So I get to call this Board of Directors meeting
to order just a reminder on this meeting is being
held virtually. We are streaming it on the TRCA's website.
Please make sure all your ringers are off. Please don't
use any AI note taking apps. And the clerk will
now do your roll call. Go ahead, Grand. Great, thank
you, Barton. I am here. Good morning. Ainsley. Yo. Ash.
Present. Present. Chris Anti. Good
morning, present. Thank you, Dyes has sent regrets. Fletcher. Fonseca
has sent regrets, Kroon. I'm here. Is it Dean. Good
morning. Jackson. I believe Jackson will be on. She's just
having a little bit of connectivity, Candibelle. Present. Sorry. Thank
you, mantis. Oglevee. Pellegrini. Greetings, present.
You Cruza. Oh, thank you, Santos has sent regrets. Sex.
Here. Grivnard. Present. Shannon. Simpson. Present. Warner. Present. And West.
Thank you. Hey, thank you very much for joining us
here this morning. It's great to see everyone, just as
we're getting into summer. We respectfully acknowledge that we're situated
on the traditional territories and treatylands, and particularly those are
the Mississaugas of the Credit of First First Nation, as
well. Windet, and the May Tee Nation. As Stewarts of
the Land and Water Resources within the greater Toronto region,
the TRCA appreciates and respects the history and diversity of
the land and is grateful to the opportunity to work
and meet in this territory. Are there any disclosures of
interest. Right, seeing it here and none. So this one
is fairly exciting. And I'm actually going to pass the
chair to, not the chair, but I got to ask
John to speak for a minute and just introduce Paul.
You've worked with them longer if you don't mind, John.
You threw the chair. So today, and we're very pleased
to acknowledge and recognise Paul Noak, our senior enforcement. Oh,
no, we're doing, we're at the appointment. There's too many
paws. And the brand new one today. So. There's never
enough, but yes, let's start - Just to introduce Paul
to the board. Go ahead. Sure. Uh, and again, uh,
we, we, you know, we're very pleased. And I know,
um, vice chair Ainsley as well. Um, I think, uh,
you know, part of this is just recognising PUScriptner has
been appointed by the city pronoun as our citizen, uh,
representative. And I'm very pleased. And I've, you know, we've
worked together in the past on issues related to TRCA,
but also, um, in your, in your work on ravine
stewardship, uh, you have, uh, obviously a passion for the
work of TRCA and the work that we do on
stewardeem, the lands in this bioregion. And I, I just,
we're very pleased to have you now, uh, with all
of your experience with, which includes working with the provincial
government for many years on some of the landmark and
the Keystone legislation that we work with every day, like
the environmental assessment act and important piece of legislation that
we use all the time here at TRCA with our
partners. Um, we're very, these were foundational pieces of work
that you worked on in your rules at the province.
And we're very pleased to have you now, uh, as
a member of the board. And we're looking forward to,
uh, working with you. And especially, um, leveraging all your
expertise and knowledge as we, uh, work on, uh, the
incredible projects and the incredible initiatives that we do in
support of, uh, our mandate. So just want to thank
you very much for already the initial discussions that we've
had. And, uh, for your interest in, in, um, getting
out there on our sites and, and working with us
even closer. And I know, um, Deputy Mayor Ainsley, I
don't know if the add. I know that you've worked
with Paul in your capacities. Yeah. No, uh, Paul has
a long history of environmental stewardship. And I'm very happy
to have him on the board and looking forward to
working with him and welcome to the Board of Directors,
Paul. Thank you, Paul. Am I say a few words.
Sure. So, um, I'm very excited to join the board.
It's a, uh, a new chapter in my life, uh,
I'm looking forward to it very much. And I do,
I made very interested in, uh, obviously what the TRCA
does. It's mandate and, uh, it's role in, in stewarding,
very, you know, one of our critical assets. And, um,
I had the good fortune of living on, uh, or
being very close to ravine for most of my life.
