MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20170615
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2017
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Paul Pirri (Chair), Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice
Chair), Irene Clement, Melville James, Jennifer Sault, Sara
Varty, Nancee Webb, and Kristina Zeromskiene
Member(s) Absent: Larry Fedec
Other Attendees: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental
Initiatives, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Jennifer Sault
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2017
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page 2 of 4
Moved by Melville James
Seconded by Councillor Mrakas
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 6, 2017, be
received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
(a) Ryan Ness, Angela Wallace, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Re: The Living City Report Card
The delegation was unable to attend.
5. Matters for Consideration
None
6. Informational Items
1. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Invasive Plant Species Update
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum. The Committee inquired
about possible grant opportunities and staff agreed to investigate. Staff and
Committee discussed various aspects including public awareness,
prioritization of key areas, educational workshops, the phragmites pilot
project, and collaboration opportunities toward the control and eradication of
invasive plant species.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene
1. That the memorandum regarding Invasive Plant Species Update be received
for information.
Carried
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page 3 of 4
2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Corporate Environmental Action Plan Update Status
Staff noted that the draft updated Corporate Environmental Action Plan
(CEAP) would be emailed to Committee members in early August 2017 for
comment. Staff and Committee discussed various aspects including the
incorporation of the Town’s commitment to the Blue Dot campaign, the need
for a full-time employee to guide the CEAP energy initiative, the Community
Energy Plan, and the Corporate Energy Management Plan.
Moved by Melville James
Seconded by Sara Varty
1. That the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action Plan
Update Status be received for information.
Carried
7. New Business
Staff and Committee discussed aspects of Aurora’s Eco Festival held on April 29,
2017, and staff noted the positive feedback received.
Staff provided an update regarding the anti-idling initiative, noting that this item
would be refreshed in CEAP with emphasis on a positive campaign of public
awareness and education. The Committee suggested that industrial idling should
also be addressed.
Staff confirmed that the Town would not be joining the ClimateWise Business
Network at this time.
Staff provided an update regarding the “Bring Your Own Bottle” initiative and pilot
project.
The Committee inquired about what happens to items picked up in the Town’s
monthly textile collection project. Staff agreed to investigate and report back.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Page 4 of 4
8. Adjournment
Moved by Jennifer Sault
Seconded by Irene Clement
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council.