Environmental Action Committee

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Online Video Conference
Members
  • Councillor Matt Mahoney, Ward 8 (Chair)
  • Councillor Stephen Dasko, Ward 1 (Vice-chair)
  • Councillor Brad Butt, Ward 11
  • Councillor Alvin Tedjo, Ward 2
  • Prabhjit Banga, Citizen Member
  • Jihan Khatib, Citizen Member
  • Morgan Lee, Citizen Member
  • Karen Pawlowski, Citizen Member
  • Derek Stone, Citizen Member
  • Alice Casselman, Association for Canadian Educational Resources
  • Britt McKee, Ecosource
  • Melanie Kramer, Credit Valley Conservation
  • Jennifer Taves, Partners in Project Green
  • Tea Falzata, University of Toronto Mississauga Student

Staff

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment
Teresa Chan, Supervisor, Environmental Outreach
Eglantina Bacaj-Gondia, Legislative Coordinator

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

Councillor Mahoney, Chair called the meeting to order at 9:33AM.

2.
INDIGENOUS LAND STATEMENT

 

Councillor Mahoney, Chair recited the Indigenous Land Statement.

3.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

That the July 2, 2024 Environmental Action Committee Agenda be approved, as presented.

Approved (B. McKee)

4.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

Nil

5.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

5.1
Environmental Action Committee Minutes – June 4, 2024

 

That the June 4, 2024 Environmental Action Committee Minutes, be approved.

Approved (Councillor Tedjo)

6.
PRESENTATIONS - Nil

 

7.
DEPUTATIONS

 

7.1
*Bushra Asghar, Youth Climate Corps organizer regarding the Youth Climate Corps Campaign

 

Bushra Asghar, Youth Climate Corps organizer spoke to the Youth Climate Corps Campaign and requested the Environmental Action Committee's support for the Youth Climate Corps. 

Committee Members and staff engaged in discussion around the Youth Climate Corps campaign's historical roots, federal funding amount, consultations with ministries, and high school training programs.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0016-2024
    Moved ByAlice Casselman
    1. That the deputation from Bushra Asghar, Youth Climate Corps organizer regarding the Youth Climate Corps Campaign, be received.
    2. That Environment staff work with the Youth Climate Corps to obtain additional information regarding their request for endorsement for on-going commitment to climate action and the need for a Youth Climate Corps and to report back at a future Environmental Action Committee meeting. 
    Approved

7.2
Chaya Chengappa, Program Manager, Partners in Project Green regarding the Peer to Peer Learning Networks

 

Chaya Chengappa, Program Manager, Partners in Project Green spoke to the Peer to Peer Learning Networks.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0017-2024
    Moved ByCouncillor Tedjo

    That the deputation and associated presentation from Chaya Chengappa, Program Manager, Partners in Project Green regarding the Peer to Peer Learning Networks, be received.

    Received

7.3
Diane Gibson, Supervisor, Environmental Sustainability regarding the Indoor Wood Burning Equipment Education Summary

 

Diane Gibson, Supervisor, Environmental Sustainability spoke to the Indoor Wood Burning Equipment Education.

Committee Members engaged in discussion inquiring about commercial businesses using wood burning, targeted communication campaign on hazards of improper wood burning, and community mulching. 

In response, Environment staff plan to collaborate with Ward-specific Members of Council to determine a communication campaign on hazards of improper wood burning, review the feasibility of an education strategy for commercial businesses using wood burning, explore collaboration opportunities for community mulching with the Region of Peel, and prepare a review of other jurisdictions phasing out natural gas for new developments.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0018-2024
    Moved ByCouncillor Tedjo

    That the deputation and associated presentation from Diane Gibson, Supervisor, Environmental Sustainability regarding the Indoor Wood Burning Equipment Education Summary, be received.

    Received

8.
PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD - 15 Minute Limit 

 

Diane Rasmusson, Resident inquired about best practices on recycling building materials in relation to the woodlot at the South Common Community Centre.

Councillor Mahoney, Chair responded there will be additional tree planting to offset the trees that would be impacted at the South Common Community Centre and increased acreage in and around the woodlot area, further noting extensive consultations with City staff to ensure adherence to environmental standards.

Jennifer Taves, Community Organization Representative commented on innovative reuse solutions and usable structures, and exploring opportunities for youth involvement in art projects.

9.
CONSENT AGENDA - Nil

 

10.
MATTERS CONSIDERED

 

10.1
Environmental Action Committee Work Plan dated June 2024 

 

No discussion took place regarding this item.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0019-2024
    Moved ByCouncillor Butt

    That the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan dated June 2024, be approved. 

    Approved

10.2
Park / Trail Cleanup (Environmental Action Committee Members, Verbal)

 

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment noted as part of the work plan and at the interest of Committee Members, staff can facilitate a cleanup event later in the Summer or Fall.  

D. Zimmerman and the Legislative Coordinator will coordinate with Committee Members on a preferred date for the cleanup event.

10.3
Environmental Action Committee 2023-2026 Work Plan Memorandum for Mayor and Members of Council

 

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment commented on the Environmental Action Committee's bi-annual report to Council, highlighting the increased level of engagement of Committee Members through deputations and ongoing community work.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0020-2024
    Moved ByJennifer Taves
    1. That the Memorandum dated June 24, 2024, entitled “Environmental Action Committee Mid-Year Progress Reporting on 2023-2026 Work Plan – Written Submission to Mayor and Members of Council”, be received;
    2. That the draft Memorandum entitled “Environmental Action Committee Progress on 2023-2026 Work Plan (Reporting period January to July 2024)” and the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan attached as Appendix 1, be approved;
    3. That the draft Memorandum entitled “Environmental Action Committee Progress on 2023-2026 Work Plan (Reporting period January to July 2024)” and the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan attached as Appendix 1, be provided to the Mayor and Members of Council via email. 
    Approved

10.4
Upcoming Events (Environmental Action Committee Members, Verbal)

 

Alice Casselman, Community Organization Representative noted that the Canada Summer jobs training is starting and will include school yard re-measurement as part of the Planting for Change program.

Jennifer Taves, Community Organization Representative spoke to the GreenBiz Caledon Climate Partnership program event in September and will share the information with the Legislative Coordinator for distribution to Committee Members.

11.
INFORMATION ITEMS - Nil

 

12.
OTHER BUSINESS

 

Alice Casselman, Community Organization Representative spoke to ACER’s work on planting and restoring ecosystem services of trees, and the adaptations to flooding in the Town of Cobourg.

Further, A. Casselman spoke to the use of low flying drones for educational purposes and skill-building, and inquired about reviewing regulations for non-commercial drones.

Direction was given to Environment staff to review regulations on the use of drones to consider allowing for smaller, non-commercial drone use for educational and research purposes.

13.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - September 3, 2024

 

14.
ADJOURNMENT

 

10:51AM (Councillor Butt)

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