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Links to special projects and information of concern:

Minnow Lake Walkway Concerns here

Link to Aquatic Plant Survey 2020 here

Resolution of KED issue here

Link to Ramsey Lake Salt Concerns here

Link to Second Avenue Road Reconstruction Project (history) here

Information on Cycling in Minnow Lake here

Link to Minnow Lake Storm Water Treatment - Sediment Removal historical information can be found here

Minnow Lake CAN history

CAN Meeting History

Pictures above the first organizational meeting of the Minnow Lake CAN in 2008 at Minnow Lake Place .. meetings continued to be held on a regular basis with co-chairs Bob KIng and John Lindsay.  Some meeting history below:

CAN meeting information and minutes on this site up to and including Oct. 29th 2015 when a new executive was elected.  Since that time no new material submitted to be posted.  In 2022 we were provided with a link to a facebook page for the Minnow Lake Ward 11 CAN:  https://www.facebook.com/minnowlakecan.  In April of 2023 we were advised that a new CAN executive had been elected check here.

CAN meeting - Oct. 29th 2015 - AGM

Ward 11 (includes Minnow Lake area) Councillor Lynne Reynolds spoke at annual meeting at which new executive was elected:  Louise Marcotte and Mike Bleskie as co-chairs.  Stephanie Harris as Secretary and Rosanna Kucula as Treasurer. Lousie can be reached at lmarcotte52@hotmail.com and Mike at mike@bleskie.ca

 For CAN constitution and by-laws click here.

CAN meeting - April 30th 2015- Special Environmental Event:

For CAN meeting minutes click here

 Environment revealed results of water sampling and offered plans for storm water management for Minnow Lake.

Lionel Rudd CET - Safety Consultant addresses CAN on benefits of traffic intersection roundabouts.

Power Point Presentation of other CAN activities here.

Past Meetings:

An All Candidates meeting for ward 11 (Minnow Lake and Adanac) was held on Monday Oct. 20th at the Canadian Legion (Branch 76) starting at 7:00 p.m. moderated by Peter Williams.  Thanks to all who ran for election and especially those who voted.  Congratulations to winner Lynne Reynolds.

Meetings were held during the summer of 2014 with respect to Second Avenue reconstruction. Minutes of these meeting plus other information related to this matter can be found here.

On May 15th 2014 at 7.00 p.m. special guest Gerald Courtin spoke on "Square Foot Gardening and effective composting".  It was very well attended.  Updates were provided on the special police presence at Minnow Lake Place as well as information on Community Gardens in the area and the Off-Leash Dog park.    There was an update on road work planned for second avenue and more information is available here.

Despite the cold and very severe winter weather conditions there was good attendance at the Feb. 27th meeting of the Minnow Lake CAN held at the Canadian Legion.  Below photo shows special guest Pete Fortin, a Municipal Relations Represenative for the MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Association) who described how Property is Assessed and the Reconsideration and Review Process.  We also had updates from various subcommitties including community gardens, dog park, community relations and water quality.  Minutes of the meeting will be posted on line shortly. 

New:  Link to Minnow Lake Community Gardens Page here

Minutes of 24th October CAN meeting:

REPORT AND MINUTES ON MINNOW LAKE CAN MEETING – OCT. 24^TH 2013 

A capacity crowd filled the lower public  meeting room at Minnow Lake Place Thursday evening Oct. 24th for the Fall meeting of the Minnow Lake Community Action Network – approx. 60 in attendance. 

Meeting called to order at 7.04 P.M. by Minnow Lake Chair - John Lindsay 

Introduction of Vice-Chair Louise Marcotte and guest Dave Shelshed of the City (Traffic Dept.) 

Presentation by Bill Merrick of Citizens on Patrol (COPS) explaining purpose of program and need for volunteers for Minnow Lake area.  Volunteers need to donate minimum of 3 hours per week to the program.  Material left for those interested and more info on website www.gsps.ca. 

