Minutes - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20231211
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, December 11, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Nicole Arsenault
Shun Chen
Pippette Eibel*
Alain Godin
Denis Heng
Ken Turriff
Members Absent: Kristen Martens
Other Attendees: Matt Volpintesta, Manager, Parks and Fleet*
Nancy Fleming, Manager, Engineering Services
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 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, December 11, 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 Shun Chen
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 September 18,
2023
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Denis Heng
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 18, 2023, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
The Committee consented to begin with item 7.2 followed by item 7.1.
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Monday, December 11, 2023 3
7.1 Memorandum from Parks & Fleet Manager; Re: Aurora Urban Forest Study
Update
Staff provided a presentation on the results and recommendations made
in the Forest Study Update. They discussed the high-level results of
canopy cover and possible tree canopy, percentage of trees on private
property, and dominant species, and highlighted the Forest Study's
findings such as existing and possible urban forest distribution, tree
species effects, air quality and storm water runoff effects, residential
energy bills, and historical changes.
Staff answered the Committee's inquiries on tree compensation
recommendations, forest management plan, the completion of the tree
canopy study and future projections, the availability and use of GIS
mapping to capture and monitor canopy data, recommendations made on
climate change mitigation and adaptation, and Staff clarified that some of
the recommendations discuss biodiversity and invasive species concerns.
Moved by Nicole Arsenault
Seconded by Shun Chen
1. That the memorandum regarding the Aurora Urban Forest Study
Update be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Aurora Urban Forest Study Update 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 Project Update
Marlen Aleman, Project Manager, and Kayden Toffolo, Energy Analyst of
WalterFedy, presented the Energy Conservation and Demand Management
Plan (ECDMP) project update. They discussed the overall goals of the
ECDMP, project milestones and greenhouse gas emission target.
The Committee discussed and inquired about various aspects including
the completion timeline for the final report and recommendations, setting
a 2050 greenhouse gas emission target of net zero carbon and short-term,
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Monday, December 11, 2023 4
medium-term, and long-term goals, how the community can get involved,
and the carbon capture process.
Moved by Alain Godin
Seconded by Denis Heng
1. That the memorandum regarding Energy Conservation and Demand
Management Plan (ECDMP) Project Update from WalterFedy be
received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDMP) Project
Update from WalterFedy be received and referred to staff for
consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
The Committee discussed the Town of Aurora's Holiday Eco Challenge and
requested more information on the performance of the campaign. Visit
aurora.ca/HolidayEcoChallenge for more information.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Shun Chen
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Carried