HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 21, 2024 - Waterfront Advisory CommitteeTHE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM
WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA
TRACKLESS LOUNGE
56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville, ON
Monday, October 21, 2024
5:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
3. DELEGATIONS
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
A. Minutes of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held July 15, 2024
5. MATTERS OF BUSINESS
A. Memo WAC-11/24 re Council Decisions – WAC Recommendations to Council
B. Memo WAC-12/24 re 2024 Education Sessions / 2025 Blue Flag Application
C. Memo WAC-13/24 re East Beach Risk Assessment Update
D. Memo WAC-14/24 re 2025 Committee Meeting Schedule
6. ADJOURNMENT
THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM
WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
TRACKLESS LOUNGE
56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville, ON
Monday, July 15, 2024
5:00 p.m.
PRESENT:
CHAIR RAINEY WEISLER
COMMITTEE MEMBERS SERGE PIETERS
MARNI WOLFE
ASHLEY CARDINAL
VAL DONNELL
ED KETCHABAW *Ex-Officio
STAFF ATTENDANCE:
CAO THOMAS THAYER
CLERK MEAGAN ELLIOTT
MANAGER OF PUBLIC WORKS / DRAINAGE
SUPERINTENDENT STEVE ADAMS
**Due to the threat of inclement weather, the meeting did not commence at the Port Burwell
East Beach, 1 Robinson Street, Port Burwell**
1. CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Weisler called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
No disclosures of pecuniary interest were declared.
3. DELEGATIONS
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
A. Minutes of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held April 15, 2024
Moved by: Committee Member Pieters
Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal
THAT the minutes of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held April 15, 2024 be
approved as presented.
CARRIED
2
5. MATTERS OF BUSINESS
A. Memo WAC-08/24 re 2024 Beach Tour
Moved by: Committee Member Donnell
Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters
THAT Memo WAC-08/24 re 2024 Beach Tour be received for information.
CARRIED
B. Memo WAC-09/24 re Council Decisions – WAC Recommendations to Council
Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe
Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal
THAT Memo WAC-09/24 re Outcomes of Recommendations to Council be received for
information.
CARRIED
C. Memo WAC-10/24 re 2025-2034 Port Burwell East Beach / Pier Capital Items
Moved by: Committee Member Donnell
Seconded by: Committee Member Wolfe
THAT Memo WAC-10/24 re 2025-2034 Port Burwell East Beach / Pier Capital Items be
received for information;
AND THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee recommends to Council that Capital item PR-02
be amended to remove the beach playground equipment from the 2025-2034 Capital Budget;
AND THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee recommends to Council that Capital item PR-13
be moved to 2025.
CARRIED
Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe
Seconded by: Committee Member Donnell
THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee recommends to Council to review the Waterfront
Advisory Committee terms of reference to amend the scope to be in line with what area is
included in the Waterfront Master Plan.
CARRIED
6. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe
Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal
3
THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting be adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
CARRIED
CHAIR CLERK
MEMO
WATERFRONT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
TO: Waterfront Advisory Committee
FROM: Thomas Thayer, CAO
DATE: October 20, 2024
MEMO: WAC-11/24 SUBJECT: COUNCIL DECISIONS – WAC RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
BACKGROUND
The Waterfront Advisory Committee had a meeting on July 15, 2024, from which one (1) motion
included recommendations to Council. These were presented to Council at the August 15, 2024
Regular Meeting and the following motion was passed:
Moved by: Councillor Emerson
Seconded by: Councillor Froese
THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee Recommendations to Council be received for
information;
AND THAT discussions on playground equipment at the East Beach be deferred to the
2025-2034 Capital Budget deliberations;
AND THAT a review of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Terms of Reference be
deferred to the new term of Council.
DISCUSSION
The Draft 2025-2034 Capital Budget was posted on the website on October 15, 2024. The
Special Capital Budget meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The
Draft 2025-2034 Capital Budget package specifically includes the above motion, which will be
handled in concert with general public consultation comments.
