AGENDA - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20180201Environmental
Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
7 p.m.
Holland Room
Aurora Town Hall
Public Release
January 25, 2018
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
1. Approval of the Agenda
Recommended:
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2017
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December 4,
2017, be received for information.
4. Delegations
5. Matters for Consideration
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018 Page 2 of 2
6. Informational Items
1. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Vegetation Management Background
Recommended:
1. That the memorandum regarding Vegetation Management Background
be received for information.
2. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Wildlife Park Project Update
Recommended:
1. That the memorandum regarding W ildlife Park Project Update be
received for information.
7. New Business
8. Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Monday, December 4, 2017
Time and Location: 7 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Paul Pirri (Chair), Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice
Chair), Irene Clement, Larry Fedec, Melville James,
Jennifer Sault, Sara Varty, and Nancee Webb
Member(s) Absent: Kristina Zeromskiene
Other Attendees: Councillor Wendy Gaertner, Christina Nagy-Oh, Program
Manager, Environmental Initiatives, and Ishita Soneji,
Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Nancee Webb
Seconded by Irene Clement
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.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Minutes
Page 1 of 4
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 4, 2017 Page 2 of 4
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 5, 2017
Moved by Larry Fedec
Seconded by Jennifer Sault
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of October 5, 2017,
be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
None
5. Matters for Consideration
1. Memorandum from Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) – November 2017
Update
Staff provided background and a brief overview of the memorandum, and
noted the additions recommended by the Committee at the previous meeting.
The Committee discussed various aspects of the Plan and made further
suggestions to the progress indicators, and to include additional details on the
correlation between the CEAP and other environmentally-related plans.
Moved by Sara Varty
Seconded by Jennifer Sault
1. That the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action Plan
(CEAP) – November 2017 Update be received; and
2. That staff include a semi-annual informal update in addition to the
annual progress report as part of the implementation process; and
3. That the Environmental Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Minutes
Page 2 of 4
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 4, 2017 Page 3 of 4
(a) That the Corporate Environmental Action Plan dated November 2017
be approved as amended.
Carried as amended
6. Informational Items
2. Extract from Council Meeting of November 14, 2017
Re: Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of October 5,
2017
Moved by Melville James
Seconded by Larry Fedec
1. That the Extract from Council Meeting of November 14, 2017, regarding
the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of October 5,
2017, be received for information.
Carried
7. New Business
The Committee inquired about the Town’s provisions regarding anti-idling and
suggested that the Mayor issue letters to local organizations and transportation
agencies regarding the negative impacts of idling. The Chair agreed to bring
forward the suggestion at a future General Committee meeting.
The Committee inquired about the “Bring Your Own Bottle” initiative and pilot
project, and staff agreed to provide an update at a future meeting.
The Committee discussed the possibility of holding another Eco Festival.
The Committee inquired about the ongoing vegetation management and protection
initiatives for new subdivision development areas and natural heritage areas within
the 2C development lands, and staff agreed to provide an update at a future
meeting.
Councillor Mrakas noted an initiative by Tesla to allow smaller Supercharger
stations, and staff agreed to investigate the possibility of installing such stations
within the Town.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Minutes
Page 3 of 4
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 4, 2017 Page 4 of 4
The Committee requested more details on the progress of the Wildlife Park/
Nature Reserve.
The Committee discussed the possibility of installing bike repair stations and noted
that further details regarding this initiative can be found at www.bikefixation.com.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Irene Clement
Seconded by Melville James
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Minutes
Page 4 of 4
Memorandum
Date: February 1, 2018
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Vegetation Management Background
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding Vegetation Management Background be
received for information.
Background
At the December 4, 2017 meeting, the Committee inquired about the ongoing
vegetation management protection initiatives for new subdivision development areas
and natural heritage areas within the 2C development lands. The following was
provided by Gary Greidanus, one of the Town’s Landscape Architects:
Vegetation Management and Protection Initiatives for New Subdivision
Development
Vegetation management and protection initiatives in new development areas is a
response to the Urban Forest Management Plan and associated policies, specifically
Policy C – Tree Removal & Compensation, and Policy D – Tree Protection /
Preservation. The Urban Forest Management Plan was established in 2015 in order to
provide the Town with a comprehensive management policy for effectively managing,
sustaining, and ensuring the growth of Aurora’s urban forests. In relation to new
development areas the concern is to protect and maintain existing vegetation and, when
vegetation is significantly impacted or removed to allow for development, the concern is
to provide compensation in order to replace vegetation that has been lost.
