MINUTES - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20210623 1
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, June 23, 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
Sandy Hudson
Crystal Robertson
Members Absent: Ashley Gatto Cassagrande
Ryan Hamid
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 Margaret Baker
Seconded by Sam Cunningham
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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 April 28, 2021
Moved by Sandy Hudson
Seconded by Margaret Baker
That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 28,
2021, be received for information.
Carried
5. Delegations
None.
6. Matters for Consideration
6.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Incorporating a
Climate Lens into Town Governance and Operations
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change, presented an overview
of the purpose of incorporating a climate lens in the Town operations and
governance highlighting the existing climate change and environmental
initiatives and the anticipated changes through incorporating a climate
lens. She further provided details on the three proposed approaches of
incorporating the climate lens: including climate change objectives in
procurement documents, including climate considerations in staff reports
and budget business cases, and consideration of Total Cost of Ownership
and Lifecycle Cost in the procurement process.
The Committee discussed about the various aspects of the proposed
approaches and was in agreement with the proposed plan. The
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Committee inquired if there will be minimum requirements to meet climate
change objectives for procured or Town initiated projects, and staff
provided clarification. The Committee further inquired about the
implementation process and how the proposed objectives would be
incorporated in procurement, budget, and staff documents. Staff indicated
that the proposed approach offers checking climate change objectives at
various stages of the project as the applicable climate objectives would be
dependent on the project.
The Committee further inquired about the opportunity for public
participation throughout the implementation process, and staff noted that
public participation would be dependent on the scope of the project with
various opportunities available throughout the project.
The Committee and staff further discussed about balancing cost-effective
climate solutions and achieving climate change objectives, and
developing more insight on simple solutions.
Moved by Margaret Baker
Seconded by Barry Bridgeford
1. That the memorandum regarding Incorporating a Climate Lens into
Town Operations and Governance be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Incorporating a Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
7. Informational Items
None.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Colin Brown
Seconded by Sam Cunningham
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Carried