The Capital Item applicable to the above direction is PR-02 – Playground Equipment. The Item
currently includes the east beach playground as direction has not been formally given to remove
it from the Capital Budget. Council may choose to either remove or retain the east beach
playground in this item.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Memo WAC-11/24 re Outcomes of Recommendations to Council be received for
information.
MEMO
WATERFRONT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
TO: Waterfront Advisory Committee
FROM: Thomas Thayer, CAO
DATE: October 21, 2024
MEMO: WAC-12/24 SUBJECT: 2024 EDUCATION SESSIONS / 2025 BLUE FLAG APPLICATION
BACKGROUND
The Municipality makes application to Blue Flag International through Swim, Drink, Fish every fall
in support of the Port Burwell East Beach’s bid for Blue Flag status in the following calendar year.
Generally, this application period ends in November or December of the preceding year and costs
$1,250 to submit.
For the 2025 season, the Municipality has yet to be circulated its 2025 application template for
upcoming intake.
One of the primary application components is Education. The Municipality must identify five (5)
educational programs to be sought for the upcoming season. These educational program can
change year-over-year, or be consistent with previous years, and should address visibility of the
Blue Flag program and/or environmental stewardship and education.
In previous years, the Municipality has had success with a variety of education components
include flag-raisings, Beachfest/Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA)
programming, and Otter Valley Naturalist bioswale clean-up/maintenance efforts. In 2023, the
Municipality added Ecodemy to its educational programing as well as the East Elgin Secondary
School Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) for bioswale clean-up efforts.
DISCUSSION
The Municipality has historically utilized educational signage at the East Beach as a component
of the programming. Further in 2024, a Blue Flag flag-raising was conducted and Bayham
Beachfest proceeded with their event.
Ecodemy was planned to attend the East Beach once again in September 2024, however, we
were advised that they were dissolving and being rolled into another entity’s programming
model, which unfortunately meant that they could not attend as planned.
Municipal staff did engage other organizations to fill the space left by Ecodemy. Organizations
included Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) and the LPRCA. However, neither organization
was able to assist on short notice due to staff resource constraints. They did, however, advise
that programming for the 2025 season with the proper lead-time may be possible. SWPH in
particular is interested. They have conducted kid-friendly water sampling events, where children
can test-sample collecting lake water, similar to how actual water beach samples are collected
for analysis. Also for 2025, staff will be re-engaging the new entity into which Ecodemy was
integrated to see if they would be willing to attend and run an event on green practices and
sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
Finally, as we are past the end of the beach season, the East Elgin ELP will be attending once
more to conduct season-ending bioswale maintenance.
With respect to educational events, staff generally take the lead to arrange for events that
involve external bodies or organizations. WAC members may participate in these types of
events as Municipal representatives. If WAC members wish to hold an event, they may do so
with staff’s agreement and involvement. WAC members may also collaborate with other
community groups to put on clean-up events at the beach so long as staff are made aware and
approve of such an event taking place. The WAC’s role as far as education events is concerned
is to provide input at the Q4 meeting on potential events for the upcoming season, contingent on
a Blue Flag status award.
The Municipality is open to discussing 2025 options for educational sessions at the East Beach.
It is expected that educational signage, a flag-raising, and SWPH and/or Ecodemy educational
sessions will once more be primary options for programming in 2025. Staff are continuously
looking for opportunities through schools for similar partnerships. Clean-up days arranged by
external groups or community organizations would also qualify, so long as they are open to the
general public.
It is worth noting that education event plans can change within a year. A Blue Flag status beach
and organization is afforded flexibility in regards to changes to potential programming.
Once staff have received the application intake information and form for the upcoming
application season, staff will be making their application for Blue Flag status for the East Beach
for 2025. It is worth noting that the East Beach did exhibit an increased frequency of poor water
quality results in 2024 due to the timing and intensity of weather events. Water quality and
safety are important components of the Blue Flag application and Blue Flag status. A high
frequency of poor water quality results in a beach season can negatively impact an application
for status in an upcoming year. Much of this aspect of beach management is outside the realm
of Municipal staff, and we are beholden to weather impacts as they come. It is yet unknown how
the East Beach’s 2024 water quality results will affect any future Blue Flag application.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Memo WAC-12/24 re 2024 Education Sessions / 2025 Blue Flag Application be received
for information.
