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AGENDA - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20170406 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 7 p.m. Holland Room Aurora Town Hall Public Release March 31, 2017 Town of Aurora Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Date: Thursday, April 6, 2017 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall 1. Approval of the Agenda Recommended: That the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved. 2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof 3. Receipt of the Minutes Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 24, 2016 Recommended: That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November 24, 2016, be received for information. 4. Delegations 5. Matters for Consideration 1. Memorandum from Mayor Dawe Re: Anti-Idling Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Page 2 of 2 Recommended: 1. That the memorandum regarding Anti-Idling be received; and 2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee provide direction. 6. Informational Items 2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Bring Your Own Bottle Initiative at Town Facilities Recommended: 1. That the memorandum regarding Bring Your Own Bottle Initiative at Town Facilities be received for information. 3. Extract from Council Meeting of December 13, 2016 Re: Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 24, 2016 Recommended: 1. That the Extract from Council Meeting of December 13, 2016, regarding the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November 24, 2016, be received for information. 7. New Business 8. Adjournment Town of Aurora Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, November 24, 2016 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Tom Mrakas (Chair), Irene Clement, Larry Fedec, Jennifer Sault, Melville James, Sara Varty, and Nancy Webb Member(s) Absent: Councillor Paul Pirri (Vice Chair), and Dr. Kristina Zeromskiene Other Attendees: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives, Jim Tree, Manager, Parks, and Samantha Kong, Council/Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 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 the Agenda Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Larry Fedec That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved. Carried Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Minutes Page 1 of 6 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 24, 2016 Page 2 of 6 3. Receipt of the Minutes Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 2, 2016 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Jennifer Sault That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 2, 2016, be received for information. Carried 4. Delegations (a) Fausto Filipetto, Senior Policy Planner, Town of Aurora Re: Library Square and Town Park Mr. Filipetto presented an overview of the Library Square and Town Park conceptual plans, and provided background, public survey results/feedback, and next steps. Moved by Jennifer Sault Seconded by Irene Clement That the comments of the delegation be received for information. Carried (b) Iris Tufa and John McNally, Windfall Ecology Centre Re: Introduction to the ClimateWise Business Network Ms. Tufa and Mr. McNally presented an overview of the ClimateWise Business Network and explained the benefits it provides to businesses in regards to sustainability. The Committee suggested that this information could be presented to the Economic Development Advisory Committee, as there is a strong link with local businesses. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Minutes Page 2 of 6 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 24, 2016 Page 3 of 6 Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Larry Fedec That the comments of the delegation be received for information. Carried (c) Barry Bridgeford, Resident Re: Invasive Plant Species, Invasive Species Act, Funding for Control Mr. Bridgeford provided an overview of invasive plant species in Aurora, specifically phragmites, dog-strangling vine, and Japanese knotweed. He noted that there is no funding for the control and/or eradication of these species and is requesting that Council authorize such funding for 2017. The Committee expressed support for the request. Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Sara Varty That the comments of the delegation be received for information. Carried 5.Matters for Consideration None 6.Informational Items 1.Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Environmental Programs New Priority Actions Staff provided a brief overview of the environmental programs new priority actions, and the Committee expressed interest in assisting the Program Manager with projects. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Minutes Page 3 of 6 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 24, 2016 Page 4 of 6 Moved by Larry Fedec Seconded by Melville James 1.That the memorandum regarding Environmental Programs New Priority Actions be received for information. Carried 2. Extract from Council Meeting of June 28, 2016 Re: Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 2, 2016 The Committee inquired whether Council provided input to the objectives of a Community Earth Week Fair. Staff recommended that the Committee discuss objectives at a future meeting and bring them forward to Council for consideration. Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Jennifer Sault 1.That the Extract from Council Meeting of June 28, 2016, regarding the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 2, 2016, be received for information. Carried 7.New Business New Business Motion No. 1 Moved by Nancee Webb Seconded by Jennifer Sault 1.That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council: (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of eliminating single-use plastic bottles at all Town facilities, and report back; and (b)That a “bring your own bottle” initiative be implemented at all Town facilities. Carried Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Minutes Page 4 of 6 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 24, 2016 Page 5 of 6 New Business Motion No. 2 Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Larry Fedec 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council: (a) That the concept plans for Library Square and Town Park, and removal of the former library and seniors centre, be endorsed; and (b) That green and sustainable development aspects be incorporated in the final designs. Carried New Business Motion No. 3 Moved by Irene Clement Seconded by Melville James 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council: (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of containment or removal of phragmites, and report back to Council within the first quarter of 2017; and (b) That a public education strategy be developed regarding phragmites, dog- strangling vine, and Japanese knotwood. Carried New Business Motion No. 4 Moved by Jennifer Sault Seconded by Larry Fedec 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council: (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of joining the ClimateWise Business Network. Carried Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Minutes Page 5 of 6 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 24, 2016 Page 6 of 6 8.Adjournment Moved by Melville James Seconded by Sara Varty That the meeting be adjourned at 9 p.m. Carried Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council at a later meeting. Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Minutes Page 6 of 6 Memorandum Date: April 6, 2017 To: Environmental Advisory Committee From: Mayor Geoffrey Dawe Re: Anti-Idling Recommendations 1.That the memorandum regarding Anti-Idling be received; and 2.That the Environmental Advisory Committee provide direction. Background The Town of Aurora currently does not have a stand-alone by-law to deal with anti-idling. Over the years, constituents have requested that a stand-alone by-law be introduced to combat the effects of harmful contaminants released into the air when vehicles idle. The only current enforcement available is under By-law Number 4752-05.P Section 30(c) which speaks to idling in parks or public places and is considered a nuisance. Several municipalities in York Region, such as Newmarket and Whitchurch-Stouffville, have stand-alone anti-idling by-laws, and it may be something that the Town of Aurora consider implementing in an effort to improve air quality for all of our citizens. 100 John West Way Box 1000 Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1 Phone: 905-727-3123 ext. 4746 Email: mayor@aurora.ca www.aurora.ca Town of Aurora Office of the Mayor Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Item 1 Page 1 of 1 Memorandum Date: April 6, 2017 To: Environmental Advisory Committee From: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives Re: Bring Your Own Bottle Initiative at Town Facilities Recommendation 1.That the memorandum regarding Bring Your Own Bottle Initiative at Town Facilities be received for information. Background This memo was drafted in response to the following Motion carried at Council December 2016. New Business Motion No. 1 1.That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council: (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of eliminating single-use plastic bottles at all Town facilities, and report back; and (b)That a “bring your own bottle” initiative be implemented at all Town facilities. Eliminate single-use plastic bottles The PMEI considers that the first step to be taken with respect to eliminating single-use plastic bottles at all Town facilities should be the elimination of sale of bottled water both in the vending machines and directly from vendors. Since all public town facilities now have water bottle filling stations installed, this gives facility patrons the opportunity to refill their own reusable bottles with water. Once this initiative is promoted and implemented the second phase would be to include all single-use plastic bottles, which would include juice, vitamin water and sports drinks sold in single-use plastic bottles. The only opportunity to make a change of service request of our vendor is during the request for proposal (RFP) process where staff is able to change the future requirements of the next contract with our facility vendor. The current vendor contract expires April 30 2018. The next eight months is the window of opportunity for staff to research and draft new 100 John West Way Box 1000 Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1 Phone: 905-727-3123 ext. 4382 Email: cnagy-oh@aurora.ca www.aurora.ca Town of Aurora Infrastructure & Environmental Services Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Item 2 Page 1 of 2 April 6, 2017 -2-Bring your own bottle enhanced requirements, discuss the new options with Councillors and gather patron feedback to be included in the council report. The PMEI is working with the Manager of Business Support on a recreation centre healthy options pilot project. The pilot is to run from August to end of October. One goal of this project is to encourage recreation centre vendors to offer healthy options beyond the pilot project phase and to inform the RFP process for renewal of the vendor contracts for the next 5 years. This working group plans to produce a Council report timed for the late fall, summarizing the experiences and feedback from rec center patrons, survey feedback and examples of local municipalities who have begun providing healthy options at their rec centres. The vendor contract RFP is to be drafted in Q4 of 2017. Staff sees this RFP renewal as the opportunity to request in addition to some healthy food options, environmentally responsible containers, and eliminating bottled water in both the vending machines and directly from the vendors. Staff are not able to change the requirements of the future RFP without the consent of Council. Staff can only recommend changes to the vendor contract that they feel would represent sustainable leadership, and promote healthier choices for the patrons of both our facilities and recreation centers. These changes would align well with Aurora stiving to be the most active community. It is worth noting that the elimination or reduction of sale of single use plastic bottles would also reduce the amount of plastic in both the recycling waste stream and garbage waste stream within these facilities. This may reduce the town’s facility recycling and waste removal costs. Staff do not have an estimate as to the financial benefit that could arise from this reduction in waste. Bring Your Own Bottle The PMEI met with the Manager of Communications regarding the idea of a “bring your own bottle” initiative and the suggested timeline for kick starting the public education campaign was fall 2017. Staff can promote this upcoming initiative at the Town booth during the Eco festival on April 29th 2017. The following promotional channels were suggested for this public education campaign: •Media release/Public Service Announcement •Social media postings •Website content •NoticeBoard (directing back to website) •Handout/flyer/poster placed in participating facilities The Communications manager also suggested creating a video for the town’s YouTube Channels and/or having the students from Pickering College radio do a story. Staff thought the college students would be particularly interested in the bring your own bottle initiative. Attachments None Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Item 2 Page 2 of 2 Page 1 of 2 7. Adoption of Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion Items 1 (with the exception of sub-items 2, 6, and 20), 2, 5, 6, and 7 were identified as items not requiring separate discussion. Moved by Councillor Pirri Seconded by Councillor Humfryes That the following recommendations with respect to the matters listed as “Items Not Requiring Separate Discussion” be adopted as submitted to Council and staff be authorized to take all necessary action required to give effect to same: 1. General Committee Meeting Report of December 6, 2016 That the General Committee meeting report of December 6, 2016, be received and the following recommendations carried by the Committee be approved: (19) Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 24, 2016 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of November 24, 2016, be received; and New Business Motion No. 1 (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of eliminating single-use plastic bottles at all Town facilities, and report back; and (b) That a “bring your own bottle” initiative be implemented at all Town facilities. New Business Motion No. 2 (a) That the concept plans for Library Square and Town Park, and removal of the former library and seniors centre, be endorsed; and (b) That green and sustainable development aspects are incorporated in the final designs. Extract from Council Meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Item 3 Page 1 of 2 Council Extract – Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Page 2 of 2 New Business Motion No. 3 (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of containment or removal of phragmites, and report back to Council within the first quarter of 2017; and (b) That a public education strategy be developed, regarding phragmites, dog-strangling vine, and Japanese knotwood. New Business Motion No. 4 (a) That staff be directed to investigate the feasibility of joining the ClimateWise Business Network. Carried Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Thursday, April 6, 2017 Item 3 Page 2 of 2