Report by Community Garden Subcommittee (Elise Real) on development of 16 planting beds at Minnow Lake Place and future plans for this site and also Dog Park Site on Second Avenue.  Discussion followed including prospect of getting schools involved, besides Meals on Wheels, Our Children – Our Future and other groups and individuals.  Concern about having more opaque fencing between Minnow Lake Place and adjoining property – this will be discussed with city officials and tenant group.   

Report by Dogs Off Leash (Dog Park) Subcommittee (Dean Eyre and Rachelle Niemela) on significant progress being made on park improvement with contributions from Vale, Home Depot, Ontario Hydro and others plus considerable volunteer involvement. Soil and crusher dust has been applied to both small and large dog areas, tree plantings have taken place, picnic tables on site, shelters planned, signage improved with more to come.  Next year water to come on site as part of road improvements which will see new entrance with signaled intersection at Scarlet Street.  Ideas for fundraising welcome. New website has been established at www.dogsoffleash.ca.   

Report on Minnow Lake Restoration Group by John Lindsay who briefly reviewed activities including involvement in development and promotion of rain gardens in conjunction with Liveable Sudbury, and maintenance of park areas. Tabled recommendations CAN submitted to the Official Plan review and e-mail from planning department with respect to subject properties in the area under site plan review. Two sponsored walks on Blueberry Hill and Oak Forest were conducted by group volunteers plus trail and waterfront continuing litter removal.  Worked with city and developer to restore Bellevue Parkette area following water main and road construction to new development up Glenn Street to Grand View condo development.  Worked with Greater Water Shed Alliance and Ramsey Lake Stewardship Group with respect to storm water control on this site.  Involved with area residents as party to OMB case with respect to proposed Dalron Housing Development on Howey Drive in support of city concerns with regarding traffic loading which resulted in city denying approval leading to developer’s appeal which is still before the OMB.  Committee member Brad Bowman (environmental scientist) took new sediment samples from various storm outlets around the lake and measurements of the sediment areas. Vote taken to determine support to go forward to take action to address the sediment deposits in the lake to endorse previous motion of last year in this regard. All in agreement. Note: Dave Shelsted of the City indicated that city had plans in place for future storm water control measures into Minnow Lake.  No mention of sediment removal as took place in Lake Nephawin some years ago – chair acknowledged that group had met previously with Ron Norton of the city with regards to this matter, and has had discussions with the city with respect to storm water from new Grand View development directly into Minnow Lake at Bellevue – at present it appears there will be not measures to treat this storm water in this direction from the development. 

The matter of proposed road work on Second Avenue and the intersection of Bellevue and Bancroft Drive took up the remainder of the meeting.   Dave Shelsted explained that improvements to Second Avenue would include widening of the roadway to 5 lanes from Donna Drive to Scarlett Drive and 3 lanes to about Kenwood with sidewalks on both sides.  Some felt (including councillor Kett) that the widened section should go all the way to Kenwood.  There was also discussion about drainage problems in the area which hopefully would be addressed as well on Bancroft Drive across from the Waterview apartments and on Howey Drive off the rock face across from Ramsey Lake.  On the newly reconstructed Second Avenue roadway there would be slightly wider curb lanes to accommodate bike markings (sharrows). Making the curb lane wider to accommodate bike lanes would cost a few hundred thousand dollars more according to Dave Shelsted, but, which some felt should be a consideration. There will be an alignment of the intersection at Scarlet Drive to the Cemetery and Dog Park entrance and traffic lights installed.   

There was some discussion about the value of traffic calming measures that had been recently implemented on Attlee Street (and others) and previously on Southview Drive.  Dave Shelsted said his dept. is pleased with these measures and said he has received few complaints.  A show of hands from those in attendance however revealed that most were not enthused and thought they were “useless and a waste of money”.  Dave Shelsted indicated the traffic calming measures had cost in excess of $300,000.  According to the Bicycle Advisory Committee recommendation bike lanes would have cost approximately $10,000, a significant saving and should have been considered as an alternative traffic calming measure, such as on the Howey, Bellevue, Bancroft corridor, which has also encouraged more bicycle use.   

