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02 - March 1, 2022 Environmental Advisory Committee Agenda PackagecallUmmoii m� ,ailg n Progressive, by Nature Corporation of the County of Elgin ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA For Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 10:00 A.M 1St Meeting Called to Order 2nd Approval of the Agenda 3rd Adoption of Minutes — January 19, 2022 4t" Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest 5t" Delegations 6t" Briefings 6.1 Report —Wildflower Plot Next Steps —Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk 7t" Other Business 8t" Correspondence 9t" Date of Next Meeting 10t" Adjournment VIRTUAL MEETING: IN -PERSON PARTICIPATION RESTRICTED NOTE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Please click the link below to watch the Commitee Meeting: Accessible formats available upon request. 1 Page 1 January 19, 2022 Corporation of the County of Elain ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES For Tuesday, January 19, 2022, 11:15 a.m. The Environmental Advisory Committee met this 19t" day of January 2022. The meeting was held in a hybrid in-person/electronic format with Committee Members and staff participating as indicated below. Attendees: Mary French, Warden Grant Jones, Councillor, Chair (joined meeting in progress) Sally Martyn, Councillor Robert Braam, Community Member Sarah Emons, Community Member Ray Price, Community Member Kim Smale, Community Member, Vice -Chair Regrets: Michaela Lenz, Community Member Primrose Kisuule, Community Member Staff Present: Julie Gonyou, Chief Administrative Officer Brian Lima, General Manager of Engineering, Planning & Enterprise/Deputy CAO Eugenio DiMeo, Manager of Corporate Facilities Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk Jenna Fentie, Legislative Services Coordinator Carolyn Krahn, Legislative Services Coordinator 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting convened at 11.15 a.m. with Vice -Chair Kim Smale in the Chair. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Moved by: Sarah Emons Seconded by: Councillor Martyn RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the January 19, 2022 meeting be approved as presented. 2 Recorded Vote Yes No Abstain Warden Mary French X Councillor Sally Mart n X Robert Braam X Sarah Emons X Ray Price X Kim Smale, Vice -Chair X TOTAL 6 0 0 Motion Carried. 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by: Ray Price Seconded by: Rob Braam Page 2 January 19, 2022 RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on December 1, 2021 be adopted. Recorded Vote Yes No Abstain Warden Mary French X Councillor Sally Mart n X Robert Braam X Sarah Emons X Ray Price X Kim Smale, Vice -Chair X TOTAL 6 0 0 Motion Carried. 4. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST OR THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. 5. DELEGATIONS None. 3 Page 3 January 19, 2022 6. BRIEFINGS 6.1 Establishment of Pollinator Gardens at County of Elgin Facilities — Chief Administrative Officer, General Manager of Engineering, Planning, & Enterprise/Deputy CAO, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk, and Legislative Services Coordinator The Manager of Administrative Services presented the report detailing budget information, and options and alternatives regarding the installation of pollinator gardens at County facilities for the Committee's consideration. Moved by: Councillor Martyn Seconded by: Sarah Emons RESOLVED THAT the Environmental Committee recommend to Elgin County Council that a maximum of $5,000 be earmarked in the 2022 budget to be used to develop a 225 square foot wildflower plot at an existing County facility; and THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee pursue opportunities for grants and funding partners for 2023 projects; and further THAT the Environmental Committee endeavour to develop a policy associated with wildflower plots at County facilities for presentation to County Council at a future meeting. Recorded Vote Yes No Abstain Warden Mary French X Councillor Sally Mart n X Robert Braam X Sarah Emons X Ray Price X Kim Smale, Vice -Chair X TOTAL 6 0 0 Motion Carried. Councillor Jones joined the meeting at 12.16 p.m. 7. OTHER BUSINESS None. 8. CORRESPONDENCE �Gm 18 Page 4 January 19, 2022 9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Environmental Advisory Committee will meet again on February 23, 2022 at 10.00 a.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT Moved by: Councillor Martyn Seconded by: Sarah Emons RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 12.32 p.m. to meet again on February 23, 2022. Recorded Vote Yes No Abstain Warden Mary French X Councillor Sally Mart n X Robert Braam X Sarah Emons X Ray Price X Kim Smale, Vice -Chair X Councillor Grant Jones, Chair X TOTAL 7 0 0 Julie Gonyou, Chief Administrative Officer. Motion Carried. Grant Jones Chair. 