THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014

AGENDA FOR CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

NOTICE OF MEETING

CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD

Thursday, March 13, 2014

7:00 p.m.

at Woodend

AGENDA

1. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS ~ Topalovic

2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

3. DELEGATIONS

4. MEMBER BRIEFING 4.1 Event at Christie Lake - “Colour Me Rad” ~ Sofia Stanidis

5. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN ~ Topalovic

6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS ~ Topalovic

CA1405 Maplewood Hall CA1408 Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area – Draft Management Plan CA1409 Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

7.1 Minutes – Conservation Advisory Board (February 13, 2014) ~ Topalovic 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

8.1 CAB Tracking Report ~ Kenny 8.2 Hermitage Ruins: Recommended Stabilization Concept ~ Horvat

9. NEW BUSINESS

10. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

11. NEXT MEETING – Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

12. ADJOURNMENT

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HAMILTON CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

Conservation Advisory Board

MINUTES

February 13, 2014

Minutes of the Conservation Advisory Board meeting held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the HCA’s Woodend Administration Building, commencing at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maria Topalovic, Chair

John Barkovic Sean Botham Dan Bowman Kristen Brittain Lydia Cartlidge Frank Cucullo James Howlett Donna Kydd Cheryl Larocque Chris Michels Santina Moccio Duke O’Sullivan Robert Pasuta Morgan Pirie Marie Robbins John Shaw

REGRETS: Rob Booth and Mary Tice OTHERS PRESENT: Sandy Bell, Grace Correia, Gord Costie, Chris Firth-

Eagland, Bruce Harschnitz, Darren Kenny, Judy Love, Scott Peck, and Anuja Ramgoolam - HCA Staff

Richard Leitner – Media 1. CHAIR’S REMARKS

Maria welcomed all to the meeting and passed on regrets from Mary Tice and Rob Booth. Maria also introduced CAB to two new staff members – Grace Correia (Foundation Executive Director) and Gord Costie, former Superintendent of Valens Conservation Area and now Director of Customer Services.

2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were none.

Conservation Advisory Board February 13, 2014

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3. DELEGATIONS

3.1 Review of Volunteer Clean Up of Cootes Paradise Watersheds Alan Hansell provided a presentation on the volunteer clean-up activities of the Friends of the Cootes Paradise Watershed organization. Alan indicated that the volunteer group has removed over 47,000 lbs. of garbage from the Cootes Paradise watershed to-date. The volunteer group would like to develop a stronger relationship with HCA in 2014.

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS

The February 6, 2014 Board of Directors meeting was cancelled. The motions from the January CAB meeting will be moved forward to the March 6, 2014 Board of Directors meeting.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

5.1 Minutes – Conservation Advisory Board (January 16, 2014) Maria pointed out that Morgan Pirie’s name was omitted from the attendance list of the January meeting and would be added. She then asked for approval of the amended minutes. CA1406 MOVED BY: Duke O’Sullivan

SECONDED BY: Santina Moccio THAT the minutes of the Conservation Areas Advisory Board meeting held on January 16, 2014 be accepted.

CARRIED

6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

6.1 CAB Tracking Report Darren Kenny briefly reviewed the February tracking report. CA1407 MOVED BY: Morgan Pirie

SECONDED BY: Chris Michels

Conservation Advisory Board February 13, 2014

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THAT the February, 2014 tracking report be received as presented.

CARRIED

6.2 Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area - Draft Management Plan Sandy Bell reviewed his report on the Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area - Draft Management Plan. The latest Public Information Centre was held in October, 2013. There was overall satisfaction with the plan with the exception that several members of the public wanted to preserve the existing trail along Crook’s Hollow Road and did not want it closed. Preservation of the trail and construction of a new pedestrian bridge or culvert extension has been included in the current plan and CAB recommendation. Sandy pointed out to the members that there was an error in the previous version of the report related to the cost of the project; it should read $178,000 with a 10% contingency for a total of $196,000 not $156,000. Morgan Pirie asked what the timing of implementation of the plan would be. Sandy responded that implementation would be completed over the full 10 year term of the plan, but that $20,000 has been budgeted for work in 2014.

CA1408 MOVED BY: Frank Cucullo

SECONDED BY: John Shaw THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the revised recommendations in the staff report dated January 30, 2014 for the Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area Draft Management Plan be adopted; and THAT the revised draft management plan and formal approval statement be submitted for formal approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Niagara Escarpment Commission that the plan conforms to the Niagara Escarpment Plan in accordance with the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act.