There were pictures and videos shown of a typical roundabout in BC (Duncan) and of the present intersection of Bellevue and Bancroft.  

Most at the meeting had concerns about a roundabout at the proposed location.  The main concern was the space likely to be required, the "grades" going into and coming out of the roundabout, the proximity to nearby residents and businesses.  Heavy constant traffic flow effecting safe pedestrian crossing was of particular concern, and also the perceived difficulty to access the Howey, Bellevue, Bancroft corridor from side streets and residents, businesses etc. along this route.  Dave Shelsted acknowledged the concerns and agreed that there were challenges to the location, and that pedestrian crossing was indeed a concern in that in Ontario the pedestrian has less “consideration” as in other jurisdictions.  Apparently there have been, in certain instances, traffic signals in roundabouts.  If a roundabout was not possible a more traditional intersection would be constructed.  The plan for this roadway goes back many years when it was originally intended to connect directly through to Barrydowne Road.  Now it would go through the new Silver Hills residential development to the Kingsway next to Chapters.  

David Shelsted acknowledged that traffic study reports indicated that the new Silver Hills road to the Bellevue/Bancroft intersection, while possibly diverting some traffic from Bellevue to the Kingsway and from Bellevue through to Second Avenue it would actually increase traffic on the Bellevue, Howey corridor, to and from downtown and the southern part of the city, which according to the city this corridor is already at capacity, and the reason the city has not approved the Dalron housing development on Howey drive, a decision currently before the OMB as outlined previously in these minutes.  

The city is currently awaiting engineers’ report on feasibility of a roundabout for this location (firm from southern Ontario doing the work) which would involve the new Silver Hills road accessing the intersection (down a steep grade).  There was some question as to the need for another access to this new development when at least two significant developments, existing or planned in the area, the Waterview apartments (Bancroft Drive) and Grand View condominiums (off Bellevue at Glenn) only have one entrance. The new Silver Hill development will have two access points north to the Kingsway and west to Second Avenue.  Therefore, some questioned the actual need and expense, including expropriation of properties required for the road and the intersection reconstruction.  There is apparently no timetable for creation of the new road which might well depend on progress of development of the residential property which could be several years before it reaches that stage as initial development will occur through Barry Street – a temporary measure). 

It was decided that taking all factors into consideration (including the city’s current 40 million dollar annual shortfall in road construction and maintenance needs and an overall 700 million dollar deficit in this area) that this (intersection and new road project), which upon examination appears to be of questionable value, be reconsidered and that city council be made aware for possible action at the political level to postpone, delay or cancel the project.   

Meeting adjourned at 8.48 with conversation continuing with those remaining to further discuss and raise issues with David Shelsted and Councillor Kett. 

Minutes reviewed and approved by CAN executive.  

The following youtube address were made available to view roundabout in Duncan BC and the present Bellevue, Bancroft Intersection.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRM_o9pWrng&feature=player_detailpage 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNUx7_BjjUo&feature=player_detailpage

Note: Members of the CAN attended panel discussion on traffic issues presented by Rainbow Routes and prepared a report below which has been made public .. only one councillor attended this meeting (Joe Cimino) but was supportive of incentives to increase cycling opportunities in the city.  Also see letter to Councillor Cimino by Rachel Niemela of the Sudbury Bicycle Union of which we are also a member.

Getting Serious About Cycling in Sudbury:
 

Gathering suggests money saving traffic calming measures and cycling accessibility
 

Besides need for improved public transit in Greater Sudbury, there was general concern from those in attendance at a recent Rainbow Routes meeting and Panel Discussion on Transportation issues, of the inherent danger for bicycle riders in the city due to a number of factors, not the least of which was an apparent negative attitude of motorists with respect to cyclists s attempting to share the road.  It was felt that this could be overcome with public education and more cycling infrastructure both on and off road.
 

