - Sustainability / ecology study - Rosalea Park programming study • Longer term work: - Downtown Master Plan - FPL/Channel detailed design - Church Street Bridge replacement/Infrastructure update - Pathway /river walk, park redevelopment 4.2 Community Engagement Process: A Model For Success, Heathercrest Park— Michael Bielecki and Brian Yawney The movement to purchase Heathercrest Park began November 2009 when the Toronto and District School Board advertised the sale of the Storey Crescent site. In less than two weeks the neighbourhood association presented a petition with over 750 names on it. By July 2010 the property had been sold to the City of Toronto and work had begun on Its restoration. What Worked and What Didn't Work? • Non - hierarchical • Distribute /assume responsibilities and let people run with it • Not anti - anything, rather working to improve quality of life. • Use the media to get the word out (social and conventional) Next Steps • Keep building strategic relationships with stakeholders • Work in the neighbourhood to be aware of water consumption habits • Water quality measurement • Monarch butterfly way- stations • Support TRCA's community engagement goals Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H19 RES. #6/14 Terrestrial Biodiversity in the Toronto Region 2003 - 2012: A Decade of Monitoring Under the Terrestrial Volunteer Monitoring Moved by: Doug McRonney Seconded by: Ron Fay THAT the Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition receive the information and presentation on the Terrestrial Biodiversity in the Toronto Region 2003 - 2012. A Decade of Monitoring Under the Terrestrial Volunteer Monitoring Program; AND THAT members of Etobicoke- Mimico Watershed Coalition promote the report findings and information through their networks and community; AND FURTHER THAT Coalition members consider joining the TRCA volunteer monitoring program. BACKGROUND CARRIED Since 2002 the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Terrestrial Volunteer Monitoring Program (TVMP) has collected native indicator species presence data at a set of 56 fixed monitoring sites located in natural areas throughout the Toronto region. Volunteers are trained and work In pairs to conduct the biological surveys, visiting assigned sites ten times each year, with each survey's effort focused on the detection of specific indicators. The species monitored include mammals, birds, amphibians, plants and lichens. The fifty species selected as indicators represent a range of ecological needs and sensitivities, as well as the major habitat types in the region. This ten year report is the third in a series of technical documents that summarize and discuss findings and relate the results to complementary TRCA projects such as the Species of Conservation Concern scoring and ranking system, the Landscape Analysis Model output and the Terrestrial Natural Heritage System Strategy implementation. It interprets results to provide information for internal and external requirements, including those of conservation land and watershed management, partner municipalities, other agencies and organizations, TVMP volunteers, landowners and others. The detailed report is available at hftp://www.trca.on.ca/dotAsset/182332.pd . Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H2O RES. #7/14 Valleywood Stewardship Project Moved by: Rosemary Keenan Seconded by: Debora Bielecki THAT the report on the Valleywood Stewardship Project be received; THAT members of the Coalition help promote the Valleywood Stewardship Project through their networks and social media; AND FURTHER THAT the members of the Coalition assist with the implementation of the project's deliverables highlighted in the report. CARRIED BACKGROUND The TRCA Stewardship team develops and delivers environmental programs within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds. These programs cover natural and cultural heritage awareness, homeowner outreach and education, habitat creation and citizen science. Activities include community litter clean up events, native tree, shrub and wildflower planting events, interpretive nature walks and homeowner workshops with a focus on Low Impact. Development (LID) and landscaping for water conservation. The Valleywood Community is located in the headwater area of Etobicoke Creek within the town of Caledon. In November of 2013, TRCA Stewardship staff on behalf of the SouthFields Village Residents Group Association, Valleywood Residents Association, and EcoCaledon submitted a collaborative funding proposal to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). In April of 2014, our funding application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation was for approved 157,700. over three years. The goal of the Valleywood Stewardship Project is to engage local residents, students and community partners to help protect, restore and enhance the natural environment in the new subdivisions of SouthFields and Valleywood in the Town of Caledon and support the ongoing work of EcoCaledon and their Paint a Picture for Water Conservation Program. The project boundary stretches across the headwater regions of the Etobicoke Creek and Humber River watershed in the Town of