And this has shaped, it's in my jeans, I guess
that I'm interested in natural areas, urban natural areas. I
was one of the fathers of the original City of
Toronto or Veen's protection bylaw, which has changed considerably since
then. And that was back in 1977. And I, uh,
when I was a director of the North Rosedale Reed
Parts Association, as it was called, I and others initiated
studies of the Rosedale ravines, which are in Councillor Saxes
Warg. And that was back in 1977. And we retained
the You of the Scientific Study plot - based study.
And we went back 40 years later using UT Daniels
to reassess the situation. We were shocked. At the amount
of invasives. And other changes to the ravines, which was
a clarion call that we needed to up the ante
in terms of protecting a very important resource for Toronto.
And so in that note, uh, we reorganised an organisation
that we've been helping for many years, and it's now
called Toronto Nature Stewards. And it's a citywide organisation. It's
about six years old. It started with nine sites that
the volunteer, uh, volunteer steward and, or sorry, not, yeah,
nine sites and 53 volunteers. This year we are stewarding,
um, uh, 50 sites. And we have 2, 000 volunteers.
And it doesn't cost the city anything. Uh, the staff
are paid for, uh, by private contribution. And I see
you with the ravines and other areas, uh, in the
watershed, of course, uh, that invasives and the conversion of
lands are the biggest threats. And I look at things
like, um, metro Lynx's building across ravines, over ravines like
the Ignition West LRT. As examples of that. And we're
invasive, she can find the mervy wear. Professionally, I have
a master's environmental studies from York. Those are the early
days for that program. Uh, as was alluded to earlier,
uh, I work as a staff person in cabinet office
and with the Ministry of Environment back then, I was
one of the fathers of the environmental assessment act. Uh,
for more than 35 years I've been doing government relations
work, uh, primarily with the city of Toronto. And the
province. Um, so no fee is one of my clients
and you, you know, that, uh, they have a huge
campus at. Uh, they have a huge campus at steels
and Dufrin and they are stewarding part of the, um,
uh, Don Valley West ravine adjacent to their campus. And
I've helped them with this. Got it started. That's how
we, I met John when he was newly minted. Uh,
and that was, uh, six years ago seven years ago.
And that program continues and we have a strong relationship
with the UT, which has been a big supporter of
ours. So that's about me. I look forward to being
a very active member. I want to get oats and
do things. I want to represent the organisation and help
advance its interests. So thank you very much. Thank you
very much Paul for joining us and for, for being
willing to, uh, participate. There's so much more work to
do. And I'm really glad you remember the team. So
on that note, I'm just wondering. Mr. Chair, can I
just say a word? Uh, sure. Um, just to also
to welcome Paul, who's one of my most outstanding constituents,
um, and, um, we are, I've taken an active role
in, in bringing a larger role for the Toronto Nature
Stewards in preserving Toronto's ravines. And we are looking forward
hopefully later this year to formally naming, um, uh, small
public area in honour of his mother Mark's given your
car who was the original ravine lady fighting for ravines
in the city of Toronto and has done so much
to protect this shared public asset. So it's a, it's
a long family tradition. I'm glad to continue to honour
it. And I so much look forward to working more
closely with Paul. Okay. Thank you very much. Councillor Sox.
Just wondering if you'd be willing to move the motion
to add Paul to the board, if that works. Oh,
I would like to do that with both hands, please.
I assumed you would. And Defuber is the, you could
dissect in that. Oh, I just wanted to know if
you're, if I'm connected. Yes. I can hear you. Thanks.
All right. I'm happy to second that. Okay. Paul, you're
good to withdraw your second. I was. Draw. Okay. Thank
you very much. All right. So we have a motion
on the floor. Um, any questions or comments all in
favor. That is carried. Paul, welcome to the board. We're
really happy to have you here to continue to, uh,
the, the multi generational work. Great work. All right. Uh.
Next we've got the minutes from, um, from May the
22nd. Can I get a mover in a second or
for that? Um. Okay. We'll go, uh, Catherine Lee. And
Candel. Okay. Um, any questions or comments on the minutes.
