02 - March 1, 2022 Environmental Advisory Committee Agenda PackagecallUmmoii m�
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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
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