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MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20150610 TOWN OF AURORA ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Mrakas (Chair), Irene Clement, Larry Fedec, Danielle Howell, Melville James, Sara Varty, Nancee Webb, and Kristina Zeromskiene Member(s) Absent: Councillor Pirri (Vice Chair) Other Attendees: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives, and Gloria Hardychuk, Council/Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Danielle Howell THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services, with the following additions, be approved: • Delegation (b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident Re: Item 1 – Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015, Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens; Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Page 2 of 6 • Additional Information to Item 1 – Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015; Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens; and • Item 4 – Correspondence from Tom Chervinsky, Canadians for Clean Prosperity Re: Garbage to Gold Campaign to Bring Individual Producer Responsibility to Ontario CARRIED 3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2015 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Larry Fedec THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 2, 2015, be received for information. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS (a) Peter Piersol, Resident Re: Swimming Pool Discharge Environmental Issues Mr. Piersol provided a presentation regarding Swimming Pool Discharge Environmental Issues. The impact and concerns regarding unregulated discharge of private swimming pools and hot tubs into Aurora’s streams and creeks was explained. It was requested that consideration be given to addressing the matter within the Town’s By-laws or consider a public education component to increase awareness. Literature outlining water discharge best management practices including recommended guidelines, disposal options and restrictions, collected from several municipalities and organizations, was provided for information purposes. Staff briefly reviewed the ongoing research and monitoring being undertaken by The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and highlighted several excerpts from the Town’s Stormwater Management Master Plan that address the matter. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Page 3 of 6 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Melville James THAT the comments of the delegate and information provided, be received for information. CARRIED (b) Klaus Wehrenberg, Resident Re: Item 1 – Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015 Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens (Added Item) Klaus Wehrenberg provided a brief history of the neighbourhood community gardens initiative and reviewed the benefits and overall concept. The Committee requested clarification on the neighbourhood’s knowledge of the project and the public consultation process. Moved by Sara Varty Seconded by Danielle Howell THAT the comments of the delegate be received for information. CARRIED 5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 1. Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015 Re: New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens The Committee was informed that Council has directed staff to report back through the Environmental Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on the opportunity to develop community gardens on public land, and the proposed site for a pilot neighbourhood community garden was identified. A location map of the proposed community gardens along with a sample resident survey were reviewed. Klaus Wehrenberg and Catherine Cook reiterated the significance and benefits of community engagement and involvement. The Committee requested that clarification be provided regarding the Town’s role, responsibilities and involvement on an on-going basis and requested information regarding the financial implications associated with these neighbourhood community gardens. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Page 4 of 6 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Sara Varty THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015 regarding New Business Motion No. 1 re Community Gardens be received for information. CARRIED 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Town of Aurora’s Corporate Energy Management Plan Moved by Danielle Howell Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene THAT the memorandum regarding Town of Aurora’s Corporate Energy Management Plan be received for information. CARRIED 3. Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015 Re: Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2015 Moved by Kristina Zeromskiene Seconded by Nancee Webb THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of April 28, 2015, regarding the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 21, 2015 be received for information. CARRIED 4. Correspondence from Tom Chervinsky, Canadians for Clean Prosperity Re: Garbage to Gold Campaign to Bring Individual Producer Responsibility to Ontario (Added Item) The Committee requested that consideration of this matter be referred to a future meeting pending an update from the York Region. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Page 5 of 6 Moved by Kristina Zeromskiene Seconded by Nancee Webb THAT the correspondence from Tom Chervinsky regarding Canadians for Clean Prosperity Re: Garbage to Gold Campaign to Bring Individual Producer Responsibility to Ontario be referred to a future Environmental Advisory Committee meeting. CARRIED 7. NEW BUSINESS The Committee discussed the importance of developing a public education component for distribution to all owners of swimming pools and hot tubs outlining the environmental impact and implications associated with the discharging of water from private swimming pools and hot tubs into sewers, rivers and creeks. The Committee also discussed the importance of implementing a by-law to address the discharging of wastewater from swimming pools and hot tubs into Aurora’s waterways and storm sewer system. It was noted that comprehensive guidelines are needed to address water discharge best management practices. Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Melville James The Environmental Advisory Committee recommends to Council: THAT a public education component and strategy be developed instructing residents on the proper discharge of wastewater from private swimming pools and hot tubs, and that options be provided for distribution of this information to all owners as soon as possible; and THAT staff investigate revising the current Sewer Use By-law to deal with the correct handling and discharge of swimming pool and hot tub wastewater. CARRIED The Committee identified the importance of beginning the public education process as soon as possible prior to the commencement of pool closings in the Fall. The Committee discussed the issue of community gardens and suggested that the feasibility and costing estimates be investigated regarding the establishment of the McMahon Park Neighbourhood garden. It was also suggested that the public consultation process for this proposal begin to determine if there is acceptance by the local community. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Page 6 of 6 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Larry Fedec The Environmental Advisory Committee recommends: THAT feasibility and costing estimates for the establishment of a second community garden located at McMahon Park, be investigated; and THAT the public consultation process begin with the local community to determine the acceptance of a Community Garden. CARRIED The Committee inquired about the likelihood of banning the sale of plastic water bottles Town wide. Reference was made to the ban imposed by the City of San Francisco. The Committee will research the matter further and revisit the issue at a future meeting. The use of drought-resistant landscape applications for boulevards within the Town was identified as a future topic for investigation and discussion. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Danielle Howell THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:18 p.m. CARRIED COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.