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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 28, 2025 - Waterfront Advisory CommitteeTHE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA TRACKLESS LOUNGE 56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville, ON Monday, April 28, 2025 5:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF 3. DELEGATIONS A. Sarah Emons, Long Point Biosphere Region re Dune Restoration B. Bruce Bolin, Otter Valley Naturalists re Photography Contest 4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING(S) A. Minutes of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held January 20, 2025 5. MATTERS OF BUSINESS A. Memo WAC-06/25 re Council Decisions – WAC Recommendations to Council B. Memo WAC-07/25 re 2025 East Beach Season Opening Information C. Memo WAC-08/25 re North Shore Resilience Update – Public Advisory Committee Appointments 6. ADJOURNMENT THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES TRACKLESS LOUNGE 56169 Heritage Line, Straffordville, ON Monday, January 20, 2025 5:00 p.m. PRESENT: COMMITTEE MEMBERS SERGE PIETERS MARNI WOLFE ASHLEY CARDINAL VAL DONNELL *Acting Chair ABSENT: CHAIR RAINEY WEISLER STAFF ATTENDANCE: CAO THOMAS THAYER CLERK MEAGAN ELLIOTT MANAGER OF PUBLIC WORKS / DRAINAGE SUPERINTENDENT STEVE ADAMS 1. CALL TO ORDER Chief Administrative Officer Thomas Thayer assumed the Chair and called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Chair Thayer requested that in the absence of Committee Chair Weisler, the present members of the Waterfront Advisory Committee appoint from themselves a Member to chair the January 20, 2025 Meeting. Committee Member Donnell nominated herself. Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal THAT Committee Member Donnell be appointed as the Chair of the January 20, 2025 Waterfront Advisory Committee meeting. CARRIED Chief Administrative Officer Thomas Thayer vacated the Chair. Committee Member Donnell assumed the Chair. 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) 2 A. Minutes of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held October 21, 2024 Moved by: Committee Member Pieters Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal THAT the minutes of the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held October 21, 2024 be approved as presented. CARRIED 5. MATTERS OF BUSINESS A. Memo WAC-01/25 re 2025 Operating Budget Input The Meeting recessed at 5:03 pm and resumed at 5:16 pm. Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters THAT Memo WAC-01/25 re 2025 Operating Budget Input be received for information; AND THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee recommends to Council to consider an additional accessible portable washroom and enclosure near the pier in the 2025 Operating Budget. CARRIED B. Memo WAC-02/25 re East Beach / Pier Capital Projects Update Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal THAT Memo WAC-02/25 re East Beach / Pier Capital Projects Update be received for information. CARRIED C. Memo WAC-03/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee-Led Education Events for 2025 Moved by: Committee Member Cardinal Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters THAT Memo WAC-03/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee-Led Education Events for 2025 be received for information; AND THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee appoint the following:  Committee Members Pieters and Cardinal to work with staff for the photography challenge  Committee Members Wolfe and Donnell to work with staff for the make a pledge campaign. CARRIED 3 D. Memo WAC-04/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee Schedule for Annual Committee Memos Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters THAT Memo WAC-04/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee Schedule for Annual Committee Memos be received for information; AND THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee recommends to Council to amend the Procedural By-law for an earlier date to post the agendas for Committee Meetings. CARRIED E. Memo WAC-05/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee 2025 Meeting Schedule Moved by: Committee Member Cardinal Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters THAT Memo WAC-05/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee 2025 Meeting Schedule be received for information; AND THAT the following meeting dates be the Regular Meetings for the Waterfront Advisory Committee for 2025:  Monday, April 28, 2025 at 5:00 pm (Trackless)  Monday, July 21, 2025 at 5:00 pm (Beach, weather-dependent)  Monday, October 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm (Trackless) AND THAT the first meeting of 2026 be scheduled at the October 20, 2025 meeting. CARRIED 6. ADJOURNMENT Moved by: Committee Member Wolfe Seconded by: Committee Member Cardinal 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: April 28, 2025 MEMO: WAC-06/25 SUBJECT: COUNCIL DECISIONS – WAC RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL BACKGROUND The Waterfront Advisory Committee had a meeting on January 20, 2025, from which one (1) motion included recommendations to Council. These were presented to Council at the February 6, 2025 Regular Meeting and the following motion was passed: Moved by: Deputy Mayor Weisler Seconded by: Councillor Emerson THAT the recommendations to Council from the January 20, 2025 Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting be received for information; AND THAT consideration to an additional accessible portable washroom and enclosure near the pier for 2025 be referred to the 2025 Operating Budget deliberations; AND THAT staff be directed to report back with options for updated language in the procedural by-law to address an earlier date to post agendas for Committee Meetings. DISCUSSION The Draft 2025 Capital Budget was posted on the website on March 13, 2025. The Special Operating Budget meeting was held on March 27, 2025. The Draft 2025 Operating Budget package included Council’s motion directing discussion of the additional accessible portable washroom and enclosure near the pier for 2025. At its March 27, 2025 Special Operating Budget meeting, Council passed the following motion, in part, as follows: Moved by: Deputy Mayor Weisler Seconded by: Councillor Chilcott THAT Report TR-10/25 re 2025-2026 Operating Budget - Draft be received for information; AND THAT the 2025 Operating Budget be approved with the following amendments:  Reallocate Council Association & Membership expenditure in full to increase Municipal Assistance Grants from $7,000 to $9,000.  Increase Police Services Provincial Offences revenue by $2,000  Reallocate the portion of Building Salaries & Wages and associated Statutory and Non-Statutory Benefits associated with By-law Enforcement Property Standards matters to the associated expenditure lines in the By-law Enforcement budget.  Reallocate Building Vehicle Maintenance expenditure in full to By-law Enforcement Vehicle Maintenance.  Increase Tourism Beach Maintenance expenditure line by $2,000 to incorporate an additional accessible washroom at the East Beach. In regards to changes to the Procedural By-law, this direction is with the Clerk and will be returning before Council at a later date. RECOMMENDATION THAT Memo WAC-06/25 re Outcomes of Recommendations to Council be received for information. MEMO WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO: Waterfront Advisory Committee FROM: Thomas Thayer, Chief Administrative Officer DATE: April 28, 2025 MEMO: WAC-07/25 SUBJECT: 2025 EAST BEACH SEASON OPENING INFORMATION BACKGROUND The operational season for the Port Burwell East Beach is generally considered to be the May long weekend through the Labour Day long weekend. Staff are responsible for preparation of the East Beach in accordance with Council’s established level of service and Blue Flag requirements. This seasonal preparation often begins in April This Memo covers season opening preparation information for the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC)’s information. DISCUSSION Pre-Season Beach Preparations East Beach seasonal preparation begins in April or when the weather permits. The following information has been prpvided by the Manager of Public Works in regards to East Beach preparations and timelines before the May long weekend. Some items are further discussed later in the Memo.  April 24 - May 4 – Installation of parking signage  April 28 - May 1 – Washroom preparations. Cleaning of exterior and interior  May 1 - 2 – Install all portable toilets in parking lots, including additional unit  May 4 - 16 – Installation of enhanced Wi-Fi to support paid parking pilot  May 4 - 16 – Replace post and ropes around parking lot  May 4 - 16 – Build structure around portable toilet at west parking lot  May 4 - 16 – Pier bench board replacement on pending benches  May 4 - 16 – Parking lot grading and brine application  May 12 - 16 – Beach Safety Signage and Safety Devices installation  May 12 - 16 – Beach grooming including moving of sand where applicable as beach has increased in size by approximately 19,500 sq m to 28,000 sq m this year (increase of 35 percent due to low water levels for this time of the year)  May 12 - 16 – Bio-Swale Spring Clean-up and Mulch  May 12 - 16 – Picnic Table Placement/Net installation At this time, it is expected that early-season bioswale maintenance will be conducted by Public Works staff and summer students. This will be occurring in May and June. The East Elgin Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) will be assisting at the end of the season with clean-up efforts. 