LAWN CARE COMMODITY GROUPTuesday March 4, 2013 MinutesNorth Classroom of School - Landscape Ontario

Present: Pam Charbonneau, Paul Grotier, Don McQueen, Ken Pavely, Gary Van Haastrecht, Steve Tschanz (Chair), Don Voorhees, Kerry Whale, Kyle Tobin, Alan Wright, Bill Van Ryan

Regrets: Gavin Dawson, Paul Gaspar, Mike Miltenburg, Richard Reed, Tom Somerville, , John Wright, Tim Tripp

Staff: Kathleen Pugliese

1. Acceptance of the January 23th, 2014 minutes.Motion to approve minutes with correctionDon/Alan White ...................... Carried

Correction – Don Voorhees was at the last meeting – change from regret to present

2. Government Relations. "Alan, Steve and Tony visited the Environment Commissioner to get his advice on how to encourage

new safer pest control technology into Ontario.  The Commissioner provides some valuable insights on how to promote positive change in environmental stewardship.   He suggested that we rededicate ourselves to Integrated Pest Management Approaches and work to eliminate "leakage" caused by poor enforcement of the Act. "    

3. Update on MOE Licence modernization. Waiting for information – leaning towards a Continuing Education Credit (CEC) system. It is

difficult to comment on the proposed changes when details are lacking. At the next meeting we will attempt to develop an industry position on improving the Licensing process. The IPM symposium is an ideal venue for earning CEC’s.

4. Update on water quality issues It is very important to keep supporting research into the positive effects of well maintained turf on

water quality. There is an increasing body of knowledge (including from EPA in the US) that proves that water quality is enhanced through the provision of healthy biomass and green infrastructure especially turf.

Pam was contacted to review a research paper which will be published in “Environmental Solution” journal

We need to continue to raise awareness for the benefits of turf

5. Canada Blooms – sod delivery, installation and speakers. Tuesday 3/11 to help roll lawn and put on skids (8:30 – 9 am) only 4 skids - Zander will supply truck Tuesday morning 3/11 Installing Wed afternoon (LO garden – 2 areas). Would like us there before noon. Columba –fashion run way (19”) will require extra fabric (Kyle) – cannot lay until 5:00 p.m. on

Wednesday. 5/12 Vignettes will be built depending on how much sod is left over

Don McQueen will supply 2 people Monday - March 17 – change out (may need to water) (Steve) Presentation – everyday – learning stage at Blooms – we are sharing with Zander and other sod

growers. Five days – benefits of turf (1/2 hour for presentation & then Q&A). Need volunteers one page flyer available for distribution at the presentation area

6. Board Report Please See Addendum 1 below

7. New Business.a) Steve - Clean Farms – OMAF & MOE – Clean Farms is hosting a workshop dealing with agricultural

waste. Paul Grotier will represent the Lawn Care group to promote recycling of fertilizer bags. . b) Rohan – Sunnybrook hospital –

Rohan is a tireless communicator about the life enhancing qualities of green space especially with respect to landscape and health. He has written an excellent paper on the subject. He continues to raise awareness for the health benefits of green space to Sunnybrook Hospital administrators and officials. He is hoping to build a healing garden on the hospital site. He asked for LO’s assistance with getting the information out. LO is willing to assist in any way possible. The article was sent to Sarah Willis for consideration. LO is available to meet hospital officials with Rohan any time.

c) St. James Park – no contact to date from Toronto. Possibly turn into a community project to beautify parks)

8. Next meeting – May 13 @ 10:00 a.m. at Landscape Ontario (Maple Room)

Board of Directors Summary February 19, 2014

1. New President’s (Dave Braun) theme is growing together. At the end of his presidency he would like to see membership growth. He also wants to focus energy on the building sale and future.

2. Building Update The deal fell through because the developer could not get the financing. According to him there is too much inventory on the market. We have received proposals from 3 Real Estate Companies. When the building committee meets in March they will review the proposals and make recommendations to the Board

3. Flora Ottawa We continue to push forward on Flora Ottawa. There is a great deal of Government Relations effort taking place. Michel and Tim Kearney are pushing the process.

4. Canada Blooms Update and Future with the Home ShowThe Board has been very active. Arvils Lukss has taken on the job of Operational Director.