Those new to the community at the meeting expressed surprise that the city is so far behind other municipalities in establishing bike lanes on streets and roadways to encourage more awareness and cycling activity. It was thought that the hundreds of thousands of dollars being devoted to expensive physically intrusive and potentially dangerous traffic calming measures might be much better spent in creating bikes lanes at a fraction of the price, possibly together with lower speed limits.   The city has indicated they want Sudbury to be bicycle friendly but continues to plan for new roads with little regard for bike accommodation.  The planned widening of Second Ave with no provision for proper bike lanes is a recent example.
 

It was mentioned that our traffic department seems to have ignored many studies that show that a simple white line is quite effective in channelizing both motorists and bicyclists and that both feel more comfortable with the line in place.  A case in point is the Howey, Bellevue, Bancroft corridor in the Minnow Lake area which has accommodated motorists and cyclists with bike lanes in place for almost 10 years with traffic calming effects.  Unfortunately, since being implemented, no others have been created on our city streets, although comprehensive plans over the years by various groups including several bicycle advisory committees have been submitted to the city but never acted upon.
 

With major concerns with respect to the serious shortfall in road development and maintenance costs it was recommend that all new road construction be put on hold, except for those involving safety issues , and that the expensive physical traffic calming initiatives  planned for our streets be also curtailed in favour of painting bike lanes and lowering speed limits on selected city corridors to facilitate traffic calming and create a more bicycle friendly community a long stated but never realized goal.  

John Lindsay, Founding and past member, Sudbury Bicycle Advisory Committee

Dear Councillor Cimino:
 
It was with interest that I heard your suggestion during the Rainbow Routes transportation community panel discussion on November 12, 2013 in regards to comments about how we further cycling infrastructure in Sudbury. Thank you for your suggestion to contact staff about specific projects in the capital roads budget to follow up on any proposed sustainable infrastructure.  The Sudbury Cyclists Union (SCU) and others have been trying that approach for some time.  However, staff have not been forthcoming in sharing information with us in a timely manner, nor willing to have a dialogue about best outcomes for specific projects.  We feel leadership is needed from Council for this to happen.  I have some specific examples below and would ask you to champion my requests at the end of this email.

·         The Sustainable Mobility Advisory Panel (SMAP) has asked to be consulted on roads projects prior to projects going to tender so they can have an opportunity to dialogue with the City prior to plans being finalized. There has been no effort to date to do this.

·         Last year, the SCU asked the City during budget deliberations to include a line item in the budget that would clearly identify the City’s investment in cycling infrastructure. We’ve heard from David Shelsted, the Director of Roads, that over $500,000 was spent in cycling infrastructure as part of the 2013 budget. An email requesting a breakdown of this money has not been answered. The feeling of many citizens is that figures are massaged to look like there are significant investments when there really are not. For example, charging monies to cycling infrastructure when a project includes components that make the road safer for all road users (i.e. paved shoulders) should not be exclusively reflected as monies spent on cycling. Without actual figures relating to specific projects, it is difficult to believe some of the numbers that are bandied about in conversations.

·         The SCU and members of the community have asked to be consulted when there is major work that is planned. Case in point, Southview Drive, where we were told that the project would involve only a minor repaving of the road and that there was therefore no opportunity for dialogue to discuss changes that would make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The “minor repaving” was obviously not the case. Only when a petition was organized did the City want to talk to citizens who were affected.

