Minutes (Appointed) - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20241021Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:Monday, October 21, 2024
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 June 17, 2024 1
That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
June 17, 2024, be received for information.
1.
6.Delegations
7.Matters for Consideration
8.Informational Items
8.1 Memorandum from Manager of Parks and Fleet; Re: Aurora Forest Study
Recommended Policy Updates
5
That the memorandum regarding Aurora Forest Study
Recommended Policy Updates be received; and
1.
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.
2.
8.2 Memorandum from Deputy Town Clerk; Re: 2025-2026 Citizen Member
Recruitment for Advisory Committees
11
That the memorandum regarding 2025-2026 Citizen Member
Recruitment for Advisory Committees be received for
information.
1.
9.New Business
10.Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, June 17, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair) (arrived at 7:30 p.m.)
Shun Chen
Nicole Arsenault
Denis Heng
Kristen Martens
Ken Turriff
Members Absent: Pippette Eibel
Alain Godin
Other Attendees: Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Matt Volpintesta, Manager, Parks and Fleet
Emily Freitas, Council/Committee Coordinator
____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:07 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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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 17, 2024 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Kristen Martens
Seconded by Ken Turriff
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 13, 2024
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of May
13, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Natural Capital
Asset Management Plan Draft Presentation
Elaine Chang, SLBC Inc., and Amy Taylor, Green Analytics, provided a
descriptive presentation of the Natural Capital Asset Management Plan,
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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 17, 2024 3
which included; defining an asset management plan regarding its
priorities, tactical planning, and work delivery, natural area assets and
natural enhanced assets including inventory, state of infrastructure and
the condition of natural assets, and the levels of service, and detailed the
asset management strategy, highlighting the risk ratings and risk
management including environmental, climate, and human-induced
hazards. They further presented three asset management strategies
involving status quo activities and costs with scenario B being identified
as the recommended strategy due to costs and funding.
The Committee and Staff discussed various matters including; the
preference of scenario B in terms of levels of service and mitigating risks,
establishing a target once a scenario has been selected by the Town, how
carbon sequestration can be included in the natural capital asset
management plan, how the plan's recommendations compare to other
surrounding municipalities which Staff explained that the plan includes an
advanced assessment, the requirement for municipalities to report their
current levels of service, identifying natural assets and managing the risks
in the plan's framework, types of vulnerabilities and threats such as
phragmites, and meeting green development standards established by the
Town.
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
1. That the memorandum regarding Presentation of the Draft Natural
Capital Asset Management Plan be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Presentation of the Draft Natural Capital Asset Management Plan be
received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as
appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
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Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 17, 2024 4
9. New Business
Staff provided an update on the Dog Waste Pilot Project and the goal to install 6
dog waste bins throughout the Town beginning July 2024.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Kristen Martens
Seconded by Nicole Arsenault
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
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 Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Matthew Volpintesta, Manager Parks and Fleet
Date: October 21, 2024
Recommendation
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.
Background
The Town’s Urban Forest Study (2024) provided 36 recommendations and a Council
recommendation to increase the Town canopy target to 40 per cent coverage by 2034.
Prepared and presented to Council by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
(TRCA) (Report No. OPS24-001), the Town’s most recent update to the Urban Forest
Study (2024) outlines 36 recommendations which are categorized into three levels of
priority. Though the endorsement of the study at the February 6, 2024, General
Committee meeting, Council also brought forward a motion to endorse a target of 40
per cent total canopy cover, to be achieved by 2035 (Recommendation #2, Aurora Urban
Forest Study 2024). Protecting and enhancing the Town’s tree canopy and urban forests
have multi-tiered benefits to Aurora’s residents and businesses. Beyond the impact of
trees on an ecological and social scale, Aurora’s forests carry a significant replacement
value of 66.4 million in 2024 as identified within the 2024 Natural Capital Asset
Management Plan.
The 2024 update to the Urban Forest Study was the second iteration of the data
collected first in 2013 which served as a baseline. To track progress, study partners
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Aurora Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates
October 21, 2024 Page 2 of 6
committed to conducting sample-based field surveys, done over a 10-year period. The
objectives of the study included:
Assessment of canopy cover distribution.
Quantify current species composition, size and condition of Aurora’s forest.
Quantify ecosystem services and benefits provided by the forest.
Assess change in the distribution and structure of the forest since the last study.
Of the 36 recommendations, the following are high priority and will be targeted for
implementation within a three-to-five-year window:
As part of an update to the Town’s Urban Forest Management Plan, the Town will
review and update its urban forest policies. This will include updates to the
landscape design standards and tree compensation policies. The plan will also
address local canopy targets, species diversity, forest health, maintenance, and
monitoring, invasive species management, soil conservation strategies and
climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Continue to plant, prune, and replace trees on municipal roads, parks, and other
municipal properties. Evaluate planting and maintenance budgets regularly as
the Town grows and assumes responsibility for new roads, parks, and facilities.