MEMO
WATERFRONT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
TO: Waterfront Advisory Committee
FROM: Thomas Thayer, CAO
DATE: October 21, 2024
MEMO: WAC-13/24 SUBJECT: EAST BEACH RISK ASSESSMENT UPDATE
BACKGROUND
As a component of the Blue Flag application, the Municipality was required to provide a risk
assessment conducted by the Lifesaving Society to support its request for Blue Flag status. In
2024, the Municipality engaged the Lifesaving Society to update the risk assessment as ~6 years
had passed and an update was required for future applications.
DISCUSSION
The assessment was conducted in August/September 2024 with the Manager of Public Works
present to provide context and answer any questions as they arose.
Out of the risk assessment, a number of recommendations of varying priority were provided.
There are three levels of recommendations:
Priority Concerns
Primary Recommendations
Secondary Recommendations
Priority Concerns represent major safety risks to the public and merit immediate action. Primary
Recommendations address situations in contravention of a relevant Province of Ontario statute
or the Lifesaving Society’s position on what constitutes reasonable safe practices. Secondary
Recommendations are designed to enhance the safe use of the aquatic facility.
The assessment provided 0 Primary Concerns, 5 Primary Recommendations, and 5 Secondary
Recommendations.
Primary Recommendations
Lifeguarded/patrolled waterfront
Barrier/railing along edge of pier
Replace current buoys
Provide disabled access to waterfront
Install enhanced telephone notices (re emergency usage)
Secondary Recommendations
Enhance pier ladder safety
Remove distractions/notices on pier
Signage on both side of safety equipment posts
Install additional buoys
Install eyewash station
Based on the recommendations, there is a significant cost associated with the primary
recommendations, specifically the lifeguard recommendation and installing a barrier around the
pier. The estimates are attached as compiled by the Manager of Public Works. A barrier for the
pier may be between $150,000-250,000, and lifeguard operating and capital costs are also
highlighted. Note that the lifeguard operating costs does not include wages for lifeguards. As a
comparison, Central Elgin spent $240,000 (approx.) in 2023 on lifeguard patrol. A $240,000
increase in operating costs for lifeguard wages equates to ~3.6 percent on the tax levy.
Swim, Drink, Fish does note that Blue Flag International may negatively look upon
recommendations that are not actioned, which may impact any 2025 Blue Flag application.
As 2025-2034 Capital Budget discussions are upcoming, this information will be before Council
on November 6, 2024 for their information prior to the November 13, 2024 Special Capital
Budget meeting. Given the scope of costs, these recommendations may not be fundable out of
the levy. They may require another revenue source, such as paid beach parking.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Recommendation costing notes – Risk Assessment Recommendations 2024
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Memo WAC-13/24 re East Beach Risk Assessment Update be received for information.
These cost reflect current value and do not include labour
PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS
Area Concern/Recommendation Action Taken Cost
1 Beach Enhance beach emergency
information and phone
location.
-N/A
-Costing/Sign Location
- Eight locations total
$122/per sign
$976
2 Beach Provide disabled access to
waterfront
-N/A
-Staff brought report PS 15/23 Sept.
7,2023
-The accessible pad was created for
access to the beach.
$35-50k
3 Water Replace Buoys -Staff remove yearly and replace
annually if needed. When installed
buoy are standing straight with
stickers
$650/buoy
2024-
requires 4
$2,600
4 Pier Enhance Pier Safety –
Possible barrier added
Line currently painted ever two years
New barrier or rail would interfere
with ice jams and flows in high water
situations. A removal able railing
would be necessary.
High level Stainless would require an
RFQ however staff believe cost
would be $200,000 based on length
and online options. Substantial
amount of staff time would be
involved to add and remove annually.