Caledon, Peel Region. To align with the design and construction of a pedestrian trail along the Etobicoke Creek Valley, TRCA has created a multi- year restoration plan focused on the valley lands between Hwy 10 and Mayfield Road. As part of this three year project, the tree and shrub planting, meadow creation, monitoring and maintenance work, and location for interpretive signs and habitat structures will take place along this section of the Etobicoke Creek trail. Etobicoke- Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H21 RES. #8114 Etobicoke Creek, Valleywood Trail Link Phase I and II, Town of Caledon Moved by: Bob Noble Seconded by: Ron Fay THAT the staff report on the Valleywood Trail Links Phase I / II and restoration project be received; THAT members of the Coalition help promote the Valleywood Trail connections and restoration project through their networks and social media; AND FURTHER THAT Coalition members provide Input in the planning, implementation and public engagement as needed throughout the development of this project. CARRIED BACKGROUND Situated in the Etobicoke Creek headwaters, within the southwest part of the Town of Caledon, the development of the Mayfield West community is being planned and implemented by the Town through a series of phased settlement boundary expansions. The first such expansion occurred through the Mayfield West Community Development Plan which was endorsed by Town Council on July 4, 2006 and approved by the Ontario Municipal Board on October 1, 2007. The Mayfield West Community Development Plan provides for the development of a community of approximately 13,000 people by the year 2021 and includes an urbanized village centre surrounded by three valley systems, four residential neighbourhoods, two elementary schools, neighbourhood parks, a community centre and a greenway open space system. Recognizing that this new development would result in significant pressures on the local natural systems, the adjacent valley lands and the Etobicoke Creek, TRCA staff worked closely the Town of Caledon and developers in this planning initiative, and provide direction necessary to achieve the objectives and targets of the watershed revitalization strategy in this area. Through this engagement, valley land restoration opportunities (including habitat enhancement, riparian plantings, wetland creation, and erosion control) as well as new trail connections linking the new subdivision developments to Etobicoke Creek Trail were identified and funds were secured. These new connections include: a new 500 meter trail link for the new neighbourhood off of Old Kennedy Road to the existing trail link off of Cliffview Court with one bridge crossing over the Etobicoke Creek; and a a new 300 meter trail link from the existing subdivision off of Pinebrook Circle to the new neighbourhood Etobicoke Creek Trail with another bridge crossing over the Etobicoke Creek. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H22 RES. #9114 One Hundred Year Recognition of the Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon Moved by: Debora Bielecki Seconded by: Doug McRonney THAT the Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition receive the report for information; THAT members of the Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition support the collaboration between the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and local community groups and organizations to honour the one hundred year anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon; AND FURTHER THAT members of Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition attend these events as they are able. BACKGROUND The passenger pigeon has an important place in the history and in the name of the Mimico Creek watershed. The name Mimico comes from the Algonqu'an word "omimeca" meaning "resting place of wild pigeons." The mouth of the Mimico. Creek was used for many years as a migratory stop -over by the passenger pigeon. The year 2014 marks the one hundred anniversary of the extinct on of the passenger pigeon. In 1914, the last remaining passenger pigeon, named Martha, passed away in the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens. In commemoration of this bird, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is launching a year -long exhibit and information sessions dedicated to the passenger pigeon which include: August 23, 2014 - Family - friendly day August 31, 2014 — Partners in Protection event September 1, 2014 — Media release by the ROM September 12, 2014 September 26, 2014 In addition, the ROM has agreed to provide a lead article for a passenger pigeon inspired edition of CreekTime e- newsletter set to be released in September. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition members are invited to submit photos or additional articles on the passenger pigeon for Inclusion. Finally, a letter has been sent to the City of Toronto requesting permission to place a statue or plaque, at the mouth of Mimico Creek to recognize the history of the passenger pigeon in the watershed and to commemorate the one hundred year anniversary. Upon receiving permission, TRCA will commission a local artist to assist with the project. CARRIED Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H23 6. PROJECT TEAMS AND SUB - COMMITTEE VERBAL UPDATES To provide Project Team Updates to Coalition members. THAT the following Project Team verbal updates and minutes be received for Information: AND FURTHER THAT Project Team updates be brought back to the Etobicoke- Mimico Watersheds Coalition. 