Minutes (Appointed) - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20250224
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, February 24, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Councillor Ron Weese (Chair)
Victor Carvalho
Shun Chen
Jason Cheng
Angela Daust
Leta Dayfoot
Alain Godin
Denis Heng
Ken Turriff (Vice Chair)
Other Attendees: Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Will Stover, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Introductions were made around the table.
1.1 Appointment of Committee Vice Chair
Moved by Angela Daust
Seconded by Jason Cheng
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2025 2
1. That Ken Turriff be appointed as Vice Chair of the Environmental
Advisory Committee for a two-year term (2025-2026).
Carried
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
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Alain Godin
Seconded by Leta Dayfoot
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 December 16, 2024
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Angela Daust
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of
December 16, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2025 3
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Program Manager, Energy and Environment; Re: Project
Introduction to the Home Energy Retrofit Loan Program Project
Janice Ashworth, Senior Consultant, Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors
provided a presentation regarding the Home Energy Retrofit Loan Program
for Aurora including background information on the current Town
initiatives, the objective of the program, current market barriers, proposed
financing options for consideration, stakeholder engagement efforts, and
the next steps and timelines.
The Committee discussed and provided suggestions on various aspects
of the program including: (1) target audience and accessibility of the
program to diverse and representative segment of homeowners; (2)
community engagement and awareness including means to inform
residents through different avenues besides social media and involvement
of alternate stakeholders such as real estate agents and financial
advisors; (3) program design and prioritization such as focus on pre-1980
homes; (4) integration with existing programs to align municipal efforts
with existing initiatives; and (5) legal and policy considerations.
There was further discussion regarding the importance of return on
investment for homeowners to ensure the suggested energy retrofits are
financially viable, the need for green building incentives for new
construction projects and using similar size municipalities as
comparators in the study. The Committee expressed concerns and sought
further clarification on the Town's liability in recommending the noted
financing options.
It was noted that the Committee's feedback would be incorporated into
refining the study and be brought back to a future meeting for further
input.
Moved by Leta Dayfoot
Seconded by Ken Turriff
Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2025 4
1. That the memorandum regarding Project Introduction to the Home
Energy Retrofit Loan Program Project be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Project Introduction to the Home Energy Retrofit Loan Program
Project be received and referred to staff for consideration and
further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
None.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Jason Cheng
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Carried