$150k-$250k
SECONDARY RECOMMENDATIONS
Area Concern/Recommendation Action Taken Cost
1 Utility Room Eye Wash Station/SDS
sheets be added to room
Eye wash bottle and SDS sheets were
in room staff mounted bottle on wall and
hung SDS sheets Sept. 24/2024
$34-bottle
Hanger
2 Water Install additional buoys Staff will purchase in spring of 2025 1
additional buoy for location and install
buoys closer to shore.
$650
3 Beach Lifesaving identifying signs
and second sign to post
-Spring of 2025 staff will add a second
sign to post.
$68/sign
Total
$272
4 Enhance
Safety
Ladders
Signage added to Pier
Ladders.
Staff will install signage in Spring 2025
when ladders are placed back in water
$ 90/sign
$360 for
all ladders
5 Remove
Notices at
edge of pier
Do not dump waste at edge
of pier signage to be
removed.
Fall of 2024 or Spring of 2025 small
stickers will be removed.
N/A
Staff time
Lifeguard
List of Supplies Needed
Lifeguards make between 24-27/hr.
Central Elgin utilizes 20 staff to man 4 towers. If this is the case here, these numbers are low.
Operational
Supply Quantity Cost Total Cost Annually-Long term
Uniforms Min. 10 $500/guard $5,000 Annual
UV Protection Min.10 $100/guard $1,000 Annual
Rescue Line Min. 6 $75 $450 Semi annual
Binoculars Min. 6 $65 $390 Semi
Last seen Marker Min. 4 $85 $336 As needed
Mask/Fins Min. 5 $ 100 $400 As needed
Spine Board Min. 4 $ 800 $3,200 As needed or 5 years
Oxygen
Equipment
Min. 2 $ 900 $ 1,800 As needed
First Aid bags Min. 4 $ 300 $1,200 Annually
Additional
Supplies
$500 $500 Annually
Training Min. 10 $1000 $10,000 Annually
Rescue tube Min. 4 $200 $800 Semi annually
Total $25,076 Total one time
Total $18,436 Annually
Capital
Supply Quantity Cost Total Cost Annually-Long term
Lifeguard Towers 4 $9-12k $48,000 One time replaced 10
every years
Rescue Boat 1 Fire?
Radios 6 $1,000/unit $ 6,000 Replaced every 5 years
AED 1 $ 3,000 3,000 5 years
Signage 8 $ 250 $ 2,000
Chair umbrella 4 $ 300 $1,200 Semi- Annually
Rescue Boards Min. 5 $ 1,800 $7,200 As needed
Total $67,000
MEMO
WATERFRONT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
TO: Waterfront Advisory Committee
FROM: Thomas Thayer, CAO
DATE: October 21, 2024
MEMO: WAC-13/24 SUBJECT: 2025 COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
BACKGROUND
By-law No. 2023-014 establishes a Terms of Reference for the Waterfront Advisory Committee
(WAC). Section 5 “Meetings” states:
The Waterfront Advisory Committee will meet a minimum of four (4) times a year with Regular
Meetings set quarterly by the Committee at the first meeting of the year. Additional meetings may be
scheduled by the call of the Chair if required.
At its January 15, 2024 meeting, the WAC passed the following motion:
Moved by: Committee Member Donnell
Seconded by: Committee Member Wolfe
THAT Memo WAC-03/24 re Waterfront Advisory Committee 2024 Meeting Schedule be
received for information;
AND THAT the following meeting dates be the Regular Meetings for the Waterfront
Advisory Committee for 2024:
Monday, April 15, 2024 at 5:00 pm (Trackless)
Monday, July 15, 2024 at 5:00 pm (Beach)
Monday, October 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm (Trackless)
AND THAT the first meeting of 2025 be scheduled at the October 21, 2024 meeting.
DISCUSSION
The following date is proposed for the first WAC meeting in 2024:
January 20, 2025
This date is the third Monday of January. Meetings will continue to take place in the Trackless
Lounge at the Straffordville Community Centre from 5 to 7pm local time.
At the January 2025 meeting, the WAC will establish the remaining three (3) regular meeting
dates of the calendar year.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Memo WAC-13/24 re 2025 Committee Meeting Schedule be received for information;
AND THAT the first meeting of 2025 will take place on January 20, 2025.