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 George Carlson, Ward 11
  • Chelsea Dalton, Citizen Member
  • Lea Ann Mallett, Citizen Member
  • Pujita Verma, Citizen Member
  • Carina Suleiman, UTM (University of Toronto Mississauga) Student
  • Alice Casselman, Association for Canadian Educational Resources
  • Andrea Rowe, Greening Sacred Spaces (Non-Voting Member)
  • Brad Butt, Mississauga Board of Trade (Non-Voting Member)
Members Absent
  • Brad Bass, Citizen Member
  • Nandini Menon, PEYA (Peel Environmental Youth Alliance) Student
  • Melanie Kramer, Credit Valley Conservation
  • Britt McKee, Ecosource
  • Jeff Robertson , Partners in Project Green

Staff Present

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment

Lisa Urbani, Supervisor, Environment Initiatives

Reg Langen, Supervisor, Parks Operations

Andrea Westfall, Sustainable Procurement Coordinator

Teresa Chan, Climate Change Specialist

Catherine Nguyen-Pham, Communications Coordinator

Allyson D'Ovidio, Legislative Coordinator

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator

1.
CALL TO ORDER
 

Councillor Mahoney, Chair called this meeting to order at 9:34AM.

2.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 

Approved (L. Mallet)

3.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
 

Nil.

4.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
 

4.1
Environmental Action Committee DRAFT Minutes – November 3, 2020
 

Approved (C. Dalton)

 

Councillor Dasko joined the meeting at 9:40AM during Item 4.1.

 

5.
DEPUTATIONS
 

5.1
Marker Recycling
 

Alex Xia, Secondary School Student

 

Alex Xia spoke on Marker Recycling as well as the associated costs and benefits. A cost analysis was provided noting the different organizations that recycle markers for either a small fee or no fee at all. The associated benefits include helping the environment and the economy. Alex Xia outlined the simple two-step process for marker recycling by placing a cardboard box in every city-owned facility to collect the markers and then sending those collected markers to Teracycle and/or Crayola Colour Cycle to be recycled.


Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment noted this idea is a great initiative and could work with the Waste Management team to implement pilot project to place labelled cardboard boxes in office spaces, libraries and recreational centers to collect markers to be recycled.


DIRECTION to staff was given to connect with Alex Xia regarding initiating a Marker Recycling pilot project to reduce waste and raise awareness as well as to report back to the Environmental Action Committee with an update on the project.

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0031-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Carlson

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Alex Xia, Secondary School Student regarding Marker Recycling be received. 

    Received

5.2
Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants (Related to Item 8.1)
 

Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance

 

Mr. Gibbons presented an overview on Ontario's growing climate crisis pertaining to Gas Plant pollution. He spoke to the process on how to phase out Ontario's gas plants by implementing and utilizing wind and solar energy, Quebec's water power and using energy efficiencies as alternative options.  He noted the associated high costs of nuclear power in comparison to renewable energy.  Mr. Gibbons noted organizations and municipalities that support the initiative to phase out gas-fired power plants in Ontario. Clean Air Alliance requested that the Environmental Action Committee support this initiative and recommend endorsement from City Council. 

 

Brad Butt, Community Representative (non-voting) inquired if an economic impact study had been conducted.  Mr. Gibbons responded by noting that the economic benefits associated with phasing out gas plants and how to achieve this initiative by 2023 are outlined in the Clean Air Alliance’s Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants: A Road Map report.

 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and requested that further information regarding the initiative be provided, to benchmark with other municipalities and to report back to the Committee in a timely manner. 

