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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2019 - Blue Flag Beach Advisory Committee MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM BLUE FLAG BEACH ADVISORY COMMITTEE 56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville, ON Trackless Lounge November 19, 2019 3:00 PM Attendees Noel Hayes Earl Shea Regrets Paul Gagnon Tom Manley Barry Wade Staff Paul Shipway, CAO|Clerk Due to lack of quorum, this was not a formal meeting and functioned as a discussion session for attendees. 1. CALL TO ORDER CAO|Clerk Paul Shipway called the session to order at 3:00PM. 2. ITEMS A. 2019 Blue Flag Season Review a. Control Visit Results b. Water Quality Results c. Environmental Impacts d. Educational Events e. Total Beach Access Equipment f. Capital Items The Blue Flag Beach Advisory Committee held a general discussion pertaining to the above noted items as follows: a. Control Visit Results i. The CAO|Clerk provided an overview of the 2019 Environmental Defence control visit, which confirmed the Municipality was in compliance with all requirements of the Blue Flag Beach designation. At the time of the visit, the Blue Flag was not flying and a buoy had been lost. Both items were rectified within four (4) days and reported to Environmental Defence. b. Water Quality Results i. The Blue Flag Beach Advisory Committee discussed water testing and posting of the beach. The Blue Flag is awarded annually based on a host of criteria. In reference to water quality the Municipality must submit samples on an approved schedule for E. Coli and Enterococci. The Blue Flag is awarded based on the previous seasons water samples and must be above the 80th percentile. The Municipality is required to not remove the Blue Flag in season when an adverse water quality result is Blue Flag Beach Advisory Committee November 19, 2019 received. The criteria for Blue Flag contemplates and understands adverse water quality results may be obtained during the year. Outside of Blue Flag water quality requirements the Municipality must submit weekly Beach Water Testing (E.coli only). This is conducted pursuant to the Recreational Water Quality Protocol as directed by the Minister of Health and Long -Term Care as per Section 7 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. The Municipality ‘posts’ the beach during adverse water quality results on five (5) locations. The main sign and four (4) of the attached signs. Southwestern Public Health recently commended the Municipality for its water posting process. Discussion ensued concerning additional signage and processes to indicate beach posting. c. Environmental Impacts i. Discussion was had concerning lake, river and ground water surface levels impacting the beach. Clarification was provided that the storm sewer system is not adversely impacting the beach. Further, the Municipality has received an LPRCA permit to regrade the beach to slope water to either side. Discussion concluded outlining the beach is dynamic and responds to natural impacts. d. Educational Events i. The 2019 educational events were discussed with satisfaction with the same. The Blue Flag Beach Advisory Committee discussed enhancements to the photo contest to gain more interest. This includes consideration of use of the municipal newsletter and multiple newspaper ads. A special thanks again to the Committee for efforts on the projects. e. Total Beach Access Equipment i. The possibility of receiving accessible beach mats from Blue Flag International was discussed and staff will continue to monitor the opportunity. f. Capital Items i. Beach associated Capital Items were reviewed: • 2022 - PR-7 – Ele ctric Charging Station - $10,000 • 2023 - PR-8 – Beach Accessibility Enhancements - $200,000 • 2023 - FA -10 – PB Washroom Expansion - $500,000 • 2024 - PR-9 – Beach Shade Structure - $100,000 • 2026 - PR-12 – Memorial Park Pavilion - $200,000 All capital items are subject to change annually during budget deliberations. 3. OTHER BUSINESS 4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING May 4, 2020 – 3:00PM – 56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville, ON (Trackless Lounge) 5. ADJOURNMENT The session adjourned at 4:22 PM.