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
Planning and Development
Services
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Item 1
Page 1 of 4
Vegetation Management Background
February 1, 2018 Page 2 of 3
To date a number of new developments (primarily in the Yonge Street South Secondary
Plan area) have been vetted through the above noted policies. This has resulted in the
execution of Vegetation Management (Tree Removal) Agreements whereby securities
have been posted with the Town to secure the value of trees removed and conditions
applied in the Agreement that require replanting in the value of trees removed, or
compensation fees paid to the Town where there is insufficient space on the
development lands to replant to the full value of trees removed. The Vegetation
Management Agreement also addresses protection of vegetation that can remain on the
development site. All new developments, subdivisions and site plans as well, will be
assessed in accordance with the policies of the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Ecological Integrity Monitoring of Natural Heritage Areas within the 2C
Development Lands
A requirement of the 2C Secondary Plan was to monitor key ecological indicators in
order to evaluate long term changes to the ecological integrity of the Natural Heritage
System over time as the 2C lands became urbanised. This requirement became a
condition of Draft Plan approval for the various subdivisions within the 2C area.
Originally this was the responsibility of the individual developers however, the
development community requested the Town to administer these requirements, at the
developer’s expense. In 2014 the Town retained the firm of Morrison Hershfield to
undertake a 10-year monitoring strategy and monitoring stations were set up within the
natural areas and water courses in the 2C lands (see attached monitoring location
map).
The monitoring strategy was set up to monitor 4 primary ecological indicators: Water
Temperature; Benthic Invertebrates; Breeding Birds; and Breeding Amphibians at the
following frequencies:
• Water Temperature monitoring will occur annually for 10 years (2015 – 2024)
• Benthic Invertebrates will be monitored 3 times during the 10 year monitoring
period.
• Breeding Bird surveys will be conducted twice during the breeding season at 4
periods throughout the 10 year monitoring period.
• Amphibian surveys will be conducted three times during the breeding season at 4
periods throughout the 10 year monitoring period.
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Item 1
Page 2 of 4
Vegetation Management Background
February 1, 2018 Page 3 of 3
Annual reports are being provided to the Town at the end of each monitoring season.
The first full year of monitoring was 2015 to establish baseline data. The second year of
monitoring (2016) addressed primarily monitoring of the water temperature in the
watercourse and noted that there was a slight increase in water temperature over the
year. This was due in part to the hot dry summer. However, increase in water
temperatures in Marsh Creek and Weslie Creek was attributed to development activities
that included removal of riparian vegetation and realignment of the watercourses as part
of York Region’s widening and reconstruction of St. John’s Side road, activities that are
out of control of the Town of Aurora. The 2017 monitoring report is expected to be ready
early in the New Year.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Monitoring Stations Updated Locations Site Map
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Item 1
Page 3 of 4
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Item 1
Page 4 of 4
Memorandum
Date: February 1, 2018
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Christina Nagy-Oh, Program Manager, Environmental Initiatives
Re: Wildlife Park Project Update
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding Wildlife Park Project Update be received for
information.
Background
At the October 5, 2017 meeting the Committee inquired about the status of the planned
nature reserve in the 2C lands. The following was provided by Gary Greidanus, one of
the Town’s Landscape Architects:
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MNRF) has reviewed the Wildlife Park
project and provided comments. The Park is currently in the middle of detailed design
stage and staff have been notified by MNRF that the wetland creation component of the
wildlife park will require an application under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
(LIRA). The wetland creation is a significant component of the Wildlife Park design and
includes the creation of 3 new wetland habitat cells.
The design and preparation for the LIRA application is not in the scope of works for the
Town’s consultant and will require an extra to the contract. The consultant, Cole
Engineering, is arranging a meeting with MNRF to determine the nature and
requirements of the LIRA application. Until staff can determine the requirements and
added costs of the LIRA application the wetland creation component of the wildlife park
is on hold.
Staff have engaged Cole Engineering in the other aspects of the park design which is
largely focused on the trail system, bridges and boardwalks. The trail system will require
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
Planning and Development
Services
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Item 2
Page 1 of 2
Wildlife Park Project Update
February 1, 2018 Page 2 of 2
an application to the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and the preparation of a
Trails Impact Study to be approved by the Conservation Authority in order to receive
LSRCA permits. Cole has completed 60% of both the Trails Impact Study and detailed
design of the trails, bridges and boardwalks. Staff hope to receive the completed
detailed design later this winter. Staff plan to release a tender for construction of the trail
system with construction commencing in spring or summer of 2018.