·         Traffic calming is identified on roads projects as a line item that does not identify what the project(s) will be. For example, there is a line item identified as “traffic calming” on the capital list in 2014; details of exactly what that means is not included. We had heard through the grapevine that Attlee would get traffic calming this year, but this was only confirmed when construction began. The SCU was involved in a speed tracking project in 2011 on Attlee and we were pleased to hear that something was finally happening. Yet the final configuration was a surprise to us. Consultation re whether bike lanes would be installed on Attlee as a traffic calming initiative was only done with residents living on the street, and not with the broader public that is now affected by the changes i.e. families and children cycling on the road to schools in the area, commuters cycling to other destinations. Even worse, no consultation was done re the impact of the type of curb extensions that were implemented. Every single person that we talk to tells us that the changes that were made are detrimental to encouraging cycling and even worse, are dangerous to cyclists.

·         We feel that decisions that are made on road infrastructure is a one-way conversation and not a true dialogue. The City does not discuss options – it informs us what will happen and does that too late for any opportunity for input. For example, when David Shelsted brought the Lasalle/Notre Dame intersection to SMAP for comments, the plans were already approved. When asked if there was cycling infrastructure included in this $9 M project, the succinct response was “no”. SMAP was also told that the plans could not be changed. Another example is the Silver Hills subdivision. The SCU repeatedly asked for the opportunity to dialogue with the City and with the developer. We finally had to file an OMB appeal in order to get that dialogue going.

·         Staff have repeatedly told us that any cycling infrastructure that is required in new subdivisions will be implemented as part of the Transportation Master Plan and the resulting Active Transportation Network. Originally due to be finalized by fall of 2012, we have now heard that the infrastructure part of the Official Plan review will only be released in the later part of 2014. We were initially excited about the opportunity to create a dynamic, forward-looking community that includes active transportation as a true goal. After two years of deferrals and lack of information, we are very disappointed and frustrated with the process.  Contrary to information posted at the Public Input Centres, SMAP was not involved in the study in any meaningful way. Emails to the MMM group and to David Shelsted sent by the SCU re questions about the study were not answered for at least two months, and then we received an email saying that City staff “have been busy” – obviously too busy to address the concerns of its taxpayers. There are too many unanswered questions about the Transportation Study. Will there be opportunity for further input? There is note of a feasibility study that will be required prior to approving the final ATN. Does this mean that on top of the 1 year we’ve already waited, there will be an additional 1 or 2 or 3 years before we have implementation plans in place? And what is the impact on projects and subdivisions that may begin construction prior to the ATN being approved? 

Our frustration with how the City deals with active transportation issues is very high. We would respectfully ask you to champion the following items at Council and to find a way to get the following requests addressed:
 
·         Ensure that all roads projects come to SMAP for honest and transparent consultation prior to plans being finalized and tenders issued.

·         Ensure that the City clearly identifies on a yearly basis the investment it makes on cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.

·         Ensure that major changes to roads infrastructure include a broader-based consultation process with all citizens who use the roads in question.

·         Provide the public with definite timelines and steps for the completion of the Transportation Study; provide opportunities for further community consultation prior to the report being finalized;  and commit to ensuring that projects and subdivisions that are approved prior to the approval of the Active Transportation Network include appropriate and mandatory pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

The SCU would be very pleased to discuss in person our concerns should you wish to meet with us.
 
Thank you. 

Rachelle Niemela

Member of the Sudbury Cyclists Union

Complete report by Bicycle Advisory Committee on Cycling in Sudbury .. cllck  here.

Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18.

http://www.flipsnack.com/lincar/cycling-book-18-condensed.html

Thunder Bay Active Transportation Report Summer 2014

Note:  COPS on Patrol will be in attendance to explain the program and how you might likke to be involved.