This is the last year of the formal agreement between the Home Show and Canada Blooms. The Home Show would like to continue the agreement but only if Canada Blooms moves into the industry building with a central entrance through the Home Show. Canada Blooms has accepted the new proposal.

5. Grey to Green Conference – August Our Green Infrastructure Coalition Partner is hosting a Grey to Green Conference. They would like Landscape Ontario to partner with them. The purpose of the Conference is to raise awareness about “Living Green Infrastructure” at the level of decision makers.

6. Plan 2014 Review Plan 2014 was distributed to the board in order to outline the goals for next year. President Dave would like to make membership growth as one of the main priorities. Last year we experienced 4% growth. This year we are targeting 5%. Here is a summary of the work plan.

Issues Accountability 1. Mitigating Effects of Seasonality on

labour recruitment and retentionForm HR committee in concert with CNLA

2. Chapter Governance Training and Support including integration of sector groups and chapters

Form new Membership Service Committee

3. Sustainability Plan to investigate how to hire Regional Manager in Ottawa

Joan Johnston to Chair a committee

4. Costing Model for growers SB Partners hired 5. Membership Recruitment Plan Membership Services/Governance Committee 6. Complete Sale and Development Plan

for Home Office Building Committee

7. Complete Certified Irrigation Auditor Program

Region of Peel

8. New Steps for Prosperity Partners Initiative

Prosperity Committee

9. Complete Lighting Manual and Certification Process

Lighting Group

10. Company Accreditation Investigation Contractors Group 11. On the Job Training Program HR Committee 12. Investigate Compulsory Trade Needs committee 13. Practice Act for LAs and Name Act for

Designers Designers Group

14. Improve image of horticulture in high schools – Adopt a school program

HR Committee

15. Next Steps for Green for Life Branding Needs committee 16. Support Trees for Life Campaign –

Ontario Grown Promotion/ Market Development Committee

17. Ottawa International Horticultural Event

Michel/ Tim Kearney

18. Reducing Emissions Program Environment Committee 19. Communications Review Communications Committee 20. Expo Review Garden Centre Group21. Government Relations re acceptance of

low risk products Lawn Care Group

22. Property Managers Promotion re Maintenance Guidelines

Grounds Group

23. Canada Blooms Support 24. Dues Review Dues Review Committee

As part of the work plan we propose the following Committees:

1. Human Resource Committee – Mandate: To develop and have oversight for an Industry Human Resource Plan. The Plan will deal with Long Term and Short Term Human Resource Development including

Professional Development. The committee will be aligned with CNLA because Human Resource Development is the top priority of all Provinces. Subcommittees:

a. Compulsory Trade Investigation through Ontario College of Trades – (Requires Chair)

b. Company Accreditation Committee – (aligned with CNLA) c. Professional Development Committee (oversight of conferences, symposiums, winter

workshops etc.)

2. Membership Services and Governance Committee – Mandate: To develop and have oversight for Membership Services offerings and Governance/ Leadership Development. It will seek to enhance relevance of Landscape Ontario at the local level. It will support and assist all chapters and sector groups in fulfilling their mandates. It will provide programs that offer personal and leadership development opportunities for governance members. Sub-Committees

a. Chapter Regional Manager Investigation (Chair – Joan Johnston)- This should be a subcommittee of Membership Services

b. Dues Review Committee – Chair – Sundaura Alford

3. Market Development/Public Relations/ Branding Committee (Chair – Mark Ostrowski) Thomas Blatter, Peter Guinane Mandate: To enhance the public brand of Landscape Ontario and to stimulate demand for the industry and our member’s products and services. It will review the Green for Life communications activity and support Trees for Life and Pick Ontario initiatives. Sub-Committees

a. Garden TV investigation committee-b. Website Review Committee?

4. Government Relations Committee-

Mandate: To update and prioritize the government relations plan. The Committee will review all Government Relations Activity with the view of prioritization of activity.

5. Promotion Fund Committee Mandate: To oversee the process for reviewing proposals from the Chapters and Sector Groups in allocating extra promotion funds. The 2 members at Large will participate on the committee.

6. Garden Expo Committee This will be the responsibility of the Garden Centre Group