Agenda (Appointed) - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20241021
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, October 21, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair)
Nicole Arsenault (arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Shun Chen
Alain Godin
Denis Heng
Ken Turriff
Members Absent: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Pippette Eibel
Kristen Martens
Other Attendees: Matt Volpintesta, Manager, Parks and Fleet
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 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
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
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Monday, October 21, 2024 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Ken Turriff
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 June 17, 2024
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Denis Heng
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June
17, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
None.
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Monday, October 21, 2024 3
8. Informational Items
8.1 Memorandum from Manager of Parks and Fleet; Re: Aurora Forest Study
Recommended Policy Updates
Staff briefly provided an update on the Aurora Forest Study and
highlighted updating current policies to make an immediate impact on
protecting the tree canopy and urban forestry.
The Committee and staff discussed key topics including how tree canopy
goals will be achieved, the study's targeted implementation date of 3-5
years and how the set targets will be achieved, the possibility of increasing
the fees to cut down trees, plans to incentivize private landowners, how
maintenance of the mature tree canopy can be achieved with an increase
in resources, further enforcement to ensure that developers are meeting
the requirements of planting trees, and support was expressed by the
Committee to continue to manage emerald ash borer impact on Aurora’s
ash trees. It was further recommended to staff to examine non-profit
organizations and their sponsorships to plant trees in support of the tree
canopy.
The Committee inquired about the timeline of when the reports will be
presented to Council, and staff provided an answer.
Moved by Shun Chen
Seconded by Alain Godin
1. That the memorandum regarding Aurora Forest Study Recommended
Policy Updates be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Aurora Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates be received and
referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8.2 Memorandum from Deputy Town Clerk; Re: 2025-2026 Citizen Member
Recruitment for Advisory Committees
Staff presented a brief overview the memorandum, indicating that current
citizen members must reapply for the second half of the Council term to
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Monday, October 21, 2024 4
be considered for a committee of interest and all applications would be
brought forward for Council's consideration following the application
period. It was also indicated that the application process is open as of
September 19, 2024 until November 1, 2024.
The Committee further inquired about Council's role in the recruitment
process and if existing members' interests can apply again and staff
provided clarification.
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Alain Godin
1. That the memorandum regarding 2025-2026 Citizen Member
Recruitment for Advisory Committees be received for information.
Carried
9. New Business
None.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Shun Chen
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Carried