On Thursday, April 16, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority held its first ever fully electronic meeting. Highlights from the meeting include:
Administrative By-Law Amendments:
The Board adopted amendments to its Administrative By-Law to permit that electronic meetings be held remotely online with no physical location. The Board also adopted amendments regarding delegations by the public in emergency situations. Finally, for the duration of the State of Emergency, it was determined that Board meetings would occur on the third Thursday monthly. Although meetings are not being televised live at present, videos of the electronic meetings will be posted as always on the NPCA website at the link provided below.
Sourcewater Protection:
Meeting as the Niagara Peninsula Sourcewater Protection Authority, the Board approved the 2019 Annual Progress Report for the Drinking Water Source Protection Program to be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The Report will be posted on the Niagara Peninsula Sourcewater Protection Committee website.
NPCA Committee Appointments:
Board Member Ken Kawall was appointed as Chair of the Audit and Budget Committee while Board Member John Metcalfe became the Vice Chair. Member Robert Foster became Chair of the Governance Committee with Member Mal Woodhouse assuming Vice Chair duties. Board Member Diana Huson was appointed to the Strategic Planning Committee.
Restoration:
The Board approved thirty-two new restoration projects which will result in 2.8 kilometres of agricultural hedgerows, 57.68 acres of reforestation, 3.1 acres of wetland restoration with an accompanying 5.2 acres of wetland enhancement planting, 625 metres of livestock fencing and 800 metres of grassed waterways.
Financial Approvals:
The Board approved a new procurement policy which, among other things, will ensure that goods and/or services purchased by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority are bought in a process that is fair, open, transparent, geographically neutral and accessible to qualified vendors.
Finally, the Board also approved a new delegation of authority policy to outline administrative and financial responsibilities in the organization and to satisfy needs for financial transparency, accountability and control.
Links to Minutes and Video:
https://npca.ca/administration/board-meetings