Body: Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee Type: Minutes Meeting: Committee Date: March 21, 2024 Collection: Council Minutes Municipality: South Frontenac
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Minutes of Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee March, 21, 2024
Township of South Frontenac Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Meeting # 01 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Council Chambers / virtual via Zoom Present: Joseph Buckley, Gerrit Buitenhuis, Holly Evans (CRCA representative), Steve Pegrum, Ellie Prepas, Alan Revill, Randy Ruttan & Tim Upton Absent: Janet Brown, Justin Connidis & Terry Mauer Staff: Christine Woods - Senior Planner, Michelle Hannah - Deputy Clerk
Call to Order
Approval of the Agenda
a)
Resolution Resolution No. 2024:01:02 Moved by Steve Pegrum Seconded by Gerrit Buitenhuis That the Agenda be approved, as presented. Carried
Election of Officers
a)
Chairperson Nominations & Election Steve Pegrum nominated Alan Revill for the position of Chairperson. Alan Revill accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. Resolution No. 2024:01:03 Moved by Steve Pegrum Seconded by Ellie Prepas That Allan Revill be appointed as Vice-chairperson for the Committee. Carried
b)
Vice-Chairperson Nominations & Election Alan Revill nominated Randy Ruttan for the position of vice-chairperson. Randy Ruttan accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations received. Resolution No. 2024:01:04 Moved by Alan Revill Seconded by Joseph Buckley
Minutes of Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee March, 21, 2024 That Randy Ruttan be appointed as the Vice-Chair for the Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee. Carried 4.
Conformation of Minutes
a)
Recommendation Resolution No. 2024:01:05 Moved by Tim Upton Seconded by Steve Pegrum That the Minutes of the December 7th, 2023 Lace Ecosystem Advisory Committee meeting be approved. Carried
a)
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest None was declared.
Delegations
a)
There were none.
Briefings
a)
There were none.
Business
a)
Lake Forum Subcommittee Update - members of the committee to provide an update Alan Revill shared that the sub-committee has picked tentative dates in July and are looking to solidify a time, but it has not yet been confirmed. He mentioned that last year the library was standing room only and they realize they need a bigger venue. The Storrington Centre is being considered and is available on the 18th, not the 11th. However, the committee may make a decision to attend somewhere else, possibly the Grace Centre they are waiting to hear back. Alan asked for committee suggestions and discussion. Alan also shared that speakers being considered are lake experts, the conservation authority and Township staff. He noted that the budget for this year is a couple thousand dollars for hall rental if needed and refreshments. Holly Evans advised that she is able to participate in the forum this year. Joseph Buckley advised he had a 6:30 start time for last year. Randy Ruttan asked if there would be an opportunity for the lake associations to voice their concerns at the beginning of the forum. Alan Revill shares that it was not a formal part of the agenda last year but they did invite individuals to express concerns. Tim Upton inquired if this forum is only for lake association groups, or is it open to anyone. Alan Revill advised it is open to anyone. Joseph Buckley noted the second half of the meeting was open forum and
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Minutes of Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee March, 21, 2024 asked if it could be split into sections of lake association groups and the other half be open forum which should satisfy the objectives. Steve Pegrum shared that the committee could ask for thoughts in advance, so it doesn’t take up the evening and become repetitive. Then it can be organized in advanced to specify time limits etc. Ellie Prepas agreed that it could be collated in advanced, and somebody could be a representative. Randy Ruttan agreed and noted looking at a template would be helpful sharing expectations or helpful hints and giving 5-minute timelines etc. Christine Woods noted that thinking back to last year is that the sub committee had gone forward without the committee’s okay – asking for consent from the committee now would be appropriate. Resolution No. 2024:01:06 Moved by Ellie Prepas Seconded by Steve Pegrum That the Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee approves in principle that the Forum will be held in July with details to be confirmed as per the general format discussed at the March 21, 2024 meeting. Carried b)
Update on Cataraqui Region Invasive Phragmites Management Area Workshop Holly Evans provided an update on Phragmites workshops the Cataraqui Conservation have recently held. Joseph Buckley asked if Quinte Conservation was involved with the workshops. Holly advised that at the first meeting there was someone there from Quinte, but also noted that the Cataraqui watershed reaches several townships, and the specific grants would want to be in your area. Alan Revill inquired how to deal with the Phragmites on-land. Holly shares that typically spraying it with herbicides is used in September and then it takes it into its roots. She shared more information about how to drown the Phragmites and how important it is to go back and check it to make sure it has all died. Tim Upton noted he learned a lot from Holly’s report and inquired if there is a short version to include in a newsletter for the lakes / lake associations. Holly shared that they have a webpage regarding invasive species: https://cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/invasive-species Ellie asked if Frontenac uses herbicides for phragmites. Holly advised that she knows the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville did a presentation and they have begun a trial run, and they are trying to figure out the different times and different chemicals and what makes sense to do because the spray and timing for wild parsnip is different for phragmites. Alan Revill advised the Township has historically hired a contractor to spray for wild parsnip and would assume it would be the same for phragmites.
