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

Councillor Mahoney, Chair called the meeting to order at 9:32 AM. 

Approved (B. McKee)

(Related to Item 7.1)

Ms. Kapalos presented on the Clean Air Council’s update and 2019-2023 Intergovernmental Declaration on Clean and Climate Change. She briefly provided a background on Clean Air Partnership and the Clean Air Council initiative. Ms. Kapalos provided an overview on the upcoming priorities that include Corporate Leadership, Resilience Financial Mechanisms, Low Carbon Buildings, Green Infrastructure, Maximizing Transportation Air Pollution and Carbon Reductions as well as Conservations Plans, Green Fleets, Green Procurements, Community Energy and Climate Mitigation. Ms. Kapalos requested support and recommendation for Council endorsement.

 

Alice Casselman, Community Group Representative inquired if the carbon offset calculations are being conducted. Ms. Kapolos responded by noting that yes carbon sequestration is being calculated through i-Tree assessment tools.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0022-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Dasko
    1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Gabriella Kapalos, Executive Director, Clean Air Partnership regarding Inter-Governmental Declaration of Clean and Air and Climate Change for Clean Air Council be received. 
    2. That the Environmental Action Committee are in support of Clean Air Council’s 2019-2023 Intergovernmental Declaration on Clean and Climate Change and recommend endorsement from General Committee on November 18, 2020.
    Carried

Ms. Zimmerman and Mr. Jhingan presented on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Low Carbon Energy Supply. They provided an overview on the six building and clean energy actions, which consist of renewable energy, low carbon systems, energy efficiency, climate resilience and retrofit programs that will help achieve the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) goals. They noted that the City of Mississauga has updated the Green Development Standard, revised application requirements and introduced new environmental associated by-laws as well as introduced a 5 Year Energy Conservation Plan (2019-2023), a Corporate Green Building Standard and conducted a number of solar studies. They also noted passive design features and spoke to funding limitation due to COVID impacts. Mr. Jhingan and Ms. Zimmerman noted the cost and benefit analysis on high performance buildings.

 

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

  • Inquired about green roofs on new builds and retrofitted buildings;
  • Suggested that green roofs should be combined with solar panelling roofs;
  • Inquired about temperature setting thresholds;
  • Inquired why the automated temperature setting thresholds are not being utilized in the smaller city facilities;
  • Inquired if this approach is being shared with the school boards;
  • Inquired if cost analysis is being conducted to determine whether a building should be torn down or retrofitted; and
  • Inquired if the embodied carbon from new construction builds and building demolishment are being counted.

 

Mr. Jhingan and Ms. Zimmerman responded to the questions from the Members of the Committee;

  • Solar panels are usually the first option for premium use of a roof space, green roofs are second option based on the building structure.
  • The Environment division works directly with Facilities Property Management to activate automated set temperature thresholds. The Recreation Centres utilize the CLASS booking system that has now been integrated with automated thermostats to have the temperature increase when programs are running and to decrease when the programs are not running.
  • The automated temperature set threshold mainly active at larger city facilities due the smaller buildings lacking the automated thermostats and the CLASS booking system.
  • Noted the Race to Reduce campaign and the City Green Leaders.
  • The Environmental Outreach team works closely with the schools and the eco school teams, however there is no formal relationship with respect to energy management.
  • The holistic sustainable approach focuses on low cost high impact when determining if a building should be replaced or retrofitted.
  • Capturing carbon emissions from construction and/or demolishment is a challenge due to there being no consistent standard in the industry.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0023-2020
    Moved ByC. Dalton

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Dianne Zimmerman, Manager Environment and Sumeet Jhingan, Manager, Asset Management to present on Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Low Carbon Energy Supply be received for information. 

    Received

Ms. Chapman presented on Parkland Acquisition by providing an overview on park planning and acquisition. Parkland Acquisition is determined through staff divisions, policies, master plans, strategies, funding and criteria. The Parkland Acquisition Evaluation Criteria consists of supporting a healthy environment, expanding and connecting trails systems, park design and development, population growth and recreational programming. The two processes for parkland acquisition consist of a development application or a direct acquisition that requires Council approval to utilize the cash in-lieu parkland reserve fund. Ms. Chapman further noted the City of Mississauga current status and achievements on parkland and the City’s future plans for the Park Acquisition Program.

 

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

  • Inquired about equitable neighbourhoods;
  • Inquired if the City loses or sells any parkland;
  • Inquired about the forestry, meadows and turf ratios; and
  • Inquired about the accessibility of getting to the parks.

 

Ms. Chapman responded to the questions from the Members of the Committee;

  • The City has adjusted their target to a 12% parkland target in high density areas, such as the downtown core.
  • Selling parkland is not a common practice at the City.
  • Majority of the parkland purchases are already Greenland and not converted from turf.
  • Walkability to a park is measured with a targeted aim of within a ten minute walk from a residential area and to be located away from major roadways and highways.
  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0024-2020
    Moved ByM. Kramer

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Sharon Chapman, Manager, Parks Planning to present on Parkland Acquisition be received for information. 