6.1-6.2 Lower Mimico and Etobicoke Creeks: • The planning for the Marie Curtis Park off -road bike trail is well underway. • Section 37 money will be used for the South Mimico trail. Then: will be three pedestrian bridge built to link the east and west banks. • The spring planting at Heathercrest Park was a success. • Plans for the one hundred year recognition of the extinction of the passenger pigeon are moving ahead. 6.3 Brampton Etobicoke Creek • There was a planting at the Medicine Wheel Garden on Jun 7, 2014 with Anthony Templar. • David and Dayle Laing have been working on a history of Heart Lake Conservation Area. • Bike the Creek is looking to be a success. There are three hundred participants as of the date of the meeting. 7. MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE VERBAL UPDATE 7.1 City of Brampton — Environmental Master Plan has been approved and now in the process of be+ng implemented. Sustainable Communities Guidelines have been completed. These will be implemented on all new developments. The metrics are at the developers' choice. Moved by: Bob Noble Seconded by: Al Farrugia CARRIED 8. 9. Etobicoke- Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #2/14 H24 ITEMS FOR COALITION INFORMATION Discussion on Item 8.5 There was a request from Coalition members to have a presentation on West Nile Virus Update. NEW BUSINESS Brampton Kids on Bikes was presented to the Coalition. The hope is that the project will: • Lead to the development of a bicycle friendly community; • Create safe, affordable active transportation and recreational cycling alternatives; • Address the issues of youth inactivity; • Research best practice SARTS • Focus groups and interviews • Develop advocacy message • Raise priority • Commitment to reverse the trend This project will be a partnership with TRCA. TERMINATION ON MOTION, the meeting terminated at 9:00 p.m. on June 19, 2014. Adele Freeman Director, Watershed Management /cb Brian Denney CEO /Secretary- Treasurer Toronto and Region �i Conservation for The Living City, THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY INDEX TO MINUTES OF THE ETOBICOKE- MIMICO WATERSHEDS COALITION #3/14 MINUTES December 4, 2014 Page Minutes of Meeting #2/14, held on June 19, 2014 H26 PRESENTATION 5.1 City of Mississauga Stormwater Charge Program (as per Item 6.1) — Michelle Berquist, Project Manager, Stormwater Charge Implementation Project Jeremy Blair, Storm Drainage Programming Engineer Environmental Services, City of Mississauga H26 5.2 Etobicoke - Mimico Year -in- Review - video BIKE THE CREEK 2015 H36 CITY OF MISSISSAUGA STORMWATER CHARGE PROGRAM H27 COALITION MEETING SCHEDULE 2015 MKY] DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR 2015 H37 HEART LAKE ROAD ECOLOGY MONITORING UPDATE H31 ITEMS FOR COALITION INFORMATION H39 NEW BUSINESS H39 VALLEYWOOD TRAIL AND RESTORATION PROJECT (PHASE 1), TOWN OF CALEDON H29 YOUNG TREE MONITORING PROGRAM H33 Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H25 MINUTES OF THE ETOBICOKE- MIMICO WATERSHEDS COALITION #3/14 December 4, 2014 The Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition met at GTAA Administration Building on December 4, 2014. Eddie Colacchio, chair of the Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT GailAnderson ................................................................................. ............................... Member BrianBailey ..................................................................................... ............................... Member DeboraBielecki .............................................................................. ............................... Member EddieColacchio .................................................................................. ............................... Chair AlFarrugia ...................................................................................... ............................... Member RonFay .......................................................................................... ............................... Member JonGee .......................................................................................... ............................... Member DerekGray ..................................................................................... ............................... Member MichaelGusche .............................................................................. ............................... Member RosemaryKeenan .......................................................................... ............................... Member DavidLaing .................................................................................... ............................... Member JimLaird ......................................................................................... ............................... Member ChrisMcGlynn ................................................................................ ............................... Member DougMcRonney ............................................................................. ............................... Member BobNoble ....................................................................................... ............................... Member Natalie Salkauskis .......................................................................... ............................... Member DavidThomas ................................................................................ ............................... Member GUESTS Michelle Berquist ............................................... ............................... City of Mississauga Jeremy Blair ...................................................... ............................... City of Mississauga Mike Mattos ......................................................... ............................... Toronto Resident �tr_Iyg CindyBarr ............................................... ............................... ...........................TRCA VinceD'Elia .............................................. ............................... ...........................TRCA Joanna Parsons .................................................................. ............................... TRCA ChandraSharma ....................................... ............................... ...........................TRCA REGRETS BrianBaird ..................................................................... ............................... Member Suzanne Barrett ............................................................................... ............................... Member AngelaBrooks ................................................................................. ............................... Member DennisBradley ............................................................................... ............................... Member AdamDe Souza .............................................................................. ............................... Member Janette Harvey ....................................................... ............................... City of Toronto SusanJorgenson ........................................................................... ............................... Member AdelleLeaney -East ........................................................................ ............................... Member TimManley ..................................................................................... ............................... Member AndreaMcLeod .............................................................................. ............................... Member Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H26 DanielMillard ................................................................................. ............................... Member PeterMitchell ................................................................................. ............................... Member LeoO'Brien ..................................................................................... ............................... Member Gerri Lynn O'Connor ....................................................................... ............................... Member MathewRossi ................................................................................. ............................... Member TedRouse ...................................................................................... ............................... Member BrittannieSemper ............................................................................ ............................... Member JoeSilva ......................................................................................... ............................... Member Allan Thompson .............................................................. ............................... Member ClintWilson .................................................................. ............................... Member WELCOME RES. #1/14 Minutes Moved by: Chris McGlynn Seconded by: Debora Bielecki THAT the Minutes of Meeting #2114, held on June 19, 2014, be approved. CARRIED PRESENTATIONS: 5.1 City of Mississauga Stormwater Charge Program Background In December 2013, Council approved a stormwater utility program with a target date of January 2016. The charge will appear on the Region of Peel Water bill. The charge is based on the amount of hard surface area on a property as a measure of how much stormwater runs off the property into the City's drainage system. It is a more fair and equitable approach to provide funding for the City's stormwater program. A stormwater charge will give the City the resources it needs now and in the future. How will it work? Stormwater charges will be assessed by the amount of stormwater runoff from non- porous or hard surface areas. The more hard surface area on a property, the higher the charge. A credit program will be available for non - residential properties that implement extensive stormwater control measures that benefit the City's stormwater