2025 Beach Contractor The Municipality’s beach facilities cleaning contract is expected to be the same as in 2024 for garbage receptacles, portapotties, and the physical washroom facility, with the same schedule for attendance and cleanings. This has been accounted for and approved in the 2025 Operating Budget. As noted in Memo, WAC-06/25, Council has approved an additional accessible washroom facility near the pier and with an enclosure. It is expected to be in place prior to the May long weekend as noted above. Beach Water Testing Beach water testing commences in May and ends in September. Under Blue Flag requirements, we are to test a minimum of five (5) times for streptococcal bacteria. This is done once each month from May through September and processed through a lab in London. Southwestern Public Health also tests weekly at the East Beach for e.Coli. This has been ongoing for many years successfully. The overall costs for water testing are minimal, and we expect no changes to frequency and process for 2024. Staff supply Swim, Drink, Fish (SDF) with a rolling four years’ worth of testing data every time a Blue Flag application is submitted, which is considered as a primary component of the application to ensure the East Beach is suitable for Blue Flag status. The WAC is aware of an increased frequency of adverse results in 2024. At this time, we are unsure whether this will negatively impact our 2025 application, which is discussed later in this Memo. Education Events The Manager of Public Works has led the outreach to local groups. At this time, the following organizations are interested in working with us for 2025:  Elgin County Libraries - Program late July-August to be confirmed for an environmental reading group for children.  East Elgin Environmental Leadership Program - Fall Clean-up of invasive plants with in the bio-swale, and possible planting of native plants  North Shore Resilience - Possibly of something with respect to dune grass planting or dune restoration on the east side of washroom / bottom of Memorial Park. Possible natural buffer between beach and park grass. Staff have also reached out to the former Ecodemy Education to see if they are interested in attending this summer and what the costing would be. This is outstanding at this time. At its January 20, 2025, the WAC considered Committee-led educational events for 2025, and passed the following motion: Moved by: Committee Member Cardinal Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters THAT Memo WAC-03/25 re Waterfront Advisory Committee-Led Education Events for 2025 be received for information; AND THAT the Waterfront Advisory Committee appoint the following:  Committee Members Pieters and Cardinal to work with staff for the photography challenge  Committee Members Wolfe and Donnell to work with staff for the make a pledge campaign. Since this time, WAC members have met with the Clerk to discuss progress and the plan going forward for the photography and pledge campaign. Through this Memo, Committee members are encouraged to provide their own verbal updates on their specific events. Paid Parking Pilot Council, at its January 16, 2025 meeting, considered a paid parking pilot program at the East Beach for 2025. The intent was to present Council with another revenue generation option to potentially offset tax levy impacts associated with operating and capital needs at the East Beach. Council passed the following motion: Moved by: Deputy Mayor Weisler Seconded by: Councillor Chilcott THAT Report BL-01/25 re Port Burwell East Beach – Paid Parking Options be received; AND THAT staff be directed to implement a 2025 pilot program with a daily rate for non- residents of $4/hour or $18/day and the availability for residents to obtain a $0 resident permit; AND THAT staff be directed to establish a reserve fund for net proceeds from the pilot program. Since this time, staff have been working with HONK Mobile on establishing the platform needed to intake fees and provide seasonal resident permits to Bayham residents. The Resident Pass applications are open on the website and will be available for the season. You need a pass to park at the East Beach for free. Residents without a pass will be charged the standard hourly or daily rate, as applicable. A Seasonal By-law Enforcement Officer (BLEO) has been hired. They start with Bayham on April 28, 2025 and will be with Bayham through mid-September. The Seasonal BLEO will operate primarily out of Port Burwell and is responsible for customer service, beach enforcement, beach parking enforcement, and general enforcement of the Traffic and Parking By-law in Port Burwell. At this time, it is expected that a Report will be presented to Council in Q4 2025 summarizing the paid parking pilot and seeking direction from Council regarding how to proceed with the program for future years. At that time, Council will have the ability to direct the reserve of any net proceeds from the pilot, which is net revenues (parking and fine revenues) after Beach expenses are removed (i.e. Seasonal BLEO compensation, applicable signage, tourism, advertising, Blue Flag application costs, contractor/cleaning costs, etc.). If realized, any reserved funds can be used in future years to pay for capital upgrades where directed by Council. Signage As a part of the paid parking pilot, signage will be erected near the East Beach and in the parking lots identifying that the East Beach is a paid lot and how to pay for your space and