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981103 Otter Valley MIN/I. MINUTES OTTER VALLEY UTILITY CORRIDOR & RECREATION TRAIL COMMITTEE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT Tuesday, November 3, 1998 -8:00 A.M. Municipality of Bayham Municipal Offices -Straffordville Present: Sam Lamb, Chair, Tillsonburg Cliff Evanitski, Vice-Chair, Bayham Max Stewart, Bayham Bob Smith, Tillsonburg Jack Petrie, Bayham Regrets: Chris Rosehart, Tillsonburg Staff: Lynn Buchner, Administrator/Treasurer, Bayham David Morris, Clerk-Administrator Fran Bell, Economic Development Officer, Tillsonburg Brad Bartlett, Deputy Clerk, Tillsonburg A. Adoption of Minutes -September 28, 1998 Moved by Max Stewart; Seconded by Bob Smith: 'That the minutes of the Board of Management for the Otter Valley Utility Corridor and Recreation Trail Committee dated September 28, 1998, be adopted as presented. Carried. B. Adoption of Agenda Moved by Jack Petrie; Seconded by Max Stewart: 'That the Agenda for the Board of Management of the Otter Valley Utility Corridor and Recreation Trail, be adopted as presented.' Carried. C. Communications: i) Municipality of Bayham -Administrator/Treasurer Received. ii) Town of Tillsonburg -Deputy Clerk Received. -2- D. Delegations/Presentations: i) 8:00 A.M. -Risk Management -Frank Cowan Company Limited Mr. Bryce Sibbick & Mr. Chris Demarest Mr. Bryce Sibbick, Frank Cowan Company Limited addressed the Board of Management and thanked them for the opportunity for his firm to assist with a risk analysis of the Otter Valley utilidor. Mr. Chris Demarest, Frank Cowan Company Limited addressed the Board of Management and stated that his firm has been on the utilidor in the fall of 1997 and reviewed it for possible risks. He stated that the Board of Management must 'take ownership' of the utilidor by installing warning signs stating that it is left in its natural setting and that only authorized uses should be allowed on the trail. He further stated that as a minimum warning signs should be placed at the road intersections and other areas where there is significant dangers, such at drop-off areas and at the bridge abutments at Highway No. 19. He further stated that a system of inspection for risks should be implemented by the Board of Management on an annual basis. Mr. Demarest discussed with the Board of Management perceived 'hotspots', such as Tunnel Road, South of Maple Grove Road, Highway No. 19 crossings and telephone pole guide wires. The Board of Management agreed that appropriate signs at the road crossings and a system of inspection was required for the utilidor. The Board of Management agreed to inspect the utildor on Saturday, November 7, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. leaving from Port Burwell. Mr. Chris Shaw, Secretary, Otter Ridge Trail Riders stated his organization would assist with ground transportation. This was accepted by the Board of Management. Mr. Demarest stated that he would provide a form to the Board of Management that would assist with inspection for risk on the utilidor. In response to a question from Cliff Evanitski, Mr. Sibbick stated that the municipalities are not levied a premium for the Otter Valley Trail through Frank Cowan Company Limited for passive uses. He further explained a premium would be introduced if accidents began to happen or if the trail was opened up to horses and motorized uses. ii) 9:30 A.M. -Mr. Wayne easier Representing Adjacent Landowners Mr. Wayne easier addressed the Board of Management on behalf of Adjacent Landowners and presented the attached brief with respect to the Otter Valley Trail. Mr. Donald Good, Barrister was in attendance representing the adjacent landowners. -3- Mr. easier stated that the Trail is now under public ownership and that adjacent landowners are being asked to assume liability. Mr. easier stated that he is against the utilidor being used as a trail. Mr. easier further stated that as a minimum requirement he is asking the municipality to fence both sides of the utilidor along it entire 'length and is willing to make application under the Line Fences Act. The Board of Management agreed that a meeting would be set up with adjacent landowners in January 1999. The Board of Management advised Mr. easier that final use of the utilidor has not been decided and that the utilidor will not be opened up as a public trail until a meeting with the adjacent landowners has ocurred. Mr. Bill Underhill addressed the Board and stated that motorized vehicles are using the utilidor and that problems have begun ever since the municipalities have purchased the utilidor. E. Land Management Issues i) Groom & Szorenyi, Barrister Letter dated January 13, 1998 received. ii) Gregson Property Mr. Bob Gregson addressed the Board of Management and stated that there are problems on the utilidor with respect to trespass onto his property. He further stated that he would like a commitment for continued access to his farm across the utilidor from the Board of Management. The Deputy Clerk explained how access and crossings were dealt with in the Master Plan. iii) Moore Property The Deputy Clerk was requested to bring forward previous correspondence on the land management issue to the Board of Management. F. Communications i) Deputy Clerk re: 44 Country Trails Moved by Cliff Evanitski; seconded by Bob Smith: 'That Sam Lamb be reimbursed for the purchase of 2 trail books title 44 Country Trails by the Conservation Authorities of Ontario in the amount of $32.00.' Carried. -4- G. Other Business The Board of Management decided to defer the setting of sub-committees until all interested parties were consulted. H. Adjournment and Next Meeting Date Ajournment was at 10:30 a.m. and the next meeting was scheduled for November 24, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. in Tillsonburg. • ~ •