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971009 Otter Valley Trail MIN- Open HouseMINUTES OTTER VALLEY UTILITY CORRIDOR & RECREATION TRAIL COMMITTEE Public Open House #4 Thursday, October 9, 1997 -7 P.M. Parish Hall -Village of Port Burwell A. Introductions Mr. G. Leachman, Chair, Otter Valley Utility Corridor & Recreation Trail Committee welcomed all participants to the Open House and explained the master planning process to date and confirmed that the Management Committee is working towards its use as a utilidor. Mr. B. Bartlett, Deputy Clerk, Town of Tillsonburg addressed the Open House and introduced the consultants from Stanley Consulting: Mr. K. Buck, Mr. J. Cranstone and Mr. D. Zimmer. B. Status of Project & Process To Date Mr. K. Buck explained in detail the master planning process to date and gave the Open House a status update on the project. Mr. K. Buck stated that the final plan document was being put together and would be made available to the Management Committee in the very near future. C. Overview of Master Plan & Permitted Uses Mr. J. Cranstone presented to the Open House the location of the 4 staging areas along the trail, including Lake Lisgar, south Tillsonburg, Straffordville and Port Burwell. He further explained that each of the staging areas along the trail would have a theme, such as Port Burwell-nautical, Tillsonburg -agriculture, and Straffordville -railway. He also explained that spaced evenly along the trail would be nodes or rest areas that would interpret some of the natural features and environmental conditions and other points of interest for trail users. Mr. Cranstone explained the design detail of the nodes and staging areas through typical cross sections of those locations. Also discussed were the needs for bollards, gates, fencing, information kiosks, plantings, signage and washrooms. Mr. Cranstone explained that at Tunnel Road and Blackbridge Road some uses would have to take alternate routes because of topography. -2- He further stated that motorbikes and ATV's would be restricted through Blackbridge Road to Straffordville, Eden, and from Tunnel Road to Port Burwell, as well as in Port Burwell. Snowmobiles would be allowed along the entire length of the trail except from Blackbridge lookout through to Straffordville. Mr. Cranstone further advised that it was being recommended to have a probationary period for the motorized uses through the Management Committee and that a code of ethics for the trail must be developed by that Committee to ensure everyones safety. He further explained the planning to date to accomodate Pembina Exploration Limited in the design of the trail with all other users. D. Proposed Phasing Mr. K. Buck explained the proposed phasing for the build-out of the entire trail project. He stated that the Management Committee should take ownership of the trail, which includes signage, fencing and gating as soon as possible, to avoid trespass and form part of a risk management plan for the trail. He further stated that the initial phases should be to develop trail heads in Port Burwell and Straffordville. Mr. Buck recommended that the final phase link the entire trail through the south end of Tillsonburg as this part of the trail has yet to be finalized as there are outstanding land route issues. E. Cost Estimates Mr. Buck stated that the estimated cost for the trail assuming design, build and contracted work would be about $1.8 million and that it should be developed over 10 years at a cost of $180,000 per annum. Mr. Buck further broke down the estimated costs for the project as per the expected phasing plan. He further explained to the Open House that the estimated costs did not take into account volunteerism, in-kind services and any donations. All project costs and funding would be at the discretion of the two (2) Councils through their respective Management Committee. Mr. Buck stated that the final phase linking the trail through the south end of Tillsonburg was not estimated as the costs for land acquisitions, right-of-ways, design and construction/building were still preliminary. F. Economic Benefits "' -3- Mr. Buck discussed direct and indirect economic benefits to the trail. He explained that in the first year when $180,000.00 is spent it will .generate a total economic benefit of $1.3 million. In the tenth year of trail construction, the total economic benefit would be $18.0 million. Mr. Buck explained that the statistics developed by Touristics is an accepted model used by financial institutions and the statistics are fairly conservative. He further explained that this model is used throughout the Province of Ontaio. Mr. Buck stated that the utility use and the eventual link to the Trans Canada Trail are not factored into the model. Mr. Buck also discussed motorized uses on the trail along with a proposed structure for the Management Committee. G. Recommendations & Implementation Mr. K. Buck discussed the recommendations that will be contained in the final report on the master plan for the trail. H. Discussion Period Mr. Ron Bradfield initiated discussion on the work done thus far with Pembina Exploration Limited. Mr. D. Zimmer responded that a great deal of work has been done with Pembina and that their requirements are brought into the master planning as shown in the typical cross sections. The trail can accomodate Pembina through proper design and construction and that they will need site