All right. All in favor. That's carried. Um, we don't
have any delegations or presentations today. We're going to run
into the consent agenda. I'm going to read out each
item on the consent agenda that will be approved. Remember
maybe asked to hold that, um, verbally. The motions are
approved is written and no further discussion. We'll take place.
All right. So we are into 9. 1. This is
2025 audited financial statements. 9. 2 is the appointment of.
9. 2 is the appointment of an officer under section
30. 1 of the Conservation Authorities Act for the purpose
of insurance compliance with the acting regulations. 9. 3 is
request to enter into a new management agreement for the
mill and dam Conservation Park with the city of Markham
9. 4, the new lease agreement for a portion of
550 Bayview avenue for the Evergreen brickworks. 9. 5 is
disposal of TRCA owned land in City of Prano for
the Don Lando Club for the City of Toronto's future
trail strategy 9. 6 is a request for proposal for
detailed designs for erosion chair. I'd like to hold that.
The 9. 5. Euro. You're on mute Diane. Sorry. Veil
of Evoca. 9. 6. 9. Okay. Sounds good. So 9.
6 9. 7 requests for proposal for the Toronto Island
Park flood and erosion mitigation project detailed design development 9.
8 is adoption of provincial vendor of record arrangements for
tender 2997 speed management services 9. 9 is the regional
municipality of PL. And City of Reaction Service level agreements.
And then 9. 10 is the 413 project formerly the
GTA West Transportation Corner environment assessment and Northwest GTA transmission
quarter updates and associated property dispositions. 9. 11 is the
2024 storm event analysis study and TRCA's flood forecasting and
warning messaging system. I have a question about that. Okay.
10. 1 is the summary of senior staff expenses for
2025 10. 2 is the summary of the 2025 2026
TRCA policy consultation submissions 10. 3 is an update on
the TRCA and create TO collaboration at the village of
Black Creek parking facility. 11. 2. 1 is the disposition
to the corporation of the town of Caledon for the
Glasgow Road Infrastructure Improvements. CFN 71481 11. 2. 2 is
the permanent easement to the City of Toronto for storm
sewer and outfall project at 6. 15 Horner Avenue for
the City of Toronto 11. 2. 3 is conveyance, permanent
easements and restrictive covenants required for the Rockliffe Riverine flood
mitigation project 11. 2. 4 is a vendor of record
arrangements for sign production services. Then we're into 11. 2.
5 requests for tender for the German mills Creek channel
restoration site for project for the regional municipality of York.
11. 2. 6 is request for tender for sediment disposal
facility. Brampton Strongwater Management PONS 11 points 3. 1 is
TRCA 2026 three months financial update 11. 4. 1 is
Wadford Toronto Major Permit application 11. 4. 2 is City
of Brampton major permit applications 11. 4. 3 is standard
delegated permits for receipt staff approved and issued for June
12 2026. All right. So can I get a mover
in a second or for those items you could vice
chair. Yes I am. Thank you very much. Oh moved.
And can I get a Kevin do you want to
second that mayor Ash? That sounds good. All right. So
then let's go back to the holds. I believe the
first quote was for Kers. Yep. Uh, I just wanted
to note that 9. 5 disposal of TRCA - owned
land to the City of Toronto and Donalda Club for
the City of Toronto Futures Trail Strategy. I just like
to quickly tank all of our TRCA staff for the
work that, uh, they've done on this initiative. We on
our side of the table, a city of Toronto. We
passed our part yesterday at City of Toronto Council unanimously.
So I'd just like to acknowledge our staff for all
their work on this. Thank you. Hey, thank you very
much. Um, to the Vice Chair for those comments for
staff, both from the City of Toronto and the DRCA.