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0032-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Dasko
    1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Jack Gibbons, Chair, Ontario Clean Air Alliance regarding Phasing-Out Ontario's Gas-Fired Power Plants be received. 
    2. That staff further investigate Clean Air Alliance's request to phase-out all gas-fired electricity generation and to benchmark with other municipalities on endorsement and to report back to the Environmental Action Committee prior to General Committee. 
    Carried

5.3
Update on Project Crossroads (Related to Item 9.1)
 

Alice Casselman, Environmental Action Committee (EAC) Member and Founding President of Association for Canadian Educational Resources

Catherine Soplet, Founder, Building Up Our Neighbourhoods

 

Ms. Casselman and Ms. Soplet presented an update on Project Crossroads. Project Crossroads is climate justice science for trees and people that supports health and the well-being of communities with significant exposure to climate risk through action on climate change adaptation, risk reduction and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mitigation. They spoke to their proposal to Environment Canada under the Climate Action and Awareness Fund. They noted the project's initiatives and accomplishments thus far, such as developing an application to collect and measure data. They further noted that they will be presenting to the Region of Peel and have briefly spoken at the City’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DIAC) regarding the trifecta crisis of climate change and racism.  Ms. Soplet and Ms. Casselman requested for the Committee's support and referral to City Council as well as to extend the One Million Trees Program to the public school boards and to focus on climate change, equity and inclusion. 

Members of the Committee briefly spoke to the matter and applauded the project initiative.

 

DIRECTION to staff to review Association for Canadian Educational Resources’ proposal to Environment Canada and to set up a meeting with the Natural Areas and Million Tree Program Coordinator to further investigate the request to expand the One Million Trees Program to include planting on School Board District owned properties.

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0033-2020
    Moved ByL. Mallett
    1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Alice Casselman, Environmental Action Committee Member and Founding President of Association for Canadian Educational Resources and Catherine Soplet, Founder, Building Up Our Neighbourhoods to provide an Update on Project Crossroads be received.
    2. That the Environmental Action Committee are in support in principal of Association for Canadian Educational Resources Project Crossroads Initiative.
    Carried

5.4
Reg Langen, Supervisor, Parks Operations to present on Electric Grass Cutting Equipment Pilot Project
 

Reg Langen, Supervisor, Parks Operations

 

Mr. Langen presented and provided an overview Electric Grass Cutting Equipment Pilot Project.  The project scope involves a fully enclosed trailer that includes all battery operated cutting equipment.  The benefits of the program is to reduce carbon emissions and noise, increased safety for employees, and no fuel being required, which helps align with the deliverables of the Climate Change Action Plan.  The next steps are to replace the existing grass cutting equipment at the end of their lifestyles. 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and raised the following questions and concerns:

  • Inquired about the battery life, charging times and performance;
  • Inquired if the existing equipment will be repurposed; and
  • Inquired what is included in the trailer.

 

Mr. Langen responded to the questions from the Members of the Committee;

  • Noted that this year due to the pandemic the operational roll-out was delayed, therefore the feedback is minimal and does not encompass the usual busy season. The battery life last approximately a day, while charging time is relatively quick. Overall, the results have been successful.
  • Staff could consider repurposing the end of life diesel fueled equipment versus just recycling the equipment.
  • The trailer includes assortment of batteries, trimmers, two lawn mowers and two riding lawn mowers. There is no generator in the trailer to re-charge the items, however exploring solar roofs to generate solar power to charge the equipment within in the trailer.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0034-2020
    Moved ByA. Casselman

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Reg Langen, Supervisor, Parks Operations regarding Electric Grass Cutting Equipment Pilot Project be received. 

    Received

5.5
Sustainable Procurement Policy
 

Andrea Westfall, Sustainable Procurement Coordinator

 

Ms. Westfall presented and provided an overview on the Sustainable Procurement Policy. The policy went into effect in January 2018 and helps the City make more sustainable choices when it comes to purchasing products and services from external vendors. The implementation consisted of training Buyers and Contract Managers reviewing bid criteria that may consist of environmental, ethical and social factors. She noted the implementation tools and procedures, the high impact procurement opportunities, routine sustainable procurement, and stakeholder relations.  Ms. Westfall spoke to the City’s sustainability achievements that include initiating and adopting the Corporate Green Building Standard, purchasing fair-trade coffee, reducing excessed packaging and purchasing hybrid vehicles. The next steps include creating a diverse supplier list, initiating e-learning modules, growing routine sustainable procurement and investigating the living wage.

