Minutes - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20230918
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, September 18, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Nicole Arsenault
Shun Chen
Alain Godin
Denis Heng
Kristen Martens
Ken Turriff*
Members Absent: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Pippette Eibel
Other Attendees: Sebastian Contarin, Energy and Climate Change Analyst
Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk
*Attended Electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 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, September 18, 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 Shun Chen
Seconded by Alain Godin
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
5.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2023
Moved by Nicole Arsenault
Seconded by Kristen Martens
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
May 15, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Corporate
Environmental Action Plan 2022 Progress Report
Staff presented an overview of the 2022 Corporate Environmental Action
Plan progress report and highlighted the successes within six themes
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Monday, September 18, 2023 3
identified as; water conservation, sustainable urban development, waste
reduction and diversion, biodiversity and natural heritage, climate change
and energy, and environmental awareness.
The Committee discussed and inquired about various aspects including
the sustainability of highlighted improvements, external factors
associated with the electric vehicle charging station trends,
communication of data points, the three types of scope emissions, and
waste diversion programs.
Moved by Shun Chen
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
1. That the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action
Plan 2022 Progress Report and presentation be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
the Corporate Environmental Action Plan 2022 Progress Report and
presentation be received and referred to staff for consideration and
further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Energy
Conservation and Demand Management Plan Renewal
Marlen Aleman, Project Manager, and Max Chute, Energy Analyst of
WalterFedy, presented an overview of the Energy Conservation and
Demand Management Plan project milestones and introduced their team.
The Committee discussed and inquired about various aspects including
timelines associated with the identified project milestones, selection of
municipal comparators, and flexibility of interim targets out to 2050. They
also expressed their concern with the continuation of an 80% reduction
target by 2050 as the global standards are moving toward a net zero
target, and expressed interest in seeing the Town strive for a more
ambitious goal.
Moved by Nicole Arsenault
Seconded by Alain Godin
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Monday, September 18, 2023 4
1. That the memorandum regarding Energy Conservation and
Demand Management Plan Renewal be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan Renewal
be received and referred to staff for consideration and further
action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
8.1 Memorandum from Deputy Town Clerk; Re: Committee Terms of Reference
Staff provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of ad
hoc/advisory committees and local boards, and provided additional
information on the flow of comments from the committee to Council.
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Alain Godin
1. That the memorandum regarding Committee Terms of Reference
be received for information.
Carried
9. New Business
The Committee inquired about studies specific to the Town of Aurora regarding
the environmental impacts of the reclassification of greenbelt lands in other
municipalities in Ontario, and the recent housing pledge.
The Committee also recognized that David Tomlinson passed away on
September 8, 2023 and acknowledged all his environmental efforts in the Town
of Aurora.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Shun Chen
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
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Monday, September 18, 2023 5
Carried