Agenda - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20231211Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:Monday, December 11, 2023
Time:7 p.m.
Location:Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel.
To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 18,
2023
1
That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
September 18, 2023, be received for information.
1.
6.Delegations
7.Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Parks & Fleet Manager; Re: Aurora Urban Forest
Study Update
6
(Presentation to be provided by Matt Volpintesta, Manager, Parks and
Fleet)
That the memorandum regarding the Aurora Urban Forest Study
Update be received; and
1.
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
2.
appropriate.
7.2 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Energy
Conservation and Demand Management Plan Project Update
20
(Presentation to be provided by representatives from WalterFedy)
That the memorandum regarding Energy Conservation and
Demand Management Plan (ECDMP) Project Update from
WalterFedy be received; and
1.
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.
2.
8.Informational Items
9.New Business
10.Adjournment
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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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
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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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
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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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
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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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 18, 2023 5
Carried
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100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
Operational Services
Re: Aurora Urban Forest Study Update
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Matt Volpintesta, Manager Parks & Fleet
Date: December 11, 2023
Recommendation
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.
Background
Through a collaboration between the Town of Aurora, the Regional Municipality of York,
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and Lake Simcoe Region
Conservation Authority (LSRCA), we are presently finalizing our 2023 Forest Study
Update.
This is the second iteration of the Urban Forest Study and serves as an update to data
collected in 2013, published in the Town of Aurora Urban Forest Study: Technical Report
(TRCA, 2014). The 2014 study now forms a baseline against the 2023 Urban Forest
Study and is also an opportunity to analyze issues that were emerging in 2014 and have
become more crucial to assess in the intervening years. Specifically, this study will
include more detailed information on invasive plant species, pest and disease presence,
soil quality, and climate vulnerability for Aurora’s forest.
To track progress, study partners committed to conducting sample-based field surveys
every ten years, and a GIS-based canopy cover assessment every five years. A canopy
cover assessment was completed in 2020 and the field data for this study was
collected in 2022.
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Aurora Urban Forest Study Update
December 11, 2023 Page 2 of 3
The objectives of the 2023 Urban Forest Study are to:
Assess canopy cover distribution and track progress towards Aurora’s canopy
cover goals.
Quantify the current species composition, size, and condition of Aurora’s forest.
Quantify ecosystem services and benefits provided by the forest.
Assess the change in distribution and structure since the 2014 Urban Forest
Study.
Analyze key factors relating to forest health, specifically soil health, invasive
plant cover, and presence of invasive pests.
Conduct an I-Tree Forecast assessment to estimate tree planting needed to
maintain existing canopy cover and to meet the recommended canopy cover
goals.
Assess climate change risks and forest vulnerability.
Next Steps
In collaboration with our project partners, staff are in review of the latest draft of the
2023 study report and expect the final version to be delivered late in 2023. Staff will
return to General Committee early in 2024 to present the final report and will be
accompanied by TRCA who will deliver highlights of the process, report findings,
recommendations, and future directions. Also included, will be a series of factsheets,
highlighting the study findings.
Below, is a summary of highlighted findings, and associated recommendations received
thus far:
In 2023 Aurora has 34 per cent canopy cover, 51 per cent of which is private
property, which is a 6 per cent increase in canopy cover however, tree conditions
have declined overall.
Tree cover projected to increase steadily over 30-year outlook.
Species diversity in terms of leaf area coverage, is dominated by sugar maple (20
per cent).
Species diversity in terms of population is dominated by eastern white cedar (27
per cent).
46 per cent of plots had at least one invasive species.
Top invasives include European buckthorn (27 per cent), Manitoba maple (20 per
cent) and garlic mustard (14 per cent).
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Aurora Urban Forest Study Update
December 11, 2023 Page 3 of 3
Canopy continues to provide financial savings in energy expenditures during
heating and cooling seasons.
Canopy is significantly contributing to reduction in stormwater runoff.
Aurora’s forest annually sequesters 2,988 tonnes of co2 with annual value of
$3.2 million.