CARRIED

Conservation Advisory Board February 13, 2014

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7. NEW BUSINESS

7.1 Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy – Project Update Anuja Ramgoolam reviewed her report for the members and provided a background and current status presentation.

2014-2019 will be the Implementation Strategy Cycle 1 (ISC1) for the Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision and Strategy which will involve:

• Implementation of the10 Strategic Directions • Public participation • Community outreach and education • Planning for ISC2 Anuja then asked for support for CAB members to sit on the Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision and Strategy Steering Committee. Chris Michels had also expressed interest in participating on the committee and Anuja requested that his name be added to the list as part of the recommendation.

CA1409 MOVED BY: Santina Moccio

SECONDED BY: Kristen Brittain THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the following three members of the Conservation Advisory Board sit on the Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision and Strategy Steering Committee for the duration of the project:

• Cheryl Larocque • Donna Kydd • Chris Michels

CARRIED

8. OTHER NEW BUSINESS There was none.

Conservation Advisory Board February 13, 2014

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9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the CAB is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the HCA Administration Office commencing at 7:00 p.m.

10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting was adjourned.

Memorandum To: Members of the Conservation Advisory Board

From: Chris Firth - Eagland, CAO

Prepared by: Darren Kenny, Watershed Officer

Date: February 28, 2014

Re: March 13, 2014 CAB Tracking Report

Meeting Date Formal Recommendation Idea/Comment Board Approval

Action/Status

February 13, 2014

Recommendation that the following three members of the Conservation Advisory Board sit on the Dundas Valley 50-Year Vision and Strategy Steering Committee for the duration of the project:

• Cheryl Larocque • Donna Kydd • Chris Michels

Pending

February 13, 2014

Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area Draft Management Plan – Recommendation that the revised recommendations in the staff report dated January 30, 2014 for the Crooks’ Hollow Conservation Area Draft Management Plan be adopted; and

THAT the revised draft management plan and formal approval statement be submitted for formal approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Niagara Escarpment Commission that the plan conforms to the Niagara

Pending

Escarpment Plan in accordance with the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act.

January 16, 2014 Maplewood Hall – Recommendation that the proposal to lease Maplewood Hall to establish a Montessori Adolescent School be respectfully declined; and further that the Maplewood Hall facility be demolished; and further that the area be generally naturalized subject to a final demolition and restoration plan.

Pending

August, 2011 Veldhuis Property Restoration Plan - Recommendation to approve the Landscape Restoration Plan for the Veldhuis property and forward the plan to the City of Hamilton and Royal Botanical Gardens.

September, 2011

Board of Directors approved this recommendation at their September meeting. HCA and City staff have met to discuss comments provided by the Public Works and Planning departments and will be continuing to dialogue regarding the project. Update: City of Hamilton will not support the plan to close King St. E. between the CSO facility and Olympic Drive. An alternative approach to this segment of the Desjardins restoration will need to be developed. HCA has commenced restoration works on the Veldhuis segment.

June, 2010 Confederation Park Master Plan Update

N/A The City of Hamilton is undertaking several reviews and assessments of Confederation Park to determine the costs and feasibility of implementing

the development concepts presented in the plan. City and HCA staff have been involved in discussions during this process.

Report TO: Conservation Advisory Board Members FROM: Tony Horvat, P.Eng., HCA Director of Land Management PREPARED BY: Matt Hall, C.E.T., Sandy Bell, O.A.L.A., Tony Horvat, P.Eng. DATE: March 6, 2014 RE: Hermitage Ruins: Recommended Stabilization Concept STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT the Conservation Advisory Board recommends to the Board of Directors: THAT the HCA staff be authorized to pursue the detailed design and required permits to implement a restoration of the Hermitage Ruins as per Concept No. 7 (drawings attached) at an estimated cost of $144,000 to $194,000, and further THAT staff report back to the HCA Board with final design and estimates for final approval prior to commencing work on site. BACKGROUND In July 2013, the HCA Board of Directors approved the following motion: “That the HCA staff be authorized to: Pursue the detailed design and required permits to implement a restoration of the Hermitage Ruins as which will

a) lower the existing walls to safe height, b) stabilize the ruins as required and c) improve the overall accessibility and interpretive features on the site

1) Report back to the HCA Board with final design and estimates for final approval

prior to commencing work on site.”