All right. Let's jump to 9. 6. Um, go ahead,
councillor stop. Yes. So my, my question really was the,
um, about the closed document. So I don't know if
I can ask those questions without us going into closed
session. Um, John, do you want to jump in. Uh,
through the chair. So yeah, specifically we, we, uh, do
you have an associated closed deck that includes the evaluation
results that are typically, we typically include and have a
back pocket presentation related to closed sessions that we can
speak to. We are, I believe, and subject to, um,
subject to the board. I know we do have two
other closed session items that we have today. And I
can wait. I can wait. Board wishes to go in
on that. You know, we can, we can do that
as part of that, but that's like getting up to
you chair and the board. Okay. So why don't we
do this if that's okay? Why don't we refer this
to the closed session and then we'll vote after we,
we, we are tied on forum. So let's, let's do
that just in case to pass most of the business
of the day in case we lose quantum. Joanne, is
that all right. Okay. We get a lot of, not
of head. So we'll, we'll, we'll deal with this thing
close, but we'll pass the majority of the items first
and we'll hold this one. All right. So next we
are, I believe it's 9. 1. One, um, in regards
to the storm event again, I believe that is you.
Councillor Sachs. It's almost always me. Um, yeah, my, my,
my question here was about the gap between the people
who should be getting notice of these unusually intense localized
events. And the people who are actually signed up. So
is there a map or, um, something that the staff
could suggest that, that we councillors could be using to
encourage our constituents to sign up. People don't know that
they need this information. So what would help us identify
who ought to be signing up for the notices? That's
my question. So through the chair and thank you very
much. It's a great point. Uh, we have been a
game with our, uh, very, and I believe the best
flood mapping, uh, in Ontario based on the LIDAR work
and everything that we've done to make sure that this
is the best tested, uh, flood mapping. We have identified
all those areas that would experience, uh, the flood risk
and our, our within, uh, within the risk areas. What
we have been trying to do, and I know we've
done a lot more, especially with councillor DASCO and councillor
Fonsenco in PIL, especially related to a little atopical creek
where the issues and events, um, same events that were
actually reporting on here. We've had a lot of local,
um, workshops, a lot of outreach to try to get
more of the businesses, more of the residents signed up,
uh, so we can then make sure they get those
alerts, uh, that they're all subscribed that we can send
those alerts as quickly as possible to them. Um, but,
but I do think, uh, there are some more potential
opportunities, but I'm going to let Samir dolla and his
team speak to that, uh, smear. Do you want to
speak to this a bit more. Please, thanks. And through
the chair, uh, councillor sacks, we do appreciate your questions
and your interest in this. So we do have five
vulnerable areas throughout our jurisdiction. And just last week we
actually do, we do develop specific packaging that we send
out to each of the councillors within these five vulnerable
areas. So last week we sent this information out, uh,
which provides all the information you would need to inform
your constituents. So, um, if you haven't received that yet,
we will follow up with Emily just to make sure
that you have this package. And again, a lot of
the information on the website. We've made a lot of
enhancements. So anybody, any member of the public could actually,
uh, registra online to receive, um, the flood warning messages
as they are released. And our website TRCAGing. ca. That
is publicly available. It's an amazing website. I believe it's
probably one of the most advanced flood warning systems in
Canada whereby you could see in real time where our
gauges are. We have real - time cameras. We have
precipitation gauges and any member of the public could actually
go in there during event before an event and look
at, um, exactly what's happening within the area. And this
also, all the, um, flood warning gauges, the real -
time gauges are located in hotspots areas where we are
concerned about flooding. So there's a wealth of resources out
there, but again, as I mentioned, we do develop site
- specific packages that we provide to each of the
councillors and within these areas. So if you haven't received
it yet, please reach out to us and we could
make sure that you get that. Please do send it
to me. My other question was, I know you focus
on fluvial flooding flooding from the rivers, but some of
our big damages are from pluvial funding, fronting just localized
rain that the sewers can't carry away. Are you now
or will you soon be able to give people warnings
of their pluvial risks as well? Through the chair, um,
again, it's outside of our mandate to look at the
pluvial risks, but a lot of the information we do
collect, especially the real - time precipitation gauges. We've set
them up to really alert us and provide a worms
to us based on intensity. So, uh, as you're aware,
as we get these really, the sewer systems are designed
to only handle a certain amount of water. And if
we get these real intense downbursts of rain, that's when
they get overwhelmed, usually during a major thunderstorms. So this
information can be very helpful. And we've been working closely
with all our municipal partners. Uh, they do have this
information, uh, they have access to our website. And we
actually provide special access and communications to reminds people partners
so that they could get this information. So again, we're
working very closely with them on, on the aspects associated
with pluvial flooding as well. Okay. Those are my questions.