program. A report on the proposed Stormwater Utility Program was presented to Council on December 4, 2013. What are the cost pressures on the stormwater program? Despite ongoing investments in the City's stormwater infrastructure, issues such as flooding, deteriorating water quality and creek erosion continue to exist. The increasing Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H27 frequency of more intense storms throughout Mississauga increases the need to address these issues. Investments must be made to ensure the system works well. In addition to flood protection, investments need to be made in: • water quality protection • creek erosion • storm pipe renewal • compliance and enforcement • operations and maintenance • infrastructure improvements and renewal These are needed to ensure sufficient levels of service. Regulatory requirements and design standards continue to change and become more rigorous in addressing the environmental impacts of stormwater. RES. #10/14 City of Mississauga Stormwater Charge Program Moved by: Doug McRonney Seconded by: David Thomas THAT the presentation on the City of Mississauga's Stormwater Utility Program be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition members assist in the implementation and communication of stormwater credit and incentive /reward programs as these programs are developed and rolled out in 2015 and 2016. CARRIED BACKGROUND City of Mississauga staff report "Stormwater Financing Study, Phase 2 (Implementation Project) Implementation Plan dated November 22, 2013 was approved by the General Committee of the City of Mississauga on December 4, 2013. The information below was taken from: <http: / /www7. m ississauga.ca /documents /agendas / committees /general/2013/12_04_2013 _GC_Agenda.pdf> CITY STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the implementation of a Stormwater Utility Program be approved, including a supporting Credit Program and Schedule for non - residential properties, Incentive Program for residential properties and Grant Program for places of religious Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H28 worship, as outlined in the report dated November 22, 2013 from the Commissioner of Transportation and Works titled Stormwater Financing Study, Phase 2 (Implementation Project) - Implementation Plan, with a target implementation date of January, 2016. 2. That the capital and operating resource requirements to facilitate the implementation of the Stormwater Utility Program be recovered by the Stormwater Fees and Charges User Rate. 3. That the Commissioner of Transportation and Works be authorized to negotiate and enter into a service agreement(s) with the Regional Municipality of Peel for the provision of billing, collection, information, customer and account management services for the Stormwater Utility Program in a form satisfactory to Legal Services. 4. That all capital projects approved by Council from time to time for inclusion under the Stormwater Rate Based Program be funded from the Stormwater Fees and Charges User Rate as authorized by the Municipal Act, 2001. 5. That the intention of Council to fund approved stormwater projects, such as the Cooksville Creek Stormwater Management Facility project, that have been front end financed through the issuance of debt or reserves, from the Stormwater Fees and Charges User Rate as permitted under the Municipal Act, 2001, be affirmed. 6. That a copy of the report dated November 22, 2013 from the Commissioner of Transportation and Works titled Stormwater Financing Study, Phase 2 (Implementation Project) Implementation Plan be forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Peel, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and Conservation Halton for information. RES. #11/14 Valleywood Trail and Restoration Project (Phase 1), Town of Caledon Moved by: Bob Noble Seconded by: Jim Laird THAT the staff report on Valleywood Trail and Restoration Project (Phase 1) be received; AND FURTHER THAT the Valleywood trail link, once completed, should be actively promoted to increase community stewardship and passive recreation. AND FURTHER THAT the Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition support and assist staff in engaging the local community with the implementation of the multi -year restoration plan that has been developed for this site. CARRIED Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H29 BACKGROUND The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), is working in partnership with the Town of Caledon to coordinate the design and construction of Phase 1 of the Valleywood trail link and pedestrian bridge along the Etobicoke Creek west of Kennedy Rd. and north of Hwy 410, in the Town of Caledon. The proposed trail link is approximately 500 meters in length and will provide an important linkage to trails that connect the City of Brampton trail system with the town of Caledon. The trail link will also connect the new subdivision of Mayfield West to the Etobicoke Creek Valley and provide public access to the significant green space system within the head waters of the Etobicoke Creek The project area encompasses significant restoration opportunities in the upper Etobicoke Creek reaches including: • bank stabilization and erosion mitigation measures; • enhancement of riparian, terrestrial and aquatic habitat; • protection of natural wildlife corridors and habitat features; • enhancement of wetland habitat features; and • creation of native meadow features. TRCA staff will manage the planning and construction of this trail link, as well as the valley land habitat and restoration works. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H30 PROGRESS TO DATE To date the following actions have been completed by project partners: • TRCA staff worked with the Town of Caledon and the local developers to create trail concept plan identifying the preferred location for the trail alignment and bridge crossing; • Town of Caledon and TRCA staff have secured the necessary funds from the local developers to support the construction of the trail and implementation of the restoration work; • Staff have engaged the local community in implementing restoration works in areas that will not be impacted by future trail construction works; and • TRCA staff have initiated construction of the trail alignment and trail base. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H31 RES. #12114 Heart Lake Road Ecology Monitoring Update Moved by: Natalie Salkauskis Seconded by: Rosemary Keenan THAT the staff report on Heart Lake Road Ecology Monitoring be received; AND THAT members provide input and endorse the recommendations for potential mitigation opportunities with the City of Brampton for the stretch of Heart Lake Rd. between Sandalwood Parkway and Mayfield Road; AND FURTHER THAT Coalition members and members of the Brampton Etobicoke Creek Project Team assist with the ongoing monitoring efforts to track Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs), survey turtle populations in the Provincially Significant Wetlands along Heart Lake Rd. and assess the effectiveness of any mitigation projects that are implemented along Heart Lake Road. CARRIED BACKGROUND The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) partnered with the City of Brampton (CoB), Ontario Road Ecology Group (GREG) and local volunteers to deliver the Heart Lake Road Ecology Volunteer Monitoring Project ( HLREMP). The objective of HLREMP was to: • better understand which species were being impacted by interactions with vehicles; • how many interactions were occurring; and • to suggest mitigation measures to protect local biodiversity in the Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) complex adjacent to Heart Lake Road between Sandalwood Parkway and Mayfield Road in Brampton. Phase I of HLREMP took place between May 9, 2011 and October 31, 2011 and Phase II of HLREMP was undertaken by staff and volunteers between April 8, 2013 and September 30, 2013. KEY FINDINGS AND OUTCOMES During Phase I of HLREMP, data were collected by volunteers with the goal of observing and recording wildlife- vehicle collision sites (WVCs), any notable live wildlife along the road, species proximity to the road, alive /dead status and GPS co- ordinates. During Phase I, a total of 1,239 fatalities were recorded and 749 live sightings. The breakdown of fatalities were: • 1,044 frog /toad (84.26 %); • 94 turtles (7.59 %); • 45 mammals (3.63 %); Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H32 • 25 avian (2.02 %), • 17 snakes (1.37 %); and • 14 unknown species (1.13 %) Please see Figure 1. Figure 1: Total WVCs, Phase I, 2011 A copy of the "Heart Lake Road Ecology Volunteer Monitoring Project — Phase I" final report can be found on the TRCA website at http:// www .trca.on.ca /dotAsset/l51730.pdf During Phase II of HLREMP, field data collection of WVCs was undertaken by staff and volunteers between April 8, 2013 and September 30, 2013. The study area was redefined and focused along one kilometre of Heart Lake Road between Sandalwood Parkway and Countryside Drive (Figure 3). Over the course of Phase II, a total of 2,078 WVCs were observed. The breakdown of the fatalities included: 1,773 frog /toad (85 %); • 101 turtles (5 %); • 77 mammals (4 %) • 60 birds (3 %); • 37 snakes (2 %); • 2 salamander /newt: • 28 unidentified species (1 %). Please see Figure 2. Figure 2: Total WVCs, Phase II, 2013. Phase II determined the fatality hotspots and provided a solid mitigation strategy to reduce WVCs within this PSW. The report and the findings have been shared with TRCA, OREG and City of Brampton. The aim is to implement mitigation along Heart Lake Road to reduce WVCs and protect this diverse ecosystem. A copy of the "Heart Lake Road Ecology Volunteer Monitoring Project — Phase II" final report can be found on the TRCA website at hfD : / /www. trca.on.ca /dotAsset/187823.Ddf. The Phase II data was used to group fatalities at fixed GPS points and identify "hotspots" within the study area. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H33 Figure 3: HLREMP Phase II Site Boundaries and identified hotspots. RES. #13114 Young Tree Monitoring Program Moved by: Chris McGlynn Seconded by: Brian Bailey THAT the staff report on the Young Tree Monitoring and Maintenance Program (YTMMP) be received for information; AND THAT members attend 2015 corporate and community plantings and assist staff in the delivery and development of the program. CARRIED BACKGROUND Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H34 As part of the Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks (EM) watershed staff team's efforts to implement restoration priorities identified in the 2010 Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks Technical Update Report, TRCA staff, along with the help of its municipal and community partners, plant approximately 3,000 — 5,000 native trees and each year. The majority of these plantings are implemented in public spaces within urbanized areas and are planted for the purpose of meeting natural cover targets identified in the watershed plan, enhancing riparian cover along waterways and expanding or creating new naturalized spaces and wildlife corridors. The survival rates and overall success of these plantings varies due to a variety of factors from year to year and across different restoration sites. Some factors and threats impacting survival rates of plantings and overall health of young trees and shrubs include but not limited to: • Competition from weeds and invasive species; • Quality of soil conditions; • Weather conditions such as extended drought periods during summer months, storms and flooding; • Damage to the plant by humans or wildlife activity; • Disease and fungus; and • Insect infestation. In an effort to improve the tracking of the success of these plantings and better understand the threats impacting these plantings, as well as improve overall survival rates, staff worked closely with the Association for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER), a charitable community education organization, to develop an efficient and cost effective long -term monitoring and maintenance program. ACER has a long history of utilizing community volunteers to collect tree health data to monitor the impacts of climate change and were a valuable resource in helping us develop a monitoring protocol to fit these requirements. The primary objectives of the monitoring and maintenance program were that it • could be applied across all our planting sites; • utilized scientific standard protocols to gather and share accurate data and ensure repeatability over a period of years; • could be easily shared and implemented with the help of volunteers so that groups could return each year in the same season that the trees were initially monitored to obtain annual growth measurements; and • provide staff with valuable information regarding the success of the plant species being planted and the overall success of restoration sites. In partnership with ACER, the YTMMP was developed. Through the YTMMP, ten percent of trees and shrubs in a newly planted site are inventoried to develop a baseline of data regarding the plants' overall condition. Using GPS coordinates these plants are mapped, measured and tagged with a unique ID number (see Figure 1). Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H35 Observations taken include: • species name • root collar width (Figure 2); • height • length and width of the live crown (Figure 3); • qualitative observations of damage from insect and wildlife browse (Figure 2); • disease and blight; • stance and signs of excessive pruning; and • age and season of planting. The tagged trees and shrubs are inspected and measured annually for three to five years. Through the implementation of the YTMMP, when staff and /or volunteers are visiting previously monitored EM restoration sites to collect data, time is also allocated to conducting any necessary tending maintenance work that may be required, including: • trimming aggressive weeds, invasive plants or competing vegetation around new plantings; • applying additional mulch on new plantings as required; • applying and removing rodent guards as required; and • watering as required. RES. #14114 2014 Bike the Creek Wrap -Up Report Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H36 Moved by: David Laing Seconded by: Debora Bielecki THAT the staff report on the 2014 Bike the Creek event be received for Etobicoke- Mimico Watersheds Coalition information; THAT the organizing committee for the 2014 Bike the Creek event be thanked for hosting a successful event; AND FURTHER THAT members of the Coalition be encouraged to participate in the June 20, 2015 Bike the Creek event. CARRIED BACKGROUND On Saturday, June 20, 2014, the first annual Bike the Creek event was held. The event was organized by the Brampton Bicycle Advisory Committee, the City of Brampton and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) with support from the Town of Caledon. The perfect weather drew close to two hundred cyclists. Pre- registered participants of various experience levels could choose one of three routes, each route being a different length. Participants were provided a passport which was stamped at stations along the route. The stations provided education or information about various points of interest along the trail. These included natural heritage features along the creek or cultural heritage sites found in Brampton's downtown. A complete passport could be entered for a chance to win prizes which were donated by event partners. The local Tim Horton's provided free coffee