Recommendation highlights:
Look to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan built upon the 2010-2019
Aurora Woodlands Management Plan.
Ensure alignment with recommendations of this report into municipal policy
directions such as Official Plan, Tree Compensation Policy and others.
Develop mechanisms to support private landowners to protect and enhance
canopy, inclusive of pest control, climate mitigation and economical benefit.
Continue to develop a diverse canopy using native or non-invasive stock in
education with residents and on Town-owned boulevards, parks, open spaces.
Review and enhance tree preservation requirements in municipal guidelines with
a focus on soil volume.
Develop a Post-tree Planting Management Plan and Monitoring Strategy to
improve survivorship, including pest mitigation such as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
Engage in strategic planting in high-emission zones and prevent heat-island
effect.
Promote natural buffers and fencing along edges of urban woodlots to protect
against encroachment of invasive species.
Attachments
Appendix 1 – Presentation Slides
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Appendix 1Page 9 of 27
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100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
Planning and Development Services
Re: Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan Project Update
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Natalie Kehle, Energy & Climate Change Analyst
Date: December 11, 2023
Recommendation
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.
Background
The Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDMP) was created in
accordance with the requirements described in Ontario Regulation 25/23 made under
the Electricity Act, 1998. The ECDMP serves as a roadmap for energy management in
the Town over a five year period and consists of the following objectives:
Examine historical energy consumption and GHG emissions, as well as energy
conservation measures (ECMs) that have been implemented since the previous
ECDMP.
Determine whether the goals of the previous ECDMP have been met and set
goals for the next ECDMP.
Identify what ECMs are already planned, as well as additional ECMs that should
be completed to meet plan goals and targets.
The successful integration of all three objectives will help determine the priorities,
technologies, projects, and opportunities required to achieve the Town’s corporate
energy and GHG reduction goals and targets.
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Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDMP) Project Update
December 11, 2023 2
The capital project to update the Town’s ECDMP was awarded to WalterFedy in August
2023. The consultants at WalterFedy were initially invited to the Environmental Advisory
Committee meeting on September 18 to present their project workplan and
methodology on the development of the ECDMP renewal for 2024-2029. They have
been invited again to the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting on December 11
to present a project update on the work that has been completed since the last meeting.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – WalterFedy Update Presentation
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Town of AuroraEnergy Conservation and Demand Management Plan2024-2029 UpdateK I T C H E N E R | H A M I L T O N | T O R O N T O | C A L G A R YAttachment 1Page 22 of 27
ECDM PlanTown of Aurora•Meet our Team – 5 mins•Project and Goals – 5 mins•Project milestones – 5 mins•Next StepsWALTERFEDY PRESENTATION AGENDAPage 23 of 27
MMEETOUR TEAM•Marlen Aleman – Project Manager•Kayden Toffolo – Energy Analyst•Cory Rosa – Energy EngineerWALTERFEDY – ENERGY AND CARBON SOLUTIONSPage 24 of 27
PROJECT & GOALSOVERALL GOAL•Current goal: 80% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050 from 2018 levelsPROJECT TARGETS•Create interim targets to help achieve the 2050 goal by building scenariosfor the short-term (2025-2030), medium-term (2030-2035), and long-term(2025-2050).Page 25 of 27
PROJECT MILESTONES01020307Step 2: Market Research and AnalysisStep 1:Kick-off Meeting and Work PlanStep 3: ECDM Plan and RecommendationsMilestone 7: Final report and presentation060504Step 3 – ECDM Plan and Recommendations: We have completed a preliminary analysis of the Town of Aurora’s existing emissions. Currently, we are compiling a list of energy conservation measure recommendations. We will analyze the estimated energy savings for each measure recommendation to identify pathways that the Town of Aurora can take to meet their climate change goals, and these ideas can be incorporated into the 2024-2029 ECDM plan.Technical Memorandum #1Technical Memorandum #2Technical Memorandum #3Page 26 of 27
NEXT STEPSPage 27 of 27