Minutes of Sustainable Orangeville

Tuesday, April 06, 2021 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Chair and Secretary Participating Remotely

The Corporation of the Town of Orangeville

Members Present:

• V. Nilsson
• M. Smith
• Councillor G. Peters
• T. Woods
• C. McCabe
• M. Whitcombe
• M. Rowley
• J. Lemon

Members Absent:

• A. Seagram
• J. Quirt

Staff Present:

• C. Cosgrove
• A. Shaw

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1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

2.

Disclosures of (Direct or Indirect) Pecuniary Interest

None Stated. 

3.

Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

That the minutes from March 2, 2021 be approved as presented.

• Resolution:

  That the minutes of the following meeting are approved: 

4.

Presentations

None.

5.

Items for Discussion and Reports

5.1

Earth Week Events

5.1.1

Earth Week Story Time / Library Book Donation

• Resolution:

  THAT the Sustainable Orangeville committee will donate five (5) Environmental themed books in the amount of $99.16 to the Orangeville Public Library.

5.1.2

Earth Week Community Tree Planting Event

The Community Tree Planting event will be postponed tentatively until May 15 due to the Provincial shut down that tool effect on April 3 for the duration of four weeks. 

5.1.3

Earth Week Virtual Webinars

 Three Earth Week webinars taking place during the week of April 19 to 24 and some are presented by Sustainable Orangeville committee members.
Backyard Hen's virtual workshop with presenter/ author Lorraine Johnson, Bike maintenance and repairs by Jeff Lemon from Cycling Elements and Urban Harvest presented by Martina Rowley. Registration site is located at www.orangeville.ca/Earth-Week-2021

5.2

CiB Garden Contest Signs

Sustainable Orangeville was successfully chosen as a recipient of the Communities in Bloom 12 garden contest signs and prize kits sponsored by Miracle Grow.  Garden contest planning and outline will be discussed at the future meeting as COVID will indicated some of the parametres surrounding of the outreach of the contest.  The only stipulation from CiB is that photos of the prize winning gardens are to be submitted to the CiB by September. 

5.3

Branching Out Support Services Program Update

• Resolution:

  THAT Sustainable Orangeville will reimburse Branching Out Support Services in the amount of $159.68 for the Bat Box materials.
  
  AND THAT Sustainable Orangeville will reimburse Branching Out Support Services in the amount of $550 for the Rent a Chicken program with Timberwind Farm. 

5.4

Budget Review

The committee reviewed the 2021 workplan updated with the current financial standings and discussed the committee funds that can be reallocated due to specific events and program cancellations due to COVID.  

5.5

Backyard Gardening Program update

Councillor Peters updated the committee on an independent initiative of the Backyard Garden kits for Orangeville residents.  The registration process is through Talk 519 and approved applicants can purchase a subsidized backyard garden kit for a reduced rate of approximately $50.  A maximum of 100 garden kits will be available this year.  Home Hardware is donating $5,000 towards the initiative and is assisting with the sale of the kits in-house.  The Backyard Garden kit includes: 4x8 wood to build a raised garden bed, a yard of soil, $10 Home Hardware gift card for seeds and chicken wire.  Promotion and marketing is being created and will be shared with the committee members.  The committee is requested to assist in spreading the word and the support of committee funds to assist in launching the program.

• Resolution:
  Moved by M. Whitcombe

  THAT the Sustainable Orangeville Committee will contribute up to $5,000 of committee special project funding towards the Backyard Garden Kit program.

  Carried
• Resolution:
  Moved by M. Whitcombe

  THAT the Sustainable Orangeville Committee will contribute committee special project funds of up to $5,000 towards the Backyard Garden Kit program.

  Carried

5.6

Sub-Committee Updates

5.6.1

Seed Library

Due to the provincial shutdown the library is not open.  The Committee is hopeful that the libraries will reopen at the end of April to allow the Seed Library to be returned within.  In the meantime, a few requests have come through email and a porch pick up has been arranged. 

5.6.2

Urban Harvest

M. Rowley provided the committee with a verbal update.  Notifications to the volunteers and tree owners will be sent out shortly to see the interest amongst them.  Awaiting to see if Covid pandemic restrictions will loosen within the coming months. 

5.6.3

Update on Farmers Market

5.6.4

Community Garden Update

All plots have been reserved for the 2021 growing season.  Even with no advertising, there are 2 to 3 new participants each year.  Ms. Bradley and her husband can continue to volunteer with member communication but will need to reduce any physical work that is required at the garden.  Ms. Bradley indicated a few tasks that will require attention shortly and will record the hours anticipated to complete these upcoming tasks.

5.6.5

Tree Protection Bylaw

Councillor Peters and Mr. Whitcombe have been researching and reviewing other municipalities' Tree Canopy and Tree Protection by-laws and policies.    

6.

Correspondence

7.

New Business

None Stated.

8.

Date of Next Meeting

9.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.