MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20210125 1
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, January 25, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Margaret Baker
Barry Bridgeford
Colin Brown
Sam Cunningham
Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
Ryan Hamid
Sandy Hudson
Crystal Robertson
Other Attendees: Mayor Tom Mrakas (ex-officio)
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Anca Mihail, Manager, Engineering Services
Sara Tienkamp, Manager, Parks and Fleet
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Samantha Yew, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Procedural Notes
This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's
Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Town Clerk called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Mayor Mrakas welcomed the members of the newly-established Environmental
Advisory Committee and thanked them for volunteering and their commitment to
the community.
2
Councillor Gilliland assumed the chair at 7:05 p.m.
2. Appointment of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Moved by Colin Brown
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
That Councillor Rachel Gilliland be elected as Chair for Year 2021 of the
Environmental Advisory Committee (2018-2022 Term).
Carried
Moved by Colin Brown
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
That Councillor Wendy Gaertner be elected as Vice Chair for Year 2021 of the
Environmental Advisory Committee (2018-2022 Term).
Carried
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Barry Bridgeford
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
None.
6. Delegations
6.1 Alex X, representing Greener Days; Re: Marker Recycling in Aurora
Alex presented a proposal, including impacts and benefits, to divert used
markers in Aurora from landfills through a free program, Crayola
ColourCycle, which collects and repurposes used markers of any type.
3
Moved by Wendy Gaertner
Seconded by Colin Brown
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
6.2 Michael de Rond, Town Clerk; Re: Committee Orientation
Mr. de Rond presented an overview of the roles and responsibilities of an
advisory committee, committee members, the chair, and staff. He noted
the importance of an advisory committee as a tool for civic engagement
and highlighted various aspects of procedure, including the Town’s
Procedure By-law and the Code of Conduct for Local Boards.
Moved by Crystal Robertson
Seconded by Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
That the comments of the delegation be received for information.
Carried
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Town of
Aurora Community Energy Plan
Susan Hall, Partner and Project Lead, LURA Consulting, and Caitlin Rodger,
ICLEI Canada, presented an overview of the Town's draft Community
Energy Plan (CEP) including climate change impacts, energy costs, the
need for a CEP, development process, energy use and greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions, strategies to reduce energy consumption and GHG
emissions, impacts, and plan implementation. Megan Meaney, ICLEI
Canada, was also in attendance to answer questions.
The Committee expressed support for the proposed plan and inquired
about available funding resources to implement the plan. The
consultants/staff provided clarification regarding potential funding
opportunities, which would be further identified as projects move forward
to Council. The Committee discussed and inquired about several issues
including voluntary deep retrofits for existing homes, the impacts of
embedded emissions and the net energy benefit, the potential for
hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative to lithium batteries, green roofs,
natural infrastructure implementation, federal targets vs Town targets, and
4
green options and standards for new construction. The consultants/staff
provided clarification, reviewed the focus of the plan and next steps, and
noted that a deeper analysis would be undertaken to address some of the
issues as each project moves forward.
Moved by Margaret Baker
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
1. That the memorandum regarding Town of Aurora Community Energy
Plan be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Community Energy Plan be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Manager, Parks and Fleet; Re: Greening the Fleet -
Green Fleet Action Plan
Staff presented an overview of the memorandum and draft Green Fleet
Action Plan including background on the fleet management strategy,
alignment with the Region's fleet goal, percentage of total GHG emissions
by mode, key objectives in implementing the action plan, actions and
impacts, and measures of success.
The Committee expressed support for the proposed action plan and
inquired about the fleet age, life cycles, replacement policy, and inclusion
of electric and hybrid vehicles. Staff provided a response noting that all
technologies would be considered, including hydrogen vehicles, as long as
cost effectiveness and service delivery standards can be maintained. The
Committee inquired about incorporating GPS to better understand fleet
efficiencies, and staff advised that use of the Telematics information/GPS
system would be expanded to include all fleet vehicles. The Committee
further inquired about whether any green or environmental factors are
considered in the procurement of fleet, and staff confirmed the Town
follows green procurement practices that can be adjusted for fleet,
although there are financial challenges until green fleet vehicles become
more commercially available and prices decrease.
Moved by Barry Bridgeford
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
5
1. That the memorandum regarding Greening the Fleet - Green Fleet
Action Plan be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Greening the Fleet - Green Fleet Action Plan be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.3 Round Table Discussion; Re: Private Tree Protection By-law No. 5850-16
Moved by Barry Bridgeford
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
1. That the Round Table Discussion regarding Private Tree Protection By-
law Number 5850-16 be deferred to the February 24, 2021 meeting of
the Environmental Advisory Committee.
Motion to defer
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. Adjournment
Moved by Barry Bridgeford
Seconded by Colin Brown
That the meeting be adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Carried