specific drawings and details and that these items should be reviewed by the Management Committee with the assistance of qualified persons either on the working Committees or subcontracted to other professionals. Mr. Mason, Vice-Chair initiated discussion on phasing and further stated that many elements already exist such as the heritage buildings and other recreation facilities in the Village of Port Burwell, Vienna and the Town of Tillsonburg. In response to a question from Mr. J. Long, Mr. K. Buck stated that a trail width of 2.5 m. to 3.0 m. can be implemented to accomodate equestrian uses along with horse drawn wagons. This was acceptable to Mr. Long. In response to questions from the audience, Mr. Buck further discussed a Landowners Committee to look after land issues with broad representation from the public and each area Council. -4- Mr. R. Bradfield addressed the Open House and explained that contacts had been made with a firm planning a route across Lake Erie for a pipeline. In response to questions from Mr. F. Lewis, Mr. Buck stated that the economic model is credible in that it is used by financial institutions evaluating trail proposals across the Province of Ontario. Mr. K. Buck stated that he would forward the names of those financial .institutions once obtained from Touristics. Mr. John Danbrook asked why the consultants proposed to meander the trail in certain sections. Mr. Zimmer stated that some sections were long and straight and would control speed and reduce monotony if a meandering of the trail were introduced. Mr. Danbrook stated that the existing rail bed was in excellent shape and that there would be erosion and wash outs if the rail bed were removed and/or altered in any way. Mr. Zimmer stated that the ultimate design is to be approved by the Management Committee and that he agreed that the existing rail bed was in excellent condition. The group further discussed the condition of the rail bed along the trail and it was agreed that any problem areas were probably located mainly at road crossings where the rail bed has been disturbed through trail use and activity. A representative of the Otter Ridge Dirt Riders stated that there are two areas of concern: being Mabee Sideroad and Bayham Townline and further explained that their Club was trying to alleviate these problem areas through a code of ethics and enforcement. He further stated that his Club is willing to work with all parties for the use of the trail. Mr. Buck stated that his Club has already shown their willingness to help by their participation at a walk on Ontario Hiking day as sponsored by the Tillsonburg Trail Association and that this effort was viewed very favourably by the hikers. A representative of the Grand Valley Trail Association asked for an update on the line between the Town of Tillsonburg and Town of Burford. Mr. G. Leachman responded that it is his understanding that the line is in public ownership but its ultimate use is unknown. I. Next Steps The following steps were discussed at the Open House: 1. Complete master plan in two (2) to three (3) weeks; 2. present master plan to Management Committee and Councils; 3. establish a new Management Committee; and 4. start construction. The meeting ended at 9:40 p.m. -~ ~; CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG PUBLIC SERVICES 20 Spruce Street Tillsonburg, Ontario N4G4Y5 BUILDING· 842-2211 WORKS -842-5951 CEMETERY -842-3522 (519) 842-8775 -Fax September 19, 1997 Otter Valley Recreational Trail & Utility Corridor c/o Town of Tillsonburg 200 Broadway, 2nd Floor Tillsonburg, Ontario N4G 5A7 ATTN: Chairman G. Leachman Dear Chairman & Members: RE: Otter Valley Trail Risk Management On September 18th, 1997, Mr. Bryce Sibbick and Mr. Chris Demarest of Frank Cowan Company Ltd. and myself, visually inspected the trail from Rokeby Side Road to Port Burwell. Numerous areas of concern where addressed regarding potential immediate liability and future risk management. Mr. Sibbick and Mr. Demarest are available to meet with the Committee to address the Committee's concerns and risk management proposals. They are prepared after your meeting to provide written comments for review and further recommendation. Please advise Mr. Sibbick/Mr. Demarest directly, as to when this meeting could be arranged. Trusting this is of assistance. I remain, Yours truly, 2Yd fl-V'- M.C. Cowan, A.M.C.T.(A) Director of Public Services Town of Tillsonburg MCC/sv ~ ~ C' c. ~- f,'l- n 'r r r r (' ·1" ,( ; ,'I\ ' [ \ ,--, ,.. .. -' '~ THE SovEREIGN Item t. (a) Item 2. Policy# SRS27070 Item 3. Item 4. Item S. Excm !.J.abl!!ty Policy Declarations Policy Number:_,,c.,,o,.M,.5..,0""3"'0,_7...,14,__ ___ _ Agent Name & Number: South Western #3050 Name and Address oflnsured: Yvon Boyce R.R. I, Courtland, Ontario, NOG I EO Schedule of Underlying Insurance: Carrier Type of Coverage The Sovereign General lnsumacc Comprehensive General Liabilty Company Limits of Underlying Insurance $1,000,000. Each OccuITence $1,000,000. Annual Aggregate Limit of Coverage Hereunder: S 1,000,000. Each Occurrence S 1,000,000. Annual Aggregate Premium: $325. Minimum Retained: s 325. Term of Coverage Hereunder: (a) From: December 12, 1996 (b) To: December 12, 1997 12:01 a.m. Standard Time at the Address of the Named Insured as to each of said dates; or Unit! Cancelled as In the Policy, provided upon not less than Sixty (60) Days Prior Written Notice. Dated: 13 Januazy 1997 UMBOl2-1\t/96