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This report outlines the staff recommended concept for this project and requests approval of this direction prior to additional funds being expended on detailed designs, specifications and permits. STAFF COMMENT Staff have considered various concepts, site constraints and fiscal realities and are recommending the attached Concept No. 7. The attached figures are: Figure No. 1 Hermitage Site Area Features Figure No. 2 Preliminary Site Layout, Trails, Amenities Figure No. 3 Concept No. 7 Overall Site Ruins Appearance after stabilization Figure No. 4 Concept No. 7 Front Elevation after stabilization Figure No. 5 Concept No. 7 Laundry Building after stabilization Figure No. 6 Existing Below Grade Brick Course Figure No. 7 Preliminary Grading Plan The final appearance may vary somewhat due to technical issues and cost constraints. One issue that still requires resolution is how to deal with the brick course currently below grade and decaying. This brick course holds up the masonry above it and needs to be stabilized/addressed so the wall above it remains stable in the longer term. This will involve either lowering in the entire site by 0.5 metres (see Figure No. 7) to allow for proper drainage. Alternatively, HCA staff will explore removal of this brick course and replacement with more stable components (concrete, stone) and sealing thereby. The preliminary cost estimate for Concept No. 7 is: Project Design, Inspection, Permits $30,000 to $40,000 Signage, benches etc $10,000 to $15,000 Removal of Fill (about 350 cubic metres) $13,000 to $16,000 Topsoil and Seed (about 1,200 square metres) $ 6,000 to $ 8,000 Laundry Building Stabilization $15,000 to $20,000 Main Ruins Stabilization (Concept 7) $ 70,000 to $95,000 Preliminary Estimate Total $144,000 to $194,000 These estimates would be subject to review/update as detailed design and specifications are developed and finalized. At this time, the proposed/desired schedule for the remainder of this project is as follows: Thurs Mar 13 Concept Approval by CAB

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Fri Mar 14 Results provided to Consultant to review technical issues, update prelim cost Thurs Apr 3 Concept Approval by HCA Board of Directors Fri Apr 4 Concept forwarded to City of Hamilton Heritage Committee for approval Fri May 2 Concept approved by City of Hamilton Heritage Committee Mon. May 5 Consult provided direction to produce detailed drawings, specs, estimates Tues. May 27 Final Detailed drawings and estimates delivered to HCA

This may be a phased project due to funding availability in 2014 Fri. May 30 Final report to CFE for approval Wed. Jun 4 Final Plans, Estimate mailed to CAB and

City of Hamilton Heritage Committee and NEC and City of Hamilton Building Department

Thurs Jun 12 CAB approved plans and cost estimate Thurs Jul 3 Board of Directors approves plans and cost estimate Fri Jul 4 Approval of Permits from City of Hamilton Fri Jul 11 Tender Call Issues Tue Jul 29 Tender Closed Wed Jul 30 Tender Report mailed to HCA Board of Directors Thurs Aug 7 Tender Awarded Fri Aug 8 to Sept 19 Construction Period Sept 22 to Sept 26 Fine Grade Site and Hydroseed to stabilize for the winter STRATEGIC PLAN LINKAGE The initiative refers directly to the HCA Strategic Plan 2014-2018: Strategic Goal # 3 – Conservation Area Experience The HCA provides customers high quality, diverse conservation areas to promote outdoor recreation, health and well-being, strengthening public awareness of the benefits of being in or near our conservation areas. Strategic Objectives:

• Maintain and enhance conservation area infrastructure and natural heritage features within the context of approved master plans.

• Maintain and enhance the financial sustainability of our conservation areas. • Conserve cultural heritage assets on HCA lands in a sustainable manner.

Strategic Goal #4 – Education and Environmental Awareness The HCA provides active outdoor learning experiences for students, teachers and the community increasing knowledge and awareness of the value of our environment and heritage.

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Strategic Objective:

• Maintain and enhance the education programs and infrastructure relating to natural and cultural heritage.

AGENCY COMMENTS Upon approval of this concept, comments will be sought from the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee (HMHC). Once the final design and specifications are completed, permits will be sought from the NEC, Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee, and City of Hamilton Building Department. LEGAL/FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The preliminary cost estimate range for Concept No. 7 is $144,000 to $194,000. The final design will consider a phased approach to the project as currently there is only $95,000 budgeted for the first phase of work. CONCLUSIONS It would be advisable that the HCA Board of Directors authorize HCA staff to pursue the detailed design of Concept No. 7 to stabilize the Hermitage Ruins.

Concept 7 – Hermitage Ruins – Preliminary Estimate $144,000 to $194,000 Feb 25, 2014 HCA Staff Not shown due to poor condition of ex. ruin and financial constraint – Kitchen, Wood Storage, Carriage House At detailed design and after lowering site by 0.5 m these can be re-evaluated in regard to condition and cost to stabilize

Laundry

Nursery

Main House