The traffic (roads) dept of the city has also been invited to this meeting to discuss the proposed new traffic roundabout at the present corner of Bellevue and Bancroft Drive.  The community is concerned about a number of issues related to the proposed design and location.  These include; size of the roundabout, the topography (slopes entering and exiting the roundabout, proximity of buildings to the roundabout, property acquisition required, cost of the project and not the least the volume of traffic that would be using the roundabout which would be considerable at times, the safety of pedestrians and also possible alternatives.   The video below shows a roundabout similar to that proposed in Duncan BC.  Note that the traffic is moderate and the roundabout is not near any buildings, and is on flat land.  What is the situation when the traffic is very heavy - non stop - in one or possibly other directions and in this example the traffic stops for pedestrians (something not usual in Sudbury).  It appears the area required is larger than that available at the proposed location.  This roundabout has three entry/exit points where that proposed for our location has four. 

Minnow Lake Community Action Network (CAN) Activities and Links:

Info on Rain Garden and Rain Barrel (May 11th) Sale click here

Letter by Watershed Alliance to city re development click here

Liveable Sudbury submission to Official Plan click here

Report on Feb. 28th 2013 Meeting at Canadian Legion - Minnow Lake. - His Honour Justice Guay presented information on Youth Criminal Justice System. 

Concerns re New Developments Roads parks etc. click here.

Adamsdale Public School is part of the Priority Schools Initiative of the Rainbow School Board providing space for community groups to use school facilities throughout the year at no cost.  An exciting program that you can learn more about by viewing the PowerPoint Presentation - just click here

Minnow Lake Restoration Group President and CAN Chair, John Lindsay accepts cheque from Minnow Lake Lion Shirley Oglivie for Restoration Work in Minnow Lake.

One of our latest CAN Newsletters click here

New flowerbed at Minnow Lake Place contributed by Minnow Lake Lions and Community Action Network - also see below new sign recognizing Minnow Lake Lions contribution to park area.

Mi

A typical dog off-leash area is shown in the video below (London Ontario).  You will note how the dogs enter the facility and comments from dog owners who use the area.  This park is approximately the same area as the planned site in Sudbury on Second Avenue. 

For more information go to the Minnow Lake CAN dog off-leash sub-committee web-site www.dogsoffleash.ca. 

For Meeting Reports of CAN and MLRG - You Tube Videos - History click here

Safer Roads:  According to city reports the Howey, Bellevue, Bancroft Corridor has reached "capacity" and further traffic on these roads could be a safety concern. 

We have been advised that the traffic section of the city is considering the following at the request of the CAN and our ward councillor Terry Kett.  While is unlikey that all recommenations would be implemented as least some would help the present situation.

In order to make the  Howey, Bellevue and Bancroft corridor less attractive to through traffic and to provide safer and more convenient access to this corridor from cross and connecting streets to vehicles and pedestrians create  “all way stops” at Harry Crescent (with access to Lakeshore Drive and Northshore Drive) also at Picard Street and at Shappart Avenue (with access to Weller, Lenox, Sable and Neelon.    

That a three “all way stop” be instituted at the corner of Bancroft Drive and the entrance to the Waterview Apartment Complex and a four “all way stop” at Parkdale Avenue (access to Ferndale, Hillsboro, Lonsdale, and Hargraves) 

Tthat the 40 km per hour limit from the Kingway on Bancroft Avenue be extended from the Skateboard Park to the intersection of Bancroft and Bellevue.   

That a 40 km per hour limit be instituted on the hilly and winding sections of the Howey, Bellevue and Bancroft corridor from Hillsdale Avenue on Howey Drive through the intersection of Bellevue and Bancroft (at the traffic lights) continuing on Bancroft to Manor Road (before Second Avenue).  

Special:  Non Commercial Pest Control Measures

For information on Graffiti Project click here. 

Special:  Pictures of Kingdom Hall on Longsdale Avenue which was offered for sale but has since been purchased by private company.  The CAN had felt it would have been good for public or not for profit use with 23,000 square feet - meeting room and resource rooms - new air and heating - for fraction of replacement cost.  Perhaps a good location for the Art Gallery, being located on over 7 acres of forestered property. Not being downtown was a negative factor for many unfortunately, and the building is now a commercial site.

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