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210401 Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee MinutesThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee April 1, 2021 9:00am Lions Den, Community Centre AGENDA Attending: Paul DeCloet, Christine Nagy, Maurice Verhoeve, Barb Wareing, Susan Saelens, Penny Esseltine, Ken Butcher, Marian Smith Regrets: Mike Dean Staff: Christopher Baird, David Drobitch, Margaret Puhr 1. Call to Order 9:06am 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 Moved by: Christine Nagy Seconded by: Marian Smith THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory committee meeting of April 1, 2021, be adopted. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Proposed Resolution #2 Moved by: Penny Esseltine Seconded by: Ken Butcher THAT the Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee Minutes of November 5, 2020, be adopted. 4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof - none 5. General Business & Reports 5.1. Election of new Committee Chair Proposed Resolution #3 Moved by: Marian Smith Seconded by: Paul DeCloet THAT Christine Nagy be nominated to replace Paul DeCloet as the Chair of the committee – Carried And THAT Paul DeCloet be nominated as Vice Chair of the committee – Carried 5.2. Review Council comments on new Cemetery By-law – The new cemetery By-law was revised by the Director and Cemetery Supervisor, presented to Council for the first reading, and second reading. There were some discussion items that came up after that as per attached document - the Committee is asked to review these items, provide comments and the Director will consolidate the recommendations and present to Council for the third reading later in April or early May. The By-law provides for the new standards regarding the upkeep and maintenance of the Cemetery: 1. (12) Care of lots: no person shall plant trees, shrubs, flowers – council suggested deleting that. After a lively discussion, the committee is in agreement that this should be addressed with signage provided at various points at the cemetery. 2. (12.10) Boarders, fences etc. not permitted – agreement by committee; Maurice emphasized how important is to train staff in sensitivity when discussing these rules. 3. Flowers that aren’t being tended – to discourage putting flowers outside of decoration day as it takes a lot of staff time to water 4. (13.10) Potted plants for duration of specific times – committee agreed that it is important not to remove the artificial flower option, but take all flowers off after October 31 annually. 5. Solar lights are discouraged 6. Flat memorial stones – rather than round stones that sink and difficult to work around, Suggestion to move to a tablet style; Maurice reminded there were experimental two rows of flat markers that were successful and are now completed – people liked that idea. Other options requested are green burials, columbaria for cremains are very popular; extend the area and maybe include mausoleum look as well. Also suggested a public survey on future options. Proposed Resolution #4 Moved by: Susan Saelens Seconded by: Ken Butcher THAT the Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Committee recommend that Council approve amendments to the bylaw AND that a combination of fresh and artificial flowers be approved to be placed after May 1st and removed on October 31 annually AND that the Committee recommends investigating the future promotion of flat markers and green burial concepts. Carried. 5.3. Safety concerns at cemetery – update – there haven’t been many problems lately, but there has been some mischief in early spring, OPP was notified and increased patrolling with no issues since. Things have greatly improved in general. Some of the lane ways are rutted and Chris has acquired $25,000 to resurface approximately 1/3 of the existing laneways in 2021 and over the next few years. The work for this year will be completed in August, on the eastern portion of the Cemetery and the Office parking area. 5.4. Explore Tillsonburg 2021 Day – this is coming up for first Saturday in June, Paul recommends the event to be postponed until October due to COVID, potentially mid-October. To review in next couple of months pending COVID situation. Would like to see tree identification as part of the program to engage people. There is $2,000 budgeted for this event. Perhaps there are some grant funds to assist with programs like these to expand the program. Maurice suggested including Scouts and other organizations; Penny – the tree identification can be worked on at any time, are there markers to put on the trees with names? Paul will look into this, particularly for heritage trees. 5.5. Tree canopy project – when preparing 2021 budget, Councillors were proposing a new tree canopy preservation program for the Town. Other municipalities have tree planting requirements in all new developments. There is some policy review to be done however a “one tree per lot” requirement is now part of the standard requirements on all new residential site plans. Chris and Dave are developing a program that would hire a student or intern arborist to collect all the information and map it for the town, which will then go into pruning and removal schedule as well as replacement with proper species. HR is working on job descriptions to engage students or co-op program available to assist in collecting data. 5.6. Tillsonburg Horticultural Society update – Communities in Bloom is asking everyone to use yellow as a colour theme of hope for this year. In that vain, the BIA is planting yellow flowers downtown and the Horticultural Society is doing this throughout the town. There will be articles in the newspaper and social media promotions asking people to plant yellow, Garden Gate will stock many yellow options. The colour to be all shades of yellow. In partnership with the town, Newman Park, Annandale Museum and all locations around town will be included. A Fundraising Auction is not happening, but the pavilion has been booked for a plant sale on Tuesday May 18, for a socially distanced event. Will provide posters for next meeting. 5.7. Update on Service Club signs – tabled to next meeting. Staff will reach out to the club (Margaret). 5.8. General business – Penny wondering what is happening in parks, trails and other locations; Dave update: it is the intention to plant in parks and trails, Matt provided a list of locations that will be having flower beds: 1. Cemetery Gardens 2. Mineral Springs 3. Oxford Parkette 4. Clock Tower 5. Vet’s Trail – Rolph St entrance 6. CSC 7. OPP Station 8. LLWP 9. Skate Park 10. Dog Park 11. Stephenson Bench – TCT/Broadway 12. TCT @ 4th St trailhead 13. Tillsonburg signs – HWY3 (no longer exists), HWY 19 @ Stauffer Motors Christine – would like to consider the roundabouts as part of the beautification for the future – MTO might have comments, will make inquiry. Chris – Courtland Gardens is celebrating 20th anniversary and as part of it, will plant 20 trees along Mclaughlin Trail in Memorial Park, where some ash trees died and were removed. The proposed date will be Earth Day, April 22 at 11am and will be promoted on social media. We have Canada 150 trees that are also ready to be planted, they will be put around the Sam Lamb Field, approximately 40 trees. Maurice – front of the Cemetery is beautiful, he further suggests this be a considered as a future flat marker area to maintain a park-like aesthetic. 6. Next Meeting: May 6 at 9am, location TBD 7. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #5 Moved by: Marian Smith Seconded by: Maurice Verhoeve THAT the April 1, 2021 Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 10:19 a.m.