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Minutes of Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee March, 21, 2024 Holly encouraged members to record sightings. Ellie noted how she knows of a patch and is astounded at how it grows. Holly agreed, it is a very competitive and aggressive plant. c)
Lake Ecosystem Grant Policy Update
Christine Woods provided an overview of her report regarding the Lake Ecosystem Grant Policy Update. Ellie Prepas asked about the change of wording regarding no funding from other grants. She added that the 14 Island Lake received a grant for the same project that was also granted funding elsewhere. Christine advised that the association asked Council for funding, but Council did not provide funding and advised the LEAC grant program would be better suited. There were discussions about Quinte Conservation taking over the dam and the Township providing support to keep it in good conditions. Randy Ruttan suggested assessing the projects through a rubric of 1-4 instead of a percentage. Christine asked that Randy assist her to work on the rubric. Joseph Buckley added points of clarification regarding the 14 Island Lake Dam, the only external funding is through the grant program, there has been money raised by the lake association, but no other grant funding has been received. Alan asked where Queens Biological station comes into the non-for-profit definition of the grant program. Ellie noted that they may be considered, but it may be helpful to put in an educational institute. Christine added that it is individual researchers that are asking for the grants, we are not giving money to Queens, they are individuals who are students etc. Resolution No. 2024:01:07 Moved by Tim Upton Seconded by Steve Pegrum That the Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee recommend that Council approve the revised Lake Ecosystem Grant Program policy attached to the report. Carried 9. a)
What is Happening on Our Lakes (Round Table Discussion) Randy shared that the Buck Lake Association is struggling and have lost some direction through COVID. As they are a not for profit organization, they have to re-do all their by-laws which is expensive. They are looking forward to a revitalization and getting more people involved. He also shared that Buck-stock July – fundraiser for Southern Frontenac Community Services, Hidden Valley Campground. More of a social gathering, but they would like to be involved with getting a grant to go forward. Steve Pegrum shared that he was contacted by a property owner on White Lake experiencing issues with milfoil and is putting together a meeting to be held at Glendower Hall, speakers lined up to speak about aquatics, invasive
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Minutes of Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee March, 21, 2024 species control and drone mapping. Alan Revill noted that the Desert Lake Association is looking at Fireworks as an issue as they are being deployed well beyond the Township approved times. Tim Upton noted there are concerns he has head about within Desert Lake expanding buildings within the 30 metre setback. Alan Advised this is an Official Plan and Committee of Adjustment matter and it is a complicated situation. Randy advised that as a Council and Committee of Adjustment we don’t go looking for things, but if they are brought to our attention, we tend to them. Gerrit noted that less than 50% of the lakes in the Township have a lake association and wondered if there is something that could be set up to help people? Alan Revill noted there was a group of people that came to the forum for that specific purpose last year. 10. a)
Motions There were none.
Notices of Motion
a)
There were none.
Correspondence
a)
There was none.
Questions of Clarity (from the public on outcome of agenda items)
a)
There were none.
Date of Next Meeting
a)
June 27, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.
Adjournment
a)
Resolution Resolution No. 2024:01:08 Moved by Randy Ruttan Seconded by Ellie Prepas That the Lake Ecosystem Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Carried
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