MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20210428 1
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Margaret Baker
Barry Bridgeford
Colin Brown
Sam Cunningham
Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
Ryan Hamid
Sandy Hudson
Crystal Robertson
Members Absent: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Other Attendees: Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Ishita Soneji, 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 Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Sam Cunningham
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
2
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, be approved.
Carried
3. 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.
4. Receipt of the Minutes
4.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 24,
2021
Moved by Colin Brown
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of February
24, 2021, be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
None.
6. Matters for Consideration
6.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst, Re: Corporate
Environmental Action Plan 2019 Progress Report
Staff provided an overview of the memorandum highlighting the
background and purpose of the Corporate Environmental Action Plan
(CEAP) and the highlights of the progress report. Staff sought
Committee's feedback and suggestions regarding the progress report and
the associated tracking sheet.
The Committee provided feedback and sought clarification about using
LIDs for the Town's Library Square project and possible LEED certification
for the building and staff provided clarification including the LEED features
to be incorporated in the project. The Committee and staff discussed
about the possibility of a centralized process for new buildings which
includes a form of incentive to ensure they are built as per sustainable
3
development standards and the inclusion of environmental design
standards in the Official Plan Review. The Committee further inquired
about the Town's authority in enforcing sustainable development
standards and staff agreed to follow up.
The Committee inquired about the access to information regarding
invasive species around Town including a form of education avenue to
inform the public. Staff advised that through the CEAP and Community
Energy Plan (CEP) initiatives, the Corporate Communications division
ensures any environmental awareness campaign information is
communicated accordingly through social media or local print media. The
Committee suggested that an educational campaign specifically regarding
mitigation of invasive species would be beneficial for the public, including
students. It was noted that further suggestions and information regarding
invasive species could be forwarded to staff after the meeting.
The Committee inquired about grant opportunities for the Town from the
recently announced Federal funding on various environmental initiatives
and staff agreed to follow up.
The Committee further inquired about the consideration of tree genetics
to maintain biodiversity within tree species which are planted in public
places and the means of monitoring survivability of existing trees, and
staff agreed to follow up.
Moved by Barry Bridgeford
Seconded by Sandy Hudson
1. That the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action Plan
2019 Progress Report be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Corporate Environmental Action Plan 2019 Progress Report be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
None.
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8. Adjournment
Moved by Sam Cunningham
Seconded by Crystal Robertson
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Carried