Thank you. Hey, thank you very much. Smear just to
follow up if you don't mind. I get lots of
flood messages because I'm connected to do a bunch of
different Conservation authorities. Our residents able to get alerted just
on specific. Locations or do they get the overall flood
situation across the cross to watershed. That's a very good
question. At this time, it's the overall situation across the
watershed, but we are looking to make advancements, uh, so
that may be something we could provide in the future.
But one thing that we do try to clarify within
our messages is the locations to be concerned about. So
last week, for example, we had, um, an intense downpour
that was actually the lower DON area. So we were
in touch with metro length city of Toronto, Toronto transportation,
but also in our flood warning message, we did identify
that as the area of concern. So, uh, again, in
the future, we're looking to make some of those advancements
where we can be more targeted. But at this time,
um, but we try to clarify as much as we
can in the message. Hey, thank you so much, Smear.
I appreciate it. Any additional questions on this topic. All
right. Um, so we have a mover in a seconder
for all of the items. I don't think there's any
additional halts that I missed. So Mr. Chair, can I
say one more thing? I do, I want to make
sure the veil of vocabs done on time that I
don't muck it up by asking questions. So can we
approve it and can I still ask questions after if
we're at that much risk of losing quorum. So I,
yes, Joanne nod your head. Okay. Yeah. So, so we
will, we'll go with the mover in a second for
all night, all items, including 9. 6. And then we
will also discuss it in camera. Thank you. No problem.
All right. So all in favor. Okay. Any opposed. Seeing
none that is carried. Okay. We, uh, we are now
into the closed session. And think you want me to
just, we'll go for a motion to go into close.
Then we'll talk about the items there. Joanne. So through
the chair, just want to know if we're going into
close session for 12. 1 and 12. 2, um, the
9. 6 for available VOCA. And we'll start with. I
think that makes the most sense. I think there's messaging
that we want to make sure the board know on
all those items. So no one else wants to hold
them I will. Okay. Um, motion removing the camera will
go sacks and Simpson, if that's okay. Um, all in
favor. That's carried. Now we need a different link. Correct.
So through the chair, I have sent out the email
link to all of the board members. If you don't
have any, and we notice that you're not in there
i'll start calling you indirectly. Okay. And to our new
board member, there will be a new link in your
agenda, huh? So you just, you close out of this
one and then click the link in your new one.
And hopefully we all make it back in. Thank you.
So Chair Partner, you. In the open session meeting. Just
double checking. We're just waiting for. Two members. Okay. Do
we expect to get the two members. We hope so.
I'm just going to start calling them in now. Okay.
At least the fireline stopped now. Or did it shut
down? Okay. It just stopped, John. Okay. Barlorm stuff.
Want to confirm I'm at the mustard point, muster point.
You look like you're on the picket line. Just on
the muster point. It's all good. We remain on Unionite,
dear. So sorry, through the chair, we do have a
quorum. So. Okay, sounds good. So do you want me
to do a motion to come out of closed. Joanne.
You the chair, sir. You just got announced what's going
on. I don't need to do a nurse or to
move out of closed. We'll just note it. But if
we could just get the two motions for the two
reports. Okay, just second. Sounds good. All right. So I
met 12. 1 and 12. 2. 1 is TRCA's new
administration administrative head office project construction litigation and insurance update.
And 12. 2 is Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency's Transition activities
and regional consolidation of Ontario Scotsfish Authorities. Kevin, you're good
to move that. Good to move that. Thumbs up. Sounds
good. And, and that is a dean. Are you good
to second that. I am. Sounds good. Okay. Any questions
or comments on those motions. Okay. All in favor. That
is carried. Okay. Under new business. Just a second. Page.
