Body: Environmental Task Force
Type: Minutes
Meeting: Committee Meeting
Date: February 25, 2024
Collection: Committees and Task Forces
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/north-frontenac/Committees and Task Forces/Environmental Task Force/Notes/2025/Environmental Task Force - 25 Feb 2024 - Minutes.pdf)
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W orth Frontenac Environmental Task Force Minutes 9:00 AM - Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Council Chambers ggw?wuship 0* ® “:7? Present: Councillor Roy Huetl (Chair); Councillor Fred Fowler; Paul Asselin; Ange Defosse; Bruce Moore; Marlene Spruyt; MikeWard; and Katie Surra Absent with Regret: Deputy Mayor John Inglis; and Darwyn Sproule, Public Works Manager, P. Eng., Also Present: Tara Mieske, Clerk/Planning Manager, Dipl.M.A. Dipl.M.M. 1 Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 am. 2 Traditional Land Acknowledgement We begin this gathering by acknowledging and celebrating these traditional lands as a gathering place of the first peoples and their ancestors who are entrusted to care for Mother Earth since time immemorial. We do so respecting both the land and the Indigenous People who continue to walk with us through this world. Today, the Township of North Frontenac is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation. 3 Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None declared. 4 Environmental Task Force Notes a) Notes of the Environmental Task Force Meeting dated January 28, 2025, as approved via email and received for information at the February 21, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council. 5 Business Arising a) Work Plan Update Mike Ward 6. Short-term Rentals
- Bruce Moore, Kate Surra, Ange Defosse and John Inglis
- Battery Storage Opportunities lnnergex is interested in looking at some properties in North Frontenac in the spring. They are interested in having a video conference call with the Task Force and invite the Mayor and CAD to attend. Deputy Mayor inglis willarrange the time for the call. Asselin advised the West Ottawa System is experiencing resistance from local residents who are concerned about ground water contamination. This is something new and can likely be addressed during the construction phase to ensure the surface is not permeable. Therefore; ifthere is a proposal a lot of communications willbe required to address public concerns. The storage containers have a fire retardant system within them which should self— manage the fire. Also, the companies will provide equipment and training to the municipality‘s fire department.
- Net Metering Deputy Mayor Inglis has contacted two companies and is waiting on a response.
- Invasive Species Councillor Huetl advised he is still waiting for a date for the meeting with Mazinaw Lake Association and federal and provincial representatives. May need to use a dual approach one being prevention in lakes that are not already impacted and methods to reduce spread or eradicate the milfoil. Consider signage at boat launches not owned by the Township on lakes where milfoilis present to advise boaters of its presence and how to avoid spreading it to other lakes. Also, to avoid areas of the lake where the milfoil is present. The Task Force invited Megan Ward who is completing her PhD in invasive species ecology to provide a presentation on Eurasian Milfoil.
- Septic Inspection Programs No meeting since the last Task Force Meeting. Councillor Huetl is planning to set-up a meeting in the next few weeks with the sub—committee. Prior to the meeting Councillor Huetl do some research with realtors and Mieske do some research on how to potentially get sale information sooner. Spruyt noted the delay in sales data can be dealt with if purchasers are aware of the requirement for inspections at the time of the
- Short-term Rentals Moore is hoping to set—up a meeting of the sub-committee within the next couple of weeks. There needs to be a clear statement of why action should be taken. Also, how environmental issues are linked to short—termrentals. A lack of complaints is not a reason to not regulate short-term rentals. Huetl noted that almost all municipalities are regulating short—term rentals and therefore; Air B&B is targeting municipalities that don’t regulate them. b) Earth Day
- April 22, 2025 htth://earthday.ca/ a) Community Action Poster/Flyer and One Earth Series at Libraries The Task Force reviewed the draft poster and were very impressed with the poster and thought it was a great idea. There were a few suggested amendments including adding the letter head. Defosse will provide the amended poster to be included with Notes when provided to Council. it is recommended that Council consider allowing the Task Force to publish a quarterly newsletter (one for each season) focusing on environmental issues based on the season. This can be distributed via social media, Township website, via email to Lake Associations and local businesses and posted at the Township office, Township halls and the waste sites. b) Quinte Phragmites Management Area Forum
- Public Works Manager to Attend The Public Works Manager willprovide an update to the Task Force after the forum. c) Biochar Asselin provided an update on a new technology where organic material is burnt so quickly the carbon is not released and the black powder remaining can be used to improve the quality of soils. Biochar is a charcoal—like substance that’s made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes (also called biomass) in a controlled process. Although it looks a lot like common charcoal, biochar is produced using a speci?c process to reduce contamination and safely store carbon. https://regenerationinternationalorg/2018/05/16/what-is-biochar/ a) Meeting adjourned at 10:19 am. 8 Recommendations Be It Resolved That Council receives for information the Minutes of a Meeting of the Environmental Task Force dated February 25, 2025; And That Council approves the Task Force creating and distributing a quarterly newsletter focusing on environmental issues based on the season.