Continue to establish a diverse tree population in intensively managed urban
areas. Set a long term goal for no single species to make up more than five per
cent, no genus more than 10 per cent and no family more than 20 per cent of the
tree population, both town-wide and in each neighbourhood.
Utilize native and appropriate non-native, non-invasive planting stock in both
intensively and extensively managed areas. Increase genetic diversity of tree
populations by using the guidance provided by the Ontario Tree Seed Transfer
Policy. Consider integrating seed zone contract requirements to ensure planting
stock are selected from appropriate seed zones tolerant of the Town's soil
characteristics.
Continue to promote the proportion of large, mature trees across Aurora’s urban
forest by the regulation of tree injury or removal through the application and
enforcement of the Private Tree Protection By-law (By-law 5850-16) and public
sector by the Town of Aurora Tree Removal/Pruning Compensation Policy.
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Aurora Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates
October 21, 2024 Page 3 of 6
Consider targeted removal of high priority invasive plant species at high priority
sites following best practices.
Consider revising the “Tree Planting and Approved Plant List” to remove both
Japanese tree lilac and callery pear from the ornamental tree list due to the
invasive potential of these species.
Develop a monitoring and action strategy for invasive species, including pests
and diseases, and continue taking proactive approaches to address new and
emerging invasive species, such as hemlock woolly adelgid and oak wilt.
Continue assessing forest structure, function, and distribution every ten years
through the Urban Forest Studies.
Develop a post-tree planting management and monitoring strategy to
complement the tree maintenance program to ensure tree survivorship and
mitigate common stressors in the urban environment.
Assess the Town’s current recommended planting list based on the climate
vulnerability of each species. Shift recommendations to native and appropriate
non-native, non-invasive species that have a higher tolerance and lower
vulnerability to climate change impacts.
Begin to integrate green infrastructure into asset management planning,
particularly for street trees and other municipal natural assets like woodlands
and wetlands.
Analysis
The Town actively manages the urban forest through several projects and programs,
including invasive species management, tree planting and habitat enhancement through
naturalization projects. This includes overseeing private tree protection, compensation
and replacement, as well as development review.
At present, the Town operates within the scope of programming and projects from both
the operating and capital budget, all of which contribute to the health and success of
Aurora’s urban forest. Through partnerships with not-for-profit environmental groups
and conservation authorities, each year the Town hosts various planting events,
naturalization projects and invasive species remediation.
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Aurora Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates
October 21, 2024 Page 4 of 6
As part of our ongoing commitment to the natural environment, staff are continuously
looking for opportunities to further naturalize existing parkland. In 2024, the Town
partnered with LEAF to plant over 1,000 new trees in Aurora. Further, in partnership with
LRSCA, the Hamilton Park wetland naturalization project will see planting of over 1,000
species of trees and shrubs. Replacing traditional turf with naturalized areas not only
contributes to greater ecological function, but it also provides efficiencies in operational
maintenance, such as less grass mowing. Through our partnerships with the Aurora
Arboretum, Ontario Heritage Trust, Case woodlot Guardians, school groups, and our
Adopt-a-park program, the Town is actively working to educate and transform
greenspaces and mitigate invasive species such as European buckthorn, phragmites,
and garlic mustard. The David Tomlinson Nature Reserve is another successful
example of naturalization and habitat enhancement with a focus natural ecology.
Through a seven-year cycle, Town-owned Street trees are maintained through
maintenance pruning, and replacement of dead or dying trees. This is tracked through
our annual tree inventory. The same is true for trees found in parks, within trails and
natural heritage systems and Town facilities. Disease, pest, and invasive mitigation
impacting Town-owned trees are currently managed through the annual operating
budget.
Each of these above-mentioned projects are funded through our capital and operating
budget and play an important role in reaching a 35 per cent canopy cover in Aurora. The
Town also actively pursues grants and funding programs which support natural ecology
restoration, plantings, and invasives removal. To meet or exceed the 40 per cent canopy
cover target proposed by 2034, staff are in alignment with the endorsed
recommendations.
Proposed short-term and long-term policy updates include refinement of the Private Tree
Protection By-Law (5850-16), and Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy, as
well as proposed updates to the boulevard tree planting and maintenance practices.
A key practice in which the Town ensures that the urban forest is protected, maintained
and expanded, is through the Private Tree Protection By-Law (5850-16), and Tree
Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy. Highlighted as a priority recommendation
within the urban forest study, staff are proposing a focus be made in updating these
policies as a first and significant step toward our canopy cover targets.
