Minutes - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20230515
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, May 15, 2023
7 p.m.
Holland Room
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner* (Vice Chair) (arrived 7:15 p.m.)
Nicole Arsenault
Shun Chen*
Pippette Eibel
Denis Heng
Kristen Martens
Ken Turriff
Members Absent: Alain Godin
Other Attendees: Sebastian Contarin, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Nancy Fleming, Manager, Engineering Services
Palak Mehta, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
Councillor Gilliland called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
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Monday, May 15, 2023 2
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
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
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
None.
8. Informational Items
8.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Town of
Aurora Climate Change Initiative Update
Sebastian Contarin, Energy and Climate Change Analyst provided an
overview of the climate initiatives and environmental achievements that
the Town of Aurora has accomplished since the last Environmental
Advisory Committee meeting in June 2022, including an introduction to
the upcoming climate initiatives in 2023. Staff to circulate links to the
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Monday, May 15, 2023 3
Committee, including environmental master plans and consultation
reports for information.
The Committee inquired about its role and purpose, key performance
indicators with respect to environmental initiatives, tree planting/removal
and a tree canopy study, Green Development Standards (GDS), reviewing
greenhouse gas (GHG) targets, the community efficiency financing and
application deadline for the grant, economic value of natural capital
assets, and water conservation initiatives. Staff provided a response.
The Committee further inquired about environmental initiatives of the draft
Official Plan Amendment review. The Chair encouraged the Committee to
provide comments at engageaurora.ca/opr.
The Committee also inquired about current communication initiatives and
discussed how to increase outreach for environmental initiatives. Staff
provided a response.
Moved by Pippette Eibel
Seconded by Denis Heng
1. That the memorandum regarding Town of Aurora Climate Change
Initiative Update be received for information; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding Town
of Aurora Climate Change Initiative Update be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried as amended
9. New Business
The Committee asked that the Clerk attend the next meeting to address
questions and have an in-depth discussion with the Committee regarding their
roles, purpose, and Terms of Reference.
The Committee recognized May 20, 2023 as "World Bee Day", and inquired about
the Town’s consideration of planting wildflowers for pollinators. The Chair
advised that they would explore how to address this inquiry and report back.
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Monday, May 15, 2023 4
10. Adjournment
Moved by Kristen Martens
Seconded by Shun Chen
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Carried