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AGENDA - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20210623Town of Aurora Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Date:June 23, 2021 Time:7:00 p.m. Location:Video Conference Pages 1.Procedural Notes This meeting will be held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation. 2.Approval of the Agenda 3.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof 4.Receipt of the Minutes 4.1.Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2021 1 That the Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2021, be received for information. 5.Delegations Note: At this time, the Municipal Offices are closed. This meeting will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/c/Townofaurora/videos. Anyone wishing to provide comment on an agenda item is encouraged to visit www.aurora.ca/participation for guidelines on electronic delegation. 6.Matters for Consideration 6.1.Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst; Re: Incorporating a Climate Lens into Town Governance and Operations 5 That the memorandum regarding Incorporating a Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance be received; and 1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding Incorporating a Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate. 2. 7.Informational Items 8.Adjournment 1 Town of Aurora Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Date: Time: Location: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 7:00 p.m. Video Conference Committee Members: Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair) Margaret Baker Barry Bridgeford Colin Brown Sam Cunningham Ashley Gatto Cassagrande Ryan Hamid Sandy Hudson Crystal Robertson Members Absent: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Vice Chair) Other Attendees: Natalie Kehle, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change Ishita Soneji, Council/Committee Coordinator _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Procedural Notes This meeting was held electronically as per Section 19. i) of the Town's Procedure By-law No. 6228-19, as amended, due to the COVID-19 situation. The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Approval of the Agenda Moved by Sam Cunningham Seconded by Barry Bridgeford Page 1 of 10 2 That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, be approved. Carried 3. 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. 4. Receipt of the Minutes 4.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 24, 2021 Moved by Colin Brown Seconded by Crystal Robertson That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of February 24, 2021, be received for information. Carried 5. Delegations None. 6. Matters for Consideration 6.1 Memorandum from Energy and Climate Change Analyst, Re: Corporate Environmental Action Plan 2019 Progress Report Staff provided an overview of the memorandum highlighting the background and purpose of the Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) and the highlights of the progress report. Staff sought Committee's feedback and suggestions regarding the progress report and the associated tracking sheet. The Committee provided feedback and sought clarification about using LIDs for the Town's Library Square project and possible LEED certification for the building and staff provided clarification including the LEED features to be incorporated in the project. The Committee and staff discussed about the possibility of a centralized process for new buildings which includes a form of incentive to ensure they are built as per sustainable development standards and the inclusion of environmental design Page 2 of 10 3 standards in the Official Plan Review. The Committee further inquired about the Town's authority in enforcing sustainable development standards and staff agreed to follow up. The Committee inquired about the access to information regarding invasive species around Town including a form of education avenue to inform the public. Staff advised that through the CEAP and Community Energy Plan (CEP) initiatives, the Corporate Communications division ensures any environmental awareness campaign information is communicated accordingly through social media or local print media. The Committee suggested that an educational campaign specifically regarding mitigation of invasive species would be beneficial for the public, including students. It was noted that further suggestions and information regarding invasive species could be forwarded to staff after the meeting. The Committee inquired about grant opportunities for the Town from the recently announced Federal funding on various environmental initiatives and staff agreed to follow up. The Committee further inquired about the consideration of tree genetics to maintain biodiversity within tree species which are planted in public places and the means of monitoring survivability of existing trees, and staff agreed to follow up. Moved by Barry Bridgeford Seconded by Sandy Hudson 1. That the memorandum regarding Corporate Environmental Action Plan 2019 Progress Report be received; and 2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding the Corporate Environmental Action Plan 2019 Progress Report be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate. Carried 7. Informational Items None. Page 3 of 10 4 8. Adjournment Moved by Sam Cunningham Seconded by Crystal Robertson That the meeting be adjourned at 8:03 p.m. Carried Page 4 of 10 100 John West Way Aurora, Ontario L4G 6J1 (905) 727-3123 aurora.ca Town of Aurora Memorandum Planning & Development S ervices Re: Incorporating A Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance To: Environmental Advisory Committee From: Natalie Kehle, Energy and Climate Change Analyst Date: June 23, 2021 Recommendation 1. That the memorandum regarding incorporating a climate lens into Town operations and governance be received; and, 2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding incorporating a climate lens into Town operations and governance be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate. Executive Summary Municipalities across Canada have declared climate emergencies. A key component of these declarations is the inclusion of climate considerations in all aspects of municipal decision-making. Incorporating a climate lens functions to mainstream climate change as a municipal priority into programming and decisions, facilitate interdepartmental engagement, and increase transparency of municipal decision-making. Staff are proposing the following recommendations for incorporating a climate lens into municipal operations and governance:  Including climate considerations into staff reports and the budget approval process supplements municipal decision-making.  Including the Town’s climate change objectives into all procurement documents sets the tone for innovation.  