    Received

Mr. Legrain and Ms. Jianfar presented on the Downtown Movement Plan and provided a project overview and an update. The Downtown Movement Plan consists of a technical study of the Downtown Strategy and Action Plan and delivering Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan. The City of Mississauga plans to go through an Environmental Assessment process to speed up the implementation and determine the most effective options for the Downtown core. They spoke to the Downtown 21 Master Plan and the six guiding principles. They outlined the phases of the Downtown Strategy and the Downtown Movement Plan. The received feedback from Phase One (1) focused on four themes; walking, cycling, transit and driving. The Downtown Movement Plan's next steps are to conduct a Public Meeting in Winter/Spring 2021 that will consist of reviewed public feedback and alternative solutions prior to reporting to Council.

 

Brad Butt, Community Group Representative recalled a previously piloted shuttle bus service in the downtown core and suggested initiating that service again as an automated electric shuttle bus in order to reduce the number of driving trips and/or walking during the winter months. Councillor Carlson noted he was a big supporter of the shuttle bus, however further noted the reasons behind the pilot not succeeding was due to lack of density at the time in the core and no return bus service, which generated longer wait times. Therefore, if those elements were addressed another shuttle services could be successful. Mr. Legrain noted that a large number to driving trips within the core are under 5km. Mr. Legrain responded by noting that a shuttle service has been pitched to MiWay, however received mixed reviews and the City is currently looking a variety of transit alternatives for the downtown core.

 

Melanie Kramer, Community Group Representative suggested incentives for business to shift working hours to reduce peak times. Mr. Legrain responded by noting shifting work patterns, such as working from home would help offset peak times and create more efficiency to use alternative modes of transportation, however also noted that this may cause more driving due to the less congestion on the road.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0025-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Carlson

    That the deputation and associated presentation by Alex Legrain, Project Leader, Transportation Planning and Mojan Jianfar, Project Lead, Planner, City Planning Strategies to present on the Downtown Movement Plan be received for information. 

    Received

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 October 30, 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.

 

Rosemary Martin, Resident inquired about Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Low Carbon Energy with respect to Lakeview. She noted the presentation did not address Lakeview specifically and further advocated for the passive house standard versus using district energy. Ms. Martin inquired if the weather temperature has been considered as a factor.  Ms. Zimmerman noted that the Climate Change Action Plan greenhouse gas emission reduction targets will require renewable energy instead of utilizing natural gas to attain those goals.   Mr. Jhingan responded by noting the weather has been noted and captured in the 5 Year Energy Conservation Plan.

 

DIRECTION to staff to connect offline with Ms. Martin regarding her concerns and questions surrounding Lakeview and energy efficiency standards.

 

Jonathan Giggs, Resident inquired about the Downtown Movement Plan and the possible use of the lands north of Confederation Parkway. Mr. Legrain responded by noting this area is a hydro corridor, high pressurized that contains a large amount of natural gas and oil pipelines that is protected by the Ministry of Transportation. Mr. Legrain further noted that the introduction of a north distribution road and fly overs could provide accessibility for cyclists. Mr. Legrain also noted that outer downtown core areas will be assessed to include transportation links into the core.

(Related to Item 5.1)

This item was previously discussed and voted on under Item 5.1. 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0026-2020
    Moved ByCouncillor Dasko

    That the memo and appendix on the Clean Air Council’s 2019-2023 Intergovernmental Declaration on Clean and Climate Change be received for information.

    Received

Leya Barry, Climate Change Specialist briefly spoke to the report and requested Committee support and recommendation for Council endorsement.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0027-2020
    Moved ByA. Casselman

    That the draft Green Fleet and Equipment Policy, attached as Appendix 1, the Decision Making Framework and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Standard, attached as Appendix 2 and 3 be supported by the Environmental Action Committee and recommend endorsement by General Committee.

    Carried

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator noted there will be an update at the next EAC meeting. 

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0028-2020
    Moved ByB. Bass

    That the Environmental Action Committee Work Plan be approved as discussed at the November 3, 2020 EAC meeting.

    Approved

Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment thanked all the Committee Members and staff that attended and participated in the October 17, 2020 Litter Clean-up. The clean-up included the newly implemented health and safety guidelines and resulted in approximately 10kg (22lbs) of litter being picked up.   

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0029-2020
    Moved ByC. Dalton

    That the verbal update by Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment on the Adopt-A-Park Litter Clean-Up on October 17, 2020 be received. 

    Received

No discussion took place.

  • RECOMMENDATIONEAC-0030-2020
    Moved ByM. Kramer

    That the Environmental Action Committee 2021 Meeting Dates memo be received for information. 

    Received

Nil.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 9:30am via online video conference

11:22 AM (Councillor Dasko)

No Item Selected