MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20180201
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Paul Pirri (Chair), Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice
Chair), Jennifer Sault, Sara Varty, Nancee Webb, Kristina
Zeromskiene
Member(s) Absent: Irene Clement, Larry Fedec, and Melville James
Other Attendees: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental
Initiatives, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Kristina Zeromskiene
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following addition,
be approved:
• Delegation (a) Anu Bidani, STEM MINDs Corp., and Team STEMbotics
Re: Smart Rainwater Harvesting Project
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 1, 2018 Page 2 of 4
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2017
Moved by Councillor Mrakas
Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December 4,
2017, be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
(a) Anu Bidani, STEM MINDs Corp., and Team STEMbotics
Re: Smart Rainwater Harvesting Project
Ms. Bidani introduced the nine members of Team STEMbotics, each of whom
presented aspects of their Smart Rainwater Harvesting innovation, including
their solution and approach, benefits, value proposition, key clients, use of
technology, research and surveys completed, accomplishments and media
presentations. Ms. Bidani and the Team responded to the questions and
feedback from the Committee.
Moved by Sara Varty
Seconded by Nancee Webb
That the comments and documentation of the delegation be received for
information.
Carried
5. Matters for Consideration
None
6. Informational Items
1. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Vegetation Management Background
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 1, 2018 Page 3 of 4
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum.
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Jennifer Sault
1. That the memorandum regarding Vegetation Management Background be
received for information.
Carried
2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Wildlife Park Project Update
Staff provided background to the memorandum.
The Committee inquired about the next steps and how to move this project
forward, and the Chair and staff provided a response.
Moved by Jennifer Sault
Seconded by Kristina Zeromskiene
1. That the memorandum regarding Wildlife Park Project Update be received;
and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
(a) That further work on the Wildlife Park be endorsed; and
(b) That the Environmental Advisory Committee receive regular updates
on the progress of the Wildlife Park Project.
Carried
7. New Business
The Chair noted that the issue of anti-idling was raised at Council, and the Mayor
and Chair have committed to addressing this matter further.
The Vice Chair noted that staff reports to Council currently include a section titled
“Link to Strategic Plan” and staff have been asked to consider also including “Link
to Corporate Environmental Action Plan” in the report template.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 1, 2018 Page 4 of 4
Staff provided an overview of the Town’s draft communications plan for the
promotion of the “Bring Your Own Bottle” initiative and campaign. The Committee
suggested also using the Yonge Street digital notice board and requested extra
copies of posters for Committee members to help spread the word.
Staff reviewed the correspondence and invitation from a member of the Toronto &
York Region Labour Council’s newly formed Environmental Action Committee,
which will be holding an Ecofair and free screening of “Before the Flood” on
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Newmarket Theatre.
The Committee suggested that it would be beneficial for the Environmental
Advisory Committee to design a portable pop-up booth, in readiness for display at
various events as any opportunity arises, to aid in the promotion and education of
its environmental initiatives.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Jennifer Sault
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council.