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Budget & Administration Committee Meeting Agenda
June 20, 2013, 6 PM
at Woodend
- Chairman's Remarks - Howlett
- Declaration of Conflict of Interest
- Chairman's Report On Board Of Directors Actions - Howlett
- Delegations
- Member Briefing
5.1 Status Of 5 Year Strategic Plan - Peck - Minutes Of Previous Meeting
6.1 Minutes – April 18, 2013 - Business Arising From The Minutes
7.1 Governance Review – Amalgamated CAB - Firth-Eagland - Other Staff Reports/Memorandums
8.1 Election Of Vice-Chair - Howlett
8.2 Frequency Of Meetings - Mcdougall
8.3 Capital Budget – Account Re-Allocation - Horvat
8.4 Proposed Fencing Policy For HCA Properties - Horvat
8.5 Governance Policy - Firth-Eagland - New Business
- In-Camera Items For Matters Of Law, Personnel and Property
- Next Meeting – Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 6 PM.
- Adjournment
Lower Spencer Creek
Integrated Subwatershed Study
Class Environmental Assessment
Community Of Dundas
City Of Hamilton
The City of Hamilton in partnership with the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) has commenced the Lower Spencer Creek Integrated Subwatershed Study in the Community of Dundas, in the City of Hamilton.
This project is being undertaken in order to assess the overall health of the creek system and will incorporate considerations for flooding, erosion, surface and groundwater flow patterns, fish habitat and migration, the terrestrial environment, and water quality as well as how these aspects interact with each other. It will also examine future stresses and opportunities to the Lower Spencer Creek system and develop an adaptive management approach to improve the health of the watershed and the residents that live within.
Public Information Centre
A key component of the study is to engage the community at this first Public Open House which will provide an opportunity to meet the Project Team, share findings of the Phase 1 Characterization work and obtain information on environmental concerns for the area.
The Process
The study is being undertaken in accordance with Conservation Ontario Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects and Municipal Engineers Association Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, as amended in 2007 & 2011).
Public Comments Invited
Questions or comments about the study can be directed to the attention of the Project Managers:
If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this event, please contact us as soon as possible to enable us to meet your needs adequately.
Study Area Map (click to enlarge thumbnail)
Notice Of Meeting
Conservation Advisory Board
Thursday, June 13, 2013
7:00 P.M.
At Woodend
At the start of the meeting, we will do a brief site visit to the Hermitage Ruins, at Dundas Valley Conservation Area. Please meet at the Hermitage Gatehouse museum parking lot at the corner of Mineral Springs Road and Sulphur Springs Road.
- Chairman's Remarks - Topalovic
- Declaration Of Conflict Of Interest
- Delegations
- Chairman's Report On Board Of Directors Actions - Topalovic
There were none. - Approval Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting
5.1 Minutes – Conservation Advisory Board (May 9, 2013) - Topalovic - Business Arising From The Minutes
6.1 Cab Tracking Report - Kenny
6.2 Funding Strategy For Spencer Gorge (Verbal Update) - Bell - New Business
7.1 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) – HCA Protocol - Peck
7.2 Hermitage Ruins: Existing Condition & Stabilization Options - Horvat - Other New Business
- Next Meeting – Thursday, July 11, 2013 At 7:00 P.M.
- Adjournment
Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision and Strategy: Notice of Public Open House
Join us for an open house for members of the public to learn more about a draft implementation strategy for the Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision. There will also be the opportunity to share their comments and questions. The open house will be held on Monday, June 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre in Dundas.
More about the 50-Year Vision and Strategy:
The Hamilton Conservation Authority has, over the past 50 years advanced the protection of significant ecosystems, natural lands, and the Escarpment in the Dundas Valley. The Dundas Valley area is a unique area with characteristic natural, historical, and cultural features. Due to various pressures, the Valley remains vulnerable to these impacts and action must be taken to ensure the protection of important natural lands, plants, animals, the agricultural economy, and the rural lifestyle.
Based on an analysis of the current conditions in the Valley, a number of challenges were identified in the Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision and Strategy. "The Vision is a long-term model, looking 50 years into the future and will strive to protect the inherent value of the Valley through its 43 action areas" said Anuja Ramgoolam, the Project Coordinator. An 18-month project phase is currently underway through the financial support of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.
"After several months of planning and community consultation, we have developed a draft Implementation Strategy for the Vision's first cycle" said Ramgoolam. "This draft strategy will outline how the 10 identified action areas will be mobilized into community projects and creates a road map of how the Vision would be acted upon in collaboration with local partners" added Ramgoolam. Please join us at this open house to learn more about the draft strategy, and share your comments and questions with staff and fellow community members.
