Board of Directors Meeting Highlights – December 17th, 2021
On Friday December 17th, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) held its regular monthly meeting electronically. Highlights from the meeting included:
2022 Children’s Charity Third Party Fundraiser Event at Ball’s Falls
The Board of Directors approved the use of Ball’s Falls Conservation Area for a Third-Party Fundraiser event in support of a charitable foundation. The proposed event, 5K Foam Fest, was to be hosted by 365 Sports Inc., an Ontario-based Sporting event agency, and is a family-oriented fun run, accessible to diverse abilities and ages supporting the Make-a-Wish Canada Foundation while raising awareness of children’s illnesses.
NPCA Board of Directors’ 2022 Meeting Schedule
The Board approved the NPCA 2022 meeting dates for its Board of Directors and Committee meetings. For the duration of the pandemic while meeting electronically, the Board agreed to begin its meetings at 9:00 a.m.. There would also be no Board of Directors meetings in the months of January, August and December. The schedule and notice of changes were to be publicized and circulated to area municipalities.
Award of Community Partnership at St. Johns Valley Centre Conservation Area
The Board authorized an agreement with the Niagara Catholic District School Board to collaborate on the delivery of educational programming and enhancement of natural and cultural assets at St. Johns Valley Centre Conservation Area.
Administrative By-Law Amendments
The Board amended its Administrative By-Law to reflect governance changes necessitated by the recent amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act. The most significant revisions centred around updates to the Section 28 Hearing Guidelines.
NPCA Public Advisory Committee
The Board approved of the NPCA Public Advisory Committee (PAC) 2022 Workplan and re-appointed the following individuals to the PAC:
- Jackie Oblak representing the environmental sector as well as continuing to fill the position of Committee Chair,
- Harry Korosis representing the Chamber of Commerce and tourism,
- Erika Furney representing the public-at-large as well as landowners,
- Donna Speranzini representing the public-at-large,
- Joseph Schonberger representing Agricultural South, and
- Michael Kauzlaric representing Agricultural North.
Policy on Setbacks
The Board instructed staff to review and propose amendments to NPCA policies on development to set a minimum 30 metre buffer for natural hazards, wetlands and water courses. They also directed a review of the policy regarding exceptions with an update report back to the March 2022 meeting.