Including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or Lifecycle Cost (LCC) within the procurement process favors energy efficiency and reduces overall costs. Page 5 of 10 Incorporating A Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance June 23, 2021 Page 2 of 6 Background Climate Lens Definition A climate lens is the consideration of greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation in decision-making. A climate lens can be applied at the project, program or initiative-level. Climate Lens Motion At the March 2021 Council meeting, the Climate Lens motion was carried and requests staff to investigate ways to include a climate lens approach in Town operations and governance to better understand the environmental impacts and achievements, by June 2021. To provide sufficient time to consult with the ELT and the Environmental Advisory Committee, the staff report is scheduled to be presented to General Committee on September 7, 2021, as opposed to June. Climate Emergency Motion At the October 2019 Council meeting, a Climate Emergency Motion was carried, joining 457 Canadian municipalities. The declaration solidifies the Town’s commitments to implementing all the environmental plans completed or under development FCM Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Council Resolution The Town joined the PCP program in 2018 and is looking to fulfil the programs five- milestone framework. The Milestones include: completing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventory and forecast, setting a GHG reduction target, developing a local action plan, implementing the plan, and monitoring progress and reporting results. The Town recently completed Milestones 1-3 at the community-level and is working on Milestone 1-3 at the corporate-level. Milestones 4-5 are ongoing. Blue Dot Campaign Motion The Town joined the Blue Dot movement in 2016, which is a campaign based on the idea that everyone in Canada deserves the right to a healthy environment, including clean air and water, and a say in decisions that affect our health and well-being. Aurora’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (ECDMP) Page 6 of 10 Incorporating A Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance June 23, 2021 Page 3 of 6 Council endorsed the five-year ECDMP in 2019, as per O. Reg. 507/18, and set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 16% of the 2018 baseline by the end of 2023 from Town operations (facilities, fleet and water/wastewater facilities). The ECDMP also fulfils the requirements from O. Reg. 588/17 where the municipality’s Strategic asset management policy to consider, as part of its asset management planning, mitigation approaches to climate change, such as greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and targets. Aurora’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) The CCAP had its project kickoff in March 2021, and will assess risks and vulnerabilities of a changing climate on the Town’s assets and will develop a mitigation plan to increase the Town’s resiliency, as per O. Reg. 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure. Aurora’s Community Energy Plan (CEP) Council endorsed the CEP in January 2021 that set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 2018 levels by 2050, where corporate targets will align with the CEP going forward. Corporate Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) Council endorsed the five-year CEAP in 2018 where staff are strongly encouraged to reference the relevant CEAP objectives in the Link to the Strategic Plan section of all Council reports. Analysis The following measures were identified as ways to incorporate a climate lens in Town operations and governance, in addition to the Town’s existing climate change plans. Including climate considerations into staff reports and the budget approval process supports municipal decision-making. The inclusion of a climate considerations section in all staff reports and in the budget approval process raises awareness of the Town’s climate initiatives, helps foster dialogue and awareness of climate change issues, and to incorporate climate considerations into the decision making process. Page 7 of 10 Incorporating A Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance June 23, 2021 Page 4 of 6 Staff are proposing to add the following table to the Budget Sheet starting as part of the 2023 budget cycle and in staff reports starting in October 2021: Climate Change and Environmental Considerations If the project applies, please clarify - Corporate Environmental Action Plan - Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan - Community Energy Plan - Green Fleet Action Plan - Comprehensive Stormwater Management Master Plan - Town of Aurora Stream Management Master Plan & Tannery Creek Flood Relief Study - LSRCA’s Adapting Forestry Programs for Climate Change - Urban Forest Study & Associated Forestry Policies - Once available: Climate Change Adaptation Plan, Active Transportation Master Plan, Green Development Standard The inclusion of an environmental considerations section in all staff reports is to raise awareness of the Town’s climate initiatives, help foster dialogue and awareness of climate change issues, and to incorporate climate considerations into the decision making process. Staff will work with the Accessibility Advisor on an AODA compliant table for staff reports for October 2021. Staff will work internally to align the climate change and environmental consideration initiative with any changes to the strategic planning linkages. Completing the proposed Environmental Considerations table in corporate reports will require staff to be responsible for reviewing and understanding the climate change objectives and initiatives that the Town has adopted as part of completing the table within the report; Report writing staff will receive a training on the Town’s environmental plans and initiative and staff will be able to reach out to the Energy and Climate Change Analyst for additional support. Page 8 of 10 Incorporating A Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance June 23, 2021 Page 5 of 6 Including the Town’s climate change objectives into all procurement documents sets the tone for innovation. Adding the Town’s general climate change goals and targets to all procurement documentation sets the tone that may guide bidders towards climate change considerations and innovation within their proposals without adding any technical requirements. Sample wording: “Aurora has a community culture of environmental and economic leadership with a focus on providing a sustainable future for families and businesses. The Town is prioritizing reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resiliency both within its operations and at the community level as part of its commitment under the 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration. The Town is a member of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program and has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 2018 levels by 2050. The Town’s operation and governance are guided by Council endorsed climate change and environmental plans.” Including Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) or Lifecycle Cost (LCC) within the procurement process favors energy efficiency and reduces overall costs TCO and LCC considers the costs of the product or service, operational and disposal costs, increasing innovation and transparency into the procuring process and reducing costs. Governments are increasingly utilizing a value-for-money approach in procurement; utilizing performance standards, TCO or LCC. Operational costs often are the costliest portion of a product’s lifecycle cost but usually not assessed. The Federal fuel charges started to be applied in April 2019. Under the Federal plan, the carbon tax increases by each year to deter consumers from fossil fuels, favoring energy efficiency and cleaner energy sources. The carbon tax is expected to have a profound effect on consumers. In Ontario, the fuel charge from the carbon tax on gasoline and natural gas is expected to grow by 550% by 2030. The Energy and Climate Change Analyst is working with Facilities staff on including aspects of TCO into procurement documents with success, such as including energy efficiency standards and assessing operating and disposal costs. Through the Procurement By-law Modernization process, the procurement lawyer will advise on best practices to implement TCO or LCC throughout the Town procurement, in addition to the Green Procurement Policy that under development. This approach to Page 9 of 10 Incorporating A Climate Lens into Town Operations and Governance June 23, 2021 Page 6 of 6 procurement should be applied to major projects and as part of the procurement process in which operating costs are a major part of the total cost of the product, for example, major construction projects or motor vehicle purchases. Attachments None Page 10 of 10