time. The signage in the lots is paid for by HONK. Additionally, new signage will be erected around Port Burwell and in proximity to the East Beach under the new Traffic and Parking By-law, specifically, no parking signage on Robinson Street within the Beach Zone, where higher fines will apply. Blue Flag Application Update In December 2024, staff made application through SDF for Blue Flag status at the East Beach for the 2025 year. The application timeline is generalized below: Date Step in Process January-March (current year) SDF reviews applications and reaches out to applicants to confirm information or request additional, missing information if applicable March SDF invoices applicant ($1,250). SDF may follow up with any additional questions or clarification on item March/April SDF advises if application and award is being recommended to the international panel April/May Applicant advised if successful May/June If successful, announcement can be made public. Applicant is sent a Blue Flag for the year. At this time, the Municipality has been invoiced and has paid same, but we have not received any updates regarding recommendations for status, etc. Given the above-noted table, we would expect feedback shortly. If successful, staff would expect a flag-raising to be scheduled for late May or early June, depending on when 2025 status can be made public. This is similar to 2024, and may be used as an Education Event in the 2026 Blue Flag Application, if applicable. RECOMMENDATION THAT Memo WAC-07/25 re 2025 East Beach Season Opening Information be received for information. MEMO WATERFRONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO: Waterfront Advisory Committee FROM: Thomas Thayer, Chief Administrative Officer DATE: April 28, 2025 MEMO: WAC-08/25 SUBJECT: NORTH SHORE RESILIENCE UPDATE – PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS BACKGROUND At the April 15, 2024 meeting, the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) received Memo WAC- 05/24 re Long Point Littoral Cell Working Group Funding for Coastal Resilience. The Memo covered the timeline between summer 2023 and April 2024 in regards to an application made to the Environment and Climate Change Canada Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative for funding to enhance coastal resilience to natural hazards and climate change risks on the north shore of Lake Erie between Port Glasgow. The Memo further advised that if “funding is successfully received, it is expected that public participation will be sought as a component of the overall analysis and review conducted in support of any resilience strategy for the north shore of Lake Erie. During this consultation, it is further expected that the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) will be encouraged to provide comment.” The WAC passed the following motion: Moved by: Committee Member Donnell Seconded by: Committee Member Pieters THAT Memo WAC-05/24 re Long Point Littoral Cell Working Group Funding for Coastal Resilience be received for information. DISCUSSION In February 2024 the Long Point Biosphere Region submitted an application to the Canada Water Agency’s Restoring and Protecting Coastal Areas stream of their Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative on behalf of the Working Group. The application was accepted for funding and the work to develop an action plan commenced in October 2024. The project was rebranded as North Shore Resilience Action Plan in November 2024. The project’s timeline is September 2024 through March 2027 – graphic below. Bayham provided a Letter of Support for the project as a component of the application. Contained in the Letter of Support were in-kind services (facility costs and staff time). No budgeted funds have been pledged to date, however, there is the option for Council to pledge up to $10,000 in each of 2026 and 2027. The Working Group consists of all Elgin municipalities except Aylmer (no water frontage) and Central Elgin (no Council interest in participating) along with external parties such as Birds Canada, conservation authorities, First Nations, the Canada Water Agency, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Small Craft Harbours), and the Ministry of Natural Resources. As a key component of the project, a Public Advisory Committee was advertised for and established in Q1 2025. The process for evaluating and approving appointees was led by a third party reviewer, conducting a blind review of applications. All applicants are required to align with the project’s Terms of Reference. Bayham is represented by three appointees:  John Seldon  Michelle Kanter  Marni Wolfe The draft schedule for the project is below. Currently we are in Q1 of Year 2. Much of this information is available on the North Shore Resilience website, which is updated regularly to keep members of the Working Group and general public apprised of the study’s progress. RECOMMENDATION THAT Memo WAC-08/25 re North Shore Resilience Update – Public Advisory Committee Appointments be received for information.