Attachments
None
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Item 2
Page 2 of 2
Public Release
January 31, 2018
Town of Aurora
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
7 p.m., Holland Room
• Delegation (a) Anu Bidani, STEM MINDs Corp., and Team STEMbotics
Re: Smart Rainwater Harvesting Project
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 1 of 8
Team Info Sheet
FLL Team Number: 30993
Team Name: STEMbotics
Team Members: Denis, Dylan, Brendan, Kenny, Charley, Rik, Eric, Matthew, Luke
Coaches: Anu Bidani, Toni Sagardia
Team Picture:
Project Executive Summary:
Our company is a not-for-profit called and we have an innovative product suite that
can save the community of York Region $6Million dollars in savings through community focused
Rain Water Harvesting.
Our innovation is a Smart Rainwater Harvesting Home Kit that includes two main
components:
• Qbiq sensors that allow to convert rain barrels and patio umbrellas into smart
devices
• Design of a reversible Patio Umbrella that allows collection of rain water and
distribution through automation
There is also a potential of using Qbiq as a Smart Meter to capture rain water harvesting
statistics that will be beneficial to municipalities
We estimate $6 Million savings for the York Region community alone (please see
appendix A for Facts and Figures)
Our Customer: Home Owners and Municipalities
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 2 of 8
What problem are we solving?
•People are using a significant quantity of potable, expensive water
for gardening and other outdoor use.
•Municipalities sometimes have difficulties meeting the water demands.
•Since 1940’s, the population has doubled but the amount of water
consumption has quadrupled.
•Rapid urbanization has drastically decreased recharging of groundwater.
Rainwater Harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater to water
gardens, lawns, etc.
Why we chose this problem
•York Region has 370,000 households
•Only 3.5% of households have rain
barrels
•We did our own survey and found
88% homeowners did not know
benefits of rainwater harvesting or
rain barrels
•We also did a walk of one street with
100 homes. Only 2 houses had rain
barrels but everyone had patio
umbrellas
•We reviewed 6 Journal articles, a
thesis paper and many website all
supporting our findings
•We did calculations to confirm savings
Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting
•It is simple, economical and eco-
friendly
•Saves money for both the town and
each household
•Helps the environment by reducing
electricity use and greenhouse gas
•emissions required in the treatment of
water
•Alleviates strain on public water
system during summer months
•Reduces storm water runoff and
sewage system overload
•Reduces topsoil erosion
Our thought is that…
1.If people are not using rain barrels due to inconvenience… what if we made rainwater
harvesting fully automated.
2.If almost every home has a patio umbrella… what if everyone also used a patio umbrella
for harvesting rainwater?
We have solved the problem by making our solution:
•Convenient to use
•Aesthetically pleasing
•Fully automated with the use of Smart Home technology
This is how we will do it!
•Turn rain barrels into SMART rain barrels with use of Qbiq sensors (refer to Appendix B
for details) and an accompanying App RainTech for setup and monitoring
•Design a patio umbrella that is reversible and sturdy to collect water in rain and provides
shade during sunny days. Inspired by HedgeHog Umbrellas (Appendix C)
•Use cutting edge Qbiq sensors to recognize conditions like fullness of the rain barrel,
temperature and moisture (IOT & IFTTT) to automate rainwater harvesting
•Use automated hose valves to release rainwater when conditions are met
•Ability to send home use data to the Town for gathering statistics and using the
information to improve conservation programs
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 3 of 8
•The potential with Qbiq is unlimited as it can potentially be used as a Smart Meter for
measuring rain water collected and potential savings for the Home Owner and the Town.
There is so much that can done with this technology.
•The potential of working with interior designers to create custom tanks in different
shapes and sizes is possible so outdoor becomes indoor.
•The potential of working with HedegeHog Umbrellas to create custom patterns and
designs on the umbrella are also possible
The Home Kit can be purchased as a:
Starter Pack for $500
Ultimate Pack for $600
A La Carte selection of components based on needs (Appendix D for details).
All the components in the Kit have an over 5 year shelf life. The Reversible Umbrella itself which
is $200 has a 2 year shelf life but replacement parts will be available so the most wear and tear
components are easily replaceable hence increasing the shelf life of the kit and generating cost
savings for the owners. The Qbiq batteries last 6 months and can be recharged with a USB port.