 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and inquired about the type feedback from the vendors and if a cost/value analysis had been conducted.  Ms. Westfall responded by noting that the City has received no push back from the vendors and noted a number of vendors are producing Corporate Responsibility reports. The Sustainable Procurement Policy is a guideline that requires the City to identify the sustainability aspects for consideration within procurement processes, such as considering the value for money, environmental, ethnical and social factors.  Ms. Westfall also noted that the City is not required to select the most sustainable option, only mandated to consider those options, which could lead to future collaborations with vendors to integrate more sustainability factors into their products and/services.

 

Pujita Verma, Citizen Member departed the meeting at 10:42AM during the discussion of Item 5.5.

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0035-2020
    Moved ByC. Dalton

    That deputation and associated presentation by Andrea Westfall, Sustainable Procurement Coordinator regarding Sustainable Procurement Policy be received. 

    Received

6.
PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD - 15 Minute Limit 
 

Public Comments: Any member of the public interested in speaking to an item listed on the agenda may register at dayna.obaseki@mississauga.ca or call 905-615-3200 ext. 5425 by December 4, 2020 before 4:00 P.M. 

Pursuant to Section 42 of the Council Procedure By-law 0139-2013, as amended:

Environmental Action Committee may grant permission to a member of the public to ask a question of Environmental Action Committee, with the following provisions:

  1. The question must pertain to a specific item on the current agenda and the speaker will state which item the question is related to.
  2. A person asking a question shall limit any background explanation to two (2) statements, followed by the question.
  3. The total speaking time shall be five (5) minutes maximum, per speaker.

No member of the public registered to speak.

7.
CONSENT AGENDA
 

Please note: This category is a new addition to all advisory committee agendas. The Consent Agenda is used for those items that all Environmental Action Committee Members deem appropriate to approve or deal with together without discussion or individual motions because they are deemed routine and/or non-contentious.

 

Councillor Mahoney, Chair briefly spoke to this item outlining the purpose and efficiencies associated with having a Consent Agenda.

8.
MATTERS CONSIDERED
 

8.1
Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants Request Memo (Related to Item 5.2)
 

This item was previously discussed and voted on under Item 5.2. 

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0036-2020
    Moved ByC. Suleiman

    That the Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants Request Memo by Clean Air Alliance be received for information. 

    Received

8.2
Environmental Action Committee (EAC) Work Plan
 

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator spoke to Environmental Action Plan section's on Reporting on Committee Progress.  She noted the option to either forgo the bi-annual update this year due to COVID pandemic, the suspension of meetings and the limitations surrounding public committee engagement opportunities or make a deputation to General Committee in early 2021. 

 

The Committee decided to forgo the semi-annual reporting and to make one deputation on the Committee’s Progress prior to the summer of 2021.  

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0036-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Dasko

    That the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan be approved as discussed at the December 8, 2020 EAC meeting.

    Approved

9.
INFORMATION ITEMS
 

9.1
Association for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER) Canada Proposal to Environment Canada's Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF)
 

(Related to Item 5.3)

This item was previously discussed and voted on under Item 5.3. 

 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0037-2020
    Moved ByL. Mallett

    That the Association for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER) Canada Proposal to Environment Canada's Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF) be received for information.

    Received

10.
OTHER BUSINESS
 

Chelsea Dalton, Citizen Member announced the finalized and approved University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Sustainability Strategic Plan, Fostering a Culture of Sustainability 2030.

11.
ENQUIRIES
 

Nil.

12.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
 

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 - 9:30am via Online Video Conference (Virtually). 

 

Councillor Mahoney, Chair thanked all Members of the Environmental Action Committee for their participation and patience this year and through the virtual transition and wished the members a Happy Holidays!

 

13.
ADJOURNMENT
 

11:00 AM (Councillor Dasko)

No Item Selected