The open house will take place on Monday 17th June, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Room of the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre located at 10 Market Street South, Dundas. A brief presentation will be given at 7.00 pm.
For more information about the project, please contact Anuja Ramgoolam, the Dundas Valley Project Coordinator at 905-525-2181 ext. 157 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
You can also visit the project web page on HCA's main website or the community blog for more details and updates.
AGENDA FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
JUNE 6, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
- CALL TO ORDER - McHattie
- DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
- DELEGATIONS
- MEMBER BRIEFING
5.1 2012 Audited Financial Statements - Melanie Dugard, Grant Thornton
5.2 ATV Use – HCA Conservation Areas - Costie - APPLICATIONS – Development, Interference with Wetlands, and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses
6.1 Applications for May 6, 2013 - Berestecki - APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
7.1 Minutes – May 2, 2013 - BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
8.1 Funding Strategy for Spencer Gorge - Bell - PRE-DISTRIBUTED CORRESPONDENCE
- OTHER CORRESPONDENCE
- REPORTS
11.1 Budget & Administration Committee (Verbal Update) - Howlett
11.2 Conservation Advisory Board (Minutes – May 9, 2013) - Topalovic
11.3 Foundation Chairman's Report - McInnis - OTHER STAFF REPORTS/MEMORANDUMS
12.1 2012 Audited Financial Statements - McDougall
12.2 Mount Albion – Eramosa Karst Conservation Areas Eco Corridor - Peck
12.3 Upcoming Events - NEW BUSINESS
- IN-CAMERA ITEMS FOR MATTERS OF LAW, PERSONNEL AND PROPERTY
- NEXT MEETING – Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
- ADJOURNMENT
A coyote showing signs of protecting its territory has been reported in the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area, specifically in the
north 
half along the Yellow and Orange Trail between the Pottruff Homestead and the Nexus Cave.
Conservation Area staff will be monitoring the area. Signs have been posted in the Conservation area advising visitors of the reported coyote behaviour and dog walkers are asked to avoid the area.
Dogs may be seen as a threat by coyotes to their home territory.
DOGS MUST BE LEASHED AT ALL TIMES IN CONSERVATION AREAS.
Walkers are also asked to avoid the area for the time being until more is known.
Bruce Mackenzie, Director of Customer Services for the HCA said "The HCA hopes that we can ask hikers and especially dog walkers to avoid the area for now and let wildlife feel safe in their home. At times the wildlife in our conservation areas need space from people and their pets."
For more information on coyotes please read our fact sheet.
Media contact:
Bruce Mackenzie
Director of Customer Services
905-525-2181 Ext. 168
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A portion of the Dofasco Trail in the Vinemount Swamp on the Stoney Creek mountain is closed to visitors as of May 15, 2013 for public safety reasons.
Click to enlarge mapThe closed section of the trail is the boardwalk that runs from Fifth Line East to Eighth Line East (circled in red on attached map). The boardwalk will be closed for an indefinite period of time due to the failing health of the forest, which has resulted in a number of hazardous trees adjacent to the boardwalk.
HCA staff have been observing the failing health of the forest for the last few years. Now that the leaves are coming out, staff have noticed a rapid deterioration of the forest's health and many more dead or dying trees in the Vinemount Swamp, resulting in the closure of the boardwalk section of the trail. HCA staff will be investigating possible solutions, including planning and budgeting for the removal of hazard trees.
HCA will also be investigating the cause for the change to the forest health in the Vinemount Swamp and asking for the assistance of other agencies in this investigation.
The main species of trees in the Vinemount Swamp forest are Silver Maple and Swamp White Oak. Both of these species throughout the swamp forest are showing a similar rapid decline.
The Dofasco Trail will still be open from the Devil's Punch Bowl to Fifth Line East and from the Eight Line East to Eleventh Road East.
The HCA asks the trail users to refrain from using the boardwalk section of the trail.
Hamilton Conservation Foundation is in need of your support to vote for our What’s Alive in Hamilton project that will generate excitement and awareness of the unique and hidden natural ecological wonders in Hamilton.
We need your help to spread the word and vote for us on the Shell Fuelling Change website http://fuellingchange.com/main/project/411/Whats-Alive-in-Hamilton and register as a member and vote for the What’s Alive in Hamilton Project.
With your help and your votes the Hamilton Conservation Foundation can win the $25,000 to be used to educate our community and help protect the environment in Hamilton.