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MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20150402 TOWN OF AURORA ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Date: Thursday, April 2, 2015 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Pirri (Vice Chair), Irene Clement, Danielle Howell, Melville James, Sara Varty, Nancee Webb, and Kristina Zeromskiene Member(s) Absent: Councillor Mrakas (Chair) and Larry Fedec Other Attendees: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives, Fausto Filipetto, Senior Policy Planner, Patty Thoma, Deputy Clerk, and Samantha Kong, Council/Committee Secretary The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Danielle Howell Seconded by Irene Clement THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved. CARRIED 3. RECEIPT OF MINUTES None Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 2, 2015 Page 2 of 5 4. DELEGATIONS (a) Patty Thoma, Deputy Clerk Re: Advisory Committee Member Education and Training Ms. Thoma provided a PowerPoint presentation and handout entitled “Advisory Committee Orientation 2014-2018”, dated April 2015, and highlighted the roles and responsibilities of advisory committees, committee members, and staff. She also reviewed the political decision-making process and relationships, including procedural matters within the framework of civic engagement between the public and Council. Members received a copy of the “Corporate Policies, Programs and Procedures Policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and Local Boards”, dated December 16, 2014, the Town’s Procedural By-law Number 5330-11, and the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Advisory Committee 2014-2018 term. Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Nancee Webb THAT the delegation by Patty Thoma be received for information. CARRIED (b) Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Environmental Advisory Committee Update Ms. Nagy-Oh provided a brief overview of her past experiences with the Town and discussed the progress of current environmental initiatives. Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Nancee Webb THAT the delegation by Christina Nagy-Oh be received for information. CARRIED 5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION Committee Members consented to consider Informational Item 3 as a Matter for Consideration. 3. Memorandum from Town Clerk Re: Appointment of an Environmental Advisory Committee Member to the Trails and Active Transportation Committee Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Melville James Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 2, 2015 Page 3 of 5 THAT the memorandum regarding Appointment of an Environmental Advisory Committee member to the Trails and Active Transportation Committee be received; and THAT Nancee Webb be appointed to represent the Environmental Advisory Committee on the Trails and Active Transportation Committee. CARRIED 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: CEAP Progress Report 2014 Staff provided a brief overview of the Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) and discussed the progress reports from 2011 to 2014. She noted that the CEAP will be undergoing review for 2016. Moved by Sara Varty Seconded by Irene Clement THAT the memorandum regarding CEAP Progress Report 2014 be received for information. CARRIED 2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Smart Commute Workplace Designation for 2015 Staff noted that the Town was recently awarded the Smart Commute Gold Workplace designation for 2015 and stated that this is the fourth year the Town has been presented with this designation. Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Danielle Howell THAT the memorandum regarding Smart Commute Workplace Designation for 2015 be received for information. CARRIED Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 2, 2015 Page 4 of 5 4. Memorandum from Senior Policy Planner Re: Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Staff provided an overview of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan that is currently undergoing provincial review and noted that staff is planning a public consultation event. Moved by Kristina Zeromskiene Seconded by Sara Varty THAT the memorandum regarding Provincial Review of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan be received for information. CARRIED 7. NEW BUSINESS The Committee inquired about the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification status of the Joint Operations Center (JOC). Staff indicated that the Town would like to obtain a Gold LEED certification which requires extensive documentation and the project to earn 60-79 points. The Committee inquired about using clear bags for recycling and black bags for garbage pick-up during Aurora’s Annual Clean-up Day on April 25, 2015. Staff stated that she will follow-up to see if this can be arranged. The Committee inquired about if they are involved in educating residents about environmental issues. Staff stated that the EAC Terms of Reference indicate that the committee may identify opportunities to implement initiatives for education, outreach, and public consultation. The Committee noted that there were complaints during the 2014 Yonge Street Sale in regards to distributing bottled water and inquired about booking the water truck for 2015. Staff noted that the water truck is shared by several municipalities and is booked months in advance. The Committee inquired about the status of removing phragmites and a Member spoke about the Arboretum’s trial project for control. The Committee inquired about the status of the Stronach Eco Park. Staff indicated that timelines are unknown. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 2, 2015 Page 5 of 5 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Danielle Howell Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:22 p.m. CARRIED COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.