Under new business. We do want to talk about, uh,
Paul Noah, John. Yes, please. Yes, please do the chair.
Can you hear me okay? We can't perfectly. Thank you.
Fantastic. It gives me great pleasure, but it's with mixed
emotions that I'm announcing in retirement of, uh, Paul Noak,
who has served as their senior enforcement officer. Uh, for
a number of years and has been and has offered
dedicated service to TRCA for the last 46 years. Uh,
Paulister's hiring and Paul has done such a great job
demonstrated outstanding dedication, uh, be passion for Conservation. And his,
uh, enduring commitment to protecting and preserving our watersheds has
made a lasting impact on our organisation. And the communities
we serve. He, uh, you know, is always out there
when needed is always on. Uh, for his colleagues and
supporting his colleagues. And on behalf of TRCA, I just
wanted to extend my sincere, um, gratitude to Paul for
all of the exceptional service. All of his contributions, uh,
we wish him the very, very best, uh, well deserve
returnment. And I just, you know, the chair and I
were reflecting on this earlier today, 46 years of dedication
to an organisation. How often do you hear about something
like that nowadays? It is incredible. And we just wanted
to thank him so much for everything he has done,
uh, wish him the, uh, very best. So thank you
so much, Paul. Thank you very much, John. Unbelievable. 46
years of service to this organisation. Just goes above and
beyond. So we wish Paul all of est in his
retirement and just can't thank him enough for the impact
that he's had on our organisation. Um, there are a
lot of, uh, summer events happening. There is an events
calendar. Do you want to talk about any of these
John before you head upstairs. Through the chair. Yes. If
it's okay, uh, I also want to also introduce you
to a new member of our team, uh, and at
least a prize of you that we do now have
a chief human resources officer that has joined us. Um,
and I wanted to make sure that you were aware
that arena risotto, uh, has, um, has been the successful,
uh, candidate for the chief human resources officer position. Uh,
Irena joins us after two decades of progressive HR experience
across the public sector, including, um, important roles that she's
played, uh, including where she just joined us from, uh,
at Metro Lynx where she had the position of director
of strategic human resources and partnerships. And we're, uh, and
prior to that arena worked in various organisations, healthcare organisations
where she oversaw labour and employer relations matters. So, uh,
arena holds a public policy administration, a law degree from
York University and honours bachelor's arts degree from, uh, York
University psychology law. She's just the exceptional, uh, already we've
had some great discussions in the role over the last
week. And we're very excited to work with Irena. So
I just wanted to make you aware you will see
her in future items. And so that's a new person
that's joined our senior leadership team at TRC. Hey, thank
you very much, John. So a huge welcome to Irena.
And again, more comms between large organisations that we're already
working with. So her relationships with metro links will be
very, very helpful. All right. Our, our next Board of
Directors meeting is scheduled for October the second, um, expect
that we will need to meet between now and then
to discuss some additional items. Um, can I get a
motion to adjourn. Move by Paul seconded by Lora. All
in favor. Great. And, and to the chair, I want
to thank you so much for all your support in
the role. As you mentioned, there are a number of
upcoming announcements. You will be receiving or have received invites
to some of them. Uh, there is a celebrate the
Humber event taking place tomorrow. I know some of you
are attending that in the morning, but there are upcoming
events involving a fantastic project that are being confirmed all
across the jurisdiction, uh, we're looking forward to having as
many of you out there as possible to celebrate the
great work. And thank you again, cause you've all been
part of these projects. And I really want to thank
you, Chair Barton, of Vice Share Ainsley. And the whole,
whole board of directors for all the support. So thank
you. Have a safe summer. Happy. Happy candidate day, everybody.
Yes. Thank you very much. Take care folks. Have a
great weekend. Happy Canada today everyone. Hey, thanks. Thanks for
all your work. Really appreciate it.