and Timbits. Brampton Safe City set up a bike rodeo course. Brampton Parks funded a free bike inspection and repair clinic. Officers from the Peel Police Bike patrol made their presence known. Members from the St. John's Ambulance and Brampton Emergency Preparedness Teams were there to provide first aid, as well as many volunteers from the City Emergency Response Volunteer group. Lunch was also provided free to all participants and volunteers with the generous support from the Region of Peel. Cyclepath Brampton provided a monetary donation that went towards the printing of the passports. RES. #15/14 Dragon Boat Festival Planning Committee for 2015 Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H37 Moved by: Doug McRonney Seconded by: Bob Noble THAT staff report on the 2014 Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival be received for information; THAT the organizing committee for the 2014 Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival be thanked for hosting a successful event; THAT members of the Coalition assist by identifying perspective companies and contacts known to members for 2015 team solicitation; AND FURTHER THAT members of the Coalition be encouraged to participate on the planning committee for the 2015 Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival and participate on a team at the event. CARRIED BACKGROUND On Saturday, September 13, 2014 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), with the help of the Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition members, hosted the second annual Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival. The second year of the event saw an increase in the numbers of teams from five in the inaugural year to eleven in 2014. Each team was required to pay $1,000 as a registration fee and encouraged to do additional fund raising. Approximately $12,000 was raised from the event including a sponsorship donation from SHARP Canada. The winners from the event were as follows: Public Sector Challenge Cup — Sinai Lightning (Mount Sinai Hospital) Private Sector Challenge Cup - Team Mandarin (Mandarin Restaurants) Division A Champions — Sinai Lightning (Mount Sinai Hospital) Division B Champions — Blazing Dragons (Dillon Pinto Re /Max Champions Inc.) Division C Champions — The Passenger Pigeon Express (Coalition team) NEXT STEPS Following the event, members of the planning team and TRCA staff met to debrief about the event. The following actions were identified as critical to continue building success for the festival: • Developing a comprehensive marketing and communications plan for the 2015 event. The marketing plan aims to push out marketing materials as early to increase participation numbers. • Securing sponsorship donations from teams and a corporate sponsor. The organizing team will turn to The Living City Foundation for guidance with this. • Strike a planning committee for the 2015 festival as early as possible. The event for 2015 will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H38 RES. #16/14 Coalition Meeting Schedule 2015 Moved by: Rosemary Kerman Seconded by: David Laing THAT the meeting date for the final meeting of the third term of the Etobicoke- Mimico Watersheds Coalition scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on the following date be approved; AND FURTHER THAT the meeting be held at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, unless otherwise noted. CARRIED 2015 DATE #1/15 Thursday, March 26, 2015 RATIONALE The final meeting of the 2013 — 2015 Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition has been scheduled to avoid any conflicts with municipal meetings within the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek Watersheds. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority has volunteered to provide meeting space to the Coalition on a regular basis. This location is central to the watershed and easily accessible. Subcommittee meetings will be hosted locally within the Project Team areas. 7. PROJECT TEAMS AND SUB - COMMITTEE VERBAL UPDATES To provide Project Team Updates to Coalition members. THAT the following Project Team verbal updates and minutes be received for information: AND FURTHER THAT Project Team updates be brought back to the Etobicoke- Mimico Watersheds Coalition. Moved by: David Thomas Seconded by: Natalie Salkauskis CARRIED 7.1 Marketing and Communications — Dragon Boat Festival update — numbers were doubled (e.g., participation, funds raised, etc.). The team is looking for corporate sponsors for next year. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #3/14 H39 8. ITEMS FOR COALITION INFORMATION NEW BUSINESS Debora Bielecki will follow up with Councillor Mark Grimes about the letter which was sent to him in the fall about the plaque commemorating the passenger pigeon in Mimico Park. There was a question about the art project for children with the ROM. Joanna Parsons will send out more information. People interested in sitting on the Dragon Boat Festival organizing committee should email Joanna Parsons. TERMINATION ON MOTION, the meeting terminated at 9:00 p.m. on December 4, 2014. Adele Freeman Director, Watershed Management /cb Brian Denney CEO /Secretary- Treasurer