CITY OF DIEPPE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Meeting of Thursday, December 5, 2013

City Hall – Dieppe Room – 7 p.m.

Minutes

Members present:Normand Arsenault, Community Representative

Michelle Aubin, Community Representative

Hugues Benoit, Community Representative

Jean-Marc Brideau, Councillor and Committee Chair Véronique Landry, Community Representative

Luc Richard, Staff Representative (ex-officio)

Mylène Roy, Community Representative

Members absent:Jason Hamilton, Community Representative

Mia Vautour, Community Representative

Gilles Volpé, Community Representative

  1. Welcoming remarks

Councillor Jean-Marc Brideau welcomed members and introduced new committee member Véronique Landry

  1. Declaration of conflict of interest

None

  1. Adoption of agenda

The item “Committee Vice-Chair” was added.

  1. Approval of minutes of August 29, 2013

Moved by MylèneRoy and seconded by Michelle Aubin Motion carried

  1. New business and presentations

5.1. Committee Vice-Chair (J-M Brideau)

Normand Arsenault moved the nomination of Hugues Benoit for the position of Committee Vice-Chair, seconded by Michelle Aubin. Motion carried

5.2.Protection of mature trees(Michelle Aubin)

Michelle Aubin shared her concerns about seeing property owners cutting down mature trees in the city without the City having an opportunity to stop these avoidable incidents. Mrs. Aubin believes it is urgent to act now before Dieppe loses more of its natural heritage.

She advised of a recent case in Ontario that seems to give authority to municipalities for stopping tree cutting on private lots because certain trees could be considered public property because of their roots and other factors. She wants action on this matter and is ready to contribute her time. Hugues suggested creating a website aimed at promoting mature trees and their owners. Members will discuss further outside of the Advisory Committee on the Environment.

5.3.Tree and tree-planting code

The Director of Municipal Buildings and Environment, Luc St-Jules, presented the “tree code” concept as well as the municipality’s initiatives and accomplishments in regards to urban forestry.

Committee members want to see action soon on the “Private Tree Code” matter.

Suggested paths toward a solution include natural heritage, environmental value and a policy on tree-cutting based on best practices to encourage forest regeneration, not only preservation. A municipal heritage policy is being developed and this could include natural heritage such as is the case in other jurisdictions, notably Quebec. Discussions took place surrounding the importance of doing more community awareness on the value and practicality of trees.

Committee members want to know more on the practices of other municipalities. They also want to comment on the Private Tree Code before it is sent to council for approval.

Actions

a)Send a copy of the Private Tree Code to committee members for revision and comments. (Luc St-Jules)

b)Include “Private Tree Code” as an agenda item for the next meeting. (Luc R.)

c)Invite Luc St-Jules and Justin Poirier (arborist with the City of Dieppe) to present the details of the Private Tree Code. (Luc R.)

  1. Next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2014. Should quorum not be reached for this meeting, January 23 was set as the alternate date. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Dieppe Room.

  1. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.

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