Experts we have spoken to:
•James Daigle - the inventor of Qbiq and founder of Ubiqweus,
•Dana Eldon - from Simcoe Water Conservation,
•Lauren Stephanoff - from York Region water education,
•Kevin Truong - CEO of Hedgehog Umbrellas,
Recognition:
•Won the most Eco-Friendly Project: Aurora Youth Innovation Fair (Nov/17)
•Invited to Aurora Town Hall Council meeting to receive award from Mayor Dawe
•Won Innovation Award: Ontario East Provincial Championship (Jan/18)
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 4 of 8
Appendix A
FACTS AND FIGURES: COMMUNITY EFFORT
100 11ft Patio Umbrellas VS 2 Rain Barrels
(* based on our review of one street with 100 homes; Every home had a patio umbrella)
AMOUNT OF WATER COLLECTED
584,471 Litres vs 264,800 Litres
54% More water collected with Patio Umbrellas
AMOUNT OF WATER SAVED
467,577 Litres vs 26,480 Litres
94% More water savings with Patio Umbrellas
AMOUNT OF DOLLARS SAVING
$1,694 vs $95.92
$15,000 ($150 per house) = Storm Water Tax savings
94% More Dollar savings with Patio Umbrellas
Savings that Municipalities can achieve by not processing this water have not been
calculated and could add to additional benefits!
YORK REGION SAVINGS AS A COMMUNITY
1 Home
Save: $16.94 + $150 Taxes
100 Homes
Save: $1,694 Annually + $15,000 Taxes
375,000 Homes
$6.32 Million Dollars in savings Annually
USING ENVIRORAIN HOME KIT
PATIO UMBRELLA AND RAIN BARREL
AMOUNT OF DOLLARS PER HOUSEHOLD
SAVING: $16.94 + $47.96 + $150 = $214.90
COST: $600
Recover cost in 2.8 years for a Home Owner
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 5 of 8
Appendix B
Qbiq
Qbiq is an Internet of Things device developed by Ubiqweus that is currently on
Kickstarter. Internet of Things is a network of regular devices such as vehicles and home
appliances with built in electronics (sensors, software, actuators, etc.).
Qbiq devices measure data and execute tasks according to that data. In our product, we
have three installments of the Qbiq. We have a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor
and a pressure sensor. The temperature sensor will be installed anywhere in your yard
and measure the overall temperature outside. The moisture sensor will be in your garden
and will measure the level of moisture in the soil. Finally, the pressure sensor will be inside
your rain barrel and see how full the rain barrel is. After it collects this data, it will figure
out the exact right time to water your garden or fill your pool. For example, if it is very hot
outside, the soil is really dry and the rain barrel is full, it will automatically water your garden
or fill your pool or send you a notification telling you to water your garden. The Qbiq sends
a signal to the Wise Orchard Hose Valve (a product already on the market), and it lets the
water through.
In our Rain Tech app, you can let the Qbiq automatically water your garden or fill your pool
or you can make sure that it sends you a notification so that you can do the same with the
press of a button. Also, you can set the level of temperature, moisture and pressure that
the Qbiq will either automatically let out the water or will send you a notification so that
you can do it manually. Lastly, in our Rain Tech app, you can set an automatic schedule
for the Qbiq to let out the water.
This is James Daigle - the founder of Ubiqweus - holding a Qbiq.
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 6 of 8
Appendix C
Hedgehog Umbrellas
Hedgehog Umbrellas is a company based in Vancouver. They manufacture strong and
small handheld umbrellas with custom designs. These designs are easily changeable and you
can have any design of your choice.
This is Kevin Truong, the founder of Hedgehog.
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 7 of 8
Appendix D
Cost Analysis
Product Item
Actual
Cost
Retail
Cost
Selling
Price Profit
Ultimate Pack Includes
Motorized Rain Harvesting Umbrella $200 $260 $600 $146
Water Tank + Qbiq Pressure Sensor $60 $78
Qbiq Sensors (Moisture, Temperature) $40 $52
Hose $20 $26
Wise Orchard Wifi Enabled hose valve $54 $70
Downspout Diverter $20 $26
Rain Barrel + Pressure Sensor $60 $78
Total $454 $590
Starter Pack
Motorized Rain Harvesting Umbrella $200 $260 $500 $126
Water Tank + Qbiq Pressure Sensor $60 $78
Qbiq Sensors (Moisture, Temperature) $40 $52
Hose $20 $26
Wise Orchard Wifi Enabled hose valve $54 $70
Total $374 $486
A la Carte Items
Replacable shell for Rain Umbrella $50 $80
Motorized Rain Harvesting Umbrella $200 $260 $60
Water Tank + Qbiq Pressure Sensor $60 $78 $18
Rain Barrel + Qbiq Pressure Sensor $60 $78 $18
Qbiq Moisture Sensor $20 $26 $6
Qbiq Temperature Sensor $20 $26 $6
Hose $20 $26 $6
Hose Connectors $10 $13 $3
Wise Orchard Wifi Enabled hose valve $54 $70 $16
Rain Barrel Conversion Kit including pressue sensor (if you
already have a rain barrel) $20 $26 $6
Installation: Clay Pedestal $20 $26 $6
Total Price $484 $629 $145
Additional Items to
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Delegation (a)
Page 8 of 8