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Aurora Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates
October 21, 2024 Page 5 of 6
As such, staff are proposing to conduct a Best Practices Review in 2025 of partner
municipal policies and seek recommendations from stakeholders and return to Council
with a report which outlines options and details proposed policy updates to both the
Private Tree Protection By-Law and tree removal and compensation policies. Staff will
seek to enhance measures which will more greatly protect our urban forest, including
consideration of lowering the tree removal threshold which triggers a permit and
compensation, to one tree, and factors around trunk size which require a permit and or
compensation. This also would include a review of fees to remove trees and ensuring
that charges our in alignment with regional and provincial municipal counterparts.
Staff will also provide an additional report to Council in 2025 outlining detailed
programming recommendations and policy updates focusing on invasive species
management, and landscaping treatments through development review. This will
include revising the landscape design guidelines, which focus on tree planting best-
practices, design, consideration of soil volume, watering regime, species selection, and
spacing within boulevard treatment.
A revised approved planting list is another key recommendation within the urban forest
study report. In consultation with TRCA, staff have already started implementing these
recommendations on a case-by-case basis through active tree replacements, new
projects which include tree plantings, and development review.
The Town to seek feedback and incorporate recommendations from stakeholders
including conservation authorities and Town residents through Engage Aurora.
As part of the Best Practices Review and planned 2025 report with recommended
updates to the Private Tree Protection By-Law (5850-16), and Tree Removal/Pruning
and Compensation Policy, staff will utilize engage aurora and seek feedback from the
public, development industry, internal stakeholders and partner organizations, to ensure
all perspectives and expert opinions are considered.
The Town to review operational budget and staff capacity with a three-to five-year
outlook, and beyond, to ensure resources are available to support implementation of the
priority recommendations.
To facilitate future implementation of an updated Private Tree Protection By-Law (5850-
16), and Tree Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy, including thorough
development review and tree permit processing, staff are proposing to review existing
capacity to deliver and implement key updates to standard operating procedures as it
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Aurora Forest Study Recommended Policy Updates
October 21, 2024 Page 6 of 6
relates. More specifically, this includes reviewing operational budget needs to ensure
funding is keeping pace with canopy growth whilst private and public trees mature as it
relates to arboriculture practices, contracted works, replacement plantings and pruning.
To facilitate this work, including maintenance of Town owned trees, considerations
should be made around enhancements to labour force, potentially seeking to input a
new or modified staff position which focuses primarily on development review from
both a forestry and landscape architecture lens, as well as management of Town-owned
tree inventory.
Conclusion
In order to meet a 40 per cent canopy target by 2034, the recommendations within the
2023 Urban Forest Study should be strategically implemented, with appropriate
resources over the next five to ten years secured to ensure staff are equipped to
support our forest through various recommendations and measures. As such staff are
recommending an update to the Private Tree Protection By-Law (5850-16), and Tree
Removal/Pruning and Compensation Policy, as well as proposed updates to the
boulevard tree planting and maintenance practices, which will be detailed in a future
report to Council.
Attachments
None.
Page 10 of 12
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
Corporate Services
Re: 2025-2026 Citizen Member Recruitment for Advisory Committees
To: Environmental Advisory Committee
From: Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
Date: October 21, 2024
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding 2025-2026 Citizen Member Recruitment for
Advisory Committees be received for information.
Background
This memorandum provides an overview of the ongoing recruitment of citizen members
on Council appointed Advisory Committees for the years 2025 and 2026 of the 2022-
2026 Term of Council.
As per Section 6.1 of the Council approved Policy for Ad Hoc/Advisory Committees and
Local Boards, all citizen Members shall be appointed for a two (2) year term. The
current appointments of citizen members for the Committees listed below will expire on
December 31, 2024. Staff have facilitated the recruitment of citizen members for the
next two years accordingly:
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Active Transportation and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Aurora Appeal Tribunal/Property Standards Committee
Committee of Adjustment
Community Recognition Review Advisory Committee
Environmental Advisory Committee
Heritage Advisory Committee
Mayor’s Golf Classic Funds Committee
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
Page 11 of 12
2025-2026 Citizen Member Recruitment for Advisory Committees
October 21, 2024 Page 2 of 2
The application period is from September 19, 2024 to November 1, 2024.
Advertisements in the Auroran and social media will be ongoing concurrently
throughout this period. All applications will be accepted through the Town website on
aurora.ca/committees and be brought forward for Council’s consideration after the
application period ends.
All existing citizen members must reapply to be considered for current or alternative
Committees of interest for the years 2025 and 2026.
Attachments
None
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