The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutEtobicoke-Mimico Coalition 2014.pdfToronto and Region �i Conservation for The Living City, THE TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY INDEX TO MINUTES OF THE ETOBICOKE- MIMICO WATERSHEDS COALITION #1/14 MINUTES March 20, 2014 Page Minutes of Meeting #3/1, held on December 5, 2013 H2 PRESENTATION A presentation by Sabrina Selvaggi, Stewardship Coordinator, Etobicoke - Mimico Creeks, Stewardship and Outreach Education, Watershed Management, TRCA re: Valleybrook Stewardship Project and Greening Your Grounds — A Homeowners' Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects H2 CITY OF MISSISSAUGA STORMWATER UTILITY PROGRAM H3 THE VALLEYBROOK STEWARDSHIP PROJECT AND GREENING YOUR GROUNDS —A HOMEOWNERS' GUIDE TO STORMWATER LANDSCAPING PROJECTS H4 ETOBICOKE - MIMICO WATERSHEDS AND PARTNERS IN PROJECT GREEN 2014 EVENTS H4 PROJECT TEAM UPDATES H5 MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE VERBAL UPDATE H5 ITEMS FOR COALITION INFORMATION H6 NEW BUSINESS H6 Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H1 MINUTES OF THE ETOBICOKE- MIMICO WATERSHEDS COALITION #1/14 March 20, 2014 The Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition met at GTAA Administration Building on March 30, 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 SuzanneBarrett ............................................................................... ............................... Member DeboraBielecki .............................................................................. ............................... Member EddieColacchio .................................................................................. ............................... Chair AlFarrugia ...................................................................................... ............................... Member RonFay .......................................................................................... ............................... Member DerekGray ..................................................................................... ............................... Member MichaelGusche .............................................................................. ............................... Member Adelle Leaney-East ........................................................................ ............................... Member DavidLaing .................................................................................... ............................... Member ChrisMcGlynn ................................................................................ ............................... Member DanielMillard ................................................................................. ............................... Member PeterMitchell ................................................................................. ............................... Member BobNoble ....................................................................................... ............................... Member TedRouse ...................................................................................... ............................... Member DavidThomas ................................................................................ ............................... Member �1lr_1aN CindyBarr ............................................................... ............................... ...........................TRCA VinceD'Elia .............................................................. ............................... ...........................TRCA Janette Harvey ....................................................... ............................... City of Toronto JoanneJeffery ................................................................... ............................... TRCA Joanna Parsons ................................................................. ............................... TRCA SabrinaSalvaggio .............................................................. ............................... TRCA ChandraSharma ....................................... ............................... ...........................TRCA REGRETS BrianBaird ..................................................................... ............................... Member DennisBradley ............................................................................... ............................... Member AngelaBrooks ................................................................................. ............................... Member AdamDeSouza ............................................................................... ............................... Member RonFay ......................................................................................... ............................... Member JonGee .......................................................................................... ............................... Member Susan Jorgenson ........................................................................... ............................... Member Rosemary Keenan .......................................................................... ............................... Member KaitlinKennedy .............................................................................. ............................... Member JimLaird ......................................................................................... ............................... Member TimManley ..................................................................................... ............................... Member GordMcClure ................................................................................. ............................... Member Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H2 AndreaMcLeod .............................................................................. ............................... Member DougMcRonney ............................................................................. ............................... Member PeterMilczyn ................................................................................... ............................... Member LeoO'Brien ..................................................................................... ............................... Member Gerri Lynn O'Connor ....................................................................... ............................... Member MathewRossi ................................................................................. ............................... Member NatalieSalkauskis .......................................................................... ............................... Member Brittannie Semper ............................................................................ ............................... Member JoeSilva ......................................................................................... ............................... Member AllanThompson .............................................................. ............................... Member Eniana Vrenozaj .............................................................. ............................... Member ClintWilson .................................................................. ............................... Member WELCOME RES. #1/14 Minutes Moved by: David Laing Seconded by: Suzanne Barrett THAT the Minutes of Meeting #3/13, held on December 5, 2013, be approved. CARRIED Presentation: The Valleybrook Stewardship Project and Greening Your Grounds — A Homeowners' Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects The Greening Your Grounds guide book was created through funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation as part of a four year project taking place within the Valleybrook community along the Etobicoke Creek in Brampton, Ontario. The purpose of the Homeowners' Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects is to introduce this pilot community to stormwater management projects that they can install on their own properties. One of the factors adding to extreme flooding events is the large amount of water outfall from residential areas. Common causes include poor landscaping; improper positioning of eaves troughs; and hard surfaces such as driveways, patios and walkways. Solutions included more naturalized landscaping, downspout disconnection, rain barrels, rain gardens, soakaways, and permeable pavement. The Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition were provided with a complete list of upcoming activities and requested to help to promote these events through their networks and social media. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H3 RES. #2/14 City of Mississauga Stormwater Utility Program Moved by: Chris McGlynn Seconded by: Suzanne Barrett THAT the information on 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, incentive and grant programs as these programs are developed in 2014 and 2015. 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.mississauga.ca/ documents /agendas /committees /general /2013/12 04 2013 GC Aq enda.pdf RES. #3/14 The Valleybrook Stewardship Project and Greening Your Grounds —A Homeowners' Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects Moved by: Bob Noble Seconded by: David Laing THAT the Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP) update be received for information; AND THAT Coalition members residing in the cities of Mississauga and Brampton promote the program activities through their networks and participate as appropriate in the implementation of SNAP program within the Etobicoke and Mimico watersheds; AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to the Brampton Etobicoke Creek Project Team for information. 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. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H4 RES. #4/14 The Living City Policies for Planning and Development of the Watersheds of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Moved by: Al Farrugia Seconded by: Brian Bailey THAT the Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition receive TRCA correspondence and board report dated February 13, 2014 regarding The Living City Policies; AND FURTHER THAT members of Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition Policy and Planning Team participate in the final public information sessions to be held at Black Creek Pioneer Village on Monday, May 5 from 3 to 9 p.m. CARRIED BACKGROUND On August 28, 2013, the Joint Policy and Planning Committee of the Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition (EMC), Don Watershed Regeneration Council (DWRC), and Humber Watershed Alliance (HWA) provided comments and questions on The Living City Policies. These comments and questions were submitted to Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and incorporated into the revised draft. The final draft was submitted for final comments on TRCA web site for a ninety (90) day period further review and comments. RES. #5114 ETOBICOKE - MIMICO WATERSHEDS AND PARTNERS IN PROJECT GREEN 2014 EVENTS Moved by: Brian Bailey Seconded by: Ron Fay THAT the staff report on the 2014 spring and summer events for the Etobicoke and Mimico Creek watersheds and Partners in Project Green be received for information; AND FURTHER THAT members of Etobicoke - Mimico Watershed Coalition attend these events as they are able. CARRIED Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H5 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. Moved by: Suzanne Barrett Seconded by: Bob Noble CARRIED 6.1 —6.2 Lower Mimico and Etobicoke Creeks: • Plans for Sherway Trail are moving ahead. It looks like construction will begin summer 2014. • Plans for Mimico Creek Trail will begin construction in summer 2015. • Bird Festival at Col. Sam Smith Park May 24, 2014 • April 27, 2014 — Park Clean Up — Col. Sam Smith 6.3 Brampton Etobicoke Creek • Sierra Club presentation on Natural Capital — why we value nature and identify the features we value. • Presentation from a youth about the importance of pollinators • David Laing alerted the group to the expansion of the 410 south of the 401. Runoff will go directly into Etobicoke Creek. • City of Brampton has about $30 million of ice storm damage. 6.4 Marketing and Communications — David Thomas made a presentation on Google Drive and its multiple values to the Coalition team. 7. MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE VERBAL UPDATE 7.1 Brampton Environmental Planning Advisory Committee — David Laing updated the • Coalition of various presentations made to BEPAC. • Brampton will be hosting Environmental Planning Advisory Committees from across the province in May 2014. • Suzanne Barrett brought to the attention of the Coalition that Ontario Biodiversity Council will be holding a conference in 2015. Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H6 8. ITEMS FOR COALITION INFORMATION Moved by: Brian Bailey Seconded by: Eddie Colacchio CARRIED Discussion and Resulting Motion on Item 8.4 The proposal to include the Don, Humber and Etobicoke Creeks valley lands in the greenbelt went to Toronto City Council. It was sent on to city staff to study the possibility. • TRCA is also studying the action to make sure that it is clear where jurisdiction will lie. • TRCA is drafting a motion for the Authority. It will then approach the City of Toronto if the Authority gives its approval. • Mimico Creek cannot be added because its valley lands do not reach into the Greenbelt. • Brian Bailey was invited to the next Planning and Policy Team meeting. • It was suggested that David Barnett speak to the combine Planning and Policy teams. The Coalition proposed the following motion: That the combined Planning and Policy Teams (Don, Humber, Etobicoke - Mimico) send a letter to the City of Toronto supporting the move to include the valley lands of the Don, Humber and Etobicoke into the Greenbelt. Moved by David Thomas Seconded by Bob Noble 9. NEW BUSINESS CARRIED 9.2 Passenger pigeon memorial at the Royal Ontario Museum on the occasion of the one hundred year anniversary of the bird's extinction. It was suggested that Michael Bielecki and Suzanne Barrett approach Dr. Mark Peck about this. Ideas to commemorate: • Monument at the mouth of Mimico Creek in Humber Bay Park. This requires a letter to the City of Toronto and TRCA supporting such an action. Perhaps OCAD should be engaged. • Poster contest — for OCAD students; for elementary students • Resurrecting Lakeshore Artists project Etobicoke - Mimico Watersheds Coalition Minutes #1/14 H7 • Whole issue of CreekTime devoted to information about the passenger pigeon • A display be included at the Spring Bird Festival at Col. Sam Smith in May. 9.3 City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation way- finding strategy. Matthew Rossi will represent the Coalition. There will be several public meetings and Coalition members are encouraged to participate. TERMINATION ON MOTION, the meeting terminated at 9:00 p.m. on April 25, 2013. 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