5 Prugressive by Nature RECOMMENDATIONS: REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk DATE: February 18, 2022 SUBJECT: Wildflower Plot Next Steps THAT the report titled "Wildflower Plot Next Steps" from the Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk, dated February 18, 2022, be received and filed; and, THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee approve the next steps, as recommended by staff, associated with the repurposing of an existing garden at Elgin Manor into a wildflower plot; and, THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee provide preliminary feedback to staff regarding the contents of a landscaping policy that includes provisions for planting native species in new and existing County landscaping projects. INTRODUCTION: At its meeting held on February 8, 2022, Elgin County Council considered and approved the following resolution as recommended by the Environmental Advisory Committee: "RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Environmental Committee Request for Funding" from Councillor Jones, Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee, dated January 27, 2022, be received and filed. THAT Elgin County Council support the Environmental Committee's recommendation that a maximum of $5,000 be earmarked in the 2022 budget to be used to develop a 225 square foot wildflower plot at an existing County facility; and THAT Elgin County Council permit the Environmental Advisory Committee to pursue opportunities for grants and funding partners for 2023 projects; and further, THAT Elgin County Council permit the Environmental Committee to develop a policy associated with wildflower plots at County facilities for presentation to County Council at a future meeting." This report includes a series of proposed next steps for the repurposing of an existing 225sq ft. garden as a wildflower plot for Committee consideration. 2 The report is also designed to generate Committee discussion regarding the possible contents of a landscaping policy that includes provisions for planting and replanting of native species in new and existing County landscaping projects. BACKGROUND: Proposed Next Steps Facilities staff in consultation with the Director of Homes and Seniors Services have determined that the Elgin Manor Long -Term Care Home is the best location for the repurposed 225sq ft. wildflower plot. Staff are proposing the following schedule for Committee consideration: • Late March — Early April — Facilities and Homes staff meet on -site at Elgin Manor to determine which garden will be repurposed. • Early April — Facilities staff consult with Kettle Creek Conservation Authority to determine the best mix of native species to include in the wildflower plot design. • Mid April — Staff present a proposed design for Environmental Advisory Committee Review. At this meeting the Committee will also approve wording for educational signage and approve a plan for promoting this initiative to the public. • Early May — Installation. Landscape Policy Incorporating Native Species Staff are seeking the Committee's feedback regarding potential contents for a landscaping policy incorporating native species. Staff will consider Committee feedback and incorporate it into a draft policy for review by the Committee at the mid April meeting. Below are a few suggestions proposed by staff for consideration: • What minimum percentage of new plantings should be native species? Preliminary discussions with Facilities staff indicate that 25%-35% minimum with the possibility for a higher percentage be the prescribed amount. • Staff are recommending that the policy contain provisions for replacing plants that have died or need to be removed for other reasons with native species as appropriate and at the discretion of contracted landscapers. • Staff are recommending that the policy contain an appendix with a list of appropriate low maintenance native species to use in plantings listed by type (trees/shrub, flowering plants, perennials, annuals etc.) • Other suggestions? 7 3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Council has approved a request from the Environmental Advisory Committee for $5,000. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES: Serving Elgin ❑ Ensuring alignment of current programs and services with community need. ❑ Exploring different ways of addressing community need. ❑ Engaging with our community and other stakeholders. Growing Elgin ❑ Planning for and facilitating commercial, industrial, residential, and agricultural growth ® Fostering a healthy environment. ® Enhancing quality of place. LOCAL MUNICIPAL PARTNER IMPACT: None. COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS: Investing in Elgin ❑ Ensuring we have the necessary tools, resources, and infrastructure to deliver programs and services now and in the future. ❑ Delivering mandated programs and services efficiently and effectively. Facilities and Administrative Services staff will work with the Committee to promote this initiative to the public through educational materials, press releases, and social media posts. CONCLUSION: Elgin County Council has approved the Environmental Advisory Committee's request for $5,000 in funding to repurpose an existing garden at a County facility as a wildflower plot. Staff are seeking the Committee's approval of proposed next steps for the project. Additionally, staff are seeking the Committee's input regarding the possible contents of a landscaping policy that encourages the planting and replanting of native species in new and existing landscaping projects. N. hii ui vvmul is Respectfully Submitted Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk All of which is Respectfully Submitted Julie Gonyou, Chief Administrative Officer 0 9